The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 8 January, 2002)(1/2)

[Okkar66126@xxxxxxx]

The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 8 January, 2002)(1/2)
--------------------------
1. Secretary-1 pays homage to members of the Sangha taking
   54th Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination
2. Myanmar health research paper reading session for 2001 commences
3. - Secretary-1 attends coordination meeting on observance of
     55th Anniversary Union Day
   - Mayor receives guests
4. - Minister inspects dams, sugar mill in Bago Division (West)
   - Transport minister inspects construction of airports
   - General Secretary of UMFCCI leaves for Thailand and Vietnam
5. - Minister inspects hydro-power projects
   - Minister inspects factories and projects in Kyaukse
   - Minister tours Mon, Kayin States
6. - Donation ceremony religious for buildings in Mijjima
     region held
   - Independence Day Exhibition continues
7. - Minister inspects cultural tasks in Shan State
   - Minister meets study group from Shan State (East)
   - 48th Medical Conference to be held
8. - Floating bookfair of MV Doulos displayed
   - Dinner hosted for Tiger Myanmar Amateur Open golfers
9. Heroin seized in Muse

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( 1 ) Secretary-1 pays homage to members of the Sangha taking 54th
Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination

 Yangon, 7 Jan- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, accompanied by ministers and officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, arrived 9 am today at Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba
Aye Hill where the Ministry of Religious Affairs is holding the 54th
Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Chairman of Yangon Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe,
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and officials.
The Secretary-1 and party paid homage and offered robes to Chairman of
Ovada?ariya Committee for Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida Selection Examination
Maw-lamyine Sasana Manhaung Webyan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha
Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhi-vamsa and members of the Sangha.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to members of the Sangha taking
the examination in Maha Pasana Cave. At Kaba Aye Soonsarhsaung, Secretary-1
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party paid homage to
Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa and the Sayadaws.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party took the
Five Precepts from members of Ovadanariya Sagaing Hill Thitzanawdagyaung
Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sijjanabhivamsa.

Next, the Secretary-1 and wife offered provisions to the Sayadaws. Then,
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sijjanabhivamsa delivered a sermon. The Secretary-1 and
wife and the congregation shared the merits gained. The Secretary-1 and wife
Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and family offered " soon " to Ovadanariya Sayadaws of
the examination, members of the Sangha and monks who are taking the
examination. The examination is being held from 29 December 2001 to 30
January 2002. A total of 194 monks 95 monks in the oral examination and 99 in
the written examination Ñ are taking the examination.

___________________________


( 2 ) Myanmar health research paper reading session for 2001 commences

Yangon, 7 Jan - The Ministry of Health held a Myanmar health research paper
reading session for 2001 at the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar)
in Dagon Township this morning. Chairman of the National Health Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
addressed the opening ceremony.

 Also present were the ministers, the mayor, the deputy ministers, members of
the National Health Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, the directors-general, the deputy directors-general, rectors,
medical superintendents, directors, professors, advisers, the chairman and
members of Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, representatives of social
organizations, resource persons and guests.

The Secretary-1 said that national-level health research paper reading
sessions are held every year, and research papers on various fields of the
health sector are submitted. That fact evinces the strong goodwill, firm
determination and noble efforts of researchers who are striving to improve
the national health standard and to provide effective health care for the
people. It is believed that the health research paper reading session will
serve as a basis for promoting the development of research work which will
contribute to improvement of the national health standard.

The State Peace and Development Council is striving to enable the Union of
Myanmar to stand shoulder to shoulder with others by enlisting the active
participation and cooperation of all the national people. In addition,
importance has been attached to the fact that all the national people can
enjoy the fruit of development. Therefore, an objective calling for uplift of
health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation has been laid
down, and measures are being taken to provide effective health care for the
people. Today, the government is building hospitals and dispensaries with a
view to providing health care for the people from all over the country
including border and far-flung areas.

At the same time, systematic measures are being taken to upgrade hospitals,
build new hospitals, provide diagnosis and medical equipment and appoint more
specialists. Therefore, at district hospitals, the effective health care can
now be provided, and modern diagnostic and treatment methods, medical
equipment and specialists are available as well. Medical conferences are held
with the aim of developing highly-qualified human resources in the health
sector. A large sum of money has been spent on upgrading the institutes of
medicine, opening master and doctorate courses and providing modern teaching
aids and laboratory apparatus at the institutes of medicine in accord with
the special national education promotion four-year plan. In addition, Myanmar
Academy of Medical Science has been formed with experienced persons, and the
academy is working for the development of the health sector in accord with
the requirements of the State.

In an effort to provide effective health care for the people and to improve
the standard of medical treatment, health research plays a pivotal role.
Research is the key to systematic development of any branches of science or
technology. Science and technologies including medical science are improving
fast today, and so research and innovation have come to play a crucial role.
With respect to the importance of research, Head of State Senior General Than
Shwe said that in a bid to build a new nation, efforts are always to be
speeded up, and it is necessary to promote efficiency and quality. It is
important to strike a balance between human resources development and
material development. Only then will academic fields improve. Moreover,
emphasis is to be placed on research and development in every field.

Therefore, the government is implementing national health plans designed to
uplift the health standards of Myanmar and to provide effective health care
for the people. In this regard, health research working plans and health
system research development working plans are included in the health system
development plan. Separate medical research departments which are mainly
responsible for health research have been set up in Upper Myanmar and Lower
Myanmar.

A plan is afoot to establish another medical research department which can
carry out research on diseases common in the central part of Myanmar. Things
are changing rapidly in the world today, and political, economic and social
development and changes have an influential effect on the social life of the
people in Myanmar. Health care to be provided for the people and health
research have become wide-ranging. That wide-ranging health research is to be
conducted in consonance with the political, economic and social changes of
the State and national requirements. As science and technologies are
advancing, the field of health research has become wider and wider.

 Under these circumstances, it is imperative that various fields such as
basic research, applied research and health system research need to improve
in harmony. Only then will research work contributing to health development
improve. Moreover, new kinds of research such as health policy research,
health services research, health behaviour research, health economics
research and human resources for health research are to be done. With respect
to diseases which are receiving special attention in the State, remedies and
plans to utilize those remedies, research is to be carried out; ways and
means for giving treatment at a low cost are to be sought. To make correct
decisions on the basis of the data obtained from research in uplifting the
health standard of the people, all the departments under the Ministry of
Health are to conduct research extensively.

To further improve the hitherto-known remedies and methods, research is to be
done; efforts are also to be made to discover remedies and methods which are
not available in the nation. In accord with the guidance of the Head of
State, traditional medicine research work is also to be carried out on an
extensive scale so that it can be used in the health sector of the State.
Medical research departments are to continue to conduct research on
production of medicines which can effectively cure common diseases. It is
necessary to cooperate with private traditional medicine producers in
producing potent medicines by use of western medicine, Myanma traditional
medicine and Myanma herbal plants and distributing them to the people.

 To increase the number of health research and improve quality of research,
research concepts and methods are to be disseminated to all the
health-related departments. Not only specialists and researchers but also
graduate and post-graduate medical students, doctors and administrators need
to take more and more interest in conducting research. Only then will various
kinds of health research develop.

To promote development of health research, modern laboratories, apparatus and
well-stocked libraries are required. In enhancing efficiency of doing
research, information and literature on health are vitally important. So
arrangements are to be made to transform health libraries into electronic
libraries, to establish a network among them and to exchange information and
literature on health with libraries abroad. Only when latest information is
available, can modern research work be done, and can results be disseminated.
And the Internet can be used to find necessary data. All the academicians
have already accepted the fact that the emergence of academicians of new
generation is of great importance in carrying out research.

Therefore, systematic plans are to be made to turn out researchers of new
generation. To cope with the main health problems systematically, various
kinds of research which receive top priority are to be listed, and National
Health Research Agenda is to be drawn. Included in the rural area development
tasks being undertaken in accord with the Head of State are the tasks of
uplifting the health standard of the people in rural areas and of supplying
pure drinking water. Therefore, rural area-based research and research on
health behaviour of the people in rural areas are to be carried out.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all to conduct research with the aim
of improving the national health standard and medical science and providing
extensive medical care, to turn out outstanding researchers of new generation
and strive for the development of various branches of medical science and
research, to work for the development of research which will help promote
national interests and to gather information and data about research on
medical science and medicines which are developing abroad through the
Internet and publications. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and
guests viewed the posters showing the findings of research in the hall of the
Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar). The research paper reading
session will be held till 11 January, and researchers will submit 97 papers.

___________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 attends coordination meeting on observance of 55th
Anniversary Union Day

Yangon, 7 Jan-A coordination meeting on observance of the 55th Anniversary
Union Day was held at the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) this
afternoon, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe,
the ministers, the mayor, the deputy ministers, senior military officers of
the Ministry of Defence, the director-general of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and heads of department.

The Secretary-1 said the coordination meeting was held to observe the 55th
Anniversary Union Day on a grand scale on 12 February according to its
tradition.

 The Union Day will be observed with the following objectives:

- For all the nationals to safeguard the national policy:

- non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity
and perpetuation of sovereignty

- Perpetual flourishing of Union Spirit among the entire national people

- For all the nationals to strive in harmony for the emergence of an enduring
State Constitution that will pave the way for the emergence of a new
discipline-flourishing nation and

- To ward off, with national solidarity, the danger of destructionists from
inside and outside the nation who are disturbing the State stability, peace,
modernization and development. After taking up duties of the State, the
government has been laying emphasis on harmonious development of all regions
in the Union for perpetual national solidarity and flourishing of Union
Spirit, he said. He said efforts are to be made for emergence of a new
peaceful, modern developed nation with the forces of national solidarity
which are unity, amity and oneness among the national races and the force of
Union Spirit.

The Central Committee for Observance of the Union Day, Management Committee
and sub-committees are to be formed for successful observance of the Union
Day with essence, he said. He spoke of the need to make arrangements for the
tasks to be undertaken by the respective committees.

 He also said arrangements are to be made for the Union Flag hoisting
ceremony, reading of the Union Day message of the Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council, holding of Union Day Exhibition, inviting national
groups and cultural troupes from States and Divisions, excursion programmes
for the Union Day delegates and hosting the Union Day dinner and reception.

 The Union Day is to be observed on a grand scale with political essence not
only in Yangon but also in other townships in States and Divisions according
to the traditions of the previous year, he added. The Secretary-1 called for
making efforts for observance of the 55th Anniversary Union Day with full
political essence in accord with the four objectives laid down. Chairman of
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig
-Gen Myint Swe reported on programmes for observance of the Union Day. Next,
Director-General of the Pyithu Hluttaw Office U Myint Thein reported on tasks
to be undertaken. Those present discussed the respective works. The
Secretary-1 took part in the discussions and the meeting ended in the
evening.

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Mayor receives guests

 Yangon, 7 Jan - At the invitation of Chairman of the Yangon City Development
Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, a four-member goodwill delegation led by Vice
Chairman Mr Qian Yurong of the Yangzhou People's Consultative Conference from
Yangzhou, China, arrived here by air at Yangon International Airport at 7 pm
yesterday. They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by
Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung,
committee members U Aung Soe and Col Tin Soe, Head of the Public Relations
and Information Department U Hla Myint Swe and officials, and officials of
Chinese embassy. The delegation called on Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay at
the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel at 6.30 pm today and then the mayor their hosted
a dinner in honour of them.

__________________________


( 4 ) Minister inspects dams, sugar mill in Bago Division (West)

Yangon, 7 Jan- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin,
accompanied by Chairman of Bago Division (West) Peace and Development Council
Col Soe Nwe, chairmen of Thayawady District and Township Peace and
Development Councils, arrived at Gamon Dam Project being implemented by
Construction-2 of the Irrigation Department in Okpo Township, Bago Division
(West), yesterday. The minister inspected construction of the 75-foot-wide
reinforced concrete spillway.

 Director of Construction-2 U Tin Maung Ohn and Director-General of the
Irrigation Department U Kyaw San Win reported on progress of construction
work and tasks being carried out. The minister gave instructions on timely
completion of the dam. The minister inspected construction of the main dam
comprising six embankments and the conduit and arrangements for supplying
water to 12,000 acres of land. He then laid down future plans of the
construction work.

After that, the minister and party went to the construction site of Bawbin
Dam on Thayet Creek near Thakhutpin Village 15 miles away from Zigon, Bago
Division, and he inspected construction of the conduit, the main embankment
and construction tasks. In the briefing hall, officials reported on
construction of Bawbin Dam comprising 27 embankments, Bawbin supporting dam
near Bawbin Village in Zigon Township and condition of the cluster of dams in
the western part of Bago Yoma. The minister assigned duties to officials.

Then, the minister inspected construction of Bawbin Dam and the spillway of
Bawbin supporting dam. After that, the minister and party proceeded to No 12
Sugar Mill (Nawadae) of Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise in Pyay and inspected
production process of sugar. The mill manager reported on availability of raw
materials, crushing of sugar-cane, production of sugar and molasses and
Managing Director U Myo Myint on cultivation of sugarcane in coming year. The
minister gave instructions on annually boosting production and meeting the
target of sugarcane cultivation.

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Transport minister inspects construction of airports

Yangon, 7 Jan - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by
Director-General U Win Maung of the Department of Civil Aviation, Managing
Director U Tun Aung Myint of Inland Water Transport and officials, arrived at
the Magway Airport Construction Project yesterday morning, and inspected the
earth work, the fixing of the concrete-mixer which was recently brought to
the project, and concrete-laying machine.

At the briefing hall of the project, the minister and party heard the reports
on progress of work, condition of the machinery and financial assistance
presented by Director-General U Win Maung of DCA and Managing Director U Tun
Myint Naing of Asia World Co Ltd. The minister urged the officials to strive
for systematic implementation of the Magway Airport Project to become a model
one, meeting the set standards, the making of ground more solid for the
durability of the airport and timely completion of the project with full use
of machinery and manpower.

 Then, the minister attended to the requirements. After that, the minister
and party arrived at the construction site of staff quarters of Mandalay
International Airport at 11 am, where Director-General U Win Maung of DCA and
officials reported on construction of the staff quarters and welfare tasks.
The minister urged the officials to make efforts to complete the staff
quarters as soon as possible. The minister then fulfilled the needs and
inspected the work site.

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General Secretary of UMFCCI leaves for Thailand and Vietnam

 Yangon, 7 Jan - General Secretary of the Union of Myanmar Federation of
Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Zaw Min Win and Central Executive
Committe member U Hla Myint left here for Thailand and Vietnam by air to take
part in the ' The Study Tour of Agriculture & Rural Economy Working Group'
from 7 to 20 January, 2002. They were seen off at the Yangon International
Airport by CEC members and officials.

__________________________


( 5 ) Minister inspects hydro-power projects

Yangon, 7 Jan - Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, accompanied by
officials of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise, on 1 January arrived at the
construction project of Tikyit Coal-Fired Power Station in Pinlaung, Shan
State, where he met the project director and officials and gave instructions.
Then the minister inspected land reclamation for the site of the station and
fulfilled the requirements.

 On 2 January, the minister and party arrived at Yeywa Hydro-power Project in
Mandalay Division. Together with Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, the
minister heard reports by officials at the briefing hall of the project and
looked round the project site. On 3 January, the minister and party went to
Thaphanseik Hydro-power Project in Sagaing Division. He inspected
construction of the power plant there and gave necessary instructions.

Then the minister inspected the storage of water in Thaphanseik Dam. The
minister and party on 4 January arrived at Paunglaung Hydro-power Project in
Mandalay Division. The minister inspected the construction of the floodgates
for the power plant and discussed matters on the generation of electricity
ahead of schedule. Then, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut and
party inspected the installation of Paunglaung-Pyinmana 230 KV Power Grid and
the connection of power line and fulfilled the requirements.

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Minister inspects factories and projects in Kyaukse

 Yangon, 7 Jan - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by
officials, arrived at the office of Kyaukse cement plant project in Mandalay
Division this morning. General Manager of Myanma Ceramics Industries U Myint
Thaung reported on completion of the main factory and an annex and civil
engineering work. Then, General Manager U Nyunt Aung of Myanma General and
Maintenance Industries reported on facts about bicycle, sewing machine and
shoe factories.

The minister gave instructions on availability of raw materials for the
cement factory and timely completion of the factory projects. Afterwards, the
minister inspected the factories and project sites. In the evening, Central
Executive Committee Member of USDA Minister U Aung Thaung attended the
ceremony to hand over roads, schools, libraries, wells and lakes upgraded
under the rural development tasks at Mandalay Division USDA office. Secretary
U Tin Maung Oo of Mandalay Division USDA explained the purpose and formally
handed over 11 affiliated high schools, 32 middle schools and 50 primary
schools to Director-General Lt-Col Win Htein of No-2 Basic Education
Department, 28 libraries to District Staff Officer U Myo Myint of the
Information and Public Relations Department and 18 wells and lakes to the
representatives of Mandalay, Kyaukse and Myingyan District USDAs.

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Minister tours Mon, Kayin States

Yangon, 7 Jan - Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, accompanied by officials,
left for Hpa-an and Mawlamyine by car yesterday and discussed matters related
to sawn timber requirements for the regional development tasks and
construction projects with Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development
Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung in
Mawlamyine and Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col
Maung Shein in Hpa-an. In addition, the minister met with officials of the
Forest Department and the Myanma Timber Enterprise of Mon State and Kayin
State and left instructions on work being done for the present year and the
set targets for the production of forest products.

___________________________

( 6 ) Donation ceremony religious for buildings in Mijjima region held

Yangon, 7 Jan-A ceremony to donate cash to the funds of Mijjima region was
held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Kaba Aye
Hill at 9 am yesterday. Present on the occasion were Minister for Religious
Affairs U Aung Khin and wife, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo
and wife, Pro-rector (Admin) of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary
University Dr Hla Pe, Head of Office U Maung Maung Myint, Deputy Presiding
Nayaka of Myanmar Budha Gaya Missionary Federation Thiri Thudhamma
Manijotadhara Saddhammajotikadhaja Shwemyintin U Nyo, Chairman
Saddhammajo-tikadhaja Thiha Thudham-ma Manijotadhara U Kyaw Khin Myint and
members of the panel of patrons, executives and wellwishers. Member of State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Minbya Saya-daw Bhaddanta Sujata administered
the Five Precepts. Then, Minister U Aung Khin and wife, Deputy Minister Prof
Dr Mya Oo and wife and departmental officials donated provisions to the
Sayadaws.

 Shwemyintin U Nyo supplicated on missionary tasks in Mijjima region during
22 years. General-Secretary of the federation U Kyaw Thein accepted US$ 315
each donated by 32 wellwishers, K 215,000 by each 13 wellwishers, US$ 30,000
by Shwemyintin U Nyo and wellwishers, US$ 28,000 by Sein & San Co Ltd owner
Thiri Thudham-ma Manijotadhara U Sein Hla Win and family and U San Maung and
wife and family under the patronage of mother Daw Khin Hla, US$ 25,000 by
Budha Gaya Pilgrimage Group of Mandalay, US $ 2,000 by Agga Maha Thiri
Thudhamma Theingi Daw Khin Nwe Yi, US$ 2,000 each by U Tin Hla-Thiha
Thudhamma Theingi Daw Aye Aye Kyi, Thiri Thudhamma Mani-jotadhara U Sein Hla
Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Khin, (U Maung Maung Khin) and wife Hsinpaungwe Daw Khin
Nyo, (U Thein Lwin) and wife Daw Yi Yi Nwe and (U Maung Maung) and wife
Yadanamukha Daw Khin Mya Oo, US$ 6,000 by U Maung Maung Oo and Daw Thet Yi
(Jacob) and Mingala May women and US$ 2,000 by Daw Poh and Daw Ni of Mingala
May Women's Cooperative Ltd. Vice-Chairman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara delivered
a sermon and the congregation shared merits gained.

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Independence Day Exhibition continues

Yangon, 7 Jan - The 54th Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition continued at
the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road from 9 am to 5 pm today.
Members of Kayan Township Red Cross Society and Mingala Taungnyunt Township
Union Solidarity and Development Association of Yangon Division, monks and
people totalling 4,423 visited the exhibition.

At the exhibition, the central booth, the booth on 'Myanmar the origin of
human beings', the booth on 'the First, Second and Third Myanmar Empire', the
booth on 'independence struggle and the regaining of independence', the booth
on 'cherishable Myanmar cultural arts', the booth on 'nation-building
endeavours', the booth on 'present Myanmar', the booth on 'towards the
peaceful, modern and developed nation' and booths of respective ministries
are shown.

 On display at the booths of the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs are documentary photos on rural region
visits of the Head of State, endeavours for national reconsolidation,
poppy-substitute crops, endeavours of national races for elimination of drugs
region-wise, international cooperation for the eradicating of drugs and
notable points on the 15-year programme for eradication of drugs. Similarly,
book shops and CDs, VCD, video tapes and CD-Roms on religion by World Peace
IT Co Ltd are put on sale. Today's purchase by visitors amounted to K 37,220.
The exhibition committee has arranged a quiz contest and K 50,000 kyats will
be awarded to winners. The exhibition will be kept open at the Tatmadaw
Convention Hall till 11 January and the admission is free.

___________________________

to be continued ...