THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (Friday, 26 Feb, 1999)

[Ok Kar <OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx>]

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR  (Friday, 26  Feb, 1999)

(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe
receives Singaporean Ministers
(2) Over 4023 kilos opium, 431 kilos heroin, 33 Kilos morphine base destroyed
in CCDAC's 13th narcotic drug destruction
(3) Secretary-l receives Minister of Education of LPDR
(4) Cash assistance provided for in-service Tatmadaw members who sacrificed
their limbs
(5) 186 members resign from Nyaungdon Township NLD
(6) 13 members resign from Thayet Township NLD
(7) Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee holds fifth meeting
(8) Deputy Prime Minister receives Chairman of Aavanti Industries Pte Ltd and
party
(9) Deputy Prime Minister receives Director of LS Group Co Ltd
(10) Production of firewood substitute briquettes coordinated
(11) People of Yamethin Township village-tracts demand to be struck off from
NLD membership lists

______________________________________

(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe
receives Singaporean Ministers

YANGON, 25 Feb-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-
in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received high-ranking
economic delegation of Singapore led by Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Lee
Yock Suan, Minister for Communications Mr Mah Bow Tan and Minister of National
Development Mr Lim Hng Kiang at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 10
am today.

    Also present together with the Senior General were Vice-Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo,
Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister at the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win
Aung, Ambassador of Myanmar to Singapore U Myo Myint and Director-General of
Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

    The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Brig-
Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow.

________________________________________

(2) Over 4023 kilos opium, 431 kilos heroin, 33 Kilos morphine base destroyed
in CCDAC's 13th narcotic drug destruction

YANGON, 25 Feb-The 13th ceremony to destroy seized narcotic drugs was held by
the Cental Committee for Drug Abuse Control in the compound of Aungthabye
Yeyeiktha on Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township here at 8 am today,
attended by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt.

    It was also attended by member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen
Khin Maung Than, Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing,
vicechairmen Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win
Aung, ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General,
senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers,
directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises,
Director of Office of Interpol Directorate-General Mr Paul Higdon, delegates
from 28 countries, local and foreign journalists, Secretary of CCDAC Director-
General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and members, officials
of MPF, ambassadors, charges d'affaires ai, military attaches, diplomats,
representatives from UNDCP, officials of NGOs and guests.

    Secretary of CCDAC MPF Director-General Police Maj-Gen Soe Win clarified
matters. (Police Maj-Gen Soe Win's clarification reported separately)

Afterwards, Member of the CCDAC Commander of Criminal Investigation Department
Police Col Maung Maung Than explained matters relating to seizures of narcotic
drugs.

    Then, the Secretary-1, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, senior military
officers, deputy ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and military attaches,
participants of the Fourth International Heroin Conference and journalists
viewed the exhibition on narcotics.

    Narcotic drugs-19.485 kilos of opium oil, 28.642 kilos of opium liquid,
1443.861 litres of Phensedyl, 416.963 kilos of ephedrine and 165.755 gallons
of cough syrup containing opium-were destroyed in front of the Secretary-1,
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, senior military officers, deputy
ministers, ambassadors, diplomats and military attaches, participants of the
Fourth Intemationa1 Heroin Conference and journalists by using road rollers.

    Director of Interpol Mr Paul Higdon, Representative of UNDCP Bureau in
Thailand Mr Yngve Danling, Police Maj-Gen Viraj Jutimitta, Thai participant of
the Fourth International Heroin Conference, Dean of Diplomatic Corps
Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and diplomats,
delegates from 28 countries attending the conference tested the narcotic drugs
to be destroyed by applying chemical method.

    CCDAC Chairman Minister Col Tin Hlaing, Mr Paul Higdon, Thas Police Maj-
Gen Viraj Jutimitta, Ambassador of Lao PDR Mr Ly Bounkham, Deputy Director of
Drug Control Department of Malaysia Mr Ahmad Bin Hassan torched the narcotic
drugs by pushing buttons.

    After the ceremony, the Secretary-l cordially met the guests and the
participants of the conference.

    Later on, CCDAC held a news briefing about the 13th narcotic drug
destruction.

    It was attended by Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U
Tin Kha, Patron of Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win and Chairman U Sao
Khai Pha and members, foreign and local journalists, reporters from foreign
news agencies, who are currently here, military attaches, CCDAC member Head of
Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, Joint Secretary of
CCDAC (Central) Police Col Ngwe Soe Tun and officials.

    First, Col Kyaw Thein replied to the questions about the 13th narcotic
drug destruction ceremony raised by correspondents U Hla Htwe of Nihon Keizai
Shimbun, Mr Grant Pack of AP, Mr Evgueni Belenki of Izvestia Daily, Mr Rajan
Moses of Reuters, U Aung Shwe Oo of NTV and Mr David Winllis of BBC.

    In replying to the questions, Col Kyaw Thein said.
    It is noted that amphetamine was first found in Myanmar at the end of
1996. Stimulants and chemicals were seized beginning in the later periods of
1996. Myanmar never produces chemicals that are used in manufacturing
stimulant tablets such as methamphetamine. The chemical agents arrived in
Myanmar from other countries. Illegal drug trafficking routes are at the
border areas of Myanmar. It is difficult to seize these drugs because
transport is too difficult in those border areas. It is also very difficult to
control these drugs. Taking this situation as an opportunity some are
trafficking precursor chemicals used in refining narcotics in border areas.
There might be factories producing stimulant tables in Myanmar's territory.
These factories are installed with small and light equipment which can be
moved from place to place very easily. Production and trafficking of stimulant
drugs can be found also in other countries. These drugs can be manufactured
every where. Factories producing stimulant drug can be destroyed and built
easily. These can also be relocated easily. Owing to these conditions,
stimulant tables are difficult to seize.

    According to 1997-98 records, of the poppy cultivated areas of 150,000
acres in Myanmar, 49,000 acres had been destroyed. Opium production could be
reduced to 25 percent of the total annual production. The nation has extended
its opium reduction tasks this year. Data collection of these tasks will be
completed this June. This is the second stage. Data collection will be
conducted from January to June. According to the first data collection,
destroyed fields were not put under poppy again this year.

    Education campaigns are being launched for those who had cultivated poppy
to earn their living by other means. Opium substitute crops are being planted
in some regions. Especially in Kokang region, buckwheat is being cultivated as
a substitute crop with the assistance of Japan.

    He said before Khun Sa come into the legal fold, the government's first
priority was to assign the Armed Forces to annihilate him. But what hap-pened
in 1996 was Khun Sa's decision to offer himself up to the government. This
helped in a lot of ways for the present government to make more efforts on the
narcotic countermeasures. After his coming in, he is living under the
supervision of the government After his come in the government has been able
to control the areas on the east of Thanlwin River. His decision to was not
one-man show and he brought along with him his followers numbering more than
15,000. His followers had also brought in their arms which included
sophisticated Sam-7 missiles and all the heavy weapons plus millions of rounds
of ammunition for small arms and thousands of and-personnel mines.

    Instead of rendering assistance to Myanmar, advisers of former President
Carter provided assistance to troops of Khun Sa. As Khun Sa had
unconditionally come in, in accord with the rules set by the government,
narcotics eradication activities are gaining success. All the narcotic drug
activities of Khun Sa had ended at present, reducing the amount of drugs
entering international markets, Col Kyaw Thein said.
_______________________________________

(3) Secretary-l receives Minister of Education of LPDR

YANGON, 25 Feb-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Minister of Education Mr Phimmasone Leuangkhamma of Lao
People's Democratic Republic and party who called at Dagon Yeiktha of the
Ministry of Defence at 4 pm today.

    Also present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,
Minister for Education U Than Aung and Director-General of Protocol Department
Thura U Aung Htet.

    The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham.
_________________________________________

(4) Cash assistance provided for in-service Tatmadaw members who sacrificed
their limbs

YANGON, 25 Feb -The 32nd ceremony to provide cash assistance by Thanmyanthu
Enterprise for in-service Tatmadaw members who sacrificed their limbs was held
at the City Hall this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace
and Development Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of
Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

    Also present on the occasion were Secretary-3 of the State.Peace and
Development
Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief
and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Judge Advocate-General Col Thein Soe, Defence Services
Inspector-General Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min,
Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-AdjutantGeneral Brig-Gen Maung Nyo,
Director of Signals Brig-Gen Aung Myint, Col Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station,
Deputy Minister for Forests Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen
Win Sein, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col
Maung Pa, departmental officials, well-wishers, the Tatmadaw members who
sacrificed their limbs and guests.

    In his address, the Secretary-2 said that the Tatmadaw members who
sacrificed their limbs need to have strong spirit if spirit is strong, they
will achieve success; the Tatmadaw has given vocational education to them, and
they need to make efforts to be able to establish their lives and to
participate in nation building endeavours.

_______________________________________

(5) 186 members resign from Nyaungdon Township NLD


YANGON, 25 Feb-A total of 186 members resigned from the National League for
Democracy of Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division.

    Eighty members of Nyaungdon Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, on their own
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to the Township
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 14
February 1999 and 106 members followed suit on 16 February as they no longer
wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

_______________________________________

(6) 13 members resign from Thayet Township NLD


YANGON, 25 Feb-Thirteen members resigned from the National League for
Democracy of Thayet Township, Magway Division.

    Thirteen members of Thayet Township NLD, Magway Division, on their own
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to the Township
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 6
February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of
NLD.
______________________________________

(7) Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee holds fifth meeting


YANGON, 25 Feb -The Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee held
its fifth meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Communications, Posts
and Telegraphs at 2.30 pm today, attended by Chairman of Communications Policy
Supervisory Central Committee Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

    Also present on the occasion were Committee members Minister for Home
Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister
for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung,
Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe,
Secretary of the Committee Director of Signals Brig-Gen Aung Myint, Officer on
Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than
Tint and officials.

    First, Joint-Secretary of the Committee General Staff Officer (Grade I) of
the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) Lt-Col Yin Maung Sein sough the
approval from the meeting on the minutes of the previous meeting.

    Secretary Brig-Gen Aung Myint and Joint-Secretary Col Ye Lwin of the
Committee reported to the meeting on decisions of the Committee on proposals
for communications equipment by departments and organizations.

    Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin reported on matters pertaining to telephones.

    Then, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and Minister for Transport
Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe took part in the discussions.

    The Secretary-2 fulfilled their requirements.
_______________________________________

(8) Deputy Prime Minister receives Chairman of Aavanti Industries Pte Ltd and
party

YANGON, 25 Feb Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment
Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Chairrnan Mr Santosh Kumar
of Aavanti Industries Pte Ltd of Singapore and party who called at his office
at 3.30 pm today.

Also present at the call were officials of Office of Myanmar Investment
Commission and Government Office.

_________________________________________

(9) Deputy Prime Minister receives Director of LS Group Co Ltd

 YANGON, 25 Feb-Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment
Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Director Mr Peter Norman
Elliott of LS Group Company Limited and party who called at his office at 2.30
pm today.

    Also present at the call were officials of Office of Myanmar Investment
Commission, Directorate of Hotels and Tourism and Government Office.
__________________________________________

(10) Production of firewood substitute briquettes coordinated

 YANGON, 25 Feb - A coordination meeting on production of firewood substitute
briquettes sponsored by the Ministry of Forestry was held at the Forest
Department on Bayintnaung Road today, attended by Secretary-2 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

    Also present at the meeting were Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief
of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Deputy
Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development
Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and departmental heads, entrepreneurs,
invited saw mill owners and observers.

    Col Thaik Tun spoke about the importance of the firewood substitute fuel
and Yangon Division Director of Forest Department Lt-Col Letyar Aung explained
the production works.

_________________________________________

(11) People of Yamethin Township village-tracts demand to be struck off from
NLD membership lists

YANGON, 25 Feb - In connection with the news about resignation of the members
of the National League for Democracy of various townships carried by the
dailies, the members of the National League for Democracy of Yamethin Township
were talking among themselves about their resigning from the NLD, meanwhile
some vi1lagers who came to know that they had been enlisted as members in the
NLD without their volition not only appealed to Yamethin Township Multi-Party
Democracy General Election Commission to cancel their names from the list of
members of the NLD but also organized the ceremonies to demand cancellation of
their names from the lists of NLD members in nine village-tracts in Yamethin
Township; those ceremonies were attended by the chairman and members of the
Township Multi-Party Democracy General Election Commission, those who were on
the list of the NLD party members without their volition and the township
incharge officers of the NLD, and they held discussions and denounced the
activities of the NLD.

-------------------------------------------------