Myanmar is situated in South East Asia.  Its neighbours are China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos.  Its borders are 2.192 kilometers with China, 1331 kilometers with India, 256 kilometers with Bangladesh, 2096 kilometers with Thailand, 224 kilometers with Laos, totaling altogether (6,099) kilometers.  Myanmar has a long coast line of 2.276 kilometers.

Prior to British colonial rule, opium cultivation and production was unheard of in Myanmar.  The British Imperialists intruded into Myanmar in the earlier part of the 19th century and after the three Anglo-Myanmar wars of 1824 to 1826, 1852 and 1885 to 1886, Myanmar succumbed to British Imperialism and became a colony of the British.  It was the British Imperialists who introduced opium cultivation in the country and also encouraged its consumption.  By the time Myanmar gained independence in 1948, opium cultivation, the evil legacy of the British colonialists, had taken firm root in the Shan State and parts of the border areas.  Added to this, in the latter part of 1949, the Kuomintang Chinese troops, defeated in the Battle of Yunnan Province in China intruded into our territory in their retreat and occupied the northeastern regions.  Some western bloc nations on the pretext of attempting to prevent the spread of communism, but with the implicit aim of opening up a new military front against China from within Myanmar, actively supported the KMT aggression.  However the KMT were militarily incapable of launching a successful attack to penetrate the mainland Chinese forces.  So they, instead, turned to establishing a foothold in the country and occupied certain areas of the Shan State and immediately proceeded to expand opium cultivation and establish a monopoly in drug trafficking.  They forced the local population to grow more opium poppy and the produce was then airlifted out of the country to foreign parts with the VERA airplanes that are transporting arms and ammunitions for them by some Western nations.  Thus the Shan State was transformed into a major cultivator and bulk producer of opium.  Beginning from the latter part of 1960, the KMT in collusion with some Westerners began to process heroin from opium, and thus began the world-wide illicit drug trade.  May I give as reference, "The Politics of Heroin in South East Asia" by Alfred M. McCoy which was published in 1972, for detailed facts of the case.

The Government of Myanmar, beginning from 1973, initiated effective measures to combat and control the narcotic drug menace through the combined efforts of the Armed Forces, the Police Force and other agencies and organizations concerned.  In 1974, the Law Against Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was enacted.  On 2nd March 1976, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control was formed giving added impetus to action against drug abuse control and suppression.  At the same time, the Armed forces launched military operations to quell armed insurgent groups implicated in the production of opium and drug trafficking along the border areas.  Special military operations against narcotic drugs such as Operation Moe Hein, Operation Nga Ye Pan, Operation Taung Yan Shin and Operation Aung Moe Hein were launched yearly and the control and eradication of narcotic drugs was undertaken as a compulsory military task.  These endeavours were supported by the American Government, and assistance worth a total of 86 million U.S. dollars was received in the form of airplanes, helicopters, motor vehicles and other necessary equipment.

The hauls of heroin, other psychotropic substances and related materials made within this period were as follows:
        (a) Heroin                                                                         109 kilos
        (b) Opium                                                                       5,453 kilos
        (c) Marijuana                                                                    347 kilos
        (d) Morphine Base                                                            344 kilos
        (e) Precursor Chemicals and assorted acids                    24,994 litters
        (f) Opium liquid                                                              71524 liters
        (g) Heroin refining camps destroyed                                     15 Nos.
        (h) Poppy fields destroyed                                            211,199 acres

But since 1988, due to certain allegations made against Myanmar, the United States of America as well as the European Union withdrew all forms of assistance to Myanmar including that for Narcotic Drug Control.  After the eventful year of 1988 the MTA led by Khun Sa extended his illegal drug trafficking operations to such large scale proportions that his group became substantially stronger and more solid, both financially and in terms of manpower.

On 23rd April 1994, Mr. Peter Bourne, who had been adviser on Narcotics Affairs to former President of the United States of America, Mr. Jimmy Carter, came to Ho-mong, the headquarters of MTA and met Khun Sa.  Bourne with ill intent, explained to Khun Sa that charges had been preferred against him as a Drug War Lord by the United States Government more as a political manoeuvre than anything else.  He then advised Khun Sa to pursue political means as a way out of his predicament and suggested that the MTA should openly and boldly attack the Myanmar Government Forces in the name of Shan independence and to publicize this as a political cause, in order to focus the interest of the international community.

But the Government Forces succeeded in repelling the MTA offensives and crushed its troops in the Mongkyut area in Mongton Township in the eastern sector of Thanlwin River.  Eastern Shan State in 1994, and those in Phattumein region in Tachileik Townships in May 1995.  Columns of the Armed Forces crossed the Thanlwin River on 15 December 1995 to launch an offensive in the eastern sector of the river.  Thus on 5th January 1996, the MTA forces under the command of Khun Sa in the Northern and Southern Regions of the Shan State were faced with no other alternative but to unconditionally surrender.  This surrender was also prompted by the fact that Khun Sa and his followers had now realized the futility) of fighting the Government Forces and to understand the havoc caused by their drug production and trafficking and its evil consequences not only for the country, but for humanity itself.  Furthermore, they had also come to understand the full import of the aims and objectives being implemented for the entire nation by the Government.  Moreover there was the added factor of the pressure being exerted on them by the Armed Forces.  Thus, during the period (5-1-95 to 31-12-98), the (15,197) strong drug trafficking armed group led by Khun Sa surrendered unconditionally and entered the legal fold together with (9,993) heavy and light weapons and assorted mines and ammunition.

Three salient conditions however were stipulated for the surrender of Khun Sa and his MTA troops and these were:
        (1) The MTA troops were to unconditionally surrender all their weapons and ammunition;
        (2) They were to abide by and in no way, deviate from the arrangements made for them by the State;
        (3) After their surrender they were not lo become involved again with narcotic drugs and its illicit trade in any way.

Myanmar is well aware that "narcotic drugs" is the common enemy of mankind.  Hence the reason why it has designated the fight against narcotic drugs a vital national cause; within the limits of its financial resources it has spared no effort to fight it and has today achieved a fair measure of success.  In Myanmar, opium is cultivated in the least developed areas of the remote regions in the Shan State and in some of the border areas.  In these regions the terrain is so difficult that they are almost inaccessible, and because of the harsh climatic conditions the local populace has no recourse but to resort to opium cultivation as the principal cash crop.  The fact that drug trafficking was inextricably linked to the armed national groups along the border led the Myanmar Government to give priority to rebuilding national unit  and to the development of hitherto undeveloped border regions.  To realize these aims the government laid down two strategies:
        (a) To exert all-round effort so as to accelerate the anti-drug campaign as a national concern;
        (b) To gradually eliminate the practice of poppy cultivation in proportion to the enhancement of socio-economic life of the border areas and national races.

Taking measures in line with these strategies led to better results in drug interdiction within the period spanning September 1988 to 1998 than in the period prior to 1988.  The following statistics bear testimony:
        (a) Opium                                                               28,046 kilos
        (b) Heroin                                                                 4,136 kilos
        (c) Phensedyl                                                          34.563 litres
        (d) Precursor Chemicals and assorted acids              49,787 litres
        (e) Ephedrine                                                            7,714 kilos
        (f) Methamphetamine                                          2,686,928 tablets
        (g) Heroin refining camps destroyed                             106 Nos.
        (h) Poppy fields destroyed                                       86,612 acres
        (i) Public burning of seized narcotic drugs                       12 occasions (Yangon)
        (j) Burning of seized narcotic drugs                                20 occasions (Border/other areas)

A few remnants of the KMT and the MTA who have joined the SURA armed group led by Ywet Sitt are still carrying on illicit production of narcotic drugs in the vicinity of Ma Hein Tet and Peinlon along the Thai-Myanmar border.  This rogue roup smuggles in by all possible means, precursor chemicals that are necessary ingredients for the processing of heroin, from neighbouring countries and are producing heroin and other psychotropic substances.  The narcotic drugs produced are then smuggled out from this border location to reach world markets via neighbouring Thailand or front Yunnan Province in China.  However the achievement of peace with former armed national groups and their return to the legal community have made it possible for the Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies to concentrate more on drug control activities.  The enthusiastic participation of the former armed national groups in these activities have also led to more effective interdiction and significant increases in illicit drug and other related materials seized.  The following statistics cover the three-year period of 1996/1997/1998:
        (a) 29-8-96: Seizure of Heroin (142.9) kilos between Kun-Kaunk and Man-Lwe village at (P-032074), Theinni Township;
        (b) 13-11-96: Seizure of Heroin (69-7935) kilos at A.T. checkpoint, Lashio.  According to the investigation, later on that day, seizure of (38) kilos of Heroin. (250) litres of Sulphuric acid and (3,3000.000) kyats at Nam-On village, Kutkai Township;
        (c) 30-1-97: A search of a Hilux truck, No. Ball 145 near Shaukkai village in Lauk Kai Township led to the capture of (118) packets of opium weighing (406.6) kilos and various processing paraphernalia;
        (d) 14-2-97: (161) blocks of heroin weighing 56.35 kilos, (3) cellular phones, (119,900) Yuan and gold weighing (9.02) tickles seized at Kyukhok-Pan Sai in Kung Long Township;
        (e) 30-4-97: Seizure of heroin refinery with (1,930) litres of opium liquid (10,064) litres and (147) containers of acids and precursor chemicals and other paraphernalia at (P-097236), Kutkai Township;
        (f) 3-5-97: Seizure of Heroin refinery with (38) kilos of opium, (114) litres of opium liquid, (8428) litres and (56) containers of acids and precursor chemicals at (P-160277), Kutkai Township;
        (g) 8-7-97: The seizure of (5,906) litres of sulphuric acid and (1.817) litres of ethylated spirits from the compound of Aik Hsan of Ward (12) of Lashio;
        (h) 31-10-97: Seizure of precursor chemicals such as hydrochloric acid (300) litres, Acetic Anhydride (409) litres, sulphuric acid (659) litres, ether (1,113) litres, lyzol (409) litres, ethylated spirit (1,590) litres, chloroform (477) litres and soda (105) kilos at Mong Ko check point in Kung Long Township;
        (i) 11-11-97: (296.85) kilos of heroin and (61.2) kilos of opium seized from the house of Lauk San in the vicinity of Kaung Gue village in Muse Township;
        (j) 3-12-97: A search of a Land Cruiser, No.Tha/7869 proceeding from Taunggyi to Mandalay at a toll gate in Kalaw Township led to the capture of (145) packets of opium weighing (351.34) kilos;
        (k) 29-1-98: Seizure of heroin refinery with (21.86) kilos of heroin, (91.95) kilos of Morphine base, (909) litres of opium liquid, (3,030) litres and (1,300) kilos of acid and precursor chemicals, (7) assorted weapons and other paraphernalia at (0-665043), Kutkai Township;
        (l) 13-2-98: Seizure of heroin refiner with (1,086.3) kilos of opium, (327) litres of opium liquid, (3,308) litres and (1,200) kilos of acids and precursor chemicals and other paraphernalia at (0-588309), Kutkai Township;
        (m) 24-5-98: Seizure of (9,655) litres of Ethyl Alcohol, near Pan-Nwe village in Kutkai Township;
        (n) 27-6-98: The capture of (9) assorted weapons, (27.35) kilos of heroin, (1830.4) kilos of opium and a large amount of precursor chemicals from the house of Wan Kwa Shin and Baung Khaw of Lwe Kham village, Kutkai Township;
        (o) 13-7-98: A Mitsubishi truck, No.3 Kha/4706 had been seized with (0.3) kilo of heroin by an Army Unit stationed at Mon San in Mong-Shu Township.  Later, on that day, a detailed sketch of the vehicle at Taunggyi uncovered (220) blocks of heroin weighing (73.3) kilos in hidden compartment under the floor boards of the truck bed;
        (p) 10-8-98: Seizure of (63) packets of opium weighing (116.346) kilos at Ban-Yin village, Taunggyi Township;
        (q) 27-11-98: Seizure of (7,270) litres of Ethylated Spirit at Naung-Pje village, Kutkai Township.

In carrying out the crusade against narcotic drugs during the period of September 1988 to 1998, (801) members of the Armed Forces, including (27) officers gave up their lives in the cause of narcotic drug eradication and (2,429) servicemen, including (90) officers were wounded.  These statistics provide incontrovertible evidence that Myanmar has had to sacrifice her sons in many ways so that humanity might be spared to a certain measure from the scourge of narcotic drugs.

The active participation and cooperation of armed national groups who have elected to live within the legal-fold have also led to the successful establishment of a drug free zone in Shan State East, Special Region (4) (Mongma-Mongla) as of April 1997.  Efforts are now underway to establish and designate similar drug free zones in Shan State, North Special Region (1) by the year 2000 and in Shan State Special Region (2) by the year 2005.  In addition, the Government has drawn up special projects and programmes to achieve more significant results aimed at total elimination of poppy cultivation in the entire country within the next 15 years.  Up to now, the Government has spent more than (10) trillion kyats on the development of border areas where poppy is grown.

The Government in its ceaseless struggle against the scourge of narcotic drugs has cooperated fully with non-governmental organizations, United Nations organizations', neighbouring countries and countries in the region.

Myanmar became a state party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as of 29th July 1963.  Myanmar also acceded to the 1988 UN Convention Against Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Sub stances and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.  She repealed the 1974 Drug Law and strengthened the legal framework by, enacting a new law on 27th January 1993, which was more compatible with the 1988 UN convention.  Then on 17th July 1993, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Rules were issued to effectively implement the law enacted.

As part of the Sub-regional Action Plan on Drug Control, Myanmar became a signatory to a Six-nation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.  Moreover, since 27th May 1995, development programmes emphasizing crop substitution have been underway, with technical and financial assistance from the UNDCP Ministerial level meetings on Drug Control between Myanmar, Laos and Thailand were held in 1992, 1994 and 1997.

Bilateral Agreements on Drug Trafficking and Drug Abuse Control were respectively, signed with India on 30th March 1993, with Bangladesh on 1st December 1994, with Vietnam on 12th March 1995, with the Russian Federation on 22nd January 1997, with Laos on 29th March 1997 and with the Philippines on 15th October 1997.

As member of the ASEAN, Myanmar signed the Joint Declaration on A Drug Free Zone in the ASEAN by the year 2020 at the ASEAN Ministerial Level Meeting held in Manila, Philippines on 25th July 1998.

Myanmar has also cooperated with the Government of the United States in collecting samples from illicit poppy fields in the Shan State to estimate opium yield.  Opium Yield Surveys were thus conducted in 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998 and recently within this year, 1999.

The narcotic drug problem is a world-wide menace which therefore needs world cooperation, not finger-pointing and laying blame on each other, to combat and overcome it.  The illicit production and trafficking of narcotic drugs in Myanmar is mostly caused out from the remote and isolated China-Myanmar and Thai-Myanmar border regions.  Myanmar shares lengthy borders with neighbouring countries that are not easy to monitor and cheek.  So precursor chemicals necessary for heroin processing, such as acids, are smuggled in front bordering countries.  As stated earlier the armed terrorist group formed with remnants of the KMT and MTA, and headed by Ywet Sill is still operating and active in these remote regions.  This indeed would not be possible without assistance and cooperation of accomplices from across the borders.

Myanmar's National Programme for the total eradication of narcotic drugs within 15 years, begins in the year 1999-2000.  This goal can be achieved earlier than scheduled if Myanmar should receive much needed international aid and assistance.  International cooperation is indeed of vital importance.  But I would like to all present, that irrespective of whether we receive foreign aid and encouragement or not, the fight to eliminate narcotic drugs from our soil, is for us a national cause, a solemn pledge that we have made to keep.  It is a crusade that we are at present waging fairly successfully though single handedly with our own available financial resources.  However we are always ready to extend our fullest cooperation to the international community should they decide to join hands with us, and together speed up and reenforce the fight to remove once and for all, this menace to the world.