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The Nation (4/6/98) news



News Headlines

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1:) UN in drive to wipe out Burmese opium poppy

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<bold>UN in drive to wipe out Burmese opium poppy

</bold>

<underline>Agency France-Presse

</underline>

The UN anti-drug agency yesterday said it is set to launch a campaign to
wipe out opium poppy fields in Burma's most notorious drug-producing
area.

	The initiative in the remote and rugged Wa region of northeastern Shan
State would take years and cost millions of dollars, without any
guarantee of success, United Nations Drug Control Program (UNDCP)
representative to Burma Richard Dickins said.

	An agricultural specialist would be sent to the area in the heart of the
"Golden Triangle" narcotics-producing region this month in the first
stage of the campaign, with more personnel to follow in the coming
months, he said.

	"Crop substitution is a key part of it," Dickins said.

	"its alternative development, alternative income."

	However, the area, which is near the border with both China and
Thailand, lacked even basic infrastructure which would allow the Wa
ethnic group to adjust from an opium economy to producing and selling
other goods on the free market.

	"You needed to get the crops to market," Dickins added.

	"It's a very primitive, poor area. They have no roads. The only way
around is to walk. They've got to have roads that can withstand the rainy
season.

	"They also need equipment=85(they) need someone who can fix small
engines.

	"They need hydroelectric power. We're not talking the Hoover Dam, just
something to provide basic power," he added, saying China would be
approached to allow the Wa to sell their new produce there.

	Dickins said the Wa would be encouraged to grow crops such as rice,
sugarcane, tea, coffee, fruit and rubber but that some would require
several years before any yield was realised.

	He conceded it would be a challenge to persuade residents to accept the
lower income they would receive from other crops and that any new
infrastructure could also be used to produce and transport narcotics.

	"Their whole income is based on opium," Dickins said.


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