Ships, planes OKd to seize smugglers

 By YVES COLON

 In a decision quickly welcomed by U.S. officials, Haiti has agreed to allow U.S.
 ships and planes to enter its unguarded coastline and airspace to intercept
 Colombian vessels preparing to unload cocaine destined for South Florida.

 The move is supported by president-elect Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who pledged to
 put into effect an agreement that was signed by the United States and Haiti three
 years ago but not ratified by Haiti's parliament until last month.

 Aristide plans to take the battle against traffickers another step as well, officials
 said, by pushing legislators of his Lavalas Family party to approve two other
 proposals that would make it more difficult for traffickers to use Haiti as a
 springboard for drugs moving into this country.

 Officials at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy say the bills
 before Haiti's parliament are a good sign, but caution that the ultimate proof will
 be whether Haiti carries out its declared intentions.

 ``We're encouraged they're moving forward with the ratification process,'' said
 Jennifer de Vallance, a spokeswoman for the agency. ``The legislation is an
 excellent step. We expect them to follow up.''

 Haiti's popularity with Colombian cocaine traffickers is the result of several
 factors: geography, the absence of effective law enforcement, and the eagerness
 of officials seeking bribes.

 The cocaine enters Haiti along some 800 miles of unguarded coastline, mostly on
 the Caribbean Sea and directly facing Colombia.

 The White House Office on National Drug Control Policy estimates that more than
 65 metric tons of cocaine a year is dropped in Haiti from boats or airplanes before
 it is shipped to Florida through couriers or on freighters that dock on the Miami
 River.

 Because no agreement has been in effect, U.S. Coast Guard ships and airplanes
 tracking cocaine vessels customarily abandon the chase as soon as they enter
 Haitian waters.

 In a letter to President Clinton earlier this month, Aristide agreed to ``enhance
 substantially cooperation.''

 Among other things, U.S. officers will be allowed to search ships and people on
 board, as well as inspect documents.

 ``We're giving ourselves the instruments we need to fight the networks of drug
 dealers we have corrupting this country,'' said Justice Minister Camille Leblanc.

 One piece of legislation before the parliament concerns money laundering, a
 booming business in Haiti, where there is little banking oversight.

 In the past few years, several new banks have opened and agencies transferring
 money to Colombia have proliferated.

 During the past decade, while Haiti's economy has been on life support,
 construction of luxury homes on the hillsides has mushroomed.

 Much of the money comes from the United States, where the drug is sold.

 Last week, U.S. Customs officials found $2 million on a ship that was about to
 leave the Miami River for Haiti.

 It was loaded with used bicycles, bedding and furniture -- and a stash of money
 hidden inside three plastic boxes.

 Customs agents say some Haitian boats come up the Miami River with no legal
 cargo whatsoever, and leave with merchandise of little value.

 The booty, they say, is the cocaine they bring in and the cash they leave with.

 Once the proposed legislation is enacted, according to Leblanc, banks will be
 required to ask depositors of more than $3,000 to file a form that would slow down
 considerably the transfer of cash from Haiti, either to Colombia or offshore
 institutions.

 Banks will be forced to open their books once they suspect one of their clients in
 involved in the drug trade, Leblanc said.

 Leblanc said Haiti also plans to set harsher penalties, making it easier to
 extradite traffickers wanted by U.S. authorities for trial.

 The bill also sets a minimum sentence of 10 years and seizure of all property
 once someone is convicted of trafficking.

 He said Haiti will set up a national commission to plan the fight against drugs.

 ``These documents are strong enough to show everyone that we're serious and
 that the consequences are very high,'' Leblanc said. ``Prison here is not sweet.
 We can only afford to feed our prisoners 1,300 calories per day, while someone
 needs 2,000 a day. When you get into jail here... you don't know how you're going
 to come out.''

 About 50 Colombians, along with dozens of Haitians, are being held in Haiti for
 drug trafficking.

 Several of the Colombians have recently died in jail.

 Yvon Neptune, president of Haiti's senate and a spokesman for Lavalas Party,
 said his colleagues will likely vote on the bills at the end of the month.