Drug    

Yodayas using various media to portray Myanmar as big drug producer smuggling large hauls of narcotic drugs into their country

Yangon, 29 Jan — Chairman of Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and party attended a seminar on the elimination of poppy cultivation and narcotic drugs control at Thiri Yadana Hall at Monghsat District Peace and Development Council Office.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister U Tin Winn said he met the people of Monghsat last November and it was the second time. Last December, the four ministers, together with ambassadors visited Mongyun, Wang Hong region, Mongla region in Kengtung (East), Pangsang, Longhtan, Mongmaw, Laukkai and Namtip regions. Under the guidance of the Head of State, he and party made trips to the grassroots level and discussed eradication of narcotic drugs.

He said ambassadors from China, Japan, Russia and Italy were included in his trip. The Italian ambassador reported to his country on Myanmar’s endeavours for elimination of narcotic drugs. Italy then  donated US $ 100,000. He said he and the Japanese ambassador discussed cultivation of opium substitute crops besides buckwheat, livestock breeding, providing technical assistance to small industries and conducting on-job training courses on 12 December. China presented crop seeds to Kokang and Wa regions and arrangements are being made for providing technical assistance.

He said there were over 700 acres of poppy last year. He hoped that cultivation acreage would fall this year. In his trip he met local people in Mong Twan region. Lahu national races pledged that they would make efforts for eradication of drugs. The world accepted the decline in poppy cultivation in the country. The region cannot be considered as drug free one simply because there is no cultivation of poppy and no production of heroin in that area. Production and trafficking of stimulant tablets continue to exist in the area. Poppy plantations are visible but it is not easy to expose the production of stimulant tablets because the tablets can be produced in 10x10-foot room. The case can be exposed with the help and information given by local people. He stressed the importance of cooperation of local people.

Yodaya accused Wa troops of manufacturing the stimulant tablets. If there was a fighting between drug traffickers and Yodaya troops, they reported that they had fought against Wa troops. In connection with such accusations, he met Wa leaders and told them to seize drug traffickers. He said the world has become smaller due to the advancement of communication technology and it has also become a  global village. One from other part of the world immediately knows the event that took place in one place. On 11 September, the United States was attacked. The UN Security Council passed the resolution that a big nation could take military action against any country that was involved in terrorism.

On June 2002, Senator Mr Kareinsat Chunnawan of Yodaya made accusation that Wa troops in the region were a terrorist organization. The US also made such accusation. So clarifications on false accusations were made to diplomats and media persons in Mongyun. In South East Asia, it is Yodaya that consumes the stimulant tablets most. The stimulant tablets were not popular in the US and western nations. They use ecstasy tablets. Recently, without any evidence, Yodaya newspapers reported that Wa troop manufactured not only stimulant tablets but also ecstasy tablets. This aimed at putting pressure on Myanmar by the US and western nations.

The stimulant tablets can be produced with the combination of chemicals. Yodaya, India and China can produce the chemicals but our country cannot. Warnings about fabricated news on drugs may be a danger in the long run. The region that included in Golden Triangle was notorious for poppy and heroin. He called on local people to cooperate with officials for elimination of drugs.

Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence said the region was infamous as the Golden Triangle Region after the arrival of the Kuomintang troops who introduced poppy cultivation and opium production in the area. The Kuomintang troops who were trafficking opium, a profitable illegal business, for their existence, acquired the heroin refining technology from the CIA. They refined heroin and distributed the drugs through Yodaya. Through the business  the Kuomintang and the traffickers in Yodaya had become extremely rich. The multicolored insurgent groups which came into being after regaining the independence were also involved in the drug business. Since then, the region had become an opium and heroin trading place.

When the Kuomintang, which were operating the huge drug business, left Myanmar territory, the Kuomintang remnants and the MTA under the command of U Khun Sa took control of the drug business in the area. The MTA made the unconditional surrender in 1996. The drug problem would have ended if the Kuomintang and MTA were no more in the area. But the problem still exists. Yodayas are using various sources of media to portray Myanmar as a big drug producer smuggling large hauls of narcotic drugs into their country, while representing themselves as innocent victims of the drug problem. Nobody can put the blame on Myanmar concerning the drug issue, if the nation is totally free from the problem. Hence, all the departmental personnel and the people will have to take part in the anti-drug drive, that cannot be implemented by the government alone.

Police Brig-Gen Tin Win explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs gave instructions to police officers from northern, eastern and southern Shan State, Kachin State and Kayah State to carry out tasks for drug elimination; that punitive action is taken against drug traffickers; and that the cooperation of the people is necessary to achieve the goal. He then handed round pamphlets on the prevention of human trafficking.

Director of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races  and Development Affairs U Nyi Nyi reported on matters related to anti-drug tasks being implemented by the ministry. Next, General Manager of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation U Pyay Nyein also reported on seeds, saplings and techniques being provided for the cultivation of poppy-substitute crops, the conducting of 117 agriculture camps with the appointment of 396 employees and assistance being given to agriculture and livestock breeding farms.

Dr Khin Maung Kyi of the Ministry of Health also reported on matters related to giving education on narcotic drugs, treatment and rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the ministry. He added that after 1988, momentum has been accelerated in giving treatment to drug addicts. As a result, there has been annual decrease in the number of the drug addicts. On behalf of the local people, Akha national U Arkar pledged that efforts would be exerted to make Monghsat Township the drug-free zone in 2003.

Lt-Col Myo Nyunt also made reports, saying that in spite of 1902.20 acres of poppy in 1999-2000 in Monghsat District, the poppy cultivation acreage decreased gradually — 904.07 acres in 2000-2001, 740.49 acres in 2001-2002 and 66.30 acres in 2002-2003. Of three townships in the district, Monshsat and Mongpyin townships get rid of the poppy cultivation in 2002-2003. It was only in Mongtong Township that 66.30 acres of poppy were grown, but all the poppy plantations were destroyed in October, November and December of the 2002. He also reported on requirements for the construction of Narkaungmu basic eduaction middle school (Branch) and the construction of Mongkhoak bridge. After the ceremony, Ministry U Tin Winn cordially greeted those present on occasion.

Afterwards, the minister and party arrived at Yaokha Village of Wa region, where they inspected the village school being constructed with the cooperation of Thailand and gave instructions. Later, they proceeded to Tachilek.