ASEAN TRANSNATIONAL CRIME MEETING IN CITY NEXT MONTH

Thailand will host the 4th Asean ministerial meeting on transnational crime
on Jan 7-10 to seek cooperation in the fight against increasing
transnational crimes across the region.

''Shared Responsibility towards Common Security'' is the theme of the
meeting set by Thailand. China, Japan and South Korea have been invited to
attend for the first time.

Thailand will present proposals on cooperation in law enforcement,
intelligence sharing, immigration control, and drugs suppression.

Thailand said closer ties could lead to a working group being set up to
harmonise the laws of each Asean country.

Intelligence sharing would also help in tackling transnational crime.

At present officials are unclear how this cooperation could work,
especially at bilateral level.

Thailand wanted all Asean countries to unite to combat transnational crimes.

Thailand wanted to set up contacts for intelligence sharing with each Asean
country.

More workshops about intelligence sharing cooperation among intelligence
agencies were needed to enhance efficiency in seeking guidelines against
transnational crimes, he said.

He said illegal migration could increase transnational crime as criminals
would disguise themselves as immigrants.

Standards on immigration control were different across the region but
ministers would look at ways to bring them closer together.

No country in the region can combat the problem alone, so united efforts
were needed.

Asean countries with hi-tech equipment used in the immigration work should
help countries facing a shortage.

Training in the immigration area was also needed. Asean countries should
cooperate in inspecting arrivals and departures in the region.

Illicit drug trafficking across the region posed a threat to national security.