Pubdate: Sat, 07 Oct 2000 Source: Straits Times (Singapore) Copyright: 2000 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Contact: Forum Editor, 390 Kim Seng Road Singapore 239495 Fax: 733-2690 Website: http://straitstimes.asia1.com/ Author: Edward Tang, Thailand Correspondent THAILAND GETS US, CHINA SUPPORT IN ANTI-DRUGS WAR Officials from three countries will work together on a wide range of strategies to wipe out the menace, seen as the "greatest security threat' BANGKOK -- Thailand has obtained important support from the United States and China to tackle its worsening drug problem, described by officials here as the country's ""greatest security threat''. Its officials are currently drafting separate cooperation agreements on drug suppression with their counterparts in Beijing and Washington ahead of an international narcotics conference to be held in Bangkok next week. The bilateral tie-ups with the two superpowers are significant. The agreement with the US is the first time that the Thai army will work together with its American counterpart to combat the drug problem. Previous cooperation have been confined to civilian officials of the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Thai narcotics bureau. According to Admiral Dennis Blair, head of the US Pacific Command who visited Bangkok last week, the US army will provide training on drug suppression to Thai soldiers and supply equipment such as night vision devices and other military gear. Additionally, the US has pledged US$6 million (S$10.2 million) to fund anti-drug activities such as crop control, law enforcement, and cooperation with third countries over the next year. The agreement with China is equally significant because of the high-level interest reflected in the recent exchange of letters between Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and his Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji. In his reply to Mr Chuan who sought China's cooperation, Mr Zhu said emphatically: ""Our conviction is: never stop fighting until the total eradication of drugs is achieved.'' The agreement with China is expected to include sharing of intelligence, suppressing movement of drugs and precursor chemicals, and setting up rehabilitation facilities. Thailand and China share long borders with Myanmar, the source of millions of amphetamine pills which flood Asia, including Singapore. The United Wa State Army, an ethnic group based near the Thai-Myanmar border, is allegedly responsible for producing the stimulants made from precursor chemicals that are said to originate from Thailand and Yunnan, China's south-western province. The 20,000-strong group is also accused of processing much of the heroin and opium that are smuggled into the US and Europe. Thailand has accused Myanmar of turning a blind eye to the activities on its border. Despite joint patrols by their officials to prevent cross-border trafficking, there has been no significant improvement. Thailand also has porous borders with Laos and Cambodia where illicit drug trafficking takes place largely undetected. Thai officials said over 600 million amphetamine tablets were smuggled into Thailand last year and more than 600,000 students here were hooked on the ""speed'' pills, which are sold at 100 baht (S$4) each. Enlisting the help of the US and China is seen as a desperate move by Bangkok to keep pace with regional efforts to create a drug-free Asean by 2015, a deadline set by Foreign Ministers of the 10-member grouping in July. Thailand and the United Nations Drug Control Programme will co-host a three-day international meeting in Bangkok next week to promote regional cooperation in the fight against drugs. Sources said the US and European countries, which are among the 34 participating nations, are expected to pressure Myanmar to step up efforts against drug production. Ms Tanitha Nakin, a senior Thai narcotics official, said: ""The drug problem does not only affect Thailand but also other countries in the region.'' THE FIGURES: GRIM STORY About 600 million amphetamine tablets with a market value of 60 billion baht (S$2.4 billion) were smuggled into Thailand from Myanmar last year. About 1,700 tonnes of opium are grown each year in the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. Over 60 amphetamine factories are believed to be operating near the Thai-Myanmar border. Amphetamine is the most abused drug, followed by marijuana, heroin, Ecstasy pills and cocaine. About 700,000 students are addicted to amphetamines. Thirty-four drug traffickers were given death sentences this year, double the number for murder. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D