SAMPAO WANTS JUNTA TO STEM FLOW

The supreme commander will ask Burmese leaders during his two-day visit to
Rangoon next week to help combat the spread of drugs.

Gen Sampao Chusri said he will seek drug suppression co-operation by
telling the military leaders that Thailand's neighbours, including Burma,
cannot hope to save their own people from addiction if the spread of drugs
continues at the present rate.

He will raise the drug issues for discussion with Burmese Prime Minister
Gen Tan Shwe and Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye during his Dec 12-13 visit.

"If we earnestly start co-operating from now, the spread of drugs will be
less serious in the future," the supreme commander said.

Gen Sampao said Burma should make clear its stance on an anti-narcotics
drive. Rangoon's recent admission on its failure to combat drugs in
minority-controlled areas of the country is not being taken too seriously.

Gen Sampao said Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai, as defence minister, had
approved a 19-million-baht fund for the Supreme Command to establish 30
drug rehabilitation centres nationwide to treat addicted soldiers and
civilians. Meanwhile, Lt-Gen Pitsanu Ourailert, chief of the Supreme
Command's Directorate of Civil Affairs, said the Supreme Command received
134 complaints last month on its special phone line and through Post Box
500 Lak Si about some soldiers, police officers and civilians for their
alleged involvement in the drug trade. Lt-Gen Pitsanu said tension along
the Thai-Burmese border has mounted as a result of Burma's crackdown on
Burmese minorities opposite Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Tak and Kanchanaburi.
Conditions along the Thai-Lao border remain serious and reinforcements of
Lao troops have continued amid reports of possible sabotage activities in
many areas following a spate of bomb attacks in Laos.