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BURMA RELATED NEWS - April 21,
2001.
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HEADLINES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reuters - Thai leader calls on Myanmar to
tackle drug militia
AP - Thais Protest Construction Of Myanmar
Power Plant
AP - Myanmar Publicizes Actions Against
Methamphetamine
BBC - Largest pearl found off Burmese
coast
BBC - Thailand tells Burma: stop drugs group WorldNews.com - Rangoon Pleased With Talks
with Aung San Suu Kyi
The Nation - Army
blocks shipment to Rangoon
The Nation - Somkid
calls for five-country Indochina tourism union
The Nation - Burma:
from two-way talks to three-way?
Bkk Post - BURMESE BORDER - Army halts
strategic shipment
Xinhuanet - Large Quantity of Stimulants
Seized in Myanmar
JT - Asian city chiefs
to meet in October
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday April 21, 4:35 PM Thai leader calls on Myanmar to tackle
drug militia
By Trirat Puttanjanyawong CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Reuters)
- Thailand called on Saturday for Myanmar to help tackle the drugs trade and
suggested that Myanmar take action against an ethnic minority militia group
responsible for a flood of narcotics into Thailand.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Myanmar's military government
appeared confused about its relationship with the United Wa State Army (UWSA)
militia group, which has been branded a major producer of heroin and
methamphetamines by U.S. and Thai anti-narcotics agencies.
"There are many different ethnic groups in Myanmar and Yangon is still
confused over the roles and relationship with the Wa," Thaksin told reporters on
the sidelines of a tourism industry meeting in the northern Thai city of Chiang
Mai.
"If Yangon thinks the Wa, which we believe is a major drug producer to
Thailand, is just a (rebel) ethnic group, that's fine. But if Myanmar accepts
that they belong to the country, the Myanmar government must help us handle the
drug issue."
The Wa are a minority group from northeastern Burma's Shan State.
The UWSA was formed by Wa fighters who mutinied against their leaders in
the anti-government Communist Party of Burma in 1989, set up their own force and
then signed a ceasefire agreement with the Yangon military government.
The UWSA has helped the Myanmar army in its fight against separatist Shan
guerrillas but the Yangon government says it has no control over the actions of
its ally.
MILLIONS OF ADDICTS
Thailand, once notorious for being a major conduit and supplier of heroin,
now faces a growing problem with methamphetamines flooding in from Myanmar.
Thai anti-drugs agencies have estimated the number of drug addicts may this
year reach four million, up from 2.7 million in 1993, and out of a population of
62 million, unless more is done to tackle the problem.
Relations between Thailand and Myanmar soured earlier this year when their
troops clashed at the border and each government traded accusations that the
other was supporting the drugs trade.
But the two countries said they had patched up their differences after a
meeting of senior officials earlier this month.
But their relations hit a new snag on Friday when Thai soldiers in the
northern border town of Mae Sai blocked 44 trucks carrying lignite power
generation equipment and materials from China destined for the nearby Myanmar
town of Tachilek.
Thaksin said on Saturday he had ordered the shipment be halted because Thai
security forces believed most of the supplies were bound for the UWSA's
headquarters in Mong Yawn, 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Tachilek.
Thaksin said Thailand was ready to cooperate and let the trucks cross the
border into Myanmar if Yangon could prove that the equipment belonged to the
government, not the Wa.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday April 20, 11:10 PM
Thais Protest Construction Of Myanmar
Power Plant
BANGKOK (AP)--A group of
200-300 Thais staged a protest Friday at a border crossing with Myanmar,
concerned that a coal-fired power plant being built in the neighboring country
would cause air pollution.
The protest in Mae Sai, 720 kilometers north of Bangkok, was spurred by the
seizure by Thai military authorities earlier that day of 44 truck containers
with power generation equipment said to be headed for the Myanmar town of
Tachilek, just across the border.
The equipment was seized because Thailand in February imposed a ban on the
export from northern provinces to Myanmar of so-called strategic commodities.
The ban was imposed after clashes in the area in early February between Thai and
Myanmar troops.
Thailand also had temporarily closed the border checkpoint at Mae Sai, but
when it later reopened it, the Myanmar authorities kept their side closed.
The seizure of the trucks inspired the protest because Mae Sai residents
had previously been assured that plans to build the power plant in Tachilek had
been suspended, said a police officer who monitored the demonstration
The power plant would be reportedly be located just 5 kilometers from the
checkpoint.
The policeman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the demonstrators
demanded of the governor of Chiang Rai province, where Mae Sai is located, that
the equipment not be allowed to be sent to Myanmar until Thai central and local
government officials had negotiated with the authorities in Tachilek to
guarantee that the power plant wouldn't harm the environment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saturday April 21, 5:16 PM
Myanmar Publicizes Actions Against
Methamphetamine
YANGON, Myanmar (AP)--Myanmar,
under severe criticism from neighboring Thailand which alleges it is the source
of huge quantities of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine, publicized two
crackdowns on the drug in its state-controlled press Saturday.
Police in Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city 560 kilometers north of
Yangon, arrested four people and seized nearly 300,000 methamphetamine tablets
Apr. 2, the Myanmar-language Kyemon daily reported Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off, local police together with intelligence officers put a
house in Mandalay under surveillance and arrested a man named Li Su Kyin who
turned up with 298,400 methamphetamine pills, the newspaper said. His arrest led
to the capture of three other suspects, including a woman.
The newspaper also reported that a court in the northeastern city of Lashio
last month sentenced five men to prison terms of 20 years each in connection
with a huge seizure of methamphetamine in June last year.
Local police and anti-narcotic forces seized the 4,486,000 methamphetamine
tablets from a truck carrying drums of tar on the Naungcho-Maymyo highway, about
600 kilometers north of Yangon. The contraband was hidden inside the drums.
The official Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control admitted earlier this
year that although production of opium has fallen sharply - Myanmar is, with
Afghanistan, one of the world's two biggest producers of opium and its
derivative, heroin - amphetamine-type stimulants have been posing a new threat
since 1996.
More than 26 million methamphetamine tablets were seized in 2000 and 4
million tablets have been seized in the first three months of this year,
according to figures from the government committee.
Thailand accuses Myanmar's ruling military of turning a blind eye to the
production of methamphetamine at laboratories near their common border. The
Thais says the drug is produced by ethnic minority groups who are given some
autonomy in return for agreeing to end armed rebellions against the central
government.
Thailand has called the influx of methamphetamine a threat to national
security and recently began expediting the execution of criminals convicted of
drug trafficking.
On Friday, Thai police seized 1.2 million methamphetamine tablets of in the
northern province of Petchabun and arrested five Thais who are facing
trafficking charges, national police chief Gen. Pornsak Durongavibul told
reporters Saturday. One of those arrested was a prominent businesswoman in the
province.
On Monday,the Thai military confiscated 7.6 million methamphetamine
tablets, the country's second largest seizure ever. The seizure took place when
the army intercepted a drug caravan in the northwestern province of Tak near the
border with Myanmar, also known as Burma.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBC - Saturday, 21 April, 2001, 11:26
GMT 12:26 UK
Largest pearl found off Burmese coast Officials in Burma have reported the discovery of a natural saltwater pearl
which they say is believed to be the biggest in the world.
It was discovered in an oyster bed off Zardetkyi island off the southern
coast, and pictures of it have been published in Burmese newspapers.
It's said to weigh eight hundred and forty five carats 169 grams, and is
six-point-two centimetres in height, almost twice as large as one found in the
early nineteenth century which up unitl now was thought to be the biggest.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- BBC - Saturday, 21 April, 2001, 09:00
GMT 10:00 UK
Thailand tells Burma: stop drugs group Thailand has called on Burma to take action against an ethnic militia group
accused of smuggling large quantities of narcotics into Thailand from plants in
northern Burma.
Burma says it has no control over the group, the United Wa State Army,
UWSA.
Correspondents say it is one of a number with which Rangoon has signed
peace agreements and has helped the Burmese military fight Shan rebels.
The Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, told journalists, Rangoon must
sort out its relationship with the group.
Mr Thaksin on Friday ordered the seizure of Chinese generators passing
through Thailand to a coal-fired power station in Burma which Bangkok says is
run by the UWSA.
Mr Thaksin said Thailand would allow the generators across the border if
Rangoon could prove they were for the Burmese army and not the UWSA.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rangoon Pleased With Talks with
Aung San Suu Kyi
WorldNews.com, Sat 21 Apr 2001 VOA News Gary Thomas.
A senior Burmese official said his government is pleased with the talks so
far between top government officials and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Deputy Foreign Minister Khin Maung Win said talks between the government
and opposition are being held on a regular basis and are going well: "We see
this as a process. So the process is going quite smoothly, and I think that both
sides are quite satisfied with the way that things are going. And, as you
mention, we are trying to build confidence on both sides. But you will
appreciate that both sides have also agreed to keep them confidential."
The highly secretive talks are seen as the first potential break in the
long political stalemate between the military government of Burma or Myanmar, as
the government has re-named it and Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and
leader of pro-democracy movement. Khin Maung Win confirmed that the talks began
last October because of an initiative by U.N. Special Envoy Razali Ismail. But
no one knows how long the process might take, or what the end result might be.
The two sides have been at odds since 1990 when the government nullified
the election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party and moved to suppress the democracy
movement.
Khin Maung Win said there are "many positive developments" that have
occurred over the past two or three years.
But Aung San Suu Kyi remains in seclusion, some analysts say house arrest
in her lakeside home in Rangoon. Requests to the government to be allowed to
interview her were turned down. The minister who, Rangoon-based diplomats say,
wields far more influence than his title suggests said Aung San Suu Kyi is not
being detained. "Maybe this may be somewhat surprising to the outside world, but
she seems to be quite agreeable and quite happy with the present arrangement.
Let me emphasize that we are not keeping her under house detention or that she
is being detained in any way," the minister said.
When asked if she could go out, Khin Maung Win said,"well, you know, she
herself is very careful about the process. So let me just say that she herself
is happy with the present circumstances."
With access to Aung San Suu Kyi denied, the assertion could not be directly
confirmed. But a senior Western diplomat in Rangoon said Aung San Suu Kyi has,
in fact, conveyed to some people that she is content to remain out of the
spotlight for the time being, and that he does not believe she is being held
under duress.
Khin Maung Win also had surprisingly high praise for United Nations human
rights envoy Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, who was allowed to visit Burma earlier this
month and met with both Aung San Suu Kyi and top government officials.
"We believe that he has presented quite an objective and fair and balanced
report to the U.N. Human Rights Commission," Khin Maung Win said. "And we hope
that this will continue. Because when we speak of human rights I think it is
best for the international community and other international organizations to
work together than try to isolate a nation. In fact, this was one of the themes
he was trying to, as far as we can read (tell), to the U.N. Human Rights
Commission, saying that the international community should avoid trying to
deepen the isolation of Myanmar."
The deputy minister indicated that Mr. Pinheiro would be welcome back
because of what he termed the "positive nature" of his initial visit.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nation - April 21,
2001.
Army blocks shipment to
Rangoon
THE government yesterday barred a major shipment of lignite power
generation equipment from China destined for Burma.
The order was made by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in response to
Rangoon's closure of the Thai-Burmese border, said Maj-General Chamlong
Phothong, deputy commander of the Third Army region.
The shipment of 44 containers of materials for a lignite power plant was
due to cross into Burma at Tachilek, next to Thailand's Chiang Rai province.
"The Burmese authority has said they were willing to allow the Mae
Sai-Tachilek crossing to open so that the 44 containers could cross over,"
Chamlong said. But the request was unacceptable to the Thai side.
"They had made references to General Maung Aye and said this was a special
request from him. But we can not allow any goods to cross - not on a
case-by-case basis - as long as the Burmese continue to shut their side of the
border," Chamlong said.
Maung Aye is Burma's army chief and the number two person in the powerful
State Peace and Development Council, the highest decision-making body in the
military government.
The Third Army's commander, Lt-General Wattanachai Chaimuanwong told
reporters yesterday he was confused as to why the containers were shipped to
Pappadang Pier in Samut Prakarn province instead of crossing the China-Burma
border.
Moreover, said Wattanachai, any decision to open the border must be jointly
agreed to by the Township Border Committee, a multi-governmental agency from
both sides that meets regularly to discuss border issues.
The Mae Sai-Tachilek crossing was ordered shut over two months ago
following a day of cross-border shelling along the northern border in Chiang Mai
and Chiang Rai provinces.
The border closure, which is considered a political stand-off between the
two sides, came about after fighting between Burmese and Shan rebels spilled
over onto the Thai side, forcing the Thai Army to fire at the Burmese troops.
Moreover, said Chamlong, the Army is discussing the matter with the Custom
Department over the legality of permitting the containers to be shipped through
Thailand, even after the Burmese open up their side of the Mae Sai-Tachilek
crossing.
This latest incident has the potential to become a major political issue
that could further strain ties between Thailand and Burma, Chamlong said.
Local residents have been up in arms over the planned plant, only 4.5
kilometre from the Thai-Burmese border, he added.
"They are afraid that the pollution from the plant would contaminate their
area," Chamlong said.
A leading environmentalist, Fang Pholchai, said if Burma goes ahead with
its plans for the power plant, the effects will damage the physical area as well
as the region's tourism. But if Burma wants to go through with it, they must
ensure that their environmental standards will be adequate to prevent
pollution.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nation
Somkid calls for five-country Indochina
tourism union
NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN
CHIANG MAI - Thailand should join hands with Burma, Vietnam, Laos and
Cambodia to form a five-country Indochinese tourism alliance to increase the
region's attractiveness as an international tourist destination, Finance
Minister Somkid Jatusripitak proposed yesterday.
Thailand could position itself as the gateway to the region due to its
ideal geographic location, while providing convenient access to visitors to
reach a diverse range of exotic attractions in neighbouring countries Somkid
told The Nation.
"As the centre for entries and exits, we can expect to gain doubly [if we
can form an alliance with our neighbours]. Burma's Chavedakong pagoda and
Cambodia's Angkor Wat are among the regional magnets that will further boost the
number of visitors to Thailand.
"These destinations could be jointly promoted along with Thailand's
comparable historical and other exotic attractions, including the world-renown
beaches of Phuket and Samui," he said. The minister suggested Thai Airways
International should lead the way in promoting such a regional alliance.
As for the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), he said it should be
transformed into a "nerve centre" or hub for the industry, with the agriculture,
education, interior and other ministries being the spokes.
"If we let the TAT continue to be the single agency responsible for the
industry, we probably cannot boost revenue [much further]. The [tourism]
industry requires the involvement of every ministry," he said.
Thanong Bidaya, adviser to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, told The
Nation that targeting a boost to tourism revenue of Bt50 billion was not
far-fetched - if the premier could lead the way in getting various ministries
and private sector organisations to help revitalise the industry.
Thanong said customisation was a key measure for upgrading the country's
attractiveness and increasing value-added income to satisfy high-income tourist
groups from Japan, Europe and the United States.
The TAT, meanwhile, has proposed a comprehensive programme to upgrade the
country's tourist products and services. It was presented at the national
tourism workshop yesterday (which continues today), chaired by the prime
minister and attended by more than 400 top officials concerned with the
industry, including several Cabinet members.
Among the top-level policy-makers participating are: Deputy Prime Minister
Pongpol Adireksarn, PM's Office Minister Somsak Thepsutin, Finance Minister
Somkid, Deputy Prime Minister Pitak Indrawityanunt, PM's adviser Thanong,
Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik, Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan,
Deputy Interior Minister Sora-at Klinprathoom, Thai Airways International
president Bhisit Kuslasayanont, and TAT governor Pradech Phyakvichien.
In response to the premier's target for the industry to increase tourism
revenue by Bt50 billion - or 1 per cent of gross domestic product - from last
year's Bt290 billion, the TAT has suggested a wide range of measures.
These cover the whole spectrum of organisational and legal issues; monetary
budgets; environmental protection and development of new tourism resources;
upgrading service standards and personnel; tourist security; marketing; and
development of Thailand into a regional tourism hub.
Among the specific TAT proposals are:
Setting up a convention and exhibition bureau as a non-government public
organisation to provide a one-stop service for high-income visitor groups.
Setting up a tourism research and study centre.
Enlisting provincial and tambon administrative organisations to play a key
role in the tourism industry.
Enacting a national tourism act to serve as the master plan for the
industry.
Enacting a hotel industry act to enforce compliance with standards of
service quality, construction and safety.
Setting aside a portion of annual expenditure budgets of the interior,
agriculture and education ministries for tourism, amounting to at least Bt6
billion, or about 2 per cent of the annual tourism income of Bt290 billion.
Developing the Tourism Satellite Account as the key index for measuring
tourism's contribution to the economy. The sector currently accounts for about 6
per cent of GDP.
Setting up a tourism development fund with contributions from parts of the
private sector that benefit directly from the industry.
Setting up a mechanism to return a portion of value-added tax to the
private sector for investment in waste treatment, water conservation and other
environmental protection measures, while levying an environmental tax on
operators that are direct gainers from tourism.
Developing zoning for tourist areas and facilities.
Developing alternative destinations to compliment the 10 current major
destinations, such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, which have become
over-crowded.
Developing community business enterprises to generate new income from
tourists.
Increasing airline capacity, providing fast-track airport services, and
using barcodes in passport- and visa-checking.
Exempting transit passengers who leave the airport for 12 hours for brief
city tours from airport fees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Nation - April 21,
2001.
Burma: from two-way talks to three-way?
Ethnic organisations in Burma want to be included in the 'secret talks'
between the military junta and the National League for Democracy, reports Win
Htein.
AFTER six months of "secret talks" in Rangoon between the State Peace and
Development Council and the National League for Democracy, two opinions are now
widely voiced: immediately declare the results of the meetings, and add ethnic
representatives to make a three-way dialogue.
In March, six ethnic armed groups who signed cease-fire agreements with the
ruling junta over the last decade demanding to be involved in the talks. They
sent their demand in a letter to Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, first secretary of the SPDC
and military intelligence chief, who is in charge of the cease-fire process. The
groups were the Shan State Peace Council, the New Mon State Party, the Karenni
People's Liberation Front, the Shan People's Liberation Front, the Kayan New
State Party and Palong State Liberation Party.
At the same time, the National Council of Union of Burma - the umbrella
group of all dissidents in exile which includes MPs from the 1990 election,
armed ethnic armies of the National United Front and student-youth organisations
- demanded the latest results of the talks be immediately announced. They
stated: "This discussion is for the whole country, not only for two parties. If
there is a delay in declaring results, the people's confidence in the meetings
will become weaker."
However, there has been no reply from the SPDC or the NLD.
"I have no message for you media!" shouted an NLD executive member in a
phone interview. He reportedly meets Aung San Suu Kyi twice a week.
On March 26, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt met representatives of the six cease-fire
groups at Office of Strategic Studies (OSS) in Rangoon. "They discussed matters
relating to further strengthening of Union Spirit," said the junta's information
sheet.
But a source from the cease-fire groups said: "Khin Nyunt warned them to
silence. It is too early to join in current dialogue."
On April 9, Khin Nyunt and his OSS officials visited Kachin State, along
the China-Burma border where most cease-fire groups are based. U La Mo Tu Jai,
new chairman of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) and officers from
several other groups which mutinied against the Communist Party of Burma in the
last decade shook hands with the delegation. At the ceremony for the tenth
anniversary of the cease-fire deal, Khin Nyunt gave a speech along similar lines
- it was still "too early to join in the current dialogue".
However, a senior official from the KIO claimed most members were no longer
content with the government's promises. "We need a political settlement, not
just a cease-fire," he said. He confirmed that KIO leaders were pressured by
junior officers and community leaders to replace the chairman who signed the
cease-fire agreement in 1993.
"We absolutely support the current dialogue. We also hope that both sides
are honest," the KIO official said. "At the same time, we have the same idea as
all other ethnic organisations, that is to be involved in future dialogues."
Obviously, AllPolitical and ethnic groups are facing a crisis on how to
comment on the secret talks. They welcome the talks, but they worry about what
is happening during them. Some analysts suspect the SPDC is using the secret
talks to escape from international pressure, particularly International Labour
Organisation sanctions.
Since the UN special envoy for Burma Razali announced the news, the ILO and
all pressure groups have delaying their procedures against Burma. Moreover, the
Japanese government decided to give Overseas Development Aid to the SPDC, which
has been on hold since the 1988 massacre.
Last week, a statement from Karen National Union condemned the junta for
using the talks in a propaganda war. "The junta is trying to destroy Suu Kyi's
will by this way" it said. "All resistance groups and the international
community, must be clear on the SPDC's psychological warfare."
However, many organisations are still hoping that an official
joint-statement from the SPDC and the NLD will come out on May 27, the eleventh
anniversary of the 1990 election. But they also hoped for an announcement on
March 27, Armed Forces Day, and nothing came out.
Win Htein is a correspondent for the Democratic Voice of
Burma.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok Post - April 21,
2001.
BURMESE BORDER - Army halts
strategic shipment
Cargo destined for Wa's power plant Mae Sai, Chiang Mai
The Third Army yesterday blocked the passage to Burma of 44 containers
carrying Chinese generators and other material destined for a lignite power
plant, said to be partially owned by the United Wa State Army.
The trailer trucks carrying the containers were stopped by security forces
from the Third Army. The convoy rolled into Mae Sai border town on
Thursday.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that it was unlikely the
cargo would be allowed to cross the border since it would help strengthen the
Red Wa, who were responsible for the massive production of methamphetamines in
plants along the Thai-Burmese border.
"As long as the UWSA remains directly involved in the production of ya
ba(methamphetamine), it's totally unlikely we will give them our assistance or
co-operation on any matter," the prime minister said in Chiang Mai where he
chaired a tourism seminar.
A security source said Mr Thaksin had personally instructed Lt-Gen
Wattanachai Chaimuenwong, the Third Army commander, not to let the containers
cross the border.
The UWSA is reported to hold partial ownership of the lignite power plant,
located about 4km inside Burma's Tachilek border town opposite Mae Sai.
Construction of the plant is reportedly nearing completion, causing much
concern among Mae Sai residents who fear pollution from sulphur dioxide
emissions once it begins operating.
Lt-Gen Wattanachai said the Third Army had full authority to block passage
of the containers, shipped directly from China, if the cargo was deemed to be a
threat to national security or the environment.
A security source said a representative from Pathamas Co, which was
responsible transporting the cargo from Bangkok to Mae Sai, had tried
unsuccessfully to negotiate for passage of the containers.
"They claimed a senior cabinet member had already given clearance for
passage of the containers," said a security officer at Mae Sai.
However, Col Jongsak Panichkul, a Defence Ministry spokesman, dismissed
reports spreading around Mae Sai town that the senior cabinet member mentioned
by the firm's representative was Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, deputy premier and
defence minister.
"The defence minister has nothing to do with it and has already advised the
Third Army to strictly follow the rule on cross-border transportation of goods,"
the spokesman said.
It was also reported yesterday that Lt-Gen Somporn Termthongchai, who is
known to have close ties with Gen Chavalit, is the chairman of Pathamas
Co.
The company's executive members include several former senior army
officers, the reports said.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Large Quantity of Stimulants
Seized in Myanmar
2001.04.21 13:46:54 YANGON, April 21 (Xinhuanet) --
The Myanmar authorities seized 298, 400 tablets of stimulant drugs beginning of
this month in Maha Aungmyay township, northern Mandalay division, official
newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Saturday.
The seizure was made by a combined team comprising local intelligence
unit and the police force when they nabbed a drug trafficker in the
compound of a house in the township on April 2.
Four people in connection with the case were arrested and punishment
is being given to them by the authorities under the country's Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, the report said.
According to official statistics, since 1988 up to March this year,
82.58 million tablets of stimulant drugs were seized by the Myanmar
authorities along with 4,548 kilograms of heroin, 31,014 kilograms of
opium and 17,630 kilograms of ephedrine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Japan Times: Apr. 21,
2001
Asian city chiefs to meet in
October
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will host a meeting involving the
figureheads of several major Asian cities on Oct. 17 and 18, Tokyo Gov. Shintaro
Ishihara said Friday.
The conference will be the first gathering of the Asian Network of Major
Cities 21, a project proposed by Ishihara to tackle common issues such as the
environment, urban planning and the advancement of women's status.
In August, heads of the four cities advocating the network -- Tokyo, Kuala
Lumpur, Seoul and Delhi -- met in the Malaysian capital and signed a joint
statement pledging cooperation on urban issues.
Besides these four cities, Bangkok, Beijing, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila,
Taipei, and Yangon will participate in the October meeting, with Hong Kong and
Singapore also said to be considering participation, according to metro
officials.
The conference's agenda will be mapped out during a working level meeting
of officials of the four cities that initially advocated the project.
This will be held June 12 and 13 in Tokyo, the officials said.
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