The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 1 January, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 1 January, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Republic
   of Cuba
2. General Maung Aye inspects regional development work in
   Taninthayi Division
3. Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre
   at Buthidaung BEHS, inspects regional development
4. Minister inspects road, bridge construction work
5. Medical equipment for eye surgery donated
6. Minister inspects railroad construction work
7. - Third day of music and dance variety show to mark
     School Family Day continues
   - USDA youth delegation arrives back
   - Tourists arrive in Mandalay
8. - Youths of Mekong River Basin Region goodwill voyage tour    -
TachilekYangon Commander inspects agriculture, livestock
     breeding tasks
   - 13 gold plates donated to Shwedagon Pagoda
9. Drug trafficker gets 15 years

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( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Republic of Cuba

Yangon, 1 Jan - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of
felicitations to His Excellency Dr Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council
of State and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, on the occasion of
the Anniversary of the Liberation Day of the Republic of Cuba which falls on
1 January 2002.

___________________________

( 2 )  General Maung Aye inspects regional development work in Taninthayi
Division

Yangon, 31 Dec-Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army)
General Maung Aye arrived at the oil palm farm of Shwe Kanbawza Agriculture
Co Ltd in Yebyu region, Taninthayi Township, by helicopter on 28 December
morning.

 The General was accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Maung Bo,
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha
Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Maj-Gen Tin Aye,
Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air)
Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Maj-Gen Aye Kyway, ministers,
deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and departmental heads.

At the briefing hall, Project Manager U Hla Shwe of Shwe Kanbawza Agriculture
Co Ltd reported on the obtaining of permission for cultivation of oil palms
on either side of Taninthayi-Bokpyin motor road, completion of cultivation of
oil palms on about 5,000 acres of land, difficulties in oil palm cultivation
and efforts for cultivation of oil palms on 20,000 acres of land. Afterwards,
Commander Maj-Gen Aye Kyway and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung reported to the General on cultivation of oil
palms in Taninthayi Township.

 The General gave necessary instructions. Then, Deputy Superintending
Engineer U Khin Maung Kyaw of Taninthayi-Bokpyin motor road construction
project reported to the General on the building of the motor road. The
General urged the officials to finish construction work as scheduled because
roads are being built to promote regional development.

 Taninthayi-Bokpyin motor road is 93 miles 3 furlongs long. It is learnt that
14 miles of the road has been asphalted and 51 miles of the road have been
surfaced with gravel. Later, the General signed in the visitors' book of Shwe
Kanbawza Agriculture Co Ltd. Then, he inspected nurseries of oil palms and
cultivation of oil palms. Chairman U Kyaw Win and Administrative Director U
Zaw Win Naing of Shwe Kanbawza Agriculture Co Ltd conducted the General
around the farm.

Then, the General and party flew on to Lutlut village in Myeik Township where
Thamoke-Lutlut Bridge will be constructed. At the temporary briefing hall
near the village, Superintending Engineer (Project) of Public Works U Ba Wan
explained matters related to the proposed site for construction of the bridge
and preparatory engineering work to General Maung Aye. Next, Deputy Minister
Brig-Gen Myint Thein reported to the General on matters pertaining to the
design of the bridge. The General gave necessary instructions. Later, the
General and party inspected the proposed site of the bridge.

 Roads and bridges, big and small, are being built in accord with the
systematic plans to enable the people to travel along the Yangon-Kawthoung
motor road in all weathers. Out of eight big bridges to be constructed, five
bridgesÑ Winwa Bridge in Thayet-chaung Township, Palaw Bridge and Palauk
Bridge in Palaw Township, Taninthayi Bridge in Taninthayi Township and
Pathaung Bridge in Myeik TownshipÑhave been constructed and commissioned into
service. Kyweku-Kyaukphya Bridge and Layhnya-Mandaing Bridge in Bokpyin
Township are under construction.

 On completion of the eight bridges, Kawthoung will be easily accessible from
Yangon. General Maung Aye and party arrived at Kyweku-Kyaukphya bridge
construction project near Kyweku village in Myeik Township at 1 pm. At the
briefing hall, the General heard a report on progress of work, the arrival of
steel trusses, construction of approach roads presented by Superintending
Engineer (Project) U Ba Wan of Public Works. Then, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Myint Thein gave a supplementary report. The General gave instructions on
completion of the bridge of high standard ahead of schedule and keeping a
systematic record of construction work.

Then, the General inspected a scale model of the bridge and construction
work. Kyweku-Kyaukphya Bridge is located on Myeik-Dawei motor road. The upper
structure of the bridge is being constructed with PC beams and steel trusses
and the lower structure with reinforced concrete piles. The bridge will be
3,612 feet long and will be able to support 60-ton loads. Member of the State
Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Maj-Gen Aye Kyway,
the ministers and the deputy ministers, who accompanied the General, met with
members of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council, division-level
departmental officials, chairmen and members of Myeik District and Myeik
Township Peace and Development Councils, district- and township-level
departmental officials, entrepreneurs and members of social organizations at
Pale Yadana Hall in Myeik. Maj-Gen Maung Bo explained the purpose of the
General and party's visit.

 Then, Commander Maj-Gen Aye Kyway gave an account of the situation of
Taninthayi Division and matters related to economy, social, health, education
and transport. Later, officials of sub-committees for development of
Taninthayi Division reported on development of Taninthayi Division, extension
of rice cultivation, the growing of perennial crops such as oil palms and
rubber, and development of the meat and fish sector.

Later, the General went to Pale Yadana Hall. Secretary of the Committee for
Cultivation of Oil Palm in Taninthayi Division Minister for Cooperatives
Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe reported on the aim of oil palm cultivation in the division,
cultivation of oil palms by entrepreneurs, construction of an oil mill and an
edible oil refinery. Minister for National Planning and Economic Development
U Soe Tha reported to the General on economic development of states and
divisions and the condition of economic sectors that can help promote
development of the division.

The chairmen of various subcommittees formed after a fire broke out in Myeik
on 23 December reported on measures taken by the subcommittees. The Ministry
of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, The Ministry of Immigration and
Population, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Ministry of
Construction, the Ministry of Commerce, Myanma War Veterans Organization
(Central), the Union Solidarity and Development Association (Central),
entrepreneurs doing business together with the Union of Myanmar Economic
Holdings Limited, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Cooperatives,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Ministry of Energy made
cash donations to the fire victims. Donations made by companies included K3.5
mil- lion by Pyi Phyoe Tun International Co Ltd, K 500,000 by Shwe Yon Min
Co, K 3.6 million by Taninthayi International Fishery Co Ltd, K10 million by
Yuzana Co Ltd, K10 million by U Thein Win-Daw Ni of Shwe Than Lwin Co, K 5
million by Kanbawza Bank Ltd, K 5 million by Asia World Co Ltd, K 2.5 million
by South Dagon Oil Palm Cultivation Co Ltd, K 1 million each by Po Kaung Oil
Palm Cultivation Co Ltd, SI Co and Tet Nay Co, K 500,000 by Dagon Timber Co,
K 200,000 each by Myan Naing Myint, Aung Zin Ma Co and Sky Link Co, K 100,000
each by Shwe Pandonma Co and Steel Stone Co, 500 bags of rice by OK Rice Shop
and K 100,000 by Htoo Htoo Toe Co. Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Maj-Gen Aye
Kyway and Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa accepted the donations.

Today's donations amounted to over K 58 million. Then, General Maung Aye said
that as regards building the nation into a peaceful, modern and developed
nation, emphasis is placed on the economic growth of the State, and transport
infrastructures are being built as well. In addition, to bridge the gap of
development of rural and urban areas and to promote the development of human
resources, working programmes have been laid down. Taninthayi Division
abounds in natural resources. However, local sufficiency of rice has not yet
been achieved.

 The government has fulfilled requirements for construction of embankments
and extension of paddy cultivation. Efforts are to be made to achieve local
sufficiency of rice, meat, fish, vegetables and kitchen crops. Arrangements
are to be made to make sure that not only does the division have sufficient
rice, meat and fish, but there are also surpluses as well.

As a result of concerted efforts, some regions which could not produce rice
sufficiently for local consumption, can now produce enough rice for the
region. Arrangements are being made to cultivate 500,000 acres of oil palms
in Taninthayi Division, and it is necessary to attach importance to
cultivation of oil palms on the targeted acres of land. If the target of
cultivation of oil palms is reached, Taninthayi Division will become an
edible oil bowl of the State. In other states and divisions, cultivation of
groundnuts, sesamum and sunflower are being extended.

Therefore, edible oil will be exported sometime in the future. In addition,
cultivation of Thitseint trees, from which edible oil can be produced, is
being encouraged. Taninthayi Division needs to work for local sufficiency of
rice and to extend cultivation of oil palms. It is also necessary to extend
cultivation of rubber.

 The eight months of the first year of the third short-term five-year plan
has already passed. In the light of implementation of the plan, there is a
sign of achieving the target. Only when concerted efforts are made in all
states and divisions, will the target of plans be achieved and will the
economy of the State improve. At the same time, roads and bridges
contributing to economic development are being built all over the Union. In
Taninthayi Division, Dawei-Myeik-Taninthayi-Bokpyin-Kawthoung Union Highway
is being built.

That highway plays a fundamental role in striving for the development of
Taninthayi Division. Although the construction of roads is not economically
beneficial, they are being built with the aim of developing the region and
improving the socio-economy of local people. Out of eight big bridges to be
built along the highway, five big bridges have already been constructed. All
the bridges will soon be completed, and there will be a direct link between
Yangon and Kawthoung. Just as efforts are being made to strengthen economy
and better the condition of transport, so five rural develop tasks are being
undertaken as well. Only when rural areas develop, will the entire nation
develop. As a result, the gap of development between rural and urban areas
will become narrower and narrower and the living standard of rural people
will improve.

Therefore, it is necessary to attach importance to the development of rural
areas in respective divisions. Measures for development of human resources
are being taken so that educated persons required to build a modern nation
can be produced in the education sector. In Taninthayi Division, colleges and
universities have been opened. The government has also seen to it that
individual income increases and economic plans are successful, and therefore,
it is imperative that employees and people are to work hard. In conclusion,
the General thanked the departments and wellwishers for their donations to
fire victims in Myeik. Then, the General had a cordial meeting with those
present. On 29 December morning, the General cordially met and gave
instructions to officers and other ranks of regiments and units under Coastal
Region Command Headquarters and Myeik Station at the meeting hall of the
command headquarters in Myeik.

Then, the General and party left Myeik for Kawthoung by helicopter. The
General and party were welcomed there by Col Khin Zaw Win of Kawthoung
Station, Tactical Operations Commander Col Myint Tun, departmental officials
of Kawthoung District and Township. After that, the General and party
proceeded to Khamaukkyi region in Kawthoung Township by car and inspected oil
palm plantations of oil palm agricultural entrepreneurs along
Kawthoung-Bokpyin Road. Then, the General and party arrived at the oil palm
camp of Yuzana Co Ltd in Khamaukkyi region.

At the briefing hall, the General met entrepreneurs who undertake oil palm
cultivation projects in Taninthayi Division. Chairman U Htay Myint of Yuzana
Co Ltd reported on permission granted for oil palm cultivation of Yuzana Co
Ltd and Annawa Tun Co Ltd in Khamaukkyi region, annual cultivation of oil
palm, difficulties in oil palm cultivation projects, investment and projects
to be implemented. Chairman of Po Kaung Co Ltd U Aye Maung, Managing Director
Dr Mya Thida Swe Tin of SI Co and entrepreneurs reported on requirements in
oil palm cultivation. The General attended to their needs and gave
instructions on assistance being provided by the State to the requirements of
national entrepreneurs as much as possible, and participation and attitude to
be adopted by national entrepreneurs.

 He spoke of the need for the economic strength of the State to be in the
hands of national entrepreneurs and called for cooperation among
entrepreneurs. Afterwards, the General and party inspected oil palm nursery
and thriving oil palm trees of Yuzana Co Ltd. Then, the General and party
planted oil palm trees in the plantation of Yuzana Co Ltd and inspected the
oil palm nursery of Yuzana Co Ltd and bunches of oil palm fruits at the
plantation of Annawa Tun Co Ltd. Next, the General and party went back to
Kawthoung and inspected Bayintnaung Hill and its environs.

On 28 December evening, members of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Maung Bo and Maj-Gen Tin Aye, who accompany the General, together
with Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, arrived
at Myanmar International Fisheries Joint Venture Ltd in Myeik Industrial
Zone. Chairman of the Joint Venture Ltd U Soe Win reported on matters related
to fish auction market being undertaken by the Myanma International Fisheries
Joint Venture Ltd. Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Minister
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein gave necessary instructions and inspected the
market and the port. Member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanma War Veterans Organization
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, together with Secretary of Central
Organizing Committee of MWVO Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura
Myint Maung and member of Central Organizing Committee Deputy Minister for
Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung met Chairman of Taninthayi Division War
Veterans Supervisory Committee Secretary of Division Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Nyo and members, the Chairmen of Myeik District War
Veterans Supervisory Committee and Myeik Township War Veterans Organizing
Committee and members, war veterans in Myeik Township at Pale Yadana Hall in
Myeik on 28 December.

 Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of
the Ministry of Defence met Tatmadaw-men and families of regiments and units
in Kawthoung Station on 29 December. Member of the State Peace and
Development Council member of Central Panel of Patrons of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association Maj-Gen Soe Win and CEC member
Brig-Gen Khin Maung met secretaries, executives and organizers of Kawthoung
District and Township USDAs at Kawthoung District USDA Office on 29 December.


Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the
Ministry of Defence, together with the ministers, the commander, the deputy
ministers and departmental officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, met chairmen of Kawthoung District and Township Peace and
Development Councils and members and departmental officials at the hall in
Kawthoung on 29 December. Chairman of Kawthoung District Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Phyo reported on economic and social
conditions, measures undertaken for development of the district and rice
sufficiency in the region. Officials reported on the respective works and
Commander Maj-Gen Aye Kyway took part in the discussions.

Ministers Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister U Soe Tha and Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein
reported on national development, development of Kawthoung, role of regional
people for progress and arrangements for coordination among the departments
concerned. Maj-Gen Maung Bo spoke of the need for the service personnel to
make efforts for sufficiency of rice in the region without fail and to
actively discharge duties.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Central
Organizing Committee of Myanma War Veterans Organization Adjutant-General
Maj-Gen Thein Sein met the Chairman of Kawthoung District War Veterans
Supervisory Committee and Kawthoung Township War Veterans Organizing
Committee and members at the meeting hall of Kawthoung Township Peace and
Development Council Office on 29 December.

 Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, accompanied by Deputy Director of
Taninthayi Division Cooperatives Department U Myo Myint and officials, met
staff officers from Myeik Township Cooperatives Department and other
townships, officials and members on 28 December and gave instructions. The
minister inspected the shop of Kyun Eya General Trading Cooperatives Ltd and
Shwemyeiktha guest house. The minister also inspected the store of Hlinethit
General Trading Cooperatives Ltd of Kyunsu Township.

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to be continued ...