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MYANMAR'S EFFORTS FOR THE ERADICATI



Subject: MYANMAR'S EFFORTS FOR THE ERADICATION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS

-----Original Message-----
>From : Yo So Eng <yseng@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>News group : soc.culture.burma,soc.culture.thai,soc.culture.usa
>To : myanmar@xxxxxxxxxxx <myanmar@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Time: 1999-11-22  12:47
>Subject : THE WAR ON DRUGS; MYANMAR'S EFFORTS FOR THE ERADICATION >OF NARCOTIC DRUGS. (Part -3)

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THE WAR ON DRUGS;  MYANMAR'S EFFORTS FOR THE ERADICATION OF NARCOTIC
DRUGS. (Part -3)

Excerpts from http://www.myanmar-narcotic.net/


The Era of Anti Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL) Government
(1948-1962)

>From Myanmar's independence till the assumption of State power by the
Revolutionary Council in 1962 the then Governments struggled against
narcotics using their own strength. On 11 February 1948, the
Department of Social Services decided to eradicate all opium abuse
within 5 years, but this was not achieved because of the
problems of the insurgencies, lack of funds, especially due to the
problem of Kuomintang aggression. 

Photo

The KMT invaders taking a stronghold inside the territory of Myanmar.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj1.jpg

Camps of the KMT troops that invaded into Myanmar territory.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj2.jpg

The Era of the Revolutionary Council Government
(1962-1974)

During this era, Myanmar and the United Nations first started
cooperation in combating narcotic drugs, due to the latter's offer of
assistance in Myanmar's anti-narcotics activities which were
effectively carried out through adoption of projects. Therefore
Myanmar acceded to the 1961 single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
on 29 July 1963 with a view to cooperating with the United Nations in
the prevention and suppression of narcotic drugs. 

The Era of the Burma Socialist Programme Party Government
(1974-1988)

In response to the offer made by the United Nations, a 5-year
agreement was signed between Myanmar and the UNFDAC on 14 May 1976 for
cooperation in the fight against narcotic drugs and this was renewed 3
times for a total of 15 years. The cooperation agreement was
implemented in the form of three consecutive 5-year
projects as follows;

(a) First 5-year project           (1976-1981) 
(b) Second 5-year project       (1981-1986) 
(c) Third 5-year project          (1986-1991)

During the execution of these (3) agreements the UNFDAC contributed
US$ 22.3 million and Myanmar contributed service costs amounting to
Kyats 170.6 million. The programmes were implemented mainly in the
areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, education, health,
rehabilitation and law enforcement.

During the period from 1976 to 1991, crop substitution programmes in
(28) Townships in Shan State, (1) township in Kachin State, (3)
townships in Chin State, opening of agricultural education stations
including (2) model plantation camps, (8) base camps and (9) frontline
agriculture education camps, distribution of a large amount of inputs
such as seeds, seedlings, fertilizers, insecticides, and other farm
implements were carried out by the projects. Moreover, over 400
educational courses were held to train over 22,000 peasants; about
18,458 acres of land were reclaimed and nearly 14567 acres of seasonal
and perennial crops were planted; and two experimental farms
growing tea and coffee established in Pyin Oo Lwin and Panglong
respectively.

The animal husbandry projects which were also implemented during this
period were projects in the Shan State where poultry, swine, cattle,
queen bees (for apiaries) and mules were distributed to farmers there;
and breeding courses for the farmers established. Over US$ 5 million
and Kyats 2 million were spent in these projects.

Rehabilitation of drug addicts was also carried out in this 15-year
period, and this was done through the identification of addicts, their
transfer to hospitals, and the fulfillment of their social needs there
and finally follow-up programmes to prevent a relapse into addiction
and to reintegrate them into society. From 1976 to 1981 a total
of 12,493 drug addicts were treated and to reintegrate them into
society, rehabilitation camps were also opened at Mandalay, Myitkyina,
Wettikan, and Parekhon. A camp at Kaba-Aye to teach auto repair and
one at Yangon to teach printing and photography were opened. A full
year's post-camp reintegration into society and prevention of
re-addiction programme was drawn up for those who had passed through
these camps.


Photo:

Chin Shwe Haw rubber nursery.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj3.jpg

Plantation of Shade-trees in Muse Township.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj4.jpg

Era of the State Law and Order Restoration Council and the State Peace
and Development Council

The State Law and Order Restoration Council continued implementing the
projects undertaken by the previous Governments. Moreover, to be able
to cooperate with other countries in eliminating narcotic drugs, the
Government, on 9 December 1991, while making reservations to Article
6: Extradition and Article 32 (2),(3): Settlement of Disputes, acceded
to the Convention Against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances, 1988. Furthermore, on 20 June 1994,
Myanmar also acceded to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances,
1971.

Joint-Implementation between Myanmar, People's Republic of China and
the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control (UNFDAC)

Under the auspices of the UNFDAC, the initial negotiations to
cooperate in anti-narcotic activities between Myanmar, the People's
Republic of China and the UNFDAC was initiated at the 11th Special
Session of the UNFDAC held in Vienna, Austria in 1990, where Myanmar
delegation, headed by Police-General, Colonel Thura Pe
Aung, attended. Due to the very tight schedule of the Chinese
Delegation, the negotiations did not take place. However, as a result
of the continued efforts, initial negotiations for Anti-Narcotic Joint
Activities were held for the first time in Yangon on 22 August 1990
and for the second time in Beijing on 9 May 1991, between the
delegations of Myanmar, the People's Republic of China and the UNFDAC.

Consequently, the Myanmar-China Border Area Narcotic Drugs Joint
Suppression Agreement drafted by the UNFDAC was signed in Yangon on 12
June 1992. According to the Project Agreement, the project period was
(3) years from 1993 till 1996. The Project area was the 12 villages of
Si Lu/ Pan Kai Village Track of Mongyang Township in the Shan State.
The UNFDAC had provided US $ 776,5125 worth of project consultants,
equipment and training facilities. The contribution from the Myanmar
side included staff, their salaries, buildings and fuel. The Project
objectives were to reduce the border trade of precursor chemicals used
in refining narcotic drugs and heroin, the elimination of opium
cultivation by implementing socio-economic and all round development
programmes in the border areas, to reduce and terminate the
consumption of narcotic drugs in the border areas.

Implementation of Projects

Under the State Law and Order Restoration Council, three Sub-Projects
and one Pilot Project were successfully implemented. The first
Sub-Project was for the all round Socio-Economic Development in the 12
villages of Silu/Pan Kai Village Tract of Mongyang Township. This
Sub-Project was divided into two phases: the Pilot Sub-Project and the
Sub-Project. The Pilot Sub-Project was signed on 16 October 1992 and
the Project period was from August till December 1992. The UNDCP
provided US$ 327,922 for the project fund and the Myanmar side
contributed the staff and their salaries. The Pilot project had
achieved its objective of collecting socio-economic data from the 12
villages concerned.

Following the Pilot Sub-Project the Sub-Project for all round
Socio-Economic Development was signed on 29 December 1993 for the
project period of (3) years from 1994 to 1996. At this project the
UNDCP had funded US $ 4,066,655, while Myanmar side contributed Kyats
11,500,000 for the project and Kyats 26,412,859 for the Road
Construction. The Project was extended for another 6 months and the
UNDCP further funded US $ 583,000.

On the completion of the project in the road construction sector, 14.5
kilometer all season road from Mongyang to Silu, 39 kilometers of
Silu-Nant road and 4 kilometers of all season village lanes were
constructed. In addition, the road from , Mongyang to Ho Taung was
also upgraded.

In the health sector, health clinics were opened in Wankha, Wanwane
and Yanngan villages. Basic and rural health training and laboratory
training for Malaria and Tuberculosis Diagnosis were set up. The
project had introduced educational programmes for AIDS and Family
Planning, and Solar Energy Refrigerator in Silu. Microscopes were also
supplied to Silu and Mongyang clinics. Tubing and pipe-lining of
spring water in Silu Lon, Silu Mai, Wanwane Upper Pankai and Wankha
villages were completed.

The Project also carried out water supply for Hotao, field survey of
water in Wan Yuen, Wan Kai, San Kaung and Yan Ngan villages and the
general maintenance of buildings. In the sector of education and
training, schools complete with tables and chairs were constructed,
(3) Rs classes were organization and mechanical and carpentry
workshops were opened.

The second sub-Projected was on prevention and Suppression of Narcotic
Drugs, which was signed on 12 April 1994, for the period of (3) years
from 1994-1996. The counterpart agency for the project was the United
Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the project
fund was from UNDCP, injecting US $ 1,129,475. As usual, the Myanmar
side contributed the staff, their salaries and the buildings. The
project area was the Muse township. This project had set up the Muse
Anti-narcotics Unit and provided some motor vehicles, motor cycles,
typewriters, duplicators and communications equipment to the Muse
Anti-narcotic Unit.

The third Sub-Project was on Reduction of Narcotic Drugs Consumption,
which was signed on 14 September 1993 for the period of (3) years from
1994 to 1996. The counterpart agency of the project was the ESCAP and
the project was funded by the UNDCP with US $ 1,129,475. Myanmar side
provided the staff, their salaries and the buildings. The project area
were Pan Khan, Taw Yet, Phai Kyaung, Kon Khan villages of Muse
township. Under this project, training and workshops relating to
demand reduction were organized. 

The  last  project  completed  was  the  Pilot  Project  for
Socio-Economic  all round Development in Wan Hotao Village Track  in
Southern  Wa  Region. This project was signed on 5 September 1994 for
the period of (3) years from 1994 to 1996. The  project's  counterpart
agency  was  the  United  Nations Office of Projects Services (UNOPS)
and it was funded by the UNDCP  with  US$ 365,900,  while Myanmar side
contributed the  staff,  salary  and  the buildings. The project area
was the (80)  households  of Wan Ho Taung Village Tract. The project
was extended  with  UNDCP's contribution of US$ 294,800 for (6)
months. The  project  upgraded  the  (20) kilometers  of the northern
part  of  Ho Taung/Mongyang  road, repaired the (2) kilometers of the
southern part of Ho Taung/ Mongyang road.  Agriculture,  livestock
breeding water supply, sanitation, health and basic work were carried
out under the project. The project also completed the study of
socio-economic status of the area.

Photo

Signing ceremony at the end of the Second Ministerial   Meeting of
the trilateral cooperation on drugs abuse control among
Laos-Myanmar-Thailand.

http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj5.jpg


On-going Projects

The only on-going project under the present Government is the Drug
Control and Development Project in Wa region. This project was signed
on 11 July 1997 for the project period of (5) years from 1997 to 2001.
The project's counterpart agencies are the UNOPS and the Border Area
and National Races Development Department. This project is also funded
by UNDCP with US$ 15,492,075 and Myanmar with Kyats 2835800, for the
development of Wan Ho Taung Village Tract of Wa region. 
Joint-Implementation between Myanmar, Thailand and the UNDCP

The Preliminary Coordinating meeting was held between the Myanmar
delegation led by Police-General Colonel Thura Pe Aung and the Thai
delegation led by Police-Lieutenant General Chavalit Yodmani, on 2
February 1990, at the office of the UNFDAC Executive Director. At that
meeting agreement was reached to designate joint implementation areas
between Myanmar and Thailand, to exchange the information from both
sides, to carry out road construction, to conduct crop substitution
training, to hold coordinating meetings and to draft the project in
detail.

The first coordination meeting to carry out joint-implementation was
held from 24 to 27 September 1990 in Yangon and the second meeting
from 4 to 8 March 1991 in Ching Mai, Thailand.

Myanmar / Thai / UNDCP Cooperation

On 12 June 1992, delegations from Myanmar and Thailand signed the
Agreement on Drug Abuse Control in Myanmar/Thai Border area. Under the
terms of the Agreement, the project covered the 3-year period from
1993 to 1996 and the project area included 17 villages in Sanlu, Adi,
and Tachileik Township, Shan State. The UNDCP contributed US$
4,540,000 worth of technical assistance, project equipment and
training while Myanmar undertook to provide staff salary,
accommodations and fuel. The project was aimed at reduction of
cross-border trafficking of narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals,
eradication of poppy cultivation in border areas through
phased programmes of social-economic development and demand reduction.
3 Subprojects were jointly implemented to achieve the aims of the
umbrella project, two on rural integrated development and one on law
enforcement and demand reduction.

Two sub-projects on integrated rural development covered 17 villages
in Tachileik township in Shan State. Construction of schools,
distribution of blankets and mosquito nets, establishment of an
agricultural education station and a nursery farm, construction of a
brick factory, animal vaccination, distribution of poultry and pigs
were carried out. Instruction courses were conducted for educating
staffs in Kengtung, Shan State.

Under the sub-project on law enforcement, anti-narcotic units were
formed for Tachileik and Kengtung Townships. UNDCP provided motor
vehicles, motor cycles, typewriters, photocopiers and communications
equipment. Bilateral border meetings between the two countries were
held in rotation while one bilateral workshop was held in December
1997 at Chiang Mai.

Under the sub project on demand reduction, training courses on demand
reduction for schoolteachers in Kengtung and Tachileik townships were
conducted.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by 6 nations Cambodia,
China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in Beijing in May 1995,
Myanmar has joined the implementation of 11 projects in the
Sub-regional Action Plan prepared by the UNDCP. Two of them "Precursor
Control in East Asia" and "Reducing Drug Use in the Highlands of East
Asia" are being implemented at present. The remaining 8 projects,
Development of Drug Control Procedures of Law Enforcement Agencies,
Enhancement of Law Enforcement Training in East Asia, Strengthening of
Judicial and Prosecution Drug Control Capacity in East Asia,
Improvement of Drug Abuse Data Collection System, Sub-regional
Development of Institutional Capacity for Demand Reduction Among
High-risk Groups of Drug Abuse, Monitoring and Verification of Opium
Cultivation and Alternative Development Collaboration in East Asia
have been signed already. For the two on-going projects, UNDCP
contributed US $ 128,400. All the projects, except two, which lasts 30
months and 4 years, respectively, cover 3 years each.

Master Plan for the development of border areas and the plan's
performance

Border areas of Myanmar lagged behind other parts of the country in
all aspects of both social and economic fields and remained backward
due to their topographical disadvantages, difficulties in transport
and communications, and to the ravages of internal insurgency. This f
sorrowful state of social and economic underdevelopment of
the areas thus needed action at the highest level of the State to
correct the glaring imbalance in the economic development of the
nation. For these reasons, the State Law and Order Restoration Council
laid down the objectives of non-disintegration of the Union,
non-disintegration of national solidarity and the; perpetuation of
sovereignty, and to give effect to these objectives, formed "the
Central Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National
Races " on 25 May l 989 and "the Work Committee for the Development of
Border Areas and National: Races" on 31 May 1989. In addition, the
Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs was established for the first time to closely
supervise and effectively implement plans for and work on the
development of border areas and national races.

Photo

construction of New building of Wein Kong Primary School.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj6.jpg

To ensure systematic implementation of the development of border
areas, a 13-year master plan composed of one 3-year short-term plan
and two 5-year mid-term plans, were drawn up and the formulation of
the plan focused on widespread construction of schools, hospitals,
clinics for the education and health sectors as well as on the
selection of critical locations in setting up post offices, telephone
exchanges and power plants for the improvement of communications and
electricity supply. In the construction of roads and bridges, priority
was given to significant locations in border areas and to the 
roads and bridges linking between principal areas inside and outside
of the region. For the sectors of agriculture, livestock breeding and
trade, selected areas were designated for effectiveness, concentration
and focus. The plan was forward-looking and so formulated as to enable
the know-how and achievement in one area to spill over into
surrounding areas. Under the 3-year short-term plan, the immediate
needs of the area concerned were fulfilled and collection of reliable
information and data on social and economic conditions of the region,
and preparations, evaluation and feasibility studies for further
planning were carried Moreover the major needs of the local populace
were assessed and the finding of the assessment were taken into
account in formulating detailed plans for coming 10 years. Under the
first 5-year mid-term plan, the government undertook to build social
and economic infrastructure to pave the way for public investment. The
second 5- year mid-term plan was principally aimed at giving impetus
to the development of economic enterprises in border areas and to
continue the infrastructure building as necessary and to encourage
private investment. The second mid-term plan was to be revised and
extended on the basis of the performance of the short-term plan and
the first 5-year midterm plan. On completion of the 13- year plan
period, sustainable development of border areas is to be enhanced with
mass participation with the objective of closing the development gap
between border areas and other States and Divisions. It was envisaged
in the plan to ultimately eliminate the production and consumption of
narcotic drugs in border areas through social, economic and
intellectual development. The master plan was formulated under the
political guidance of the State, based on such methodology as
selective concentration, mass participation, use of proven technology
and close supervision and competition The plan was formulated in a
manner that will produce multiplier effect, in addition to the planned
objectives.

The master plan covered a wide area of 83415.34 square miles which
includes 67 townships in 18 border areas . It was planned to complete
the construction of 6945 miles of road, 2069 structures for health and
education sectors and the installation of 232 diesel generators, 24
hydro-electric power stations, 341 post offices and telephone
exchanges and 41 television relay stations within the plan period of
13 years. For the agricultural sector, 41 agricultural stations are to
be established and distribution of suitable crop strains reclamation
and development of paddy lands and nurseries, construction of
irrigation canals and dams, distribution of fertilizer and pesticides,
tractors and agricultural implements are to be carried out under the
plan. For the livestock-breeding sector, it is planned to establish
breeding farms, to encourage fisheries, to distribute veterinary
medicines, to disseminate breeding techniques and to assign
veterinarians to border areas. For the trade sector, it is planned to
construct 5 sales centers to launch agro-based factories, to seek
markets to provide opportunities to set up business and to enhance
investment through extension of low-interest loans. Based on the
prevailing prices in 1993-96, the plan is to expend US$ 2,724 million
equivalent of Kyats 17.7 billion, 65%of which is allotted to
construction of bridges and roads and 20% for agriculture, 8% for
construction, 2% for communications, 2% for energy, with the remaining
3% earmarked for other development work provided for in the master
plan. 

Sector-wise Performances under the Plan Roads and Bridges

The improvement of network of roads and bridges accelerated the social
and economic development of border  areas since local produces take
lesser time than before to reach market and at the same time help
promote  two-way trade. More employment for development were created
and  as  a  result,  population  of  workers from outside  increased
resulting in a rise in local population, a factor  that  contributed
to the growth of economy. Through increased  relations with outside
regions  socially,  economically  and  culturally  developed  areas
widened,  prices  fell  and  became  stable.  In  addition,  these
conditions  in  turn  led  to emergence  of  an  economy based on
border  trade. As  of  30 October 1997, 237.7 miles of earth road,
962/2  miles  of  gravel  road,  152/7  miles  of  aphsalt road have
been  constructed. 6833.6 miles  of  road  network  has  been repaired
and  30  long  bridges  and  663  small  bridges  have been
constructed. Kyats 4991.09 million,48.05% of the amount allotted, has
been expended. 

Photo

Namkha Bailey Bridge.  
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj7.jpg

Agriculture

With the aim of achieving sufficiency in food for border areas,
expansion of acreage under paddy and other crops,  cultivation of
crops suitable for local condition, adoption of modern cultivation
methods, establishment of  agricultural stations, preparation of
demonstration plots, distribution of fertilizers and pesticides, sale
and distribution of agricultural machinery and equipment, measures on
sufficient water supply for agriculture, extension of agriculture
loans and establishment of agro-based factories were carried out.
Within the plan period up to 30 November 1998, 30 agricultural offices
and 76 agricultural stations and 18 dams were established There are 38
dams under construction. A total of 18 tractor depots, were
established. Fertilizers distributed came to 28454.05 tons while
pesticides (both liquid and powder) reached 51041 litres and 58 .503
kilos respectively.  144904.75 bushels of seeds (annual crops) and
4278821 seedlings, 9655 acres of demonstration plots were  prepared
and 310993 acres of cultivable land could be reclaimed. The
expenditure incurred for the Agriculture  Sector during the same
period amounted to Kyats 614.21 million, that is 5.9% of the total
expenditures incurred.

Photo

Plantation of Japanese buckwheat as an opium substitution crop. 
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj8.jpg

Education Sector 

To enhance educational status of the border area populace, teaching of
languages native to border areas was encouraged and appropriate
vocational training was provided. Besides, measure were taken to
ensure access to basic education for all school-age children. On the
other hand, the quality and efficiency of teaching staff were kept up
through constant training 3-Rs classes were organized for adult
illiterates. To groom skilled personnel in the field of administration
and various vocations, special schools for youth development were set
up while schools were established to train women in vocation and
domestic science. Up to 30 November 1998, 351 primary schools, 46
middle schools and 14 high schools, 15 youth training schools and 10
domestic science schools could be opened. At present arrangements are
underway to establish 2 degree colleges. The number of appointed
teaching staff was 1946. 

Health Sector

For various reasons, including topography. border areas lacked
adequate health-care services in the past. To remedy the situation,
the government took various, measures under the plan such as
improvement of health status in border areas, preventive treatment,
provision of training to produce qualified health personnel,
establishment of new hospitals and health centers and provision
of-modern facilities for them.

43 new hospitals and a total of 122 new village health centers could
be opened in the plan period up to 30 November 1998. 

Photos

Laukkai People's Hospital.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj9.jpg

People's hospital in Pann Wine, Wa Region.
http://myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj10.jpg

Measure in other sectors other than those mentioned above included
provision of 202 diesel generators, establishment of 8 hydro-electric
plants in the energy sector, construction of 52 new post offices,
setting up of 45 radio telephones, 54 telephone exchanges and 44
telegraphic offices in the communications sector. Nowadays, 77
television relay stations have been set up and as a result of measures
in the energy and communication sectors, border areas have been able
to engage in electricity-based industries and to communicate with
other parts of the country in real time and have access to information
on the socio-economic condition of the country and to entertainment
programme as well on an equal footing with other regions of the State.

Measures taken in the forest sector included training courses on
forest preservation, establishment of nurseries, reforestation,
preservation of catchment areas, issurance of extraction permits and
establishment of wood-based industries. In the mining sector,
geological mapping and exploration work were carried out.
Concessions for the extraction of mineral ores were granted to
national races.

Up to 31 march l 998, the Government of Myanmar has spent over Kyats
11.3 billion for the development of border areas, the largest amount
ever allotted to the development of backward areas of the country in
the contemporary history of Myanmar. The necessary infrastructure has
been in place for the national races to build on them and engaged in
enterprise as envisage in the plan. In this way they could become
entrepreneurs themselves enjoying the economic benefits on the one
hand and contributing to the total elimination of narcotic drug on the
other, thereby ensuring all-round development of border areas in the
foreseeable future. 



GRAPH SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF BUDGET ALLOTMENTS DURING THE TENURE OF THE
WORK COMMITTEE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BORDER AREAS AND NATIONAL RACES
AND THE PERIOD OF THE MINISTRY OF PROGRESS OF BORDER AREAS AND
NATIONAL RACES AND  DEVELOPMENT AFFAIRS

http://www.myanmar-narcotic.net/eradication/proj11.jpg

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to be continued
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