Press Conference

A press conference with Ambassadors, Defence Services Attaches, local and foreign journalists was held at the Drug Museum on Kyundaw Road, here at 10.30 am today.

As explained by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung at the briefing, we are totally shocked by the Editorial of the Nation dated 12 March 2002 which quoted Chat Thai party Deputy Leader Mr. Kobsak Chutikul as saying "the US should not rule out military option in the fight against one of the world's largest drug armies, operating freely along the Thai-Burmese border" a clear reference to the Wa People of Myanmar.


"Wa" national race liaison officer, U Khin Maung Myint reports to Ambassadors, diplomats and correspondents at Wanpon opium substitute crop cultivation project.	Kokang National Race Leader, U Phone Kya Shin reports effort to rid Kokang region of opium and cultivation of substitution crops to Foreign Ambassadors, diplomats and Correspondents at Laukai Narcotic Drug Elimination Museum.

According to the Nation's Editorial, Mr. Kobsak was further quoted as saying that "surgical air strikes against the Wa Army would be in line with the emerging world order". It is equally shocking that a reputed newspaper like the Nation has blindly endorsed the remarks. Knowing full well the dangerous implications of such remarks, the endorsement by the Nation is, in our view, most unethical and highly unprofessional.


Chinese drug kingpin Shan Chung Maint taken back by Chinese authorities. (9-9-2001)	Thai drug kingpin Mr. Li Yun Ching (a) Pongsak Pojanasakul taken back by Thai authorities. (17-6-1997)

The irresponsible remarks of Mr. Kobsak, endorsed in the editorial of the Nation, and made under the pretext of feigned concern about narcotic drugs are, in fact, a blatant attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity, of Myanmar.


seized 131,600 stimulant tablets, 62.8 kilos of stimulant dough ready for making tablets and a home-made single-shot short gun. (9-6-2001)	Offenders with Tabletting Machine, Mixed powder, Arms and Roungs of Ammunition were Confiscated at Kyar Shee Par Village, Tachileik. (24-8-2001)

It is a well known fact that Myanmar is a peace loving country, which has, since independence, defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity while at the same time fostering friendly relations with other countries, particularly its neighbours. In line with this stance, Myanmar will not allow any interference in its internal affairs or any intrusion on its territory that will compromise the country's sovereignty, however plausible the reasons may be.


Well growing of Longhun plantation in Mong Yawn area, "Wa" Special Region (2).	The tea plantation near the Mong Maw in "Wa" Special Region (2).

Myanmar / Thailand Bitlateral Cooperation Meeting
on Narcotic Drugs Control at Yangon. (5-11-2001)

At a time when the bilateral relations between the Myanmar and Thailand have, as a result of sincere effort by both countries, recognizably improved, it is most tragic and even incredible that a high ranking politician of a neighbouring state could be so imprudent and impulsive as to suggest military attacks on a sovereign friendly country. These suggestions have the potential to undermine the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in particular and the regional peace and security in general. While every attempt is being made by the Myanmar Government to combat narcotic drugs, in cooperation with its neighbours in the region and UNDCP, Mr. Kobsak, apparently unaware of these energetic efforts, has blown out of proportion a non-issue. and to our consternation, recommended the most violent means which is incompatible. with the universally accepted norms of behavior in international relations, We, therefore, categorically object to these intrusive suggestions. It is learnt that two high officials of the United States Administration, in their testimony before the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Law Enforcement Affairs, have mentioned "The United Wa State Army" as a "terrorist group" with links to drug trafficking around the world, It is regrettable that a respectable newspaper like the Bangkok Post has found it newsworthy to repeat this statement, regardless of its implications, Myanmar is against all acts of terrorism. Out of twelve international instruments on terrorism, Myanmar has already signed six conventions. Moreover, Myanmar has submitted its report on counter-terrorism efforts in the country to the Counter- Terrorism Committee of the Security Council.


Grape trees grown at Mong Phone Plantation, "Wa" Special Region (2).	Rubber and Tea Plantation as substitution crops cultivation in Namtit, "Wa" Region.

In view of Myanmar's active cooperation with the international community in combating drugs and terrorism, these remarks are regrettable.

Contrary to these remarks, the Wa people are one of the national races of Myanmar who have renounced their past policy of armed insurgency against the government and wholeheartedly made peace with and are fully cooperating with the Government for the development of their region. They have totally renounced their involvement in the cultivation of opium poppy and production and trafficking of narcotic drugs, The Wa leaders have, in fact, even pledged to totally rid their region of the narcotic drugs by the year 2005, and they are making every effort in collaboration with the government to achieve that goal as targetted. Very recently, the Yangon based diplomats .have paid a visit to Wa region and they have witnessed first hand the genuine efforts of the Wa people to combat the narcotic drugs.


Foreign Ambassadors, diplomats and Correspondents view opium substitute tea plantation in Khwema village in Wa region.	Foreign Ambassadors, diplomats and Correspondents study minerals at Lone Htan Mine in Wa special region (2).

To eradicate narcotic drugs, the Government of Myanmar is implementing various projects and programmes in the Wa region in cooperation with the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). The most significant was the Wa Alternative Development Project from 1997 to 2001, which was implemented in southern Wa Region. There is also the on-going "Wa Symbiotic Development (WSD) Project" in Mongpauk and Mongmaw townships being funded by a Japanese Non- Governmental Organization "Karamosia International". In addition, there is also a project in Wa Special Region 2 north of Namtit, aimed at the eradication of narcotic drugs in Northern and Southern parts of Wa region. In this regard, the UNDCP is collecting baseline data for the entire Wa region. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration has carried out 9 opium yield surveys since 1992, including the Wa region. The last survey was conducted from 25 February to 1 March 2002.


Member of Myanmar / American Survey Team Conducting an opium yield survey. (2001)	Member of Myanmar / American Survey Team Conducting an opium yield survey. (2002)

Under the Alternative Development Project, funded by the Japanese Government, the experimental 4, acres of buckwheat have expanded to over 4000 acres. At present, other substitute crops such as Longan, Honey Orange, Coffee, Tea and Rubber have been successfully grown over thousands of acres in the Wa region. Because of crops substitute programmes, opium production in the country has significantly decreased over the past several years. A United States narcotic agency, comprising officials from the US State Department, has in its latest report on Myanmar for 2001 has confirmed that the opium production in the country has decreased about 60 per cent over the past 5 years. Together with these accomplishments, stepped up law enforcement measures have led to more significant seizures of narcotic drugs. In 2001, over 1622 kilos of opium, 95 kilos of heroin and over 32 million tablets of stimulants were seized. The above-mentioned anti-narcotic efforts and accomplishments clearly indicate that the Government of Myanmar is genuinely committed to the eradication of narcotic drugs and making significant progress in all these efforts.

We, for our part, will continue to cooperate fully and steadfastly with the international community in its efforts to combat these twin evils of narcotic drugs and terrorism.