The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday,10 April, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday,10  April, 2002)
------------------------------------------
1. - Senior General Than Shwe tours Kengtung, Bahtoo
     Tatmyo in Shan State
   - Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing
     offer rice to monasteries in Kengtung
2. - Myanmar Red Cross Society standing as true
     national force formed with offspring of people
   - Secretary-1 addresses City Housing Project
     Supervisory Committee meeting
3. - Coop Minister arrives back from Nepal
   - Minister attends Coop Ministers' Conference
4. Seventh conference of Myanmar Red Cross Society
   held
5.- "Soon" offered to members of the Sangha
   - Minister inspects communication stations
6. Agriculture and livestock breeding tasks inspected
7. Co-ord meeting on wiping out narcotic drugs (poppy
   cultivation) held
8. Over 21,000 acres of poppy plantations destroyed
   in 2001-2002
9. Narcotic drugs dealers jailed

---------

( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe tours Kengtung, Bahtoo
Tatmyo in Shan State

Yangon, 9 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 Aung Htwe, Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Maj-Gen
Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of
the Ministry of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (Navy)
Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen
Myat Hein, ministers, the Deputy Minister for Health,
Deputy Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen
Myint Swe, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office and departments concerned,
inspected development of Kengtung and completion of
Government Technological College yesterday morning.

Then, the Senior General and party arrived at
Government Computer College where they were welcomed
by GTC Principal U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin, GCC Principal Daw
Khin Sandi Bo and teachers.

At the briefing hall there, Minister for Science and
Technology U Thaung reported to the Senior General and
party on construction of the Government Technological
College and the Government Computer College in
Kengtung, the students who are attending the colleges
and arrangements being made to continue construction
tasks at the respective colleges.

The Senior General gave necessary guidance and
attended to their needs.

Next, the Senior General and party inspected buildings
of GCC and sites chosen for to construct new
buildings.

In the afternoon, the Senior General and party left
Kengtung for Heho Airport in Kalaw Township by
Tatmadaw aircraft. At the airport, the Senior General
and party were welcomed by Chairman of Shan State
Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern
Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister for
Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Commandant of Command
and General Staff College Brig-Gen Nyan Win, Deputy
Commander Col Myint Aung and senior military officers,
members of Shan State Peace and Development Council
and Shan State level departmental officials.

At the lounge of Heho Airport, Minister for Transport
Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported on matters related to
the runway extension project of the airport. The
Senior General gave necessary guidance.

The runway of the airport is being upgraded to a
10,000 feet long and 200 feet wide tarred phase by
phase.

At 1.30 pm, the Senior General and party arrived in
Bahtoo Tatmyo in Yaksawk Township. The Senior General
and party were welcomed there by Vice-Chief of Armed
Forces Training Brig-Gen Aung Kyi, Commander of Bahtoo
Station and Commandant of Defense Services (Army)
Combat Training School (Bahtoo) Brig-Gen Kyaw Thu,
senior military officers and departmental officials.

Then, the Senior General and party inspected
development of Bahtoo Tatmyo and greening tasks by
car.

Next, the Senior General and party left Bahtoo by
helicopter and arrived in Taunggyi at 4.30 pm.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence,
other members of the State Peace and Development
Council and the ministers, who accompanied the Senior
General, met with members of Shan State (East) Peace
and Development Council, Shan State (East) level
departmental officials, chairmen and members of
Kengtung District and Township Peace and Development
Councils, district and township level departmental
officials and social organizations at Sibinthaya Hall
in Kengtung at 1.30 pm on 6 April.

Secretary of Shan State (East) Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Aung Soe reported on the area and land
use of the Shan State (East), cultivation of monsoon
and summer paddy and per-acre yield, sufficiency of
rice in the region, extended cultivation of edible oil
crops, pulses and beans and kitchen crops, development
of meat and fish sector and progress of education,
health and transport sectors.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt
Tin reported on cultivation of monsoon and summer
paddy in Shan State (East) and increase of per-acre
yield, the need to extend cultivation with the use of
quality paddy strains distributed by the ministry and
extended cultivation of pulses and beans and edible
oil crops.

Next, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung
reported on opening of universities, colleges and
institutes at the designated regions in States and
Divisions by the Government with the aim of turning
out technicians on whom the State can rely in accord
with the education promotion programmers and the
degree college, the college and the institute opened
in Kengtung region, Shan State (East), to render more
opportunities to enable the local youths to pursue
higher education.

Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint
reported on assistance being provided to States and
Divisions by the Government for development of the
national health sector and the plans to uplift the
health standard being implemented in Shan State (East)
by the Ministry of Health.

In his address, Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said that
significant progress has been achieved in states and
divisions. He added that Head of State Senior General
Than Shwe himself visited the region to inspect the
development of Shan State (East) and to fulfill the
requirements for expediting the development task with
added momentum.

According to the reports, there has been regional rice
sufficiency as paddy cultivation could be extended in
Shan State (East), he said. Extension of beans and
pulses and edible oil crops could also be made in the
region and there was a growth in agricultural and
livestock breeding sectors. Only when there is
sufficiency in basic food, will the economy be strong,
he said.

In transport sector that contributes to economic
development, significant progress has been achieved in
comparison with the past and it is only three and half
hours drive from Kengtung to Tachilek.

Concerted efforts are being made with the plans to
improve Kengtung-Mong-pyin-Takaw Strategic Road,
Mongphyat-Mongyawng Road, Kengtung-Mongkhat-Mongyan
Road, Tahsan-Mongton-Monghsat Road step by step.

There will be an improvement in transport sector in
Thanlwin East region, that was difficult of access, in
the near future and at the same time, the government
is making efforts to boost education and health
sectors in the regions. The Kengtung General Hospital
was extended to a 200-bed one and the degree colleges
and colleges have been built.

In addition, millions of kyat have been invested to
raise the living standard of the national races as a
special programmed for development of border regions.
The huge investment was aimed at facilitating the
long-term development of the national races of the
region, he noted.

Requirements were fulfilled to the most possible
degree to bring about equitable development throughout
the nation and at present, based on the correct
policies and leadership of the Government, development
has been achieved in states and divisions as a result
of active participation of regional authorities,
service personnel and regional people.

Based on the national strength, the Government will
continue to make efforts for further national
development with goodwill.

He urged service personnel to make earnest efforts in
cooperation with the national races and the people so
as to reach the national goal by correctly realizing
the catena of the Head of State and policy of the
Government. Then, he cordially greeted those present
at the ceremony.

Similarly, member of the State Peace and Development
Council member of the Panel of Patrons of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association Maj-Gen Soe
Win, who accompanied the Senior General, met with the
secretary and executives of Shan State (East) USDA,
secretaries and executives of Kengtung District and
Township USDAs, organizers and members at Shan State
(East) USDA Office in Kengtung at 1.30 pm on 6 April.

Secretary of Shan State (East) USDA Dr Sai Hsay Kaw
reported on the strength of (East), USDA tasks being
carried out by the association and  participation of
USDA members in rural development tasks.

Then, Maj-Gen Soe Win attended to their needs and gave
necessary instructions.

Members of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen
Thein Sein and Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha
Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo of the Ministry of Defence met
with Tatmadawmen and their families of Kengtung
Station at the Pyi Nyein Aye Hall of Triangle Region
Command Headquarters in Kengtung at 1.30 pm on 7
April. They explained the general staff, the adjutant
and the quartermaster affairs and cordially met the
Tatmadawmen and families.

---------

Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer
rice to monasteries in Kengtung

Yangon, 9 April - A ceremony to offer rice to
Sarthintaiks in Kengtung Township, Shan State (East),
was held at the Sasana Beikmandawgyi in Kengtung at
10.30 am yesterady.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General
Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the
ceremony and presented rice and offertories to the
Sayadaws.

Present on the occasion were Presiding Nayaka Sayadaws
of Sarthintaiks in Kengtung Township, members of the
State Peace and Development Council, the
Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air),
the ministers, senior military officers, the Deputy
Minister for Health, departmental heads and officials.

The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of
Namo Tassa. Then, member of Shan State Sangha Nayaka
Committee Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Dhammodaya
Sarthintaik in Kengtung Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta
Arjeya invested the congregation with the Five
Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited the partitas.

Afterwards, the Senior General and Daw Kyaing Kyaing
presented rice and offertories to Sayadaw Agga Maha
Pandita Bhaddanta Arjeya.

The Senior General and Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented
rice, offertories and nun robes to Presiding Nun of
Kengtung Dhamma Rakkhita Nunnery Daw ?anavati
(Dhammacariya) and nuns.

The members of the State Peace and Development
Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Chief of
Staff (Air), senior military officers and the
ministers also presented offertories to members of the
Sangha.

The Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of the Dhammodaya
Sarthintaik delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of
merits.

The Senior General and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party
shared merits gained and the ceremony came to an end
with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam
Ciramtitthatu.

___________________________

( 2 ) Myanmar Red Cross Society standing as true
national force formed with offspring of people

MRCS needs to organize and nurture members to become
consolidated and qualified force actively
participating in nation-building endeavors

Yangon, 9 April - A ceremony to open the Seventh
Conference of Myanmar Red Cross Society was held at
the Assembly Hall at the Institute of Nursing on
Bogyoke Aung San Street here at 9 am today, with an
address by Chairman of National Health Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt delivered an address.

The Secretary-1 said at present, the State Peace and
Development Council is striving with the united force
of the entire nation and with added momentum for
harmonious progress of all the sectors to enable the
nation to stand shoulder to shoulder to the world
nations.

In doing so, the government is nurturing the national
forces in all the fronts and systematically laying
down the political, economic and social foundations
with the participation of the national forces under
the leadership of the State.

The participation of the national forces is of vital
importance for progress of the social sector in
harmony with peace, stability and the national
economic strength for all-round development of the
nation.

The government is making efforts for development of
the foundations of the spiritual sector including
vitalization of the patriotism and the will to adore,
promote and preserve the traditional culture to
improve the social standard of the people. It is also
organization the national forces to become a united
strength.

Of the many social organizations cooperating with the
government for national progress, the Myanmar Red
Cross Society is the one that is taking the front row
with great strength.

The MRCS has a fine tradition of serving the interests
of the State and the people throughout the successive
eras.

Thus, the Tatmadaw government has given honor to the
national forces that are taking part in the national
development undertakings, and made arrangements for
them to participate in the task. Thus, the government
has re-organized the MRCS in accord with the time and
situation.

The tasks of the Red Cross were born in the European
nations. However, in Myanmar the social welfare
activities of the Red Cross are flourishing with
greater momentum in combination with the original
spirit of the Myanmar people to serve the majority's
interests, humanity, goodwill, loving kindness and
sympathy. As the Red Cross activities are related to
the Myanmar way of life and culture, they have borne
the significant characters till now.

The MRCS is enhancing its efforts in launching primary
health care tasks, uplifting the health and social
standard of the nation and taking part in national
development undertakings in accord with its aims,
which are, to promote the health care activities, to
control diseases and to help the victims of the
disasters.

The State is giving encourage to the society to become
a strong and consolidated national force. It has also
designated the MRCS as a reserve force of the nation,
and assigned extra national duties.

The society is also accepting the duties assigned to
it and the encouragement given to it by the State. It
is also cementing its strength and training Red Cross
youth at the townships to serve the national
interests.

One of the significant characters of the society is
that it is organizing the majority of the students to
become Red Cross members keenly serving the interests
of the State and the people.

In other words, the MRCS will have to organize and
steer the student youth to take part as the valuable
force in the nation-building endeavors and
humanitarian activities. The society is required to
continue to organize and nurture its members to become
a consolidated and qualified force actively
participating in the nation-building endeavors.

It will have to train and lead the Red Cross youth to
possess humanitarian spirit, the national spirit and
brilliant Red Cross qualifications till old age, and
to become persons serving the national interests.
Thus, the MRCS is endowed with the essence of a
consolidated force, unity, obedience, sacrificing
spirit, selflessness, humanity and noble conviction.
It is standing as a true nation force formed with the
offspring of the people.

The Secretary-1 spoke of the need to lay down
systematic plans and tasks for utilization of
significant national force effectively and for
successful implementation of the tasks and lofty aims
of the society. He urged officials to lead the society
to be able to discharge national duties with the
development of the society in accord with the desire
of the State.

As a national level society, he said arrangements are
to be made to assign duties at different levels among
the state, division, district and township societies
and Red Cross Brigades to be able to link them through
effective management and communication channel.

He said Red Cross activities must be in accord with
political, economic and social objectives and national
health policies. He spoke of the need for officials to
make concerted efforts to bring about Red Cross
activities that could safeguard and promote the
already-achieved better political, economic and social
foundations.

He said Red Cross societies are to be prepared any
time for discharging duties of peace and tranquility
and for stability of the State, development of
township and raising of education, health and social
standards of the people.

He said it is believed that Red Cross youths who
carried out social welfare and humanitarian tasks
would discharge national development and peace and
tranquility duties at any time according to their
concept and natural bent.

The Secretary-1 urged members of central council of
MRCS and executives who led the valuable national
force to make efforts for progress of the society and
for serving the national interest with the concept of
discharging a significant national task.

Now, ministries concerned are implementing rural
development plans under the guidance of Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe. The Secretary-1 said
arrangements are to be made for active participation
in the plans with the Red Cross motto making trip to
villages.

The Secretary-1 said the society is carrying out its
tasks in all parts of the country including rural
areas. He spoke of the need for MRCS to take part in
international Red Cross activities without losing the
sight in accord with the attitudes of Myanmar that is
actively participating in international humanitarian
movement.

He urged MRCS to participate in Red Cross activities
with added momentum with humanitarian spirit while
preserving the tradition of cooperating with ICRC
(International Committee of Red Cross) and IFRC
(International Federation of Red Crescent).

At the same time, the MRCS is to increase its active
cooperation's with International Red Cross Societies
with a view to letting the world know its Red Cross
movement and to convincing the international spheres
its noble nationalist endeavors in line with the
national policies of the State, he urged.

He continued to say that the MRCS is to utilize
advanced science and technology of the world in the
long term interest of the society and to take
appropriate measures for bringing out international
standard human resources in the sector of the MRCS. In
conclusion, he urged all to render cooperative hands
with Red Cross activities for ensuring emergence of a
peaceful, modern and developed nation which is the
national goal; to take systematic measures for
ensuring the MRCS to continue to stand tall with
glamorous prestige and tradition as well as to stand
as a national force on which the nation can rely; to
train and nurture properly for enabling the Red Cross
Brigade and its units to always be ready to shoulder
the national tasks steadfastly as an auxiliary force
for peace and stability of the country, to mobilize
and train youths to become a decent and noble Red
Cross Brigade members with full of ardor in Red Cross
activities and enabling them to shoulder the national
tasks for peace and tranquility of the nation
steadfastly and brilliantly.

After the ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
cordially greeted with guests. After the opening
ceremony, the Secretary-1 cordially met the guests.

---------

Secretary-1 addresses City Housing Project Supervisory
Committee meeting

Yangon, 9 April-Chairman of the City Housing Project
Supervisory Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace
and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the
meeting 5/2002 of the City Housing Project Supervisory
Committee held at the hall of the Department for Human
Settlement and Housing Development of the Ministry of
Construction on Bogyoke Aung San Street here this
afternoon.

Chairman of the committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt made an address. He said the committee has to
strive for the capital to meet the standard of a
capital and to supervise city housing projects so that
housing infrastructures will not be too expensive.
Prices in real estate have been raised manifold by
brokers and profiteers.

So, arrangements are to be made for the customers to
be able to buy houses at reasonable prices. The
committee is to see that real estate to be at stable
prices and the Government will make arrangements for a
decrease in the price of construction materials. All
are urged to take part in the discussions in line with
the objectives of the committee, he said. Then,
committee members and officials discussed matters
relating to development tasks for the city including
housing projects and establishment of an industrial
town. Afterwards, the meeting came to a close with
concluding remarks by Chairman Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt.

___________________________

( 3 ) Coop Minister arrives back from Nepal

Yangon, 9 April -Myanmar delegation led by Minister
for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe arrived back here by
air yesterday evening after attending the Asia-Pacific
Region Cooperative Ministers' Conference held in
Kathmandu, Nepal, from 3 to 6 April. They were
welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by
Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein,
Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, officials of
the Ministry of Cooperatives and Embassy of Nepal and
families of the members of the delegation. Chairman of
GEC (Education) Union Dr Tun Maung also arrived back
here on the same flight.

---------

 Minister attends Coop Ministers' Conference

Yangon, 9 April - The Myanmar delegation led by
Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, together
with Chairman Dr Tun Maung of GEC (Education) Union
attended the Sixth Conference of Asia-Pacific
Cooperative Ministers in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 3 to 6
April.

A total of 196 representatives from 18 countries and
10 international organizations attended the
conference. Chairman Mr Vanskota of National
Cooperative Federation and Mr Shil Kwan Lee of ICA
Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific extended
greetings. Chairman Mr Barberini of International
Cooperative Federation delivered an opening address.

On 4 April, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe
gave a speech. On 5 April afternoon, Minister Lt-Gen
Tin Ngwe presided over the conference. The
representatives discussed development of agriculture
sector, improvement of international markets in Asia
and the Pacific regions and cooperation tasks to be
enhanced among countries in the region.

Then, they held a discussion on strengthening
management for cooperative societies of the countries
in Asia and the Pacific region and important role of
cooperative societies in the developed and developing
nations.

__________________________

( 4 ) Seventh conference of Myanmar Red Cross Society
held

Yangon, 9 April - The seventh conference of Myanmar
Red Cross Society was held at Assembly Hall of
Institute of Nursing on Bogyoke Aung San Street here
at 10 am today.

Present were Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein,
Deputy Minister Prof Dr Mya Oo, President of MRCS Dr
Kyaw Win and executive members, MRCS Central Council
members, representatives of International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, chairmen of
State and Division Red Cross Supervisory Committees,
Red Cross commanders from States and Divisions,
delegates of the conference, and guests. MRCS
President Dr Kyaw Win presided over the conference and
Deputy Executive Director U Hla Myint acted as master
of ceremonies.

Executive Director U Aung Than read out the minutes of
the Sixth conference and reports of the Central
Council. The new executive members including President
Dr Kyaw Win and 21 executive members were elected to
the first meeting of the central council of the
conference.

__________________________


( 5 ) "Soon" offered to members of the Sangha

Yangon, 9 April - The families of the Ministry of
Energy offered a day's meal to the rector Sayadaw and
members of the Sangha of the State Pariyatti Sasana
University (Yangon) at the Mogok Soonsarhsaung on Kaba
Aye Hill here this morning. Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha
Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vannita invested the
congregation with the Five Precepts.

On behalf of the Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi,
Deputy Minister U Tin Tun presented offertories to the
sayadaw. Then, the deputy minister presented K 100,000
for a day's meal of members of the Sangha through
Director of the Department for Promotion and
Propagation of the Sasana U Tun Mya Aung. Then, the
deputy minister, departmental heads and staff families
shared merits gained and offered "soon" to the sayadaw
and members of the Sangha at Sein Brothers
Soonsarhsaung.

---------

Minister inspects communication stations

Yangon, 9 April - Minister for Communications, Posts
and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw accompanied by
officials, gave instructions on connection of trunk
call telephone line in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay
on 5 April. He inspected post offices, telegraph and
telephone stations and the site chosen to build
microwave station in Momeik, Shan State (North) on 6
April. CEC member of USDA Brig-Gen Thein Zaw met with
the USDA members at Shwegu Township Peace and
Development Council Office in Shwegu on 7 April.

Then, he inspected telephone exchange, posts and
digital microwave stations in Shwegu. In the
afternoon, he formally opened new office building of
Mansi Township USDA. Afterwards, he inspected digital
telephone exchange and microwave stations in Bhamo. He
accepted membership applications at the Bhamo Township
USDA office. Yesterday, he inspected work being
carried out for installation of auto telephone line to
schools in Bhamo.

___________________________

( 6 ) Agriculture and livestock breeding tasks
inspected

Yangon, 9 April -Yangon Division Peace and Development
Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Brig-Gen
Myint Swe and Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing, together with departmental officials, arrived
at Seinpan Myaing All-round Agriculture and Livestock
Breeding Farm being undertaken by the Ministry of Home
Affairs on Thudhamma Road, North Okkalapa Township
this afternoon.

They were welcomed there by officials of the farm. At
the briefing hall, Commander of Yangon Division
Myanmar Police Force Police Col Aung Daing reported on
cultivation of vegetables and breeding of fish in the
farm. The commander and the minister gave instructions
and attended to the needs. After inspecting the farm,
they gave instructions on making concerted efforts for
marketing vegetables and fish in any season. The
9.7-acre farm is producing vegetables as well as fish
and meat and sending them to producers' tax-free
markets and other markets in Yangon.

Thence, the commander and the minister proceeded to
integrated model plantations being run by the Yangon
East District Myanmar Police Force and the General
Administration Department in Htawunbe Ward of North
Okkalapa Township. At the briefing hall, officials
concerned reported on progress of works so far carried
out. The commander and the minister fulfilled the
requirements and gave necessary instructions.

They also inspected round the vegetable patches and
fish breeding ponds. The 10-acre integrated farm is
supplying vegetables, fish and meat to family members
free of charge and is sending its vegetables, fish and
meat to producers' tax-free markets. The General
Administration Department has cultivated vegetables in
190 acres and the Divisional Police Force in 120
acres.

___________________________

( 7 ) Co-ord meeting on wiping out narcotic drugs
(poppy cultivation) held

Yangon, 9 April - Chairman of the Central Committee
for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col
Tin Hlaing held the co-ordination meeting on
eradication of drug (poppy cultivation) with the
commanders of state/division/district/township Myanmar
Police Force at the meeting hall of the Ministry of
Home Affairs at 4 pm yesterday.

Present on the occasion were Secretaries of Working
Groups of the CCDAC Deputy Ministers, officials of the
CCDAC, the commanders of State/Division MPFs, the
commanders of district MPFs in poppy cultivation
areas, the commanders of township MPFs and officials
concerned. In his address, Minister Col Tin Hlaing
said that the purpose of the meeting was to
co-ordinate the most effective ways in stamping out
poppy cultivation in poppy cultivation areas in
2001-2002 poppy cultivation season.

He added that the 15- year narcotic drug eradication
plan was being carried out and the third year of the
project was over on 30 March. He spoke of the need to
organize the public and regional people for
eradication of poppy cultivation by means of
destruction of poppy fields and called for providing
the seeds of substitute crops to wipe out poppy
cultivation. He urged officials concerned to present
their requirements.

Chairman of the Monitoring Committee for Working
Groups of the CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs
Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung also spoke of the need for
officials concerned to get to know the main poppy
cultivated areas in their respective townships,
districts, states/divisions; to draw up plans on how
to eradicate poppy cultivation in their respective
areas; and to report progress of work monthly. CCDAC
member Suppression Work Committee Chairman Deputy
Director-General of MPF Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win
explained in detail the reformations and duties of
anti-drug squads at different levels such as
state/division, district, township, ward and
village-tract. CCDAC Joint-Secretary Police Col Kham
Aung submitted matters on destruction of poppy fields,
survey of poppy yield, ground survey of poppy
cultivation and progress in implementation of 15-year
narcotic drug eradication plan.

Then, Director of International Relations Department
of CCDAC Police Col Sit Aye reported on drug
elimination tasks being carried out by the
International Relations Department. The meeting
adjourned at 7 pm. The second-day session of the
meeting continued at 8 am today. Chairman of
Monitoring Committee for Working Groups of the CCDAC
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Maung reported on narcotic drugs eradication
undertaken by the Government and the 15-year narcotic
drug elimination plan to be carried out with added
momentum. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas
and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen
Than Tun reported on opium substitute cultivation in
the border regions and formation of regional
development supervisory committees.

Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung
Thein reported on assistance provided to local farmers
for opium substitute livestock breeding tasks and
Director-General U Win Mra of International
Organizations and Economic Relations Department on
international relations concerning narcotic drug.
Then, officials of the working group for cultivation
of substitute crops, the working group for livestock
breeding, the educative working group for student
youths, the educative working group for the public and
the working group for resettlement reported on
endeavors of their respective sectors.

Next, officials of the supervisory committees for
taking effective action against drug cases and the
supervisory committee for controlling chemicals using
in of refining drugs took part in the discussions.
Joint-Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Kham Aung reported
on opium cultivation and destruction, tasks of opium
yield survey, data collection of illegal opium
cultivation, tasks being carried out for the 15-year
drug elimination plan, Director of CCDAC (Drug
Elimination) Police Col Tin Maung Htay on
implementation of drug elimination plans and Director
of CCDAC (International) Police Col Sit Aye on
international relation matters. Later, CCDAC Chairman
Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing gave
instructions on stamping out opium cultivation and
production of stimulant tablets and methods for
prevention of opium cultivation. The meeting came to a
close at 6 pm.

___________________________

( 8 ) Over 21,000 acres of poppy plantations destroyed
in 2001-2002

Yangon 9 April - The combined team comprising
Tatmadawmen, members of local intelligence unit,
Township Myanmar Police Force, Anti-Drug Squad, NDAK
and KIA groups and local residents destroyed 199 acres
of poppy plantations in Sadon region, Waingmaw
Township, Kachin State, on 17 March this year.

Similarly, a group comprising departmental personnel
led by the chairman of Pinlaung Township Peace and
Development Council, Shan State (South), policemen led
by Township MPF, members of local intelligence unit
and local people destroyed 35 acres of poppy
plantations, estimated map reference R-292423, Belu
Creek, western Hsaunghsi Village, Panlong Township, on
21 March 2002. Up to 25-3-2002 poppy cultivation
season, 2,576.663 acres of poppy plantations were
destroyed in Kachin State and 1,278.02 acres of poppy
plantations in Shan State (South). Altogether
21,840.54 acres of poppy plantations have been
destroyed in the entire nation.

___________________________

( 9 ) Narcotic drugs dealers jailed

Yangon, 9 April - The Toungoo District Court sentenced
prison terms on two narcotic drug dealers on 20 March
2002. The combined team of local intelligence unit and
Bago Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, waiting
in Zwepo Cafe in Yaykhe Kwetthit, Zeedaing Ward,
Toungoo Township, and searched Sa Thant Zin Ohn, 26,
son of U Ohn Kyaing of Kyauktaing Village, Toungoo
Township, and Soe Lwin, 36, son of U Po Htein of Hsaya
Phye Street, Ward 1, Toungoo, entering the cafe and
seized 5.7135 kilos of marijuana from them on 31
October 2001. The Toungoo Police Station filed a case
against them. The Toungoo District Court heard the
case and sentenced the former to 20 years under
Section 19 (A) and the latter to 5 years under Section
15 and 15 years under Section 19 (A) 21 of the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, to
serve separately.

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