The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 1 April, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 1 April, 2002)
----------------------
1. - Senior General Than Shwe addresses meeting of
     Central Committee for Development of Border Areas

     and National Races
2. Secretary-1 inspects Drug Elimination Museum
3. Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends 93rd birthday ceremony
   of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman
   Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadawgyi
4. U Than Tun appointed as Ambassador to Sri Lanka
5. - Seventh anniversary of Myawady TV, prize
     presentation for outstanding staff held
   - Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects regional development
     tasks
   - Regional development,  argiculture and livestock
     breeding tasks inspected in Hmawby,  Taikkyi,
     Htantabin
6. - Max Myanmar Inter Club Tennis Championship
continues
   - Agricultural and livestock breeding works
inspected
   - Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaw
Bhaddanta
     Vannitabhivamsa honoured
7. Senior officials from ASEAN countries arrive to
attend
   AFDM-WG
8. Bangladeshi cultural troupe continues entertainment

9. - Raw opium seized
   - Drug possessors sentenced
   - 1.28 kilos of heroin seized in Muse

---------

( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe addresses meeting of
Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and
National Races

Yangon, 31 March-The Central Committee for Development
of Border Areas and National Races held a meeting at
the hall of the office of the Commander-in-Chief
(Army) at 3 pm today, with an address by Chairman of
the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas
and National Races Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein of the State Peace
and Development Council Office acted as master of
ceremonies.

First, Senior General Than Shwe gave an address.

He said the Central Committee for Development of
Border Areas and National Races has laid down
guidelines on development of border areas. The Work
Committee for Development of Border Areas and National
Races is implementing the tasks in accord with the
guidelines, he said.

After the Government has made peace with national race
organizations since about 1989, the Central Committee
for Development of Border Areas and National Races and
the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and
National Races were formed. And development tasks for
border areas and national races were undertaken, he
said.

In the beginning, he said, other development tasks,
however, could not be undertaken effectively, for
priority was given to better transportation in border
areas. After improvement of transport and
communication, those development tasks were
implemented effectively with momentum.

At first, he said, emphasis was placed on development
of border areas only in Mongma-Mongla region,
Mongyang-Mongkhat region, Pansang-Mongmaw region,
Kokang-Laukkai region and Panwa-Lwejal region. Later,
the development tasks have been extended to all the
border areas in the country. Nearly all the border
areas lagged behind in development. Therefore,
development tasks for all national races in the
country have been carried out with the concept that
the development of border areas amounts to the
development of the entire nation.

In the course of the history of Myanmar, it is high
time for the Government to get an opportunity to carry
out the tasks for development of the border areas and
national races. Hence, it is needed to make best use
of this opportunity.

During the colonial period, the border areas
development was ignored as it was in no way beneficial
to the colonialists. After regaining independence, the
successive governments did not manage to carry out
border areas development tasks due to various reasons.

In the time of this Government, border areas
development tasks have been carried out with a view to
ensuring the equitable development of all regions and
enabling the border areas not to lag behind in
development. As a result, the border areas have now
achieved rapid development.

Nowadays, new cities and big towns have emerged in
border areas. Together with improvement in
transportation, the education and health conditions of
those areas have made progress. Especially,
opium-substitute crop cultivation, livestock breeding
tasks and business are being carried out in those
border areas which relied on poppy cultivation in the
past to meet the needs of food, clothing and shelter.
The poppy cultivation decreased remarkably.

On account of better transportation, the developed
areas and those which lagged behind in development
have achieved balanced development. Education, health,
social and economic conditions of the national people
in border areas are making progress.

Today, the development gap between the border areas
and other regions have become narrower and narrower
gradually. It is important to make continued efforts
to increase the momentum of development.

To enable the national races in the border areas to be
free from reliance on opium cultivation in earning
their livelihood and to ensure sustainable development
of their socio-economic lives, continued efforts are
to be made to achieve progress in cultivating
opium-substitute crops, livestock breeding and
economic conditions.

By ensuring that all the national races entertain the
same outlook and ideology and bridging the gap of
development, Union Spirit can be further strengthened.

Due to the encouragement and assistance provided by
the Government and collective efforts of all the
national races, cultivation of opium-substitute crops
is making more progress than expected. Schools and
hospitals are to be opened extensively and emphasis is
to be laid on promotion of education and health
standards of the national people.

In conclusion, Senior General Than Shwe urged teachers
to inculcate students with a sense of national unity
and Union Spirit, to educate them to know the bad
consequences of drug abuse and to steer clear of
narcotic drugs and to instil them with a sense of
willingness to pursue education with the aim of
increasing the number of educated persons and
developing human resources in respective regions.

Adopting to the attitude that it is incumbent upon the
Government to strive for development of all the
national races as well as for the national
development, it is exerting efforts for development of
border areas and national races with added momentum,
he said. The responsible personnel and officials
concerned are to make serious endeavours for realizing
the objectives of the border areas and national races
development projects.

In addition, the service personnel in various border
areas are to conscientiously discharge duties with
Union Spirit.

Then, Chairman of the Work Committee for Development
of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 said
that the tasks for progress of border areas and
national races have been carried out in 68 townships
of seven states and two divisions near the border
areas for about 13 years since 1989.

The Central Committee for Development of Border Areas
and National Races was constituted on 25 May 1989. The
policies have been laid down at the meetings of the
Central Committee. Altogether nine meetings inclusive
of the present one have been held. The policies laid
down at the meetings of the Central Committee have
been implemented by work subcommittees, regional work
committees and local national people under the
supervision of the Work Committee for Development of
Border Areas and National Races. As tasks for
development of border areas have been carried out in
accord with the guidance of the Chairman of the
Central Committee, they are making progress.

Infrastructures for the road and bridge sector, the
energy sector, the communi- cation sector, education,
health, the public relations sector, agriculture,
livestock breeding, mining and forestry have been
built. At the same time, drug elimination plans are
being implemented. In some border areas, the
socio-economic development has gone beyond
expectations. Production of drugs has decreased
considerably.

In accord with the policies laid down by the Central
Committee, the following tasks have been carried out
in border areas since 1989.

In the road and bridge sector, 2,654 miles of earth
roads, 1,402 miles of gravel roads and 283 miles of
tarred roads have been built; 2,596 miles of roads
repaired; 39 big bridges, 627 small bridges and 16
suspension bridges constructed. As a result, the
relations among national races and trading have been
improving. In the energy sector, small- and
medium-scale hydroelectric power stations have been
built in eight towns in the border areas; 177 towns
and villages have been given power by 241 generators.

In the communication sector, 53 postal offices, 45
radio telephone stations, 54 telephone exchanges, 45
telegraph offices and 11 satellite stations have been
built; 442 miles of trunk call lines and 21 carrier
boards have been installed. They contribute greatly to
the social, economic and administrative development of
the border areas.

In the education sector, 336 primary schools, 48
middle schools and 19 high schools have been built in
the border areas. In the regions where there were
previously 1,541 primary school students and 12 middle
school students in 1989-90, there are 46,018 primary
school students, 19,506 middle school students and
1,715 high school students totalling 69,339. It is
encouraging to see that they are pursuing education.
Those who have passed the matriculation examination in
the border areas number 654.

In the health sector, 30 rural health branches, 18
rural health centres, 74 clinics, one station hospital
and 46 hospitals have been opened in the border areas.
The tasks of providing health care, preventing
diseases, giving treatment and disseminating health
knowledge are picking up.

 In the public relations sector, 85 TV retransmission
stations have been built in the border areas. As a
result, the national brethren can know the development
tasks undertaken all over the nation and the stable
and peaceful condition and development of the nation.
This contributes greatly to the economic and social
development of the region.

In the agriculture sector, 31 agricultural offices,
113 agricultural farms, four canals and 11 tractor
stations have been opened; there are altogether 40
dams, some of which have already been built and some
of which are under construction; feasibility studies
have been carried out for 17 dams. In this way,
opportunities for achieving local sufficiency of food
have been created.

In the livestock breeding sector, 19 livestock
breeding farms and 41 veterinary clinics have been
opened. Altogether 111 cows and donkeys have been
distributed.

In the forestry sector, seven forest nurseries have
been set up; four reserve forests have been
established; plans are afoot to establish another four
reserve forests; 12 saw mills have been built. In
cooperation with local people, efforts are being made
to produce forest products and prevent deforestation.

In the mining sector, assistance has been given for
the exploration of mineral deposits and the mining of
already-found mineral deposits on a commercial scale.
In the mining sector, job opportunities are being
created. In some border areas, the mining of minerals
can be carried out on a commercial scale.

In the border areas human resources development
sector, 17 national youth development schools, two
national youth development degree colleges and 12
domestic science training schools for women have been
opened. Measures are being taken to produce
highly-qualified national youths who will take the
lead in working for the progress of the border areas.
Altogether K 24,610.42 million has been spent on
border area development tasks since 1989. Realizing
the genuine goodwill of the Government, the national
brethren are earnestly cooperating in undertaking
border areas development tasks. According to the facts
and figures obtained from 11 national race
organizations from border areas, they have spent K
46,443 million and Yuan 949 million on development
tasks over the last 12 years. Although some
organizations have carried out development tasks, they
have not kept a systematic record of the expenditure.
So, the actual expenditure will be greater than the
amount mentioned above. It is encouraging to see that
the border areas are developing due to their
cooperation. For the regional development of border
areas and eradication of narcotic drugs, the
Government has cooperated with UNDP, UNDCP, JICA,
Nippon Foundation, Karamosia International and
SWISSAID.

The public development project implemented in
cooperation with UNDP in ten far-flung townships has
been started since 1994, and up to now three phases of
the plan have been completed. With the use of US $ 18
million, 316 primary schools have been built, 378
primary schools repaired, 14 pre-primary schools
opened, 67 clinics and one hospital built, 221 water
siphoning tasks carried out, 1,752 lakes for drinking
water, 673 wells and 11,123 sanitary latrines built.
The project covers health, education, supply of clean
water, sufficiency of food, income augmentation work,
environmental preservation, prevention of
deforestation and AIDS control.

In cooperation with UNDCP, a five-year Wa region
alternative development project which runs from August
1998 to July 2003 is being implemented in Mongpauk in
the south of Wa region. Nine project buildings, four
primary schools and two middle schools have been
built; Pangsan-Mongpauk power line has been installed;
13.24 kilos of Mongpauk-Maing motor road have been
constructed; children from 234 villages covered by the
project have been immunized; basic health care and
treatment have been provided; water supply tasks have
been undertaken at 17 villages; forest nurseries have
been established and seeds distributed. The fund of
the project is US $ 11.6 million; the Myanmar
Government has contributed K 28.36 million; US $ 8.84
million out of the contribution made by UNDCP have
been spent.

In cooperation with Japan International Cooperation
Agency, an opium-substitute buckwheat cultivation
project has been implemented in Kokang region, Shan
State (North). In 1997, Japan buckwheat was grown on
four acres of land, and success was achieved.
Therefore, buckwheat was grown on 2,145 acres in 1999,
3,110 acres in 2000 and 4,160 acres in 2001. The
buckwheat grown in Kokang region is of good quality,
and 18 tons of buckwheat was sold to Japan in 2000; 54
tons in 2001. Arrangements have been made to sell 54
tons of buckwheat to Japan.

Another task undertaken in cooperation with JICA is a
project designed to improve the living standard of
Kokang region. An agreement was signed on 13-11-2001
to provide ´ 800 million and machinery for the
upgrading of Laukkaing-Kongyan road, construction of a
machinery workshop and installation of power lines in
Kyashishu and Kyahaw villages. The project will start
in the 2002-2003 fiscal year.

Nippon Foundation of the Japanese government signed an
agreement on 13-11-2001 to provide US $ 3 million for
construction of 100 schools in Shan State. The project
will run from 2002-2003 to 2004-2005 fiscal years.

Karamosia International, an NGO of Japan, is being
implementing an alternative development project in
Hotaung, southern Wa region from October 1999 to March
2002. In Mongpyan region, an industrial development
building has been built. The fund of the project is
about US $ 2 million equivalent to ´ 220 million.
Altogether US $ 0.35 million has been spent.

In addition, in cooperation with Karamosia
International, a project for cultivation of crops and
establishment of forests in the surrounding areas of
Inlay Lake is being implemented from December 2001 to
December 2002, using US $ 0.822 million.

In cooperation with Swiss Foundation For Development
Cooperation (SWISSAID), a development project for
Kachin State and Shan State which runs from 2001 to
2004 is being implemented, using Us $ 0.45 million.

The Work Committee has to implement the guidance of
the Chairman.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all to pay
top priority to the rural development tasks outlined
by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, to fulfil
the requirements for development of the regions like
Panglong region which lagged behind in development, to
promote cooperation with local national people,
neighbouring countries and international organizations
in striving to eradicate narcotic drugs in the border
areas, to maintain the momentum of building social and
economic infrastructures in the border areas and to
work for the development of human resources, to carry
out regional development tasks all over the nation, to
strive for peace and tranquillity and rule of law as
well as for the social and economic development of the
border areas and to implement the guidance given by
the Chairman of the Central Committee for Development
of Border Areas and National Races.

Then, the Secretary-1 explained the guidance given by
the Chairman of the Central Committee at the Meeting
No 1/99 of the Central Committee.

Then, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt
made a report. He said to be able to effectively carry
out border area development tasks, nine supervisory
offices for border area development tasks have been
opened in Myitkyina, Bhamo, Lashio, Kengtung, Hpa-an,
Mawlamyine, Sittwe and Monywa since 1995. Similar
offices have been opened in Loikaw and Myeik on 19
March 1998 and in Khamti and Haka on 2 October 1999.
Altogether 13 offices have been opened up to now.

Moreover, 15 mobile development offices have been
opened in Myitkyina, Tanai, Laukkai, Panhsan,
Mongpauk, Mongla, Hpa-an, Yay, Dawei, Maungtaw, Tamu,
Chin region, Naga region, Homein and Kayah region.
Similar offices have been opened in Lwejal on 18 May
2000 and Putao in 2 January 2002. Altogether 17
offices have been opened up to now and plans are under
way to open offices in Mongyu, Kyainglatt, Mindat and
Kanpetlet.

Since the establishment of the Central Committee in 25
May 1989, altogether K 24610.42 million Ñ border area
development affair funds K 13377.91 million and
miniseriesÕ funds K 11232.51 million ÑÊhave been spent
for border area development tasks. Altogether 53.91
percent of the budget have been used in construction
of roads and bridge, 16.77 percent in providing
assistance, 4.05 percent in agriculture tasks, 2.9
percent in energy sector, 2.38 percent in construction
tasks, 3.49 percent ion education sector, 1.97 percent
in public relations, 1.97 percent in communication
sector and 13.15 percent in other sectors.

Altogether 1.59 percent of the budget is used for
Kachin Special Region-1, 3.66 percent for Kachin
Special Region -2, 5.89 percent for Kokang Region,
10.85 percent for Wa Region, 4.17 percent for Shan
Region, 1.41 percent for Kachin North-East Region,
1.81 percent for Palaung Region, 14.59 percent for
Kengtung East Region, 0.47 percent for Mawhpa Region,
8.16 percent for PaO Region, 2.64 percent for Kayah
Region, 4.18 percent for Rakhine Region, 1.97 percent
for Chin Region, 1.68 percent for Naga Region, 0.81
percent for Kabaw Region, 13.54 percent for Kayin
State, 1.92 percent for Taninthayi Region, 3.42
percent for Mon Region and 17.45 percent for other
regions.

The work committee-owned machinery Ñ three excavators,
75 bulldozers, 90 road rollers, 150 trucks Ñ have been
kept in Hsenwi, Kengtung, Bhamo, Myainggalay and Kalay
and are used in constructing roads. The Sports and
Physical Education Department has opened 17 Youth
Training Schools in different border areas, and these
schools have nurtured 408 primary school students, 849
middle school students and 322 high school students
totalling 1,579 students. Allowance for the students
has been increased. Moreover, 489 students of Parahita
Schools in Buthidaung, Maungtaw, Kyauktaw, Paletwa,
Mongsat, Lashi, Mongpyin, Falam have been given
assistance.

The subject Union Spirit has been taught in the youth
training schools. For further study of the students,
two Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree
Colleges have been opened in Yangon on and Mandalay on
15 June 2000 and 12 July 2000 respectively.

Altogether 107 students Ñ 18 freshmen in Arts, 20 in
Science and 14 in AGTI; 15 sophomores in Arts, 18 in
Science and 22 AGTIÑ are pursuing their studies at the
Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree
College (Yangon), and altogether 235 students Ñ 17
freshmen in Arts, 17 in Science and 20 in AGTI; 28
sophomores in Arts, 27 in Science and 19 in AGTI ÑÊat
Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree
College (Mandalay).

Arrangements have been made for the AGTI students who
have completed their second year course in the two
colleges to appoint them as assistant engineers at
respective regions. Similarly, arrangements will be
made for Arts/Science degree holders of the two
colleges to appoint them at the positions equal to
deputy chief officers.

As there are different races of nationalities in the
two colleges, the subject Union Spirit is included in
the cirriculum to be able to produce hard-core
national races leaders who will sacrifice themselves
for Our three main national causes on-disintegration
of the Union, Non-disintegration of the national
solidarity and Perpetuation of national sovereignty.

Twelve domestic schools in Muse, Lashio, Monghsat,
Kengtung, Tachilek, Loikaw, Myawady, Yay, Myeik,
Kawthong, Haka, Maungtaw have trained 9,741 trainees
to date.

In 2002-2003 fiscal year, in transport sector 109.2
miles of earth road, 179.7 miles of gravel road, 15.4
miles on tarred road, 6 major bridges and 23 minor
bridges will be constructed and 784 miles of road will
be renovated; in education sector, 32 BEPSs, 8 BEMSs
and 7 BEHSs will be opened; in health sector, 9
hospitals, 5 dispensaries and one traditional clinic
will be opened. Border Area development tasks will be
carried out with added momentum under the guidance of
the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas
and National Races .

Excerpts from the Address of Senior General Than Shwe

- Priority was given to better transportation in
border areas. After improvement of transport and
communication, those development tasks were
implemented effectively with momentum.

- Development tasks for all national races in border
areas are carried out with the concept that the
development of border areas amounts to the development
of the entire nation.

- During the colonial period, the border areas
development was ignored as it was in no way beneficial
to the colonialists.

- After regaining independence, the successive
governments did not manage to carry out border areas
development tasks due to various reasons.

 - Border areas development tasks are carried out with
a view to ensuring equitable development of all
regions and enabling the border areas not to lag
behind in development. As a result, the border areas
have now achieved rapid development.

- Today, the development gap between the border areas
and other regions have become narrower and narrower
gradually.

- Due to the encouragement and assistance provided by
the government and collective efforts of all the
national races, cultivation of opium- substitute crops
is making more progress than expected.

___________________________


( 2 ) Secretary-1 inspects Drug Elimination Museum

Yangon, 31 March - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected the
Drug Elimination Museum and gave instructions to
officials this morning. The Secretary-1, accompanied
by officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, arrived at the museum at the corner of
Hanthawady Street and Kyundaw Street in Kamayut
Township.

They were welcomed by Chairman of the Central
Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home
Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, the deputy ministers, members
of the CCDAC and officials. The Secretary-1 inspected
the place where seized narcotic drugs will be put to
the torch in the compound of the museum, and gave
instructions.

Then, the Secretary-1 inspected the booths on
treatment and rehabilitation, the meeting room, the
e-library, the booth on giving education on the danger
of drugs, the booth on the development of border
areas, the booths of Myanmar Anti-Drug Association and
the Border Area Development Association, the booth on
drug elimination operations and the booth on efforts
for eradication of narcotic drugs. He gave
instructions on the display of drug control
cooperation programmes being implemented by Myanmar,
neighbouring countries and foreign organizations, and
the systematic keeping of documentary photos on drug
control efforts.
___________________________

( 3 ) Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends 93rd birthday ceremony
of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman
Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadawgyi

Yangon, 31 March-A ceremony to mark the 93rd birthday
ceremony of Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga
Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Koehsaungtaik Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Sobhita was held at Pyilon Chantha Maha
Ordination Hall of Nikaya Sarthintaik on Pale Yadana
Road in Ward 25, Dagon Myothit (South) Township, at 8
am today, attended by Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe.

Also present on the occasion were State Ovadacariya
Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee, members of the State Central Working
Committee of the Sangha, Sayadaws of townships in
Yangon Division, Daw Mya Mya San, wife of
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Dr Daw
Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace
and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin
Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, wives of the members
of the State Peace and Development Council, wives of
the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Chief of Staff
(Air), wives of the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace
and Development Council Commander and the ministers,
the deputy ministers, the vice mayor, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office,
departmental heads, officials of the organizing
committee of the ceremony and the sub-committee,
wellwishers and disciples.

The congregation opened the ceremony with three-time
recitation of Namo Tassa. Then, on behalf of the
Chairman Sayadaw, Vice-Chairman Sayadaw Agga Maha
Pandita Dawei Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ar?innabhivamsa
administered the Five Precepts. The Sayadaws recited
Mangala and Metta Suttas. Next, member of the State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Pakokku Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Vi?ara read the Gunapuja paper of the committee.


Vocalist Daw Yi Yi Thant sang the Gunapuja Ratu.
Afterwards, Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered provisions and
three sets of Tri-Pitaka treatise in Yun Shan version
donated by Tachilek Naga Hnakaung Sayadaw Agga Maha
Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta
Dhammasiri to Chairman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita.
Then, Daw Mya Mya San offered provisions and one set
of Tri-Pitaka treatise in Yun Shan version donated by
Tachilek Naga Hnakaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga
Maha Saddham-majotikadhaja Bhaddanta Dhammasiri to
Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee
Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara. Afterwards, Dr Daw
Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe and party presented
offertories to the Sayadaws.

On behalf of the wellwishers and the disciples, Yangon
Division Religious Affairs Department Staff Officer U
San Thin Hlaing read the letter for wishing the
Myingyan Sayadaw a long-life. Magway Sayadaw
Bhad-danta Kumara delivered a sermon. Then, Daw Kyaing
Kyaing and party shared merits gained. Next, the
ceremony came to a close. After the ceremony, Daw
Kyaing Kyaing and party and the wellwishers donated
provisions to the Sayadaws who attended the Sayadaw's
birthday ceremony and performed the rituals of golden
and silver showers.
__________________________

( 4 ) U Than Tun appointed as Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Yangon, 1 April - The Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar has
appointed U Than Tun, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to Brunei
Darussalam, as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

__________________________

( 5 ) Seventh anniversary of Myawady TV, prize
presentation for outstanding staff held

Yangon, 31 March- The seventh anniversary of Myawady
TV and the prize presentation ceremony for outstanding
service personnel was held at Myawady TV Broadcasting
Unit at 6 pm today, attended by member of the State
Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen
Thein Sein.

Also present on the occasion were
Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Htin Aung Kyaw,
Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint of the Ministry of Defence,
senior military officers, guests, commanding officers
of regiments and units, Commandant Lt-Col Chit Swe of
Myawady TV unit, officers and staff. Adjutant-General
Maj-Gen Thein Sein gave a speech. Then, Maj-Gen Thein
Sein presented best TV cameramen awards to WO Han Win
Aung and Sgt Tun Tun Aung, best editing award to WO
Daw Than Than Win, best producer award to Sgt Naing Oo
and best news caster award to WO Daw Khin Wah Wah
Myint. Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint of the Ministry of
Defence presented best make-up artist award to WO Daw
Sabai Maw, best film editor award to WO Daw Tin Tin
Ko, best programmer award to Sgt Daw Cho Nwe Phu and
prizes to personnel from mechanical department to one
medal winner for Excellent Performance in Social Field
(First Class), four winners for Excellent Performance
in Administrative Field (Second Class), 11 winners for
Excellent Performance in Social Field (Third Class)
and U Aung Kyaw Oo of IDEA Co who donated the
background paintings.

Next, Lt-Col Kyaw Myo Htut and Lt-Col Than Oo
presented prizes to outstanding staff, units and
depots. Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Htin Aung
Kyaw presented K 300,000 to the staff welfare funds of
Myawady TV. Col Kyaw Myint presented gifts to artistes
and technicians who contributed to the production of
Myawady TV. Later, Maj-Gen Thein Sein and guests were
served with a dinner and entertained with the Spectrum
modern music troupe and Myawady music troupe.

---------

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects regional development tasks

Yangon, 31 March -Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry
of Defence, accompanied by departmental officials,
arrived at the construction site for the 37- mile long
Tale-Pahlyo-Kayinglatt road of Tachilek District
Public Works in Shan State (East) yesterday morning.

At the briefing hall of the site, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe
heard reports on tasks being carried out with the use
of heavy machinery by Shan State Superintending
Engineer U Thaung Htay and officials. After leaving
instructions, the Maj-Gen arrived at Namhmwe Creek
bridge construction site on the road and heard reports
by Shan State Superintending Engineer U Thaung Htay
and officials on upgrading the road and construction
of the 300 feet long bridge, use of machinery and
construction materials.

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe gave instructions and inspected the
construction site. The Namhmwe bridge is of reinforced
concrete type with bailey steel frames. At 11 am, he
arrived at Kyainglatt Police Station and inspected the
station. He then met departmental officials, members
of the Union Solidarity and Development Association
and social organizations at the hall of Wankyin
Village BEPS in Kyainglatt, Tachilek District. Chief
Officer U Pe Thein of Shan State (East) General
Administration Department and Director U Thet Hnin Oo
of Shan State (East) Development Affairs Department
reported Maj-Gen Aung Htwe on development tasks with
the help of charts.

Police Col Ba Kyi of Shan State (East) Police Force
reported Maj-Gen Aung Htwe on upgrading of Wanlon
Police Station, Secretary of Tachilek District Peace
and Development Council Maj Win Htut Oo and Secretary
of Tachilek Township Peace and Development Council U
Kan Pwint on implementations of tasks guided by
leaders of the State on their tour in Kyainglatt
region. After giving instructions to the officials,
Maj-Gen Aung Htwe proceeded to Hlainggushin Image
monastery in the town and paid obeisance to the
Presiding Sayadaw there. He then visited Mekong bank
and inspected Rural Area Development Hospital (16-Bed)
in the town. Tachilek Medical Superintendent Dr Chit
Thein conducted him there and Maj-Gen Aung Htwe
attended to the needs.

---------

Regional development,  argiculture and livestock
breeding tasks inspected in Hmawby,  Taikkyi,
Htantabin

Yangon, 31 March- Chairman of Yangon Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Col Tin Tun of
Phugyi Station, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and officials,
inspected regional development and agriculture and
livestock breeding tasks in Hmawby, Taikkyi and
Htantabin Townships this morning and fulfilled the
requirements.

First, the commander and party inspected Tawhse, Kawmu
Creek and Okpho bridges on the road linking Hleseik,
Kyutaw, Nyaung-lebin, Kyobinwaing and Okpho villages
in Htantabin Township. The commander gave instructions
to the officials concerned on maintenance works of
roads and bridges for long-term use. Then, the
commander and party proceeded to Dagon International
Co Ltd's Agricultural and Livestock Breeding Farm in
Kyaman region of Htantabin Township.

They viewed the farm from the observation tower.
Managing Director of the company U Win Aung reported
on progress of work. Next, the commander and party
inspected construction of the road to link the
Kyaman-Shandaw Road with Bawle Village. Afterwards,
they met with local populace and discussed matters on
regional development tasks. The road linking
Kyaman-Shandaw Road in Bawle Village is five miles and
two furlongs long and is being built by Dagon
International Co. The commander and party visited
Aungzeya Monastery in Upper Bawle Village and paid
homage to Sayadaw Bhaddanta ?ana-vamsa and members of
the Sangha.

The commander and party proceeded to the briefing hall
of the company in Kyaman region. Managing Director U
Win Aung reported matters on land reclamation,
cultivation of monsoon paddy, summer paddy and other
crops and digging of fish ponds. Division level
departmental officials also reported on agricultural
and livestock breeding tasks. The commander then gave
necessary instructions. Next, the commander and party
arrived at Thebyedan electric river water pumping
station in Taikkyi Township. At the temporary briefing
hall there, officials reported matters on progress of
summer paddy cultivation and preparatory measures for
cultivating monsoon paddy.

Taikkyi Township Development Committee Executive
Officer U Aung Kyaw Nyein reported on progress in
building bridges on Tawlati-Kalawthawt Road. The
commander urged the officials to make efforts for
achieving success in their respective sectors. He also
inspected the nine miles and four furlongs long
Tawlati-Kalawthawt road and wooden bridges on it. He
also inspected 100 feet long Bayme wooden bridge
construction site and gave instructions. Afterwards,
the commander and party inspected over 100 acres of
vegetable patches of the Hmawby Township General
Administration Department near Hnawgon Village.

They inspected distribution of vegetables to tax-free
markets and other markets in Yangon. The commander
fulfilled the requirements. Next, they proceeded to
Hmawby Hsan Hall of Yangon Division Vegetable and
Poultry Farming Special Zone-1 near Nyaunghnapin
Village. At the briefing hall there, officials
reported matters on land reclamation, land
preparation, cultivation of vegetables and raising of
broilers and layers. Officials concerned also reported
on installation of the transformer and power lines and
others. He also inspected 170,000 saplings of
Thithseint (belleric myrobalan), tamarind, shady trees
and flowery plants of the Forest Department at the
special zone-1. Later, the commander and party
inspected the poultry farm of Kaungthukha Co Ltd and
10 acres of vegetable patches of U Tun Oo. The
commander fulfilled the requirements.
___________________________

( 6 ) Max Myanmar Inter Club Tennis Championship
continues

Yangon, 31 March - Max Myanmar Inter Club Tennis
Championship, organized to hail the 57th Anniversary
Armed Forces Day by Myanmar Tennis Federation and
sponsored by Max Myanmar Co Ltd continued at Theinbyu
Tennis Court here this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Myanmar Olympic
Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint
and directors, General Secretary of MTF Dr Myint Soe
and executive committee members, guests and fans.
Yangon City Development Committee team and Top Star
(A) team beat Ministry of Forestry team and Storm team
with 2-1 respectively in Division-1 matches. Twantay
(A) team beat Golden Eagle (A) and Ko Ko Ro (A) teams
with 3-0, and Bago team and Evening Star team beat
Twantay (B) team and Khayan team with 3-0 respectively
in Division-2 matches. The championship will continue
tomorrow.

---------

Agricultural and livestock breeding works inspected

Yangon, 31 March - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi
Sone, accompanied by Managing Director of Myanma
Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and
officials, arrived at Emerald Green Agricultural and
Livestock Breeding Camp in Ye Mon Village, Hlegu
Township this morning. At the hall of the camp,
Managing Director U Min Hla Aung and general managers
concerned reported on matters pertaining to
agricultural and livestock breeding. Then, the
minister inspected fish ponds, poultry farms and
plantation of summer paddy and gave necessary
instructions.

---------

Agga Maha Pandita title recipient Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Vannitabhivamsa honoured

Yangon, 31 March- Agga Maha Pandita title recipient
Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vannitabhivamsa of
Hsinshin Kyaungtaik in Myaung, Sagaing Division, was
honoured at Sasana Linkara Dhamma Beikmandaw on
Gyatawya Street in the eastern archway of Shwedagon
Pagoda this morning. Present on the occasion were
members of the Sangha led by State Ovadacariya
Minkyaung Sayadaw of Myaung, Sagaing Division, Sayadaw
Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Obhasa, State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee member Laykyunmye
Okkyaung of Sagaing Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita
Bhaddanta Sagara and Maha Nanditheyna Yamataik of
Mandalay Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Ariyabhivamsa,
Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and wife Daw
Khin Khin Lay, Deputy Director-General of Information
and Public Relations Department U Aung Hsan, guests,
nuns and disciples from Myaung Township.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vannitabhivamsa. Members of the
Sangha recited Parittas. Member of the State Sangha
Maha Nayaka Committee Laykyunmye Okkyaung Sayadaw
delivered a sermon. Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and wife
Daw Khin Khin Lay and officials presented offertories
to the members of the Sangha. Adviser to the
Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana
U Min Kyi (Dhammacariya B.A) read the biography of
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vannitabhivamsa of Hsinshin
Kyaungtaik. Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Maha
Nanditheyna Yamataik of Mandalay delivered a sermon,
followed by sharing of merits.
___________________________

( 7 ) Senior officials from ASEAN countries arrive to
attend AFDM-WG

Yangon, 31 March - Senior officials of Finance and
Central Banks of the ASEAN countries arrived here by
air today to attend the ASEAN Finance and Central Bank
Deputies Working Group Meeting (AFDM-WG), a
preliminary meeting for the 6th ASEAN Finance
Ministers' Meeting to be hosted by Myanmar. They were
welcomed at Yangon International Airport by officials
of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue. The meeting
will be held at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road
on 1 and 2 April.
___________________________

( 8 ) Bangladeshi cultural troupe continues
entertainment

Yangon, 31 March - Under the cultural exchange
programme between Myanmar and Bangladesh, visiting
Bangladeshi cultural troupe members presented
entertainment at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung
Street today for the last day. Among the audience
were, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department U
Kyaw Win, departmental officials, officials of
Bangladeshi embassy, students of the University of
Culture and others.
___________________________

( 9 ) Raw opium seized

Yangon, 31 March - combined group comprising members
of local intelligence unit and Kengtung Special
Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched the
house of Kyalaw in Tamyay Village in Kengtung Township
on 4 March 2002 and found 4.6 kilos of raw opium in
the bedroom. Kengtung Police Station has filed Kyalaw,
63, son of U Law Si, under Section 15/16 (C)/ 19 (A)
of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

---------

Drug possessors sentenced

Yangon, 31 March -Members of local intelligence unit
and Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information,
searched the house of Ma Malu and Ma Makaw in Monkoe
on 6 July 2001 and found 396 grams of heroin in 18
soap-boxes. Kyugok Police Station filed Ma Malu, 30,
of Ward 6 and Ma Makaw, 34, of Ward 4 in Monkoe under
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
Muse District Court handed down fifteen-year
imprisonment each on them under Section 19 (A) on 15
February 2002.

---------

1.28 kilos of heroin seized in Muse

Yangon, 31 March-combined team comprising members of
local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force,
acting on information, searched the house of Aik Yon
in Kaungmulwe Ward, Muse Township, on 19 March. The
authorities seized Ma Chwe Kyein (a) Ma Shwe Kyi, wife
of Aik Yon and her step-mother Daw Chein Mi Lein with
four blocks of heroin weighing 1.28 kilos and one
Super Cub (green) motorcycle with number plate
MaHsa/1481 which was used in drug trafficking. Action
is taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law.

---------------------------------

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