THE United Nations wants Australia to do more in the fight against drugs and corruption in Asia. "A mature economy, a democratic society like Australia has indeed a responsibility to assist the countries in the region," said Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN's Office of Drugs and Crime.
| What's is it with all these guys with girls' middle names? |
 "I acknowledge the important role Australia's played in the past and I would like to reinforce the message that there is even more to do in the future," he said on the sidelines of a UN anti-crime conference in Bangkok.
| "The important role you've played in the past just isn't good enough! You have lots more money over there. If you do things the way I tell you, I'll give you some more tasking. Not that you'll ever manage to meet my high expectations, but you won't have quite so much money..." |
Attorney General Philip Ruddock and Justice Minister Chris Ellison are leading Australia's delegation at the international gathering.
"Chris, stop rolling your eyes like that!"
"You're doing it, too, Phil!" |
It coincides with dramatic developments in neighbouring Indonesia, where alleged marijuana smuggler Schapelle Corby is on trial and nine other Australians have been arrested in a heroin smuggling probe. The conference is expected to focus on corruption, terrorism and human trafficking.
| None of which are deeply embedded in Australian society... |
It will also look at how globalisation has given rise to new opportunities in transnational crime, including in cyberspace. More than 3000 delegates from more than 130 countries are attending the congress, held every five years to discuss advances in crime prevention, issues of security and terrorism and matters concerning prisons and prison reform. The UN has described organised crime as a big threat to international peace and security in the 21st century. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in a statement read to the congress, called on the world's governments to ratify and implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime as well as the Convention against Corruption and the 12 universal counter-terrorism instruments. |