THE promise by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook to target the international narcotics trade with the Secret Intelligence Service and MI5 is welcome.

But Mr Cook was right when he said Britain would need help "to bear down on this scourge as never before."

He was speaking in Malaysia. And it is from South East Asia that much of the drugs traffic originates.

Use of the intelligence services is a great step forward.

But they will need the wholehearted co-operation of countries in the Far East, and that includes the military regime in Burma which openly connives with the drugs barons.

But before we get too carried away with MI5's involvement in the drugs war, it is worth considering some of its recent performances, according to whistle-blower David Shayler, a former MI5 officer.

According to him it investigated a whole list of politicians, ranging from former Prime Minister Ted Heath to Minister without Portfolio Peter Mandelson and even John Lennon for his attacks on Britain's support for the Americans in the Vietnam War.

If Mr Shayler is to be believed, these activities do not exactly inspire confidence in MI5.

It comes over as an organisation riddled with bureaucrats who are besotted with outdated objectives.

But if, as a result of these revelations, it updates its act, Mr Shayler - who does not appear to have endangered the lives of any agents - may have done the public a service.

Cracking down on the drugs trade would be a much more positive activity than sneaking around eavesdropping on a bizarre selection of politicians and pop stars who may have radical views.

Going in hard and hitting the drugs barons would give MI5 a wonderful chance to bolster its somewhat tarnished image.

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