Participants:

Secretary-1 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council and members, Resident Representatives of UN agencies, Diplomats and Military Attaches, Representatives of the UN Drug Control Programme and PRC Drug Control Division, Foreign Media Personnel, Local Media Personnel, Department Heads and Invited Guest.

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PRESENTATION BY POL. COL. NGWE SOE TUN, JOINT SECRETARY OF CCDAC AT THE SIXTH DESTRUCTION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS SEIZED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Chairman of CCDAC and members, Secretary-1 of SLORC and Department Heads, Resident Representatives of the United Nations Agencies, Diplomats, Military Attaches, Local and Foreign Journalists and Invited Guests,

First, I would like to introduce myself to you. I am Joint Secretary of CCDAC well as Director of CCDAC and Law Enforcement Department of People's Police Force. I am going to present two portions at this significant ceremony.

The first deals with the policy and measures regarding drugs enforcement activities during the four-year period from 18 September 1988 to 17 September 1992, laid down and taken by Army after the assumption of the State responsibilities.

Distinguished Guests,

The second part is related to today's destruction of narcotic drugs which will presented by Pol. Col. Maung Maung Than, Commander of the Criminal Investigation Department as well as member of Law Enforcement Sector, responsible for the analysis, storage and destruction of narcotic drugs.

As first part, there are two objectives towards our policy in drug abuse control. The first Objective is that as the border areas and national races become developed, the cultivation of opium poppy will gradually be eradicated.

The questions where and how many, poppy plantations are cultivated and who involves in cultivation in our country are frequently asked. Please permit me to answer officially these questions at this ceremony.

Most of the poppy plantations are grown along the border areas in the east our country such as Myanmar/China, Myanmar/Laos and Myanmar/Thailand borders. Myanmar is connected with the areas of China in 1,357- mile length, while connected with Laos in 146-mile length and Myanmar/Thailand in 1,314 mile length. The total length of the border areas is 2,817 miles connected with the neighbouring countries. Out of such over three thousand miles in length of border areas, opium poppy cultivation can be found in some areas in the east of Myitkyina and Bamaw in Kachin State, Kokang region, Wa region, east of Kengtung, Mongyawng and southern Mongtong, Mongsat regions in Shan State. In some inner areas, a few poppy fields can be found cultivated. As based on the ground reconnaissance, a total of 65,568.14 acres of opium poppy is grown in 1991-92 season. During that period, 2,550 acres in Kokang region 13,286 acres in Wa region have been destroyed while 3,113 acres have been eliminated the other regions. Thus, we can destroy 8,949 acres of poppy fields (nearly ten thousand) in this season.

In order to know accurate data on how many poppy fields are cultivated, it is better to use modern techniques rather than only ground reconnaissance.

In our country, it is estimated that there will be over 0.3 million of poppy growers, who are hill-tribe national races, living in the border areas. The problem they are mainly facing is how to get their subsistence without growing opium poppy. Otherwise, what we have to give priority on them is to provide their subsistence, to change ideology and to develop their knowledge for their new lives.

In this regard, the Commander-in-Chief, General Than Shwe (former Chief of Staff Army) gave a guideline to the delegation to 11th Special Session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs, led by Col. Thura Pe Aung on 3rd. of December 1989.

He said, "In the hilly regions, opium poppy was cultivated not only for money but also for traditional medicinal purpose. They had no willing to grow other crops rather than opium poppy which is easy to carry and to earn money in a short term. The destruction of poppy fields may cause to the hatred of the national races and to the disintegration of national unity. Thus, the insurgent groups can easily organize them. We, therefore, have to make feasible integration of their living standard. This will also lead to the effective crop substitution. In doing so, we should make plans for their easiness to earn money by short-term plan rather than long-term plans. During the period of short-term plan, the State should take responsibilities for their livelihood. On the other hand, agricultural techniques and supports for their socioeconomic development should be provided. The success by short-term plans should be kept continuous by the long-term plans. Thus, they will give up poppy growing gradually. We, formerly, had been living with the national races in the frontiers and had supported their socioeconomic needs. So, as much as we can implement the development programmes for the poppy growers, the poppy growing will gradually be eliminated and narcotic drugs will be eradicated"

Recognizing this, border areas and national races development programmes have been initiated in five States and one Division since 25th of May 1989 forming the central committee. Recently, it has been reformed as a Ministry and marked as a main task of the State for border areas and national races development.

Distinguished Guests,

Statistically, the State has invested kyats 1.025 million for the border areas and national races development during the period from 1989 to 1992. It has opened 191 schools, 31 hospitals and 68 dispensaries, 68 electrical power plants and 7 hydropower plants, 73 agricultural stations, 41 dams and canals, 10 tractor depots, 12 saw mills, 11 nursery forests, 15 livestock farms, 6 fish farms and 54 fish ponds. It has already distributed mules for 14 times.

Altogether, 786 miles of earth roads, 738 miles of gravel roads and 18 miles of asphalt roads have been constructed and 3,325 miles of roads have been maintained in the border regions. Along the roads, 13 big bridges and 296 small bridges have been built.

It has also opened 6 post offices, 24 radio telegraphic stations, 22 telephone exchanges, 137 miles of telephone lines, 4 relay stations, 17 telephone offices, 9 domestic satellite stations, 11 communication buildings, 7 TV relay stations, 3 TV receiver stations. The State has also assigned duties to 1,749 government officials in border areas.

The estimate has been approved to spend 890.29 million kyats for the period between 1992 and 1996. Thus you can vividly see momentum gained by our efforts for the development of border areas and national races during such a short-term period.

Distinguished Guests,

With the satisfaction on our efforts, UNDP collaborated with us in the development programme of border areas and national races under the three year project. Project areas are Kokang, Wa and east of Kengtung areas. UNDP contributed 0.68 million US dollars and Myanmar's input is 2.06 million kyats.

Likewise, Myanmar Agriculture Service has made an agreement with UNDP rural development Programmes in Kokang, Wa and east July 1991. Under the agreement, UNDP will provide at Myanmar will put 1.7 million kyats in the project.

Distinguished Guests,

Crop substitution and livestock breeding programmes are taken as follows. In Kokang, Wa and east of Kengtung regions, 25 base stations have been opened and 307 agricultural staff are assigned. In model stations, there cultivated 135 acres of annual crops and 261 acres of perennial crops, 3,516 baskets of annual seeds, 4.4 million seedlings of coffee, tea, orange and cashew nuts, 1,066 tons of fertilizers, 830 gallons of weed-killer, 113,465 pounds of fungicides and 10,491 farm implements have been distributed to the farmers in the border areas.

Sixty-eight training courses have been conducted for the 4,200 farmers. 14,540 acres have been developed and 28,483 acres of annual crops and 3,352 acres of perennial crops have been cultivated. Coffee research has been made on 60 acres in Pyin-oo-lwin and tea research has been made on 58 acres in Pinlaung.

Distinguished Guests,

Livestock farms are established in Loikaw, Heho, Naungcho, Taryaw, Phekon, Kengtung, Lashio and Kuniong. Forward stations have been established in Mawpha, Mongma, Mongyu, Silu and Sinkyaue. 21,985 poultry, 599 pigs, 219 cattle and 38 mules are raised in these farms. From these farms, 96,447 poultry, 1,495 pigs, 205 cattle and 3 donkeys have been distributed to the farmers.

Distinguished Guests,

Cultivation of poppy, production of heroin and trafficking were formerly run by the insurgent groups. The areas which I have presented were, in those days, influenced by the insurgent groups. But, since 1989, the leaders of national races have driven the insurgent groups away and joined hands with us for the development of their regions.

Under the supervision of the Committee for Border Areas and National Races Development, the national races and their leaders have laid down and implemented 6 years plan in Kokang region and 10-year plan in Wa region for the eradication of narcotic drugs.

Otherwise, we are taking these measures in line with the following three main causes: Non-disintegration of the Union; Non-disintegration of National Solidarity; and Consolidation of National Sovereignty.

Such unity of the national races has led to the destruction of narcotic drug refineries and chemicals by the national races on their volition. Such ceremonies h been held for four times, while convening destruction of poppy fields for three times. The national races in Kokang areas have uncovered three refineries during the said period. These have been witnessed by the personnel from UN Agencies, diplomats and specially invited foreign journalists who have become to know the truth. Our efforts prove self-help basis in wiping out narcotic drugs, without depending on others. Now, we gain beneficiaries from our own efforts which have been taken by ourselves without blaming on others.

Distinguished Guests,

The 17th Special Session on Narcotic Drugs of United Nations General Assembly had passed a resolution to cooperate and coordinate each other in combating narcotic drugs. In accordance with this resolution, we have signed agreements to collaborate with the neighbouring countries such as China and Thailand on 12 June 1992.

In near future, such agreement will be signed between us and Laos and bilateral cooperation will be carried out between us and India. The three-year project will begin in January 1993 in Silu, Pangkai, Mongla and Ahdee, Sanlu areas in Shan State under the projects - Myanmar/China and Myanmar/Thailand. The objectives of the projects are to eradicate narcotic drop along the border areas and to carry out development programme in the remote areas. For the two projects, the United Nations will provide 12 million US dollars.

Distinguished Guests,

The accession to the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances has been deposited on 11 June 1991 to the Secretary General of the United Nations. This proves our international cooperative efforts.

Distinguished Guests,

The second objective, I would like to present is to eradicate narcotic drugs as a national duty under the multi-sectorial basis. There stands Law Enforcement Sector under the CCDAC. The Task Force Units in Yangon, Mandalay, Lashio, Taunggyi and Kengtung were established in 1985 and they were put under the command of the Divisional and State Police Commanders. After 18 September 1988, the operational command of Task Force Units was put under the People's Police Force Headquarters. Furthermore, Task Force Units in Monywa, Katha, Kalay in 1988, four Task Force Units in Myitkyina, Yangon Airport Sittwe and Myeik in 1989, two units in Pathein and Mawlamyaing in 1990 and one unit in Homelin in 1991 have been extended on self-help Operations Ye-min-naing phase I, II, Nemin, Gonban, Tagun phase I to VI have been carried out by these Task Force Units. Such operations have gained momentum in a certain extent.

Distinguished Guests,

The seizures made during the four years period, which have been released radio and in newspapers are: 825.99 kilos of heroin in 7,157 cases; 6,269.99 kilos in 2,993 cases; 81.78 kilos of liquid opium in 11 cases; 70.62 kilos of morphine cases; 24.71 kilos of opium oil in 162 cases; 58.69 kilos of Beinzar powder in 27 cases; 22,544.26 kilos of marijuana in 3,364 cases and 19,969.89 litres of Phensedyl in cases.

The Second part which deals with the destruction of narcotic drugs will be presented by Pol. Col. Maung Maung Than who is a member of enforcement Sector under the CCDAC.

Thank You.

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PRESENTATION BY POL. COL. MAUNG MAUNG THAN, COMMANDER OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, MEMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SECTOR

Distinguished Guests,

I am Pol. Col. Maung Maung Than, Commander of Criminal Investigation Department and member of Law Enforcement Sector under the CCDAC.

Distinguished Guests,

Today, the narcotic drugs, to be destroyed at the Sixth Exhibition on Destruction of Narcotic Drugs are: 115.354 kilos of heroin, 5,090.781 kilos of opium, 34.470 kilos of morphine, 1.847 kilos of opium oil, 0.514 kilos of liquid opium, 292.681 kilos of Marijuana and 1,449.125 litres of Phensedyl in 11,427 bottles.

Distinguished Guests,

Such exhibitions have been held since 13th of February 1990 and now for six times at this same place. Altogether 927.193 kilos of heroin, 5,090.781 kilos of opium, 7.937 kilos of opium oil, 112.699 kilos of liquid opium, 63.435 kilos of morphine, 3,107.6 kilos of marijuana, 7,694.62 litres of Phensedyl, 39.78 litres of Corex and 8.05 litres of Glycodine have been destroyed up to now.

Similarly, according to the programme of supply reduction by national races I the border areas, the ceremony has been held for seven times. Altogether 304.85 kilos of heroin, 327.28 kilos of opium, 181 kilos of morphine, 7,336 acres of poppy fields and seven refineries have been destroyed.

Distinguished Guests,

Up date, the destruction totals 13 times -- six times in Yangon and seven times in border areas. At those ceremonies, 1,232.05 kilos of heroin, 5,418.061 kilos of opium, 44.44 kilos of morphine, 47.937 kilos of opium oil, 112.699 kilos of liquid opium, 3,107.6 kilos of marijuana, 17,694.625 litres of Phensedyl, 39.78 litres of Corex and 8.05 litres of Glycodine, 7,336 acres of opium poppy and 7 refineries have been destroyed.

Distinguished Guests,

The Criminal Investigation Department is carrying out the measures with regard registration of the drug-related offenders, finding out the previous offences, analysis f narcotic drugs seized by law enforcement agencies, storage of drugs deposited by the State and Division People's Police Force, management of deposited drugs and destruction etc.

Distinguished Guests,

The narcotic drugs to be destroyed in this exhibition are those deposited up 31st of October 1992, including over five thousand kilos of opium.

Distinguished Guests,

Please may I conclude, declaring that the narcotic drugs seized by law enforcement agencies will be destroyed like this in future, whenever the opportunity permits us.

Thank you.

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