Myanmar war on drugs vital

EDITORIAL

Published: 19 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

President Thein Sein and his reform government have made important changes in Myanmar. Many political prisoners are free, real steps are under way to bring in basic freedoms of speech and gathering. The elected Myanmar parliament has engaged in open dialogue and criticism, especially since the election of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. The president has shown a desire to engage the world community.

While the achievements of the past two years are encouraging, Myanmar is still suffering the effects of its 60-year isolation. The country's treatment of minorities is not just outdated prejudice. It is racism and discrimination, unacceptable in 21st century Asean and the rest of the world. It is troubling that Myanmar attempts to defend its treatment of the Rohingya, Kachin, Karen and other "separate people".

Thein Sein must reverse his stance and lead Myanmar to accept and acknowledge its minorities and the country's diversity.

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onlyasking
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Discussion 6 : 19 Feb 2013 at 21.426
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There once was a war in Angola. In that war the governments army would fight for diamond mines. When they control the mines they give the government some money and the generals took some for themselves and bought more weapons. The rebels fought for these mines and when they controlled them they did the same as the army's generals. There was no motivation to stop the war. In Burma its the same only its not diamonds but drugs.
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lungstib
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Discussion 5 : 19 Feb 2013 at 14.345
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Burma has copied the Thai style of military involvement in all things that make money, taking control of that, and the announcing the military is not involved in politics. Drugs have got BIG friends here, and the same over there.
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felixqui
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Discussion 4 : 19 Feb 2013 at 08.084
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Nor is it very neighbourly to seek to export to other countries the drug policies and all their associated harms to citizens and society that have failed so spectacularly for so many decades in Thailand.

Perhaps rather than exporting its own failures, Thailand would to better to import some drug policies that actually seem to help? Policies which not only seem to work at reducing drug related harm to citizens and society, but are both rational and moral.
Ever heard of a country called Portugal?
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cyborg
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Discussion 3 : 19 Feb 2013 at 07.553
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Yeah because the "War on Drugs" has worked out so well everywhere else in the world. The USA has been fighting this war for almost 100 years since the signing of the Harrison Act. Net result? An increase in the use of illicit drugs of 1,000s of %, countless taxpayers dollars used to fight this losing battle. In SEA the infamous "Golden Triangle" produced less than 200 tonnes per year of opium per year in 1949,that has now increased to nearly 5,000 tonnes per year.No government in history has ever managed to ban anything that it's citizens desired to partake in be it opium, alcohol, gambling, etc. The war is lost, let's work on the peace.
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felixqui
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Discussion 2 : 19 Feb 2013 at 07.522
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It is easy for Thailand to blame others for Thailand's problems with drugs. But this is dishonest. Thailand's drug problems are wholly of Thailand's making and are entirely Thailand's responsibility.

Instead of admitting that the obvious failure of decades of bad policy has not worked, Thai governments irrationally persist in the same proven failures, to the enormous harm of Thai citizens and Thai society as reported daily in the Bangkok Post, and to the enormous benefit of corrupt Thai officials and mafia scum. This is neither rational nor just.

Stop blaming others and take responsibility. And try something that might help Thailand.
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bedouin
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Discussion 1 : 19 Feb 2013 at 05.291
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Until and unless the Asian acceptance of corruption is changed, drug production will never be changed. Thailand is also a leader in world distribution.
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Myanmar war on drugs vital | Bangkok Post: opinion