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Dominican Republic debates shooting drug-laden boats, planes despite US opposition

Other News Materials 30 October 2008 23:38 (UTC +04:00)

Legislators in the Dominican Republic are debating a proposal that would let authorities shoot at drug-laden planes and boats that refuse to land or dock when ordered, the Associated Press reported.

The proposal received preliminary approval late last year and senators are expected to debate it by year's end. The U.S. has criticized it and threatened to suspend anti-drug efforts if the law is approved.

Congress leader Julio Cesar Valentin urged legislators Thursday to approve the law and accused the U.S. government of "meddling" when it sent letters warning them of the consequences.

The Caribbean country is among the top 20 nations that the U.S. State Department considers major producers of, or transit sites for, illegal drugs.

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