Bangkok Post (8/8/99) (r)

[mandalay@xxxxxxxxxx]

<bold>Editorial


Leaders fail to walk the walk

</bold>

Our growing drug dilemma shows it is not easy to translate agreement into
action. Agreement and promises of unity are no longer a problem-there are
more of them than you can count. The problem is the lack of follow-up.
Illegal drugs remain a menace to the entire region, addiction is rampant
and rising, and most designs for united action remain in the planning
stage.


The drug war belongs on the streets and in the jungles, in schools and
along the borders. But in recent months, a series of meetings has
threatened to mire down the effort against drug trafficking. In past
years, countries refused to cooperate against the drug gangs. Now, the
promises of harmony seem interminable. It is clear that the regional
leaders and bureaucrats can talk the talk. But after all these years and
meetings, it is still doubtful they can walk the walk.


In short, officials are spinning their wheels. As has been pointed out in
the past, there are worthwhile dividends from the international meetings.
Ministers, officers and officials who know each other personally will
often cooperate better. These are intangible benefits of international
conferences. We support such talks.


One cannot, however, support the inaction which far too often has
followed the conferences. For example, there was the meeting last April
among the three countries at the heart of the Golden Triangle.
Delegations were led by Lao minister Suban Sidthilad, Burmese Border
Development and Ethnic Minister Col Thein Nyunt, and Interior Minister
Sanan Kachornprasart. Few meetings feature such an influential cast. Few
have produced so little: A condemnation of drugs and promises to meet
later to formulate policies.


In late May, senior officials from six nations agreed to collaborate on
drugs trafficking. Asean promised to fight narcotics smuggling. Policemen
from East Asia met in Japan to discuss tracking traffickers. And the
number of Thai-Burmese meetings which have promised to produce anti-drugs
policies can no longer be counted.


Meanwhile, the drug problems have got worse in all measurable ways. Burma
is cooperating with more drug gangs and cartels. More drugs are entering
Thailand than ever before. Record amounts of both heroin and amphetamine
are flowing from the region to the rest of the world. More Thai youths
are using, abusing, addicted to and dying from drugs than at any time in
our history.


While officials have held their rather comfortable meetings, narcotics
have become the greatest threat to Thai national security. The Thailand
Development Research Institute reports that 200,000 students regularly
use illicit drugs. Payont Pansri, secretary-general of the Office of the
Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, says most of the methamphetamines,
or "ya ba," flooding Thailand are produced just over our western 
border.


Burma continues to be the centre of drug production, drug trafficking and
reports of central government involvement. Rangoon refuses to control or
explain the presence of Wa traffickers in their rapidly building town
opposite Chiang Mai. There is nothing in Thailand, for example, to rival
the Burmese village of Nakawngmu. Methamphetamines are openly made and
sold. The trade depends, first, upon the local Burmese army commanders
and then upon their superiors in Rangoon. The narcotics trade in this
town is blatant and totally unhindered by Burma.


If promises of international cooperation are to be taken seriously, they
must be translated into action. A Burmese operation to close down the
traffickers of Nakawngmu would be welcome. In fact, given all the Rangoon
promises of cooperation at so many conferences, it is likely that Thai
police and troops would be happy to help their Burmese counterparts in
such a worthwhile anti-drugs operation