NEWS - Thailand, Canada Vow to Coop

[Rangoonp@xxxxxxx]

Subject: NEWS - Thailand, Canada Vow to Cooperate in Drug Fight

Thailand, Canada Vow to Cooperate in Drug Fight

               Xinhua
               29-JUL-99

               BANGKOK (July 29) XINHUA - Canada will support Thailand
               and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in
               creating a drug free zone in the region, Canadian Foreign
               Minister Lloyd Axworthy said here Thursday. 

               At a press conference held in the Thai Foreign Ministry,
               Axworthy said Canada is engaging itself in bilateral and
               multi-lateral programs with Thailand and ASEAN on drug
               eradication, drug substitutes and other issues. 

               Both sides will also focus their cooperation on
containing
               drug trafficking and drug production on the Thai-Myanmar
               border. 

               Axworthy said that his country will also back Thailand's
               efforts to remove landmines along the Thai-Cambodian
               border, mj adding that Canada will send a team of experts
to
               help Thailand. 

               Human resource programming on immigration, education
               and training is also on the agenda of the talks between
               Axworthy and his Thai counterpart Surin Pitsuwan before
the
               press conference. 

               The Canadian foreign minister also met with Thai Prime
               Minister Chuan Leekpai Thursday and discussed economic
               issues of common concern. 

               The Canadian minister, who came to Thailand after the
               ASEAN meeting with dialogue partners in Singapore, will
               leave the country Friday.