The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 10 May, 2001)(2/2)

Subject: The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 10 May, 2001)(2/2)
From: Okkar 66126 <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 03:32:47 -0700
The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 10 May, 2001)(2/2)
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1. - Secretary-1 inspects regional development in Sagaing
     and Magway Divisions, Kachin State
   - Fukuoka-Myanmar friendship Association presents women's
     domestic training school, teaching acids worth U$ 83,000
     for MyintKyina Township
2. - Seinbudaws, Hngetmyatnadaws hoisted atop Laykyun Manaung
     Maha Thantamuni Pagoda in Wuntho, Khaungphu Lawka
     Marazein Maha Pagoda in Myitkyina
   - Secretary-1 opens Monywa Traditional Hospital
3. Situation of Pachee outpost and a bomb explosion at
   Mandalay Zegyoo clarified
4. Meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC of the signatory
   countries to MoU on Drug Control in East Asia and the
   Pacific Sub-region opens
5. "Bahinia Pondaungensis " of Pondaung region in Myanmar
   confirmed "world's most primitive anthropoid primate"
6. - Labour Minister leaves for Malaysia
   - L&F Minister meets foreign guests
   - UMFCCI President meets Japanese officials
   - Mayor receives Vietnamese Ambassador
   - Myanmar delegation arrive back
7. - Japanese cultural troupe performs entertainments
   - Lao PDR goodwill delegation arrives
   - Mandalay Mayor leaves for China
   - Minister inspects factories in Shwepyitha, Hlinethaya
     Townships
   - Commander accepts donations for offering gold foils at
     Kyaikkasan Pagoda
8. - Director-General of NNCC of PRC arrives
   - Outstanding Red Cross Youths tour Yangon Division
9. Drug traffickers get life imprisonment

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( 4 ) Meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC of the signatory countries to MoU on Drug Control in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region opens


Yangon, 9 May?The opening ceremony of the meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC of the signatory countries to Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region was held at Hotel Equatorial on Alanpya Phaya Road this morning, with an address by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, senior military officers, ambassadors of the signatory countries to Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region, Resident Representatives of UN Agencies in Yangon, delegates of UNDCP and Drug Control Programme for East Asia and Sub-region in the Pacific Region, delegates of Myanmar, Thailand, Lao People?s Democratic Republic, the People?s Republic of China, Cambodia and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, correspondents of Foreign Correspondents Club, local and foreign newsmen, officials of social associations and guests.


Minister Col Tin Hlaing said:

At the outset, on behalf of the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, I wish to express my sincere and deep appreciation of the afforded with the honour of delivering the opening speech at this most significant Meeting.

Also, it is an honour for Myanmar of having the opportunity to host the Senior Officials Committee Meeting and the Ministerial Meeting, which came about as a result of the decision of the Ministerial Meeting in Laos in May 1999 when the Meeting adopted a resolution that the 2001 Senior Officials Committee Meeting and the Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by Myanmar. Although I did not have the pleasure of attending the Meeting in Vientiane, Myanmar was represented by the Vice-Chairman of CCDAC, the Minister for

Progress of Border Areas and National Race and Development Affairs.We can take pride in our gathering here if we look back to the years when Myanmar, Thailand, China and Laos together with UNDCP, pledging to take cooperative and collaborative measures to control drugs in the sub region, took the initiative to put our signatures to the Memorandum of Understanding in 1993 at New York during the UN General Assembly.


With Cambodia and Vietnam becoming members of the MoU at the Ministerial Meeting held at Beijing in May 1995, it expanded to six member states. Since the implementation of the Sub regional Action Plan, I believe success have been achieved to a considerable extent if not significant, in the aspects of drug control and cooperation in the sub region.

The main purpose of this MoU is to provide a strategic outline and guideline for the collaborative efforts of the MoU member countries in addressing the problems of illicit drug production, trafficking, abuse and prevention of HIV/AIDS. UNDCP as the catalyst and coordinating agency is to provide technical and financial assistance.

After the cold war era, the world has become smaller due to advances in science and technology. The rapid development of Information Technology (IT) has been taken advantage by drug traffickers and international crime syndicates to commit crimes in a new dimension which transcends international borders. This calls for the urgent need for closer cooperation between the countries in tackling this menace.

It has been also witnessed that the illegal trafficking of narcotic drugs has taken the center stage amongst transnational crimes. This concern is the main reason that the United Nations took initiative and drafted the Convention against Transnational Organized last year to build a platform for cooperation among country states.

I do not need to stress that drug production and trafficking have also become the major transnational organized crimes committee in Asia and the Pacific region. This has been the underlying reason why Myanmar hosted the 4th International Heroin Conference and 2th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Organized Crime in 1999, enabling enforcement agencies and concerned officials from country states and international organizations from around the world to meet and exchange experiences and discuss ways and means to combat the threatening menace.

The 24th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies of Asia and the Pacific was also hosted by Myanmar in November 2000. Hosting of these international conferences and meetings not only indicate the commitment of combating drugs domestically, but also testifies that Myanmar stands ready to cooperate with the international community.

Another underlying reason and purpose in hosting international meeting is the opportunity to show the international media of our efforts, achievement and the difficulties that we are facing the fight against drugs. It also gives the opportunity for the international participants who know about Myanmar only through the distorted media reports, to see for themselves the actual situation in the country.

The magnitude of the danger of narcotic drugs is endangering the people of the world and the fact emphasizes the need for cooperation between us. There is no other way except a need to set up a mutual understanding between each country as well as each region in the entire world.

Even through international assistance has ceased to our country, we are far from ignoring the problem but have been trying our best to face it relying on our own resources by implementing the 15 Year Narcotic Drugs Elimination Plan.

This is policy directive laid down by the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Senior General Than Shwe, and is closely supervised by the Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. In addition line Ministeries and local authorities concerned are fully participating in implementation of the project. The project started from fiscal year 1999-2000 and targeted for completion in the fiscal year 2013-2014.

Although we planned the project based on our own resources, for the benefit of the world community, we are ready to warmly welcome any interest and assistance from international organizations to this project. With external assistance and participation, there is not doubt the project will realize its target in a much shorter period.

However, whether external assistance is forthcoming or not, I wish to go on record we are fully committed to realize the objectives set down by the project relying on our own resources.

The drug problem is Myanmar is an inheritance handed down by the colonialists and it not only disgraced the image of the State and social standards of the country but also endangers the world community at large. Unfortunately, is also affects the simple and peaceful lives of the national races living in the hill regions. Consequently, the government has to address the sensitive issues and delicate problems in a very broad and holistic manner.

Myanmar fully recognized that drug related problems are not contained to a country only but also transcend international boundaries ignoring sovereignty; in this respect we have taken into account drug matters as a national concern. Thus, we are strongly committed to active cooperation with Non-governmental Organizations, United Nations organizations, neighboring countries in the sub-region and region.

According to the Opium Yield Surveys annually conducted jointly by Myanmar and the United States, there has bee a significant reduction of opium cultivation since 1997. The 1999 figures indicated a reduction of 31 percent while production also declined 38 percent. During the 2000-2001 cultivation season 21242 acres were cradicated by the Regional Military Command programmes, the efforts to establish Opium Free Zones in the Special Regions by the national races, drought and pestilence were also the causes of decrease in the opium production.

However, we cannot deny the fact that still there are active areas of drug production and trafficking in the remote areas of Myanmar-China and Myanmar-Thai borders. Remnants of the KMT, split-away groups from MTA led by Kyauk-sit-su-hlaing, WNA led by Maha San, SURA led by Ywet Sit and the KNPP are still very much and deeply involved in drug production and trafficking along the Myanmar Thai border.

Acetic Anhydride, the major presursor chemical necessary for the production of heroin and Ephedrine for the production of ATS are trafficked into Myanmar from India, China and Thailand. Seizures along the Myanmar Thai border indicates that, in addition to ephedrine there have been trafficking of paraphernalia for the production of stimulants as well as Caffeine.

Reviewing enforcement seizure results on drugs from September 1988 to April 2001, over 31 tons of opium, over 4 tons of heroin, 34,634 liters of Phensedyl, 312,602 liters of precursor chemicals, 17.6 tons of ephedrine, 82.5 million tablets of methamphetamine were seized. 128 clandestine laboratories were searched and destroyed, 111,645 acres of poppy fields were eradicated. Seized narcotic drugs were burnt in front of the public 14 times in Yangon and 20 times in the border areas.

While Myanmar had success in the suppression of opium and heroin the emergence of ATS took center stage and became an alarming concern. Although ATS had been a problem in the region since the last decade, particularly in Thailand, the ATS dilemma surfaced in Myanmar only in 1996. Annual seizures of ATS started in 1996 with nearly 6 million tablets and totalling up to 82.5 million to date. Precursor chemicals were also seized annually with a total of 15.6 tons of ephedrine and 5 tons of caffeine. 3 clandestine ATS laboratories were also searched and destroyed.

In accordance with the 1993 Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, severe punishments have been served up and assets related to drugs confiscated. However, to be more effective it has become apparent that a specific law in line with the international legal system is necessary to take effective action against money laundering. In this connection, we are at present in the process of formulating a Money Laundering Law which has reached the Fifth Draft. The enactment of this Money Laundering Law is underway and shall be prescribed in the very near future. Similarly, I would like to inform the meeting that a special committee has been formed to draft a Mutual Legal Assistance Law in line with the provisions of Article 7 of the 1988 UN Convention.

I have no doubt the distinguished representatives are aware that with ACCORD Plus, ASEAN has set forth a firm objective to become a DRUG-FREE ASEAN by the year 2015. I am happy to inform you that Myanmar has since 1999-2000, embarked on the implementing stage of her Fifteen Year Narcotics Elimination Plan and an appraisal of the first year of the first phase has been released and circulated for your information at this meeting.

With regard to the demand reduction aspects, the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt during a visit to the Shwe Pyi Aye Youth Rehabilitation Center stressed that drug addicts should not only be provided with medical treatment but also moral rehabilitation as well as vocational training should be given so that they can reintegrate into the normal stream of life and be a valuable human resource to the country. This has been the continued guideline followed at the Shwe Pyi Aye and Shwe Pyi Thar and other 6 Rehabilitation centers around the country.

If we look in the area of international relations with regard to drug control we have been cooperating with all the neighbouring countries by signing bilateral agreements. Ministerial level Meetings with a view to closer cooperation between Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have been in progress for a decade now. Hosting of this MoU Ministerial Meeting and Senior Officials Committee Meeting in Yangon stands testimony of Myanmar?s spirit of cooperation with neighbouring countries and the international community at large. In addition, Myanmar is also a very active member of ASEAN.

In conclusion, although your stay in Myanmar is short, I sincerely hope that you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our Garden City, Yangon and also experience the warmth, generosity, hospitality and culture of Myanmar.

On the other hand, I am happy you will also have the opportunity to see firsthand the actual situation in the country and to compare notes on e distorted information projected by the international media. They say that "seeing is believing" so I would urge you to pass your own judgement after seeing for yourself.

Last but not the least, may I wish you all a most pleasurable and comfortable stay in Myanmar and a most resounding success in your deliberations in the coming 2 days.

Next, Mr Sandro Calvani of UNDCP and Drug Control Programme for East Asia and sub-region in the Pacific Region spoke.

Minister Col Tin Hlaing had documentary photo taken with delegates of Myanmar, Thailand, Lao People?s Democratic Republic, the People?s Republic of China, Cambodia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and UNDCP and Drug Control in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region.

After the ceremony the meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC was held.Present were delegates of UNDCP and Drug Control in East Asia and the Pacific Sub-region and senior officials of Myanmar, Thailand, LPDR, PRC, Cambodia, SRV.

Delegates elected leader of Myanmar delegation Secretary of CCDAC and Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win as Chairman of the meeting.Next, Chairman Police Maj-Gen Soe Win delivered an opening speech.

Senior officials of Cambodia, PRC, LPDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and UNDCP and leaders of the delegations reported on measures undertaken for drug control. They participated in discussions on drug control matters.

The meeting continues on 10 May. In the evening, Police Maj-Gen Soe Win hosted dinner in honour of the delegates at Drug Elimination Museum on Kyaundaw Street in Kamayut Township.

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( 5 )  " Bahinia Pondaungensis " of Pondaung region in Myanmar confirmed "world's most primitive anthropoid primate"

Yangon, 9 May - Experts at a seminar in United States have confirmed that "Bahinia Pondaungensis"  of Pondaung region in Myanmar " the most primitive anthropoid primate"  of the world. Bahinia Pondaungensis is among the anthropoid primate fossils found at Pondaung region, said Head of Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Than Tun this morning at a Press meet on confirmation of " Bahinia Pondaungensis " as the most primitive anthropoid primate.

  The confirmation was made a seminar under the title "Anthropoid Origins" which was held in Pittsburgh, US, from 19 to 22 April 2001 under the sponsorship of New York University and Duke University, he said. A Myanmar-French joint excavation team found parts of the lower right jaw, the upper right jaw and upper left jaw of the Bahinia Pondaungensis primate at Yashekyitchaung area near a primate camp at Bahin village, Myaing Township, Pondaung region, in Myanmar on 22 November 1998.

On 6 November the same year, a Myanmar-Japan joint expedition team found a part of a lower left jaw at Yashekyit-chaung, which is of the same primate of the same group. When Myanmar and French experts made a detailed study, they found that the finds were of older species of an anthropoid and named it " Bahinia Pondaungensis". The records of the finds were compiled into research papers for publication and that "Bahinia Pon-daungensis" has been approved as the most primitive anthropoid primate" of the world at the international seminar, Col Than Tun said.

According to international scholars, the Pondaung rock layer is of the late Middle Eocene, whose age is between 49 million years and 33.7 million years. Two Myanmar geologists, Prof Dr Tin Thein of Yangon University and Associate Prof Dr Aye Ko Aung of Dagon University attended the seminar, at which scholars from Myanmar, Japan, France and US read papers on the fossilized primates of Pondaung region with the participation of international resource persons of the field.

  Dr Tin Thein and Dr Aye Ko Aung presented papers on fossilized primates excavated in Myanmar. At the Press meet which was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here, Col Than Tun also replied to queries raised by journalists.

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( 6 ) Labour Minister leaves for Malaysia

Yangon, 9 May-Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe together with Director U Aye Ngwe of Labour Department left for Malaysia to attend the 15th ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 10 to 12 May, this morning. They were seen off at the airport by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein and officials from departments under the ministry.

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 L&F Minister meets foreign guests

 Yangon, 9 May-Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein met General Secretary Mr Panu Tavarutmaneegul of South-East Asia Fisheries Development Federation and party at his office at 11 am today. Also present at the call were the directors-general and officials from the departments under the ministry.

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UMFCCI President meets Japanese officials

 Yangon, 9 May-President U Win Myint of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and Central Executive Committee member U Hla Myint met Deputy Chief of Mission Mr Kiyoshi Koinuma of the Embassy of Japan, accompanied by First Secretary Mr Takashi Ishizaki, at the office of the federation at 3 pm yesterday. They cordially discussed matters related to promotion of co-operation on commerce between the two countries.

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Mayor receives Vietnamese Ambassador

Yangon, 9 May-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay received Ambassador of Vietnam to Myanmar Mr Nguyen Dang Khoa at his office at 11 am today. Also present at the call were Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win, committee members, heads of departments and officials.

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Myanmar delegation arrive back

Yangon, 9 May-The Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin this morning arrived back here after attending the consecration ceremony of marble Buddha image donated by Myanmar held in China. The delegation was welcomed back at the airport by Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Than Shwe, officials concerned, Ambassador of China Mr Li Junjin and others. Members of the delegation Director-General U Sann Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Director Daw Khin Nwe Han Kyi, Adviser to the Religious Affairs Department Daw Khin Hla Thi, Assistant Director U Tin Win Maung of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Assistant Director of Mandalay Division Religious Affairs Department U Khin Maung Win and U Myint Sein of the ministry also arrived back.

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( 7 ) Japanese cultural troupe performs entertainments

Yangon, 9 May- The entertainment of Manjushaka Japanese traditional cultural troupe, organized by Ministry of Culture, Asia Industrial and Technical Development Association (AITDA) of Japan and Subaru Travels Co Ltd in Myanmar, was held at the National Theatre at 7 pm today.

  Present were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and wife, directors-general of departments, rector of University of Culture (Yangon) and officials, Chairman of AITDA Inc Mr Matsumuro, Managing Director U Aung Nyunt of Subaru Travels in Myanmar and guests.

 Manjushaka troupe members presented Japanese traditional cultural dances and songs to the audience. After the show, Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt presented the flower basket to the leader of the tourpe. The Manjushaka troupe will present two shows at 1 pm and 7 pm on 10 May.

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Lao PDR goodwill delegation arrives


Yangon, 9 May-At the invitation of Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman of Union Solidarity and Development Association Lt-Gen Win Myint, a five-member goodwill delegation led by member of Party Central Committee Politburo Chairman of Mass and Class Organizations Affairs Committee of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Thongsing Thammavong and wife arrived here by air this evening to make a goodwill tour in Myanmar. The delegation members were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by General Secretary of USDA U Than Aung, CEC members U Than Shwe and U Aung Thein Lin and wife, Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham, members of North Okkalapa Township USDA and officials of USDA Headquarters. The delegation members will stay here up to 15 May.

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Mandalay Mayor leaves for China

Yangon, 9 May-At the invitation of Mayor of Kunming, the People's Republic of China, a Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Yan Thein left this afternoon for China to attend the Signing Ceremony of Kunming and Mandalay as Sister Cities to be held in Kunming, China. The delegation comprises Joint-Secretary U Pe Khin of MCDC, Committee Member U Myint Thein, Heads of the departments U Aung Soe and U Khin Maung Zin.

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Minister inspects factories in Shwepyitha, Hlinethaya Townships

Yangon, 9 May-Chairman of Myanma Industrial Development Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by officials, arrived at Myanmar Lighting Manufacturing Co Ltd on Hla Theingi Street, Industrial Zone-3, Shewpyitha Township, this morning. At the briefing hall, Chairman of the company U Sein Wan reported on production and distribution of Superlamp fluorescent lamps to the minister who gave necessary instructions.

  Then, the minister inspected production process of the fluorescent lamps and testing of their quality, and the factory. The minister and party proceeded to Pinya Manufacturing Co Ltd on Bamaw Ahtwinwun Street, Industrial  Zone-3, Setmu Myodaw, Hlinethaya. Township, and inspected the production process of MAX soft drinks, and the factory. At the briefing hall, Vice-Chairman U Kyi Lwin reported on production and distribution of the soft drinks to the minister who left instructions there.

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Commander accepts donations for offering gold foils at Kyaikkasan Pagoda

 Yangon, 9 May- A ceremony to present cash towards the funds for offering gold foils at Kyaikkasan Pagoda in Thingangyun Township was held at the platform of the pagoda this morning, attended by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than.

  Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Maha Saddhammajotikadhara Bhaddanta Kosalla and members of the Sangha, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, officials, wellwishers and guests. The commander donated offertories to the members of the Sangha. Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees Siha Sudhamma Manijotadhara (Hsinmin) U Tin Shwe reported on the purpose of the gold foil offering.

  Then, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Director-General Dr Myo Myint of Religious Affairs Department and officials accepted K 6,947,190 donated by 122 wellwishers including K 100,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Deve lopment Council, K 300,000 by Siha Sudhamma Manijotikadhara (Hsinmin) U Tin Shwe-Daw Kyi Kyi and family (Hsinmin Soap Factory), K 500,000 by U Tin-Daw Htar Htar Khin and family (Shwedaungyin Gold Smith), K 300,000 by U Myint Shwe-(Daw Hla Hla Wai) (Hsinnyinaung Family), K 300,000 by U Kyaw Htay-Daw Myint Myint Swe and family, K 200,000 by Daw Su Su May and family in memory of Col Nyunt Tin and K 200,000 by U Khin Zaw-Daw Aye Aye Cho and family, and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Chairman of Thingangyun Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimala delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

  Afterwards, the chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees presented pictures of the pagoda to the commander and those present. Next, the commander went round the pagoda. As about K 30 million will be spent in the gold foil offering for the pagoda, wellwishers may donate cash to the funds of the pagoda through the Pagoda Board of Trustees.

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Outstanding Red Cross Youths tour Yangon Division

 Yangon, 9 May-The youth from the states and divisions, who will attend the Outstanding Red Cross Youth Get-together 2001, toured Yangon Division today. The youth arrived at City Farm and Resort of Yangon City Development Committee in Uto-Kya-in Region, Taikkyi Township at 8.30 am. Committee member Col Thaung Wai briefed on City Farm and Resort. Assistant Executive Director U Hla Myint of Myanmar Red Cross Society presented a commemorative pennant to Col Thaung Wai. The youth viewed fish breeding ponds, duck breeding and rice mill. In the afternoon, they visited Hlinethaya Industrial Zone where Director of Human Settlement and Housing Department Lt-Col Htin Aung Kyaw briefed on the department and the industrial zone with the help of slides. They also visited Myanmar International Thilawa Terminal in Kyuaktan Township and Kyaikkhauk pagoda in Thanlyin Township, Yangon South District.

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( 8 ) Director-General of NNCC of PRC arrives

 Yangon, 9 May-A Chinese delegation led by Director-General Mr Yang Fong Rui of National Narcotic Drug Control Commission of the People's Republic of China arrived here by air this morning to attend the Meeting of Ministers and Senior Officials of the Signatory Countries to the 1993 Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control and High Level Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control to be hosted by Myanmar. The delegation members were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of Monitoring Committee for Working Groups of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win and officials, and staff of PRC Embassy.

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( 9 ) Drug traffickers get life imprisonment

Yangon, 9 March-A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, on 28 June 2000 searched an air-con bus (Ba/371) at the fork of Tangyan and found 156.6 grams of heroin concealed in nine soap boxes, 400 stimulant tablets and one short gun from Aik Pi, a passenger on the vehicle.

Action was taken against Aik Pi, 25, son of U Khin Saw, of Wunkyawt Village, Leikha Township and Sai Khan, 24, son of U Pu Lwai Khan, of Wanmaw Village, Hsipaw Township under Section 15/19 (A)/22(B)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law in connection with the seizure of the narcotic drugs and the weapon.

Aik Pi was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 19(A)/22(B) and Sai Khan to life imprisonment under Section 19(A)/22(B)/21 by Lashio District Court on 26 March 2001.

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