BURMA TO TACKLE OPIUM PROBLEM

The Burmese government is forcing an unprecedented exodus of 50,000
people out of prime opium growing areas under an ambitious programme
to turn one of the world’s biggest narcotic producing zones into a
drug free area by 2005.

The territory is controlled by the United Wa State Army, described by
the United States Department of State as the world’s largest drug
trafficking organisation and south east Asia’s leading producer of
heroin.

The Wa comprises former anti government insurgents who made peace with
the military in 1989.

They retain their weapons under the agreement and exercise control
over large areas of Burma’s rugged borders with Thailand and China,
enabling them to become major producers of heroin and, increasingly,
lucrative methamphetamines.

Both the government’s anti drug csar, Col Kyaw Thein, and Wa leaders
told reporters flown by the government into Wa territory that they
were committed to eradicating drugs from Burma within 15 years, with
the biggest areas being taken out of production by 2005.

About 50,000 people in Wa controlled areas near China - where little
but opium can grow on the steep, rocky hillsides - will be moved to
new agricultural areas near Thailand where it is hoped they can make a
living growing crops and raising livestock. ‘‘We have designated 2005
as the year of the narcotics free zone,’’ said Khin Maung Myint, a
liaison officer for the Wa Army. ‘‘My feeling is that only when these
projects become a success, we will be able to eradicate the drug problem.’’

The announcement is likely to be greeted with scepticism in
international law enforcement circles. The Burmese government is
widely accused of benefiting from drug money.

The military regime has few sources of hard currency due to decades of
mismanagement and economic sanctions over repressing democratic
opposition and ethnic minorities. The government denies being in
league with drug traffickers and insists that the current initiative
will be made work.