Pubdate: Sun, 19 Nov 2000 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2000 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ BURMA'S INSINCERE ATTITUDE ON DRUGS For the second time in six months, the United Nations is sponsoring a conference against drugs in the centre of the main drug trafficking in Southeast Asia. The United States and several other countries are boycotting this largely futile meeting of regional policemen. Burmese organisers claim this shows that certain countries-translation: the United States-refuse to co-operate with Burma in its efforts to fight the drug trade. If it were not so serious, it would be funny. Even the reason for the second meeting of law-enforcement chiefs is unclear. The meeting of Asean police chiefs in Rangoon last May produced no discernible positive results. On the contrary, the it seemed distasteful to force the top law-enforcement officers to meet in the home town of Khun Sa, Lo Hsing-han and other infamous, free drug dealers. Officials argued that the chiefs could make personal contacts that would serve all countries later on. Perhaps this is true. But even last May, it seemed somewhat unsavoury. In many minds, correctly, Burma and drug trafficking are linked. The country produces more opium and heroin than any other in the region. Its illicit drug factories are churning out hundreds of millions of methamphetamines and similar stimulants. Burma's leading drug traffickers all have direct links to the leaders of the ruling military junta. Thailand, India and Laos all have declared drug trafficking from Burma to be a major threat to their national security. Chinese leaders, who ironically are close to the Burmese dictators, have stated that drugs threaten both the health and the national security of southern Chinese, particularly in Yunnan. The World Health Organisation recently pointed out that use of drugs from Burma has caused and spread the major part of the ruinous and tragic Aids epidemics in South and Southeast Asia. Against all of this, Interpol and the UN Drug Control Programme took their 24th conference of Asia-Pacific law enforcement chiefs to Rangoon. Perhaps they like the availability of hotels, caused by a world-wide tourist boycott. Perhaps they think it was Burma's turn. Many would call their choice a bad idea, and in bad taste. Burmese officials, not known for their humility, went immediately on the offensive. Col Tin Hlaing, the junta officer who doubles as interior minister, blasted "some responsible countries" for boycotting the meeting. He made it clear he meant, especially, the United States. The Americans, he went on, were insincere in anti-drug co-operation. In their long fight against drug trafficking the Americans have been accused of many things-too much violence, pressuring allies too hard, giving too much aid, and focussing on supply rather than demand. Failing to fight drug trafficking is a new charge against the US. It is also ridiculous on the face of it. The Americans boycotted the Rangoon conference, again, to protest the Burmese failure to take action against their own drug traffickers. It is unproductive in the extreme to argue that the Americans will not assist the anti-drug effort when Rangoon allows its home-grown traffickers to walk free in Rangoon, invest in government-backed projects, and run private, drug-dealing fiefdoms, like the United Wa State Army in the northern areas. The United Nations should think more seriously about putting its conferences in such cities as Rangoon. The fight over the site made it impossible for any progress at the meetings. But the main problem is Burma itself. The attack on the US is a laughable effort to divert attention from the drug traffickers who live and prosper in that country. The continuing, growing addiction of Thai youths is the daily proof that Burma will not co-operate on fighting drug trafficking. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder