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During the first half of 1987, Lao officials were increasingly willing to discuss some aspects of the narcotics issue with multilateral organization and western country representatives, including the U.S. An important step in this direction was the visit to Vientiane April 7-11, 1987 of the Secretary of the International Narcotics Control
Narcotics Control Board, Aziz Bahi. This was the first such INCB visit to Laos in eleven years and the first since the Lao People's Democratic Republic came to power. Thai press reports indicated that UNFDAC would be examining the findings of this mission carefully to see if future consideration of an UNFDAC assistance program to reduce poppy growing in Laos might be possible.
In another major step, the Lao Government sent a delegation headed by a Vice Foreign Minister to the successful UN-sponsored International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in Vienna
Vienna June 17-26, 1987. Lao officials indicated that this was
that this was intended to show their willingness to participate in efforts of the international community in the struggle against drug abuse. They claim that narcotics drug addiction in Laos no longer exists except among very elderly Hmong. There may be some problem, however, with the use among young Lao of imported amphetamine-laced pills.
MALAYSIA
Summary. During the past six months, Malaysia has continued its strong commitment to the fight against drugs, both at home and abroad. As a major transit and processing center, and with
with its sizeable and growing addict population, Malaysia continues to accord the highest priority to wiping out the "national menace" of drug abuse. End Summary.
of
election
From the Malaysian viewpoint, the highlight of the last half-year was Prime Minister Mahathir's
as President the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (ICDAIT) in June. Mahathir's selection as conference president reflects Malaysia's strong commitment to international cooperation to combat drug trafficking. He will continue to use the position to publicize Malaysia's tough legal measures (including the mandatory death penalty) against convicted traffickers, and to urge other nations to step up their efforts in this area as well.
INM continued to provide funding for Malaysian customs officers to receive anti-narcotic detector dog training in Britain. In June, four customs officers took part in the six week training program, bringing the total number
number of trained officers to nineteen. In addition, INM funded the travel of Lancashire Constabulary's Sgt. Peter Duckworth to Malaysia in
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