Yawdwerk-Thai Approach to Drugs Ill

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Subject: Yawdwerk-Thai Approach to Drugs Ill-Advised:  

25 August 1999 

Drugs 

Yawdserk-Thai Approach to Drugs Ill-Advised 

The Bow and Arrow Analogy 
25 August 1999 

The leader of the Shan Resistance force, upon inquiry, commented that the
present Thai solution to check the drug flow into Thailand via cooperation
with
the Rangoon junta was an ill-considered one. 

Yawdserk, Commander of the Shan States Army, asked by S.H.A.N. to comment on
Thai efforts to win Rangoon's cooperation against massive influx of drugs,
particularly amphetamines, said, "That's trying to destroy a poison tree by
pruning it and not uprooting it". 

"The Was, (the main target of the Thais) are only an arrow. The bow is
Rangoon.
You can break the arrow but not stop the shooting until the bow is under your
control". 

Asked to elaborate, he said, "What I mean is: Lo Hsinghan (the first kingpin)
was arrested and jailed (in 1973). But Khun Sa took his place. Efforts were
then
concentrated to bring Khun Sa down. As a result, he's gone now only to be
replaced by the Was. Does anyone guarantee that the downfall of the Was shall
end the drug problem and not bring another druglord onto the scene instead?" 

"What should be done is to stop the junta from violating the people and waging
a proxy war through drugs against Thailand", he said. "They should help us
non-Burmans win our right to determine our destiny and the Burmans to win
their
democracy". 

"That is what I mean by uprooting the problem and seizing the bow". 

Yawdserk has been waging his own war on drugs in his operational areas since
last year. 

The latest issue of his bulletin, SSArmy News, reported the seizure of a
heroin
refinery in Mongton Township on 31 July. 

Drug officials, however, say Yawdserk still has to go a long way to prove
himself. 

/// END \\\ 
For further information, please contact S.H.A.N. at: 
Shan Herald Agency for News. 
P.O. Box. 15 
Nonghoi P.O., 50007 
Chiangmai 
Thailand 
Ph/Fax: (053) 807 121 
e-mail: <shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>