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Information Sheet No. A.648(I)



MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
Information Sheet


                              No. A.648(I)                           14
October 1998

(1) 		Masses in Shan State (North) Denounce Destructive Acts that Harm Peace,
Stability and Progress

		Over 23,000 people from various strata of life in northern Shan State
expressed their genuine desire at a mass meeting held in Lashio Township
Sports Ground on 13 October. The meeting also tabled and seconded two motions
calling for safeguarding and maintaining already achieved economic development
and ensuring food, clothing and shelter needs of the people and maintaining
and safeguarding the already achieved stability of the State. Present were
members of Shan, Danu, Kholon Lishaw,Myaungzi, Palaung, Kachin, Wa and Kokang
traditional cultural troupes, members of northern Shan State Union Solidarity
and Development Association, members of northern Shan State Working Committee
for Women's Affairs and Maternal and Child Welfare Association, trainees of
the Nurse Training School of Lashio, teachers and trainees of Lashio Domestic
Science School, members of Shan State (North) Supervisory Committee for Red
Cross Society, members of Red Cross Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Brigade,
members of Medical Association, Nurse Association, Rice Dealers Association,
Merchant Association, Truck Association, Vehicle Association, Transport
Association, War Veteran's Organization, Writers and Journalists Association,
Video Association, representatives of the people of Lashio District, Kyaukme
District, konlong District and Laukkai District.

(2)		Information Technology Forum Held

		Information Technology Forum jointly sponsored by XYBASE Technologies
(Malaysia) and Mastech Co Ltd (Myanmar) was held at Traders Hotel on Sule
Pagoda Road on 13 October with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Computer
Science Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. In his address, he said, Union of Myanmar is also
trying to formulate an Information Technology Master Plan. In order to develop
the country's Information Technology, Myanmar must work closely together with
members of ASEAN like Singapore and Malaysia in preparing to carry out
Information Technology projects. Although Myanmar's endeavours in the field of
Information Technology have been quite recent, significant progress has been
achieved within this short period due to the correct guidance of the
Government and vigorous efforts of the computer scientists and technicians to
develop the computer technology which is the base of Information Technology.
As a means of encouragement to the development of computer technology, the
Government has granted permission to import computers with very little tariff
by classifying them as education aids and priority items. In this way, tens of
thousands of computers are imported annually and are widely used by the
Government, private, economic and social organizations all over the country.
As for computer education, computers have been installed at state high schools
as well as state middle schools where computer technology is taught to the
students. In order to spread not only basic computer technology but also
advanced computer technology, a new University of Computer Studies for Upper
Myanmar was opened in Mandalay in 1997 in addition to the one in Yangon.
Besides the present undergraduate as well as postgraduate degree and diploma
courses, plans are already under way to open doctorate courses. Moreover, to
provide an opportunity for high school graduates to learn advanced computer
technology, undergraduate diploma course as also being conducted at the
Universities of Computer Studies in Yangon and Mandalay while arrangements are
being made to have such facilities in states and divisions as well. With a
view to systematic development of Information Technology in Myanmar, the
Government promulgated Myanmar Computer Technology Development Law on 30th
September, 1996 and founded Myanmar Computer Technology  Development Council.
The Myanmar Computer Technology Development Council in turn is trying to form
the Myanmar Computer Federation which will greatly assist in developing
Information Technology  needed for the country by pooling together resources
in the nation. Towards this end, it has established the necessary committees
to work on the establishment of the Federation and  subsidiary associations at
various levels. Consequently, Myanmar Computer Technicians Association and
Myanmar Computer Entrepreneurs Association were successfully formed on 17th
May, 1998. In addition, Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association was founded
on July 24th, 1998. Therefore, arrangements are being made to establish
Myanmar Computer Federation based on these three Associations.  For the
development of computer technology and related industries and services, the
Government  has been  holding many domestic and international conferences. For
example, the first Symposium on Information Technology Initiative in Myanmar
was successfully held on 29th June, 1998.  Furthermore, in cooperation with
Japan computer organizations, Myanmar Computer Federation  will hold the
Myanmar-Japan Bilateral Conference on Information Technology Cooperation on
Novermber 10, 1998. 

		As a result of these attempts, some students have received scholarships
under the sponsorship of (CICC) of Japan and (SCP) of Singapore and are
already undertaking their studies. At the same time, Myanmar Computer
Federation will be accepted as an organization representing the Union of
Myanmar at the annual conference of the Asian Oceanian Computing Industry
Organization (ASOCIO) to be held on 25th and 26th November, 1998 in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. One of the major fields of Information Technology is the
communication sector. In this regard, with the installation of X-25 Packet
Switching System in Myanma Posts and Telecommunication, E-mail and Data
Communication Services are being provided to the customers. Thus, at present,
business enterprises in Yangon and Mandalay can communicate not only locally
but also internationally by means of E-mail and Data Communication. Moreover,
Internet will be accessible to the private sector within a few days since
arrangements are being made for Internet Service which the country needs
urgently.  The speakers and associations who will address the Seminar will
include: PIKOM, computer entrepreneurs from Malaysia; Malaysian Micro
Electronic and Information Technology development association MIMOS;
Information Technology associations like University Putra Malaysia (UPM) which
are important for human resources development; Multimedia Development
Corporation (MDC) which takes the leading role in the renowned Multimedia
Super Corridor (MSC) project; and companies like XYBASE, which has been
responsible for the Information Technology network for recently inaugurated
Malaysia's New International Airport. 

OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 13 OCTOBER

(A)		Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement received Chairman of
Asian Blind Union Mr Kua Chen Hock, Secretary-General Mr Ivan Ho Tuck Choy and
Secretary-General of Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted
Mr Arne Johan Husveg at his office.

(B)		Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor of Yangon City
received Chairman of Asian Blind Union  Mr  Kua  Chen Hock, Secretary-General
Mr Ivan Ho Tuck Choy and Foreign Affairs Director Mr Arne John Husveg of the
Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted at the City Hall.

More NLD Members Return Home

		Ten more members of the National League for Democracy returned home during
last week after a successful goodwill view-exchanges with the Government. The
ten NLD members are, U Aung Than (Elected Representative), U Htun Hlaing (ER),
U Ohn Myint(ER), U Tin Myint(ER),U Than Ni (ER), U San Myint(ER), U  Tha
Soe(ER), U Aung Than (ER), U Min Tun Chit (ER) and U Aung Din. 

		All of those involved in view-exchanges are working together to achieve the
common goals: to build a stable, multiparty democracy and to preserve the
prevailing peace that Myanmar enjoys. While the view-exchanges between the
Government and other NLD members are continuing under a cordial atmosphere  in
Government guest-houses the Government hopes the NLD leadership will
contribute a positive and meaningful way in achieving the common goals. The
Government expects more of the view-exchanges to conclude in coming weeks, and
for more NLD members to return home.

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