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PRESS RELEASE (r)



It is not necessary to hold a seminar reduce poppy cultivation in Burma.
What is necessary is for the Burmese military to stop transporting opium and
heroin to the markets. How come a military regime that can hold hostage all
its citizen cannot stop the growing of opium by its citizens? Is the SPDC
not the government of Myanmar or Burma?  Who rules the opium growing areas?
Of course the SPDC.
-----Original Message-----
To: Recipients of burmanet-l <burmanet-l@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thursday, April 02, 1998 12:56 AM
Subject: Re: PRESS RELEASE


>An international seminar entitled "Alternative Development: strategies to
>reduce opium poppy cultivation in the Region" was held at the International
>Business Centre in Yangon, Myanmar on 31 March and 1 April 1998. The
seminar
>was jointly organised by the Government of the Union of Myanmar, the
>Government of Japan and UNDCP. Representatives from 21 countries including
>Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam participated
in
>the seminar. Dr. Mya Maung, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture and
>Irrigation, representing the host country, chaired the meeting.
>
> The drug menace does not respect international borders, and it is thought
>that concrete reduction in the level of opium production in the South East
>Asian region would contribute positively to the enhancement of regional
>security and, indeed, be highly beneficial to the entire international
>community. During the two day seminar, participants shared existing
approaches
>to reducing opium poppy cultivation with considerable discussion of the
>problems and difficulties experienced.
>
> The participants shared the view that alternative development programmes
can
>be an effective way to reduce, and eventually eradicate opium poppy
>cultivation. In line with this view, many participants expressed
appreciation
>for the ongoing efforts presently being undertaken by countries in the
South
>East Asian region. Effective international cooperation was seen to be of
>crucial importance, and the role of UNDCP in facilitating such programmes
was
>commanded.
>
> Having studied the various cases presented, participants also agreed on
the
> following:
>
> - the success of alternative development as a strategy to reduce opium
poppy
> cultivation relies on a strong commitment and political will to improve
the
>social and economic well-being of the poppy-cultivating populace.
>
> - community participation is one of the key elements in ensuring the
>sustainability of alternative development programmes.
>
> - integrated support by the UN Agencies especially UNDCP and improved
> coordination among various donor agencies involved is needed to further
>enhance the effectiveness of the prograrnrnes.
>
> The need for strengthening the national capacity and regional cooperation
in
>this field was also underlined as well as the need for further donor
support
>towards this end.
>
> At the conclusion of the two day seminar, the participants shared the view
>that the seminar was a fruitful exercise in promoting understanding of the
>issues involved and agreed to continue discussion on these matters for
further
>actions at the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on drugs to be
held
>in June 1998.
>
>--------------------
>
>