The press conference 4/2006 of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council on matters relating to terrorist acts including drug trafficking, ethnic cleansing and rapes under guise of political ground was held at the town hall in Keng Tong, Shan State (East) on the 26th April.
It was attended by Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col. Thein Nyunt, Deputy Ministers, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Philippine Ambassador Madame Phoebe A. Gomez and Ambassadors, Charges d' affaires ad interim, diplomats and Representatives of UN Agencies, members of Foreign Anti narcotics and Crime Community (FANC), delegates from the countries that had signed MOUs with Myanmar, Senior Tatmadaw Officers, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi, members of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, national races leaders of Shan State (East) Special Region-2 and 4, Chairman of Foreign Correspondents Club and members, local and foreign journalists and members of SSA (South) who returned to the legal fold.
First, member of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi presented reports on narcotic drug eradication activities successfully carried out, saying that, in this connection, I would like to take this opportunity to explain the efforts that the Government of Myanmar has made to eliminate the drug scourge as a national duty.
As you are aware, Myanmar is a country where Theravada Buddhism is predominant and thus the abstinence of drugs and alcohol is prevalent due to the influence of religion, culture, social traditions and customs.
In this context, in 1989 the Central Committee and Work Committees were formed for the development of the border areas and upgrading the living standards of the national races to gradually eliminate reliance on poppy cultivation as a livelihood.
Realizing the sincere intention of the Government, the ethnic groups fully cooperated with the Government and embarked on their own programs to develop their respective regions. The Special Region-4 of the Eastern Shan State launched a 6-year project in 1991 and became free of opium poppy in 22nd April, 1997. A museum was built to commemorate the success of establishing an opium free region. Kokant Special Region-1 followed suit by successfully banning and announcing opium poppy free in 2003. You will be aware that the Wa Special Region-2 had also totally banned poppy cultivation since the poppy season of 2005.
With the intention of establishing a drug free country by 2014, the Government launched a 15-year Drug Elimination Plan in 1999 with the three 5-year phases. This is in tandem with the ASEAN vision of Drug Free ASEAN-2015 but our objective is 2014 which is one year ahead.
The total budget is estimated to be 33,588 million kyats and 150 million US dollars. Let me take this opportunity to state that for this undertaking, we do not have any international assistance whatsoever but the Government is committed to use its own resources to fulfill this commitment.
During the first 5-year phase, a total budget of 676 million kyats were spent in agriculture, livestock breeding, health, education, communication, transportation, energy, commerce, international cooperation and religious sectors to realize the objectives.
To support and complement the 15-year Plan, a pilot project called “New Destiny” was also embarked in April 2002 to assist the poppy farmers by providing them alternative crop seedlings.
Within 2002 and May 2003, farmers voluntarily surrendered poppy seeds to the authorities which were burnt 13 times in front of the public in various border regions. Altogether, 163,720.61 kg of poppy seeds were destroyed. If cultivated on 40,573.68 hectares it had a potential production of 441.133 tons of opium. In other words, we have been able to prevent over 400 tons of opium.
Altogether 87,424 males and 17,993 females totaling 105,417 were arrested and prosecuted while the estimated street price of the drug seized would amount to 20,432 million US dollars.
Likewise, seized narcotic drugs have been torched in front of the public 19 times in Yangon and 38 times in the towns and districts of the border regions.
The total street price for all the drugs destroyed would amount to 15,495 million US dollars.
The 2005 Annual World Drug Report based on the surveys undertaken by the Joint Myanmar-UNODC Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme indicated a declining trend both in cultivation and production due to these measures. For instance; in 2002 cultivation dropped from an estimate of 105,000 hectares in 2001 to 77,700 hectares, while potential production fell from 1,097 tons to 828 tons, a decline of 28 %. The survey results of 2003 indicated 62,200 hectares of cultivation with an estimate production of 810 tons of opium resulting in another 24 % decline. 2004 surveys showed further decline both in cultivation and potential production of 44,200 hectares and 370 tons, 29 % and 54 % reduction respectively. 2005 also saw a decline to 32,770 hectares and 319 tons, a reduction of 59 % in cultivation. Within a 5-year period, production dropped 61 %.
The US-Myanmar Joint Opium Yield Surveys conducted with Counter Narcotics and Crime (CNC), which have been conducted annually in the past decade, reported overall opium production in Myanmar in 2004 declined substantially for the eight straight years. Cultivation was estimated at 30,888 hectares with a potential production totaling no more than 292 metric tons in 2004, a decline of 88 % from the estimated 2,650 metric tons produced in Myanmar in 1996. This is a clear testimony of the success of the 15 year plan.
Myanmar did not have this problem before the 1990s. This methamphetamine is produced from chemicals and is entirely different from the opium-based drugs. Myanmar does not have a chemical industry and does not manufacture precursor chemicals to produce these synthetic drugs. Due to the fact that all these precursor chemicals are illicitly trafficked from foreign countries.
Myanmar fully realized that one country alone cannot fight and win the drug menace and thus have been taking cooperative measures at international, regional and sub-regional levels. Myanmar is actively engaged in sub-regional cooperation in drug abuse control with China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam with technical and financial assistance from UNODC signing Memorandum of Understanding in 1993 which later expanded to 6 countries in 1995 including Cambodia and Vietnam. Success has been achieved in drug elimination in Myanmar due to concerted efforts as a national duty and regional cooperation.
The case occurred at Hnit Kayin Village of Yay Township, Mon State on 7th July 2004. 847 blocks of heroin weighing 592.5 kg worth 47,400 million kyats (74 million US dollars) destined for the South China Sea by a fishing trawler “Soe San Zone” was seized by the local police while on its way to the Bay of Bengal.
Local Police somehow got information on this and seized the 592.5 kg of heroin. However, because of the nature of this big case, it took 2 years of investigations to finally smash the whole syndicate.
The Yunan Provincial Narcotics Control Committee (YPNCC) managed to trace both of them in Kunming and arrested them. Both of them were handed over back to Myanmar on 2nd February 2005.
It took us over 2 years since the initiation of the case to reach this stage because this is a very big and complex case involving international syndicates. Even up to this day, we cannot say the case is closed, because with the cooperation of countries concerned, we are still in the process of investigating the financial proceeds of crime in millions of dollars stashed and laundered in banks of some countries. This is not an ordinary drug case but a very complex and difficult case with transnational organized crime nature involving money laundering threatening the international community. This is why we had to take time to investigate this case.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the DEA, ONCB, NNCC and other law enforcement agencies for their cooperation and assistance in this very successful dismantling of an international drug syndicate.
Similarly, information sharing led to another joint cooperation between Myanmar and China resulting in the seizure of 102.05 kg of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (ICE) on 24th May 2005 in Yangon. The ICE shipment was destined for Malaysia in a container. The street price of the drugs was worth 306 million kyat. One Malaysian and one Thai were arrested and prosecuted with 3 Myanmars. All assets were also confiscated. Similarly, in February 2005, 178 kg of ICE was seized concealed in hollowed out teak banisters destined for Malaysia. The street price of the 2 cases of ICE amounted to 740 million kyat.
I would like to present is the 496 Case, another successful operation netting 496 kg of heroin in September last year. Street price of the drugs were worth 39,680 million kyats or 62 million US dollars.
We had information on an Ecstasy deal at K' Paradise Hotel in Yangon in February 2005. Drug officers working on information from confidential informers set up an entrapment operation and arrested Ye Kyaw (a) Kyaw Kyaw with 6 Ecstasy tablets which he was trying to sell to the undercover agent. A search at his apartment on Pansodan Street of Kyauktada Township found another 292 tablets of Ecstasy. Street price of the drugs were worth 24.2 million kyats. Ye Kyaw (a) Kyaw Kyaw is an American citizen who frequently visits Yangon and had been trafficking Ecstasy on these trips. One of the main traffickers who had been distributing ecstasy in Myanmar fled abroad and we are also working closely with the DEA to investigate the suppliers in the United States.
Finally, I am going to brief you on a very recent successful case, which is also a milestone in the seizure records of Myanmar law enforcement.
The case covers a period from 26th December 2005 to 19th April 2006. In this case, we seized 14.9 million methamphetamine tablets, 50 kg of heroin, 1,000 kg of No. 3 heroin, 28 kg of opium, 721.24 kg of ephedrine, 1,706 kg of caffeine, 876.6 liters of Lysol, 1,727 liters of acetic anhydride, 196 assorted firearms, 27,008 rounds of assorted ammunition, 48 hand grenades, 57 vehicles and arrested 33 suspects. The street price of the drugs alone was estimated to be 125.43 billion kyats while the US street price would amount to 1.4 billion dollars.
This successful case illustrates the close coordination and cooperation among CCDAC, local Police Force and the local military forces.
This incident is the successful research of united cooperation of special anti-drug squad, local police forces, local Tatmadaw units as well as joint efforts of CCDAC, NNCC and ONCB.
It was assessed that Sai Pan Maung, Yang Ah Hong and Naw Kham were key players of this drug case. Both Sai Pan Maung and Yang Ah Hong served in the MTA together and after surrender in 1996, they started an agriculture farm at Par Sho-Kyaing Latt, north of Tachileik as a front, while setting up a clandestine heroin refinery on the Laos side of the Mekong River Bank at a place called Kyauk Gu (Rock Cave) near Kyaing Kok. All the essential precursor chemicals were shipped in from China and Thailand at that time. Altogether 98.7 kg of 141 heroin blocks were refined at the clandestine lab in 2001. Naw Kham refined heroin and produced methamphetamine tablets at Kaw Phu Village near the Hot Springs Village and bartered the drugs with firearms with a Laos national. Also, he trafficked the firearms along the Tachileik-Kyaing Tong-Tarpin-Mong La-Mong Pauk-Pang Kham route bartering them with heroin blocks again. In fact, Naw Kham became a drug kingpin producing and trafficking heroin as well as a firearms smuggler.
In this connection, I wish to add some background information on Naw Kham. Naw Kham happened to be an aide to Ywet Sit when both of them were in t he MTA. He came back into the legal fold along with Ywet Sit when MTA surrendered unconditionally. However, when Ywet Sit split with the MTA and took arms again to fight the Government, Naw Kham stayed with the pretence of feeling apart with Ywet Sit.
It became obvious now according to the recent investigations of this case that this was pre-planned so that Naw Kham is in a position to provide and support drugs and firearms. As the operations extended with more traffickers arrested and additional drugs and firearms seized, Naw Kham realized his cover would be soon blown he fled and joined his old master Ywet Sit.
In other words, Ywet Sit himself is a drug kingpin, a firearms smuggler who accumulated and stashed the 196 firearms with an intention to use it at a later date. It is obvious that Ywet Sit is the leader of transnational terrorist gang who manipulated to cause murder, atrocity and bullying innocent national people.
The four cases would not have achieved success without the mutual understanding, bilateral and multi-lateral cooperation and collaboration of international law enforcement agencies and neighbouring countries like China, Thailand and Laos in the region.
In conclusion, although Myanmar is criticized and alleged with drug production in connection with the infamous “Golden Triangle”, it is based on biased and distorted reports. Particularly, there have been reports, allegations and criticism in some countries' media and the internet that the Myanmar Government is involved in drug production, trafficking and has not demonstrated satisfactorily to combat drugs.
In reality, Myanmar has been carrying out the enormous task of eliminating the scourge of narcotic drugs with serious commitment not only as a national concern, but also as a threat to mankind, which I have made it very obviously in my presentation.
In other words, I wish to state that with unwavering commitment and based on our own resources, Myanmar will continue to do our utmost with or without external assistance to overcome the threat posed by drugs to the country and the international community at large.
Next, Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan explained matters relating to terrorist acts including drug trafficking, ethnic cleansing and rapes under guise of political ground saying that, Myanmar is marching towards discipline-flourishing democracy. If the National Convention could have been held continuously without obstacles in 1996, Myanmar might have been practicing multiparty democracy. Due to self seeking deeds of the NLD, the process of reform has been delayed.
And then on, NLD and its cohort parties as well as so-called veteran and new generation politicians shouting at the top of their voices that they aspire for democracy have been making confrontation to sabotage Myanmar's reform to democracy. They mislead the people and create anarchy.
Likewise, expatriate destructive elements and terrorist insurgents collected false information and made complaints to foreign masters. Under the guise of democracy, they are receiving aids from international organizations and using them for their own interests. By using some foreign aids they stealthily make use of saboteurs and UG hardcores to commit destructive works within the country.
Similarly, foreign masters are putting pressure on Myanmar by imposing various sanctions. They nurture axe-handles and exaggerate the fabricated reports. In order to put puppet Government in power, they confer various titles and medals to politicians. Foreign masters also make use of some international organizations to put pressure on Myanmar. They are also demanding Myanmar's neighbours as well as other countries in the region to boycott Myanmar. They exaggerated that Myanmar has become a threat to the region in order to demanding United Nations Security Council to take action on Myanmar. Their utmost aim is to remove the Tatmadaw Government from power which is practically bringing about democracy, and to put the puppet Government in power. In this direction, tripartite attack programme namely above-ground, underground and expatriate attacks are being launched harmoniously with added momentum.
One of the attacks of neocolonialist foreign masters and their cohorts against our country is false accusation to the effect that Myanmar Government is ignoring narcotic drug problem, involved in drug trafficking and the earnings from drug trafficking are used in purchasing arms and ammunition.
Actually, Myanmar's fall into the whirl of narcotic drugs was caused by colonialism. In ancient times in Myanmar, there were no drug problems.
So, it can vividly be seen that the original culprit of Myanmar's narcotic drug problem is the colonialists, neo-colonialists and their cohorts.
Nowadays, those who are actually committing drug trafficking are SSA (South) Ywet Sit group and their links, internal and external terrorist destructive elements and criminals. Ywet Sit participated in the absolute surrender of entire MTA (Mong Tai Army). However, he did not give up drug trafficking and went underground again. While the former armed groups which have returned to legal fold are joining hands with the Government in eradicating the drug menace in respective regions, Ywet Sit's SSA group and internal and external criminals are committing drug trafficking in gang at far flung border areas.
SSA (South) insurgents and terrorists are distributing these arms to other insurgent groups. With these arms, the insurgent terrorists are killing the people en masse, collecting extortion money, committing robberies and kidnappings. Although shouting for liberation of Shan State, Ywet Sit and cohorts are actually narcotic drug lords who are committing drug trafficking and arm smuggling like mafia gangsters.
While insurgent drug lords are committing drug trafficking in disguise, the Tatmadaw has been wiping out drug menace since 1960s through launching various operations. It has been recorded in the history that in launching various anti-narcotic drug operations, the Tatmadaw had to sacrifice many lives, blood and sweat.
As 17 former armed groups have returned to the legal fold, border areas development works are carried out on a large scale and in a huge volume. In addition, narcotic drug production and trafficking are effectively wiped out at the border areas.
The national people of respective regions who were unsafe and lagged behind in development are now enjoying basic human rights and equal opportunities for development. Consequently, they are enjoying the fruitful results of development. It is the truth.
Internal and external destructive elements are not only accusing the Tatmadaw Government of drug trafficking. They are also making false accusations that the Tatmadaw is committing ethnic cleansing and rapes.
Actually, it is SSA (South) Ywet Sit's group that is committing atrocities. The SSA (South) terrorists are setting villages on fire and committing ethnic cleansing. The SSA (South) insurgent terrorists raped women of national races and planted bombs at crowded places to kill the people en masse. Some of their atrocities were -:
— On 9th February 1993 morning, some 300 SSA (South) insurgents failed in attacking the Tatmadaw camp at Pantawi and they set Pantawi village of Pa-O nationals on fire. They also made random shooting and as a result, 60 villagers were killed and 30 others wounded. They set some 150 houses on fire and a large number of villagers were left homeless.
— On 18th January 1997 night, Ywet Sit's group set 5 houses on fire at Meethwaygon (Bamar) village in Namsan Township. Altogether 13 persons were killed and 8 others wounded. The insurgent terrorists also raped village girls.
— On 13th June 1997, some drug traffkcing insurgents of Ywet Sit's SSA (South) group halted 30 passenger buses and demanded extortion money from the passengers. The insurgent terrorists also abducted passenger women into the jungle and raped them. In addition, they sorted out Bamar passengers and killed them en masse. Altogether 25 persons were killed and 5 others wounded.
— On 3rd January 2000 night, SSA (South) insurgents blasted explosions at two plots of Mongshu gemland. Over 120 workers were killed and over 50 workers were wounded. Over 250 million kyats worth of properties were lost. According to the confession of platoon commander Aik Maung of SSA (South) group who surrendered in 2002, it is learnt that the cruel and loathsome bomb blasts at Mongshu gemland were caused by Ywet Sit's SSA (South) group.
At the press conference No. 2/2006, sergeant Sai Tun Kyaw of SSA (South) brigade-241 who surrendered had confessed that Ywet Sit has two wives officially and many unofficial wives; Ywet Sit is a womanizer and is destroying women by spending a large sum of money; Ywet Sit raped Nam Mu Kyauk, a vendor girl who is only 14 years old at Loitainglian market; commanding officer of SSA (South) brigade-758 Mein Hsin has 40 wives; and commanding officer of SSA (South) brigade-756 Khay Lawng has 20 wives.
While Ywet Sit's group is committing terrorist acts intentionally and unscrupulously, NCGUB, FTUB, ABSDF, NLD (LA) and NDD expatriate groups are launching sabotage acts to frighten and make troubles to the people so as to disintegrate national unity.
Some remarkable atrocities of terrorist insurgents were circa 1991-1992, ABSDF (North) group seized and tortured some 100 persons in Kachin State and cruelly bit and shot over 40 people to death. That group led by Thangyaung (a) Sao Khun Kyaw joined the SSA (South) Ywet Sit's group in 1999 and committed atrocities such as robberies, collecting extortion money, mobilizing new recruits forcefully, etc.
— On 25th December 1996, a Buddha's Tooth Relic was conveyed from China under the friendship programme between the two countries and kept in Maha Pasana Cave of Kaba Aye Hillock for public homage. On that religious occasion, ABSDF terrorists and cohorts blasted bombs. Five innocent persons were killed and 17 other wounded.
— On 7th May 2005 afternoon, time bombs were blasted at three places namely Yangon Trade Centre where Thai Trade Fair was being held, Junction-8 Shopping Centre and Dagon Centre in Yangon by Aung Min of NDD and Zaw Win Lwin, Nair Palair Do and Ko Pauk of ABSDF. Altogether 23 innocent people died and 150 others were wounded. Those bombs blasts were masterminded by NCGUB of expatriate Sein Win, FTUB of Pyithit Nyunt Wai and they provided funds to terrorists to commit such atrocities.
There were also many incidents in which the combined force of the people, the Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Police Force prevented en masse dangers. Some incidents were as follows-:
By seeing the above-mentioned points, it is obvious that terrorist expatriate groups and terrorist insurgent groups are committing atrocities and sabotage acts to harm the lives and properties of the people; committing ethnic cleansing, murdering innocent people en masse and raping national race girls. The people suffering from the troubles and hardships are ready to convince their sufferings.
Another false accusation against Myanmar was that Myanmar was recruiting child soldiers. In Myanmar, it is not compulsory to shoulder military service. For State defence duty, those between the age limit of 18 and 25 are accepted to discharge military duty on their own volition. The Adjutant-General Office of the Ministry of Defence has issued directives and orders not to use minors, as soldiers.
The real culprits, who are recruiting minors as child soldiers, actually are insurgent terrorist groups including Ywet Sit's SSA (South). It has been clarified at the previous press conferences.
SSA (South) Ywet Sit's group forcefully recruited members from surrounding villages. If the villages could not provide new recruits they had to give extortion money of 500,000 kyats per recruit. Those new recruits who fled were killed before the public. In some cases, the SSA (South) insurgents murdered the parents of some new recruits in order to cut off contacts. These facts were confessed by those who fled from Ywet Sit's group and those insurgents who surrendered.
The above-mentioned points showed that who are the real culprits committing drug trafficking, ethnic cleansing, rapes, sabotage acts and recruiting child soldiers actually. They are none other than SSA (South) Ywet Sit group, NCGUB, FTUB, ABSDF and etc. Hence, the Government has officially declared these four groups as unlawful associations. NCGUB, FTUB, ABSDF and NLD (LA) have also been officially declared as terrorist groups.
Although there are sound evidences of atrocities committed by terrorist insurgents and expatriate groups, their foreign masters are neglecting the terrorist acts and putting all the blame on the Government.
One of the above-ground attack was the announcement No. 1/2006 of NLD dated 12th February 2006. Tha announcement contained demands for summoning Hluttaw not later than 17th April 2006; for releasing the detained leaders of NLD; and for dialogue with NLD. In addition, the announcement contained the point for making the existing Government to be De-Juri Government. Indeed, it is not reasonable and far from actual condition. It is mere fantasy. It is a trick for their own interest. In fact, the Tatmadaw Government assumed the State responsibilities inevitably as the nation was on the verge of disintegration during the 1988 disturbances. Since then, it has been an official Government recognized by the world's nations including neighbours. The Government has been sending delegates to UN and international meetings. Myanmar is also participating as a member in regional organizations such as ASEAN, BIMST-EC, GMS and etc.
Another demand of NLD was to summon Hluttaw. In this context, it is to be considered whether NLD can make such demand or not. In the 1990 elections, NLD won 392 out of 485 constituents. However, altogether 105 representatives-elect had been cancelled as they were convicted for violating existing laws. Altogether, 79 Representatives-elect resigned on their own volition and 73 Representatives-elect passed away. Thus, 305 representatives-elect are void due to various reasons and there remain only 131 representatives-elect. Of them, only 87 Representatives-elect are from NLD. So, Hluttaw cannot be summoned. By reviewing constitutions of world's nations, it can be found that Hluttaw can be summoned only when at least one-third of representatives make demand. The 1974 Constitution stated that when 34 percent of Representatives-elect demand the State Council shall summon Hluttaw immediately. Thus, NLD's 87 representatives-elect can in no way demand for summoning Hluttaw. It is not in accordance with the international norms.
Moreover, the national people are no longer trusting NLD. Since 1998, mass rallies were held in cities of States and Divisions to expose the people's desire. At the mass rallies, the people expressed their view that NLD should be dissolved as it is making obstacles and hardships for the people in various ways and means in cooperation with foreign masters. With foreign interference, NLD is posing danger to the country and it should be dissolved in accordance with the people's desire. The mass rallies also demanded to take action against illegal Committee Representing People's Parliament (CRPP) in accordance with law.
In addition, many Representatives-elect of NLD resigned in the year 1999 as they no longer trusted in activities of NLD which is betraying the national interest. A larger number of people than those who had mistaken in voting for NLD candidates signed their statement of disapproving them and recalled the NLD Representatives-elect. So, it can be seen that NLD is no longer supported by the people.
Another demand of NLD is dialogue. The National Convention being attended by over 1,000 delegates representing national races, Representatives-elect and masses and classes is coping with wider scope than NLD's dialogue. The NLD walked out of the National Convention in 1993. It is also failed to attend the National Convention in 2004.
It had been many times NLD neglected the national interests. So, no dialogue is possible with NLD which is no longer winning the public trust and not representing the people.
NLD issued another announcement on 21st April 2006 making accusations which are far from actual conditions of the country.
NLD's announcement also make groundless accusations that the national economy was declining and the Government could not prevent drug trafficking as well as trafficking in person and it had difficulties in controlling and preventing infectious diseases; to solve these problems the nation would need foreign aids; and only when the Government is De-juri one, foreign aids and loans can be obtained, it said.
If NLD has the true goodwill for the nation to have greater development, it should demand its foreign masters to revoke sanctions against Myanmar. Caused by NLD, foreign masters have imposed economic and trade sanctions. Foreign investments and tourism are also discouraged. Otherwise, the Tatmadaw Government could bring about development of the nation with higher speed. Hence, instead of demanding for dialogue, NLD should make demands to its foreign masters for revoking sanctions.
Now, the Myanmar Government is enhancing more and more human rights for the people while striving for total eradication of narcotic drug menace. Reforming steps to democracy are being taken by the Government. At this juncture and under these circumstances, constructive approach and helpful hand should be rendered to the Government.
As the Government is making reforms to democracy without losing sight of the aspiration of the people, encouragement and helpful hand should be rendered to it by internal and external elements. All terrorist acts contradicting democracy are to be denounced and opposed. Those hindering and delaying the democracy reform are to be guided properly.
Myanmar and its people will steadfastly marching on towards the goal of discipline-flourishing democratic nation. In this direction, we have adopted 7-stage Road Map and declared it to the world. Hence, the Government and the people will overcome the present day challenges on self-reliant basis while welcoming all understanding, support and consideration of their endeavours in building up a new peaceful and democratic nation.
Later, the questions of the local and foreign journalists were replied to by Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and officials.
Then, the press conference ended in the afternoon.
Afterwards, Ambassadors, Charge d' Affaires ad interim, guests, foreign and local journalists viewed photos and documents displayed there. Later, a ceremony to destroy the drugs seized at Eastern Shan State was held. Firstly, member of Information Committee of State Peace and Development Council and Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi gave an address. Then, local and foreign guests examined the drugs which were about to be destroyed. Next, Minister Col. Thein Nyunt, President's of Drug Control Commission of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Minister at the President Office Mr. Soubanh Srithirath and Dean of the Diplomatic Corp of the Union of Myanmar Madame Phoebe A. Gomez burned and destroyed the seized narcotic drugs.
Narcotic Drugs and paraphanalia burned at the ceremony were opium 73.96047 kilos, heroin 53.9576 kilos, opium oil 1 litre, low grade opium 3.2436 kilos, brown opium 1,000 kilos, methamphetamine tablets 1,523.6039 kilos, methamphetamine fragment 80.9411 kilos, marijuana 0.355 kilo, ICE crystal 0.0151 kilo, 2 ecstasy tablets, 4 tabletting machine parts, 300 mould, and 117 mould lids, ethyl alcohol 1 litre, hydrochloric acid 138 litres, acetic anhydride 1,727.48 litres, ephedrine 721.2014 kilos, caffeine 1,750.6 kilos, ammonia powder 0.03 kilo, bone charcoal 185 kilos, colour powder 11.5 kilos, colourless liquid 7 litres, odour liquid 68 litres, chloroform 22.74 litres, lyzol 876.6 litres, block mould 3 numbers, blue plastic packs 173 kilos, poppy seed 510 kilos. Street price of narcotic drugs and paraphanilia are estimated 1,411 million US dollars.
