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BURMA RELATED NEWS - February 04, 2003. -------------------------------------------------------------------- HEADLINES -------------------------------------------------------------------- AP - Twenty-three killed in
drug-related violence over the weekend in Thailand as government war on drugs
kicks off
AP - Thai police seize nearly US$1
million from alleged drug traffickers
Bkk Post - Karen, Burmese refugees
involved in illegal logging
Asian Tribune - Shans deny
Burmese Report about - Drug Free Border
The Nation - Drugs,
tourism top agenda
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Twenty-three killed in drug-related violence over the weekend in Thailand as government war on drugs kicks off Mon Feb 3, 7:57 AM ET By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Police said Monday that at least 23 people were killed as authorities launched a new war on drugs, raising fears that officers keen on meeting ambitious objectives and earning personal rewards were engaging in summary executions. Security forces shot to death four people who resisted arrest and opened fire, national police spokesman Maj. Gen. Pongsaphat Phongcharoen told reporters. Another 19 were killed in shootouts between rival drug gangs, he said. Concerned by the massive flow of the stimulant methamphetamine from neighboring Myanmar, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared an all-out crackdown on drugs, giving security forces three months beginning Feb. 1 to do as much as they can to rid the country of the illegal substances. Human rights groups fear setting such a deadline will lead to summary executions by police trying to notch up a high success rate. "It is very scary ? 23, killed in two days and police said they killed only four? I am skeptical of the police claims," Sen. Thongbai Thongbao, a prominent human rights activist, told The Associated Press. Thongbai pointed out that the government has publicly threatened to kill suspected drug dealers and offered high rewards. Thailand's national police chief dismissed such fears Monday, insisting that he was not condoning vigilante action and expressing confidence that law-enforcement authorities would not abuse their power. "What I mean by being harsh to traffickers has to do with law enforcement and assets confiscation, not extra-judicial killing, which every police officer knows is illegal and doesn't want to happen," he said. Over the weekend, 268 suspected drug traffickers ? including 10 believed to be major dealers ? were arrested, and a total of 3.1 million methamphetamine pills were seized, police spokesman Pongsaphat said. The Thai Health Ministry estimates that more than 3 million of the country's 64 million people are consuming methamphetamines, and half of them are addicted. Prime Minister Thaksin is also carrying the battle to the diplomatic front, and is expected to seek closer cooperation on drug trafficking during a visit to Myanmar on Feb. 9-10, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said Monday. Thai and Western drug experts says that hundreds of million of methamphetamine tables are produced by ethnic minorities in Myanmar near the Thai border, then smuggled into Thailand and further afield. Some experts believe Myanmar's military government turns a blind eye to the trade in order to keep the loyalty of once-rebellious minority groups. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Thai police seize nearly US$1
million from alleged drug traffickers
Tue Feb 4, 4:25 AM ET By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thai police seized almost 39 million baht (US$900,000) in cash from suspected drug dealers Tuesday, and shrugged off criticism that a new crackdown on the drug trade was leading to summary executions. Since an all-out, three-month crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra began Saturday, at least 34 alleged traffickers have been killed in drug-related violence. Six of them were shot dead by police, spokesman Maj. Gen. Phongsaphat Phongcharoen told reporters, adding that police acted in self defense. He blamed the other deaths on shootouts between rival drug gangs. Human rights activists and the media have expressed uneasiness about the reports of violence, which many suspect are extra-judicial executions. Police have also arrested more than 1,000 suspects and seized more than 3.3 million methamphetamine tablets since Saturday. Tuesday's money seizure followed the arrest of three suspected traffickers Monday at a checkpoint in a Bangkok suburb. A search of their car uncovered 360,000 baht (US$8,372), which the suspects admitted obtaining from drug dealing, said police Maj. Gen. Jirasak Woranatharathep. An additional 38.2 million baht (US$896,713) was found hidden in the house of one of the suspects on Tuesday, he said. The English-language Bangkok Post editorialized Tuesday that the drug dealer slayings "raised troubling signs that authorities intend to enforce an anti-drugs war by any convenient means." "That is an unworthy goal," said the newspaper. "The campaign is not a license to kill. Authorities who abuse the law must also answer for their actions." Prime Minister Thaksin said Tuesday that he was content with the results of the crackdown so far and defended the police's actions. "I tell the human rights groups not to be concerned too much about the lives of drug dealers, please be concerned about the lives of police officers and your children, because these people will sell drugs to your children one day," he told reporters. Thai and Western drug experts say that hundreds of millions of methamphetamine tablets are produced by ethnic minorities in Myanmar near the Thai border, then smuggled into Thailand and further afield. The volume of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse is so high that Thai officials have labeled it a threat to national security. Thaksin also is carrying the battle to the diplomatic front, and is expected to seek closer cooperation on drug trafficking during a working visit to Myanmar scheduled for Feb. 9-10, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said Monday. Some experts believe Myanmar's military government turns a blind eye to the trade in order to keep the loyalty of local minority groups, who used to be in armed rebellion. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Bangkok Post -
Tuesday 04 February 2003
Karen, Burmese refugees involved in illegal logging Elephants used to move felled trees Supamart Kasem - Tak An inquiry has begun into reports that 59 elephants are being used for illegal logging by some Karen villagers and Burmese refugees in border areas of Tak province. The provincial committee against deforestation was informed last month of widespread illegal logging in border areas of Mae Ramat and Ban Tak districts, an army source said. Col Jurasak Somprasop, of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, had proposed an inquiry and serious efforts to stop deforestation, the source said. The meeting, chaired by provincial governor Paibul Phobukhadee, had approved an investigation. Forest Industry Organisation executives said elephants whose owners were in Mae Ramat were being used to take illegal logs and cut timber out of the jungle. Several more were seen working in Mae Tuen wildlife sanctuary between Mae Ramat and Tha Song Yang. ``Both things are illegal, so we suggested the checking on elephants in these areas,'' an FIO spokesman said If elephants were found being used for illegal tasks, the animals would be seized under the forest law and sent to the Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang, he said. Maj Prayoon Puaynok, chief of the Third Army's civil affairs division, said checks found more than 1,000 felled teak trees and about 10,000 pieces of illegally cut timber scattered in border areas of Mae Ramat, Ban Tak and Tha Song Yang districts in the past two months. Timber dealers from Tak and other provinces, local politicians, state officials, influential people and hilltribe people were involved. A number of Karen refugees from Tha Song Yang's Mae La refugee camp and illegal Burmese immigrants were being hired for illegal logging in Ban Tak and Mae Ramat. --------------------------------------------------------------------
Asian Tribune
Date : 2003-02-04 Shans deny Burmese Report about - Drug Free Border In response to the New Light of Myanmar, 30 January, reporting the three townships across the Thai border was rid of the poppy cultivation in the 2002-2003 season, both Lahu and Shan sources maintained the reality was entirely the other way round. New Light of Myanmar issue dated 30 January reported, it was only in Mongton Township that "66.30 acres of poppy were grown, but all the poppy plantations were destroyed" by December last year. "The region cannot be considered as drug-free simply because there is no cultivation of poppy and no production of heroin in that area", said Labor Minister U Tin Winn, who is also chairman of Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination on 29 January during his tour of the area. Shan Herald Agency for News (SHA.N) published the following denial to the report appeared in the January 30 issue of New Light Myanmar under the heading ?Yodayas using various media to portray Myanmar as big drug producer smuggling large hauls of narcotic drugs into their country? In response to the New Light of Myanmar, 30 January, reporting the three townships across the Thai border was rid of the poppy cultivation in the 2002-2003 season, both Lahu and Shan sources maintained the reality was entirely the other way round. "All the 8 tracts of Mongton township (opposite Chiangmai's Wianghaeng and Chiangdao Disrticts) still grow opium," said a Shan source in reply to SHA.N inquiry. "The number of poppy farmers has also increased due to arrivals from both across the Salween and Thailand." This situation is the same in Mongpiang a township north of Mongton, where a meeting was called on "the 8th Waning Moon of the 10th Lunar Month" (29 September) by Company 4, Infantry Battalion 43 at the village of Mongpu Long. The villagers were informed that they were required to grow poppies 'for the sake of their own survival' and those who failed to comply would be fined 5,000 kyat each, according to the sources. "It is in Monghsat Township, opposite Chiangmai's Fang and Mae Ai districts and Chiangrai's Mae Fa Luang District, where areas adjoining the border have mostly been free of poppy fields for the first time in years," said a Lahu source. "It is because the Wa had given instructions since last year against poppy cultivation. We heard Mongyawn (just across Mae Ai) was to become a tourist attraction and Yawngkha (opposite Mae Fa Luang) a crop replacement center." The poppy fields, as a result, have moved to north of the Monghsat-Tachilek road, but still well inside Monghsat Township. All sources agreed that there is no sign of decrease in the production in Monghsat, Mongton and Mongpiang. "Only the number of refineries has dropped," said one, "due to the fact that small ones are no longer encouraged to run. Only big ones remain." According to the New Light of Myanmar, it was only in Mongton Township that "66.30 acres of poppy were grown, but all the poppy plantations were destroyed" by December last year. "The region cannot be considered as drug-free simply because there is no cultivation of poppy and no production of heroin in that area", said Labor Minister U Tin Winn, who is also chairman of Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination on 29 January during his tour of the area. Meanwhile Asian Tribune gives below the full text of the connected Report that appeared in the New Light of Myanmar?s issue of ? January 30 Yodayas using various media to portray Myanmar as big drug producer smuggling large hauls of narcotic drugs into their country Yangon, Jan. 29: Chairman of Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and party attended a seminar on the elimination of poppy cultivation and narcotic drugs control at Thiri Yadana Hall at Monghsat District Peace and Development Council Office. Speaking on the occasion, Minister U Tin Winn said he met the people of Monghsat last November and it was the second time. Last December, the four ministers, together with ambassadors visited Mongyun, Wang Hong region, Mongla region in Kengtung (East), Pangsang, Longhtan, Mongmaw, Laukkai and Namtip regions. Under the guidance of the Head of State, he and party made trips to the grassroots level and discussed eradication of narcotic drugs. He said ambassadors from China, Japan, Russia and Italy were included in his trip. The Italian ambassador reported to his country on Myanmar?s endeavours for elimination of narcotic drugs. Italy then donated US $ 100,000. He said he and the Japanese ambassador discussed cultivation of opium substitute crops besides buckwheat, livestock breeding, providing technical assistance to small industries and conducting on-job training courses on 12 December. China presented crop seeds to Kokang and Wa regions and arrangements are being made for providing technical assistance. He said there were over 700 acres of poppy last year. He hoped that cultivation acreage would fall this year. In his trip he met local people in Mong Twan region. Lahu national races pledged that they would make efforts for eradication of drugs. The world accepted the decline in poppy cultivation in the country. The region cannot be considered as drug free one simply because there is no cultivation of poppy and no production of heroin in that area. Production and trafficking of stimulant tablets continue to exist in the area. Poppy plantations are visible but it is not easy to expose the production of stimulant tablets because the tablets can be produced in 10x10-foot room. The case can be exposed with the help and information given by local people. He stressed the importance of cooperation of local people. Yodaya accused Wa troops of manufacturing the stimulant tablets. If there was a fighting between drug traffickers and Yodaya troops, they reported that they had fought against Wa troops. In connection with such accusations, he met Wa leaders and told them to seize drug traffickers. He said the world has become smaller due to the advancement of communication technology and it has also become a global village. One from other part of the world immediately knows the event that took place in one place. On 11 September, the United States was attacked. The UN Security Council passed the resolution that a big nation could take military action against any country that was involved in terrorism. On June 2002, Senator Mr Kareinsat Chunnawan of Yodaya made accusation that Wa troops in the region were a terrorist organization. The US also made such accusation. So clarifications on false accusations were made to diplomats and media persons in Mongyun. In South East Asia, it is Yodaya that consumes the stimulant tablets most. The stimulant tablets were not popular in the US and western nations. They use ecstasy tablets. Recently, without any evidence, Yodaya newspapers reported that Wa troop manufactured not only stimulant tablets but also ecstasy tablets. This aimed at putting pressure on Myanmar by the US and western nations. The stimulant tablets can be produced with the combination of chemicals. Yodaya, India and China can produce the chemicals but our country cannot. Warnings about fabricated news on drugs may be a danger in the long run. The region that included in Golden Triangle was notorious for poppy and heroin. He called on local people to cooperate with officials for elimination of drugs. Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence said the region was infamous as the Golden Triangle Region after the arrival of the Kuomintang troops who introduced poppy cultivation and opium production in the area. The Kuomintang troops who were trafficking opium, a profitable illegal business, for their existence, acquired the heroin refining technology from the CIA. They refined heroin and distributed the drugs through Yodaya. Through the business the Kuomintang and the traffickers in Yodaya had become extremely rich. The multicolored insurgent groups which came into being after regaining the independence were also involved in the drug business. Since then, the region had become an opium and heroin trading place. When the Kuomintang, which were operating the huge drug business, left Myanmar territory, the Kuomintang remnants and the MTA under the command of U Khun Sa took control of the drug business in the area. The MTA made the unconditional surrender in 1996. The drug problem would have ended if the Kuomintang and MTA were no more in the area. But the problem still exists. Yodayas are using various sources of media to portray Myanmar as a big drug producer smuggling large hauls of narcotic drugs into their country, while representing themselves as innocent victims of the drug problem. Nobody can put the blame on Myanmar concerning the drug issue, if the nation is totally free from the problem. Hence, all the departmental personnel and the people will have to take part in the anti-drug drive, that cannot be implemented by the government alone. Police Brig-Gen Tin Win explained that the Ministry of Home Affairs gave instructions to police officers from northern, eastern and southern Shan State, Kachin State and Kayah State to carry out tasks for drug elimination; that punitive action is taken against drug traffickers; and that the cooperation of the people is necessary to achieve the goal. He then handed round pamphlets on the prevention of human trafficking. Director of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Nyi Nyi reported on matters related to anti-drug tasks being implemented by the ministry. Next, General Manager of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation U Pyay Nyein also reported on seeds, saplings and techniques being provided for the cultivation of poppy-substitute crops, the conducting of 117 agriculture camps with the appointment of 396 employees and assistance being given to agriculture and livestock breeding farms. Dr Khin Maung Kyi of the Ministry of Health also reported on matters related to giving education on narcotic drugs, treatment and rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the ministry. He added that after 1988, momentum has been accelerated in giving treatment to drug addicts. As a result, there has been annual decrease in the number of the drug addicts. On behalf of the local people, Akha national U Arkar pledged that efforts would be exerted to make Monghsat Township the drug-free zone in 2003. Lt-Col Myo Nyunt also made reports, saying that in spite of 1902.20 acres of poppy in 1999-2000 in Monghsat District, the poppy cultivation acreage decreased gradually ? 904.07 acres in 2000-2001, 740.49 acres in 2001-2002 and 66.30 acres in 2002-2003. Of three townships in the district, Monshsat and Mongpyin townships get rid of the poppy cultivation in 2002-2003. It was only in Mongtong Township that 66.30 acres of poppy were grown, but all the poppy plantations were destroyed in October, November and December of the 2002. He also reported on requirements for the construction of Narkaungmu basic eduaction middle school (Branch) and the construction of Mongkhoak bridge. After the ceremony, Ministry U Tin Winn cordially greeted those present on occasion. Afterwards, the minister and party arrived at Yaokha Village of Wa region, where they inspected the village school being constructed with the cooperation of Thailand and gave instructions. Later, they proceeded to Tachilek. --------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Nation
Drugs, tourism top agenda Published on Feb 4, 2003 Illegal Burmese workers, anti-narcotics measures and tourism will be high on the agenda during the upcoming visit to Burma by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday. Thaksin is due in Burma on Sunday and Monday, his second visit to the country as premier. He will be accompanied by the commanders of Thailand's three armed forces. The two sides will discuss the PM's proposal to turn Chiang Mai into an aviation hub for upper Southeast Asia and southern China, Surakiart said. On the issue of illegal Burmese workers, Surakiart said that recent cooperation had been effective, and that the Rangoon government had taken back several thousand. About one million Burmese work in Thailand, more than half illegally. Surakiart said the government had a policy of helping Burma with job creation in agriculture and Thailand was prepared to help further by buying the products. Thaksin is expected to raise the issue of anti-narcotics cooperation with the Burmese government, which the international community has accused of turning a blind eye to illicit activities on its frontiers. Burma is one of the world's leading opium- and heroin-producers, and Thai drug and security agencies have accused pro-Rangoon ethnic armies of flooding the country with millions of methamphetamines. Thaksin has vowed to improve relations with Burma but Bangkok and Rangoon have experienced several incidents, including two all-out clashes and cross-border shelling. --------------------------------------------------------------------
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