The Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council held the press conference 6/2006 at the city hall in Kengtung, Shan State (East), on 14 August 2006.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Information Committee of SPDC Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and members, the ministers, the deputy ministers, Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps to the Union of Myanmar Cambodian Ambassador Mr Hul Phany and diplomats from foreign missions, Charges d’Affaires ai and staff of embassies, resident representatives of UNODC, UNAIDS, WFP and DEA, advisers and officials, Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi of Myanmar Police Force and departmental heads, the Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise and officials, members of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, local journalists, members of social organizations, townselders, national race leaders of Shan State Special Region No 2 and No 4, local people and guests.

Chairman of the Information Committee Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan clarified terrorist acts such as drug trafficking, ethnic cleansing, rapes, massacres, planting of mines, setting fire, collecting extortion money, and forced recruitment of Ywet Sit of SSA (South).

Now I will clarify points on drug trafficking, ethnic cleansing, rapes, massacres, planting of mines, arson, collecting extortion money, and forced recruitment of Ywet Sit of SSA (South) who has constantly been committing such terrorist acts. Next, I will clarify points on Wa group which has already returned to the legal fold, its anti-drug activities and development achievements in Wa region.

As known to you all, it was clarified with sound evidences at the press conference No 4/2006 in last April in Kengtung of eastern Shan State that SSA (South) Ywet Sit group and cohort terrorist destructionists were committing narcotic drug trafficking in gangs within and without the country as well as terrorist acts and arms smuggling. In replying to queries raised by journalists at press conferences Nos 1/2006 and 2/2006, it was revealed by those from SSA (South) Ywet Sit group who surrendered or who were arrested that Ywet Sit ordered local people of far-flung areas to grow poppy; collected taxes; Ywet Sit also asked the local people to sell poppy only to his group to produce drugs.

Likewise at the press conference No 5/2006 held in Leikha of southern Shan State last month, it was revealed by members of SSA (South) brigade- 758 who returned to the legal fold that although Ywet Sit ordered his members to stay away from narcotic drugs, he himself got involved in poppy cultivation, levying of opium taxes and narcotic drug trafficking; Ywet Sit refined opium near Nampan creek and Katphwee village of Mongkai Township in 1996-97; later Ywet Sit’s group refined opium at border areas; Ywet Sit’s younger brother Saw Peta smuggled stimulant tablets in 80 rucksacks from Mongshu to Loitailian in 2001; Ywet Sit asked 15 youths led by Sai Punn to smuggle drugs from Loilan to Thailand and that group encountered with Thai troops and 13 of them were killed in 2003; and Ywet Sit’s bodyguard Sai Tun while smuggling 174 kilos of heroin was arrested by Thai police in March 2005. Ywet Sit’s drug trafficking activities were exposed with evidences of seized persons and seized materials before the diplomats and mediapersons occasionally and convinced to the world through media.

However, the cohorts and their western masters are still trying to put the blame on the Government and peace groups while turning a blind eye to misdeeds of Ywet Sit.

They used to conceal the misdeeds of Ywet Sit and point accusing finger at other groups. The truth cannot be concealed for long.

Although the western masters and their cohorts tried to conceal the Ywet Sit group’s misdeeds like covering the elephant carcass with goat’s hide, drug lord Ywet Sit’s atrocities came out one after another. More is heard about his group today.

If we study two opium refineries of SSA (South) Ywet Sit group in Khampar area of eastern Shan State, it is found that Ywet Sit kept refineries in far-flung remote areas close to the peace group. It was aimed to mislead others that the peace groups were committing opium refining work.

In Khampar area, Ywet Sit’s two refineries were located in the ravine surrounded by mountains. They were 3 hours’ walk from Loitailian camp of Ywet Sit. They were one-and-an-half-hours’ walk from outpost of Loitailian camp. It can be found that these refineries were set up close to a unit of Wa group of Shan State special region-2 in northern Shan State. Due to Ywet Sit’s trick, the local Wa leaders were misunderstood as if they were involved with drug trafficking. The Government has been providing all-out assistance for security and development of peace groups including the Wa national race group. As a result, the Wa region has been declared as opium free zone since the year 2005. When the Wa group got information about the two refineries of Ywet Sit in Khampar region, it attacked and occupied them sacrificing lives and blood in order to convince the world with evidence who are the real culprits.

There were some 100 insurgents at the two refineries of Ywet Sit and they tried to resist the Wa group. The skirmishes took place for about 40 minutes. As a result, 20 drug trafficking insurgents were killed and the rest fled to SSA (South) Loitailian camp with the loss of 15 arms. At the two refineries, adequate rations for one year had been stored and various narcotic drugs including brown opium powder, heroin No 3, heroin, “WY” stimulant pills, “R” stimulant pills, etc were produced in huge quantity. The seized narcotic drugs and chemicals were destroyed and incinerated.

Since taking over State responsibilities in 1988, the Government has been giving priority to the national reconsolidation. Realizing the genuine goodwill and development endeavours of the Government, the former national race armed groups have made peace with the Government beginning 1989 March and returned to the legal fold. Those groups include Wa group of Shan State special region-2.

The Wa group has striven for security and development of the region. The Government designated the areas of peace group as special regions and provides all out assistance in consonance with the border areas and national races development projects. To date, the State has spent 84,753.33 million kyats for border area development. At the same time, emphasis is laid on combating the narcotic drug menace. As a result, poppy cultivated acreage in those areas declined year after year. The Kokang region has been declared as drug free zone in the year 2003. The Wa region has also been declared as opium free zone in June 2005.

For the development of Wa region, the Government has spent 2,865.66 million kyats and provided cash and material assistance worth 1,256 million kyats. In Wa region, about 900 miles of new road have been built while some 1,000 miles of existing roads were maintained and upgraded. Along the roads, 5 major bridges and 43 small bridges were also built. As regards education promotion in Wa region, 58 basic education schools have been opened. As regards health care services, 6 hospitals, 11 dispensaries and 8 health care centres were opened there. To provide assistance for agricultural development of Wa region, many agricultural offices, agricultural stations, tractor stations, nurseres, poultry and cattle farms and livestock breeding offices have been opened while dams and canals have been built. Regarding energy, altogether 5 towns in Wa region are being supplied with electricity. A village and a town in Wa region is being supplied with hydro-electric power. As regards communication, many post offices, telegraph offices and telephone exchanges have been established. There are also 5 television retransmission stations. The Wa national race group, hand in hand with the Government, made strenuous efforts for security and development of the region.

Hence, the Wa region has developed significantly in comparison to that before 1988. Arrangements have also been made for you to witness development in Wa region.

Pangsan of Wa region was formerly a small village and now it has become a border town achieving rapid development. You can see with your own eyes in tomorrow’s trip.

Border area development fund was also used in wiping out poppy cultivation in Wa region. As poppy substitute crops, 3,000 acres of rubber and over 1,100 acres of lychee are grown in Namtip and 4,000 acres of rubber in Pangsan. The development works are carried out there in cooperation with international organizations such as UNDP, UNODC, WFP, etc. Thus, the international organizations are keeping their offices open in Wa region. Their foreigner staff are travelling to and fro and they know the daily developments of the region. The international organizations are also providing necessary assistance to residential people as regards narcotic drugs elimination and regional development.

Likewise, some foreign diplomats in Yangon have also visited Wa region. Like those of international organizations, these diplomats are believed to be rendering assistance to combating drug menace and bringing about regional development in Wa region. We also hope them not to deter but to contribute towards the success of our programmes for ensuring stability, solidarity and development.

In line with the aim to wipe out the drug menace once and for all from Myanmar in the year 2014, the three tactics of supply reduction, demand reduction and suppression with public participation are being implemented in cooperation with international organizations.

The Wa group like others can be found actively taking part in the anti-drug activities. However, SSA (South) Ywet Sit group has been committing drug trafficking in gangs while preaching for the prosperity of the region. The following are the atrocities of SSA (South) Ywet Sit group after March 2006. Ywet Sit group robbed the house of U Maung San in Htikham village in April 2006 and took away one million kyats and a motorcycle. They also robbed six vehicles on Monghsat- Tachilek road and made off with cash and jewellery worth 800,000 kyats from passengers. In June this year, the Ywet Sit group collected extortion money of 300,000 kyats from Wunton village and they passed Langkho- Mongpan road forcing 10 porters to carry narcotic drugs.

In July 2006, Ywet Sit group forcibly recruited 19 villagers at a charity in Wanpan village of Kunhing Township. The insurgents also collected extortion money from Nayalon, Pontet, Kyashell, Wanyauk, Wankat, Mong-inn and Namkhway villages. Also in July 2006, Ywet Sit group killed U Nanphyar of Mongkaing village and forcibly recruited 8 villagers from Monehine village, 2 villagers from Khonmon village and 3 villagers from Wankyu village. The Ywet Sit group attacked Mongkai town in June and Mongyun village in July. The SSA (South) Ywet Sit terrorist group exploded bombs in Tachilek on 28 June and 4 August this year. We received such information from the local people who suffered the atrocities of Ywet Sit group. With the help of the public, authorities exposed the culprits.

It was found that the bomb explosion in front of Nay Min store in Tachilek on 28 June was committed by 4 insurgents and 4 hardcores of SSA (South) Ywet Sit. It is learnt that Ywet Sit planted hardcores in Tachilek to collect extortion money and mobilize new recruits. The Ywet Sit group phoned up the Nay Min store twice to pay extortion money. When the store failed to oblige, the Ywet Sit group brought in explosives from a neighbouring country and exploded them in front of the store.

The Government has made peace with several national race armed groups including Wa group and has been implementing border areas and national races development projects and developing the respective regions. Likewise, 24 special regions development projects as well as rural development projects are implemented to ensure simultaneous development of all parts of the country. Kengtung region includes the 24 special development regions. In each special development region a University, a Government Computer College and a Government Technological College are opened by the Government to provide equal opportunities of education promotion for the local people. Nowadays, national race youths of eastern Shan State can pursue advanced science and technologies conveniently in their own regions. Health care services for the local people are also promoted. The local people no longer need to go to Taunggyi or Mandalay for medical treatment as they now have the 200-bed upgraded Kengtung hospital. At present, there are over 630 schools, 2,500 teachers and 65,260 students in eastern Shan State. As regards health sector, there are over 170 hospitals, dispensaries and health centres. Altogether 87 doctors and 224 nurses are shouldering respective duties in Kengtung region.

Transportation has become better. The State has built 222 miles of tarred road and over 1,100 miles of other roads there. Before 1988, there were only 4 major bridges and 312 small bridges. There are now 8 major bridges and about 400 small bridges.

Communication sector of the region has also been facilitated with post offices, telegraph offices, telephone exchanges, 3 satellite stations and 12 microwave stations. GSM mobile phone service has also be initiated in Kengtung and Tachilek.

As regards the agricultural sector, there are 368,035 acres of arable land and of them, 25,763 acres have been put under paddy. In addition to ten major crops, cultivation of onion, garlic and soybean are extended. Rubber plantation is also extended to meet the target of 200,000 acres. Over 3,500 acres out of targeted 15,000 acres of terrace farming have been reclaimed. Thus, Shan State (East) has now attained not only self-sufficiency in rice but also surplus.

Due to energetic efforts of the Government for socio-economic development of various States and Divisions, food sufficiency has been ensured in the entire country. However, internal and external destructive pessimists are making false accusations and instigation to the effect that Myanmar is subject to poverty and commodity prices are skyrocketing.

Recently, rice prices rose temporarily as it was nearing the time of new harvest. In Myanmar rice production does not decrease. Rice is not short in supply either.

It is normal according to the nature of the market that rice prices fluctuate at time of new harvest. Taking advantage of this, unscrupulous traders speculated the rice prices. In this context, the Government in cooperation with private entrepreneurs has taken necessary steps through organizational and administrative means. Rice is thus sold at normal price at present. Rice production in 1988 was merely 650 million baskets. Today, annual output of rice is 1,200 million baskets.

The annual consumption of rice by the entire country is over 800 million baskets. It is to be attributed to triple cropping of paddy the whole year round. The production of rice and other commodities will surely increase year by year.

However, we should be aware of the fact that to jeopardize the economic development momentum of Myanmar, a western power and cohorts are imposing economic sanction, trade sanction, investment sanction and tourism sanction against Myanmar. In addition, Myanmar’s internal affairs are being interfered politically.

Hence, the false internal and external accusations that Myanmar is subject to poverty, famine and economic slump are totally untrue. It is a propaganda attack plotted by an oppositing political party whose political and organizational status is on the decline, cohort self-seeking politicians and BCP UGs acting in collusion with foreign masters. The concealed aim of the internal and external destructive elements is to destabilize the country and create unrest in order to grab power through short cut. It is incumbent upon all of us to make collective efforts for preserving the momentum being achieved in ensuring stability, solidarity and development of the nation.

Next, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo and MPF Director-General Brig- Gen Khin Yi replied to the queries raised by local and foreign journalists.

Dr Tin Tun Oo of Pyi Myanmar Journal said that Wa national race group truly quit poppy cultivation in 2005, and is fighting Ywet Sit’s drug-trafficker group without taking assistance from Tatmadaw and antidrug bodies. Kokang region also declared itself a drug free zone in 2003. He asked whether any other national race group is also eradicating the drug problem without any one’s urge. He said he wished to know the situation of the Drug Free Myanmar Programme only eight years left to be realized in 2014.

Myanmar Police Force Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi replied that other national race groups are also participating in the drug elimination task. Mongla in Shan State Special Region 4 has been declared an Opium Free Zone in 1997. The government conferred award on excellent performance in social tasks (first class) to leader of Shan State Special Region 4 U Sai Lin. The region is also seizing traffickers under its own arrangements. All in all, national races groups are rendering a helping hand to reach the nation’s drug elimination goal.

Kokang region declared itself an Opium Free Zone in 2003, and Shan State (North) Special Region 2 followed suit in 2005. The most basic factor in this matter is to end cultivation of poppy for opium. As a part of Myanmar is contiguous to the notorious Golden Triangle Region, the initial task is to end poppy cultivation. The campaign to end poppy cultivation concerns only with the nation as it must be launched with internal strength.

On the other hand drug elimination is a task to be carried out with the cooperation of other nations. For example, there are no precursor chemicals needed in manufacturing stimulant tabletsin Myanmar. So stimulants cannot be manufactured inside Myanmar territory. Stimulants are smuggled into Myanmar from other countries. Hence antistimulants campaign requires others’ cooperation. First, Myanmar must eradicate opium, and then eliminate the narcotic drugs. Myanmar has already made a firm resolve to realize the goal without fail.

U Myat Khaing of Good News journal and Maha journal asked whether it was true that U Mein Sin and his group went underground againand whether it was a political trick. Some foreign media said that U Mein Sin returned to the legal fold with only a few members and that locals in uniforms were paraded as members of the armed group at the ceremony. Arms and ammunition shown at the ceremony were the ones seized from other insurgents. He also wished to know whether the accusation was true.

Pangsan in Wa region where Ywet Sit’s drug trafficking was driven out with courageous efforts was once under the domination of Burma Communist Party. Another question he asked is the location of the base the BCP Remnants were using in launching political attacks against Myanmar.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that the strength of U Mein Sin’s group was 848 precisely. All the over 800 men were real members of the group, but no locals in uniforms as slandered by those foreign media.
It is not true that U Mein Sin went underground again. It is totally wrong. U Mein Sin is still in his region. He has constant contacts with the respective local authorities. Construction is under way at Wanpang and Narpwe villages to accommodate U Mein Sin and his men. Supplies are being provided to them and plans are under way to help them run farming businesses to earn their living.

As it has already been explained at the previous press conferences, insurgents have no firm bases at all inside Myanmar. Apart from underground activities, the BCP is in no position to launch any armed opposition against any national race group or the State.

U Nyunt Tin (Fuji TV) said: “In many previous conferences we were informed about drug elimination, drug eradication, substitution crops and so on. But there has been very few information about rehabilitation. In every country there are addicts. We cannot deny because in daily newspapers and journals you will find that there are sale of drugs with dealers which means that we have addicts. These drugs addicts are like HIV/ AIDS addicts. It is very dangerous. So what I want to know is regarding these drug addicts’ conditions and the works of rehabilitation.”

Brig-Gen Khin Yi said that the 1993 law stipulates that drug addicts must register them selves at the respective centres and undergo treatment, and that rehabilitation centres should be set up. The government with the participation of all NGOs collected a baseline data in June 1989. There were about 66,000 addicts according to the data. In accord with the law, the government set up Shwepyiaye rehabilitation centre in Phekhon, southern Shan State, Shwepyitha at Wethtikan, and Shwepyithit near Teemar, Muse. Registered addicts have to attend a 6-week course at one of the centres.

During the first five weeks the addicts have to undergo treatment to quit the habit of using drugs. The remaining weeks concern the vocational training.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement set up six or seven treatment centres in Yangon, Mandalay and other major towns of states and divisions. NGOs like Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association are searching and recording former addicts who after receiving treatment fail to go to rehabilitation centres to help them earn their living.
Community based treatment centres have been opened at present. The nation has been seriously realizing its policy stipulating addicts to register themselves and undergo treatment and to set up rehabilitation centres.

Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo said, “I am the Deputy Minister for Health and I am responsible for the treatment of the drug addicts. I am the Chairman of the Subcommittee, our Subcommittee is under the CCDAC. Regarding the treatment, Police Director- General has mentioned that about 67,000 that is from 1974 to up to date. Our subcommittee has the 26 major drug treatment centre, run by well-trained psychiatrists. Another thing is that we have 40 minor drug treatment centres in the most required areas, especially, Shan State, Kachin and so on and so forth.

So, these rehabilitation centres are working especially for the youth. In the major centres, we have all the requirements for rehabilitation including the vocational training, social healing and counseling sectors. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is also running rehabilitation centres. In average 40 to 50 per cent of the drug addicts are infected with HIV. But due to our efforts in cooperation with UNODC and NGOs, the infection rate has been reduced to 36 per cent. Another thing is we have good collaboration with the National AIDS programme regarding the counselling work, the conducting of medical examination and the distribution of condoms to those people. So in our country the HIV infection rate is 60 percent through heterosexual and 20 to 30 per cent through the intravenous drug users.”

Daw Hsint Hsint Aung (NTV)
In the clarification, it was said that the seizure made downtown Tachilek. At first, I wondered if similar cases took place in any other townships and how preventive measures will be taken in this regard. Secondly, may I know the total value of the seized narcotic drugs destroyed in the six ceremonies?

Brig-Gen Khin Yi
We seized the stimulant tablet machine at Makaho Kham Ward in Tachilek on 26 June 2006. But, we have not seized any other similar machines in other townships.
However, there might be other drug machines especially stimulant tablet machines in the centres of some cities. It is because there have been many cases in which stimulant tablet machines were seized in the hearts of cities in many other countries.

As a matter of fact, to produce narcotics particularly stimulant tablets, it does not need much room and a ten square-foot room is spacious enough to do the job. Therefore, I would say, maybe some cities have similar machines in their downtown areas.

We have made all possible arrangements to prevent such cases. In this regard, respective anti drug squads keep any suspicious incidents under constant surveillance. At least 14 kinds of precursor chemicals are required to produce stimulant tablets. If so, precursor chemicals are to be sent to the cities and perpetrators have to visit there frequently. For the second point, production of stimulant tablets needs much electric power. Then, electric meter must have shown very high consumption in such areas. And a lot of smoke will billow from such an area. A plentiful of water is needed to produce tablets. Strong smell will be afloat in such areas. If the anti-drug squads notice an area with such suspicious points, they can expose the cases. And if the people inform such suspicious points they need to report to the authorities concerned, such cases can be exposed easily.

Concerning the second question, six ceremonies have been held to destroy the drugs seized in Shan State (East) and the value of the drugs is about 1,972 million US dollars.

U Ko Ko (Flower News Journal and Yangon Times)

I would like to put three questions. Regarding the first question, it is said that Wa region was a drug free zone in 2005. Is it true? If true, what criteria are prescribed to designate a region as a drug free one. I think the opium refinery that has been mentioned recently is in Wa region.

For the second question, these days, computer accessories and electronics are almost running out. Then, I happened to ask some people about that, and they said that it was because containers with such materials in the port could not be cleared. Is it true? If so, I would like to know why. I would like to know the action taken in connection with the above-mentioned case.

My third question is, I learnt that Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Dr Thaksin paid a visit to Myanmar last week. Let me know about that visit.

Brig-Gen Khin Yi
Yes, to designate Wa region as an opium free zone, firstly, officials concerned in Wa Special Region (2) declared in June 2005 that Wa region was free from opium. Then, they said that any journalists at home and abroad could visit the region officially. That is an overwhelming evidence.

Secondly, we use two systems to measure the volume of poppy cultivation and production in Myanmar. The first is that the UNODC and local anti-narcotics squads cooperate to carry out surveys. And the findings of the surveys are announced internationally.

The last one is that the Counter Narcotic and Crime of the US watches the hot spot areas in the poppy-grown regions through satellite and estimates where poppy is grown and how much poppy output is.

And then, the estimated figures and data are made known to the world. These two organizations declared that poppy cultivation was on the decrease in Myanmar and Wa region was free from poppy cultivation in 2005. The UNODC has not issued any announcement about its findings of its survey for 2006, but as far as I know generally that region is free from poppy cultivation cent per cent. So, it can be deduced that region is a poppy free one.

Wa Special Region invited the National Narcotic Control Commission of the People’s Republic of China to the region to conduct a survey. The NNCC also announced that no poppy was found in the region.

We made rapid assessments in that region and found that it was free from poppy. So, as Wa national race leaders declared, I would say what I have presented are a concrete evidence that the region was free from opium in June 2005. Khampar is not in Wa region.

As we explained in the drug-destruction ceremony, it is situated in a place a three-and-half hour walk from Lwetainglyan, a stronghold of SSA-S and an over-an-hour walk from the outpost of Ywet Sit’s SSA-S.

Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo
Regarding the containers, container importers have some difficulties for clearance. They dare not make the imported container clearance. If interested, one may inquire the traders, agents and service personnel. Under the customs law, the imported goods are kept in the warehouses for 60 days. The owners of the containers do not make clearance for various reasons.

Clearance can be made within one week if they want to do so. There are over 100 containers in the container yard. The case about the Customs staff is under investigation. I will make clarifications later when the time is ripe.

Recently in Yangon, some rice traders were held temporarily. What about their future?

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan
Recently there were discussions between some rice traders and authorities. Some traders were told to do their business in the interest of the people and their own. Those hoard a large amount of rice in the hope of making their own profit only. If they continue to do, effective action will be taken against them.

I would like to explain more details. Prices go up and fall depending on demand and supply. The Head of State gave guidance on cultivation of paddy for local sufficiency. The country produces over 1,200 million baskets of paddy yearly. Most of the states and divisions can now produce rice for local sufficiency. For example, there was no rice sufficiency in Kengtung about 2002. Quality strains were used for boosting production of paddy with the help of extensive and intensive methods under the guidance of the Head of State. Now there is rice sufficiency in the region. The country needs over 800 million baskets of paddy for local consumption and it produces 1,200 million baskets of paddy. So, there is no reason to go up rice price. Usually, there was small amount of rice left in August and September and harvest had not come yet. At such times, the rice price rose slightly. Making use of the fact, some rice traders who stored rice made speculation. That was why the rice price went up more than normal. Local authorities tackled the situations through organizational and management methods. The people have already known that there is rice sufficiency in the country. Rice is sold K 400 per pyi at 50 shops in Yangon under the arrangements of Rice Merchants Association and Rice Millers’ Association. As a result, the rice price is in normal position and stable. If the traders continue to carry out their business in the hope of making their profit only, effective action will be taken against them in the interest of the entire people.

Dr Zaw Than of Sankei Shimbun asked whether the increase in price of computer accessories and cars in Yangon was related to the rumour that K 5,000 note would be issued in Myanmar.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that fluctuation of price of car in Myanmar occurred not because of supply and demand but because of traders. They spread rumours about fluctuation of the price in a bid to gain profits.

Regarding the rising price of computer accessories and electronic materials, the minister said that traders imported unlicensed goods which has not been permitted in the import licence. Some traders have imported goods more than the number permitted in an import licence. If responsible officials inspect their containers irregularities would be exposed. Therefore, they were afraid to claim their containers and there were shortage of electronic goods in the market. This is a possible reason why the price of electronic goods has increased in the market because of shortage of goods. Another reason is that some traders spread rumours about shortage of electronic goods so that they can gain profits. Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan denied that the government would issue K 5,000 note.

After the press conference, diplomats, responsible persons of UN agencies and local and foreign journalists viewed documentary photos on raiding two opium refineries of Ywet Sit of SSA-S in Khampar area, seizures of narcotic drugs in Tachilek, Hsutlay and Mongpyin, the destruction of seized narcotic drugs held in Laikha, the 20th destruction of seized narcotic drugs in Yangon and the destruction of seized narcotic drugs in Kengtung on 26 April 2006, seizures of narcotic drugs in Wamyein and Tachilek, handing over of drug trafficker Han Yu Wam from Myanmar Police Force to the Police Force of the People’s Republic of China, seizures of narcotic drugs from Soe San Zone, and occupying of 15 assorted arms, 582 rounds of ammunition, three grenades and 26 assorted magazines from two opium refineries from Khampar area of Ywet Sit of SSA-S group.