From: "Dave" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> forwarded... Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave -----Original Message----- From: Roger Bunn [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 10:18 AM To: Dave Subject: Re: Khun Sa, Burma's heroin king Sorry for such a long posting. But this seems to be the whole works on the narco side of what's going on in Burma. And could be of use to you? __,,+,,__ \ \ \ \ \ \ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\| ||\____ | Opium EXPRESS | ||','''|'''''''\___, | __ | ||__|'__|___|| ['''(@)'(@)''''''''''''''''**|(@)(@) *****'(@)* For Reference. Relayed by Angwa House BURMA: DRUG WATCH (December 1999) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Shan Herald Agency for News - 2 December 1999, No: 12 - 1 Junta Encourages Poppy Cultivation? Junta officers across the border are rallying for increased cultivation of poppies in their respective areas, reported Maihoong from southern Shan State. On 22 November, Captain Han Sein, Commander, Company 4, IB 65 (Mongton)on his arrival in Mong Kyawt village, Mongton Township, Monghsat District, opposite Chiangmai Province, summoned a meeting at the village temple where one member from each household was ordered to attend. "He told the villagers they would be free to grow opuim, for half a viss of opium (1.8 kg) per field as tax", said Maihoong. "For those who are short of capital a loan of Kyat 10,000 - 30,000 would be provided". The produce must be sold, at market price, only to Chinese or Lahu traders who held letters of authorization from either him or Ltc. Myint Sway, Commander, IB 65, he said. Any sale without their knowledge would be faced with severe punishment. "He therefore urged them to recall all the villagers who had left Mongkyawt since 1994, when Khun Sa's troops attacked the Burmese garrison there", said Maihoong. Afterwards, Capt. Han Sein and his 50-odd troops set out to visit other villages in the surrounding areas until 26 November before returning to Mongton. According to the junta's own statistics, altogether 101,845 acres of land were cultivated last year for opium under official supervision. (Opium Acreage, S.H.A.N. 25 November). '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''' Shan Herald Agency for News - 2 December 1999, No: 12 - 2 Chinese and Kokang Flocking To the Thai Border Wa, Chinese and Kokang settlers are coming to the border areas opposite Thailand in droves, said an informed source who recently returned from Kengtung, the capital of eastern Shan State. "Altogether 15,000 settlers are due to arrive in Mongyawn and Mongmai (formerly Banhoong) from the beginning of December to mid-December from the north", said the source who requested anonymity. "Some of them will resettle in Mongtoom and Monggarn, opposite Ban Hintack, Mae Faluang District, Chiangrai Province". Although 7,000 of them are registered as Kokang and the rest as Wa, the majority is believed to be Yunnanese Chinese, he said. Another batch of 50,000 settlers is expected to travel to the area during the next year. It was reported earlier by S.H.A.N. that the Wa leadership in Pangsang had applied to the military government in Rangoon for the inclusion of Mongton and Monghsat townships in the "Wa Autonomous Region". (Big Power Play in the Wa Region, 20 August 1999) "Another reason for the exodus", said the source, "is the UN's drug program in the Wa areas along the Chinese border. As it is becoming difficult for the people to grow poppies in the north, many have opted to move are moving out to friendlier areas". The overall poppy cultivation, and output, therefore, would not change much, he added. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''' Shan Herald Agency for News - 8 December 1999, No: 12 - 7 Ex-MTA Can Deal In Drugs: Junta Commander A high commander in the Shan State had recently told the ex-MTA officers, in effect, that they would be officially permitted to engage in the drug business, reported SNA from Kengtung. According to an unconfirmed report, on 20-21 November, an ad hoc meeting was called by Maj-Gen Maung Bo "Rambo", Commander of the Eastern Command, in Taunggyi where ex-prominent leaders from Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army like Mahaja, Khun Aung Htoon, Sao Zarmmai and Sao Khwanmong attended. "He was unusually cordial to the Shan dignitaries whom he used to mistreat", said the source to SNA. "He had probably received some new instruction from his Rangoon bosses". According to SNA's source, Maung Bo told his rather pleasantly surprised audience that: First, any business investment they would like to make, he would be happy to receive direct applications from them; Two; any business venture that might bring them swift prosperity as it had to others, would also be permitted as long as they took care to camouflage it from satellite photography. The report, at least, tallies with other reports that S.H.A.N. has received about Rangoon's involvement in drugs. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''' Shan Herald Agency for News - 8 December 1999, No: 12 - 6 Refineries Ordered To Move Away From Thai Border According to a reliable source in eastern Shan State, refinery operators had recently been ordered by the junta to migrate to Arakan State. Maihoong reports from BP1, the border pass between Mongton Township, Monghsat District of Shan State and Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province of Thailand on 3 December that according to his source, whose reports were highly reliable in the past, refineries in the district are being told to relocate quietly in the Arakan (Rakhaing) State by the orders of Gen Khin Nyunt.activities along the Thai and Chinese border had become too well-known and embarrassing to the junta that "moving away from the spotlight" had been become necessary. Maihoong added, "The recent transfer of Ltc. Chit Hla, former Commander, IB 225 from Mongton to Maungdaw, a town in the Arakan, might be connected to this latest piece of news". '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Shan Herald Agency for News - 10 December 1999, No: 12 - 13 Junta Commanders Scramble for Opium Tax Military commanders in eastern Shan State are scrambling over each other for tax from the poppy farmers, reported SNA from Kengtung. "Battalion commands in Mongpiang Township in the Triangle Command are busy collecting tax from the local farmers for the year's opium season", he said. "Farmers are paying K. 4,000 per field to each battalion". As there were four active battalions in the area, namely IB 43 (commanded by Ltc. Aye Kyaw), LIB 332, LIB 360 and LIB 528, the farmers, most of whom are Palaungs, paid a total sum of K. 16,000 per field. "But, as the current price is K. 130,000 - 150,000 per viss, nobody complains much", he said. "It is at least better than being forced relocated or being subject to all sorts of abuses that are commonplace". The soil in Petkang Tract in Mongpiang has long been known to be especially suitable for poppy cultivation, and has reportedly made life easier for many farmers, whose houses are now roofed with either zinc sheets or tiles instead of thatches, commonly seen in the Shan rural areas. Sai Kornseng, IB 43's tax collector, is often found in the poppy villages with 5-6 of his followers. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Shan Herald Agency for News - 10 December 1999, No: 12 - 14 Ex-Khun Sa Officers in Homong To Become Anti-Resistance Force? Sources in Maehongson told S.H.A.N. yesterday that Khun Sa's retired commanders in Homong had gone to Rangoon last month for talks to set up an anti-insurgency force in order to combat against Yawdserk's Shan State Army. On 3 November, ex-officers from Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army that surrendered in early 1996, took off to Taunggyi and then to Rangoon reportedly at General Khin Nyunt's invitation. The party consisted of Mahaja, Sao Zarmmai, Loikhiao, Suwan and Yawdkhurh. They were back in Homong towards the end of the month. S.H.A.N. reported on 8 December (Junta Commander: Ex-MTA can deal in drugs, Report No: 12-7) of the meeting in Taunggyi with General Maung Bo, who was said to have given his approval for the group's involvement in drugs. Mahaja reportedly presented to him Tiger brand Toyota pickup newly bought from Thailand as a gift. Sources said the talks to set up on anti-insurgency militia force went well. "As there are a lot of arms still lying around in caches, I don't think it will be difficult to organize a 200-300 strong force", one said. The group was also believed to call on Khun Sa, who though sick still muster some influence over his long-time followers like Bo Mon and Ma Kuo-wen, who are currently serving as militia leaders in northern Shan State. Mahaja is half-brother to Ta Mahasang, leader of the anti-regime Wa National Army that is reported to be active in the (Karenni, Shan, Thailand) triangle area. The latter has denied any political or business connections with the former. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' BURMA COURIER No. 210 Dec 5 - 11, 1999 FIVE MORE YEARS OF POPPY PROFITS FOR MILITARY BRASS Based on news from AP and S.H.A.N. Updated to December 9 BANGKOK --The United Wa State Army, responsible for much of the illicit drugs flooding out of Southeast Asia's Golden Triangle, has pledged to end all drug production by 2005, a top junta police officer said Thursday. Brig. Gen. Hla Tun, deputy director general of Myanmar police, defended as "realistic" the ambitious target set by the cease-fire army, which is widely acknowledged as the leading producer of heroin and methamphetamine in Burma. He made the comments at a press conference after an annual gathering in Bangkok of heads of national drug law enforcement agencies from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, organized by the U.N. International Drug Control Program. Over four days, officials discussed how to step up cooperation in fighting trafficking of heroin and illegal stimulants, amid growing concern about the huge increase in heroin production in Afghanistan and methamphetamines in Burma. Hla Tun said the Wa were mostly reliant on drugs production because they were poor, so the government was trying to improve their living standards. Most villagers live in abject poverty, while UWSA leaders, who have cease-fire deal with Burma's military, are thought to accrue huge revenues from illicit drugs. Australia's representative at the conference, Mick Keelty, general manager of national operations of the Australian Federal Police, said Australia would be sending its first narcotics liaison officer to Rangoon for a six-month trial period in January. He was enthusiastic about collaborating with the counter-narcotics arm of the military regime. "The beauty of law enforcement is that is we are apolitical and not constrained by boundaries that other people may be constrained by," he said. Meanwhile, the Shan Herald's correspondent in Kengtung reports that military commanders of the Myanmar army in the eastern part of the state are falling over each other to benefit from taxing the farmer who grow the opium poppy. Battalion commands in Mong Paeng Township in the Triangle Command are busy collecting tax from the local farmers for this year's opium season. Farmers are said to be paying 4,000 kyat per field to each battalion. However, since four battalions, IB 43, LIB 332, LIB 360 and LIB 528, are active in the area, the farmers, most of whom are ethnic Palaung, are having to fork over a total of 16,000 kyat per field. Not to worry however, the S.H.A.N. correspondent reports: "As the current price is 130,000 - 150,000 kyat ($US 380 - 440) per viss (1.63 kg), nobody complains much. It is at least better than being forcibly relocated or being subject to all sorts of abuses that are common-place". Soil conditions in some areas of township are especially favourable to the cultivation of the opium poppy where many farmers, whose houses are now able to use zinc sheeting or tiles instead of thatches to roof their houses. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' NOTES FROM HERE AND THERE Quandary on Burma and Drugs Lewis Dolinsky Wednesday, December 15, 1999 Members of Burma's junta, including one of its big three, were pleasant to South Bay Republican Tom Campbell when he met them recently in Rangoon. They want an end to the U.S. ban on new investment in Burma; he wants opium poppies eradicated, or at least a serious attempt. If drugs really can be stopped at the source, he came to the right place. As much as 50 percent of the world's heroin originates in Burma, much of it in areas where the junta has negotiated ``uneasy truces'' (Campbell's phrase) with tribal armies. Campbell and two other congressmen -- Democrat Donald Payne of New Jersey and Republican John Cooksey of Louisiana -- were escorted to northern Burma by Colonel Kyaw Thein, who had negotiated many of the cease-fires (which do not include the Karen ethnic group). When Campbell's party reached territory held by the NDAA (National Democratic Alliance Army), the colonel stopped answering questions and the NDAA started doing the talking. ``I went in with the government,'' Campbell said in a telephone interview, ``but they (the tribesmen) were the law.'' Legitimate enterprise in these areas is geared not to Rangoon but to China. In Mongla, Campbell saw a casino and tourist hotel, a Catholic church and Buddhist pagoda. A sugar factory had shut down; China has plenty. Campbell doesn't want to be a ``one-day wonder'' (instant expert), and he is vague on some details. But he notes that farmers could grow buckwheat or rice instead of poppies, but then what? There are no roads to get a crop to Rangoon. If the Chinese don't want it, there's no buyer. But there is always a market for opiate. A middleman comes to the door and pays up front, though not generously. Poppy cultivation has dropped in Burma. Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (``phenomenal, great presence, I have nothing but admiration for her'') attributes this decrease to drought. She told Campbell that the junta, if it had the will, could stamp out poppy production as it has stamped out human rights. She says that nothing but humanitarian aid should come into Burma, that when the government falls, the tribes will be part of the political process and won't need bullets, or drug money to buy them. The West will want to invest in a democracy. Campbell has no reason to think that the junta will fall. He acknowledges that investment needed to provide roads to get rice to market will shore up a brutal regime that voided elections won by Suu Kyi's party in 1988. He also knows that elements within the government and military profit from drugs; Burma runs on drugs. But he was told by neighboring Thailand's deputy foreign minister, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, ``We don't approve of the government of Burma, but we do work with them on drug eradication and you should be open to doing the same.'' Campbell is undecided. A meeting with the State Department on Monday may help make up his mind. Since returning December 2 from his Asian tour -- a day in Thailand, five in Vietnam, four in Burma -- Campbell has been running hard for the GOP Senate nomination to oppose Democratic incumbent Dianne Feinstein. Burma policy is not expected to play a big part in that election. Drug policy might. ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' A New Refinery To Be Set Up By the Junta On 12 December, Col. Khin Maung Oo, Commander of the Military Operations Command in Monghsat, summoned a meeting where Wei Xuelong, the notorious Wei Xuegang's elder brother, and Li Hsien, a known drug operator, attended. It was agreed at the meeting to set up a new heroin-amphetamine factory to be operated by Wei Xuelong. The necessary "gear" would be furnished by Li Hsien, said Maihoong, S.H.A.N.'s reporter. The location of the said factory would be somewhere along the Namhsim River, north of Mongton Township, Monghsat District, according to Maihoong. Maihoong's sources also claimed to have seen some equipment coming from Monghsat to Mongton on 15 December escorted by soldiers. "They are for Li Hsien", said one soldier to the source. Maihoong added Khin Maung Oo had just returned from Taunggyi on 10 December, after a meeting with "his superiors". '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ----- Follow the plea by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and the appreciations of HH the Dalai Lama, the Shan Democratic Union, film maker John Pilger, the Free Burma Coalition, author Alan Clements, Dennis Skinner MP, Tony Benn MP, Ann Clwyd MP, Congress-woman Maxine Waters, Socialist Workers' Party, Dr and Welsh rugby star JPR Williams, Hendrix bassist Noel Redding, S African jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, All Burma Students Democratic Organisation, All Burma Students Democratic Front, Tasmanian Trades & Labour Council, SACP (South African Communist Party), COSATU, Tim Gopsill, editor. [EMAIL PROTECTED], and numerous others. Supporting a Genuine war upon drugs and human rights abuse. Sydney 2000 : Burma Out! http://www.mihra.org/2K/burma.htm Music Industry Human Rights Association http://www.mihra.org / [EMAIL PROTECTED] Union Action http://www.mihra.org/2K/Union.htm Unchained profits : The "New Rachel" page. http//:www.mihra.org/2K/rachel.htm Founded during UN50. Mihra's roots are in music and anti-racism and was first in line in calling for a sports boycott of Burma for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Mihra also advances protection of creators rights in an anti-cultural market, currently 93.8% monopolised by the recording / publishing Grand Cartel. Major solo work "Piece of Mind". With orchestra, Holland 69. same time as Beatles "Abbey Road". http://onlinetv.com/rogerbunn.html ======================== --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU! 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