EXPERTS DISCUSS WAYS TO FIGHT DRUG MENACE

Obstacles facing the establishment of a strong mechanism for cooperation in the international fight against drug trafficking were highlighted during the 36th session of the 'sub-committee on illicit drug traffic and related matters in the Near and Middle East,' which opened in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Brigadier Mohammed Khalifa Al Mualla, Director-General of Criminal Security at the Ministry of Interior, said that the UAE, like several other countries faced the drug trafficking problem. "Although the sufferings of the UAE from this negative phenomenon are much lower than in other countries, a continuous increase in the number of drug addicts has evoked our concern," he said.

"We endeavour to be an effective partner in all international activities in fighting drug trafficking and trading. This will help in reducing the impact of the phenomena in our community," he added.

Ambassador Mohammed Amirkhazi, representative of the United Nations, stressed that the situation in Afghanistan was the focal point of international activities in countering drug trafficking. He said the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) announced last month that opium production fell by over 94 per cent in Afghanistan under a ban by Taleban.

But he highlighted two main points - first, despite this reduction of opium production, there was no impact on international heroin supplies, which means that large stocks still remain on hand. The other issue is the need to address the situation of Afghan farmers facing sudden absence of opium poppy and the serious drought.

"The tragic events of September 11 in the US created a different situation. All our activities had to be put on hold and the UN agencies had to evacuate from Afghanistan also hampering assistance to the farmers. As the plantation season has begun and rumours are rife that farmers are preparing to cultivate opium poppy, the issue becomes more crucial," Mr Amirkhazi said.

He called for more attention to the post-war situation in Afghanistan to help the country move to a situation of rule by law. "I call on all governments represented here to join in a united front to prevent the return of opium poppy in Afghanistan," he said.

The four-day meeting, is being organised by Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the UNDCP, under the patronage of Major-General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Under-Secretary of the ministry. Representatives of 50 countries and international organisations including delagates from 23 countries in the region, 14 representatives of international organisations and 13 observers are participating in the meeting.

The agenda includes revisions of steps taken by regional countries to prevent criminal firms from using financial institutions in money laundering. They will discuss mechanisms and methods to crack down on drug traffickers.