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.
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