President Clinton has removed Malaysia and Iran from the list of countries which the United States considers to be major producers or transit nations for illegal drugs.

In a letter to Congress, Mr Clinton said that while Malaysia was geographically suited to be a transit route for heroin, there had been no sign for several years that illegal drugs had been shipped to the US through the country.

Iran, he said, had carried out a successful programme to eradicate opium poppy plants.

The letter added, however, that both countries should be monitored because of their potential as transit routes.