Pubdate: Mon, 26 Apr 1999
Source: Kyodo News (Japan)

MYANMAR CALLS FOR FOREIGN AID TO ELIMINATE DRUGS

BANGKOK, April 26 (Kyodo) -- Myanmar reiterated Monday determination to
continue a 15-year narcotic elimination plan, although lack of external
assistance and cooperation could jeopardize and prolong the process,
according to a senior Myanmar official in charge of drug control.

The plan aims to achieve by 2014 a drug-free Myanmar that is in line with
the joint declaration of the 9-member Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) to emerge as a drug-free region by 2020.

''We need a lot, from all aspects, development projects,'' Lt. Col. Sit
Aye, deputy director of Myanmar's Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control
(CCDAC), said in Bangkok.

The Myanmar senior official, who is attending a senior officials meeting on
cooperation in drug abuse control among Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, called
for assistance from U.N. agencies, nongovernmental organizations and
individual governments to help Yangon substitute opium with commercial
crops in remote areas and villages.

''If there is no external assistance, it will prolong the process,'' he said.

In opening remarks to the meeting, Sit Aye urged foreign governments, many
of who accuse Myanmar of doing little to curb the drug trade, said, ''It
would be a 'no win' situation if we waste time pointing fingers. Only
concerted efforts are an answer to the drug problem. One country or one
region cannot go it alone. ''

He told reporters that formerly armed insurgent groups in Myanmar have
agreed to cooperate with the central government as they recognize the
willingness of the government to eradicate illicit drugs.

But, he noted it is also important to have marketing assurance for crop
substitution projects. He said a huge project in northwest Myanmar near
China, which aims to replace opium poppies with sugar cane stills needs a
market and a mill.

The sugar cane project is funded by China's Yunnan Province. In another
project, where Japan supports poppy substitution with buckwheat, Japan has
also helped with securing markets, he said.

In a third project, in the Golden Triangle area around the Thai, Myanmar
and Laos borders, he said a U.N. International Drug Control Program (UNDCP)
still faced fund shortages.

The UNDCP launched a 5-year project last year with a budget requirement of
15.5 million dollars, but the U.N. agency could garner only 5 million
dollars in support from Japan and the United States, according to Sit Aye.

Myanmar is the world's largest source of illicit opium and heroin,
according to the U.S. Department of State.
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