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Statement at the Opening Ceremony (r)
- Subject: Statement at the Opening Ceremony (r)
- From: OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 10:30:00
Subject: Statement at the Opening Ceremony of the Museum on Drugs (2/2)
Statement made by Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt Secretary (1) of
the State Law and Order Restoration Council at the
Opening Ceremony of the Museum on Narcotic Drugs
held to Commemorate the total eradication of narcotic
drugs in Maingla (23-4-97) (part-2)
With the daily arrival of between 2000 to 3000
tourists, from Talaw, a town on the other side of the
border, Maingla now becomes a town which receives
300,000 to 500,000 tourists annually.
The leaders of Maingla and its national races
are examplery to the rest of the world as they prove that
they, after abandoning the production and trading of
narcotic drugs which is not only illegal but also a source
of great harm for suffering to the entire mankind, could
successfully develop their region through lawful
economic activities.
It is a well-known fact that, in Myanmar, the
Government and the whole populace residing in the
border areas have wholeheartedly committed themselves
to eradicate the narcotic drugs problem. However, some
western countries, who turn blind eyes to our successful
efforts in this regard are still unfairly accusing Myanmar
by disseminating untrue reports and exaggerated news.
With regard to the opium production the
International Narcotics Strategy Report for 1996 issued
by the State Department of the United States reported
that Myanmar is the World's largest producer of opium
and heroin; 84% of the opium production in Southeast
Asia is produced in Myanmar; and legal production of
opium is commonly found in Kokang and Wa regions in
Shan State. While poppy plantation recorded 6% higher
than 1995, opium production registered at 9% increase
for 1996. In 1996 the total area of poppy cultivation
reached 163,000 hectares and it was expected that a total
of 2560 tons of opium would be produced in that year,
the Report alleged.
Besides, judging from the scope and dimension
of the cooperation of the countries where the opium is
mainly produced and transit countries in combating
against trafficking and selling of narcotic drugs, the Unite
States Government issues CERTIFICATION to some
countries. For 1996-97, CERTIFICATION papers were
accorded to Myanmar's neighbours namely Thailand, the
People's Republic no China, India, Laos and Vietnam.
But Myanmar was accorded with DECERTIFICATION
on the ground that Myanmar did not cooperate to this
effect.
In addition to these official allegations, the
United States Government went on with further
accusations station that Myanmar is not serious enough
in taking measures to combat the narcoticv drugs. Despite
some major achievements in combating narcotic drugs
in 1996, such as destruction of 11 clandestine drug refin
eries in Eastern and Northern Shan State, seizure of heroin,
opium and chemicals (precussors), the United States
downgraded that these successes are very negligible in
comparison with actual amount of narcotic drugs
production.
Indeed, it can be seen clearly for those who
are able to judge rightly the fact that the United States is
turing blind eyes on Myanmar anti-drugs efforts and dit
is merely allegations based on unfounded reports.
In order to collect the basic data on opium
cultivation in Myanmar, the responsible officials of the
United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have
visited Myanmar in 1993, 1995 and 1997. During their
visits, arrangements were made so as to enable them to
freely conduct their survey without any restrictions.
Besides, Myanmar is still engaged in cooperative activities with the USDEA
by assisting in
legal affairs and passing intelligence on drugs.
In addition to its commitment in anti-narcotics
measures of the United Nations and international
Organisations and involvement in the regional cooperative
efforts, Myanmar has also been doubling its coordination
with her neighbours.
Since 1963, Myanmarm is a party to the 1961
United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.
Myanmar, today, is not only carrying out anti-drugs
measures in accordance with the decisions of the
Seventeenth Special Session of the United Nations
General Assembly held in New York in 1990, but also
closely working with her neighbours and other countries
in the region.
In June 1991, Myanmar became a state party
to the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit
Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances. Drawn in accord with this Convention, Laws
and Regulations on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances were enacted in 1993. Memorandum of
Understanding to Control Illicit Trafficking and Abuse
of Narcotic Drugs was signed in 1995 between UNDCP
and six countries in the region. Again in 1996, the Leaders
of the six signatory countries to the MOU, UNDP and
UNDCP also signed the two documents; namely
Agreement on Precursor Control in East Asia and
Agreement on Reducing Illicit Drug Use in the Highlands
of East Asia.
In the field of anti-narcotic measures, the Union
of Myanmar has signed bilateral as well as multilateral
agreements with neighbouring countries with whom she
shares common borders to eradicate the narcotic drug
problem. Furthermore, Myanmar together with
neighbouring countries and the United Nations Drug
Control Programme signed and agreement to cooperate
together to eliminate the narcotic drug problem. Myanmar
is now actively participating under this programme.
The Union of Myanmar on her part has actively
participated in the field of anti-narcotic measures to
eradicate the narcotic drug problem on a globla as well
as bilateral basis. Myanmar on her own has introduced a
self reliant programme for development of national races
in the border areas. This programme emphasizes the
development of the national brethren living in the border
areas and now has gained momentum.
International narcotic problem is an extensive
problem which the global community faces and is
threatening the livelihood of the international community.
Internatioianl narcotic drug problem affects countries of
the world and n eeds harmonized efforts by all concerned
to find a solution.
Instead of blaming one another, we must find
an answer based on humanitarian considerations between
countries for the elimination of narcotic drug problem
which the whole world is now facing.
Producer countries, transit countries as well
as user countries must treat ;the narcotic drug problem as
their national problem and must cooperate positively to
effectively eradicate the said problem.
Myanmar on her party sees the eradication of
the scourge of narcotic drugs as a national problem and
will continue her efforts to eradicate this problem with
or without help from others.
As the Union of Myanmar is seriously taking
the task of eradicating the narcotic drug problem, the
countries which are facing the problem of drug abusers
should also seriously find a solution to the primary cause
of this social evil. Only when this is accomplished, the
menace which is threatening the international
community will disappear from the face of the earth.
On her part, Myanmar has suppressed the
production and trafficking of narcotic drugs.By working
together with leaders of the national races we have
introduced a programme top educate people who produce
narcotic drugs to change their auitudes, to uplift their
living standards and to earn incomes from cash crops.
The leaders of the Maingla region and the local
inhabitants stand as testament to the fact that is the method
of cooperating together is a practical as well a favourable
one in eradicating the narcotic drug problem in this region.
In this connection, I would like to point out
that today's ceremony which commemorated the opening
of the Museum on the eradication of narcotic drugs in
the Maingla region will place on record the process of
producing narcotic drugs, the abhorrent images of narcotic
drug users and the concerted efforts taken together by
the Government and the local inhabitants.
In conclusion,
I would like to congratulate the leaders of the
national races of the Maingla region and their inhabitants
in their successful efforts which they have undertaken as
a national duty to eradicate the narcotic drugs in their
region. I also would like to wish for the continued
progress and the prosperity of the Maingla region; for
the people of the Maingla region to enjoy forever the
stability and tranquillity which prevails in the region. May
the resounding echoes of success emanating from the
Maingla region's eradication of narcotic drugs benefit the
entire populace of the world.
By this note, I would like to urge the world
community to join hands in their efforts to combat the
scourge of narcotic drugs.
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