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News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1



Subject: News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.1, No. 28 )

News and Views from Myanmar

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          Vol.1                                                     No. 28
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Sr No.                  CONTENTS                    

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
      1.    For the development of the agricultural sector                    
      2.    For progress and uplift of socio-economic life of the people
    
      
FOREIGN RELATIONS
      3.    Myanmar consistently abides by  "One China Policy"          
      4.    Promotion of bilateral relations between     Myanmar and Sri 
Lanka,                Bangladesh                                          
GENERAL  NEWS
    5.  52nd Anniversary Arzani Day observed                          
    6.  Successful completion of Asian Juniors Championship           

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INTERNAL  DEVELOPMENTS

For the development of the agricultural sector

    A ceremony to inaugurate Ngamin Reservoir was held at the reservoir in 
Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Division, on 18 July 1999. The Ngamin 
Reservoir, capable of irrigating over 4,000 acres of fields, will contribute 
much to agricultural works of farmers and provide drinking water for 
Taungdwingyi. It is of great benefit not only to the State but also to the 
region; in other words, the emergence of Ngamin Reservoir plays an important 
role in efforts for agricultural development of Magway Division.

    As Magway Division is an arid dry zone, local farmers have to earn their 
living by carrying out agricultural works, relying on scanty rainfall. In the 
year when the region gets adequate rainfall, agricultural works are carried 
out well and the farmers earn decent income; but when the region suffers from 
drought, there is failure of crops and consequently, the farmers lose their 
income, and have to toil away. Hence, the Ngamin Reservoir will be able to 
fulfill their wishes to some extent.

    The dams and reservoirs, big and small, including the Ngamin Reservoir in 
Magway Division will contribute not only to agricultural works but also to 
works for greening of the region.   In implementing the project for greening 
of nine arid dry zones, Magway Division is achieving success; it could set an 
excellent pattern in preserving forests and planting trees.


    The State Peace and Development Council is building clusters of dams and 
reservoirs in eastern and western parts of Magway Division with the aim of 
turning the farmlands into fields and ensuring the greening of the central 
area of the country. Upon completion of dams and reservoirs, the farmlands in 
Magway Division will turn into the fields which can be watered by irrigation; 
soon, the region will invariably achieve self-sufficiency in rice.

    Moreover, as four main crops can be grown in Magway Division, it is 
necessary to cultivate crops on every fallow and virgin land and to strive to 
boost yield per acre; and the cultivation of oil crops need to be extended. 
Today, national entrepreneurs are engaging in agricultural works; they are 
reclaiming fallow, virgin and vacant lands for agricultural purpose, using 
machinery and advanced technology. In Magway Division, nine groups of 
national entrepreneurs are working hard to cultivate crops suitable to the 
region on about 230,000 acres of fallow and virgin lands.

    The agricultural sector of the State will progress with momentum due to 
concerted effort and reciprocal reliance of conventional farmers and private 
entrepreneurs; it will be a few years before the evergreen modern mechanized 
agricultural sector emerge; with the progress of the agricultural sector, the 
economy of the State will develop all the more. The Government, spending huge 
sums of money, is working for the development of the agricultural sector with 
the aim of improving the conditions of food, shelter and clothing and the 
living standard of farmers, the majority of the population of the State.

For progress and uplift of socio-economic life of the people

    Yaw Creek Bridge on Yangon-Sittway Highway in Rakhine State was 
commissioned into service on 14 July 1999. Chairman of the Work Committee for 
Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace 
and Development Council Lt.-Gen. Khin Nyunt in his address on the occasion, 
said that as the road transport is a primary need for regional progress and 
uplift of socio-economic life it is also a national requirement to ensure 
smooth road links in the Union which is formed with national race groups and 
to further strengthen amity and unity among the national races.

    The Yangon-Sittway Highway Project includes building of 10 major bridges 
and 800 minor bridges; and Yaw Creek Bridge is included in the major bridges. 
The bridge is a main link on Yangon-Sittway Highway and will ensure easy 
access to major towns of other States and Divisions. It is a 1,100-foot long 
bailey-type bridge with steel frames, built at a cost of US $ 0.5 million and 
K 580 million.

    In addition to Yaw Creek Bridge, other large bridges such as Min Creek 
Bridge and Kissapanadi Bridge, which are over 2,000 feet long; 1,300-foot 
Ramong Bridge; 900-foot Dalet Creek Bridge and Maei Creek Bridge have been 
built or are being built in Rakhine State. Upgrading of the 
Buthidaung-Kyauktaw and the Kyauktaw-Paletwa roads will bring greater 
potential to extend trade with the neighbouring regions.


    In implementing border area development tasks, K 274.13 million have been 
used from the Border Area Development Fund in building of roads within 
townships, opening of three hospitals and six dispensaries, 18 primary 
schools, two middle schools and one high school and uplifting of farming and 
energy sectors.

    Traditions and culture, building of ancient cultural heritage and 
religious building are being restored and preserved; and the Rakhine State 
Cultural Museum and the Rakhine State Buddhology Museum were built to gather 
and maintain invaluable ancient cultural heritage. Tourism is gaining 
progress in Rakhine State which has ancient pagodas, religious buildings and 
cultural heritage, enchanted land, water and hills, beaches and significant 
traditions and cultural traits. Farming to which the government is giving 
assistance, deep-sea fishing, and fish and prawn breeding are developing in 
the state. Border trade is developing in the state where there is good 
potential to build deep-sea ports.

    Due to the rich natural resources and good economic potentials and 
regional endeavours of the government, Rakhine State is gaining development 
with high momentum leading to the progress of socio-economic lives of the 
people of the state.


FOREIGN  RELATIONS

Myanmar consistently abides by "One China Policy"

    Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Myanmar and the 
People's Republic of China, the former has maintained the "One China Policy". 
It has been reaffirmed by the following Press Release issued by the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar on 16 July 1999, as regards the 
recent statement by Lee Teng-hui on the cross-Straits relations.

    "The Union of Myanmar was one of the first countries which recognized the 
People's Republic of China when it was founded on 1st October 1949. Since 
then, Myanmar and China have been able to establish kinsfolk-like  Pauk-phaw 
friendship based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. As a close 
friend of China, Myanmar reiterates its full support to China's efforts to 
safeguard its sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity.

    Moreover, Myanmar consistently abides by the ''One China Policy" and 
recognizes Taiwan as an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China."

Promotion of bilateral relations between Myanmar and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

    Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung paid official visits to Sri Lanka 
from 14 to 16 July 1999 and Bangladesh from 17 to 19 July at the invitation 
of the Foreign Ministers of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 
and the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

    During his stay in Sri Lanka, Minister U Win Aung met Acting Minister of 
Foreign Affairs Mr. Laksham Kiriella on 15 July and had extensive and 
friendly discussions on bilateral relations and economic cooperation, and 
exchanged views on further enhancing the existing cooperative relations 
between the two countries. Minister U Win Aung called on President Madame 
Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga on 16 July. They had cordial discussion on 
bilateral relations and regional and international issues and exchanged views 

to further deepen and consolidate the existing ties of friendship and 
cooperation between Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

    On 17 July, Minister U Win Aung left Colombo for Dhaka. On the same day, 
he met Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Abdus Samad Azad of the People's 
Republic of Bangladesh and held friendly and wide-ranging discussions on 
regional and bilateral relations and economic cooperation. Minister U Win 
Aung called on President Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmad on 18 July, and during the 
call, various issues on regional and international development were 
discussed. They also exchanged views on promoting closer bilateral relations 
and cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Minister U Win Aung also 
called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and they had a warm and friendly 
discussion on matters of mutual interest. Moreover, the Myanmar Foreign 
Minister called on Mr. Kalpa Rajan Chakma, Minister for Chittagong Hill 
Tracks Affairs.


GENERAL  NEWS

52nd Anniversary Arzani Day observed

    The 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day (1999) was observed at the Arzani 
Mausoleum at 8 am on 19 July 1999. On behalf of the Chairman of the State 
Peace and Development Council, Chairman of the 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day 
Observance Committee Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Chief Justice U Aung 
Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun and Auditor-General Brig-Gen. Tin Aye laid 
wreaths at the tombs of the late national leader Bogyoke Aung San and his 
fallen colleagues, paid tribute to the Arzanis and dispensed metta. At that 
time, the State Flag was lowered to half mast.  The Guard of Honour of 
Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) also saluted the fallen leaders.

    Later, the families of the Arzanis laid wreaths at the respective tombs. 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Bogyoke Aung San, laid a flower basket and 
so did  U Nan Nwe and family on behalf of U Aung San Oo, the eldest son of 
Bogyoke Aung San, and wife. Next, the families of other Arzanis laid wreaths 
at the respective tombs and shared merits.

    Representatives of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, 
Myanmar War Veterans Organization, non-governmental organizations, diplomats 
and heads of UN agencies also laid wreaths and paid tribute to the fallen 
leaders.

Successful completion of Asian Juniors Championship

    The Golden Eagle Asian Juniors Badminton Championship 1999 was held in 
Myanmar from 11 to 17 July. Upon the successful completion of the "Golden 
Eagle Asian Juniors Badminton Championship, 1999", Vice-President of the 
International Badminton Federation and Honorary Secretary General of Asian 
Badminton Confederation Datuk Punch Gunalam issued a Press Release on 20 July 
1999. 

    He said that the Golden Eagle Asian Juniors Badminton Championship 1999 
has become the best ever Juniors Championship organized by ABC to-date and 
has created many new records; it is one of the best organized event and above 
all, the wonderful hospitality extended by the Myanmar people has made every 
participant very happy and take home pleasant memories of their stay at the 
Golden Land of Myanmar.


    He also extended sincere thanks to the Government of the Union of 
Myanmar, especially to the Chairman of  Myanmar National Olympic Council 
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, 
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen. Sein Win and the Myanmar Badminton Federation 
and its President, for their tireless efforts in ensuring everything went 
according to the plan.

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