Press Briefing Held to Launch the Myanmar Opium Survey 2004

VIENNA, 11 October (UN Information Service) -- UNIS Vienna organized a press briefing today to launch the Myanmar Opium Survey 2004, a publication of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) . The briefing was chaired by Christian Strohmann, Officer-in-Charge, UNIS Vienna. Presentations on the findings of the Survey were made by Thomas Pietschmann, Research Officer, UNODC and Lars Pederson, Programme Management Officer, UNODC.

Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, UNODC also presented the survey in Brussels, at the main launch event, in cooperation with Gareth Evans, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group. Other launch events took place in Bangkok and New York.

Mr. Pietschmann pointed out that opium cultivation in Myanmar had shown a 29 per cent decline in comparison to 2003. He presented the methodology, the research tools, and the implications of the findings of the report. He said that though the cultivation had declined significantly, one could not expect such results next year, stressing alongside the need for urgent internvention from  the international community in order to sustain the present situation. He also explained the complex links between poverty and opium cultivation, and touched upon the socio-economic impact of the decrease in cultivation.

Mr. Pederson made a short presentation of the alternative development programmes spearheaded by UNODC in Myanmar, specifically in the Wa region. He pointed out that opium cultivation "comes from and leads to poverty". He elaborated on the problems faced by the farmers, and discussed UNODC's partnership with various Non-Governmental Organizations, international aid agencies and other UN bodies.

A question-and-answer session followed the briefing. In response to a question about the accuracy of the findings, and the means used to conduct the survey, Mr. Pietschmann said that the data had been collected using a combination of satellite imagery and on-the-ground surveys. On the issue of alternative development projects in Myanmar, a journalist questioned whether the UNODC could be sure that the money they spent was indeed reaching the target audience. Mr. Pederson replied that the UNODC had put several projects in place, and ensured that the money was going where it was intended.

Questions regarding government policies and how they affected the opium cultivation were also raised by the media - Mr. Pederson and Mr. Pietschmann explained the links between the political situation, government policies and how they affected the farmers, referring specifically to the policy on rice export.

The briefing was well attended by representatives of leading local and international print and electronic media (Der Standard, Reuters, Austrian Press Agency, Le Figaro, BBC, Radio International), staff from permanent missions and United Nations Staff members.

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