The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 26 February, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 26 February, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Secretary-1 receives Executive Secretary of ESCAP
2. - Minister receives diplomatic trainees
   - NPED Minister receives guests
   - Minister receives Executive Secretary and party
     of ESCAP
3.  Matlan Bridge across Namting Creek on Leikha-Mongnaung-
    Mongshu Road opened
4. - Maj-Gen Maung Bo attends opening ceremony of Tayokehla
     Model Village in Hpa-an Township
   - ACCSQ PPWG meeting of ASEAN nations begins
   - Myanma track and field team arrives back
5. - Industry-1 Minister inspects projects in Kyaukse
   - Ministry of Home Affairs opens Efficiency Promotion
     Course for Senior Officers
   - Minister for Transport meets regional shipping agents
6. - Minister inspects hotels, tourism services in
     Bagan-NyaungU, Mandalay
   - Minister inspects communication stations in Kachin State
   - Minister inspects departmental work
7. - Commander tours Loilem District
   - Commander inspects regional development works in
     Shan State
   - Commander inspects regional development tasks
   - Commander tours NyaungU and Myingyan districts
8. - Mayor inspects Maso Agriculture and Livestock
     Breeding Resort
   - Multimedia teaching centres opened in Myingyan
   - Study group from An region tours Bago
9. - Second meeting of Fifth Yangon Division Working Committee
     of the Sangha held
   - 24th ISD Golf Team Championship opened

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( 1 ) Secretary-1 receives Executive Secretary of ESCAP

Yangon, 25 Feb- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Executive Secretary Mr Kim Hak-su and party of Asia and
the Pacific Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP) of the United Nations at
the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 7.30 am today. Also present at
the call were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe
Tha, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the
Protocol Department.

___________________________

( 2 ) Minister receives diplomatic trainees

Yangon, 25 Feb - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung received a goodwill
delegation of diplomatic trainees of the Foreign Service Institute, Republic
of India, led by Mr Dalip Mehta, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs and
Dean of Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi, together with Charge d'Affaires
ai Mr Ashok Tomar and Counsellor Mrs Mukta D Tomar, at the Wungyi Padetha
Raza Hall of the ministry this morning. Also present at the call were
directors-general and officials of the departments under the ministry.

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NPED Minister receives guests

Yangon, 25 Feb- Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe
Tha received visiting Executive Secretary of United Nations, Asia and Pacific
Regional Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP) Mr Kim Hak-Su and members at
the former's office at 9 am today. Also present at the call were officials of
the ministry.

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Minister receives Executive Secretary and party of ESCAP

 Yangon, 25 Feb - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Executive
Secretary Mr Kim Hak-Su and party of ESCAP at his office this morning. Also
present at the call were Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt
Aye, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung
and officials.

___________________________

( 3 )  80 major roads linking states and divisions in the country being
upgraded as Union Highways

 Transport network development important for national and regional progress

 Matlan Bridge across Namting Creek on Leikha-Mongnaung-Mongshu Road opened
in Leikha

Yangon, 25 Feb- A ceremony to open Matlan Bridge built across Namting Creek
on Leikha-Mong-naung-Mongshu Road by Bridge Construction Group-9 of Public
Works of the Ministry of Construction, was held at the pandal on the bank of
Mongshu, two miles from Leikha, Loilem District, Shan State (South), on 24
February morning, with an address by member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Shan State Peace and
Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint,
Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Brig-Gen Thein Lwin of Loilem
Station, senior military officers of Eastern Command and Loilem Station,
local authorities, Chairman of Loilem District Peace and Development Council
Lt-Col Myint Tin, executives of the Union Solidarity and Development
Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Working Committee for
Women's Affairs, War Veterans Organization, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire
Brigade, a dance troupe and local people. Before the ceremony, students of
Lecikha Basic Education High School and the band presented dances to the
audience. Junior Assistant Teacher Daw Khin Khin Htwe of Leikha BEHS acted as
master of ceremonies and PAT Daw Nang Thiri Mon as co-emcee.

First, member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of
the Ministry of Defence delivered an address. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe said local
people from Taunggyi, Loilem and Leikha in southern Shan State can now travel
easily to Mongshu Gems Land and its environs as Matlan Bridge has been
opened. Out of the 180-foot and above bridges built in the country, 240-foot
Matlan Bridge is the 139th of its kind. The opening of the bridge will bring
about speedy and smooth transport in the region and also contribute to
security, goodwill relationship among the national races and economic and
social development, he said.

Altogether 80 major roads linking states and divisions in the country are
being upgraded to Union Highways in accord with the guidance of Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe. A lot of bridges, big and small, are being built
along the highways with the aim of ensuring easy transport the length and
breath of the nation, he said. He said
Loilem-Leikha-Mongkai-Panketu-Namlang-Hsipaw Road is a strategic road linking
southern and northern Shan State. Loilem-Namhsam-Monai-Mongpan-Tarhsan Road,
Namhsam-Kunhein-Tarkaw Road and Panketu-Kyethee-Mong-naung Road are being
built. He said it is important to develop transport network for national and
regional development. He spoke of the need to maintain the roads, to ensure
peace and stability and to put an end to insurgency in the region.

 If there is no regional stability and peace, regional development tasks and
trading activities cannot be undertaken peacefully. He stressed the
importance of regional stability. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe quoted Patron of the
Union Solidarity and Development Association Senior General Than Shwe as
saying on 19 February 2002 that after taking over the State's duties, the
present government has made a firm resolve to meet the strong aspirations of
the people and to build a nation with all-round enhanced capabilities step by
step and in a systematic manner. Towards this end, the government first laid
down plans and programmes aimed at ensuring peace and stability of the State.



Taking account of the experiences and lessons learned from history, it has
laid down and implemented the national tasks: non-disintegration of the
Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereig
nty. Our Three Main National Causes is the indisputable national ideology of
all our citizens. In all its activities since assumption of the State duties,
the government has always been guided by this national ideology " Our Three
Main National Causes ". The first task that the government undertook was to
restore the rule of law and peace and stability. As peace and stability began
to prevail in the nation, the government held peace talks with the armed
groups with a view to ending armed conflicts that had afflicted the nation
for nearly half a century.

 As the government had concentrated its efforts on peace, amity and unity,
and had done so with patience, it had been able to rebuild mutual
understanding with 17 armed groups who have now returned to the legal fold
and joined hands with the government. After restoring peace and stability,
the government is now able to turn its attention to national modernization
and progress. In this present age, only a nation that can transform itself
into a modern one can expect to enjoy sustained development in the long run.


 Thus, the government has set the emergence of a peaceful, modern and
developed nation as its goal and is striving towards this national objective.
Maj-Gen Aung Htwe said the Senior General's speech is right for Leikha,
Mongnaung and Mongkai regions in southern Shan State. Although most of the
armed groups in cooperation with the government are participating in the
development tasks through mutual understanding, there are still remnant armed
groups. He said he believed Leikha, Mongkai and Mongnaung regions will be a
more peaceful, stable and prosperous place if there is peace and
understanding.

 The Government is implementing 12 objectives in the political, economic and
social sectors, and considerable progress has been made. Now rural
development tasks are being undertaken all over the nation including border
areas. They are betterment of condition of transport, rural water supply,
improvement of education, health, industries, agriculture and livestock
breeding. The ministries and the people are also participating in carrying
out these tasks. These reflect the goodwill of the Head of State. There is a
great increase in the number of roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and
clinics. Assistance has been given in the agriculture sector. Development of
the nation is gaining momentum. These achievements have resulted from the
deeds of the Head of State.

Old Matlan Bridge still exists. New Matlan Bridge built of concrete has been
inaugurated by the Government. The repairing of old bridges and construction
of new ones are meant for the benefits of the people. In conclusion, he said
that not only the State but also all the national brethren are responsible
for the stability and peace and tranquillity of the nation. All need to join
hand in striving to achieve this end. All are to cooperate in working for the
development of the entire region.

 All need to maintain the bridges and roads. Then, Minister for Construction
Maj-Gen Saw Tun said that in honour of the 55th Anniversary of the Union Day,
Tanaing Bridge was opened in Kachin State on 12 February. Now Matlan Bridge
has been opened. Infrastructures which are essential for the economic growth
of the nation are being built. This is aimed at achieving equitable
development of all the regions including border areas. In accord with the
guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, motorways and railroads
are being built to link between the eastern part and the western part and
between the southern part and the northern part of the State. Altogether 139
bridges including Matlan Bridge which are 180 feet and above long have been
built. Motorways stretching 17,873.6 miles in all have been constructed.

 A study of bridges, 180 feet and above long, shows that there are eight
bridges in Kachin State, five in Kachin State, one in Chin State, eight in
Sagaing Division, four in Taninthayi Division, 12 in Bago Division, eight in
Magway Division, four in Mandalay Division, two in Mon State, 23 in Rakhine
State, 22 in Yangon Division, eight in Shan State, 34 in Ayeyawady Division
totalling 139. Over US $ 129 million excluding K 53,162 million has been
spent on them. Matlan Bridge has been built across Nanting Creek between
Lecha and Monghsu in Lecha Township, southern Shan State. The bridge will
contribute to development of trade in Shan State. All need to cooperate in
maintaining the bridge, which has been built for the development of the
nation.

Next, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of
Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint said that Matlan Bridge lies on
Lecha-Mongnaung-Mongshu road leading to Monghsu gems land. It also provide
access to northern Shan State through Mongnaung and Kyeethee. Langkho Bridge
and Nanyun Bridge are also being built in Langkho Township, southern Shan
State.

The commander urged local people and departmental employees to cooperate in
striving for regional development. On behalf of the local people, Lecha
Township USDA executive Daw Nang Su Su Nwe spoke words of thanks for
construction of Matlan Bridge. Then, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe presented gift to
Senior Engineer U Than Swe of Matlan Bridge Project. Next, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe,
Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally
opened Matlan Bridge.

 Afterwards, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun unveiled the stone inscription of the
bridge. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister
Maj-Gen Saw Tun, senior military officials and guests passed through the
bridge and cordially met the local people. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander
Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and party presented
prizes to traditional cultural troupes.

Matlan Bridge, 240 feet long, has a 24-foot-wide motor road and three feet
wide pedestrian ways on each sides. Water clearance is 64 feet wide and 12
feet wide. Matlan Bridge is of reinforce concrete. The foundation of the
bridge was built with reinforce concrete steel frames. The bridge can
withstand 60-ton loads. Senior Engineer U Than Swe, Assistant Engineer U Myo
Win Oo and technicians started construction of Matlan Bridge on 1 September
2000 and completed on 30 November 2001.

__________________________

( 4 ) Maj-Gen Maung Bo attends opening ceremony of Tayokehla Model Village in
Hpa-an Township

Yangon, 25 Feb- Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen
Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by the deputy ministers,
officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental
officials, left here by air on 22 February and arrived in Hpa-an, Kayin
State, in the evening. On 23 February morning, Maj-Gen Maung Bo attended the
opening ceremony of Tayokehla Model Village in Hpa-an Township and unveiled
the signboard of the village.

 Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Mon State Peace and
Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Aung, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, the deputy ministers, Chairman of
Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Maung Shein and members,
district and township authorities, departmental officials, members of the
Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare
Association, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, teachers, students, Red
Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, the Kayin don dance troupe, dance troupes,
the band and local people.

 First, Maj-Gen Maung Bo unveiled the signboard of the village. Then,
Commander Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung and Deputy Minister for Progress of
Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin formally
opened the tarred road leading to Tayokehla Model Village. Next, Maj-Gen
Maung Bo and party inspected the road. The tarred road is 3,000 feet long and
18 feet wide. There are two roads in the village. The new village gravel road
is 3,300 feet long and 12 feet wide and the old village gravel road is 3,300
feet long and 12 feet wide. And the gravel road leading to the jetty is 1,100
feet long and 12 feet wide.

Then, the opening cere-mony of the new Station Hospital (16-bed) was held in
Tayokehla Model Village. Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development
Council Col Maung Shein and Deputy Director-General Dr Hla Pe formally opened
the hospital. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party inspected wards,
operation theatre, the lab, the delivery room and other units of the
hospital. Officials conducted them round the hospital.

 Next, the opening ceremonies of the office of Village Peace and Development
Council, the library and the USDA office were held. Deputy Director-General U
Maung Win of General Administration Department and Kayin State USDA Secretary
U Saw Hta Lon formally opened the offices. Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party
inspected the office of Village Peace and Development Council, the library
and the USDA office. There are various subjects of books, journals and
magazines at the village library which is kept open for local people from 9
am to 4 pm daily.

A ceremony to open a new building for the basic education high school of
Tayokehla Model Village was held in front of the new building. Deputy
Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and Secretary of Kayin State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Win Maung formally opened the new
building. Then, the students formally unveiled the Myanma education goal
stone inscription. Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party inspected the computer
application room, the language lab, the computer-aided instruction room, the
electronic media room and the printed media room.

Later, a ceremony to open Tayokehla Model Village of Hpa-an Township, Kayin
State, was held in front of the school. Chairman of Kayin State Peace and
Development Council Col Maung Shein reported on the location of the village,
the upgrading of roads in the villages, construction of a basic education
high school and a 16-bed traditional medicine hospital, the opening of Win
Thuza Shop, construction of a monastery, the office of Village Peace and
Development Council, the new office of the Union Solidarity and Development
Association and a new library, power supply, livestock breeding, river-water
pumping projects and sanitation work.

 Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung gave a
supplementary report. Maj-Gen Maung Bo said that the Government has provided
all-round assistance for Tayokehla Village. As local people and departments
have worked together, Tayokehla Model Village has emerged. He urged all to
maintain the village and pass on good legacy to the new generation youths.
Chairman of Tayokehla Model Village Peace and Development Council U Tin Aung
spoke words of thanks. After the ceremony, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party,
together with village elders and teachers, posed for photos. Tayokehla Model
Village has been combined with Tayokehla Village and Kawkyaik Village in
Hpa-an. It is situated three or four miles away from Hpa-an on the bank of
the Thanlwin River.

The village has 308 houses and a population of over 1,700. Summer paddy has
been cultivated on 365 acres of land, monsoon paddy on 809 acres, edible oil
crops on 460 acres, peas and beans on 929 acres, and vegetables on 32 acres
in the rainy season and on 50 acres in the hot season. A merit-sharing
ceremony for new two-storey Waineya Thukha Monastery of Tayokehla Model
Village was held at the new monastery. Chairman of Kayin State Sangha Nayaka
Committee Zabumyaing Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nandiya
administered the Five Precepts. Maj-Gen Maung Bo, the commander and the
officials offered alms to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Sayadaw
Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nandiya delivered a sermon, followed by the
sharing of merits. Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party offered "soon " to the Sayadaw
and members of the Sangha.

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ACCSQ PPWG meeting of ASEAN nations begins

Yangon, 25 Feb - The opening ceremony of the fifth ASEAN Consultative
Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ), Pharmaceutical Product Working
Group (PPWG) meeting of the ASEAN member countries was held at the Traders
Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road at 9 am today. It was attended by Deputy Minister
for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, deputy ministers for Home affairs,
Finance and Revenue, Foreign Affairs and Information, directors-general of
the departments under the Ministry of Health, rectors, the chairman of
Myanmar Medical Association, the chairman of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents
Club, the chairman of Myanmar Red Cross Society, the chairperson of Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the chairman of Myanmar Medicines and
Medical Equipment Dealers Association, officials of ASEAN Pharmaceutical
Administrative Departments and ASEAN Pharmaceutical Product Associations,
resident representatives of WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and UNDCP and officials of
medicine import companies. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint
delivered an opening speech and ACCSQ PPWG Chairman Mr Che Mohd Zin Che Awang
extended greetings. Then, the discussions followed. The meeting will continue
till 27 February.

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Myanma track and field team arrives back

Yangon, 25 Feb - Myanmar track and field team, which took part in the 8th
Asia Championship Marathon held on 24 February in Hong Kong, People's
Republic of China, arrived back here today by air. They were welcomed back at
the Yangon International Airport by officials of the Sports and Physical
Education Department and the Myanmar Track and Field Federation. Over 20
nations from Asia competed in the competition. In men's competition, Maung
Maung Ngai of Myanmar stood third, and the first and second prizes went to
Japan. In women's competition, the first prize was taken by China when the
second and third prizes were fetched by Japan, and the Philippines the fourth
and Pa Pa of Myanmar the fifth.
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to be continued ...