ST-Why Myanmar refuses to extradite

[tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: ST-Why Myanmar refuses to extradite drug barons 

The Straits Times
NOV 2 1999

Why Myanmar refuses to extradite drug barons

The military has opposed the US' call to hand over ethnic drug barons,
saying that foreign governments have failed in attempts to deal with them

BANGKOK -- Myanmar's ruling military yesterday defended its long-standing
policy of refusing to extradite notorious drug barons wanted by foreign
governments.

The move follows press reports here of meetings between powerful First
Secretary and intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt and ethnic Wa warlord
Wei Hsueh-kang, who is wanted by the United States and Thailand.

"Wei Hsueh-kang may be wanted by certain foreign governments, just like Khun
Sa is wanted," a junta statement sent to AFP in Bangkok said.

"But their method of arresting and persecuting drug barons has not worked,"
the statement said, citing the case of former Panamanian strongman Manuel
Antonio Noriega and Colombian drugs baron Pablo Escobar.

Wei Hsueh-kang leads the United Wa State Army (UWSA) operating in Myanmar's
eastern Shan State.

He became the most powerful drug kingpin in the Golden Triangle, where the
borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, when Khun Sa of the Mong Thai
Army surrendered to the junta in 1996.

Myanmar has refused to bow to demands by the US for the extradition of
either of the men.

The UWSA are believed to be responsible for the production of millions of
amphetamine tablets flooding the Thai market each month, as well as much of
the heroin and opium making its way to the US.

Washington has accused Yangon of condoning drug trafficking by armed ethnic
groups in return for ceasefires, and of harbouring drug fugitives.

However, the junta claims it is doing its best to fight the drugs trade
through encouraging crop substitution.

"The Myanmar government is in the process of convincing and cooperating with
the former ethnic armed groups to give up their dependency on poppy
growing," the statement said on Monday.

"Myanmar's method of trying to create legitimate businesses to make a decent
living and stop their dependency on poppy cultivation is the only workable
solution and should be given necessary support and assistance instead of
finding fault and ridiculing its efforts." --AFP