PRESS RELEASE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs finds it appalling the US Government has once again claimed that Myanmar failed to meet its obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements.

The US Government's claim is patently untrue. The Myanmar Government has exerted concerted and sustained efforts which has resulted in a dramatic reduction of poppy cultivation and opium production. Annual joint surveys of the Myanmar-United Nations Office of Drug Control (UNODC) Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme show a downward trend as a result of the Government's successful preemptive measures.

In 2001, an estimated 105,000 hectares of poppy were cultivated with a potential production of 1097 tons of opium. In 2002, the survey found an estimated cultivation of 77,700 hectares with a potential production of 828 tons –– a decline of 25 per cent. Survey results of 2003 indicate a continued fall in both cultivated area and opium production. Annual joint Myanmar-US opium yield surveys confirm the downward trend.

Myanmar is actively engaged in sub-regional cooperation with China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam with technical and financial assistance from UNODC. In addition, Myanmar is a member of the five-nation cooperation among China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and India. In the "Chiang Rai Declaration" issued on 24 July 2003 the five nations pledged their active cooperative efforts to eliminate narcotic drugs.

Myanmar also has bilateral cooperation agreements with Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, Laos, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand and Viet Nam.

It acceded to the 1972 Protocol Amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 on 25 August 2003.

Myanmar has also been elected to serve on the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs beginning January 2004.

All these efforts are bearing fruit.

The UN International Narcotics Control Board has officially acknowledged the Myanmar Government's success and commitment to the eradication of poppy cultivation and illicit drug trafficking.

These facts clearly demonstrate the resolve of the Myanmar Government to totally eliminate narcotic drugs.

The drug menace is a global problem that can only be solved through international cooperation. No single country can surmount the challenge by itself.

It is most regrettable that the United States turns a blind eye to the reality and continues to follow a path that is negative and in no way contributes to eliminating this scourge of humankind.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Y a n g o n

Dated. 18 September, 2003