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NEWS AND VIEWS FROM MYANMAR ( Vol.



Subject: NEWS AND VIEWS FROM MYANMAR ( Vol. 1 , No.45 )

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM MYANMAR ( Vol. 1 , No.45 )

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

Speedy implementation of projects to minimize cost

    The Special Projects Implementation Committee held meeting No.2/99 on 11 
November. Ministers presented feasibility studies on implementation of the 
600-megawatt Yeywa Hydel Power Project in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay 
Division; 150-megawatt Thaukyekhat Hydel Power Project in Thandaung Township, 
Bago Division; Bilin Hydel Power Project with two stages, each with a 
140-megawatt power station; Modern Textile and Finishing Plant Project in 
Pwintpyu Township; Textile Mill Project in Pakokku Township; Textile Mill  
Project in Salingyi Township; and the Soap Factory Project in Mandalay.

    Upgrading of Shandaw-Minhla-Inbokkon-Moenyo Road to become a  tarred one 
and construction of  Shweli, Daungnay Creek Bridge, Tapa Bridge, Mitlan 
Bridge, Langkio Bridge, Panhline Bridge and Twantay Bridge in different 
regions were also discussed. Chairman of the Special Projects Implementation 
Committee Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General 
Than Shwe called for speedy implementation of the projects.

    The Senior General stressed that the special projects are being 
implemented not because of high financial capacity, but because of 
consideration and goodwill for well-being of the nation and the people, which 
is the essential requirement, and that the government is exerting efforts to 
implement major projects though there are some financial restraints.

    He pointed out that better transport infrastructure is needed to reach 
the goal - a peaceful, stable, modern and developed nation, and only when 
there is easy access to all the regions can the rule of law and order be 
maintained and development  projects undertaken. He added that setting up of 
industries will ensure local sufficiency of goods and production of export 
substitute goods, generating job opportunities which will lead to improvement 
of living standards of the people.

    Areas covering from Thayet Township on the west bank of Ayeyawady River 
in Magway Division to Salingyi Township on the west bank of Chindwin River in 
Sagaing Division have been designated as the Cotton Belt in accelerating 
long-staple cotton cultivation since these areas are suitable to grow cotton, 
and textile and finishing plants and garment factories will be constructed in 
the Cotton Belt. It is projected to produce 10.376 million pounds of cotton 
yarn and 37.596 million yards of cotton cloth after completion of three 
projects.


Bo Myat Tun Bridge inaugurated

    A ceremony to inaugurate Bo Myat Tun Bridge spanning the Ayeyawady River 
between Thaungdan Village on the eastern bank and Kyeinbinse Village  on the 
western Bank was held at the pandal near the bridge on 15 November 1999. The 
bridge is 8,544 feet long and has a 6,164 foot-long main bridge, a 1,000 foot 
long approach structure on the eastern bank of the river, a 1,380 foot-long 
approach  structure on the western bank, a 28 foot-wide motorway and two 6 
foot-wide pedestrian lanes on either side. The waterway under the bridge is 
360 feet wide and the clearance, 57 feet high. The upper structure of the 
bridge is the iron frame work and the lower structure is built of reinforced 
concrete. The bridge can bear 60 ton loads.       

    The ground-breaking ceremony for construction of the bridge was held on 
15 June 1996; at that time, a plan was made to complete the construction of 
the bridge  within two years and eight months. However, it took three years 
and five months to complete the construction of the bridge as it is the 
longest bridge out of the bridges already existing, and special care was 
taken to make sure that the bridge was strong.  Bridges across the Ayeyawady, 
the Chindwin and the Thanlwin Rivers were built with the ability of Myanmar 
engineers on self-reliance without any foreign assistance. The bridges are 
living proof that Myanmar is a people with abilities to build and safeguard 
the nation; they are not only transport infrastructures but also symbols 
reflecting the national strength and pride.

    The Government has built bridges with a view to overcoming transport 
barriers such as rivers and streams. The emergence of the network of motor 
roads and bridges in Ayeyawady Division can be attributed to harmonious 
cooperation of the Government and the people; since the time the Government 
assumed duties, the Government and the people have been cooperating in 
nation-building endeavours and development works. 

    Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than 
Shwe extended the greetings, saying the people from Ayeyawady Division  are 
feeling happy as Ayeyawady River across Bo Myat Tun Bridge can be opened; he 
is also feeling happy together with national people from Ayeyawady Division. 

    The Senior General added that he has already known how difficult 
transportation and communications were in Ayeyawady Division; while 
discharging the duties of the commander of  South-West Command for about five 
years, he attended to requirements of transportation and communication as 
best he could; to further improve transportation and communications. More 
roads and bridges are to be built in Ayeyawady Division; likewise, more 
roads, bridges, factories, schools and hospitals need to be built all over 
the nation; and to be able to build roads and bridges, the State needs to 
have a strong economy; to make the national economy strong, everybody needs 
to work hard. In conclusion, the Senior General called on all to cooperate in 
maintaining the bridge for long-term existence. 


FOREIGN RELATIONS 

President of SEAMEC visits Myanmar

    A four-member Singapore delegation led by President of Education 
Ministers Council of South-East Asia (SEAMEC ) and Minister of Education of 
Singapore Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean visited Myanmar from 10 to 12 November 
1999.  Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt.-Gen. Khin 
Nyunt received Minister Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean and party at Dagon Yeiktha 
of the Ministry of Defence on 11 November. Minister for Science and 
Technology U Thaung also met Minister Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean and party at 
his office on 11 November. 


GENERAL NEWS

Cottage Industries Exhibition 99 opened

    With the aim of informing people on conditions of cooperative industries, 
 enabling industries to unite, developing industrial production technology 
and  disseminating knowledge about industries, economic affairs and 
management, Cottage Industries Exhibition 99 was opened in front of Cottage 
Industries Department in North Okkalapa Township, Yangon on 16 November. 

    Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Co-operatives U Aung San said the 
State Peace and Development Council is creating favourable conditions with a 
view to ensuring the  emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation; 
moreover, development of roads and bridges, reclamation export and 
development industries in accord with market-oriented economic system, are 
being carried out. 
    
    From the development of the industrial sector, the Government and 
entrepreneurs are undertaking large and medium-size industries and Cottage 
Industries Department is supervising small -size industries. Consumer goods 
are being produced with the technical assistance of Cottage Industries 
Department. Cosmetics industries, consumer goods industries and foodstuff 
industries which are now successful, are carrying out production work by 
seeking technical assistance from Cottage Industries Department; such goods 
are also import-substitute goods.


Exchanging arms for peace

    Implementing the 12 political, economic and social objectives with a view 
to ensuring emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation, the 
Government welcomes those who exchange arms for peace and attends to the 
needs of food, clothing and shelter of their families. Realizing genuine good 
will and correct deeds of the Government and the fact that destructive acts 
do not benefit the country at all, armed groups are exchanging arms for peace 
individually or in groups.
    
    Recently, a 188-member armed group including 70 persons and 188 family 
members led by U Ko Gyi, a captain in charge of Shan Lepyin Special Region 
under KNU Brigade 2, bringing 24 arms of various sorts, 33 magazines, 860 
cartridges, four RPJ bombs, ten 40-mm bombs, exchanged arms for peace at 
Southern Command. A ceremony to mark the exchanging of arms for peace was 
held at the People's Sports Ground in Toungoo on 10 November. Commander of 
Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Tin Aye said that he warmly welcomed that group 
because they exchanged arms for peace, realizing that armed opposition does 
not benefit the nation and the people and that it retards regional 
development.

    The commander also invited the remnants of armed groups to swap arms for 
peace and return to the legal fold, and urged the members of the armed group 
which had exchanged arms for peace, to participate in regional development 
work.

    Now, national solidarity is becoming stronger due to genuine good will of 
the Government. Only when national solidarity is strong and peace and 
tranquility reign in the country, can strenuous efforts be made for regional 
development; only then, will a peaceful, modern and developed nation emerge.


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