251 drug cases exposed in November
Yangon, 27 Dec - The Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 251 drug-related cases in November 2002. Seizure made by them were 20.191 kilos of opium in 24 cases, 15.7641 kilos of heroin in 86 cases, 3.2485 kilos of opium oil in 4 cases, 12.1231 kilos of low grade opium in 17 cases, 1.2383 kilos of marijuana in 10 cases, 4.5 liters of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 86,951 stimulant tablets in 36 cases, 470.57 kilos of Ephedrine in 3 cases, 0.0008 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 2.179 kilos of Speciosa in 3 cases, 177 bottles of Morphine and 45.4 liters of Acetic Anhydride in one case, 4869.076 liters of liquid chemicals in 3 cases and 1983.4649 kilos of chemical, 26 cases for failure to register and 33 other cases.
Seizure made by Tatmadaw battalions and units were 0.0004 kilo of heroin in 2 cases, 2820 stimulant tablets in 2 cases, 3823.156 liters of liquid chemicals and 105 kilos of chemical powder in 2 cases.
Seizure made by MPF were 20.191 kilos of opium in 24 cases, 15.3637 kilos of heroin in 84 cases, 3.2485 kilos of opium oil in 4 cases, 12.1231 kilos of low grade opium in 17 cases, 1.2383 kilos of marijuana in 10 cases, 4.5 liters of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 84,131 stimulant tablets in 34 cases, 470.57 kilos of Ephedrine in 3 cases, 0.0008 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 2.179 kilos of Speciosa in 3 cases, 177 bottles of Morphine and 45.4 liters of Acetic Anhydride in one case, 1045.92 liters of liquid chemicals and 1878.4649 kilos of chemical powder in one case, 25 cases of failure to register and 16 other cases.
Action was taken against 417 persons 353 men and 46 women in 251 cases in November 2002.
On 19 November, a combined drug abuse control team, laying in wait near the house of Yi Aung in Christian Ward, Muse, raided the house and arrested Yi Aung and wife Ma Ah Yon and drug-dealer Kyein Te Chein together with 30 blocks of heroin weighing 11.7 kilos. Action is being taken against them by Muse Police Station.
On 23 November, a combined drug abuse control team, acting on information, searched Sai Khan Lu and seized 38,800 stimulant tablets bearing WY letters from his knapsack. Action is being taken against them by Lashio Police Station.
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Danger of Drugs and Drug Addicts Treatment Course opened
Yangon, 16 Dec - The Danger of Narcotic Drugs and Drug Addicts Treatment Multiplier Course of Yangon East District was opened at the office of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council in Thingangyun Township this morning.
Physicians and officials gave educative talks on the danger of narcotic drugs and treatment of drug addicts and measures for making the 15-year narcotic drug plan a success. Present were district-level departmental officials, local authorities of 14 townships and officials of NGOs.
70 acres of poppy fields destroyed
Yangon, 16 Dec A combined team comprising Tatmadawmen of local battalion, members of the Military Intelligence, Hopang Special Anti-drug Squad, members of Shan State (North) Special region-2, departmental officials and local people on 25 and 27 November destroyed 70 acres of poppy fields around Htuhtutaw Village in Hopang Township, Shan State (North).
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Ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and journalists view drug elimination tasks and border area development projects
Yangon, 9 Dec - Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Chairman Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Vice-Chairmen Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and member of the CCDAC Minister for Labour U Tin Winn led the team comprising ambassadors of foreign embassies in Yangon, diplomats and journalists from home and abroad and toured Shan State (East) and Shan State (North-East) from 6 to 8 December to witness the drug elimination tasks and border area development projects being implemented by the State and the national race groups.
The team led by the CCDAC Chairman left Yangon on 6 December morning by Myanma Airways.
They arrived at Monghsat in Shan State (East) where they were welcomed by Brig-Gen Tun Tun of Monghsat Station and officials. Then, they proceeded to Mongyawng by Tatmadaw helicopter.
Wa National Race Leader U Ta Kaw reported to them on situation of the Mongyawng region, growing of opium-substitute crops, livestock breeding tasks and regional development tasks. In his report, he said tasks for eradication of poppy growing have been made for the region since 1997, and at present poppy is not grown there and attention can be paid to regional development tasks. Tasks for elimination of drug production and traffic in drugs of other groups have been made. Moreover, Panghsang Headquarters has issued decrees and directives that strictly forbid drugs production and trafficking. Capital sentences can be passed in drug cases.
But, Thai media accused them of being drug producers and carried one-sided deceptive writings to mislead the readers to take the hydel power stations, rice warehouses and bazaar for drug production factories. His group is not an opium-producing one, he asserted. The ministers also explained the background history of the region. The ministers said the region was not a peaceful one up to 1994 and it was a place where Kuomintang troops and various insurgent groups produced drugs. After the year 1996, regional development tasks could be carried out. With the assistance of the State, Wa national people have grown poppy-substitute crops and raised livestock. With regards the accusation on drugs production, drugs is produced not from plants but from chemicals. Myanmar is not a chemical producing country and chemicals are carried from the neighbouring ones. It is a piece of cake to make an accusation that stimulants can be produced everywhere.
What is important is to prevent it and to make resolution to eradicate it. It can be seen that farmers are poor and they are working for food, so the State has laid down and implemented the New Destiny Project. Ministers are assigned duties to supervise the respective region for the success of the project. This is the time for growing poppy and the ministers are conducting field supervisions and rendering assistance and decreased poppy production in coming January and February, which is poppy season, will prove the effectiveness of the tasks. The Ministry of PBANRDA has spent over 27,000 million kyats for the development of border areas.
The needs of food, clothing and shelter of the people in border areas is fulfilled and infrastructures such as roads, bridges, hospitals and schools have been built at the border areas, they elaborated. Then, the ministers and party viewed the 400 kilo-watt hydel power station, rice mill, rice warehouses and growing of annual, biennial and perennial crops and raised queries. In the afternoon, they left for Wanhon plantations by helicopters. Wa National Race Leader U Pauk Yu Yi and national people welcomed and explained them on growing of poppy-substitute crops and regional development tasks. In his report, U Pauk Yu Yi said poppy has not been grown in the region since 1998 and poppy-substitute crops growing and livestock breeding tasks are being implemented.
To extend the agriculture tasks, parts of 200 tractors are purchased from China and are installed on self-reliance. Tractors were distributed to the farmers on credit system with no interest for five years. At present, 240,000 lychee plants are grown on 6,000 acres of land, 350,000 orange plants on 750 acres, 110,000 coffee plants on 10,000 acres in Wanhon region and paddy is grown on 1,200 acres of land. Similarly, 25,000 lychee plants are grown on 650 acres of land and 750,000 teak plants and 2,050 acres of paddy have been grown in Mongyawng region. With the assistance of the State, a basic education high school, a hospital, a department store, a drinking water factory as well as the Wanhon-Tachilek road, the Wanhon-Monghsat road, 245 miles of Wanhon-Mongyawng earthen road and a bridge at the entrance of Monghsat have been successfully built.
He wished the international community to acknowledge the sincere endeavours, invited their coordination and assistance in possible ways. He requested them to help them in finding markets for the produce got from the poppy-substitute plantations and to purchase the produce. He also invited foreign investments for establishing small factories there. Then, queries of the ambassadors and journalists were replied. The ministers and party then proceeded to Mongla Special Region-4 by helicopter. They were welcomed there by national race leaders and people led by Special Region-4 Chairman U San Pay. At the briefing hall, Secretary U Min Ein reported them on the endeavours for Mongla region to be a drug free zone.
He said after arms had been exchanged for peace in 1989, the Special Region-4 under the leadership of U Sai Lin. has placed emphasis on regional development tasks and eradication of drugs. In the past, there were altogether 2,716 acres of poppy in 262 poppy growing villages and the region produced 980 kilo of opium and there were altogether 2,153 drugs users and drugs cases in the region. In 1991, a total of 23 acres of poppy was destroyed and opium refineries were searched and destroyed. The seized drugs worth US $ 150 were incarnated. In 1992, the five-year plans have been laid down and in 1997, poppy growing was totally wipe out in the region and it was declared a drug free zone to the world.
Poppy has not been grown ever since. Moreover, during a period of 11 years, 196 culprits in 133 drugs cases, and 203 drugs users in 146 cases were taken action. Altogether 13.6 kilos of opium, 61.857 kilos of heroin, 2,067,500 stimulant pills and 298 kilos of ephedrine power were seized. Action has been taken against all without discriminating of closeness. In addition, tasks for growing of poppy-substitute crops and raising of livestock are carried out. Although per capita ration was only about 100 kilos in 1992, it is 262 kilos in 2002.
As regards the development of the region, investment of the State and foreign countries is about 10,000 million kyats. As the standard of health, education, religion and economy of the region increased during the period of 11 years, Mongla which was a mere village in the past become a border town. The number of tourists from China is about 350,000 per annum and it contributes to the development of the region, he elaborated. Then, the queries of the diplomats and journalists were replied, and the ministers and party visited Chinese Immigration Station and Mongla Drugs Elimination Museum. The ministers and party left for Kengtung in the evening.
At Kengtung Hotel, Minister Col Tin Hlaing, Minister Col Thein Nyunt, Minister U Win Aung and Minister U Tin Winn separately met the ambassadors, diplomats and correspondents and explained the origin of drugs problems in Shan State (East) in the time of colonialists, its notoriety as the Golden Triangle after the intruding of Kuomintang, predomination of internal insurgents after the independence was regained, the hard negotiation to establish peace in the region with insurgent groups after 1989, endeavours for eradication of drugs, endeavours of the national people hand in hand with the State for the drug elimination tasks, and building of infrastructures for development of border areas, implementation of 15-year project for drug elimination, and implementation of the New Destiny Project this year.
Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Khin Zaw hosted a dinner in honour of the ministers and party. During the dinner, national races cultural troupe presented entertainment. Then, the diplomats gave away flower baskets to members of the cultural troupe. The ministers and party spent the night at Kengtung. On 7 December morning, the ministers and diplomats viewed round Kengtung.
They then left for Mongpauk by helicopter. On arrival there, they were welcomed by the national races leaders and Project Manager of Wa Alternative Development Project of UNDCP Mr Xavier Bouan. Officials briefed the ministers and party on projects being implemented by UNDCP.
Next, the ministers and diplomats inspected the 25-bed hospital opened in 2002 with the aid of Japanese Government. Dr Sai Sam Tit reported on medical treatment for local drug addicts and replied to queries raised. The ministers and diplomats left Mongpauk for Pangsan by helicopter. On arrival, they were welcomed by U Pauk Laik Khan of Wa national races group and leaders. The national races leaders were introduced to the ministers and diplomats. Then, U Pauk Laik Khan reported to the ministers and party on regional development tasks, earning substitute-income with mining and the businesses being jointly invested with neighbouring Chinese with the assistance of the Government.
After inspecting the Pangsan, the ministers and party proceeded to Lonhtan Village, where they were welcomed by Wa national races leader U Pauk Yu Chan. Then, U Pauk Yu Chan reported on production of tin, running of tin refinery and sale of refined tin to the ministers and diplomats. The ministers and party inspected the functions of the tin refinery, where U Pauk Yu Khan said that the production of tin in Lonhtan region started in 1999. In the first year 500 tons of tin were produced, in 2000 700 tons and 2002 900 tons were produced. Raw materials were exported to China at the rate of Ywan 32,000 per ton or US$ 4,000 per ton and Refined tin at the rate of Ywan 48,000 per ton or US$ 6,000 per ton . The factory started running on 11 November 2002.
There were four Chinese experts and about 100 local workers with the factory. The investment of the whole project was Ywan 900 million (over US$ 100 million) and 12 kinds of mineral has been seen in the region, he said. Afterwards, the ministers and party left Lonhtan for Mngmaw by helicopter. On arrival, they were welcomed by Wa national races leader and departmental officials. They inspected Mongmaw Tea Factory. At the briefing hall, Vice-Leader of Mongmaw region U Sai Paung reported on growing of poppy-substitute tea, extended cultivation of the tea, making the total acreage of tea to 395. The investment of the project was Ywan 18 million, which came from China. In addition, for substitute-income, production of marble slabs, running of match factory and purified drinking water factory were conducted.
Then, he answered to queries raised by the diplomats. The ministers and party left Mongmaw by helicopter and arrived in Lashio in the evening. In the evening, Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing hosted a dinner to the ministers and party at the command. At the dinner, CCDAC Vice-Chairman Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and CCDAC member Minister for Labour U Tin Winn made speeches. They said that Poppy cultivation and opium production were so notorious in the Shan State (East) in the past that the region was called "opium sea". All-round efforts were made to wipe out poppy cultivation and there was a significant decrease in poppy cultivation. In the Wa region today, rubber plants and highland cultivations took the places of poppy plantations of the past.
It was a sign of extinction of poppy cultivation. With environmental conservation, there were woods and forests in the region in the absence of slash-and-burn cultivation. It was attributed to the efforts of the North-East Command commander, the national races organizations and officials concerned. Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Mr Li Jinjun said it was obvious that there was no longer poppy cultivation in the region and Myanmar's efforts for elimination of poppy cultivation was to be proud of; that tasks for elimination of poppy cultivation and eradication of drugs production could not be carried out in a day and long-term plans were to be laid down and implemented; that it was a historical evil legacy and policies and strategies were to be laid down; that the Myanmar's 15 year project was a proper one and the PRC fully supported the Myanmar's endeavours.
He called on the international community to provide assistance for the project and there wouldn't emerge a good result when there was more pressure than necessary; that economic development played a key role in drug eradication and so long as the farmers were poor poppy cultivation would exist; that it was necessary to change the customs and conviction of the poppy farmers; that the roots of problems were have to be sought and assistance of international community were needed; that small industries needed to be established to earn substitute-income for long-term existence of local people; that destruction of poppy fields was easy but the existence of the poppy farmers needed to be taken into consideration; that one-sided thought should not be adopted and called on Myanmar to invite and show the international community the current situations; that there was already foundation for cooperation between Myanmar and the PRC as CCDAC Chairman Minister Col Tin Hlaing and Minister of Public Security of the PRC Mr Jai Chunwang had already been friendly and wished the CCDAC the successful implementation of the project.
Then, Italian Ambassador Dr Raffacle Miniero made a speech. He said that he has arrived in Myanmar only for four months and it was a great pleasure to witness the success of Myanmar on this trip; that there had been enormous results as Myanmar could make peace.
He went on to say that he would compile and send a constructive report regarding this trip to Italian Government. Afterwards, Japanese Ambassador Mr Yuji Miyamoto said that the trip was interesting; that both sides stood on mutual understanding without peace agreement on cease fire and the results would greatly effect on the daily life of the ordinary people, bring peace among the public; that thus, efforts for economic development and drug control could be carried out; that neighbouring countries needed to provide assistance and there were no doubt about Myanmar's endeavours with goodwill; that it was needed for the international community to know the endeavours and because the narcotic problem was not the concern of Myanmar only but the global concern; that the past experience aspired Myanmar to resolutely realize the role to which serious attention to be paid and he would provide necessary assistance when he arrived in Yangon.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation Mr Oleg V Kabanov said he felt that it is better to look once by oneself than to listen hundred times as a Russian say goes when he witnessed Myanmar's efforts for eradication of narcotic drugs. Narcotic drugs are great danger to youths and we are always worried about our children. It is necessary to provide assistance to Myanmar government's efforts.
He praised Myanmar government for making peace with armed groups and living with them peacefully. He wished continued success and he would inform his government for assistance. Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing thanked the ambassadors.
Minister Col Tin Hlaing and the ambassador presented flower baskets. On 8 December, the ministers and the diplomats went to Bonmon Plantation where they were welcomed by Deputy Commander of North East Command Brig-Gen Hla Myint. He explained that the experimental plantation was established for distribution of poppy substitute crops to farmers at reasonable price.
He spoke on beekeeping, cultivation of jute and cultivation of 300 acres of maize and distribution of quality strains for 22,000 acres of the New Destiny Project.
He also spoke on reclamation of highland project, successful cultivation of groundnut, niger and Thitseint (Belloric Myrobalan). Cultivation methods would be distributed to poppy growers. It is targeted to grow the crops on 500 acres of land. No crops were grown in cold season before.
Sample cultivation of cold season crops would also be undertaken in model plantation. The ministers and the diplomats visited breeding farm of North East Command. Pigs and fowls are bred. They were conducted round by Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing. Arrangements are being made for cultivation of Arabica coffee and opening of agriculture and livestock breeding training school. The diplomats led by Minister Col Tin Hlaing left Lashio for Laukkai in Kokang Special Region-1 on 8 December. They were welcomed by Kokang national leaders and officials of station. At the Laukkai Drug Museum, Kokang national leader U Phon Kyar Shin explained conditions of Kokang region and cultivation of poppy substitute crops.
He said peace was restored in the region after 1989. Kokang is a mountainous region and there is scarcity of water. Local people earn their living on poppy cultivation and most of them are poor. After making peace with the government, emphasis was placed on regional development with the assistance of the government. Arrangements for eradication of poppy cultivation and drugs trafficking were made on its own way. The three-year drug elimination project was laid down for total eradication of poppy cultivation in 2003.
Due to the efforts of local authorities and Kokang people, there are no poppy cultivation at all. It is a success of the people in the region as they promised the government. He assured that anyone can check the region any time. Narcotic Drugs are harmful not only to Kokang people but also to all mankind. He called for cooperation for the task. Over 589,000 plants of various kinds worth four million Yuan imported from China for cultivation of poppy substitute crops. It is a small amount for a big nation but it is a large amount of investment of us. He urged the government to fulfil their requirements and to provide necessary assistance for eradication of poppy cultivation.
Vice-Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung said that he praised U Phon Kyar Shin and local people for their efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation, cent per cent success and turning of Laukkai, only a small village, into a township. The government would provide assistance. The diplomats were invited to witness the efforts for eradication of narcotic drugs and the purpose of the tour is how to provide assistance to the task. The buckwheat project and road construction project were undertaken with the assistance of Japanese government.
He expressed his concern about recultivation of poppy because of difficulty in seeking markets. Small and medium enterprises are to be established. Quality crops are to be cultivated and market is to be sought. Unlike Mongla region, Laukkai is not a place of interest for tourists. Other ways and means to earn income for the local people are to be put into consideration by the CCDAC. International assistance especially from China is needed. Minister for Labour U Tin Winn said he witnessed the development in Kokang region during 14 years after making peace with the government. It is a mountainous region and there are few plains.
It is also hard to cultivate crops because of scarcity of water. In addition to poppy substitute crops, other enterprises and factories are to be established for their income. According to Kokang economic entrepreneurs based in Yangon and Mandalay, arrangements are being made for providing assistance to Kokang region.
Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt said the government built roads, bridges, schools and hospitals in Kokang region. Buckwheat is exported to Japan only. The price of buckwheat gradually fell from US $ 300 per ton in 1999 to 110 US dollars in 2001. Therefore it will difficult for farmers to continue to cultivate buckwheat. Japan provided two times through 2 KR Project which includes the supply of tractors, power tillers and fertilizers. The minister said that the Japanese government should consider to provide another 2KR project.
Ambassador of Japan Mr Yoji Miyamoto said Japan and China are interested in Kokang region. Japan wished to provide more assistance. The buckwheat initiative was undertaken with the assistance of Japan.
There were many difficulties. China replied that it would help willingly the project in order to save transport charges. He learnt the situation of the region, poppy substitute cultivation and regional development. He intended to hold talks with the ministers in Yangon. Ways and means are to be sought. It is impossible to rely on buckwheat only. He assured that Japan would provide help. Minister Col Tin Hlaing praised Kokang national leader U Phon Kyar Shin and Kokang people for their efforts to stop cultivation of poppy in the region beginning this year. The CCDAC would fulfil necessary requirements.
He expressed his pleasure for their interest and pledge of the ambassadors, especially Chinese ambassador and authorities of Yunnan Province. After the ministerial level meeting on cooperation among Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and China, Minister of Public Security Mr Jia Chunwang provide assistance with full interest. He replied queries raised by local and foreign journalists. The ministers and party left Laukkai by helicopter and viewed rubber and lychee plantations in Nantip special township in special region-2. They arrived at Lashio Airport where they were welcomed by Commander Myint Hlaing.
The ministers and the diplomats arrived back here in the evening on 8 December. The tour included Ambassador of China Mr Li Jinjun Ambassador of Italy Dr Raffaele Miniero, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Mr Oleg V Kabanov, attaches of Korea, Britain and Thailand and newsmen from Myanmar Times, NHK, Reuters and NTV news agencies.
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New Destiny Project for Poppy-substitute crops cultivation implemented in Hsadon region, Kachin State
Yangon, 7 Dec - A ceremony to destroy poppy seeds and distribute poppy-substitute crops was held at the basic education middle school in Hasten Village, Waingmaw Township, on 5 December morning.
In his address to the ceremony, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Kachin State Committee for Drugs Abuse Control Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe said there was only a little cultivation of poppy in Kachin State last year. This year, the state has distributed poppy-substitute crops to growers in order not to further cultivate poppy.
In addition, cooperative efforts are needed to eradicate the scourge of narcotic drugs, he added. He continued to say that K 2.5 million for purchase of fertilizers, K 5 million for development of the region and the Hsadon middle school and 30 corrugated iron sheets for the hospital have been provided. Measures are being taken for the development of Kachin State in the sectors of transportation, water supply, education, health and economy for the local national races and over K 900 million has been spent so far, he noted.
Then, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and U Aung Thein said that poppy growers are not the ones who can thrive on cultivating poppy and they are only exploited in the hands of opium smugglers. Therefore, to successfully implement the project of poppy-substitute crops cultivation and livestock breeding, the new destiny project (NDP) has been launched for totally wiping out opium and narcotic drugs.
Next, local nationals U Phan Shan Tainhsaung and U Yunhtan, on behalf of the local people, denounced the trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and made a pledge not to cultivate poppy. Then, mustard, buckwheat, wheat, 78.5 baskets of green pea seeds, 600 viss of potato strain, 1,000 kilos of maize, 53 broilers, 20 bags of rice and 50 blankets were distributed to the local farmers. Local people destroyed the rest poppy seeds surrendered by local farmers of their own volition.
Then, the commander and party inspected poppy-substitute winter crops cultivation and pine and tea plantations.
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Local authorities,
people of Mongyun urged to always strive to prove that they are totally clear of
narcotic drugs
Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs
Elimination Work Committee meets local people
Yangon, 3 Dec - Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs Elimination Work Committee member of Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and party inspected building of a new town, land reclamation and two hydel power stations in Mongyun on 29 November.
They then attended the anti-drug mass meeting in the town. Minister U Tin Winn said the narcotic drugs is not a problem of a nation, but of the world itself, which requires global action to solve it. The State has designated the anti-narcotic drugs project as a national task in continuously implementing it. Co ordinations have been made with the leaders of the national race groups which have returned to the legal fold since 1989 to reduce poppy cultivation and opium production. Infrastructures, required in reducing opium production, in the transport, health, education, have been developed in the remote border areas.
The state formed the new ministry, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, the Central Committee for Progress of Border Areas and National Races chaired by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, and the Work Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council General Khin Nyunt. Up to now, it has used about K 60,000 million to develop the border areas and national races. After building good foundations for development, the State declared to the world the launching of the 15-year narcotic elimination plan. Within the three-year period from 1999-2000 to 2001-2002, poppy cultivation and opium production have been reduced to a significant degree annually, which was acknowledged by the UN and the bodies from the United States.
The organizations have confirmed that Myanmar was able to reduce up to 60 per cent of poppy cultivation and opium production during the period from 1996 to 2002. Under the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe to end the narcotic drugs, the Secretary-1 and five ministers have taken the respective duties to realize the guidance in five regions. The New Destiny Project has been laid down and implemented for the success of the opium-substitute crop cultivation programme.
The work group with the participation of the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, the Deputy Minister for PBANRDA and the Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries has been formed. Greater success has been achieved in the drug eradication task as the four officials have been assigned the duty to meet with the poppy growers. Popper farmers are handing over the poppy seeds to authorities of their own volition. The seeds have been destroyed for six times in major towns including Kengtung. The people who are present at the meeting are former poppy growers from Khwemar, Lonhtan, Binhin and Hoson region in northern Shan State.
The houses of good quality in Mongyun are the proof that the live of the farmers now is much better than that of time they were growing poppy. Uprooting the practice of poppy cultivation alone will not eradicate the drugs. Authorities have seized the stimulant tablets often at the borders. Thailand accused Mongyun as the major stimulant pill including Yaba production areas under the UWSA. Thus, the diplomats and foreign journalists were conveyed to the town by helicopter to explain the true situation during the previous year. Thus, local authorities and the people of the town will have to always strive to prove that they are not involved with the drugs. Decisive action will be taken against the drug cases, and the drug addicts will be treated and rehabilitated. The State is going to render assistance to the drug eradication project. Teachers will have to educate and organize their pupils to know the danger of the drugs.
The regional in-charge and the people are required to prove that the accusations launched by the other nation are wrong and that only the SURA under the command of Ywet Sit is a true terrorist gang producing and trafficking in drugs. All will have to strive to end the practice of poppy cultivation, eradicate drug trafficking and root out drug addiction to declare their region a drug free zone. Deputy Minister for PBANRDA Brig-Gen Than Tun explained the experiences in implementing the New Destiny Project, the success achieved in launching the project in northern Shan State, distribution of opium-substitute crop seeds by Tatmadawmen to the villages and efforts being made to declare the region an opium free zone soonest. Police Brig-Gen Tin Win said 290 tons of poppy seeds have been entrusted to the state by the farmers.
If the seeds are cultivated, they can yield opium that can be refined into 55 tons of heroin valued at over two billion US dollars. From 1988 to this date there were 66,000 drug cases involving 89,113 culprits. Of the culprits, 42 faced death sentence, 48 live imprisonment and 12,256 over 10 years' imprisonment. The seized drugs were destroyed in Yangon for 16 times and 27 times in other places outside the capital. The Money Laundering Law was enacted on 17 June 2002. A total of 124 kinds of narcotic drugs, 113 kinds of psychotropic drugs and 25 kinds of chemicals were controlled by the State. He also explained the plan to develop Yaungkha village in Monghsat Township in cooperation with Thailand. National Race leader U Pau Yuyi requested the public to give information on the drug trafficking and to cooperate in arresting the culprits.
U Pau Yuyi and the local people unanimously made a pledge, saying that they want to free their region from the drugs. They also pledged to realize the guidance given by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, and directives given by Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt to root out the drugs. Dr Ba Thaung went to the education training school established by local people near Mongyun-Wanpong road and gave lecture on danger of drugs and avoiding drugs. Altogether 78 teachers are teaching 1,600 national youths from Shan State (North) and (East) at the school. The students are learning Myanmar, English, science and computer course free of charge at the school. The minister and party visited the school and met the teachers and students.
The minister said education is important in building a modern nation. He expressed his pleasure for local national leaders' investment in education. He urged the teachers to hand down education as well as good morale to their pupils and to make efforts to be a tobacco and drug free school. The minister and party met service personnel, members of War Veterans Organization, Women's Affairs Work Committee and Maternal and Child Welfare Association.
The minister said narcotic drugs problem started in colonial period. After regaining independence, it was difficult to eliminate the drugs because insurgents involved in it. Beginning 1989, the government made peace with the armed groups and carried out the tasks on drugs elimination. During 1989-1999, the government created better transport, education, health and social conditions for development of border areas and national races. Starting from 1999-2000 the government laid down the 15 year Drugs Elimination Project. Poppy cultivation acreage decreased considerably in three years due to continuous efforts. The UN and the US government accepted the fall in poppy cultivation acreage.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt implemented the guidance given by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Beginning 8 April, five ministers were assigned duties to make field trips to five regions for eradication of narcotic drugs. The task force consisting of four deputy ministers was formed and The New Destiny Project was also laid down. Success has been achieved in poppy substitute crops and control of poppy seeds. However, seizure of stimulant tablets is still made. Monghsat and Mongtong were notorious for trafficking of narcotic drugs by the Nationalist Chinese. Poppy cultivation and smuggling of stimulant tablets are still in those regions.
The minister called for cooperation in the drugs elimination tasks. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun reported on functions of the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, opening of youth training school and domestic science training school, implementation of poppy substitute crops project in Mongpauk region in cooperation with UNDCP, cultivation of buckwheat in Kokang and Kaungkha regions with the assistance of the Japanese government and fall in poppy cultivation acreage. Police Brig-Gen Tin Win reported on fall in annual opium yield, handing over poppy seeds by poppy growers of their own volition, enacting the Money Laundering Law and conditions of human trafficking in border areas. Chairman of District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Nyunt reported on poppy cultivation in Monghsat District and money spent on drugs elimination in Shan State (East).
The minister and party inspected Loihsansontaung (Baintaung Coffee Farm) and met local people at Mongtwang Village. The minister said Mongtwang, Mongtong and Monghsat regions were notorious for narcotic drugs. In Loihsanson coffee is now grown. It is learnt that SURA Ywet Sit group still involves in drugs trafficking in the area. Local people are to make efforts for wiping out narcotic drugs and annihilating the insurgents.
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun and Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence reported on elimination of drugs in Mongtwang. Lahu national U Pi Lon of Mongtwang hill village assured that he would not grow poppy at all. Police Brig-Gen Tin Win and Dr Ba Thaung distributed pamphlets on eradication of drugs, newspapers and journals and anti-human trafficking pamphlets to local people.
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Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs Elimination Work Committee Minister for Labour makes field trips to Tachilek
Yangon, 2 Dec - Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs Elimination Work Committee member of Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Dr Ba Thaung of the Ministry of Health, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence and Secretary Police Chief of Staff of Myanmar Police Force Police Brig-Gen Tin Win arrived in Tachilek on 28 November.
The minister and party left Tachilek for Monghsat Township by car and arrived at Yaungkha Village in the afternoon. The minister and party inspected the chosen site for construction of a school for development of Yaungkha Village in cooperation with Thai government. They inspected poppy-substitute honey orange plantation in Wanhong region. The minister and party arrived at Wanhong Village. They met national race leader of Shan State (East) U Pauk Yu Yi and some 200 members at the briefing hall of Wanhong Loihsansaw poppy-substitute agricultural project office. They discussed tasks to be carried out for the elimination of poppy cultivation and trafficking and abuse of drugs for total elimination of narcotic drugs in Tachilek and Monghsat Districts.
The minister and party explained formation of the committee for the New Destiny Project consisting the deputy minister for Home Affairs, the deputy minister for Agriculture and Irrigation, the deputy minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and the deputy minister for Livestock and Fisheries in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. The four deputy ministers made field trips to the far-flung villages in border regions and met poppy growers. The poppy growers themselves handed over poppy seeds weighing 164,928.9406 kilos to the State. Such event has never taken place in any country before.
These poppy seeds can be grown on 100,997.51 acres of land with the expected yield of 444,389.06 kilos of raw opium and this amount is equivalent to 444.39 tons of raw opium. It can be refined into 44.44 tons of heroin. The handing over of poppy seeds by farmers have prevented production of raw opium and heroin. The government provided K 50 million to poppy growers for cultivation of poppy-substitute crops in monsoon and K 50 million in cold season. The government has been implementing 15-year drugs elimination project, adopting the elimination of narcotic drugs as the national duty. The project started in 1999-2000 and poppy cultivation acreage decreased each year.
Poppy cultivation acreage in 2001-2002 also fell 60 per cent compared to that of 1996. The United Nations and the US government accepted the fall in acreage. The government in cooperation of the UN and the US Administration conducted survey on opium yield in poppy growing areas. The government in cooperation with the US Administration conducted survey on opium yield for eight times from 1993 to the present year. The government carried out the tasks without any assistance from foreign nations and organizations.
The seized narcotic drugs were destroyed in the presence of diplomats and foreign correspondents for 16 times in Yangon from 1988 to now and 27 times in border areas from 1991 to 2002. Narcotic drugs include opium and heroin as well as stimulant tablets. Despite a reduction in poppy cultivation acreage, frequent seizures of stimulant tablets were made. Last October, 5.03 million stimulant tablets and 30 kilos of heroin were seized in Tachilek District. It is important to expose traffickers of stimulant tablets and take action against them. The stimulant tablets can be produced in a 10x10 feet room with the use of precursors. Effective action must be taken against them. The chemicals are not the ones produced in the country and are smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries. Efforts are to be made for exposing the smuggling of the precursors into the country.
He said the people are to take part in elimination of drug abusers. Arrangements have been made for giving treatment to drug addicts at Kengtung, Tachilek and Monghsat Hospitals. Only when there are no production of stimulant tablets, no trafficking and no drugs abusers, will the region be declared as drug free zone. Concerted efforts are being made for declaration of drug free zone in the region in 2005. He spoke of the need to extend cultivation acreage of poppy substitute crops such as, lychee, honey orange and mangoes. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun spoke at length on organizational matters in connection with poppy growers, distribution of poppy substitute crops such as maize, buckwheat, niger, wheat, beans and pulses, elimination of poppy in Shan State (North) this year due to cooperation of local authorities.
Mongla region was declared as drug free zone five years ago. He said efforts are to be made for declaration of drug free zone in Shan State (East). He also said poppy substitute plantations are to be extended in Wanhong region. The Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and CCDAC will provide necessary assistance, he added.
Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence made a speech. He said efforts have been made to totally wipe out growing of poppy since 1998. As poppy is grown and opium is produced in this neighbouring region. So, Thailand has accused the national people of poppy growers. To rebut these accusations, national race leaders and national people are strive for total elimination of poppy growing in the region.
Thailand and other nations brought an accusation against Myanmar that poppy is systematically produced by building drug factories in Mongyawng region, Monghsat District. So, last year, diplomats and mediamen were taken to Mongyawng region by choppers and let them witness that the factories are not drug producing ones but buildings for development of the region. In that way false accusations had been refuted.
This year, Yodaya dailies carried news items that over 1 million of stimulant pills will be produced in the region and their troops were put on standby to prevent the stimulants from trespassing on their land. But, we are satisfied to see poppy substitute crops such as orange, lychee, coffee in Wanhon, Mongyawng region. Although poppy growing is almost no longer in existence in the region, it is the route stimulants are carried. So, national race leaders are to strive as soon as possible for the region to become a drug free zone, he said.
Then, National Race Leader U Pauk Yu Yi spoke words of thanks to the leaders of the nation for their drug elimination tasks. Minister for Labour U Tin Winn presented gifts and periodicals carrying drug news to U Pauk Yu Yi.
Then, the minister and party viewed plantations and then they arrived at Mongyawng at 7 pm. At night, they discussed matters relating to drugs with national race leaders.
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