The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 30 March, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 30 March, 2002)
----------------------------
1. Secretary-1 attends meeting of Myanma Industrial
   Development Committee
2. Myanmar and USA jointly carry out survey on poppy
   cultivation and yield eight times since 1993
   Results of survey announced yearly by US Government
   According to announcements, poppy cultivation in
   Myanmar declined to 105,000 hectares in 2001 from
   163,100 hectares in 1996
3. SURA attacked Pachee outpost to mislead certain
   western nation into viewing it as prime mover in
   drug eradication and the world into believing
   Myanmar Tatmadaw to be drug producer Three SURA
   members who exchanged arms for peace give
   first-hand account to ambassadors
4. Leading Committee for Observance of 57th
   Anniversary Armed Forces Day holds work appraisal
   meeting
5. A & I Minister tours Mandalay, Sagaing
6. Upgraded Thwin Cinema opens
7. Hydrographic Survey System demonstrated
8. Chinese tourism delegation leaves
9. MoU signed for water supply in dry zone

---------

( 1 ) Secretary-1 attends meeting of Myanma Industrial
Development Committee

Yangon, 29 March - Myanma Industrial Development
Committee held a meeting on industrial development in
the meeting hall of the Ministry of Industry-1 this
afternoon. Vice-Chairman of the Industrial Development
Central Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt addressed the
meeting. Also present were members of the State Peace
and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Maj-Gen Khin
Maung Than, Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and
Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, ministers,
deputy ministers, members of Myanma Industrial
Development Committee, members of the work committees
and subcommittees, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, heads of department,
chairmen and members of supervisory committees and
management committees of 26 industrial zones and
officials.

 The Secretary-1 said that Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe has from time to time given guidance
on establishment of industries which necessary for
building a modern and developed nation. The State
Peace and Development Council is making all-out
efforts with the strength of national forces in
enabling the Union of Myanmar to stand shoulder to
shoulder with others and building the nation into a
modern and developed one. In so doing, the Government
has placed emphasis on development of agriculture as
the base and development of industries. Agricultural
work has been carried out from generation to
generation, and the nation abounds in natural
resources.

That is why efforts for industrial development are
based on agriculture. Systematic measures are being
taken to strengthen the national economy, to encourage
the businesses of national entrepreneurs and to enable
them to keep the initiative to shape the national
economy in their hands. In this regard, the Government
is working for the modernization and development of
agriculture, the basis of the national economy, and
has given top priority to the mechanization of
agriculture. At the same time, the Government is
taking measures to lay down the foundations for the
emergence of a modern, industrialized and developed
nation. In building a modern and developed nation, it
is necessary to create favourable conditions
contributing to industrial development, to enable
national entrepreneurs to set up small- and
medium-size industries and to turn private industries
into heavy industries. It is also necessary to achieve
industrial development in the agriculture sector, to
establish import-substitute industries and to set up
export-related industries.

 These measures are to be taken by the Government and
entrepreneurs. The Secretary-1 quoted Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe as saying that the
establishment of industries is of great importance in
building a modern and developed nation. On the basis
of agricultural development, necessary industries are
to be set up. The industrial sector is to be divided
into three sectors Ñ the state-owned sector, the
private sector and the foreign investment sector
permitted according to the foreign investment law. The
industrial sector comprising these three sectors is to
be developed. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all to
implement the guidance of the Head of State.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given
guidance on implementation of five objectives designed
to develop the industrial sector based on the
agriculture. These five objectives are development of
industries based on agriculture, improvement of
industrial products in quantity and quality,
production of new machinery items, the manufacturing
of machinery for use in industries and to lay down the
foundation for turning the nation into an
industrialized one on the basis of these four
above-mentioned facts. In implementing the guidance of
the Head of State, industrial zones have been
established at suitable places as of 1995 so that
scattered industries can be put in a place. Now there
are 18 industrial zones. Some industrial zones have
been extended, and there are altogether 26 industrial
zones.

 Although the industrial zones have been set up,
development has fallen short of expectations. Head of
State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance on
cooperation of the state-owned sector and the private
sector, and the provision of financial and technical
assistance and raw materials and others for the
industries of national entrepreneurs by the
Government. In accord with the guidance of the Head of
State, the Ministry of Finance and Revenue has
extended loans to industries; the Ministry of
Industry-1 and the Ministry of Industry-2 have
provided technical assistance, machinery and raw
materials.

To implement the guidance of the Head of State and the
industrial policies of the State, the Industrial
Development Central Committee chaired by the
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council and Myanma Industrial Development Committee
chaired by the Minister for Industry-1 have been
formed. The committees are giving policies, working
programmes and assistance. Industrial Development
Central Committee lays down five principles to set up
mechanized agricultural system and industrial nation
Industrial Development Central Committee laid down the
five principles  wider flourishing of agricultural
mechanization system; extension of new factories;
operation of the existing factories at full capacity;
extension of new industrial zones; and further
development of the private sector with the aim of
setting up mechanized agricultural system and an
industrial nation.

The industries which are being run with the government
support are farm machinery producing enterprises, car
and spare parts producing enterprises, radio, TV and
communication equipment manufacturing enterprise,
electrical apparatus manufacturing enterprises,
textile and garment industries, rubber industries,
finished wood-based industries and rice oil mills and
sugar mills and bakeries. There are industrial zones
producing cars, generators and pumps, and also small
zones producing machinery. Some of the zones are not
doing their business well. The Head of State has given
guidance, saying that first the industries which
include more manual work and less mechanical work will
have to be set up; that to reduce the manual part and
to increase the mechanical part in the second phase;
that to set up industries which almost run with
mechanical power in the third phase; that changes and
developments should be made gradually; and that the
deputy ministers, who take charge of the industrial
zones and heads of department will have to render
assistance.

 The State has set up industrial zones and allotted
land for industries, rendered assistance to set up
industries, supplied water, electric power and
communication facilities, disbursed loans at low
interest rates; rendered assistance to provide
manufacturing machines and raw materials to the most
possible degree, disseminated know-how, produced
materials for industries, and bought raw materials for
industrial development. Especially, the State has
given priority to agro-based industries, machinery
producing industries and import-substitute industries.
As the State is rendering assistance, the
industrialists are also serving the interests of the
nation. The industrialists will have to strive to
manufacture quality machines and social goods required
by the nation, to run the existing factories at full
capacity, to boost farm machinery production, to
extend import-substitute industries, to set up new
types of industries.

They are required to make systematic arrangements to
increase investments, to apply modern production
machinery and systems, to introduce innovative means,
to systematically nurture human resources and to
strive to develop technologies. In addition they will
have to rely on practical methods to extend factories
that rely on raw materials available in the country,
to manufacture new brands of goods and to operate
import-substitute industries. In the next stage, they
should try to produce export goods that meet the
international standard. In conclusion, he urged the
industrialists to strive for progress of the national
industries to enable the nation to stand shoulder to
shoulder with world nations.

 Then, Chairman of Myanma Industrial Development
Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung
reported on fulfilment of requirements including
technical know-how and raw materials for the
development of industrial zones, progress of the
industrial zones, the organizing of work coordination
meetings, distribution of automobiles, assistance
being rendered and tasks being carried out under the
international cooperation programme; Chairman of
Myanma Industrial Development Work Committee Minister
for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, on matters related to
total quality management courses at which foreign
experts gave lectures theoretically and practically,
conducting workshops on boosting productivity,
creating job opportunities in the industrial zones,
arrangements to organize excursions to the industrial
zones, doing research in cooperation with the Ministry
of Industry-2, conducting surveys on production,
maintenance and problems of industries in the
industrial zones, drawing designs of each part of
automobiles, provision of health care at worksites,
engines and spare parts provided for production of
automobiles, participation in the ASEAN meetings
attended by entrepreneurs form the industrial zones
and courses being organized for trainees from the
industrial zones; chairmen and officials of
supervisory committees and management committees from
26 industrial zones, on requirements of electric
supply, fuel oil, industrial raw materials and
equipment, water supply, prodution of experts, holding
exhibitions, competitions and seminars, arranging
study tours, ensuring proper communication and
providing techniques and construction materials; and
those in charge of the industrial zones Minister U
Aung Thaung, Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and Minister for
Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, on assistance to be
provided in connection with requirements of private
entrepreneurs.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 said that tasks are to be
carried out under the close supervision of the
industrial zone supervisory committees and those in
charge of the industrial zones ministers and deputy
ministers are also to attend to the needs and to
provide supervision industrial zone-wise for the
development of the industrial zones. If necessary,
reports are to be presented to Myanma Industrial
Development Work Committee, Myanma Industrial
Development Committee and Industrial Development
Central Committee. The Government is working for the
equitable development of 14 states and divisions.
Although there are 14 states and divisions, altogether
24 development regions have been designated.

Constant attention is being paid to development of all
the regions irrespective of states and divisions.
Efforts are to be made for the emergence of an
industrialized and modern nation, to be able to place
reliance on national forces, and to promote the
development of industries of national entrepreneurs.
To develop the nation and to build a modern and
industrialized nation, all-out self-reliant efforts
are to be made with nationalistic spirit and
patriotism. All are to work hard, adopting the
attitude that the guidance of Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe is to be implemented successfully
and without fail. In conclusion, the Secretary-1
called on all the industrialists to work in unity in
upgrading small- and medium-size industries to heavy
industries. Next, the meeting came to an end.

___________________________

( 2 ) Myanmar and USA jointly carry out survey on
poppy cultivation and yield eight times since 1993
Results of survey announced yearly by US Government
According to announcements, poppy cultivation in
Myanmar declined to 105,000 hectares in 2001 from
163,100 hectares in 1996

Yangon, 29 March - The Central Committee for Drug
Abuse Control held its meeting No 2/2002 at the
meeting hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs at 1 pm
today, with an address by CCDAC Chairman Minister for
Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing. Also present were
Vice-Chairmen of CCDAC Minister of Foreign Affairs U
Win Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein
Nyunt, Minister for Labour U Tin Winn and Vice-Chief
of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Chairman of
the Supervisory Committee for Central Working Groups
of CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen
Thura Myint Maung, chairmen of the Work Committees
deputy ministers, the Deputy Attorney-General,
directors-general and managing directors of respective
Work Committees, chairmen of the Myanmar
Anti-Narcotics Association and the Border Areas
Development Association, the director of the Office of
CCDAC, deputy directors and officials and guests.

 Minister Col Tin Hlaing said that the meeting was
held to coordinate the work carried out by CCDAC in
accord with the instructions given by Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt at the Special Meeting of CCDAC on 6 March.
Means and ways are to be sought to give medical
treatment to the drug addicts at the respective health
centres and drug rehabilitation centres in accord with
the law. Drug addict registration and supervision
committees should seek ways to accommodate drug
addicts who have already undergone treatment at the
rehabilitation centres. Myanmar, in cooperation with
the US, has carried out the survey on poppy
cultivation and yield eight times since 1993 and the
results of survey were announced yearly by the US
Government.

 According to the announcements, poppy cultivation in
Myanmar was 163,100 hectares in 1996, 155,150 hectares
in 1997, 130,300 hectares in 1998, 89,500 hectares in
1999, 108,700 hectares in 2000 and 105,000 hectares in
2001. Opium production in Myanmar was 2,560 metric
tons in 1996, 2,365 metric tons in 1997, 1,750 metric
tons in 1998, 1090 metric tons in 1999, 1085 metric
tons in 2000 and 865 metric tons in 2001.

According to the tables, it was undeniable facts that
poppy production in Myanmar was on the decrease
gradually. Control of precursor plays a leading part
in drug eradication and such precursor was smuggled
into Myanmar from neighbouring countries and the
seizure of liquid chemical was 58,638 litres in 1999,
89,184 litres in 200o and 159,049 litres in 2001. In
additions, the seizure of stimulant tablets was 28,89
millions in 1999, 26.72 millions in 2000 and 32.43
millions in 2001. Myanmar in cooperation with such
neighbouring countries the People's Republic of China
and Thailand in the fight against narcotic drug is
making significant progress in 2001.

Cooperation with PRC resulted in the arrest of Drug
Lord Tang Xiaolin wanted in PRC and handing over him
to the PRC authorities and the arrest of Shang Shou
Mei who was at the centre of a probe by the
authorities of the two countries. Similarly, in
cooperation with Thailand, further information from
the seizure of 116 kilos of heroin and 7.789 million
stimulant tablets in the Adman Sea led to the arrest
of Myanmar citizens and their properties confiscated
in accordance with the law and sentence them. In
connection with the seizure of 1,600 kilos of
Ephedrine smuggled into Myanmar from India, Myanmar
has been cooperating with India in the fight against
drug.

Myanmar citizens who involved in the seizure of 357
kilos of heroin in Fiji by AFP were arrested and
Myanmar authorities in cooperation with Hong Kong
Police to control their properties and bank account in
Hong Kong. According to the 2000 reports of the
International Narcotic Control Board, efforts made by
Myanmar in wiping out drugs was obvious. The INCB
report said due to destruction of poppy files and
opium-substitute projects, one third of the poppy
cultivated areas have been reduced. The cooperation
between the two nations has led to capturing of top
drugs lords. There was a decline in poppy cultivation
and opium production and increase in exposing and
seizing the traffickers.

 The report made a remark that Myanmar is making
all-out efforts to eradicate the drugs and to curb
drug trafficking under its 15-year plan. It also urged
the international community to render assistance to
Myanmar drug eradication task. Myanmar is frankly
urging her neighbours to control the flow of
precursors. Myanmar has never produced the precursors.
Myanmar is practically cooperating with world nations
to combat the drugs. The national races armed groups
have abandoned their armed struggle line and are
cooperating with the government and the people to wipe
out the drugs.

 Myanmar has already signed the Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs 1961; Convention on Psychotropic
Substances, 1971; UN Convention Against Illicit
Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances,
1988. It only remains to become a member of the 1972
Protocol Amending the Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, 1961. A Press conference on the irresponsible
remarks made against Myanmar was held on 20 March. At
the conference, Charge d'Affaires ai of the US Embassy
in Myanmar Ms Priscilla A Clapp said that when he read
the remakes made by the Assistant Secretary of State
of US , she personally questioned Washington to
clarify the statement that the US viewed the United Wa
Army as a terrorist organization.

 She received clarification from Washington which said
that Washington regrets the confusion caused by the
inaccurate statement. The statement is not true and
that the US do not view the United Wa Army as a
terrorist organization. Another Press Conference on
the terrorist acts of SURA drug-trafficking Ywet Sit
group, its drug trafficking and its scheming and
fabrication in the attack on Pachee outpost was also
held. Vice-Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Progress of
Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs Col Thein Nyunt spoke of expenditure for
eradication of narcotic drugs, provision of assistance
to rehabilitation camps, provision of rice and salt
and cash assistance to farmers whose opium fields were
destroyed and working programmes to be implemented.

Vice-Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Foreign Affairs U
Win Aung spoke of accusations levelled at Myanmar
although it is resorting to various ways and means in
eradicating narcotic drugs and implementation of
narcotic drug eradication plans in Wa and Kokang
regions in accord with the guidance of leaders of
State. Joint Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Khan Aung
reported on implementation of decisions made at the
work coordination meeting of secretaries of work
committees of CCDAC and the International Narcotic
Control Board's assessment of Myanmar.

 Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Work
Committees of CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs
Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung reported on progress of
work made in the first and second years of the 15-year
Myanma narcotic drug elimination plan, expenditure,
programmes to be implemented by work committees,
assistance provided to rehabilitation camps by CCDAC
and the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs, condition of
money and materials confiscated in connection with
narcotic drugs and international cooperation in
controlling drug abuse. Then, a general round of
discussions followed. The meeting ended with
concluding remarks by Minister Col Tin Hlaing.
___________________________

( 3 ) SURA attacked Pachee outpost to mislead certain
western nation into viewing it as prime mover in drug
eradication and the world into believing Myanmar
Tatmadaw to be drug producer Three SURA members who
exchanged arms for peace give first-hand account to
ambassadors

Yangon, 29 March - The ambassadors of foreign missions
met with SURA company commander Kum Kham, platoon
commander Aik Maung and private Aik Pee at Tatmadaw
Guest House on Inya Road at 10 am today. Kum Kham, Aik
Maung and Aik Pee had recently exchanged arms for
peace and given a first-hand account of the terrorist
acts of SURA drug-trafficking insurgent Ywet Sit's
group, its drug production and trafficking and how
fabrications were made in connection with the attack
on Tatmadaw Pachee outpost.

 Also present at the meeting were ambassadors led by
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Laos Mr Ly
Bounkham, Director-General of the Protocol Department
Thura U Aung Htet and officials of the Ministry of
Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
officials of the Ministry of Information. Director U
Denzel Abel of the Political Department of MOFA
explained the arrangements for the ambassadors to meet
with a company commander, a platoon commander and a
private from SURA group who had recently exchanged
arms for peace. He also presented a brief account of
the attack of drug-trafficking Ywet Sit's group on the
Tatmadaw Pachee outpost. The attack made by the Ywet
Sit's drug-trafficking group on the Tatmadaw Pachee
outpost, the conveying of the narcotic drugs and
stimulant tablets to the outpost and the fabrications
made by the group were presented with audio-visual
aids. In replying to questions raised by the
ambassadors, company commander Kum Khan and platoon
commander Aik Maung said that Ywet Sit's
opium-trafficking group is based in Lwetainglyan in
Thailand. The strength of the SURA is about 7,000.

The group captures youths of the national races and
recruits them by force. The group threatens to kill
the parents and relatives of the youths if they refuse
to join it. Although the youths are reluctant to join
the group they have been recruited under intimidation.
In some cases, Thai police arrested those who came to
Thailand without identification and sent them to the
SURA. Thai police sent the arrested persons to the
SURA at its requests. The SURA wants to raise its
manpower. Thus, the manpower of the SURA has reached
about 7,000 at present. Military instructors of a
certain western nation give instructor training to
Thai war veterans, who in turn give military training
to the recruits.

That western nation provides financial assistance to
Thailand to buy arms for the SURA. Thais bought arms
for the SURA members, and equipped them. Ywet Sit has
applied various means to obtain continuous assistance
from a certain western nation and Thailand. Platoon
commander Aik Maung happened to learn these facts as
he was working closely with Ywet Sit as his batman. As
a batman, Aik Maung had to cook and prepare meals for
Ywet Sit and to wash his clothes. As he knew the ins
and outs of the economic and military affairs of Ywet
Sit, he was promoted to a platoon commander by Ywet
Sit. Thai military instructors and westerners can
always be seen at Lwetainglyan camp.

Ywet Sit orders the villages of the areas on the
Myanmar side of the border which are beyond the reach
of the Tatmadaw to grow poppy. When the poppy fields
are thriving, Ywet Sit takes the westerners to the
villages, shows them the poppy fields and says that
they are grown by Myanmars. He asks the correspondents
and TV crews to shoot photo and TV documentaries. He
tries to distribute the news to western nations
through the Thai news agencies. He gets assistance
from the western nation by doing so. One of Ywet SitÕs
malicious acts done in 1999 was that he ordered his
men to find and arrest some persons who had consumed
stimulant drugs (Yama) in a village at the border on
Myanmar side.

The villagers were found together with a small number
of Yama stimulant tablets. Ywet Sit added more
stimulant tablets numbering from 100,000 to 200,000 to
those found together with the villagers. He then asked
Thai correspondents and TV crews to take documentary
on the seizure. He sent the TV and photo documentaries
to western nations through the Thai media in an
attempt to discredit Myanmar. This is one of the
slanderous acts of Ywet Sit. A western nation gave
three dollars per seized tablet to the group for
making the slander. The SURA attacked the Pachee
outpost with similar ill intention. A western nation
which is indirectly supporting SURA views the group as
the one which is actively eradicating drugs.

The group attacked the outpost to mislead the world
into viewing the Myanmar Tatmadaw as a drug producer
and discrediting Myanmar. Kum Kham and Aik Maung are
able to reveal the truth as they had participated in
the attack to launch fabrications against Myanmar.
About 250 members were divided into three columns to
attack the Pachee outpost. The two are included in the
columns. Fifteen 6-wheel trucks of Thai army carrying
about 60 Thai troops and arms and ammunition were also
included in the columns. They found two Thai
correspondents in the Thai military trucks. They said
prayers at Paneik camp before the attack. The purpose
of the attack was explained before they headed for
Pachee outpost.

 Thai military vehicles were left at Pennate outpost
and they marched on foot. As instructed by Ywet Sit
personally, company commander Kum Kham carried three
packages of stimulant tablets, and platoon commander
Aik Maung, eight packages of stimulant tablets. The
company commander and the platoon commander themselves
had to carry them. It was because they were the
trusted persons of Ywet Sit that he himself bade them
carry the packages. When SURA launched the attack on
Myanma Pachee outpost at about 1 am, Thais who came
along with the SURA columns, projected searchlights on
Myanma Pachee outpost and gave a supporting fire of
heavy weapons. The searchlights shown in the video are
those carried by Thai military vehicles. After Pachee
outpost was taken at about 5 am, as instructed by Ywet
Sit, platoon commander Aik Maung himself put the
packages of stimulant tablets at the place in Pachee
outpost where rations were kept, and cut open the
packages with a knife.

Then, Thai reporters videotaped the stimulant tablets.
The purpose of cutting the packages open was to get
stimulant tablets easily seen on TV. Later, about 15
Thai reporters arrived at Pachee outpost, and took
photos and video films. When they did so, the
stimulant tablets and arms and ammunition seized from
Pachee outpost were displayed. The one who was putting
these things in display in the video is company
commander Kum Kham. He had to display the stimulant
tablets carried by himself according to the
instruction of Ywet Sit as if they were seized from
Myanma Pachee outpost. The stimulant tablets were
displayed in such a way that they were easily seen on
TV. Moreover, in displaying the seized arms and
ammunition, they also used their arms and ammunition
together with the seized arms and ammunition.

Notwithstanding that drug-trafficking terrorist
insurgent Ywet Sit and the SURA leadership are
shouting that they are fighting for the liberation of
Shan State and eradication of narcotic drugs, they are
in practice producing heroin and stimulant tablets.
Opium refineries are near Lwetainglyan Camp. Although
Thais and westerners have frequented the camp and
known and seen that Ywet Sit have established the
opium refineries and produced stimulant tablets, they
have said nothing about it. Nor have they prohibited
it. The purpose of their exchanging arms for peace is
that they do not like the act of SURA drug-trafficking
Ywet Sit and his group. They had to join SURA not out
of their volition. It was because he was arrested and
forced to enter SURA. The subordinates have to live
lives of animals. The leadership like Ywet Sit are
rolling in wealth. They bide the subordinates work
without any consideration.

They were not satisfied with the facts that they had
to attack Myanmar national races and that SURA, while
under the name of MTA, killed their relatives. They
did not like the act of making fabrications for
self-interest, either. Because of these
above-mentioned facts, they ran away from there. There
are a lot of SURA members who wish to flee like them.
When those who attempted to run away were arrested,
they were shot dead. A lot of land mines have been
planted around the camp. It is difficult to avoid the
land mines in attempting to escape. As they themselves
planted the land mines and knew the places where the
land mines were planted, they managed to escape.

 When they attempted to flee, they were in SURA
uniform. As they were in luck, they managed to escape.
The video on the attack on Pachee was taken by Thai
reporters. Then, the ceremony came to a stop at 11.20
am. Later, the ambassadors viewed the photos and
personal data of company commander Kum Kham, platoon
commander Aik Maung and private Aik Pee, a map showing
Lwetainglyan, SURA headquarters, and SURA opium
refineries, a map showing outposts of SURA, photos
showing facts about SURA insurgent group, a map
showing the attack launched by SURA on Tatmadaw Pachee
outpost and photos showing explosion of Mongshu gems
land by SURA terrorist insurgents.
__________________________

( 4 ) Leading Committee for Observance of 57th
Anniversary Armed Forces Day holds work appraisal
meeting

Yangon, 29 March -The Leading Committee for Observance
of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day held a work
appraisal meeting at Pyidaungsu Hall at Kyaikkasan
Grounds this afternoon with an address by Chairman of
the Leading Committee for Observance of the 57th
Anniversary Armed Forces Day member of the State Peace
and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win. Also present were Chairman of
Management Committee for Observance of the 57th
Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chairman of Yangon
Division Peace and Development Council Commander of
Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Chief of Staff
(Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Chief of Staff (Air)
Brig-Gen Myat Hein, Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces
Training Maj-Gen Win Myint and Brig-Gen Thein Swe,
chairmen and officials of the Work Committee for
Observance of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day,
Parade Commander of the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces
Day Brig-Gen Hla Tun, commanders of parade columns,
battalion commanders and company commanders, officials
of Myanmar Police Force, Fire Services Department and
Myanmar Red Cross Society. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win made a
speech. Then, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe and
officials of various committees reported on the work
done by the respective committees. Brig-Gen Hla Tun,
officials of Myanmar Police Force, Fire Services
Department and Myanmar Red Cross Society reported on
their participation in the 57th Anniversary Armed
Forces Day ceremony. The meeting ended with concluding
remarks by Maj-Gen Kyaw Win.

__________________________


( 5 ) A & I Minister tours Mandalay, Sagaing

Yangon, 29 March - Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, accompanied by
officials, arrived at Myitha Gin of Myanma Cotton and
Sericulture Enterprise in Myitha, Mandalay Division on
27 March. Officials concerned reported on facts about
the factories and their functions to the minister, who
gave instructions on meeting the target. The minister
then proceeded to the construction project site of
Myitha Textiles Factory where officials reported on
the work being carried out. The minister gave
necessary instructions and inspected the buildings
under construction and the already-constructed ones,
and the driving of stakes for construction of a
factory.

 Next, the minister arrived at the project site of
Myanma Farm Equipment Factory of the Agricultural
Mechanisation Department. Officials reported on
construction of the factory's facilities, water supply
and installation of power lines to the minister, who
gave instructions on timely completion of the project.
Then, he inspected construction of factories for
production of spare parts of light farm equipment,
power tillers and paddy harvesting machines.
Afterwards, the minister inspected Zeedaw Diversion
Weir, sluice gates, maintenance works, canals and
dredging work, and gave instructions. Then, the
minister and party arrived at Indaw River Water
Pumping Project being undertaken by the Water
Resources Utilization Department near Indaw Village,
Budalin Township, Monywa District, and inspected
progress of work, the work being carried out and
future tasks.

___________________________

( 6 ) Upgraded Thwin Cinema opens

Yangon, 29 March - The ceremony to open the upgraded
Thwin Cinema renovated by Mingala Co Ltd was held at
the cinema at the corner of Bogyoke Aung San Street
and 35th Street this morning.

 Present on the occasion were Minister for Information
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein,
Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin
Maung Htay, Deputy Director- General of Information
and Public Relations Department U Aung San, Managing
Director of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi,
Managing Director of Printing and Publishing
Enterprise U Myint Thein and General Manager Lt Col
Thet Soe, Managing Director of News and Periodicals
Enterprise U Tin Kha, Director (News) U Hla Tun,
Chairman of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon U Sein Tin,
officials of Myanmar Writers and Journalists
Association (Central), Managing Director of Mingala Co
Ltd U Zaw Min and guests. Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung,
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Managing
Director U Zaw Min formally opened the cinema. Then,
the minister inspected the cinema which underwent
renovation and decoration and gave necessary
instructions to the officials. The cinema was
installed with modern facilities.

 Running five shows daily, the cinema charges K 200, K
300, K 500, K 600 and K 750 per seat for respective
stalls. As the opening of the new cinema,
ÒYaukkhama-soda-ta-kha-don-ka-thamat-par-beÓ film is
being shown.
___________________________

( 7 ) Hydrographic Survey System demonstrated

Yangon, 29 March - With the sponsorship of the
Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of
River Systems of the Ministry of Transport and jointly
organized by the Suntac Technologies Co and the
Bruttour International Pty Ltd of Australia, a
demonstration on CEEDUCER Hydrographic Survey System
took place at the International Business Centre this
morning. Present were Minister for Forestry U Aung
Phone, Deputy Minister U Pe Than, departmental
officials, senior military officers, officials and
guests. The deputy minister spoke on the occasion.
Then, Managing Director of the company Mr David
Anthony Garforth explained salient points of the
System and replied to the queries raised by those
present. Afterwards, those present viewed the survey
equipment on the System. The modern system was
invented for the development of irrigation facilities.


___________________________

( 8 ) Chinese tourism delegation leaves

Yangon, 29 March - The tourism delegation led by
Chairman of National Tourism Administration of the
People's Republic of China Mr He Guangwei left here by
air at 10.25 am today. They were seen off at Yangon
International Airport by Deputy Minister for Hotels
and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, officials of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of H&T and
Charge d' Affaires ai Mr Tang Ying and officials of
the PRC Embassy in Yangon. During their visit, the
delegation also visited Mandalay.

___________________________

( 9 ) MoU signed for water supply in dry zone

Yangon, 29 March- A ceremony to sign Memorandum of
Understanding between Department of Development
Affairs (DDA), Ministry for Progress of Border Areas
and National Races and Development Affairs and Bridge
Asia Japan (BAJ) for Secure Water Supply Project in
the Dry Zone and Project Management Meeting was held
at the Traders" Hotel this morning. Present at the
ceremony were Director-General Col Myo Myint and
responsible officials of DDA, responsible personnel of
the Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) and BAJ. First, Col Myo Myint and Mr
Kenichi Minoda of BAJ made speeches.

 Then, they signed and exchanged documents of
Memorandum of Understanding. Next, the Project
Management Meeting was continued and speeches were
made by Col Myo Myint and responsible personnel of
JICA and BAJ. Afterwards, progress report of the
project for the current fiscal year and the plan for
the next fiscal year was presented by BAJ and it was
discussed and approved at the meeting. Finally,
Director-General Col Myo Myint made a closing speech
after which the meeting came to an end at 11:30 am.

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