JOINT MYANMAR-AMERICAN SURVEY TEAM

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

JOINT MYANMAR-AMERICAN SURVEY TEAM COLLECTS  POPPY SAMPLES FROM PLANTATIONS IN
EASTERN,  NORTH-EAST COMMAND AREAS

YANGON, 23 Feb - Under the joint operation against narcotic drugs eradication
programme  between the governments of Myanmar and the United States, the Air
Force helicopters flew to  illegal poppy plantations in the Eastern Command
and North-East Command areas in Shan State  from 16 to 21 February 1998 and
gathered poppy samples and surveyed poppy plantations there.

The team also observed poppy plantations jointly destroyed by the military
columns and local  people. During the trip, members of the team held
discussions on opium refineries exposed and  destroyed by the military
columns, possibilities for cultivation of opium-substitute crops and  narcotic
drugs eradication programme.

The team comprised officials of the Directorate of Defence Services
Intelligence, Myanmar Police  Force Special Narcotic Squad, Myanmar
Agriculture Service and local military columns plus  Thomas Murphy, Douglas
Rassmusen, Ms Sue Bromley and Dr Basil Acock of the US  Department of
Agriculture and US Embassy officials totalling 14 led by member of the Central
Committee for Drug Abuse Control Head of Department of the Office of the
Strategic Studies Col  Kyaw Thein.


The joint Myanmar-US team left here by Tatmadaw flight on 16 February and
gathered poppy  samples from the illegal plantations in Pinlaung Township in
the Eastern Command, Shan State. It  also video-taped the destroyed poppy
plantations. 

The same day, it surveyed opium plantations in Leicha Township. At 8 am on 17
February, Col  Kyaw Thein and US government officials led by Mr Thomas Murphy
called on Chairman of Shan  State Peace and Development Council Commander of
Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo.

They proceeded to the poppy plantations in Mongpan Township and collected
poppy samples.  The following morning, they also collected poppy samples from
poppy plantations in Siseng and  Loilen Townships. They went on to Lashio via
Taunggyi.

At the Shweli Guest House in the evening, they met local authorities and
discussed law enforcement  to eradicate narcotic drugs in northern Shan State.
On 19 February morning, the joint  Myanmar-American team arrived at Walin
Village in Mongmaw Township, Wa region, northern  Shan State. 

Members of the team collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in the
region and discussed  opium eradication with Wa national race leaders U Pau
Laik Kham, U Kyauk Wan Kuan and U  Kyan Ywet Chan.

In the afternoon, they also collected poppy samples from the plantations in
Hopang Township. On  20 February morning, Col Kyaw Thein and Mr Murphy called
on Chairman of Shan State (North)  Peace and Development Council Commander of
North-East Command Brig-Gen Thiha Thura Tin  Aung Myint Oo. They later
collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in Tangyang  Township.

In the afternoon, they helicoptered to Mangton area in Namtu Township and
Myintan mountain  range in Kunlong Township in northern Shan State to observe
illegal poppy plantations destroyed  by military columns. They video-taped and
took photographs of the areas. They left Lashio on 21  February and arrived
back here in the afternoon.

This is the fourth joint Myanmar-American survey on poppy cultivation. Similar
measures were  taken in 1993, 1995 and 1997.

To view with photos, please browse at:
http://www.myanmar.com/gov/drugs/joint.html

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