(24 Nov 1995) Thai/Natsound
Khun Sa, one of the world's most notorious drug lords, says he's retiring from the narcotics trade to raise chickens and grow vegetables.
The United States has issued a warrant for Khun Sa's arrest but his extradition from Burma is unlikely.
It is a special day for the Shan people - a minority whose home is the drug growing area along Burma's border with Thailand, known as the Golden Triangle.
The population has come to Homong - the Shan's main town - celebrate their new year and pay their respects to their leader - some call him a godfather - Khun Sa.
The 61-year-old warlord built up the ten thousand strong Mong Tai Army which has fought the Burmese government for decades.
The Mong Tai wants to create an independent state for the Shan people.
Amongst his people Khun Sa is a hero.
But the United States calls him the world's biggest drugs baron - they've been demanding his arrest and extradition since 1984.
Earlier this week Khun Sa announced his resignation as president of the Mong Tai Army.
He journeyed to Homong to say good-bye.
SOUNDBITE - shots 9-11: (Thai)
"The reason why we made this stupa (bell tower) is that today I will officially announce that I don't want it anymore. I don't want to have anything to do with politics. I will transfer my power to God and my people. The people can elect their own new leader".
SUPERCAPTION: Khun Sa
The U-S State Department says Burma produces over half of the world's opium, the drug plant from which heroin and other narcotics are derived.
Sixty per cent of heroin that arrives in the United States is believed to come from the Golden Triangle.
Khun Sa says in the remote region of the Golden Triangle the weather suits opium growing - and it brings in much more money than rice or vegetables.
He says he didn't grow heroin - he only taxed it as it passed through the Shan's land.
With the tax money, he buys arms to fight the Burmese government who - he alleges - have been suppressing his people for decades.
The Shan leader says Burma is using drug control as an excuse to wipe out his people.
Khun Sa also alleges he has tried to convince the Americans to pay his people to burn the opium crop, but the U-S has never responded.
SOUNDBITE - shot 15: (Thai).
"Since 1973, we wanted to join hands with the narcotics suppression group to eradicate opium, to help them. We cannot go arrest the opium growers. We need the people's help to help pull out the roots of the plants."
SUPERCAPTION: Khun Sa
There have been big splits in the Shan's army about policy and Khun Sa has officially stepped down in favour of his deputy.
He says he is retiring to lead a quiet life.
SOUNDBITE- shot 19: (Thai)
"I will stay as quiet as possible. I will stay in a secluded area, plant trees, raise cows and chickens and lead a simple retired life."
SUPERCAPTION: Khun Sa
Khun Sa may be retiring but that won't stop the flow of drugs from the Golden Triangle.
For as long as the Shan people can make more money growing opium poppies than rice, there is no incentive for them to 'just say no' to drugs.
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