Informarion Sheet No.A- 0053

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

                            Informarion Sheet
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	A- 0053						           10 - 6 - 97


		According to the news information by the Associated 
Press and printed in the 10th June ? The Nation ? newspaper of 
Thailand. The Southeast Asian Information Network (Sain), claimed 
that 10,000 litres of pesticide called Paraquat has been sold to 
Myanmar and even a larger sale is being negotiated. We do not 
know what the real intention is behind this allegation but this 
inaccuracy of information also reflects the reliability of this information 
network. 

		This pesticide called Paraquat has been banned in some 
countries because it is considered dangerous to the environment 
and human beings. But it is still being widely used in U.S, U.K, 
Germany, Thailand and the Food and Agriculture Organization of 
the United Nations has not put a ban on this chemical. Neither, 
the government of Myanmar nor the private sector has any plans 
to buy or import Paraquat. Moreover, Myanmar is mainly an 
agriculture based country. The environmental issue is of great concern 
and the import of any kind of pesticide must have the approval of 
the Pesticide Law of Myanmar which is based on F.A.O code 
of conduct. Even if the Pesticide Law permits the import and use 
of certain chemicals it may still require formulation change in some 
pesticides for environmental safety.

		Anyhow, the network?s concern for the safety of the 
farmers and food consumers is much appreciated but according to 
(A.P) a Sain representative was quoted saying that, ? This is the 
lowest form of business to export others the poisons you have outlawed 
at home and to a brutal military regime. ? Unfortunately, 
this statement clearly indicates that this network gives priority to 
bias reporting more than it should on the quality or accuracy of the 
information which any respectable organization is obligated to do 
so. 
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