Information Sheet No.B-1017 (I) 9t

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Information Sheet  No.B-1017 (I) 9th August, 1999 

MYANMAR  INFORMATION  COMMITTEE
Yangon, Myanmar

Information Sheet 
No.B-1017 (I)            9th August, 1999

(1) Progress in Agriculture Projects, Opening of Multimedia Classrooms
in Taungtha, Magway Division

    Dam and reservoir construction projects for progress of the
agriculture sector and reclamation of virgin and fallow lands for
agricultural purposes were inspected and the opening ceremonies of the
multimedia classrooms in Taungtha, Welaung and Magway were attended by
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt and party on 7 and 8 August. The opening ceremonies of the
multimedia classrooms were held in Taungtha Basic Education High School
and Welaung Basic Education High School in Magway Division and Basic
Education High School No.3 in Magway on 7 and 8 August respectively.
    Agriculture and dam projects are being implemented in the dry zone
with the aim of achieving sufficiency in rice by 2000-2001, and this
objective will materialize when the mammoth dams such as Thaphanseik,
Mone Creek, Paunglaung, Salin and Taungyamar are completed. Deputy
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation reported on construction of
Hsindewa Reservoir that can irrigate 4,000 acres of farmland, Welaung
Reservoir and Kyauktalon Reservoir that can irrigate 2,000 acres of
farmland each and Taungtha Reservoir that can irrigate 2,500 acres of
farmland, irrigation, cultivation of crops in the township, data of
Welaung Reservoir Project, kinds of cultivation of crops in irrigated
areas of Welaung Reservoir. Welaung Reservoir is the earth reservoir,
5,550 feet long and 92 feet high, lies on Hsuphyugon Creek near
Aimataung (Thanat-ai) Village in Welaung Village Tract, Taungtha
Township in Magway Division. The reservoir was built with the
objectives of increased cultivation of crops in Taungtha Township,
supply of drinking water and greening into the region. Cultivation of
200 acres of monsoon paddy began in the region. 
    The Kyauktalon earth reservoir, 3,180 feet long and 78 feet high, is
built on Kyauktalon creek near Yonedaw Village in Taungtha Township and
it can irrigate 2,000 acres of farmlands. Pre-monsoon long staple
cotton, summer paddy, pre-monsoon sesamum, beans and pulses, monsoon
paddy and post-monsoon long staple cotton are under cultivation.  The
Hsindewa earth reservoir, 4,100 feet long and 105 feet high, lies on
Chaungma Creek near Thamakku Village in Taungtha Township. The
Secretary-1 and party arrived at the worksite of Olympic Company Ltd
which is undertaking reclamation of fallow and virgin lands at Ekarit
region, Hsinpaungwe Township, Thayet District, Magway Division on 8
August. Chairman of Olympic Company Ltd and officials reported on
reclamation of 12,000 acres of fallow and virgin lands permitted to be
reclaimed and cultivation of sesamum, cotton, groundnut, beans and
pulses and sunflowers. Chairman of Shwethazin Company Ltd reported on
reclamation of 20,000 acres of fallow and virgin lands permitted to be
reclaimed in Thazi region in Mandalay Division, topography of the
region and cultivation of crops, and Director of Shwe Mithasu
Agricultural Group on reclamation of 10,000 acres of fallow and virgin
lands permitted to be reclaimed, cultivation of crops and future
programmes. 
    In the entire nation, private entrepreneurs have been permitted to
reclaim over 1.2 million acres of fallow and virgin land. In Magway
Division, 10 groups of national entrepreneurs were permitted to reclaim
over 220,000 acres. After that, the Secretary-1 and party went to the
worksite of Services International (SI) Co Ltd which is undertaking
reclamation of fallow and virgin lands in Padan region, Ngaphe Township
in Magway Division. Chairman of Services International (SI) Co Ltd and
Managing Director reported on location and condition of 22,288 acres of
fallow and virgin lands permitted to be reclaimed, cultivation of crops
on the reclaimed land. Chairman of Yuzana Company Ltd reported on
reclamation of the 12,500 acres of fallow and virgin lands in Minbu
Township in Magway Division and 20,000 acres in Kantoak region in
Magway Division and cultivation of crops on 3,520 acres of reclaimed
lands in Kyikan region in Magway Division and 1,500 acres of reclaimed
land in Kantoak region.
 
(2) Myanmar and Vietnam Sports Contingents Hoist State Flags at Games
Village

    Myanmar and Vietnam sports contingents held a ceremony to hoist State
flags at Games Village, Bandar Seri Bagawan, Brunei Darussalam on 6
August. Games Village Manager Haji Brahim bin Haji Ismail extended
greetings. Leader of Myanmar sports contingent handed over the State
flag of Myanmar to the flag-hoisting group. The flag-hoisting group
hoisted the State flag of Myanmar to the accompaniment of the national
anthem. Then, the State flag-hoisting ceremony of Vietnam took place.

(3) Youth Apostolate (Yangon) Honours Parents

    Youth Apostolate (Yangon) held the 12th ceremony to honour parents at
the Strand Hotel on 8 August. Master of ceremonies Ms. Geraldine
Williams read out eulogies. Minister Brig-Gen Abel and Deputy Minister 
for Religious Affairs congratulated the Apostolate. Afterwards,
artistes of Fine Arts Department presented an entertainment programme
and vocalists sang songs. Archbishop Gabriel T Mahn Gaby and Youth
Chaplain Father Edwin David expressed thanks and blessed the gathering.
Then, the youths sang a song in chorus, which brought the occasion to a
close.
 
(4) Chinese Smuggler of Animal Furs Arrested
    
        The last key suspect Jan Phar Bay wanted in connection with the
first smuggling case of animal fur was recently captured in July, said
CCTV(China Television) report. The police in southern Province of Yunan
confiscated 500 to 600 wild animal furs from the home of the suspects
Jan Gu Bin and Jan Phar Bay. In July Kunming customs officers arrested
Jan Phar Bay and learned that Jan Gu Bin had escaped to Myanmar. The
Yunnan police immediately informed Myanmar police. Myanmar police
caught him and formally handed over the Yunnan police under the border
cooperation agreement. Jan Gu Bin confessed that he had handled 1,000
wild animal furs sending them all over China. 

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