STRONGMAN TO TARGET DRUGLORD'S COMPANY

UWSA-Linked Firm 'To Close In Two Weeks'

Burmese army chief Gen Maung Aye has promised to put out of business a
company owned by drug kingpin Wei Hsueh-kang, a major benefactor of the
United Wa State Army.

The army chief, also deputy chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council, gave his pledge after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra informed
him about the nefarious activities of the company.

"I told the SPDC deputy chairman that intelligence reports had revealed the
Hong Pang company was responsible for trafficking drugs into Thailand," Mr
Thaksin said yesterday during his weekly radio address.

Gen Maung Aye was quoted as saying "the company would not exist within two
weeks."

Mr Thaksin said bilateral ties had been much strengthened during the
Burmese general's visit to the country, adding Rangoon's co-operation in
drug suppression would boost relations further.

Gen Maung Aye had been granted an audience by His Majesty the King, who was
informed by the military strongman that Rangoon was seeking a new era of
co-operation.

Rangoon began a crackdown on businesses linked to the drug trade earlier
this month.

The Hong Pang Group, set up to launder illicit revenue, had already been
targeted, along with the Golden Star Group of Jai Luen, a leading Shan
trafficker.

Burmese intelligence chief Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt had also instructed Pao Yu Yi,
a UWSA military commander, that Rangoon would no longer tolerate its
involvement in the drug trade.

UWSA, responsible for most drug trafficking around the Golden Triangle,
subsequently issued a statement instructing its militia to cease drug
activities.

"The statement was a farce as the drugs trade is UWSA's main source of
income," said one senior officer.

According to an intelligence source, Rangoon had recently barred all UWSA
troops from areas under its control.

"The situation is potentially explosive," said a security analyst.