Part I

non-governmental organization (NGO) after retirement from Government Service,

came to visit me yesterday. This uncle loathed all kinds of addiction betel

chewing, tobacco, alcohol and narcotic drugs. After retirement he turned to

religious meditation on the one hand and on the other joined the Myanmar

Anti-Narcotic Association (MANA) as an active member as part of his contribution

to social service. Other retired individuals like my uncle with common goals and

outlook had got together to found this volunteer organization on 26 June 1994 to

begin their good work. Within such a short period it has been quite effective in

its programme even though it is not yet a well-known organization. Some

philanthropists have made considerable donations towards MANA. Likewise, there

is the Border Areas Development Association (BDA) established along similar

lines. The principal goal of this organization is to achieve opium crop

substitution and to work for the development of border areas. Thus in efforts to

implement narcotic drug eradication measures, the Government is not alone.

Volunteers from among the people have begun to form volunteer associations

systematically to actively support and supplement the Governments programmes.

The author’s uncle who looks at narcotic drugs from the religious as well as the

national perspectives therefore makes serious efforts to support the measures

undertaken by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) of the

Government. So, as a person intensely concerned about narcotic drug abuse, the

first thing he said to me was that he had read my articles on the  MTA and

for your articles  on the MTA, for I learnt a lot of details that we know

nothing

about. But, I think you should continue your research and writ more

opium was being refined and who was doing it. Nor did we know for certain were

the traffickers and who were reaping most of the profits. Now we know all this

from what you have written. But I was wondering hat maybe you should try to give

a fuller account of the visits made by foreigners to MAT headquarters. “

“Is it because you still don’t yet understand the import these

visits?”

“Oh! I understand that very well. It is obvious to us the western bloc

nations and their followers are not practicing they preach. They are the ones

hollering about the drug kings have indicted him as an international drug

criminal. Yet they have established relations with him in secret, and given Eencouragement and support. But the people have come to know very well that

these Westerners say one thing but do just opposite. “

“If you realize this much, it’s enough I think. One needs to be

circumspect and not reveal everything. It’s still necessary to  have a card

up one’s sleeve. When the people, the many organizations, nations and

governments who are involved try to make excuses and evade the issue, it’s

important to have some incontrovertible evidence in reserve. Isn’t that so?

“

“Yes. When you put it that way. But still, you should continue to write

about how our country is fighting the menace on all fronts. Only then, people

should write more fully on  this. I have also heard the false accusations

made without any thought of acknowledging the work being done. Yes I’ve been

thinking we ought to know the reasons why they refuse to give credit where it is

due and are instead hurling unfounded charges against us. But I don’t know all

the facts. Uncle, you have connections with the CCDAC and you are cooperating in

to 1997) published by the CCDAC, you’ll get the full picture then.But I suppose

there are certain additional details I can fill you in on. So ask what you want.

concerned I have some information of the measures that were undertaken by our

ancient kings and what successive Governments did after independence. So could

you give me some information on drug control activities after the formation of

session held in Octoberl975 passed a resolution to designate as a national task,

the fight to effectively control and suppress narcotic drugs which threatened

the perpetuation of the nation. On 3rd February 1996 the Central Committee for

Drug Abuse Control was formed. That was the beginning of the present committee.

In the time of the Government of the State Law and Order Restoration Council

this Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control was reorganized on 9 October 1989

and specific tasks were laid down. Then on 7 January 1993 the Anti- Narcotic

Drug and Psychotropic Substances Law (Law No. l/93) was promulgated. There are

acceded to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs on 29 July 1963; to the

1971 Convention  on Psychotropic Substances on 20 July 1994 and to the 1988 

Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic 

in joint action with the UNDCP.  Then there are the Myanmar/ China/ UNDCP

and the Myanmar/  Thailand/ Laos programmes. It has also been taking part

in anti – drug  measures as a member of the ASEAN and has cooperated with

India,  Bangladesh, Vietnam, Russia, Laos and the Philippines. It has even 

signed with America and aid  to the value of 88.6 million dollars was

enormous amounts given to our  neighbouring countries, that was just a

amount to left over change. But  what we did was in the national cause.

Military operations were  launched to destroy opium fields. Just consider

the number of  operations conducted within the period 1974 to 1979.

Operations Mai  Lone, Hnin Pan, Pauk Pan, Taung Hteik Pan and Hay Man Oo

all took  place within that duration. Then Operation Nger Yai Pan was

launched  in 1979/80 and from 1981 to 1988 it was continued in full force

from  phase 1 to phase 8. Then aerial operations were carried out as

Operation  Taung Yan Shin from phase 1 to phase 4. Altogether, 199,762.87

acres of  poppy fields were destroyed.”

“Wasn’t it true that fierce engagements took place between Government Forces and armed insurgents involved in the

drug trade.”

“Certainly. What was called Moe Hein Military operations was fought in 12 phases from 1976 to 1988. One

hundred and nine members of the Armed Forces were killed in action and 572 wounded in these battles. But, 5453 kilos of black

opium,159.61 kilosofheroin,344.68 kilos of brownopium,2033 gallons of liquid opium and 15 opium refineries were seized. Two

hundred and five insurgents were captured dead and 18 alive together with 259 assorted

still carrying on the fight to eradicate narcotic drugs, aren’t we? “

“Oh yes, we are. Even without assistance from any quarter we have never let the momentum of our national task slow

down. In fact, you’ll see that we have even accelerated our efforts.In 1994, 111 battles took place in the Mong Kyut region and in

1995, 95 battles were fought in the Hpet Tu Mein region. And since the Armed Forces assumed state responsibilities 766

members of the Armed Forces have given their lives and 2292 wounded were and disabled in the national cause of narcotic drug

eradication. Poppy fields destroyed annually from 1988 to 1998 nowtotal 91022.33

acres. Moreover, 24808.46 kilos of black opium, 3881.81 kilos of heroin, 185.79

kilos of brown opium,11,093,026 tablets of stimulant drugs and a large amount of

marijuana and chemicals have been captured. Eighty – seven heroin refineries

in narcotic drug suppression after 1988 when no aid of any sort was given by anyone, than in the pre- 1988 period when aid was

being provided. But no matter how much has been done and achieved, there are still people who wish to point fingers and lay

blame. “

“They can say what they want. Our Government will still do and continue doing what needs to be done. For instance, it has

held public burning of narcotic drugs seized, in the presence of  foreign guests, diplomats,

UN officials and foreign correspondents, 11 times since 1990. The total amount of drugs destroyed

consisted of 1961.65 kilos of heroin, 11,912,82 kilos of black opium, 109.69 kilos of opium oil extract, 119.89 kilos of liquid

opium and enormous quantities of marijuana, morphine and phensedy1. Narcotic drug burning measures have also been

carried out by the former armed national groups themselves in their various

regions. “

“Don’t the diplomats, foreign correspondents report to their governments all that is being done to combat narcotic drugs?

Government is doing? And could they fail to submit reports? No. It’s just that they simply want to lay blame on us. Recently, I heard

a BBC broadcast quoting the London Sunday Times. It said that the Myanmar authorities have

provided funds to the Chin State for the purpose of opium cultivation. It further said that villagers in

the Shan State had to grow opium poppy for the Armed Forces. The most blatant of all the lies was a statement by a Dr. Chris Bier

in an interview on the BBC on 1st October. He alleged that ,Military Intelligence personnel were involved in transporting heroin

from Myanmar across the border. “

“That’s really shocking! The Armed Forces is actually the vanguard force in the fight against narcotic drugs, whether it’s

to destroy opium fields or to take action against drug traffickers, members of the Armed Forces are always in the fore front, putting

their lives on the line. Most of the drugs seized have also been through action taken by the Armed Forces.”

“The fact, that there are individuals who write in this vein and make false allegations, is actually nothing new nor

surprising. Even the official announcement on the narcotic drug situation in Myanmar issued by the U.S. State Department in March

1998 was full of wild and groundless allegations. The announcement said that according to their estimates

Myanmar  was able to cultivate 387,875 acres of poppy, which would yield 2365 metric

tons of raw opium and 197 metric tons of opium. It also stated that all the armed national groups that had made peace with the

Government were carrying on the narcotic drug trade; that the leaders were Pauk Yu Chan, Li Zee Yu, Wai Shauk Chi of the

Kohang group; Mon Hsa La of the MDA and U Ma Htu Naw of the KDA . In Special Region No.4 of the eastern Shan State was U

Sai Lin and there was also Ywet Sit of the SURA. It alleged that though the Mong La Region had been declared an Opium Free

Zone, drug trafficking was still being carried on. And finally that the Myanmar Government was utilizing proceeds from the

narcotic drug trade to implement domestic projects and to increase investments for expanding its various economic

false is downright unscrupulous and immoral. “

“As a matter of fact, the national groups are planning and implementing development projects to be able to establish Opium

Free Zones and are adhering to the programme  laid down by the Government.

“

“Haven’t any of the national groups made rebuttals to these false allegations?

long ago on official business for my organization and met the leaders who have been so unjustly accused. They are making

serious efforts in crop substitution and taking action to control narcotic drugs. So, naturally, they are very upset that not only

have their efforts been not recognized, they are being accused so unfairly. When I arrived at the ‘ Wa ‘ region one of the leaders

told me that it’s very easy to establish an Opium Free Zone. They just have to declare that punitive action will be taken against any

one who cultivates poppy, and no one would dare to disobey this order. So instead, these peasants will begin to cultivate vegetables

like tomatoes and so forth. He then asked, if the Americans would come to this remote region to buy such produce. If so he said,

they would see to it that not a single poppy plant be grown. He explained that peasants in the region have been subsisting on opium

cultivation for years even though they have not made much profit from it. They have been growing poppy because there’s no other

alternative. The ‘Wa’ Leader said they couldn’t change things over night but that they are doing everything to bring about change

for the better, because they know very well that narcotic drugs are a menace to mankind. But he said quite plainly that they all

resented the fact that their efforts had gained no acknowledgement but just abuse and false

accusations. “

“What about the Government? Hasn’t it made any attempts to refute these

evidence. So it has implemented the Base Line Data project that will yield systematic countrywide statistical data on poppy

cultivation acres as well as the number of addicts in the country. This will also be useful data for future narcotic drug programmes

and projects. This project was carried out from 1st January, to 30th June 1998 and the resulting statistics showed that the total area of

poppy cultivated was 151,201 acres, and that it would yield 665.28 tons of black opium. This black opium when refined would yield

66.52 tons of heroin. The total number of addicts in the country is said to be

begin in the year 1999-2000 and completed in 2004. The target is to establish a narcotic – drug free State within the 15 year duration

assistance we could reduce the duration of the project and achieve our goal sooner. But we have the will and determination to carry

Pino Alacchi of the UNDCP at a press conference held on his visit to Myanmar. He spoke about how he had seen for himself the

concrete achievements made by Myanmar in her drug control programmes, the positive results of the efforts made by the

national groups in the border areas and acknowledged their sincerity and good will. He said that was why the UNDCP had

resolved to. extend every assistance and support towards these projects. I even thought when I read the report of the interview

that there were at least some people who saw things in their true light and showed some good

western bloc is another matter altogether. They will persist in their negative

peace by U Khun Sa’s MTA, negatively. Actually, the collapse of the MTA, whether brought about by armed force or by peaceful

means, its demise was due solely to the diligent efforts of the Government. This was a milestone

heroin at the border rose two and a half times as soon as the MTA had exchanged arms for peace. And the price is still soaring. This

shows obviously that the price had risen because the production of heroin had fallen. If the supply were still plentiful the price

the western bloc stubbornly clings to its negative views. It may be because it has no real desire to eradicate drugs or may be it’s

more clearly. These people cut off all aid and assistance for narcotic drug control on trumped up charges against our

Government on the grounds of democracy and human rights. Yet they came and went freely to the MTA headquarters, established

cordial relations and even encouraged him to attack the Government. All this raises doubts about the western

clearly for what they are. They actually enjoy many benefits from narcotic drugs. The individuals involved enjoy economic benefit.

Then as a bonus they can use it a political tool to manipulate the situation within or without the country and in the international

arena. Since they enjoy such benefits on all fronts, it is inconceivable that they would wish for the total eradication of 

narcotic drugs. As long as the person of their choice doesn’t come into power and as long as things in the country don’t go the way

they want, they’ll go on making false allegations concerning narcotic drugs. It is up to us to have the strength and morale

to stand up to them and continue to do what is right. Well, having said that, I think it should be enough for

many of the questions that had puzzled me. How is it that the western bloc nations have failed to see the diligent efforts our

country have been making to eradicate narcotic drugs? Why do they keep hurling false accusations despite all these efforts? And  

why, instead of lending a helping hand, are they obstructing our endeavours? What are the principal reasons behind all this? Now