The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 10 January, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 10 January, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Task to ensure peace and stability national requirement
   desired by all people
2. - City Housing Project Supervisory Committee formed to
     stabilize and bring down property prices
   - Secretary-1 discusses construction of MRTV-3 building
3. - UMFCCI President receives guests
   - Industry-1 Minister inspects factories in Mandalay Division
   - Commerce Minister receives Chinese guests
4. Mone Creek Multi-purpose Dam construction inspected
5. - Minister U Win Aung arrives back
   - Rural gravel road put back into service in Loikaw
6. - Cash donation for Sule Pagoda
   - Books donated to IPRD libraries
7. - Commander attends coord meeting
   - Floating Book Fair of MV Doulos continues
   - Cooperatives Ministry holds co-ord meeting
8. Tiger Myanmar Amateur Open Golf C'ship continues
9. Drug-traffickers sentenced

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( 1 ) Task to ensure peace and stability national requirement desired by all
people

USDA members support nation-building undertakings, pledge to participate in
rural development tasks at Kayin State mass rally

Yangon, 9 Jan - A mass rally to support national development and rural
development tasks organized by Kayin State Union Solidarity and Development
Association was held at Barket village near Thanlwin Bridge on western part
of Hpa-an in Kayin State at 8 am yesterday. It was attended by Hpa-an column
comprising 1,250 members headed by U Tun Kyaw Lin, Hlaingbwe column
comprising 1,250 members headed by U Saw Chit Tun, Kawkareik column
comprising 1,200 members headed by U J Ko Ko, Myawady column comprising 1,250
members headed by U Soe Naing Lin, Kya-in Seikkyi column comprising 1,200
members headed by U Saw Sein Aye, Thandaung column comprising 1,175 members
headed by U Saw Kyaw Myint Oo, and Papun column comprising 1,250 members
headed by U Saw Aye Lwin totalling 8,575 members.

Kayin State USDA Secretary U Saw Hta Lon chaired the rally together with
Kayin State USDA executive Dr Ngwe San and Kawkareik District USDA secretary
U Nyunt Lwin as co-chairmen. Kawkareik District USDA executive Daw Nan Myat
Su emceed the rally with Hpa-an District USDA executive Daw Nan Sabei Tint.
Chairman of the mass rally Kayin State USDA Secretary U Saw Hta Lon first
delivered an address. He said the USDA, a national organization, was formed
with the sons and daughters of the people to serve the national interests.

 All the USDA members are taking part in the national and rural development
tasks. The Union of Myanmar is a place where the national races are living in
amity and unity and in weal or woe. It is like a garden where the
multi-coloured flowers are blossoming. The national races have lived under
their own successive monarchs upholding and preserving the national prestige
and integrity and heritage since time immemorial. They have patriotism and
unitedly warded off all dangers threatening the nation. They have restored
the sovereignty and independence with national spirit and nationalistic
fervour. National solidarity and the task of ensuring peace and stability are
interrelated.

 The task is a national requirement desired by all the national people. Peace
negotiations have been made to end armed conflicts in the nation. With much
patience, the government has held peace negotiations based on the national
policy " Our Three Main National Causes " non-disintegration of the Union,
non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.
The efforts have led to restoration of mutual understanding among the
national races; and the 17 armed groups have returned to the legal fold.

They are now striving together with the government for national progress. In
Kayin State, 551 members led by U Saw Tha Mu He, 118 members led by U Saw Phe
Re Mo, 127 members led by Phado Aung San and 70 members led by U Ko Gyi have
already exchanged arms for peace. They are joining hands with the local Kayin
people for the progress of Kayin State. The objectives of the present
short-term five-year national economic plan include rural development.
Development of the rural areas where 70 per cent of the population live is a
priority task. The main requirements for rural development are transport,
water supply, development of agriculture and livestock breeding, which are
the main economy of the rural areas, and improvement of health and education
standards.

 The requirements are being fulfilled with the participation of the entire
people till the desired goal is achieved. The USDA members are required to
firmly uphold the guidance given by USDA Patron Senior General Than Shwe. The
goal of the nation-building undertakings is to further improve the living
standard of the entire nation and for emergence of a peaceful, modern and
developed nation. Over 200,000 USDA members in Kayin State should actively
take part in developing the rural areas. Thus, the rural development is the
most basic factor for national progress. In this regard, efforts are being
made to develop agriculture and raise the social standard of the rural
people.

All the USDA members in Kayin State have heartily welcomed and supported the
rural development task. The USDA has steadfastly accepted all the national
development endeavours as its national task. They should strive to safeguard
and maintain peace and stability, to take part in the nation-building
undertakings and rural areas development task. Executive U Khin Maung Aye of
Hpa-an District USDA, Kayin State, tabled a motion calling for support of the
national development endeavours. He said national solidarity and peace and
stability are basic forces required for national progress. It has been
witnessed that the forces have led to building infrastructures in the whole
nation with accelerated momentum. The State is paying special attention to
investing in the agricultural sector.

The agriculture on which 70 per cent of the population are relying is the
backbone of the national economy. Within a short period, 372 dams including
128 major dams have been built in the nation. The government has been
building more dams in the nation. There are 23 irrigation facilities such as
feeder canals, drainage canals and sluice gates in Kayin State which are
under the control of Irrigation Department. They are irrigating over 35,000
acres of crops. There are also irrigation facilities being run and maintained
by the rural communities. Total irrigation capacity of the state is over
60,000 acres.

 At the same time, efforts are being made to increase the industrial sector's
participation in the national economy. Eighteen industrial zones have been
set up in the nation. Encouragement has been given to set up large, medium
and small scale industries. Twenty-six hydel power stations have been built
during the period of ten years. Moreover, major projects including Yeywa
Hydel Power Project, Bilin Hydel Power Project and Paunglaung Hydel Power
Project are being implemented. In addition, gas-fired and coal-burn power
stations are under construction.

A network of roads leading to all directions of the nation has also been
built. Motor roads, railroads, major bridges, international airports and
ports have been extended in the nation. Eight over 18 foot bridges have been
built in Kayin State alone. Of them, Thanlwin (Hpa-an) Bridge, Gyaing
(Zathabyin) Bridge and Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge are over 1,000 feet long.
Public Works has built the facilities at a cost of over K 2,800 million and
US $ 9.445 million. The 1,000-foot Hlaingbwe Bridge was built by the
Directorate of Military Engineers at a cost of K 128 million. The first
four-year short-term national economic plan and the second five-year
short-term national economic plan have been successfully implemented with the
participation of the people. Multi-media teaching centres have been built at
schools in Kayin State also. Satellite electronic data broadcasting system
has been launched in the state. E-learning centres have been set up at Hpa-an
Degree College, Hpa-an Education College, Hpa-an Basic Education High School
No 1 and Kawkareik BEHS No 1.

At present three are 1,247 schools in the state up 97 from 1,149 in 1988.
Thirty-four schools have been opened at the places in border areas where
there were no schools in the past. In addition to Hpa-an Degree College,
Hpa-an Education College and Technological College, a Computer College has
been opened with the cooperation of USDA. The State's nation-building
undertakings are gaining success to a marvellous degree. All the USDA members
are urged to take part in maintaining and safeguarding the success. He, on
behalf of the 18 million USDA members, tabled the motion in support of the
State's national development endeavours. Executive of Kya-in-Seikkyi Township
USDA Daw Nan Yi Yi Than seconded the motion calling for support of the
government's endeavours for national development tabled by executive of Pa-an
district USDA U Khin Maung Aye. Executive of Pa-an district USDA U Khin Maung
Aye reported that construction tasks of economic infrastructure could be
implemented with added momentum as there was national solidarity, peace and
stability. As ours is an agro-based country, priority was given to the
agricultural sector with greater investment. Therefore there is food
sufficiency for the people in the country. Dry and arid zones became green
and pleasant due to the sufficiency of water. In the agricultural sector,
sown acreage increased up to 25.7 million from 19.9 million before 1988.

Total crop cultivation acreage increased also increased up to 27.1 million
from 21.8 million. In Kayin State, the number of sown acreage increased up to
570,000 from 470,000 and total crop cultivation acreage from 490,000 to
680,000. All of us have witnessed the unprecedented progress of the national
development tasks being undertaken by the government. These measures directly
benefit the people and are better foundations for future generation youths.
So, all members of USDA are to actively take part in national development
tasks, safeguarding the better conditions. And she seconded the motion in
support of the government's endeavours for national development tabled by U
Khin Maung Aye.

Next, Secretary of Myawady Township USDA, Kayin State U Than Daing tabled a
motion calling on USDA members to participate in rural development tasks. It
is obvious that the government's endeavours directly benefit rural people. He
would like to present the current implementations on five rural development
tasks in Kayin State. Eight bridges that are 180-foot long and above were
built in Kayin State. After 1998, a total of 735 miles of roads  306 miles of
tar roads, 95 miles of gravel roads, 334 miles of earth roads..
Kawkyaik-Zarthabyin Aphyauk Road, Wabodaw-Kamamaung Road,
Htipokalone-Naungkamyaing-Shwegun-Myainggyingu Road, Myawady-Phalu Road,
Kyain-Seikkyi-Kyaikdon road and Winsein-Dawlan-Nabu Road were built. Village
people who relied on only waterway can now travel by light truck. Travelling
from state to division has now become smooth and secure and economic
opportunities have also improved. Development Affairs Committees installed
hand pumps and dug artesian wells.

Water supply project for Kyekataw Village in Thandaung Township was
implemented at a cost of K 2.14 million under the arrangement of border areas
and national races development committee. Water Resources Utilization
Department is carrying out water pumping projects in Htonai, Zarthabyin,
Gyaing and Kya-in-Seikkyi Township. Sluice gates were built and canals were du
g for 60,000 acres of lands Arrangements are being made for opening of
livestock breeding zones and stations Kawkareik, Myawady, Pa-an and Hlaingbwe
Townships. In the agricultural sector, 8,840 acres of fallow and virgin lands
were reclaimed and paddy, rubber, sugarcane and other crops were cultivated
on those lands. Paddy and tapioca are under cultivation on 500 acres of lands
by three private companies.

Eighteen affiliated high schools, 16 affiliated middle schools and 30
post-primary schools were opened for rural students. Arrangements are being
made for conducting Three Rs courses in coming summer holidays in cooperation
with teachers and USDA members. In rural health sector, 27 hospitals, two
border hospitals, 16 station hospitals, one regional health care centre, 46
rural health care centres, 163 sub-rural health care centres, one nursing
training school and one mid-wifery training school were opened for promotion
of health standard of rural people. Traditional medicine dispensaries were
opened in Myainggyingu special region and townships and 16-bed Traditional
Medicine Hospital will be opened in Pa-an soon. The government is making
efforts for rural region development in cooperation with the respective
ministries.

He spoke of the need for USDA members to cooperate with the government in
implementation of rural region development tasks laid down by 2001 USDA
Annual General Meeting. The USDA formed with people in urban and rural areas
is a strong association and he believed that the association would create
living system of Myanma society. In building economic infrastructures, the
government is carrying out the tasks for development of rural region at the
same time. The five regional development tasks laid down by the government
are basic requirements of rural regions. He believed that poverty in rural
areas would be reduced if those five tasks could be implemented. Therefore,
he tabled the motion calling on USDA members to participate in rural
development tasks. Then, Hlaingbwe Township USDA executive Daw Nan Win Myint
Kyi seconded the motion of Myawady Township USDA Secretary U Than Daing
calling on the participation of USDA members in rural area development tasks.

 Those who have submitted that the government is leading in striving for the
consolidated unity of the national people, parents and the Tatmadaw for
emergence of a modern and developed nation in the world. She mainly put
emphasis on uplift of living standard of national people residing in rural
area where is a basis of the agricultural sector and the State economy as
well. All the USDA members are to participate in the rural area development
tasks being carried out by the State. As large and small bridges have been
built in Kayin State and roads have been also built in the remote areas,
rural areas are accessible to urban areas.

Due to the smooth transportation and communications, agricultural products of
the rural areas are being easily traded and education and health care
services of the rural areas will be also improved. In the rural agricultural
sector, paddy have been cultivated in 460,000 acres of land for 2001-2002
with the purpose of ensuring regional sufficiency of rice and over 25.3
million baskets of paddy were produced. It is learnt that Kayin State has
achieved 105.43 per cent of food sufficiency. Over 34,000 acres were put
under oil crops, over 37,000 acres under pulses & beans, over 7,000 cares
under sugarcane and over 35,000 acres under rubber.

 In this way poverty reduction and promotion of rural economic lives be
carried out. As regards communications for rural people, three micro-wave
stations, one auto-telephone exchange, two satellite stations, 14 rural
communication centres were opened. In addition, 940 telephones and 500 lines
were installed. Moreover, 2040 auto-exchange lines and 225 mobile (ARTS)
lines were also installed in Hpa-an, Thandaunggyi and Myawady. The 100-watt
retransmission stations were built in Papun, Myawady, Kya-in Seikkyi,
Phayathonsu and Myainggyingu regions with a view to enabling the regional
people to enjoy TV programmes conveniently. The telephone communication
system through satellite has also been installed and now one can easily make
phone contact from Hpa-an to all parts of the country. Regarding rural area
development tasks, Tayokhla village is being turned into a model village.

 Accordingly, rural roads are upgraded, electricity installed and high
school, station hospital, USDA office, library, monastery and Village Peace
and Development Council office are built. Moreover, Win Thuza shop has been
opened and it is putting on sale regional products and assorted consumer
items. Agriculture is being undertaken together with livestock breeding
works. On the other hand, river-water pumping projects are implemented for
regional development. In fact, rural development tasks in Kayin State covers
12 projects in 2000-2001 and 9 projects in 2001-2002 spending K 20 million of
funds. Regarding the matter for all USDA members to participate in nation
building tasks as guided by USDA Patron Head of State Senior General Than
Shwe, the USDA members are actively participating in nation building
activities all over the country.

They are taking part in economic, social, education and health activities of
rural areas. In conclusion, she heartily supported the motion tabled by
Myawady Township USDA secretary U Than Daing for participating in rural
development tasks being carried out with a view to enabling the entire Union
to become modern and developed. Then, the rally passed the decisions in
support of the State's development tasks, rural development tasks and
participation of USDA members in national and rural development tasks. Later,
the rally ended with chanting the slogans.
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( 2 ) City Housing Project Supervisory Committee formed to stabilize and
bring down property prices

 Yangon, 9 Jan-The coordination meeting of the Supervisory Committee of City
Housing Project took place at the meeting hall of the Department of Human
Settlement and Housing Development under the Ministry of Construction this
afternoon. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt attended and addressed the meeting and met with construction
entrepreneurs.

 Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, the Yangon Mayor,
deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, the director-general of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and departmental heads. The Secretary-1 explained
the aims and tasks of the committee. All the committee member should strive
with might and main to realize the aims, he added. Chairman of Yangon City
Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay reported on facts about housing projects
being undertaken by the YCDC. Then, Director-General of DHSHD U Arnt Kyaw
reported on condition of housing projects of Yangon City, followed by a
general round of discussions.

The necessary instructions given by the Secretary-1 brought the coordination
meeting to a close. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 met with construction
entrepreneurs. The Secretary-1 said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe
has given guidance to form a committee to help stabilize and bring down
property prices with the aim of enabling Yangon to have characteristics of a
modern city, conducting welfare services for the city dwellers and further
improving their living standard. In accord with the guidance, the City
Housing Project Supervisory Committee was formed.

The government is fulfilling all the requirements to enable Yangonites to
enjoy a convenient life and high standard of living. It is making
arrangements to fulfil the food, clothing and shelter needs of the people of
the city. Large farming enterprises producing meat, fish, vegetables and
kitchen crops and tax-free markets have been set up in the surrounding areas
of Yangon to distribute adequate amount of food at reasonable prices. The
State-owned factories are manufacturing and distributing commodities at fair
prices to fulfil the requirements of the majority including the rural people.

 Projects have been launched to establish new satellite towns for the people
including government staff to live in accord with the health and urban
standard and to build modern apartments for the people who were living in
squatters that did not meet the health standard and were tarnishing the image
of the city. The projects have fulfilled the needs of the city people to a
certain degree. Moreover, harmonious efforts have led to fulfilling the food,
clothing and shelter needs of the people to a certain extent. There was delay
in the city housing projects resulting from the economic problem which
occurred in Southeast Asia region in 1997. The prices of houses were
skyrocketing.

Although skyrocketing prices of the property did not affect the rich, the
government employees, pensioners and the people of the lower working classes
had to face difficulties. To solve the problem, the contractors should strive
to stabilize the prices of land and buildings; the State will also render
necessary assistance to the task. The committee was formed to enable the
government and the contractors to jointly strive to stabilize and bring down
the prices, to solve the housing problems and to further improve the living
standard. The contractors then presented the conditions of the housing
projects and requirements. The departmental heads also took part in the
discussions. The Secretary-1 gave suggestions.

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Secretary-1 discusses construction of MRTV-3 building

 Yangon, 9 Jan-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, visited Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road this
evening. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Minister for Information
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Ministers U Thein Sein and Brig-Gen Aung Thein,
Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay and officials. Managing Director
of Olympic Co U Aung Zaw Naing reported on location for construction of
MRTV-3 building, the blueprint, design of the building, studios and use of
land. Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung gave a supplementary report. The Secretary-1
then gave necessary instructions. Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay
reported on training of the State symphony orchestra with the aid of video
tape. Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung took part in the discussions. The Secretary-1
then gave instructions.
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( 3 )  UMFCCI President receives guests

Yangon, 9 Jan - President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of
Commerce and Industry U Win Myint, Adviser Dr Kyaw Htin, Joint General
Secretary-2 Dr U Maung Maung Lay and CEC members received the five-member
delegation led by Mr Qian Yurong, Vice-Chairman of Yangzhou People's
Political Consultative Conference in Yangzhou, China, at the office of UMFCCI
this afternoon. They cordially discussed the matters related to the economic,
trading, investment and industry.

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Commerce Minister receives Chinese guests

Yangon, 8 January - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received General
Manager of Chin Su (Myanmar) CO Ltd of China Mr Lee Pe Hai and party at his
office at 1.30 today. Also present at the call were Director-General of
Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Department
U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla
Aung and departmental officials.

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Industry-1 Minister inspects factories in Mandalay Division

 Yangon, 9 Jan-Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and officials inspected
No 2 Gas Plant of the Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries in Dawnaphwar
Ward, Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay Division, on 7 January. At the
briefing hall of the plant, the minister met with officials and gave
instructions on extension of the plant for boosting production of oxygen and
acetylene, and upgrading the plant. Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung
proceeded to the match factory of MPCI in Minte Eikin Ward, Aungmyethazan
Township. He then inspected production process at the factory, and gave
instructions on taking innovative measures to promote quality of the
products. The minister arrived at No 3 Tile Factory of the Myanma Ceramic
Industries in Kyaukse yesterday, where manager of the factory U Soe Win
reported on production and sale of the tiles. The minister gave instructions
on boosting production of tiles, and upgrading the factory, and inspected
samples of granite tiles. Afterwards, the minister went to No 3 Paleik Paper
Mill in Singaing Township, and inspected paper production process, and rolls
of newsprint. At the Paleik Textile and Finishing Mill, the minister
inspected production process and booths of textiles produced in respective
eras, and gave necessary instructions.

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( 4 ) Mone Creek Multi-purpose Dam construction inspected

Yangon, 9 Jan -Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin
arrived at No 11 Sugar Mill (Einga-khwa) in Paukkaung Township, Pyay
District, on 7 January. He met with Chairman of Bago Division (West) Peace
and Development Council Col Soe Nwe, local authorties, the director-general
of Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise, mill managers and officials, and gave
instructions on exceeding the set target in growing sugarcane, production of
sugar, and double-cropping. After inspecting the production line in the mill,
the minister proceeded to Kanle Camp on Pathein-Monywa Road in Mindon
Township where Chairman Lt-Col Tin Soe of Thayet District Peace and
Development Council, Manager U Tin Maung Bo of Magway Division Myanma Cotton
and Sericulture Enterprise, departmental officials and discussed matters
related to growing and purchasing of long staple cotton and water supply in
the region and inspected the position of the creeks where water flows all the
year round.

The minister and party then arrived at Mone Creek Dam four miles from Ngape
and 15 miles from Padan Junction on Pathein-Monywa Road in Magway Division
and inspected inflow and supply of water at the dam. He also heard report on
maintenance, availability and supply of water by Director (Construction-3) U
Tun Aung Lwin of the Irrigation Department at the briefing hall. Afterwards,
the minister and party inspected all-round construction tasks at Mone Creek
Dam two miles north of Sedoktara between Aukpon and Tharamkine villages.


 The minister inspected earth work, key trench, wall and reservoir and
tunnel, plans for construction of diversion tunnel inlet and sluice gates,
construction of spillways Nos 1 and 2 and finishing touches of 350-ft wide
main spillway and others. Officials reported on work done, tasks under way
and future tasks to the minister who attended to the requirements. The Mone
Creek is blocked with earthen dam over 6,490 feet including two 200-ft high
and 4,230-ft long dykes. The reservoir's storage capacity is 674,400
acre-feet and water will be supplied to over 108,000 acres of crops through
Mezali diversion weir built in 1910. Moreover, 330 million kilo watt-hr of
electricity can be produced every year. It is a good project for the
development of the region and day and night shift workers are striving for
early completion of the dam.

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to be continued ...