Testing the junta's commitment<\/p>\n
The visit to Thailand of a 40-strong Myanmar delegation led by
\nSenior General Than Shwe is another step in the junta's campaign
\nto gain world-wide credibility.<\/p>\n
If the visitors heard some tough talk from their Thai hosts,
\nthey were also accorded a meeting with King Bhumibol in the
\ncapital. This seems in keeping with the stick-and-carrot approach
\nto the constructive engagement policy which the Thais have
\nadopted toward their neighbor.<\/p>\n
This approach has produced nothing of value for members of the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations. On the contrary, the
\napproach has damaged previously excellent ties with the European
\nUnion while producing none of the hoped-for improvements in human
\nrights in Myanmar. But Thailand has a more pressing need to
\nengage the junta.<\/p>\n
Burma has overtaken Afghanistan as the world's top opium
\nproducer, and is known to be producing ever larger quantities of
\namphetamines. Thailand's own efforts to cut drug production and
\ndrug use have been sabotaged as more and more of its young people
\nfall prey to Myanmar's traffickers. There are reports that half
\nof the children in northern Thai schools have tried amphetamines.
\nApart from its efforts to curb domestic production, the
\ngovernment in Bangkok has to tackle the problem of drugs produced
\nby its neighbors.<\/p>\n
At least half of the narcotics smuggled out of the Golden
\nTriangle pass through Thailand, increasing in value along the
\nroute. Yet few traffickers are ever brought to justice. Things
\nmay change if the two countries really increase their joint
\nefforts to put a halt to the drugs trade and the Myanmar junta
\npromotes its own antidrug campaign.<\/p>\n
So far, Myanmar seems to have convinced Interpol of its
\nsincerity to fight the drugs trade, though United States drug
\nenforcement agencies and others remain deeply cynical.
\nCooperation with Thailand in this fight is the surest test of
\nYangon's commitment. If this effort stands up to scrutiny, it
\nwill be the first sign that constructive engagement can produce
\npositive results.<\/p>\n
-- The South China Sunday Morning Post, Hong Kong<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/testing-the-juntas-commitment-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }