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DetDeterminationClinton · D Quiet signal

Presidential Determination

Certifications for Major Narcotics Producing and Transit Countries

President Clinton issued a determination under the Foreign Assistance Act certifying countries' cooperation in counternarcotics efforts. The Bahamas, Brazil, China, and 12 others were certified for full cooperation; Bolivia, Colombia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Paraguay, and Peru were certified based on vital national interests; Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Nigeria, and Syria were decertified for failing to meet standards.

Federal Register Open PDF 60 FR 12859

Impact dates

  1. Report determination to Congress immediately

  2. Publish determination in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Certify 18 countries under FAA section 490(b)(1)(A) for full cooperation
  • Certify 6 countries under FAA section 490(b)(1)(B) based on vital national interests
  • Decertify 5 countries for failing to meet standards
  • Direct Secretary of State to report determination to Congress immediately
  • Direct Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Certification determinations take effect for FY1995 foreign assistance
  • Secretary of State directed to report to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

  • Congressional review of certifications possible
  • Bahamas expected parliamentary action on money laundering legislation
  • Jamaica expected presentation of money laundering legislation before April 1995

Long term

  • Annual recertification cycle continues
  • Laos pledged to become UN Convention party by 2000
  • Sustained bilateral counternarcotics cooperation frameworks

Risks & tensions

  • Decertification of major countries (Nigeria, Burma) risks diplomatic friction
  • Vital national interest certification for Colombia/Bolivia/Peru may face congressional challenge as override mechanism exists
  • India's expanded opium cultivation to 24,000 hectares raises diversion concerns despite certification
  • Haiti's political instability and narco-corruption in military pose ongoing risks to certification validity
  • Mexico's declining cocaine seizures and narco-corruption undermine certification rationale
  • China cooperation impeded by 'goldfish case' extradition dispute
Presidential Determination: Certifications for Major Narcotics Producing and Transit Countries · Executive Orders