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News from India (r)
ALBRIGHT SAYS BURMA RULED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS
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US launches fresh attack on junta
Kuala Lumpur, July 28: The United States launched a fresh
attack on Burma on Monday, alleging that drug traffickers
now held high- profile positions in the country's economic
and political life.
US secretary of state Madeleine Albright, addressing the
annual meeting between Asean and its traditional Western
and regional partners, called for joint action to prevent
the spillover of criminal activities.
"Drug traffickers who once spent their days leading mule
trains down jungle tracks are now leading lights in Burma's
new market economy and leading figures in its new political
order," Ms Albright said.
She was apparently referring to former opium warlord Khun
Sa, among others. Khun Sa "retired" from his drug empire in
Burma's northeast Shan state and is now reported to be
involved in legitimate businesses operating from Rangoon.
It was the second time in as many days that the US official
had attacked Burma over its record on drugs both times in
the presence of Burmese foreign minister Ohn Gyaw.
Burma and Laos were admitted last week as full members of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which also
includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
But Ms Albright warned: "With economies whose growth often
outpaces government efforts at regulation, ASEAN nations
are vulnerable to criminals looking for a place to operate,
or a place to hide. Because international criminals respect
no law or border, it is in every nation's interest to fight
them together." (AFP)
The Asian Age July 29, 1997.
News and Information Bureau, All Burma Studnets League
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