The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday,6 April, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday,6 April, 2002)
------------------------------------------------
1. - Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation
     parade of 44th Intake of DSA
   - Senior General Than Shwe tours PyinOoLwin
2. - Secretary-1 receives Minister of Foreign Affairs
     of Thailand
   - Secretary-1 receives Minister of External Affairs

     of India
   - Secretary-1 addresses opening of 6th ASEAN
     Finance
   - A ceremony to open the 7th Mekong Tourism Forum
     held in Myanmar
3. Some opium-trafficking insurgents, who get foreign
   assistance, launching fabrications against Wa
   people
4. Both ONCB in Bangkok and ONCB (North) in Chiang-Rai

   fail to inform Myanmar officials in advance
5. - 6th ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting held
   - Ministers of Thailand, India arrive
   - Seventh Mekong Tourism Forum held
   - H&T Minister receives guests
   - Minister receives ADB Chairman
6. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects Namwot hydel plant
7. - Health Minister inspects TB centre
   - Minister attends course concluding ceremony
8. Rural development tasks co-ordinated in Thanlyin
9. Minister tours Chin State, Magway Division

___________________________

( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation
parade of 44th Intake of DSA

Yangon, 5 April - The graduation parade of the 44th
Intake of Defense Services Academy was held at the
parade grounds of the Defense Services Academy in
PyinOoLwin at 7.30 am today, with an address by
Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General
Than Shwe.

At the ceremony, the Senior General inspected cadet
companies. Then, the Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services took the salute of the graduation cadet
company. Afterwards, the Senior General presented
Aungsitthi Award to Cadet Hla Moe, Excellent Training
Award to Cadet Aung Tin Win, Excellent Study Award
(Computer) to Cadet Khaing Thant Moe, Excellent Study
Award (Science) to Cadet Lay Naung and Excellent Study
Award (Arts) to Cadet Thet Naing. Senior General Than
Shwe said that the day when the 44th Intake of DSA
concluded is a milestone of success for all, and it is
also the day when the Tatmadaw is further strengthened
again.

As all are to be assigned duty as junior leaders, what
should be known is going to be told. All the Tatmadaw
members of various ranks are to be imbued with
leadership qualities. Only then will they be able to
provide leadership at different levels at the same
time. Every leader needs to possess sixteen qualities
of leadership. Only when one who is imbued with the
qualities of leadership can provide leadership with
the outstanding qualities, will he be able to assume
the life of a leader. Leadership is a quality which
can evoke a strength by combining the spirit and
efficiency of man. With regard to carrying out a task,
an analogy can be drawn between leadership and a
cart-wheel the hub of the cart-wheel is a task; the
outer edge of the cart-wheel can be compared to
leadership which mobilizes all the strengths; and the
bars which connect the centre of the wheel to its
outer edge serve as members who are working with
determination.

A leader has to know the ins and outs of his task. He
also has to know all about his subordinates and train
them as a team. It is wrong if one thinks that a team
composed of excellent athletes will achieve success at
sports competitions. Only when training is given not
only to individuals but also to the whole team, will
success be achieved. Training is to be regarded as a
kind of investment. Therefore, the Tatmadaw is to be
built up by undergoing training. The purpose of
training is to get prepared to confront modern
warfare. It is to be understood that today army, navy
and air force launch operations together other than
separately. Therefore, the nature of army, navy and
air force is to be understood. All are to know the
effectiveness of electronic arms and ammunition. All
are to undergo training so that they are ready in an
emergency. The element which is equal to leadership in
importance is administration.

Administration means administering all the affairs
systematically. Administration involves supervision,
control and management. Supervision means supervising
the performance of the routine tasks in accord with
the military traditions. In this way, members of the
Tatmadaw are being trained for their long-term
benefits. The correct supervision of all the routine
activities of a unit enables its members to perform
their duty with less supervision. Control is like a
rudder. The rudder which can steer a big ship is very
small. If one is good at controlling a rudder, one
will be able to perform any tasks regardless of their
size and importance. Control means authority which the
leader can use in a righteous manner in a battle or
worksite. Farsightedness, long experience and presence
of mind are greatly conducive to control. By
supervising and controlling the administrative
machinery, the Tatmadaw can be built up.

The leader always has to sacrifice his privilege. He
has to make personal sacrifices. He has to work for
the interests of the Tatmadaw and avoid self-interest.
He has to have parental loving-kindness and attachment
towards the members of the unit and their families.
How much work has been done for the welfare of the
unit shows this fact. Therefore, in building the
Tatmadaw with welfare work, care is to be taken of
details. More and more spiritual welfare work and
physical welfare work are to be done month after month
and year after year. The leader has to be delighted at
seeing the peaceful lives of members of the unit. The
members of the unit and families will respect the
leader and have attachment to the unit. Their esprit
de corps will increase. They will be highly motivated.

The first requirement to build up the Tatmadaw with
morale is to promote esprit de corps. At that time,
the morale of individual members of the unit will lead
to enhancement of dignity of the entire unit. The fact
that a member is proud of his unit signifies his good
morale. The morale of the members of the unit can be
built up. The morale of the enemy can also be
undermined. In this regard, psychological warfare is
to be touched upon. The underlying factor of going
into war is the competition of morale. Morale helps
make a decision to win a victory. If there is no will
to go into battle, the winner and the loser have
already been determined. Therefore, the unit is to be
inspired to fighting. When there is a war, both sides
have confidence and calculate that they will surely
win a victory.

After they have strengthened their military power,
they decide to fight. Only the leader who can make
best use of psychological warfare achieve absolute
success. Although the precision and effectiveness of
the powerful weapons can destroy a large number of
enemy in a battle, the danger of the enemy will sill
threaten the nation, if the weapons cannot utterly
defeat the enemy and destroy the enemy's spirit to
make another war. It can be said the war never ends.
The psychological warfare can shorten the time of war
and reduce the number casualties. Only the
psychological warfare can totally end a war. In the
today's modern warfare also, the psychological warfare
can still overcome the most sophisticate weapons.
Thus, the psychological is important.

Efforts should be made to protect the nation's troops
against the psychological attack. The Tatmadaw must
have the ability to defeat the enemy with
psychological weapon. The unity within the Tatmadaw
and the unity between the Tatmadaw and the people
should be organized with the psychological method.
Concerning the leadership ability, the fours tasks,
training, administration, welfare and spirit have
already been explained. The Tatmadaw is being built to
become a powerful, qualified and modern Armed Forces.
As the time is constantly advancing, modernization of
the Tatmadaw is a continuous task. Thus the comrades
will have to strive with firm determination to always
develop the Tatmadaw. At present, the Tatmadaw has
assumed the State's duties, and strengthened the
political, economic and defense power with the
participation of the people.

If the independence struggle will be recounted from
the political point of view, the strength of unity
dwindled due to splits in parties, politics and
ideologies. As there were fights against each other
within the nation, the nation-building task faced
weaknesses. Thus unity is the national politics of the
nation. Although a single stick can be broken, a
bundle of sticks cannot be broken. But the strength of
the rope that is ties the bundle of sticks is also
important. Hence, it is of vital importance for all
the national people to firmly attached themselves to
the nation with "Our Main National Causes". Only when
there is firm unity, will the nation be peaceful and
stable and be able to realize the objectives the under
any system. Adequacy in food is the most basic
requirement for the nation.

Surplus production of food will lead to increase in
financial capital through trade in food. The national
will be able to acquire science and technologies if it
has financial power. In this way the nation will be
able to set up the economic sector led by the science
and technologies. Thus, efforts are being made to
produce surplus food for the growing population of the
nation in the 21st century. The nation is endeavoring
to increase the per capita income and the gross
national product. The entire people are striving to
boost production. Efforts are being made to develop
the import-substitute sector to reduce spending of the
people and the State. Thrifty practice is the basic
principle of the economy. The one who gives priority
to practicing the thrifty method will become richer,
and the one who ignores it will lose his fortunes.


At present, economy is more important than politics.
The economic power is the hub of all sectors. It will
have the ability to drive the political and military
forces. Richness of the nation will lead to
strengthening the nation's defense might. The ability
of the Tatmadaw will be improved till it can totally
defense the State and the people. The comrades are the
human resources to build a powerful modern Tatmadaw
with high caliber. Thus, they should trained
themselves to become a good and patriotic soldier.
However, tough and hard a duty may be, they should
discharge it at the risk of their lives. Hardships and
difficulties are the exercises for the Tatmadawmen to
become brilliant and good soldiers.

They should nurture their leadership ability in accord
with the rank. They must always uphold the 12 noble
traditions of the Tatmadaw. They must assess the task
to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation from
the military, political, economic, administrative and
international point of view, and must take part in it
with might and main. Then, the Senior General left the
parade grounds. After the parade ceremony, the Senior
General met five outstanding award winner cadets and
their parents at the hall of DSA Headquarters.

 ___________________________

Senior General Than Shwe tours PyinOoLwin

Yangon, 5 April- Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense
Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by
members of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Ye
Myint, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Maj-Gen Thein Sein,
Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Maj-Gen Tin
Aye of the Ministry of Defense, Commander-in-Chief
(Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, ministers, the Chief of
Staff (Air), the Deputy Minister for Health, senior
military officers and officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and departments concerned,
left here by Tatmadaw aircraft and arrived at Mandalay
International Airport in TadaU Township, Mandalay
Division, at 11 am on 3 April 2002.

Senior General Than Shwe and entourage were welcomed
at the airport by Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Mandalay City Mayor Brig-Gen Yan
Thein, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win, military
officers and departmental officials. The Senior
General and party proceeded to PyinOo-Lwin by
helicopter. On arrival at PyinOoLwin, they were
welcomed by State Peace and Development Council member
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defense, Military
Appointments-General Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Military
Advocate-General Maj-Gen Thein Soe, Vice-Chief of
Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint and senior
military officers, PyinOoLwin Station Commander Rector
of Defense Services Academy Brig-Gen Khin Zaw and
senior military officers of PyinOoLwin Station.

Member of State Peace and Development Council and the
Panel of Patrons of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association Maj-Gen Soe Win, who
accompanied the Senior General, met with USDA
secretaries and executives of PyinOoLwin District and
Township USDAs, ward organizers and members at the
office of District USDA at 11.30 am on 4 April 2002.
Secretary of PyinOoLwin Township USDA U Thaung Myint
Thein reported on the work being carried out and
future tasks for the association and the work being
carried out for rural development.

Then, member of the USDA Panel of Patrons Maj-Gen Soe
Win explained the future tasks of USDA, rural
development tasks and future programmers, and urged
USDA members to actively participate in rural
development tasks. Similarly, member of the State
Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the
Ministry of Defense met with district/township-level
departmental officials of PyinOoLwin District and
Township, service personnel and social organization
members at Myanmar Survey Training School at 11.30 am.
Chairman of PyinOo-Lwin District Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Kyaw Kyaw Oo, Chairman of PyinOoLwin
Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Nyein
and officials reported on the work being carried out
for regional development. In response to the reports,
Maj-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions on the work being
carried out systematically for national development,
and spoke of the need for officials concerned to
conscientiously discharge duty for district and
township development, to make PyinOoLwin green and
beautiful so that it possesses the characteristics of
the city of flowers, and to fully cooperate with the
public in rural development tasks.

Likewise, member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman of Myanmar War Veterans Organization
Central Organizing Committee Adjutant-General Maj-Gen
Thein Sein, together with member of the Central
Organizing Committee of WVO Minister for Industry-1 U
Aung Thaung, met with members of PyinOoLwin
District/Township WVOs at the office of PyinOoLwin
District Peace and Development Council at 11.50 am.
Chairman of PyinOoLwin District War Veterans
Supervisory Committee Lt-Col Kyaw Kyaw Oo and Chairman
of Township War Veterans Organization Organizing
Committee Maj Min Aung (Retd) reported on the work
being carried out by District and Township WVOs.
Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung gave
instructions.

Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein explained the
set-up, the objective, work programmers and the
conviction of Myanmar War Veterans Organization, and
stressed the need for Township WVOs to carry out the
tasks. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw
Myint, who accompanied the Senior General, together
with Director-General Professor Dr Paing Soe of the
Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar), inspected
the district hospital in PyinOoLwin in the afternoon.

___________________________


( 2 )  Secretary-1 receives Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Thailand

Yangon, 5 April - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai and party, who are
currently here to attend the India-Myanmar-Thailand
Ministerial Meeting on Transport Linkages, at the
Ministry of Defense at 5 pm today. Also present at the
call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win,
Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U
Aung Htet and Ambassador of Thailand to the Union of
Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon.

___________________________

Secretary-1 receives Minister of External Affairs of
India

Yangon, 5 April - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received
Minister of External Affairs of India Mr Shri Jaswant
Singh and party, who are currently here to attend the
India-Myanmar-Thailand Ministerial Meeting on
Transport Linkages, at the guest house of the Ministry
of Defense at 4.45 pm today. Also present at the call
were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister
for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen
Ket Sein, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin
Maung Win, Director-General of the Protocol Department
Thura U Aung Htet. The guests were accompanied by
Charge d' Affaires air of the Indian Embassy to
Myanmar Mr Ashok Tomar.

___________________________


Secretary-1 addresses opening of 6th ASEAN Finance
Ministers Meeting


Yangon, 5 April - The opening ceremony of the 6th
ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting hosted by Myanmar for
the first time, was held at the Traders Hotel on Sule
Pagoda Road this morning, with an address by
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present were ministers, finance ministers from
ASEAN member nations, the Secretary-General of ASEAN,
the chairman of the Asia Development Bank, deputy
ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank of
Myanmar, officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, members of the US-ASEAN Business
Council, the Vice-Governors of Finance and Central
Banks of three dialogue countries of ASEAN the
People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of
Korea, senior officials, delegates, ambassadors of
three dialogue countries of ASEAN in Yangon, chairmen
of private banks in Myanmar, local and foreign
correspondents and guests.


In his address the Secretary-1 said: This is the first
ever ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting to be held in
Myanmar and therefore, it is a great pleasure and
privilege for me to address this opening ceremony.
First of all, I would like to take this opportunity,
on behalf of the Government and the people of Myanmar,
to extend our heartfelt welcome to all the ASEAN
Finance Ministers, the Secretary-General of the ASEAN,
the President of the Asian Development Bank as well as
to all the distinguished delegates. Although your stay
in Myanmar is brief, it is our hope that you will be
able to have an insight of our country, which is rich
in beauty and culture, and is peaceful and
economically vibrant.

May I also wish you a most pleasant and enjoyable
stay. The present Meeting has taken a new and urgent
significance and importance since it is taking place
against a background of a complex international
economic situation. It may be recalled that despite
the dire predictions by some observers, particularly
by those outside the region, the ASEAN countries were
able to put their economies on the path of recovery
following the financial crisis that shook the region
in 1997. By adopting policies and practices best
suited to the specific circumstances of individual
nations, by enhancing cooperation and integration
among member States and by adopting bold measures, we
were able to gradually regain the economic initiative
as well as increased confidence in the region from
international investors. However, the recent events in
the global economic situation are presenting new
challenges to all of us.

 But I am confident that ASEAN will be able to
overcome these challenges by working together. Allow
me to take this opportunity to congratulate the
ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers for their concerted efforts
to establish the Chiang Mai Initiative based on their
experience, expertise and their goodwill for the
region. The ASEAN Swap Arrangement, one of Chaing-Mai
Initiative's main components, has been enlarged to US
dollar 1 billion effective from 17 November 2000 and
has as its participants all the ASEAN member
countries. With regard to the Bilateral Swap
Arrangement (BSA), I am pleased to learn that a number
of agreements have already been concluded between
various countries.

At the Seventh ASEAN Summit held in Brunei Darussalam
in November of last year, the leaders agreed to go
beyond the ASEAN Free Trade Area and the ASEAN
Investment Area by deepening market liberalization for
both trade and investment and also agreed to speed up
negotiations on liberalizing intra-ASEAN trade in
services and to start negotiations on mutual
recognition arrangement for professional services. I
am pleased to learn that two protocols: "the Protocol
to implement the package of commitments on financial
services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on
Services" and "the Protocol governing the
implementation of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff
Nomenclature" will be signed at this meeting. I
understand that these two protocols would give added
momentum, to the achievement of the Summit's
agreements.

At this juncture, I would like to briefly mention that
the Myanmar Government has been striving for all round
development in political, economic and social fields
to pave the way for the emergence of a peaceful,
tranquil and new modern developed nation. By adopting
suitable policies and by utilizing our economic
potentials, Myanmar has been able to surpass the
planned targets in the 1992-93 to 1995-96 Short Term
Four Year Plan and the 1996-97 to 2000-2001 Five Year
Plan, achieving an average annual growth rate of 7.5
per cent and 8.4 per cent against plan targets of 5.1
and 6 per cent respectively. We have now embarked on a
new 2001-2002 to 2005-2006 Five Year Plan and we are
fully confident that we shall be again able to surpass
the projected annual growth rate of 6 per cent.

With the economy on the right path to rapid
development, Myanmar will surely be able to make a
more meaningful contribution to the development and
prosperity of the region as a whole. Allow me to take
this opportunity to reaffirm Myanmar's commitment to
enhance cooperation among the member countries of the
Association. The agenda that is before your Meeting is
wide-ranging and is of great importance to the region.
The Meeting will surely benefit from your wisdom and
wide experience. In conclusion, I would therefore like
to wish you every success in your deliberations. Then,
the Secretary-1, together with the ASEAN Finance
Ministers and Secretary-General, posed for a
documentary photo and the opening ceremony came to a
close.

___________________________

A ceremony to open the 7th Mekong Tourism Forum held
in Myanmar


Yangon, 5 April-A ceremony to open the 7th Mekong
Tourism Forum held in Myanmar took place at the Sedona
Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here this morning with
an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon
Division Peace and development Council Commander
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, deputy ministers,
officials at the State Peace and Development Council
Office, the ambassadors of foreign missions in Yangon,
high ranking delegates of the member countries of the
Greater Mekong Subregion Cambodia, the People's
Republic of China, the Lao People's Democratic
Republic, the Union of Myanmar, the Socialist Republic
of Vietnam and Thailand, officials of Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA), Asian Development Bank
(ADB), Economic and Social Commission of Asia and
Pacific (ESCAP), Agency for Coordinating Mekong
Tourism Activities, UNESCO, tourism operators of 23
countries, officials of the Ministry of Hotels and
Tourism and domestic tourism operators.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt said : I am greatly delighted to have this
opportunity to deliver an address at the Opening
Ceremony of the Seventh Mekong Tourism Forum organized
by the Pacific Asia Travel Association. This is the
first time that Myanmar is hosting the Forum and I
wish to express our sincere thanks to all concerned in
choosing Myanmar as the host nation. The theme of this
Forum is "Bridging the Mekong, Branding the Jewels" is
indeed most relevant as the Meeting will be discussing
ways of enhancing tourism cooperation among the
Greater Mekong sub-region states as well as
endeavouring to promote the region as a common tourist
destination. We in Myanmar have a saying: "If it is a
genuine ruby, even mud cannot hide its luster". It is
therefore our sincere belief that while many tourist
sites in the region remain to be discovered by the
world, it will just be a matter of time before the
world travelers enjoy these jewels for the benefit of
all. At the same time, it is also incumbent on the
governments, the national tourist authorities, the
private sector as well as regional tourist
organizations like PATA to make them known to the rest
of the world.

The potential of the region in the tourism sector is
indeed enormous. It is a truism that tourism
contributes much to the economic development of the
individual nations, particularly in terms of poverty
reduction. It is the ordinary people themselves, the
men on the street, who benefit most from the
development of tourism. At the same time, it is our
belief that tourism promotes more than economic
prosperity for it also serves to strengthen friendship
and understanding among the nations of the world
through direct people-to-people contacts. In this
manner, everybody- the people of the host country as
well as the tourists- gains unique knowledge and
experience, thus enriching the lives of everyone
involved. It is with these sentiments that Myanmar is
endeavoring to promote tourism.

In our consideration, tourism means more than a way of
bringing economic improvement to the nation and its
people. It also represents a means for acquainting the
world with the unique beauty and characteristics of
Myanmar while increasing goodwill and understanding
between Myanmar and the peoples of the world. Our
Government is therefore committed to developing the
tourist industry and towards this end, it has already
initiated the necessary institutions and framework. A
separate government ministry called the Ministry of
Hotels & Tourism was created to supervise and support
the tourism industry in the country. Moreover, a
special inter-ministry body entitled the Management
Committee for Development of Tourism Industry was also
established to provide overall guidance and
coordination.

Tourism industry is relatively new to our country and
we are still to develop its full potential. But we are
confident that with the abundance of tourist sites,
combined with the support of the government and the
participation of the private sector, Myanmar will in
the near future become one of the major tourist
destinations. Myanmar is endowed by nature with
mountains including the only snow-capped mountains in
Southeast Asia, forests, rivers, lakes and beaches
still untouched by mass tourism. Myanmar is also rich
in historical and archaeological sites including the
world-renowned 11th century Bagan capital and the
glorious Mandalay, the last capital of Myanmar Kings
as well as numerous pagodas and temples. They
constitute the rich heritage of our culture.

Moreover, there are over one hundred national races
with their own dialects, traditions and customs. All
these, together with the charming smiles and simple
hospitality of its people, make Myanmar a unique
tourist destination. There is also peace and stability
in the country and Yangon has been internationally
recognized as one of the safest capitals in the world.
It is indeed most appropriate that Myanmar, which has
been called the Golden Land, is deservedly called one
of the jewels of the Mekong Region. Allow me also to
reaffirm Myanmar's determination to strengthen
cooperation with the states of Greater Mekong
Sub-Region in developing tourism. The promotion of
Mekong Region as a single destination holds great
prospects and hopes for regional development down to
grassroots levels.

This programmed, I believe, will be successful with
closer cooperation among the governments of the member
countries and active participation of the private
sector. Once again I wish to express my deep-felt
thanks to PATA, ESCAP and ADB for their kind
assistance and contributions in holding this Forum.
The Agenda before the Meeting is wide-ranging and of
great relevance for the promotion of tourism in the
region. I am fully confident that the deliberations
will be of great significance for the region. In
conclusion, I would therefore like to wish the Seventh
Mekong Tourism Forum success and all the distinguished
delegates a most pleasant and enjoyable stay in
Myanmar.

Then, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin
made an address. He said: It is indeed a great honor
for the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism to host the
Seventh Mekong Forum in collaboration with PATA, ESCAP
and ADB. Tourism in Myanmar is growing steadily
keeping pace with the economic development of the
country. Myanmar tourism is based mainly on cultural
heritage and unspoilt natural environment. Over 100
national races with their colorful traditional
dresses, customs and festivals are the added
attractions. Above all, Myanmar is most known for the
simple way of life and charming hospitality of its
people. Under the guidance of the Tourism Development
Management Committee we have been developing tourism
with a cautious approach by taking measures to
preserve our national identity and traditional values.


We also take great care to see that our natural
environment and ecological systems remain intact for
future generations. There are opportunities as well as
challenges in development of tourism. Improvement in
transport infrastructure is one of the major
constraints for rapid tourism development. However,
the Government without any overseas assistance, has
undertaken many major projects in construction of new
roads and bridges and expansion of airports which
facilitate easy access to tourist sites. A major
obstacle in promoting Myanmar is the foreign media
with false reports and distorted information damaging
our image abroad. The limited knowledge and
misconception about the country keep many tourists
from visiting Myanmar.

Therefore, it is a good opportunity for the delegates
to see for yourself how safe and peaceful is the
country. In regional cooperation Myanmar has close and
friendly ties with all the countries in the region and
actively participated in the regional meetings and
forums. In order to facilitate intra-regional travel,
we have opened up entry points along the borders with
Yunnan Province in China and Thailand. Border tourism
promotes regional development in infrastructure and
the living standard of the people in remote areas.
With regard to the Forum, we note with great
satisfaction the theme and interesting topics to be
presented by well-known personalities in the field of
tourism.

I firmly believe that the presentations and
discussions at the Forum will undoubtedly benefit
promotion of Mekong region as a single destination. I
wish the 7th Mekong Forum a success and the
distinguished delegates an enjoyable stay in Myanmar.
Next, Chairman and Chief Executive of PATA Mr Peter de
Jong made a speech and the ceremony ended.

___________________________

( 3 ) Some opium-trafficking insurgents, who get
foreign assistance, launching fabrications against Wa
people

Yangon, 5 April - Foreign diplomats including Dean of
the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Laos Mr Ly Bounkham
and heads of foreign missions visited Kengtung and its
central market on 2 April morning. Led by Chairman of
Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control of Myanmar
Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and
Vice-Chairman Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,
the diplomats left Kengtung for Pansang in Wa region
by helicopter at 10 am.

On arrival at Pansang at 11 am, they were welcomed by
Wa national race leader U Pauk Yu Chan and officials.
U Pauk Yu Chan met with them at Maezin Hotel. He said
as the Wa people had to engage in battles under the
Burma Communist Party, they were not able to conduct
regional development undertakings. They were able to
develop the roads, bridges, schools and dispensaries
only after peace had been restored. A plan was laid
down in 1990 to reduce poppy cultivation annually to
totally end the practice and to eradicate the narcotic
drugs. In 1996, an order to eliminate the narcotic
drugs was issued. It had been declared to the world in
1997 that efforts will be made under the leadership of
the government of the Union of Myanmar to totally free
the Wa region from narcotic drugs.


 The drug eradication task has been carried out with
greater momentum since 10 years ago. The Wa region has
gained greater success in carrying out the task. And
its success has been acknowledged by the local and the
international communities. There has been
misunderstanding concerning the drug elimination task
of the Wa region as it has no media coverage.
Especially, some of the opium-trafficking insurgents,
who get foreign assistance, are launching fabrications
concerning the situation at Thai-Myanmar border. They
are trying to belittle the sincere efforts of the Wa
people. The Wa region has to suffer much due to such
perpetrations. The Ywet Sit group is trying to launch
fabrications as if the Wa group was getting involved
in the drug business.

The Ywet Sit group in collusion with some capitalists
is transgressing the Myanmar territory at the border
and producing narcotic drugs. But the Ywet Sit group
is trying to put the blame on the Wa group. In
replying to the questions raised by the heads of
foreign missions, U Paw Yu Chan said that the Wa
national group is striving to eradicate the
cultivation and production of narcotic drugs with the
use of money earned from timber, mining, gems and
other businesses permitted by the State. The State has
provided assistance for the regional development tasks
being undertaken by the Wa national group. Measures
are being taken to improve the standard of education
and health, promote social status and develop the
intellectual power of national youths.


Cultivation of opium-substitute crops is meeting with
success. Livestock breeding work and other businesses
are being done, and factories are being extended by
means of hydro-electric power. The living standard of
Wa nationals will rise in future. They were served
with lunch at the Maezin Hotel. Then, the ministers
and the heads of foreign missions looked round Pankham
Cigarette Factory and Honpan Distillery. Afterwards,
they left there by helicopter and arrived at (special
township) in Honpan Township at 3 pm. Leader of Wa
nationals U Aik Ron explained measures taken for the
eradication of cultivation and production of narcotic
drugs in Nantit Township, progress of work and future
tasks.

In replying to the questions raised by the heads of
foreign missions, he said that the State has given
encouragement and assistance for the development of
the region. Nantit Township consists of six
village-tracts. Now, there are no traces of
cultivation of opium whatsoever in four village-tracts
except in two village-tracts. The cultivation of opium
is on the decrease every year. In doing
opium-substitute cultivation, quality paddy strains,
rubber, lychee, mangoes, oranges and tea plants have
been grown since 1996-97.

Hydro-electric power factories have been built, and
industries are being extended. Then, they viewed the
rubber plantations, and Nammarhaw Bridge across the
border river. They left there by helicopter and
arrived at Lashio Airport in northern Shan State at 5
pm. They were welcomed there by Commander of
North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing who hosted a
dinner in their honour at Shweli Yeiktha of the
command. They were also entertained to Shan cultural
dances. Next, the heads of foreign missions sang the
traditional songs of respective countries and
presented a basket of flowers to the cultural dance.
They also played golf together with the commander and
the deputy commander of North-East Command at Lashio
Golf Course 3 April morning. They then toured Lashio
and left for Yangon by air.

__________________________

( 4 ) Both ONCB in Bangkok and ONCB (North) in
Chiang-Rai fail to inform Myanmar officials in advance



Yangon, 4 April - Press Conference on the seizure of
37.56 kilograms of heroin from a Thai national in
front of Dipakyaw Market near the Friendship Bridge in
Tachilek and on the comprehensive drug control
measures taken by the government as a national duty
was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road at noon
today.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information
Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs
Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Head of Department of the
Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence Col Kyaw
Thein, senior military officers, departmental heads,
news and information officials of the Ministry of
Information, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, patron
of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe,
President U Sao Kai Hpa and correspondents, Bureau
Chief of Tokyo Shinbon News Agency based in Bangkok Mr
Kenichi Tauchi, Mr Larry Jagan of BBC based in
Bangkok, Vice-Chief of AFP News Agency based in
Bangkok Sarah Stewart and Bangkok-based Reuters
Correspondent Mr Dominique Whiting and guests.

First, Col Kyaw Thein explained the seizure of the
drugs with audio-visual aids. He said the State has
designated the narcotic drug elimination endeavors as
a national duty. Especially it is to curb illicit
trafficking of drugs at border towns. At 5.30 pm on 1
April 2002, security members intercepted the
suspicious-looking Land Rover with Thai number plate
3113 with two Thai nationals on board in front of the
Dipakyaw Market near the Friendship Bridge in
Tachilek. The two Thai nationals refused the
inspection of the authorities. Instead, they struggled
with the authorities and tried to flee. One of the two
managed to escape and the other sustained gunshot
injury on his right calf.


The authorities made a thorough search on the car, and
seized 89 packets of Chuhnakaung Globe Brand heroin
each containing 350 grams totaling 31.15 kilos and 16
blocks of Triple Nine Brand heroin each containing 400
grams, totalling 6.41 kilos. The total seizure from
the two was 37.56 kilos. Further interrogations and
other evidence have revealed that of the two, the
person who was arrested, as Dang, 27, son of Naihnon
of No 43, Ward 4, Chiangmai, Thailand, and the other
person, who escaped arrest, as Okkara Mong Kol, 38,
Thai NRC No 3519900124405 of No 13/1, Ward 6, Linpin
County, Muang, Lammum District, Thailand. Concerning
the incident, The Daily News daily of Thailand
featured a news report on column 1, page 1, under the
heading "Thailand, Myanmar cooperates to seize heroin
near border".

The news report said that the No 1 anti-drug police
squad made a contact with drug traders and drew a
secret plan to arrest the traffickers. As the Land
Rover with Thai number plate 3113 failed to enter
Maesai till the last minute of the closing time of the
border gate, the chairman of the Thai Border Committee
made contacts with the leader of Special Border
Supervisory Committee, a member of the Myanmar Border
Committee, and made a request to intercept the car and
seize the traffickers. The news report was created and
presented in accord with the wish of the other side.
The truth was that when the Myanmar security personnel
were making arrangements to search the
suspicious-looking car, Sgt Sadid of Thai Border
Committee and U Ko Lay, a member of Thai-Myanmar
Border Committee went to Myanmar officials in
Tachilek, and informed them that a Land Rover with
Thai number plate 3113 was going to transport drugs
from Tachilek to Maesai.

Their action did not amount to making coordination's
in advance. The No 1 anti-drug police squad in
Chiang-Rai did not inform the matter to any of the
official bodies in Myanmar in advance. The No 1
anti-drug police squad made a secret plan to sneak
into Myanmar under their own arrangement, and to make
a plot. It made contact with and inform the matter to
Myanmar officials only at the last minute to close the
border gate. It was known that it made contacts with
Myanmar officials at a time when the security
personnel were going to search the car. In order to
inform the incident to Thai officials, a contact was
made with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the
Myanmar Embassy in Thailand on 2 April 2002.

On 3 April, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse
Control of Myanmar also informed the incident to the
Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of
Thailand. At that time, there was no response from the
other side. According to the Thai, who was arrested,
it was known that they sneaked into Myanmar via
Panmaihsun village at Thai-Myanmar border on 28 March
2002. They traded their goods with drugs in Tachilek.
Cooperative efforts will be made to expose the persons
from both Myanmar and Thailand who are involved in the
case. In cooperating between the two nations to
eliminate the drugs, it is required to give priority
to making contacts with each other and coordination's
in advance. But during the incident, both the ONCB in
Bangkok and ONCB (North) in Chiang-Rai, which was
always making contacts with anti-drugs bodies of
Myanmar in Tachilek District, failed to inform the
Myanmar side in advance.

There is a tradition of making advanced coordination's
between the officials of the two sides to carry out a
task at the border. In this incident, it seemed that
the Thai side made arrangements on its own to sneak
into Myanmar with a scheme and informed the Myanmar
authorities when their situation was turning to bad.
It is obvious that it was a clandestine plot.
Concerning the matter, the Myanmar side will inform
the other side to make coordination's and exchange
information in advance with mutual sincerity.
Concerning the drug elimination efforts of Myanmar, he
said the drug problem is an evil legacy of the
colonialists. The problem not only tarnishes the norms
and dignity of the nation, but also threatens the
entire mankind.

As the problem concerns with the sincere hill people,
the State has to make broad and delicate plans to
combat the drugs. The drug problems do not occur in a
single country. As there are cross-border trafficking
of drugs, the State is combating the drugs as a
national duty. It is cooperating with NGOs, UN
agencies, neighbors and nations in the region and
sub-region. As the drug abuse and trafficking are
threatening the regional security and peace and
stability and connecting with the cross-border crimes,
a decision was made at the Ministerial level meeting
which was held in Bangkok in Thailand in July 2000, to
guard the region against the danger of narcotics,
especially the stimulant drugs and to set the date to
realize the aim "the Drug Free Asean" in 2015, instead
of 2020. As there is illicit trafficking of drugs at
the Myanmar-China border and Myanmar-Thai border, the
State is giving priority to making cooperation's with
the neighbors to decrease the illegal narcotic
business at the borders and to curb cross-border
trafficking.

When Myanmar was able to effectively control and curb
the opium-related drug problem, it faced the problem
of ATS, stimulant drugs, in 1996. Thus, the nation has
accelerated the momentum of its efforts to cooperate
with her neighbors and regional nations in launching
anti-stimulant drugs and education programmers. As the
danger of the stimulant drugs has grown in the region,
the six countries, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos,
Cambodia and Vietnam cooperatively launched the
cross-border drug elimination programmed (1999-2003).
In the first phase, the cooperative drug elimination
campaigns have been launched at
Myanmar-China-Lao-Vietnam border. In the second stage
the campaigns have been launched at Myanmar-Thai-Lao
border.

Under the Myanmar-American cooperation programmed on
eradication of narcotic drugs, the eighth opium yield
survey was conducted at far-flung areas in Mongshu
Township of eastern Shan State and in Hsenwi Township,
Tangyan Township, Kutkai Township and Muse Township of
northern Shan State from 25 February to 2 March in
2002. The opium yield survey was conducted at poppy
fields. Samples of poppy seeds, sap and leaves and
soil were collected. Poppy growers were interviewed,
and so were the officials with regard to cultivation
of opium-substitute crops, livestock breeding, giving
treatment to drug addicts and drug abuse control
measures. According to the opium yield survey
conducted under the Myanmar-American cooperation
programmed, the cultivation and production of opium in
Myanmar has decreased considerably every year since
1997. In 1999, cultivation of poppy declined by 31%
and opium yield decreased by 38%. The decrease in
cultivation of poppy and yield was the lowest after
1988.

The members of the American delegation which conducted
an opium yield survey in 2002, said that they had
heard from the American officials who had returned
from Myanmar that as the weather had been good, poppy
cultivation had been successful; however, when they
arrived at the areas where poppy was grown, what they
had heard proved wrong; although there were poppy
fields at the places where a opium yield survey was
conducted, most poppy fields failed due to the bad
weather and scarcity of rainfall. In addition, poppy
fields in northern Shan State are being destroyed in
accord with the plan. Altogether 18,553.53 acres of
poppy fields were destroyed up to 19 March in 2002.

The opium yield of this year was lower than that of
previous year. The national race armed groups who
returned to the legal fold have been working for the
development of border areas in cooperation with the
Government. Therefore, the Government has been able to
exert more efforts for drug abuse control. The
seizures made from January to December in 2001 were
1,629.06 kilos of opium, 96.74 kilos of heroin, 579.63
liters of Phensedyle, 175,754.68 liters of acid and
chemicals of various sorts, 3,922.96 kilos of
Ephedrine, 3,024 kilos of Caffeine, 518 kilos of
Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (ICE), 32,438,981
Metham-phetamine tablets and 72 Ecstasy tablets.

Sixteen opium refineries and 26,113.46 acres of poppy
fields were destroyed. With the help of Yunnan
Province Drug Abuse Control of the People's Republic
of China, cultivation of opium-substitute crops,
livestock breeding work and alternative regional
development work are being carried out in cooperation
with the Kokang group of Special Region-1. In
cooperation with Japan, buckwheat has been cultivated
on a commercial scale in Kokang region. In 2002,
buckwheat has been cultivated on 4,160 acres of land
in Kokang region. In 2002, the Japanese Government
will grant assistance for the upgrading of
Laukkai-Kongyan Road and two projects for installation
of power lines in Kyashishu Village.

With the use of 20 million baht given by the Office of
Narcotics Control Board of Thailand, a model village
is being established in Yaungkha Village, Satone
Village-tract, Monghsat Township, southern Wa region,
in cooperation with the Wa group of Special Region-2.
Moreover, as instructed by the Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council, a group
comprising members of the Central Committee for Drug
Abuse Control conducted a field tour of Kokang and Wa
regions on 14-8-2001 with the aim of speeding up the
performance of alternative development tasks in border
areas. Wheat and peas and beans were grown on 941
acres of land. A total of 30,000 walnut saplings,
1,500 orange saplings and 1,500 lychee saplings were
distributed.

To cultivate perennial trees, 196 acres of land have
been reclaimed. In addition, some plots of land are
left vacant in the poppy growing season, June and
July. Therefore, to distribute seeds of monsoon crops
at that time, K 50 million is being used on
cultivation of opium-substitute crops and livestock
breeding. Moreover, efforts are being made to
designate Kokang region and Wa region as opium-free
zones in 2005. Kokang Region Drug Elimination Museum
was opened on 27 December 2000. To promote the public
awareness of danger of narcotic drugs, to enlist
public cooperation, to give education on the danger of
drugs, to implement drug control programmers
successfully and effectively, and to make efforts of
the Government for eradication of narcotic drugs known
to the world, the Government opened the Drug
Elimination Museum on 26 June 2001 hailing the
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking.

The Government has been cooperating with the
neighboring countries, the countries in the region and
the sub-region, the UN agencies and NGOs in striving
to eradicate narcotic drugs. It has laid down a
15-year drug elimination plan. It has been implemented
in 51 townships of Chin State and Kayah State since
1999. Up to 2001, the second year of the first
five-year plan, K 2,502.635 million and US $ 1.495
million have been spent on alternative development
plans concerning agriculture, health, education,
livestock breeding and transport. The Government spent
over K 24,610 million on development tasks of border
areas up to March in 2002. The world today is
confronted with the threat of Transnational Organized
Crime Groups. They are now involved in transnational
organized crimes including drug trafficking in
connection with terrorist organizations. Myanmar is
cooperating with members of the UN in fighting against
terrorist groups as well as narcotic drugs.

The collection of base line data on cultivation and
yield of poppy has been conducted since 1998 under the
programmed of Myanmar. It has also cooperated with the
US in conducting an opium yield survey from 1993 to
2002. In conclusion, the Government is stepping up the
cooperation with the neighboring countries and the
countries in the region and the sub-region in
combating narcotic drugs. Col Kyaw Thein and Joint
Secretary of the CCDAC Police Col Khan Aung replied to
the queries raised by the journalists. The Press
conference ended at 1 pm.

__________________________


( 5 ) 6th ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting held

Yangon, 5 April - The 6th ASEAN Finance Ministers
Meeting the first to be hosted by the Union of Myanmar
started at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road here
this morning. It was attended by Minister for Finance
and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein and finance ministers
of ASEAN member countries, Secretary-General of ASEAN
Mr Rodolfo C Severino and delegates from the ASEAN
member countries.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein presided over the meeting
and extended greetings. Then, those present discussed
matters related to economic cooperation between ASEAN
countries and future tasks, and the morning session
adjourned for a while. In the afternoon session,
officials of the US-ASEAN Business Council reported on
matters related to economic cooperation between US and
ASEAN countries to ASEAN finance ministers who
discussed the related works. Then, the first day
session ended in the evening.

The second day session will be held at the same venue
tomorrow. Before the 6th ASEAN Finance Ministers
Meeting, ASEAN Finance and Central Bank Deputies
Working Group Meeting (AFDM-WG), Meeting of the
ASEAN+3 Study Group, ASEAN Finance and Central Bank
Deputies Meeting-AFDM and ASEAN+3 Finance and Central
Bank Deputies Meeting (AFDM+3) were held at the
Traders Hotel on 1, 2, 3 and 4 April.

___________________________

Ministers of Thailand, India arrive

Yangon, 5 April -A Thai delegation led by Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai
and an Indian delegation led by Minister of External
Affairs of India Mr Jaswant Singh, arrived here this
afternoon to attend the India-Myanmar-Thailand
Ministerial Meeting on Transport Linkages at the
Sedona Hotel on 5 and 6 April. The delegations were
welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin
Maung Win, officials of the ministry, Ambassador of
Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon, Charge d'
Affaires air and officials of the Indian Embassy. In
the evening, Minister U Win Aung hosted dinner to the
delegates of the three countries at the Sedona Hotel.
___________________________

Seventh Mekong Tourism Forum held

Yangon, 5 April-The 7th Mekong Tourism Forum,
organized by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
and hosted by Myanmar, began at the Sedona Hotel on
Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.

It was attended by high ranking delegates from the
member countries of Greater Mekong Subregion Cambodia,
the People's Republic of China, the Lao People's
Democratic Republic and Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
officials of PATA, Economic and Social Commission of
Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), Asian Development Bank,
Agency for Coordination of Mekong Tourism Activities
(AMTA), UNESCO, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism,
international airlines and private tourism agencies.

Travel writer Dr Paul Temporal of the Republic of
Singapore, Director Mr Arjun Thapan of the Mekong
Subregion Development Branch of ADB, Director Mr
Paisan Wangsai of AMTA and Secretary General Dr Chira
Hongladarom and party of the Foundation for
International Human Resource Development submitted
"Strategic Partnerships in Branding and Selling the
Mekong", "Tourism and Poverty Reduction", " State of
the Mekong Report" and "Cautious approach to
attracting Investments in Tourism" papers respectively
and replied the queries raised by those present. Then,
the morning session adjourned for a while.

In the afternoon session, those present discussed the
travel destinations in the Mekong Basin, promotion of
market and the delegates of tourism agencies of
Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia explained the Mekong
Innovative Tourism Product Award with the use of video
tapes. Then, the forum came to an end in the evening.
The forum will continue tomorrow at the Sedona Hotel.
Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of Directorate of
Hotels and Tourism Services hosted dinner in honor of
the delegates at Karaweik Palace Hotel in the evening.


___________________________

H&T Minister receives guests

Yangon, 5 April - Minister for Hotels and Tourism
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Vered Group of Companies Mr Uzi Vered
accompanied by Ambassador of Israel to the Union of
Myanmar Mr Yaacov Avrahamy at his office at 1 pm today
and discussed the matter related to promotion of
tourism. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister
for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu,
Managing Director of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism
Services U Kyi Tun and officials.

___________________________

Minister receives ADB Chairman

Yangon, 5 April- Minister for National Planning and
Economic Development U Soe Tha received Chairman of
Asia Development Bank Mr Tadao Chino and party at his
office this afternoon. Also present at the call were
officials of the ministry.

___________________________

( 6 ) Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects Namwot hydel plant

Yangon, 5 April - Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry
of Defence, accompanied by Deputy Commander of
Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe and
officials, arrived at Namwot hydel power plant of the
Ministry of Electric Power ten miles south of Kengtung
in Shan State (East) on 2 April morning and inspected
functions of the plant.

At the briefing hall of the plant, Engineer of Shan
State (East) Myanma Electric Power Enterprise U Aye
Kyaw reported on generation of power, power supply
from Namwot and Namlan hydel power plants to Kengtung
through Kengtung branch power station and results of
the preliminary survey for generation of hydel power
at Namkhon creek 6 miles south of Kengtung. Maj-Gen
Aung Htwe fulfilled the requirements and gave
necessary instructions.

On 3 April morning, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe met with members
of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council,
and state/district/township level departmental
officials at the meeting hall of Triangle Region
Command and discussed matters related to the work
carried out to realize the targets of economic plans
in 2000-2001 financial year in Shan State (East) and
implementation of economic plans for 2001-2002
financial year. Then, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe made a speech.

Officials reported on implementation of regional
development, agriculture and livestock breeding,
education, health, ensuring of smooth transportation
and future tasks. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe
fulfilled the requirements and spoke of the need for
cooperation among the government departments in
realizing the targets of economic plans, striving for
successful implementation of five rural development
tasks hand in hand with local people and conducting
field tours.


___________________________

( 7 ) Health Minister inspects TB centre

Yangon, 5 April - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket
Sein, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Health Prof
Dr Mya Oo, inspected the Union Tuberculosis Centre in
Aung San, Insein Township, this morning. At the
meeting hall there, officials concerned reported
matters on providing medical treatment to TB patients
and the minister fulfilled the requirements. Next, he
inspected round the laboratory, x-ray room and the
centre. Later, the minister proceeded to construction
site of Medical Science Department in Aung San Myothit
and gave necessary instructions.

___________________________

Minister attends course concluding ceremony

Yangon, 5 April - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi
Sone attended the concluding ceremony of Basic IT
Training Course No 2 and the opening ceremony of
Commodity Account Course (1/2002) at the head office
of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading this morning.
Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,
Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt
Aye, Managing Director of MAPT U Min Hla Aung and
departmental officials. The minister made a speech and
presented prizes to outstanding trainees.

___________________________

( 8 ) Rural development tasks co-ordinated in Thanlyin

Yangon, 5 April -Yangon Division Development Affairs
Committee of the Development Affairs Department under
the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs held a work
co-ordination meeting on rural development tasks and
development affairs at the Divisional Development
Affairs Committee in Thanlyin at 1 pm today.

Present on the occasion were Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, No 2 Military Region Command
Commander Col Tin Oo Lwin, Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Secretary Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, local
authorities, departmental officials and others. First,
Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe delivered an address. He
urged the Yangon Division Development Affairs
Committee to make energetic efforts for regional
development in line with the guidance of Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe on five rural development
tasks. All-round discussions were then held. The
meeting ended with concluding remarks by the
commander.


___________________________

( 9 ) Minister tours Chin State, Magway Division

Yangon, 5 April - Minister for Progress of Border
Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col
Thein Nyunt, accompanied by officials, inspected
Mindat-Matupi road on 2 April. The minister met with
departmental personnel and social organizations at the
office of Matupi Township Peace and Development
Council and attended to the needs. He then handed over
books donated by PBANRDA and the Ministry of
Information to the officials. He also inspected TV
retransmit ion station and the People's Hospital in
Matupi.

The minister visited Central Theravada Buddhist
Missionary Monastery and presented offertories to
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajinda Saddhamma Jotikadhaja and
gifts to Parahita students. CEC member of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association Col Thein Nyunt
met with members of Township USDA and War Veterans
Organization at Matupi Township USDA office and gave
instructions and fulfilled the requirements.

On 3 April morning, the minister and party arrived at
Natmataung National Parks in Kanpetlet Township where
officials reported on the salient points of the Parks.
Yesterday morning, the minister met with departmental
officials of Kanpetlet Township at Township Peace and
Development Council office and attended to the needs.
He then presented books to the officials. The minister
then visited Kanpetlet Central Theravada Buddhist
Missionary Monastery and presented offertories to
Sayadaw U Ottama. The minister and party also met with
departmental officials and social organizations at the
town hall in Saw and fulfilled their needs.

___________________________

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