JOINT MYANMAR-AMERICAN SURVEY TEAM COLLECTS POPPY SAMPLES FROM PLANTATIONS IN EASTERN, NORTH-EAST COMMAND AREAS
YANGON, 23 Feb - Under the joint operation against narcotic drugs eradication programme between the governments of Myanmar and the United States, the Air Force helicopters flew to illegal poppy plantations in the Eastern Command and North-East Command areas in Shan State from 16 to 21 February 1998 and gathered poppy samples and surveyed poppy plantations there.
The team also observed poppy plantations jointly destroyed by the military columns and local people. During the trip, members of the team held discussions on opium refineries exposed and destroyed by the military columns, possibilities for cultivation of opium-substitute crops and narcotic drugs eradication programme.
The team comprised officials of the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, Myanmar Police Force Special Narcotic Squad, Myanmar Agriculture Service and local military columns plus Thomas Murphy, Douglas Rassmusen, Ms Sue Bromley and Dr Basil Acock of the US Department of Agriculture and US Embassy officials totalling 14 led by member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Head of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein.
The joint Myanmar-US team left here by Tatmadaw flight on 16 February and gathered poppy samples from the illegal plantations in Pinlaung Township in the Eastern Command, Shan State. It also video-taped the destroyed poppy plantations.
The same day, it surveyed opium plantations in Leicha Township. At 8 am on 17 February, Col Kyaw Thein and US government officials led by Mr Thomas Murphy called on Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo.
They proceeded to the poppy plantations in Mongpan Township and collected poppy samples. The following morning, they also collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in Siseng and Loilen Townships. They went on to Lashio via Taunggyi.
At the Shweli Guest House in the evening, they met local authorities and discussed law enforcement to eradicate narcotic drugs in northern Shan State. On 19 February morning, the joint Myanmar-American team arrived at Walin Village in Mongmaw Township, Wa region, northern Shan State.
Members of the team collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in the region and discussed opium eradication with Wa national race leaders U Pau Laik Kham, U Kyauk Wan Kuan and U Kyan Ywet Chan.
In the afternoon, they also collected poppy samples from the plantations in Hopang Township. On 20 February morning, Col Kyaw Thein and Mr Murphy called on Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo. They later collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in Tangyang Township.
In the afternoon, they helicoptered to Mangton area in Namtu Township and Myintan mountain range in Kunlong Township in northern Shan State to observe illegal poppy plantations destroyed by military columns. They video-taped and took photographs of the areas. They left Lashio on 21 February and arrived back here in the afternoon.
This is the fourth joint Myanmar-American survey on poppy cultivation. Similar measures were taken in 1993, 1995 and 1997.
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