Information Sheet N0.A-0823(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR  INFORMATION  COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
N0.A-0823(I)                  4th March  1999 

(1)		Kissapanadi Bridge Project in Progress

		The Kissapanadi Bridge in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State is a vital link on the 
Yangon-Sittway Highway connecting Sittway, Ponnagyun-Kyauktaw and MraukU
townships. The main bridge, 1,312.5 feet long, will be linked with 600-foot
long approach roads on MraukU and Kyauktaw banks. The facility with a 28-foot
wide road and a 6-foot pedestrian lane can bear up to bear 60-ton loads.  

(2)		306,000 Stimulant Tablets, Arms Seized

		A combined group comprising members of local battalion and intelligence unit
searched a Van driven by Soe Aung of  Taunggyi, at Kunhein check point, Shan
State (East), on 12 February. The group nabbed Tun Aung of  Pansang Township,
Tun Hla and Aik Chan (a) Naing Swe of  Kunlong Township, who were riding in
the car, with WY brand 306,000 stimulant tablets, three 
M-20 pistols, ammunition and two walkie-talkies. Myanmar Police Force in
Kunhein Township is taking action against them under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law.

Special Feature
Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Committee Regrets Lack of Interest from the Major Drug
Consumer Countries in the Fight Against Narcotic Drugs
		Myanmar sincerely wishes that in order to seriously  tackle an urgent
problem which is threatening millions of people around the world, a spirit of
mutual cooperation by the entire world community is necessary and demanding.
The recently held 4th International Heroin Conference of Interpol was a forum
where ways and means to resolve this narcotic issue were discussed by nations
producing and consuming illicit drugs. It is regretful that Countries where
the largest Heroin and other illicit narcotic drug markets exist chose to
ignore the forum's call for greater coordination and cooperation in the
struggle against the drug problem by adopting positive policies and practices
based on enhanced understanding of each other's problems , difficulties and
shared responsibility.  Those countries should try to put politics aside  for
the sake of the millions of people around the world whose lives are threatened
by the drug  trade. 
		Myanmar believes that the 5-Cs -- cooperation, coordination, contribution,
confidence- building and caring enough to create a better, safer and healthier
world for the present and future generation to live in ---are the main

criteria in the fight against narcotic drugs. Finger-pointing, scapegoating
others and avoiding to bear shared responsibilities unfortunately will not
bring success but more difficulties, hardships and problems in our fight
against the menace of drugs.
		However, Myanmar sincerely wishes for the countries that are seriously 
affected and inflicted by this narcotic drug menace to put aside the interests
of those  Administrations   and to give  the rights of their own citizens more
priority.
Shared Responsibilities Necessary
		U.S.  Secretary of State Mrs. Albright at one of her visits to a Thai
village close 
to Myanmar border on 3rd March was quoted saying, " The reason it's
important.......................................improving the lives of the
hilltribes encouraging crop substitution". " This is a marked contrast to the
country of Burma, where they are not doing the kind of things you are doing
here."
		It is very surprising to learn that Mrs. Albright has not been aware or made
aware of Myanmar's efforts, challenges and sacrifices she has gone through and
the Interpol's recent comments on Myanmar's Drug Eradication activities. 
		More surprisingly, her statement seemed to contradict the statement given by
the Director of Interpol's Criminal Intelligence Unit, Mr Paul Higdon at the
heroin conference held in Yangon during the last week of February. Mr. P.
Higdon said, " I am very confident that there is the political will on the
part of the Myanmar authorities."  He was also quoted as saying, " There is a
program for the eradication of the opium poppy". "It is not a progarm that has
been put together with chewing gum and balance wire."
		"I am confident it will succeed".
		The Australian newspaper  of 11th February also carried a comment entitled "
Boycotts smack of high hypocrisy." In the commentary the author stated that, "
For the 'isolate Burma' zealots in the international community the issue was
not the international narcotics trade, it was protecting the purity of their
diplomatic stances. The interest of police and customs services and, indeed,
of vulnerable citizens were ignored in order to stay politically "on message".
"But the boycotts suggest those who have been loudest in making  the narco-
State case were most nervous about having it tested by observation."
		The Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Committee sincerely wishes to have the
cooperation of the two of the largest markets for heroin in the world, the
U.S. and U.K. to work together with the rest of the international community in
the spirit of mutual cooperation in the fight against Narcotic Drugs. Their
constantly putting the blame solely on developing nations being already
victimized by the past colonial and superpower overwhelming actions in
connection with the illicit drug affairs will bear no fruit in fighting
against the menace of Narcotic Drugs. 
		

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