[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
The press Conference on eradication
- Subject: The press Conference on eradication
- From: OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 07 Aug 1999 07:47:00
Subject: The press Conference on eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar
The press Conference on eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar
Yangon
( 6-8-1999 )
YANGON, 6 Aug-The Press Conference on eradication of narcotic drugs in
Myanmar was held at Aungthabyay Ye Yeiktha on Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road this
morning.
Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Information
Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies Deputy
Director of Defence Services Intelligence Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, Secretary of the
Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police
Force and members, members of the Work Committee, Head of Department of the
Office of Strategic Studies Col Thein Swe and officials, Managing Director of
News and Periodicals Enterprise, Director (News), Adviser, Chief Editor of
the Guardian and Adviser to the Minister for Information, Chief Editor of
Myanmar News Agency (Internal), Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club
Chairman and member foreign correspondents, Chief Editor Ms D Evmoon of DMJ
Press, and officials of MPF, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs and Myanmar Anti-Narcotic Drugs
Association.
In his address, Brig-Gen Kyaw Win said it was a special Press
Conference organized to clarify matters relating to eradication of narcotic
drugs. He noted that the State Peace and Development Council laid down
systematic plans to eradicate narcotic drugs with the supervision of the
CCDAC.
In implementing plans to fight the drug menace as a national
duty, success is being achieved as a result of collaborated efforts being
made with international as well as regional organizations, he said and added
that some foreign news agencies are spreading fabricated reports,
unscrupulously quoting their departments and persons, which had caused
misunderstanding about Myanmar.
He said officials would clarify matters relating to the
eradication of narcotic drugs, Myanmar's policies, projects and tasks, and
nationalities groups' activities to rebut the accusations of foreign news
agencies.
In his clarification, Col Thein Swe said that in July, Bangkok
Post, The Nation and Thai Rat newspapers, and a weekly journal published in
Thailand carried groundless reports written in a way as if they were said by
Thai officials, and that these reports stated that Myanmar government allowed
the nationalities armed groups to be engaged in drug trafficking, that
Myanmar government troops were directly related with smuggling of drugs out
of the country and sponsored carrying of drugs from within the country to the
border, and that cooperation could not be made with Myanmar in elimination of
drugs.
These groundless reports, he said, might cause misunderstanding on
Myanmar government's efforts for eradication of drugs.
He said Myanmar could not manufacture the chemicals and machines to make
the latest popular amphetamine tablets, nor did it allow abuse and smuggling
of these drugs within the country; the abuse of the tablets had increased in
the neighboring country, and as Myanmar realized that it was so dangerous, it
kept a watchful eye; by the end of 1996, ephedrine, the major raw material in
making the amphetamine was exposed and seized.
After the Tatmadaw had taken up State responsibilities in 1988, the task
for elimination of drugs had been carried out as a national duty; in 1989,
the CCDAC was reorganized and laid down two objectives to eradicate narcotic
drugs and three strategies to implement the two objectives.
Today, Myanmar is implementing the 15-year project for total elimination of
narcotic drugs starting from 1999-2000 to 2013-2014; in the first five-year
term of the project covers 15 townships including Monkoe, Kongyan, Laukai,
Kunlon, Hopang, Mongrei, Tangyang, Namtu, Mongtong, Hsenwi, Kutkai, Namkham,
Muse and Kyukok in northern Shan State, Mongla region in eastern Shan State,
Kunhein, Mongpang, Linkhae, Hsehsai, Pekon and Mongkai in southern Shan
State, totaling in 22 townships.
He also spoke of the townships covered by the second and third five-year
terms of the project; in carrying out these tasks, priority would be given to
elimination of poppy cultivation, eradication of drug abuse, law enforcement,
organizing local people to join hands in the tasks, development of
socioeconomic conditions in those regions, implementation of regional
development projects in agriculture, livestock, road and bridge construction,
communications, energy, trade, health, rehabilitation, education, and control
of drugs.
During the 15-year term, a total of over US$ 5.6 billion will be spent on
road and bridge construction, agriculture, livestock, education,
communications, energy, health, trade and rehabilitation sectors; the project
term can be reduced if there is adequate supply of international and external
assistance in technology and modern equipment.
>From 1974 to 1988, the US provided over US 86 million; since 1988, the US
has
cut its assistance for eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar, and the
Tatmadaw strove as much as it could whether it got foreign assistance or not.
From 1974 to 1988, 705 kilos of heroin, 33,120 kilos of opium,
5551 gallons of acids and various chemicals were seized and 15 opium refinery
were destroyed: as there were no cases of amphetamine during that period:
from 1988 to July 1999, 4.338 kilos of heroin, 29316 kilos of opium, 114459
gallons of acids and chemicals, 40667707 amphetamine tablets and 10,702 kilos
of ephedrine were seized and 117 opium refinery could be destroyed.
He also spoke of the 17 nationalities armed group's returning to the
legal fold, formation of the Central Committee for Development of Border
Areas and National Races and the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs, promulgation of the Law, for
Development of Border Areas and National Races, and utilization of over
K15.18 billion for educational, health, agriculture\livestock and transport
development of the border areas.
He dealt with cooperation with NGOs, UN agencies neighbours, signing of
accords on control and elimination of narcotic drug trafficking and abuse,
cooperation with China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia in the
Sub-Regional Action- Plan drawn up by the UNDCP after signing of the MoU in
1995,-- cooperation with ASEAN members, cooperation with the US in the opium
yield survey projects, sending of delegations to the UN meetings and
ceremonies, hosting of seminars, workshops and meetings in Myanmar and other
international cooperation, activities the 10-year project for elimination of
poppy cultivation in Myanmar adopted by Mr John Leake of UNDCP and party and
Myanmar experts, the visit made by UNDCP Executive Director Mr Pino Arlacchi
arid party and their tour of Lashio, Laukkai, Namtit, Kengtung and Hotaung
regions, their provisions of US$ 33,900 for cultivation of poppy substitute
crops in Kokang region, US$ 226,000 for reclamation of land, cultivation of
poppy substitute crops and digging of irrigation canals in Namtit of Wa
region, the suggestion endorsed by Mr Arlacchi to start implementation of the
five-year Hotaung project in June 1998.
Senior General Than Shwe paid a goodwill visit to Thailand on 8 and 9 March
this year and issued a joint communiqué; in the communiqué, the authorities
expressed satisfaction at the good prospects and cooperation in cooperation
of the two countries in the narcotic control and suppression, and agreement
on accelerating efforts in cooperation for total elimination of narcotic drug
production and trafficking; the two sides agreed to taking effective actions
to suppress production of chemicals and drugs as the first priority; a
delegation from Thai narcotic drug control department arrived Myanmar on 24
May 1999 and held coordination meetings with the CCDAC officials and toured
Mongla of Wa region to study the tasks for opium substitute crop production,
livestock and regional development project, and areas for accelerating co
operation between the two countries; a Myanmar-Thai-land-UNDCP meeting
scheduled to be held in Ranong of Thailand 16-17 August to accelerate
cooperation between the two countries.
The papers published in Thailand printed the fabricated news despite the
cooperation and efforts being made with international organizations and
neighbours like Thailand, he said.
Though the nationalities groups were engaged in drug trafficking in the past,
they are now working together with the government for eradication of narcotic
drugs as a national task.
He clarified with facts and figures on the nationalities groups' poppy
cultivation acreage, destruction of their poppy plantations after they had
made peace, the Special Region 4's issuing of provisions for effective
actions to be taken against those engaged in production,. abuse and
trafficking of drugs, seizures of drugs, cultivation of poppy substitute
crops, designation of Opium Free Zone on 27 April in 1997 and destruction of
various sorts of the seized narcotic drugs.
In Mongkoe on 8 February 1991, 75 kilos of heroin, 75 kilos of
raw opium and four packets of brown opium were destroyed. At Nyopyinsipa
village in Kokang region in February 1992, over 1500 acres of poppy fields
were destroyed At Shaukluchan village on 21 March 1992, an opium refinery,
7.25 kilos of heroin, 8.91 kilos of opium, 1.16 kilos of opium residue and
chemical equipment were seized. Natlinpa village in Kokang region in August
1992, an opium refinery, 18.55 kilos of heroin, 20.50 kilos of heroin grade
3,17.33 kilos of brown opium and 18.22 kilos of opium residue were seized.
Narcotics seized at the refineries were handed over to the State. At Lawtthu
and Aungnanphyin villages near Hemolon village in Muse Township, two opium
refineries were destroyed. In Mongkoe in 26 March, 10.5 kilos of heroin and a
large quantity of chemical liquid were destroyed. In Kokang region in August
1994, actions concerning narcotics were designated and the Phonchwehsan
region in Kokang on 16 March, over 2000 acres of poppy fields were destroyed.
A meeting was held at Siaw village on 11 to 13 June 1997 to wipe
out poppy cultivation in Kokang region and to grow substitute crops.
Arrangement have been made to take severe actions against poppy cultivation
at China-Myanmar border and to wipe out poppy cultivation by the year 2000.
Opium substitute crops will be grown in the area and local officials will
meet harsh action for failure to inform or if there are any narcotics
seizures. Laws will be enacted to launch narcotic eradication campaign as the
national movement.
Arrangements are in progress to declare the entire Mongkoe region
as an opium free zone in 2000. In 1996,372 acres of poppy fields were
destroyed in the region. A total of 1250 acres were put under substitute
crops- 700 acres in Mongkoe, 235 acres in Mongya, 215 acres in Monghaung, 50
acres in Nantbura. Com was cultivated on 3.28 acres, soy bean 3994 acres,
buckwheat 764 acres, sugarcane 3864, Iychee 70 acres, mustard 50 acres,
totalling over 8900 acres. In Laukkai, over 10,000 acres
In were put under substitute crops - rubber 1000 acres, sugarcane
4389 acres, corn l 3496 acres, soy bean 390 acres, mustard 463 acres,
buckwheat 1110 acres and lichee 73 acres. The Special Region 1 is building
museum commemorating the eradication of drugs from 1998 to 1999 at a cost of
K 18 million. On the ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of peace which was
held in March 1999, Kokang national race leader U Phon Kya Shin said
"Although there are many difficulties in eradicating the narcotics, efforts
will be made with firm determination and as a duty in realizing the aim."
Opium substitute crop cultivation is the best possible means to set up
opium free zones in Shan State North. Cultivation of buckwheat with the help
of the Japanese agricultural organization is gaining cent per cent success in
Tashetan, Kokang region over 380 acres were put under buckwheat in Tashetan
in 1998.
Two-hundred acres of buckwheat will be grown in Tashetan, Laukkai and
Chinshwehaw in 199. Buckwheat will be cultivated on 10,000 acres in Shan
State North. The Japanese government under the Aid for Increased Food
Production (2KR) programme provided Yan 800 million to Myanmar in 1998.
Myanmar Anti- Narcotics Association (MANA) and Border development
Association, which are NGOs, are also participating in the projects. Shan
State North Special Region 2 while implementing regional tasks with the
government assistance is also launching programmes. to wipe out poppy
cultivation. Work programmes are being laid down to cultivate opium
substitute crops, educate poppy growers, extend opium free zones year wise in
rooting out poppy cultivation and to declare the entire Wa region an opium
free zone in 2005.
The Special Region 2 in implementing the three-year programme from 1989
to 1992 encouraged local people to cultivate substitute crops in reducing
opium fields. In Nantip Township in February 1992, over 3000 acres of poppy
fields were destroyed In Nawi region on 5 June 1992, 56 kilos of heroin which
would worth US $ 120 million at street prices, 164 kilos of opium and
chemicals were destroyed. On 24 July 1994, Pankhan district announced that
efforts would be made to wipe out opium in Wa region; action would be taken
for failure to comply with the education programmes and the law; drug abusers
would face death sentence and trafficking in China would face jail or death
sentences. Wa region in announcing the 10-year narcotics eradication
programme in May 1995 stated that first, efforts would be made to declare
Hotaung, Nantip, Pankhan and Mongywin districts as opium free zones with the
government's assistance and international help, Efforts were made to wipe out
poppy cultivation in Mongmaw, Waingkaung and Mongpauk districts in 1996 and
opium substitute crops were cultivated successfully in Hotaung on 25 June
1997, 75 kilos of heroin worth US$ 39.8 million, 152 kilos of opium, 540,000
stimulant tables and chemical were destroyed. In implementing the five-year
project after 1994, 6,000acrea were put under substitute crops in Wa
region-10,000 acres of rubber, coffee and other crops in Pankhan,50,000 acres
of rubber, tea, lichee, mango and pine Nantip, Lonhtan, Mongmaw District and
Mongpauk District. At the ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of peace in
Wa region, Wa national leader U Pauk Yu Chan said, "The entire Wa region can
be declared opium free zone by the. year 2005 in a profound manner as 30 per
cent of poppy cultivation was reduced in 10 years as projected"
Similarly, peace groups of Kachin State-Kachin State Special
Region-1 led by U Sa Khon Ting Ring and Special Region-2 led by U Zaw Maing -
have destroyed poppy fields and exposed and arrested drug traffickers since
peace has been achieved in the region. Arrangements are also being made to
cultivate substitute crops. Due to the cooperative efforts poppy cultivation
could be wiped out almost totally in Kachin State. Other peace groups are
also actively participating in the tasks together with the government.
As national race armed groups have returned to the legal fold and
are rendering co-operation in implementing the tasks, the Tatmadaw is able
give more attention to eradicating narcotics. The national groups have
destroyed 406 kilos of heroin, 3730 kilos of opium, 690 liters of Phensedyle,
25,721 liters of chemical liquid, 715,492 stimulant tablets, 21 opium
refineries and 7836 acres of poppy fields.
As the national race groups are implementing the narcotic
eradication, opium substitute crop cultivation, region development
programmes, it is obvious that these national groups have no relations with
the narcotic drugs. Bangkok Post daily issued on 23 July 1999 report Director
of ONCB of northern Thailand Pinyo Thong Chai as saying, "MTA leader Khun Sa
and his son arc now resuming the narcotic business at Golden Triangle Region
at present." That was a baseless news reported without any firm evidence U
Khun Sa made the surrender; how the arrangements were made; and the manpower
and fire power of the group were not required to explain as everybody know
these facts. But I will explain about the arrangements -
(1) He must make the unconditional surrender;
(2) He must stay clear from narcotic drugs;
(3) He must stay accord
to the government's arrangements. The government will render security for him.
He surrendered after these agreements were reached.
U Khun Sa is living in line with these agreements. His sons and
daughters are engaged in local gem mining works. It is just a baseless
accusation.
There are accusations as if the Tatmadaw were ignoring the narcotic
related affairs of national groups which are directly connected with
narcotics. The Tatmadaw since before 1988 launched attacks in crushing drug
production and trafficking of insurgents along the border. It had launched
special military operations such as Moehein, Ngayeban, Taungyanshin,
Taunghtaikpan, Aungmoe-hein annually in eradicating the narcotics.
The State Peace and Development Council held the special meeting of Central
Committee for Drug Abuse Control on 3 December 1993 with the leadership of
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council to enhance drug
eradication efforts. CCDAC was reformed at the meeting. Baseline data on
poppy cultivation in Myanmar was collected for six months in 1998. According
to the data it was known that there were 151,201 acres of poppy fields and
66,463 drug addicts in the nation. The baseline data is being collected
annually.
The dailies in Thailand were reporting that millions of stimulant tables
were entering Thailand from Myanmar every day; the Myanmar Tatmadaw was
involved in the trafficking of stimulant tablets and Wa armed groups were
transporting the tablets to Thailand The reports added as if Wa group were
permitted to produce narcotics; and as if the Tatmadaw were rendering
assistance to the group. The Wa group residing at Moeyun region near the
Thai-Myanmar border is under the leadership of U Pauk Yu Chan of the Special
Region 2. The Wa group is implementing projects to declare Wa region the
opium free zone in 2005. It is conducing regional development tasks with the
help of the government. Over 400,000 trees including 5000 lychee plants have
been planted in Wunton region, Monghsat Township. Paddy is grown on 5200
acres in Lwehsansaw region. Fruit trees are being planted in Tachilek
Township. Poultry farm was established near Kengtung. The farm is now
producing meat. Fish and chicken farming is gaining success in Tachilek.
These development have proved that the Wa national group in Moeyun region are
making efforts to free the entire region from narcotics by the year 2005.
Such efforts to root out narcotics and to develop the region should be
encouraged and welcomed. There was no abuse and trafficking of stimulant
tablets till 1996. Chemical and machines used for producing drugs are not
manufactured in Myanmar. Ephedrine used in making stimulant tables is
produced in neighboring countries. As Myanmar government and the people are
making collective efforts in eradicating the heroin production and
trafficking, drug traffickers are turning to stimulants. They are producing
and trafficking the pills at the border with chemicals and raw materials
which are available in the neighboring countries. In reality the Wa group is
not the only group in Moeyun region. There are KMT remnants who are producing
narcotics; another Wa group led by Maha Hsan; SURA group led by Ywet Sit
which remained in the jungles when U Khun Sa made the unconditional
surrender. Ywet Sit group is producing heroin and stimulant tablets.
Representatives of the group were arrested for trafficking narcotics. But the
Thai dailies were highlighting the news on Ywet Sit's show of destroying
poppy fields and a small number of stimulants produced by his group. It is
obvious that the armed groups active in Thai-Border are existing on narcotics
and are-related to the drug business Myanmar since it seized stimulant
tablets in 1996 has enhanced its efforts in eradicating the Drugs. The seized
3863.6 kilos of Ephedrine and 12,433 gallons of chemical liquid which was
enough to produce 13.66 million stimulant tablets since the start of 1999.
The news reported by Thai dailies are groundless. These reports could
have ill effects on Myanmar's drug eradication efforts, disparaged Myanmar
government and caused misunderstanding between the government and the
national races armed groups. In reality the problem of narcotic is a regional
problem. Instead of criticising others, efforts should be made to render
assistance in solving the problem. Myanmar is implementing its 15-year plan
to root out narcotic drugs. The plan can be realized in a shorter period if
the nation gets international assistance. Myanmar will continue to implement
the plan till success is achieved with or without receiving assistance from
other counties.
Officials replied to queries raised by journalists.
Local and foreign journalists visited the anti- drug exhibition.
*************