JUNTA ORDERS END TO DRUG TRAFFICKING

Bid to Improve Image Overseas

In a bid to improve the way it is viewed overseas, the Burmese military
junta has told minority groups that drug trafficking will no longer be
tolerated by Rangoon.

State Peace and Development Council first secretary Khin Nyunt had briefed
minority groups thought to be involved in drugs before issuing the
instruction on March 22 in Lashio, a source said.

The intelligence chief was quoted as saying that drug crimes -- including
production of heroin and methamphetamine, trafficking, possession of
precursor chemicals and drug paraphernalia, and poppy cultivation -- would
no longer be tolerated.

Punishment would range from life imprisonment to death.

The United Wa State Army, widely regarded as the biggest drug traffickers
in the region, had been told about the order.

The UWSA, in turn, had told its forces not to get involved in drugs. "No
organisation nor individual shall refine heroin and manufacture stimulant
tablets in the Wa region."

Trafficking was also prohibited. The UWSA would send inspection teams to
areas it controlled to see whether the policy had been put into effect.

Meanwhile, Rangoon is cracking down on illicit businesses in Tachilek,
opposite Mae Sai. It has closed buildings thought to have ties to drug
traffickers.

Firms affected included the Hong Pang Group of drug kingpin Wei Hsueh-
kang, and the Golden Star Group of influential figure Jai Lin and two
hilltribe groups. Buildings owned by Kan Yod from the Shan State Army had
also been closed, the source said.

Several Thai businessmen, however, doubted that the clampdown was serious.

Butham Thipprasong from the border traders' association of Mae Sai district
said most of the lucrative businesses in Burma were controlled by the
Wei-led Hong Pang Group.

The group had monopolised imports via Mae Sai-Tachilek checkpoint and
demanded protection fees from small-scale Thai merchants wanting to export
goods, he said.

"I wonder if this very powerful group will so easily agree with this," Mr
Butham said.