Cartoon based on an idea by ‘Young Tai’

Cartoon based on an idea by ‘Young Tai’
As the National Convention drew to a close, Than Shwe gave a special rendition of 'Union Blues' on the Ethnic Xylophone at the opening ceremony of the Myanmar Cultural Performing Arts Competition.

Corruption is a worldwide issue and hits the poorest countries hardest. Burma gets to be near the bottom in poor poverty and corruption. Transparency International (TI – see footnote) have over the last few years prepared annual reports that indicate a comparative score called the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Their report for 2005 indicates that Burma is fourth from bottom in a league table of 159 countries (Ref 1), with a CPI of 1.8 out of 10 – indicating a severe corruption problem.

The illicit drugs industry worldwide is valued at US$322billion, greater than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over 88% of the world’s economies. Opiates account for around US$65bn (20%) of that market, and the ATS markets together (methamphetamine, amphetamine and ecstasy) amount to US$44 bn (13%). About 26million people use Amphetamines, and 16million opiates. (Ref 1). The title of this article comes from the opening statements of the US Department of State’s report on worldwide narcotics related to Burma (Ref 2). Although Burma only produces 8% of the amount produced by Afghanistan, the volumes of opiates and ATS, and the money involved are staggering. This article draws on the report findings covering the situation in Burma.