December 23, 2002


The Editor
The Washington Post
1150 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20071


Dear Sir,

Reading the column by Al-Kamen ''Close Shave on Burma'' (Washington Post, Monday, December 23, 2002) makes one think that in wanting to criticize the words of an American diplomat, the author has not really bothered to check up on facts. The success of our fight against narcotic drugs has been duly recognized by the United Nations and the international community at large. It is a pity that such an important achievement by a developing country, receiving little or no aid from outside for its counter-narcotics efforts, has been downplayed due to people who are unwilling to find out the truth, especially when it does not conform to their political views or when it hurts their vested interests.

The elimination of narcotics drugs benefits not only our own country but the whole of mankind. Is it possible that there are many who not only do not wish to see progress on this front, but who also do not wish to see the establishment of a democratic society carried out systematically in accordance with the aspiration of all those who are residing in the Union, because then, they would have fewer causes to espouse?

The national reconciliation and nation building process undertaken in Myanmar is moving ahead smoothly, steadily giving rise to a better political climate. No amount of unfounded accusation, pressure and intimidation can deter us from taking on our national cause of eliminating narcotic drugs and endavouring for the achievement of national reconciliation in Myanmar.



Sincerely,




Sd/-
Information Officer
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar