[myanmar_information] THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (Wednesday January 29, 2003)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (Wednesday January 29, 2003)
-------------------
1.  Senior General Than Shwe gives guidance to 
    trainees of primary teachership course 
    No 35 of UDNR          
2.  Chairman of State Peace and Development Council 
    Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior 
    General Than Shwe hosts dinner to UDNR students 
3.  Secretary-1 addresses coord meeting on 
    implementation of agreements between 
    Myanmar and PRC
4.  Shan State (East) Drug Elimination Work Committee 
    Chairman Minister for Labour U Tin Winn 
    discusses matters on drug eradication
5.  Shan State (North) USDA donates new school
building
6.  Gold nuts and bolts fixed at 
    Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) 
7.  Officials inspect Muse
8.   NEWS FROM THE DISTRICTS
9.  Minister receives Ambassador 
10. H&T Minister arrives back
11. LBF Minister meets guests 
12. IT examinations to be held  
13. MICT Week extended to 5 February 
14. Stimulant tablets seized in Tamu
15. 23 acres of poppy fields destroyed in Dimawhso
-------------------
1.  Senior General Than Shwe gives guidance to 
    trainees of primary teachership course 
    No 35 of UDNR          

Yangon, 28 Jan? Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance to the
trainees of primary teachership course No 35 of
University for Development of National Races at
Mingala Hall in Pyithu Hluttaw building this morning.

Director-General of the State Peace and Development
Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein acted as master of  
ceremonies.

Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address. He
said: The Institute for Development of National Races
has been upgraded to university level for over 10
years. You from border areas have studied at the
university. After completing your studies, you  will
be discharging duties as teachers in the border areas
where national races live.

The State has properly nurtured you at the university.
You have educational duties like other education staff
and you, as good organizers of the State, are
responsible for successfully implementing the policies
and tasks laid down by the State.

In order to discharge such duties, you have studied at
the university. After being nurtured by the State to
improve your life, to possess correct thought and to
become good organizers, you are to go to the
respective regions of national races.

You have the duty to educate the children of the
border areas. You have to accept firmly that you have
to build correct concept and belief, in other words,
propagation of the Union Spirit.

In connection with the first duty, most of the
national races live in far-flung areas which are
difficult of access.  They lost opportunity to pursue
education because there was no peace at that time.
Therefore they are weak in education. You are to
strive for improvement of their education, accepting
that you are the forces to remedy such weakness.

Therefore, you are to teach the children in the border
areas to become educated and spiritually developed
persons through the education sector. It is necessary
to nurture them with the aim of turning out brilliant
intellectuals and intelligentsia.

It is needed to turn out a lot of intellectuals and
intelligentsia for development of the Union. Education
is the foundation for emergence of intellectuals and
intelligentsia. Regarding the second duty of regional
development tasks, you are to practically apply
development subjects studied at the university as you
are the products of UDNR, and at the same time you
will have to continue to study.

There are spiritual and physical developments.
Regarding spiritual development, the government is
making efforts to wipe out evil legacy of the past
history in the border areas. 

The government is striving for elimination of
cultivation and production of narcotic drugs. 

You are to organize the national people in the border
areas in order to make them realize that drug
trafficking is not the right way of earning a living,
and to encourage the will to earn a living through
lawful means.

Narcotic drugs tarnish the dignity of the country and
people and also harm the local people themselves. The
drugs bring evil things to both the nation and the
people as well as the present life and the future. You
need to inculcate this kind of thought in local
people. 

The government has laid down five rural development
tasks and is implementing them for material
development.  Nationalities  in  rural regions are
responsible for regional development. You need to lead
and organize local people for having the sense to make
endeavours for regional development. You also need to
accept the leadership of superior officials.

In building a nation, rural areas are to be built
first, then, township, district, state, division and
up to central level. Rural area is a very basic one
and nationalities in rural regions are the most basic.
Rural areas are to be established in building a 
nation. If the foundation of a building is good, it
will last long. The whole Union  is to be established
from rural 
areas.

Similarly, a separate ministry is undertaking the
border areas and national races development project in
border areas where there is poor transport and no
peace and tranquillity for transport, economic,
education and health development.

Moreover, the government is implementing the
24-development-zone project to narrow the gap between
the national races and the regions of the Union, they
are living in.

After realizing the implementation of the national
races development project, 24 development regions
project and rural development project, you need to
discharge the development tasks yourselves whatever
role you are in and to actively participate in the
task, accepting the leadership of superior officials.

The third duty is that you are to undertake the task
to equip the national races in the regions you are in
with  the correct thought and concept. You need to
cultivate the thought of national races in order to
reach the national path of non-disintegration of the
Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and
perpetuation of sovereignty. You are to build thoughts
and concepts that lead to the emergence of a peaceful
modern development nation, the 
national goal.

The Union of Myanmar was under the servitude of the
imperialists for over 100 years. During their rule,
with the aim of exploiting natural resources, they
practised various divide-and-rule tactics to break up
unity, to sow discord among the national races and to
misunderstand among them.

The government is trying to get rid of the evil legacy
of the colonialists? divide-and-rule policy, to
inculcate into the nationals of the Union the idea
that they are all own brothers and sisters and to
eliminate the system in which there is at least one
person in every locality who lords it over the others.
In each and every jungle there crows a rooster, as a
Myanmar saying goes. You, on your part, should strive
for the flourishing of national unity and Union Spirit
among the local people. 

There is a Myanmar saying that the nation will be
peaceful only if there is unity among its people. It
is up to all the national people of the Union to
strive for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and
developed nation. In the same way, unity is
indispensable for accomplishing everything, as the
saying ?Unity is strength? goes. 

Therefore, it is the bounden duty of all Myanmar
nationals to totally eliminate discord, hatred and
disunity among themselves with Union Spirit.

Our nation is the Union where various national groups
live together and each and every region is also like a
small union where different nationalities reside. As
we have been living together so long that we are
inseparable, love and friendship and unity are a must
for all of us. 

If Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and
Shan are divided, there can be no peace nor
development in the Union. No other thing is as
important as development of the Union. As you are good
and able organizers, you will have to try your utmost
to develop the regions where you are assigned duties,
to wipe out evil legacy and  to propagate Union Spirit
among the 
locals. 

In the 21st century, the whole world is on the road to
rapid development. At a time like this, if we were
disunited, it would be like that we were moving
against the road of progress.

Therefore, it is your third duty to bring the national
outlook and convictions onto the right path with the
objective of translating a peaceful, modern and
developed nation into reality.

In conclusion, I would like to urge you all to carry
out your educational duties as well as the tasks for
regional development and shaping the outlook and
convictions of the local people.

Then, on behalf of the trainees, Danu national Maung
Myo Khaing of Ywa- ngan Township, Shan State (South)
spoke on the occasion. He said:

First of all, I would like to say that we will regard
your guidance as the guidelines in carrying out our
duties and  we promise that we will follow your
guidance. At the same time, I would like to wish the
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
and other State dignitaries health and happiness. The
State is nurturing the national youths to become
educational employees as well as junior leaders for
regional development. We will soon graduate from our
alma mater and will be carrying out the duties
assigned by the State. In carrying out our duties, we
will try our best to nurture to become all-round
developed citizens. 

The government has tried to gain peace and stability
in the nation and is now taking systematic measures to
bring about improvement in the social life of the
national people. As a result, we, the people living in
remote areas, are now able to enjoy the fruits of
all-round development. While striving for the
development of border areas, the State is carrying out
the development tasks for 24 development regions. This
being so, all the regions and areas throughout the
Union are equitably developing. Due to such
development, there is a good transport between the
border areas and major cities. Small villages in these
areas have also become towns and cities. Rural areas
where water was once scare have now abundant water
supply. As children rely on parents who can improve
their lives, so also the people rely on their
government always trying to fulfil all their
requirements. 

Because of the developments achieved, our belief in
the fact that ?there will be development only if there
is unity? has become stronger. And we strongly believe
that the successful implementation of political,
economic and social objectives of the State will lead
to the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed
nation. Accordingly, we will unitedly lend ourselves
to the full realization of these objectives by
organizing the entire people.

We all have been living together in unity and amity
for ages. And we have built our State with the unity
of national brethren and ward off all the dangers
which befell it. 

Today also, we all national brethren are unitedly
building a new modern and developed nation under the
leadership of the government by preserving the fine
traditions handed down to us by our ancestors.  The
development of the State   resulting from its own
genuine strength is a shot in the arm for us.
Therefore we are   determined to keep on trying till
our country becomes a modern and developed nation. We
must be careful that there are internal and external
elements who can't bear to see our nation develop are
plotting to cause the disintegration of the Union by
sowing discord among the national people. In spite of
their wicked attempts, our country has been able to
stand as an independent and sovereign nation only
because of the national unity. However, they will
continue. with their vain efforts to sabotage our
nation. We must keep constant vigilance against such
machinations to maintain the development already
achieved. We will lead our pupils and the local people
by propagating Union Spirit among them and inculcating
correct outlook and knowledge into them.

In conclusion, the State and our alma mater have
trained to become educational employees with good
organizational skills. Not only that our alma mater
has offered us all the branches of study worth
learning and taught us to fully realize the aims and
objectives and work programmes of the State. As we are
the sons and daughters nurtured by the State, we make
a solemn promise that we will try our best to become
worthy sons and daughters who can execute the duties
assigned to us, upholding our three main national
causes.

On behalf of the trainees" Akhar national Ma Bu La
spoke words of respects. She said that it was a great
pleasure for us to receive the serious guidance given
by the Head of State and I would like to say that we
are to pay serious attention to the guidance.

We are the last batch of the primary teachership
course of the university. The university will confer
only B.Ed in the coming years to be able to carry out
the educational measures of border areas. We feel
honoured to attend the university established with the
aim of boosting the living standard of national races
and developing the Union. Requirements are being
fulfilled throughout the course. Thus, the gratitude
we owe the Government is great and we will repay it by
nurturing ourselves to become the ones who discharge
the State's duty with might and main.

The State believes thata peaceful, modern and
developed nation can no doubt be built by highly-
qualified new generation youths. To enlist the
strength of the new generation youths the Government
has laid down the education promotion Programme, the
special four-year plan for promotion of the national
education, the long-term national education plan and
steps are being taken for nurturing the highly
qualified human resources, Multimedia classrooms have
been opened at the basic education schools and the
students are pursuing education in earnest across the
nation. we are so delighted to see new generation
pursuing education with all-out efforts. Arrangements
have been made to bring about harmonious and equitable
development in all states and divisions. When peace
and tranquility prevails in border areas, the number
of school has increased significantly. With -an
increase in the number of the schools the national
brethren now have the chance to pursue the higher
education. With those facilities, it is believed that
all the national brethren of border areas will make
efforts for national and regional development. All of
us are to train and nurture ourselves to be the
outstanding persons on whom the State can rely and to
make efforts whatever sector we are in.

Since the time of its assuming state duties, the
government, laying down correct policies and
objectives, has been striving with might and main for
the development of the country and prevalence of peace
and tranquility. As a result of these efforts, our
country have achieved development never known in
previous eras. We appreciate the government's efforts
for the development tasks as a goodwill of the State
to enable us and posterity to stand prestigiously
among the world's nations. We unanimously have decided
to strive, with the earnest desire to develop the
Union, to live together in unison in the Union, and to
adore the Union, and the Union Spirit, for turning the
country into a more modem and peaceful Union, legacy
of our forefathers. The firmness of the Union Spirit
that is prospering among the national races is vital
for the development of our country. Therefore, the
university, prescribing the main objective as "to
strengthen the Union Spirit of the national races by
pursuing their education goa1 and living amicably at
the university", cultivated understanding, friendship,
and confidence among us. We will convey the Union
Spirit firmly rooted in our heart together with us to
the regions where we are assigned duties and. are
determined to cultivate it among the people and new
generation youths of national races.

While we are striving to keep abreast with the
neighboring countries, the Union Solidarity and
Development Association that serves the interest of
the state and the people has emerged as a national
organization, Over 19 million of its member new
generation youth are, hand in hand with the people,
actively participating in the nation-building tasks '
with belief in lofty tasks of the association. Being
USDA members, we pledge to make efforts for
realization of the tasks laid down by the association
' with the participation of the people and to organize
them to actively take part in the service of national
interest.

Then, the ceremony concluded at 10.10 am.

After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and party
cordially greeted supervisor teachers and trainees.
----------
2.  Chairman of State Peace and Development Council 
    Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior 
    General Than Shwe hosts dinner to UDNR students 

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe hosted a dinner in
honour of the trainees of Primary Teachership Course
No 35 of University for Development of National Races
at the Pyithu Hluttaw Building on Pyay Road this
evening. 

At 6.15 pm, the Senior General arrived at the building
and cordially greeted the trainees of PTC No 35 in
front of the Ami-Myanmarpyi Image before the dinner. 

Before and during the dinner, Myanma Athan Modern
Music Troupe entertained the audience and the Fine
Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture after the
dinner.
----------
3.  Secretary-1 addresses coord meeting on 
    implementation of agreements between 
    Myanmar and PRC
 

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council General Khin Nyunt addressed the
coordination meeting on implementation of agreements
between Myanmar and People?s Republic of China during
the State visit of Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General
Than Shwe to PRC from 6 to 11 January 2003.

Addressing the meeting, General Khin Nyunt said the
Head of State?s visit is the most successful one for
not only friendship but also for expansion of
economic, political, and social sectors between the
two countries. 

The delegation led by PRC State Council Vice Premier
Li Lanqing arrived here recently and discussed matters
relating to extension of bilateral cooperation and
rapid implementation of the agreements reached between
the two countries, he said.

The ministers who included in the visit to China also
discussed their respective tasks with their dialogue
partner ministers. Moreover, the discussions were made
with officials of  Sichuan Province and Yunnan
Province. They discussed bilateral cooperative tasks
concerning the Ministries of Electric Power,
Industry-1 & 2, Agriculture and Irrigation, and Energy
and reached agreements. This coordination meeting was
now convened for rapid implementation of the
agreements by ministries concerned, he added. 

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt
Tin reported on cooperative tasks on technical
assistance for production of hybrid paddy,
establishment of agricultural research, cultivation of
rubber and production of rubber products, technical
assistance for highland cultivation, availability of
quality sugarcane and development of agro-based
industries.

Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported on
construction of pulp factory (Monywa), Costic Soda
Factory (Sittaung), Glass and Bottle Factory, Printing
and Paper Factory (Thabaung), upgrading of Thayawady
Ceramic Factory, construction of PyinOoLwin
Pharmaceutical Factory, Kyaukse Blanket Factory,
Aluminum Factory, Grinding Ball Factory and Cosmetics
Factory.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin reported on
construction of Electric Generator Plant, Radial Tyre
Factory and Mandalay Industrial Training School.

Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported
on condition of cooperation of Shweli Hydel Power
Project, Tendering for Yeywa Hydel Power Project and
survey task for Shwesaryay Hydel Power Project.

Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi reported on
construction of fertilizer plant with the use of coal,
exploration of petroleum and natural gas at the inland
sites and offshore petroleum and natural gas
exploration and implementation and purchasing of
drilling materials and spare parts for fertilizer
plant. 

Then, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan
reported on coverage and telecast of news about
Myanmar in Chinese newspapers and  TV, and sending
Myanmar trainees to China for scholarship.

Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung reported
on bilateral cooperation for development of science
and technology and sending trainees for scholarship.

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung reported on
the agreements reached during the Senior General?s
visit to China and  the matters discussed and
agreements signed with Vice Premier Li Lanqing during
his visit to Myanmar .

Then, the ministers and those present at the meeting
gave supplementary report on their respective tasks
regarding cooperation between the two countries.

Later, the secretary-1 made concluding remarks and the
meeting came to a close. 
-----------
4.  Shan State (East) Drug Elimination Work Committee 
    Chairman Minister for Labour U Tin Winn 
    discusses matters on drug eradication

Yangon, 28 Jan?Chairman of Shan State (East) Drug
Elimination Work Committee Minister for Labour U Tin
Winn inspected construction of the diversion weir by
Wa national race group about six miles north-east of
Ponpa-kyin on 22 January morning.

Leader of Wa national races U Aik Lauk and officials
reported work being carried out to the minister who
gave necessary instructions.

The diversion weir is being built by Wa national races
on self-reliant basis to irrigate about 1,000 acres of
farmland in the region.

Then, the minister and party proceeded to Nanphaing
Village and met with the villagers and gave
instructions on cultivation of poppy-substitute crops.

Then, the minister and party inspected the
poppy-substitute Shew Lein Maw Orange plantation of U
Yan Shauk Kyi and raising of 100 pigs at the
plantation.

Next, the minister and party met with township-level
departmental officials, townselders, social
orgainz-ations and local peoples. 

In his address, Minister U Tin Winn said that the
Governments of successive eras, after Myanmar had
regained independence, were making all-out efforts in
the fight against narcotic drugs.  Before 1988 the
poppy plantations were destroyed by the Tatma-dawmen,
the police force members and the people with the help
of US Government. But the poppy cultivation have not
been eradicated since the poppy farmers had  to live
in miserable conditions and they had to fulfil their
food, clothing and shelter needs by growing poppy. At
the same time, various armed insurgent groups
encou-raged the poppy cultivation, making the ends
meet by the income from opium.

The Tatmadaw Go-vernment, after assuming the State?s
responsibility, has been making earnest efforts for
the national development ceasing the armed insur-gency
and consolidating the unity among the national races. 

The national race armed groups returned to the legal
fold and joined hands with the Government in
undertaking the development tasks of border areas.
Moreover, measures are being taken with the help of
the national race leader for eradication of poppy
cultivation. To fulfil the food, clothing and shelter
needs of the poppy farmers, steps are being taken to
ensure 
the cultivation of poppy-substitute crops. 

Although there is only a few acreage of poppy in
Monghsat District and there is a decrease in poppy
cultivation in the region, there still have been
frequent seizures of stimulant tablets in Tachilek and
Monghsat Districts. To ensure total drug eradication, 
drug trafficking and the use of drug. The people need
to pass the information related to the drug in the
wards and villages to the authorities concerned. Only
then will efforts for drug eradication meet with
success.

The drug problem is a global concern and efforts are
being made in cooperation with the neighbouring
countries and UNDCP for drug elimin-ation. The amount
of foreign assistance Myanmar re-ceived is
insignificant in comparison with that the neighbouring
countries received. But the efforts for eradication of
narcotic drugs is meeting with success due to the
public participation in Myanmar.

The UN and US Government acknowledged the drop in
poppy cultivation in Myanmar but they may make
accusations con-cerning stimulant tablets. Thailand at
present is making accusations concerning the drugs.
Thus, the help of the local people is needed for total
eradication of the stimulants in  the region.

Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence made a
speech. He said that the Golden Triangle region was
notorious for producing drugs in the past. In the
1950s poppy cultivation and production in the region
increased with the incursion of the nationalist
Chinese. Later, the armed insurgent groups were
involved in the drug business. The drug problem was
assumed to have been brought to an end as the MTA
groups led by U Khun Sa who is branded as an opium
king surrendered in January 1996.  But the drug
problem surfaced again due to Ywet Sit?s SURA with the
support of Thailand.

Thailand has been hurling accusations at every seizure
of drugs in its territory saying  that the drugs came
from Myanmar. In reality Yaba (a) stimulants were
produced and used in Thailand since 1983 and the drugs
were found  in Tachilek only in 1996. Thailand has
been accusing Myanmar of being engaged in poppy
cultivation in the past. It is putting the blame on
Myanmar concerning the drug problem. 

To refute the accusations manufactured by Thailand we
need to prove that the nation is free from the drugs.
The problem of stimulants also needs to be
systematically addressed. The public participation is
needed for total drug eradication. Deterrent action is
to be taken against those who are involved in the drug
trafficking. 

Next, Secretary Police Brig-Gen Tin Win made a speech.
He said that the control of drugs is one of the four
main responsibilities of Myanmar Police Force. The MPF
is discharging the duty, he said and called on the
public to participate  in the drug control. 

Then, Director U Nyi Nyi of the Ministry for Progress
of Border Areas   and National Races and Development
Affairs explained on measures being taken for
development of border areas and national races and
urged the re-spective officials to make collective and
collaborative efforts for drug elimination.

Afterwards, on behalf of the local people, Lahu
national U Myint Maung pledged that there will be no
poppy cultivation in the region in 2003 and the
ceremony ended.

After the ceremony, Minister U Tin Winn greeted those
present at the cere-mony.

Then, Minister U Tin Winn and Col San Pwint of the
Ministry of Defence met with Wa national race leaders
at the guest house in Hwaiaw Village, Ponpakyin
Township. The minister urged the national race leaders
to cooperate and coordinate in the fight against drugs
and to expose and seize those who are involved in
trafficking of the stimulants to be able to refute the
accusations.

Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence made a
speech. 

Next, Minister U Tin Winn and party attended the
meeting between the minister and local people for drug
elimination held at the Basic Education Middle School
of Nakaungmu Village in Mongto Town-ship. Minister U
Tin Winn made a speech on the occasion. He said poppy
cultivation has decreased after 1989 due to
cooperation between the Government and the national
race leaders. Arrangements have been made for
cultivation of poppy substitute crops and measures
have been taken for finding the market and better
transport. There has been a significant decrease in
poppy cultivation. Sixty percent of poppy cultivation
decreased in 2002 in comparison with that of 1996. 

Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence
delivered speech.

Next,  Secretary Police Brig-Gen Tin Win  explained
measures being taken by the Myanmar Police Force in
the fight against drugs, the effective action taken
against those involved in the drug trafficking and
matters on prevention of human trafficking.

Later, on behalf of the local people, Lahu national U
Khin Maung Latt pledged that there will be no poppy
cultivation in the region and the ceremony came to a
close.

After the ceremony, Minister U Tin Winn greeted those
present at the cere-mony and left there for Monghsat.
---------
5.  Shan State (North) USDA donates new school
building

Yangon, 28 Jan ? A ceremony to open a new school
building donated by Shan State (North) Union
Solidarity and Development Association was held at the
affiliated basic education high school in Naungmon
Village, Lashio Township,  on 26 January afternoon. 

It was attended by Chairman of Shan State (North)
Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East
Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, Central Executive
Committee member of USDA Col Tin Hlaing, local
authorities, members of USDA and social organizations,
teachers and students totalling over 3000.

Secretary U Aye Thaung of Shan State (North) USDA and
Headmaster U Tin Shwe formally opened the school
building. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing and CEC
member Col Tin Hlaing spoke on the occasion.

Executive of Shan State (North) USDA U Kan Myaing
explained the purpose of donation. Col Tin Hlaing and
U Kan Myaing handed over one hundred desks donated by
Lashio District Peace and Development Council and
documents related to the school building to Joint
Education Officer of Shan State Daw Nan Ywet Sai
Loung.

Afterwards, the commander and the CEC member attended
the opening of Naungmon Village Library and formally
opened the library.

Shan State (North) USDA, in an effort to undertake
rural development tasks, donated the school building
on 140'x30' area  worth over K 4 million with the
contribution of State USDA members and local people
and other maintenance work in the school.

The commander and Minister Col Tin Hlaing attended the
opening of the office of Mongyai Township General
Administration Department in Lashio District the same
day. 
-----------
6.  Gold nuts and bolts fixed at 
    Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) 
 

Yangon, 28 Jan ? A ceremony to fix the last gold nuts
and bolts to the frame of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) on
Monywa-Kale new road was held at the bridge on 26
January morning. Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of North-West
Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing and Minister for
Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun made speeches at the
ceremony.

First, Maj-Gen Saw Tun made a speech. In his speech he
said under the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe, Chindwin Bridge
(Monywa) project was started with a stake driving
ceremony on 9 December 2000. The bridge was one of the
important bridges on future Asia/ASEAN highway or new
Monywa-Yagyi-Kalewa road constructed to overcome the
road blockades due to the landslide of Yonzale
mountain on old Monywa-Kalewa road. The State, laying
down plans to narrow the development gap between rural
and urban regions of the country, is implementing
regional development projects including transport
infrastructures. Development of transport
infrastructures would contribute towards the better
health, education and economic conditions of
respective regions. Therefore, the State, hand in hand
with local people, has been building both rural roads
and bridges and  highways and major bridges for the
development of rural areas. 

The Ministry of Construction had built 602 miles of
road in Sagaing Division, increasing the total length
of road in the division from 1332 miles in 1988 to
1934 miles now. Then, the minister thanked the
commander, departmental officials, engineers and local
people for their concerted efforts in construction of
the bridge.

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing made a speech. In
his speech he said the State, laying down objectives
for all round development of the nation, implemented
irrigation facilities and river water pumping projects
for the agriculture sector, hydel power generation
projects and industrial zone  projects  for the
industrial sector, road and bridge construction
projects for the transport sector and other
develop-ment projects for the health and education
sectors. Construction of roads and bridges in Sagaing
Division, an essential requirement for infra-structure
development of social and economic sectors, would
contribute towards the development tasks for national
races living in the border area and smooth flow of
goods to the border areas. Sagaing division, enjoying
the local rice sufficiency and producing a surplus for
other regions of the State, was becoming the rice bowl
of Upper Myanmar. The division also grew other four
main crops, increasing the cultivation acreage and per
acre yield. 

Therefore, roads and bridges are vital for the
transportation of agricultural produce. Chindwin
Bridge (Monywa) would benefit the regional and
inter-state/division tran-sportation, tourists who
wish to enjoy the traditions of Myanmar national races
and scenes of Chin Hills, and smooth flow of goods in
Tamu, Kabaw, Pakokku and Gangaw. Chindwin Bridge
(Monywa) is scheduled to be inaugurated together with
the 115-mile long new Monywa-Yagyi-Kalewa road. As a
result of the earnest efforts of responsible
personnel, the road with 171 bridges were now nearly
completed.  Then, the commander urged those present to
strive for the successful inauguration of the bridge
and the road. Afterwards, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing,
Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and  Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Myint Thein sprinkled scented water on gold nuts and
bolts and, at the auspicious time, fixed the nuts and
the bolts. Then, the commander and party performed the
rituals of golden and silver showers and the ceremony
concluded. Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) is scheduled to be
opened soon.
---------
7.  Officials inspect Muse

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Director-General Col Myo Myint of
Development Affairs Department under the Ministry for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs together with officials, inspected
drinking water ponds in Muse on 26 January.

The officials looked into tarring of circular road
which is 12,600 feet long. The road is being built at
a cost of K 21.77 million. 
-----------
8.   NEWS FROM THE DISTRICTS

Sports gears presented to Chin State U-13 football
team

Sports and Physical Education Department presented
sport gears to Chin State under-13 football team, in
Mindat Township on 7 January. Chairman of Mindat
District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ohn
Myint Oo gave a speech and presented sports equipment
to the team. Coach U Thang Lain is training players of
the under-13 football team in Mindat Township.

Cleft lip patients treated in Myaing

Under the arrangements of Magway Division MCWA Patron
Daw Khin Mi Mi, Magway Division Working Committee for
Women?s Affairs Chairman Division Commissioner U Aung
Win of General Administration Department with the
assistance of Magway Division Health Department Head
Dr U Kyaw Hla Myint, wellwisher U Khaing Htwe-Daw Thin
Thin Khaing and family (Asia Brave Trading Ltd) of
Yangon and the 15-surgeon team led by Dr Daw Rebecca
Din arrived at Myaing Township Hospital on 18 January.
Local authorities, social organizations, wellwishers
and health staff assisted in the treatment. The
medical team performed cleft lip treatment on 5
patients, general surgical operations on 14 patients
and medical care services to other 200 patients free
of charge at the hospital.

Rural dispensary handed over to Health Department

The self-reliant rural dispensary, built at a cost of
over K 2.6 million, was handed over to Health
Department in Htongyi Village, Bago Township, on 15
January. Village Peace and Development Council U Ba
Aye handed over documents related to the dispensary to
Dr Daw Tin Tin Win of Bago Township Health Department.

Teaching aids CD-ROMs donated in Natmauk

A ceremony to donate CD-ROMs on matriculation
curriculum to Basic Education High Schools in Natmauk
Township by Natmauk Township Union Solidarity and
Development Association was held at Natmauk BEHS on 15
January. Township USDA Secretary U Aung Kyaw Soe
presented CD-ROMs to Township Education Officer U
Thaung Swe. Then, teachers taught the pupils with the
use of CD-ROMs.

Long cotton cultivation duty assigned in Yemethin

A ceremony to assign duty on cultivation of
late-monsoon long cotton to officials and cotton
growers was held at the meeting hall of Myanma Cotton
and Sericulture Enterprise in Yamethin on 16 January.
Local authorities, departmental officials and cotton
growers from 17 village-tracts attended the ceremony.
A total of 4,850 acres of late-monsoon long cotton
will be cultivated in Yamethin this year.
------------
9.  Minister receives Ambassador  

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint
received Ambassador of the Lao People?s Democratic
Republic to Myanmar Mr Chanthavy Bodhisane at his
office at 1.30 pm today.  
----------
10. H&T Minister arrives back

Yangon, 28 Jan ? The Myanmar delegation led by
Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw
left here on 23 January by air and arrived in Phnom
Penh to attend the 6th ASEAN Tourism Ministers'
Meeting, the 2nd ASEAN +China, Japan, and Korea
ministers' meeting and ASEAN Tourism Forum (AFT-2003)
held in Phnom Pneh, Cambodia on 24 January. Then, H&T
Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw met with Cambodian Tourism
Minister  Mr Veng Sereyvuth and discussed matters
relating to visa and exchange of information between
the two countries. Also present at the call was
Myanmar Ambassador to Cambodia U Saw Hla Min.

The minister on 24 January morning attended the 6th
ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting and discussed
implementing programme for agreement and promotion of
ASEAN Tourism Industry at the meeting.

      Then, the minister in the afternoon met with
President of Bangkok Airways Dr Prasert Tong Osoth and
discussed with him direct flight schedule between
Bagan and Siem Reap.

Next, the minister attended the 2nd ASEAN + China,
Japan, and Korea ministers' meeting and the ministers
from the respective countries made a round discussion
on measures to be taken to promote tourism industry
between ASEAN and China, Japan and Korea, development
affairs for investment in ASEAN regional tourism
services and formation plan for ASEAN tourism
information and communications association. The
minister and party on 25 January made a study tour of
Siem Reap where  Angkor Wat is situated. It is the
main tourist attraction of Cambodia and arrived back
Yangon by air on 26 January. 
-----------
11. LBF Minister meets guests  

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Minister for Livestock Breeding and
Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein met President Mr
Francois Gontier of EEM Co Ltd of France and party at
his office at noon today.
---------
12. IT examinations to be held  

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Myanmar Computer Science Association
will hold MCSA Professional Certificate (Network
Engineering) and Software Engineering examinations on
1 March 2003 in Yangon. Anyone can appear for the
examinations.

The exam is divided into two parts ? Part (A) and Part
(B). The subject of the exam is according to the
Myanmar Cross Certification IT Engineer Exam guide.
Those who only pass this exam may apply for the
foreign  scholarship. Applications can be bought at
the MSCA office in MICT Park. Applicants are to apply
not later than 23 February. For more information,
contact Ph 01-652276.
-------
13. MICT Week extended to 5 February  

Yangon, 28 Jan ?MICT Week to mark the 1st founding
anniversary of Myanmar Information and Communication
Technology Park (MICT Park) continued  at Hline
University Campus and it will be extended till 5
February. 
-----------
14. Stimulant tablets seized in Tamu

Yangon, 28 Jan ? A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unit and Tamu Special Anti-drug
Squad, acting on information, on 24 December 2002
searched Naungkyar, Bahmon and Ye Lwin at the junction
of Kyun Nguatto, in Tamu and seized 190 stimulant
tablets  in a plastic bag in the underwear of Naungkya
(a) Hsanghngar, an Indian citizen. In connection with
the case, action is being taken against Naungkya, 18,
son of U Ibonhsar of No 197, Airport Road, Imphal,
India, Bahmon, 18, son of U Yar Lin of Kyar-in
Village, Kalay Township, and Ye Lwin, 23, son of U
Hpaik Htan of Zaytan Ward 10 of Tamu  under Sections
15/19(A)/20(B)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Law by the Tamu Police Station.
---------
15. 23 acres of poppy fields destroyed in Dimawhso

Yangon, 28 Jan ? Eight acres of poppy plantation on
Padaing Mountain range and 15 acres two miles west of
Dawrawkhu Village,  in Dimawhso Township, Kayah State,
were destroyed on 19 and 20 January by the combined
team comprising members of Tatmadaw, local
intelligence unit, Myanmar Police Force and
departmental staff. 

A total of 943.89 acres of poppy plantation had been
destroyed during this poppy growing season till
January 2003. 
--------------------
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