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Press Release (1/99) of Myanmar Emb
- Subject: Press Release (1/99) of Myanmar Emb
- From: OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 23:44:00
Subject: Press Release (1/99) of Myanmar Embassy in Washington, DC
EMBASSY OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR
WASHINGTON, DC
1 / 99
9 February 1999.
Press Release
International Action Against Illicit Drugs
Myanmar to Host 4th International Conference on Heroin
in Collaboration with Interpol
Drugs are a global problem requiring global solutions. No nation acting
alone can overcome this modern day scourge. For this reason, there is
increasing recognition in the international community of the urgent need to
promote the concept of shared responsibility among all countries concerned.
Myanmar shares the concern of the international community regarding the
menace posed by drugs and believes that all countries must work together to
meet the challenge to humanity. There is a growing need for international
cooperation in such areas as control of precursor chemicals, the
strengthening of law enforcement institutions and the development of the
remote regions where opium poppy, coca, marijuana and other illicit crops are
cultivated. The need for cooperation is especially acute in the case of
remote regions where drug crops are the mainstay of the economy and local
inhabitants have few economic alternatives.
In view of this, Myanmar welcomes the opportunity to host the 4th
International Heroin Conference in Yangon, 23 to 26 February, 1999 in
cooperation with Interpol. The delegates to the conference from around the
world will not only have the opportunity to reassess and rethink
international strategies to control the production and trafficking of heroin
but also observe first hand the magnitude of the task faced by the host
country and the headway it has made in recent years.
Since its independence, Myanmar has waged a relentless war against drug
traffickers. Notwithstanding the fact that all assistance to the country has
been curtailed for political reasons the Myanmar authorities, relying on
their own resources, have registered significant successes in their
campaigns. They have seized and destroyed more than 3700 kg of heroin,
22,700 kg of opium, 10 million amphetamine and similar tablets and eliminated
more than 70 heroin refining camps. Immense sacrifice was required as the
armed forces have lost 766 men including 20 officers and over 2200 men
including 80 officers have been wounded. In addition to its national efforts,
the Myanmar Government actively seeks international cooperation. Memoranda
of understanding for suppression of narcotic drugs have been signed with all
its neighbours and the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) as well
as with Russia. The principal focus of the agreements is on reducing drug
trafficking, eliminating poppy cultivation through economic and social
development programmes and reducing the demand for and consumption of drugs.
It is unfortunate that at a time when there is an urgent need to promote
multilateral initiatives to overcome the drug menace, there are some who have
become so blinded by such emotive issues as human rights and democracy that
they are unable to separate the wheat from the chaff. They readily believe
the allegations of systematic violations of human rights in Myanmar and the
sensational stories that authorities there are hand in glove with drug
traffickers. Those who are willing to verify the situation will find that the
charges against Myanmar are spurious and that they invariably emanate from
insurgent groups and disaffected expatriates.
The 4th International Conference on Heroin in Yangon will provide an
unequalled opportunity for the international community to strengthen the
principle of shared responsibility. Every nation serious about the drug
problem should be represented there to find ways and means to promote
international cooperation and to observe first hand the Myanmar Government's
efforts to overcome the drug problem. It is important for countries to have
the courage to put the long-term interest of its peoples ahead of short-term
political considerations. For, in the final analysis, it is not the fate of
one regime or one nation that is at stake; it is the future of humanity.
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