The UN Drug Control Program has called on donor countries to put politics aside and provide money to help fight drugs in Myanmar. "This fight against drugs and crime is neither leftist nor rightist. It is a matter of building a better society," said UNDCP representative Sandro Calvani. "Coloring the issue with political bias is pure nonsense because it is a global problem."

According to Calvani, Myanmar -- also known as Burma -- receives 1% of the international funds Thailand has received in its anti-drug efforts. Some UN work in Myanmar is funded by the United States, but Washington does not send any direct money to the country (James East, Singapore Straits Times, 22 Mar). The United States this month extended its ban on Myanmar aid, saying the ruling military junta is still not cooperating in the fight against drugs.

"In Burma, few inroads were made in 1999 against drug trafficking and production," US drug czar Barry McCaffrey said. "The dictatorship in Burma tolerates money laundering and drug-related corruption. Its unwillingness to implement drug laws continues to be of serious concern," according to McCaffrey, director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy.

The US State Department, however, says Myanmar has tried to crack down on the drug trade. Some reductions in opium production, a State Department report said, can be attributed to government efforts (Reuters/San Jose Mercury News, 21 Mar).

Myanmar officials say they need more international aid. "We need assistance from outside," said Lieutenant Colonel Sit Aye of Myanmar's drug abuse control office. "We have explained that no country alone can fight crime. We have a problem with trafficking, production and consumption."

UNDCP staff say Myanmar's police appear to be as clean as those in other Southeast Asian countries. One warned, however, against focusing on production crackdowns and restrictions. "Production is driven by demand," the official said. "This is a complex problem. You cannot beat the problem like a small child" (East, Singapore Straits Times).

Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of illegal opium and heroin. Afghanistan is the only country with higher production levels