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SSA-South challenges drug involvement claim

by admin last modified 2006-03-03 08:42

The Shan State Army-South of Col Yawdserk has rejected the 1 March US State Department report that it has drug refineries in areas under its control...

No.03 - 03/2006
3 March 2006

Drugs

SSA-South challenges drug involvement claim

The Shan State Army-South of Col Yawdserk has rejected the 1 March US State Department report that it has drug refineries in areas under its control.


Col Yawdserk interviewed by Reuters (Photo: S.H.A.N.)

"Any international agency that is in doubt of our integrity is welcome for an inspection trip to our operational areas," said Khurhsen Heng-awn, Spokeswoman for the Restoration Council of Shan State, the SSA-South's political arm. "We are ready to escort them on a tour that will reveal to them where the refineries are and where they are not."

Her statement was in response to Washington's charge that drug refineries are "in areas controlled by the United Wa State Army, the ethnic Chinese Kokang, and the Shan State Army  South."

One of the SSA-South's Six Guiding Principles is Anti-Narcotics. Nevertheless, Col Yawdserk, during an interview with Reuters in January, admitted that some of his members "might still be dabbling in the trade."

Khurhsen Heng-awn, SSA - S spokeswoman (Photo: S.H.A.N.)

"Opium has been in the Golden Triangle for a long time  that means the Shan State. And the SSA is formed by the Shan State people, so may be, partially, some people will be involved," he said.