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| The workshop on drug control cooperation
among China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand was held on 17-18 January
2002 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. H.E. Gen. Thammarak Isarangura, Minister
to the Prime Minister's Office has presided over the Opening Ceremony.
The workshop was chaired by Mrs. Rasamee Vistaveth, Deputy Secretary-General
of the Narcotics Control Board and Head of Thai Delegation. The list of delegates appears as Annex 1. The workshop discussed the activities according to Beijing Declaration and agreed as follows: Law Enforcement 1. Mekong Surveillance Cooperation The workshop discussed the cooperation in combating the illicit drug trafficking along Mekong River and concurred that the collective information concerned was needed such as profiles of vessels that cruised along the River, suspected passengers and shipment of goods. The workshop agreed that the four countries would jointly conduct Mekong survey to collect information on drug situation and illicit trafficking along Mekong River. In conducting the survey, the workshop took note that the matters of national and international laws and regulations relating to Mekong River, state jurisdiction and financial implication should be taken into consideration. The workshop took note that there was a survey done by UNDCP, so the existing survey information should also be used. The workshop agreed that a joint survey team consisting of representatives of four countries should be set up. Therefore, a drafting committee was set up to draft a project proposal on Mekong survey for submission to the workshop for consideration. The workshop adopted in principle the project proposal on Mekong Fact Finding Survey submitted by the drafting committee. 2. Precursor Chemical Control Cooperation The workshop agreed that precursor chemical control cooperation should be strengthened and four countries should make good use of the experience and lesson learned from the Precursor Control in East Asia Project, which was at the time being in the 2nd phase. The workshop was informed about the survey to collect information for the formulation of joint action plan for precursor control among four countries which was under the Precursors Control in East Asia, Phase II. The workshop agreed to make use of the information obtained from that survey. 3. Mutual Legal Assistance The workshop viewed that four countries should strengthen the legal mechanism to supplement the narcotics law enforcement work. The workshop was informed of development of legal measures such as the drafting of mutual legal assistance law in China and Myanmar, the drafting of anti-money laundering law in Myanmar. The workshop viewed that mutual legal assistance was needed and agreed to put into practice the recommendations adopted by the Mutual Legal Assistance Advisory Committee (MLAAC) under the C74 Project. For the time being, the countries that did not have mutual legal assistance laws could give assistance on case by case basis. The workshop viewed that training for law enforcement officer to be capable in conducting mutual legal assistance was needed. The workshop agreed that the laws related to drug control should be exchanged among four countries. 4. Drug Impurity Profiling and Signature Analysis The workshop was informed about drug impurity profiling implemented in Thailand with technical assistance from Japanese Government. For the time being, Thailand proposed to extend the project to cover Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. The workshop viewed that such on-going program was useful to identify illicit drug sources as well as drug syndicates. Training program on the drug impurity profiling should be separately provided to law enforcement officers and chemists. The workshop was informed that China would include drug analysis in the training course on law enforcement that would be organized for Lao PDR and Myanmar. China proposed that in the future, the drug impurity-profiling program should be exchanged and would send chemists to Thailand to learn Thailand's experience. Thailand welcomed and was willing to share her experiences in drug profiling with China, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Supply Reduction 1. Alternative Development The workshop agreed that Thailand and China who had more experience on narcotic crop control by using crop substitution approach should assist Lao PDR and Myanmar in this matter. A forum for expert on alternative development programs should be organized to discuss on the matter to find concerted ways and means to implement the programs in the four countries successfully. The workshop also agreed that they should call for world communities in various international forums to support the promotion of crop substitution products from alternative development projects from the four countries to the world market and also to give GSP (General Scheme Preferences), such as, tax and tariff reduction or exemption. 2. Opium Survey by Remote Sensing Technique Thailand informed the workshop that she had over 20 year-experiences in opium survey by developing methodology from ground truthing and aerial photo interpretation to satellite imagery and was ready to share experiences with other countries. Thailand also accepted a request of Lao PDR to have a study visit on opium survey by remote sensing technique. At the same time, China would take into consideration to provide training in this matter to Lao PDR and Myanmar when the techniques were successfully developed. Demand Reduction The workshop agreed that drug ab use prevention as well as treatment and rehabilitation is essential issue for their human resource development. Thailand was viewed to have experience in this field, especially on school-based prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of ATS addicts. Thailand was pleased to share her experience and proposed to cooperate with the Colombo Plan Bureau to organize a kind of seminar or training on these issues. It was decided that one training on ATS prevention would be their first priority followed by treatment of ATS addicts. Thailand also proposed that the exchange of experiences on the epidemiology study could be shared with the interested party on a bilateral basis. The workshop was held in the spirit of cordiality, collaboration and solidarity of four countries. |
