THE IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS AND RELATED MATTERS

Issued by: Office of the Deputy President

15 May 2001

LETTER OF INTENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA ON CO-OPERATION IN THE FIELD OF COMBATING THE ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, THE IMPROPER USE OF DRUGS AND RELATED MATTERS

CONSCIOUS that illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and related crimes is a problem with a transnational character which equally effects all the countries of the world which need to be addressed through bilateral and multilateral co-operation in the search for joint solutions;

CONVINCED that the adoption of measures to confront the international problem of drugs is a common and shared responsibility which requires as integrated approach and uniform conformity to the principles of international law;

REAFFIRMING the obligations of the Convention on Narcotics of 1961 and the Protocol `Modificatorio' of 1972, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the UN Convention on Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988;

RENEWING the commitments to the agreements reached in the Twentieth Special Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the International Drug Problem which was held in New York in 1998;

IN PURSUIT of the UN Convention Against the Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Related Crimes of 1988 and the accordance with agreement to internal ruling/organisation, the parties hereby state their intent to explore further mechanisms for;

• Identification and monitoring of common trends in relation to the drug trade between the two countries
• Exchange of information necessary to combat narco trafficking activities and all other related offences
• Provision of technical and scientific support
• Co-operation with investigations, upon request
• Co-operating in the combating of the illegal growing, production, manufacturing, distribution, trafficking, sale and demand for illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as money laundering, the evasion of prosecution, arms traffickiand other related crimes.
• Co-ordinating efforts in the execution of programmes to prevent the consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as the development of rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes of drug dependants.

To this extent, the parties hereby agree to;

• Establish a bilateral forum comprising of the relevant authorities in South Africa and Colombia, to identify areas of co-operation and report to their respective Governments within 6 months from the date of signature of Letter of Intent.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, duly authorised by their respective Governments, sign this Letter of Intent in two equally authentic originals in the Spanish and English languages, on this 14th day of May in 2001.

For the Government of the For the Government of the Republic Republic of South Africa of Colombia

His Excellency J.G. Zuma His Excellency G.B. Lemus Deputy President Vice President