By none can it be vied and outdone

There have been countless numbers of explanations concerning Myanmar’s narcotic

Efforts of our anti-drug squads destruction of opium plantations and opium refinery camps

in the mountains and valleys, annual destruction of seized narcotic drugs and actions

taken against drug producers and traffickers and drug users according to law were made

If we study the anti-narcotic campaign from 1974 to 1988 and during 11 years from 18

Our government is well aware of the fact that suppression of narcotic drugs alone will not

be sufficient to put an end to the narcotic drugs problem. So, arrangements have been and

are being made to eliminate the practice of earning a living through poppy cultivation by

enabling the opium poppy growers to turn to agriculture, livestock breeding and other

means as alternative sources of income. A significant proof to this fact is the formation

of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs in

– 1992 and assignment of specific duties to it. Moreover, the Central Committee for

Development of Border Areas and National Races was formed with the Chairman of the State

Peace and Development Council himself as its head and giving guidance in the task.

Similarly, the Work Committee for the purpose was also formed with Secretary-1 of the

State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as its Chairman. Since its

formation, the Work Committee has spent funds amounting to over K 15 billion in

infrastructural development. The projects for the development of border areas included

building of roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and dispensaries, cultivation of opium

substitute crops, installation of TV re-transmission stations, telephone exchange and

ensuring power supply. The funds did not include any outside assistance and they were

utilized for the improvement of the living conditions of the national brethren, out of

The task of narcotic drugs suppression is so enormous that one single country will not be

in a position to dea1 with it alone. There are drug producing countries and consumer

countries as well. Production side alone will not be able to tackle the problem. Both

consuming and producing nations wil1 have to make concerted efforts in unison for the

accomplishment of the task. They will have to find practicable solutions to the problem.

Success will be achieved if the problem is solved through national and international

No one can deny the fact that our country has achieved tangible results after finding

practicable solutions to the narcotic drugs problem and taken most appropriate measures.

For instance, it is believed that the best way to combat narcotic drugs production and

trafficking in the country is reconsolidation of national solidarity and development of

border areas and national races there. Accordingly, the Government has implemented the

development projects. As a result, Mongla area in Special Region 4 of eastern Shan State

was declared Opium Free Zone on 22 April 1997. Kokang nationalities led by U Phon Kya Shin

have pledged to declare their area opium free by the year 2000 and are making efforts.

Similarly, Wa nationalities led by U Pauk Yu Chan have pledged to declare their area opium

free in 2005. They too are expediting work on suppressive and combative measures coupled

with cultivation of opium poppy substitute crops and development projects in accordance

with the pledge. Such efforts to have declared and to declare opium free zones benefit not

only Myanmar but also the entire human race. However, foreign nations fail to recognize

the efforts of the nationalities leaders. Instead, they speak ill of the measures and made

false allegations.

        We, on our part, have no desire to make false

a1legations against any country. On the international front, we have been amicably

cooperating with our neighbours, the countries in the region, ASEAN member nations and UN

agencies based on constructive engagement. In some areas of national races, projects for

all-round development are being implemented through international cooperation. With the

guidance of the Head of State, a 15-year project for total eradication of narcotic drugs

starting from 1999-2000 to 20132014 divided into three phases is being implemented. It is

believed the project will be completed according to schedule or sooner if the

international community takes interest in the project and renders assistance. On our part,

we are determined to carry on with the job whether we receive outside assistance or not.

    In our efforts to combat narcotic drugs, rehabilitate the former

addicts and improve the living conditions of national races, it was not that we have

followed the path strewn with roses at ease. Starting from the Moe Hein Operations and

armed engagements with opium traffickers in 1975 and up to 18 September 1999, 353 Tatmadaw

members sacrificed their lives for the country and I ,431 were injured. They risked their

lives in combating the narcotic drugs and they did so as a national responsibility.

        We have not heard of any country that risked so

many lives by hundreds or thousands in combating narcotic drugs. We have not heard of any

country that has consolidated national unity to achieve success in right against narcotic

drugs. In international cooperation too, one will find it difficult-to see a nation like

ours that does not show off in order to receive assistance.

    Hence, in endeavouring for eradication of narcotic drugs we would like

to sound a challenge saying that Myanmar cannot be vied with and outdone by any other