The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 1 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 1 May, 2002)
----------------------------------
1. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council

   Senior General Than Shwe's message on 2002
   Workers Day
2.-  The Central Committee for Development of Border
     Areas and National Races held the meeting No
     2/2002)
   - Excerpts from the address of Senior General
     Than Shwe
3. Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspects development projects
   in Kawthoung
4.-  Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy for the
     Nation held
   - Education Minister receives Counsellor
5. - Minister for Cooperatives inspects breeding
     of sea prawn in Kawthoung
   - Minister for Construction tours Chin State,
     Magway Division
   - Installation of Fibre Optic Cable Networks for
     Medical ICT donated to Ministry of Health
   - Antiques presented to Ministry of Culture
   - Four-Country Invitational Hockey Tournament
     continues
6. Regional development work inspected in Seikkyi
   Khanaungto
7. - MWJA Central Executive Committee meets
   - Cash donated in honour of MWJA Conference
   - Chin national race study group tours Yangon
8. 17 armed group members exchange arms for peace
9. - 30,000 stimulant tablets seized
   - Heroin seized in Muse

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( 1 ) Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Senior General Than Shwe's message on 2002
Workers Day

(The following is a translation of the message sent by
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the
Workers Day 2002)

Esteemed workers,

On the occasion of the Workers Day which falls on 1
May 2002, I send this message wishing all the blue
collar and white collar workers wellbeing in body and
mind and being able to strive for the progress of
commodity production and services. The first day of
May has been designated as the Workers Day in
recognition of the important role of workers who are
trying their utmost with their physical and
intellectual power and perseverance to fulfill the
basic needs of the citizens and to develop the nations
in the world.

Esteemed workers,

In retrospect, Myanmar national people, who stood tall
in the world with their own monarchs, experienced the
aggression of the colonialists, and were enslaved for
over a hundred years. They will not be able to forget
this unfortunate event although time is going on.
During these dark periods, the colonialists oppressed
Myanmar national workers and forced them to toil hard,
and the workers had to sacrifice their blood, sweat
and lives for the sake of the colonialists and their
lackeys. These are tragic historical events.

The colonialist government and their lackeys tapped
the rich above-ground and underground natural
resources of Myanmar. In this regard, they unjustly
exploited the labor of the Myanmar workers. The
colonialists purposely undermined Myanmar national
people's patriotism, Union Spirit and innate character
based on diligence, perseverance and industry. These
events cannot be deleted from the pages of history.

After Myanmar regained independence, the nation needed
to be built again with the unity of the entire
national people. But, due to multicolored armed
insurgency, the nation was deprived of stability and
peace and tranquility. Unity among workers and
peasants, the important forces for the building of the
nation, collapsed due to instigation of various
political parties. The rebuilding of the nation turned
out to be an imagination only.

Today, under the leadership of the State Peace and
Development Council, all the entire national people of
the Union including workers are striving for the
emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed Union of
Myanmar. Due to the correct leadership of the State
Peace and Development Council, the success of
short-term economic plans has gone beyond expectation.
Evidently, the nation is stable and peaceful and
tranquil, and there are signs of development in the
nation.

With a view to realizing the objectives laid down by
the Government to build an industrialized nation,
modern factories and plants and industrial zones have
been set up in the state-owned sector and, with the
assistance of the Government, in the private sector.
Various production sectors concerning agriculture,
fish and meat, forest, mineral and energy are being
extended, and the market-oriented economic system is
being practiced. As a result, production work,
services and commercial activities have increased in
number.

Therefore, unlike in previous eras, a lot of job
opportunities have emerged in Myanmar. The Government
is making arrangements to turn out highly-qualified
human resources needed for these jobs in various
regions.

Due to an increase in job opportunities, the number of
blue collar and white collar workers have grown, and
the Government is seeing to it that workers fully
enjoy their rights and entitlements such as pleasant
worksite condition, welfare and worksite safety.

On account of the leadership of the Government and the
active cooperation of the entire national people,
success has been achieved in the political, economic
and social sectors of the State. Therefore, all the
workers are urged to strive with a clear national
outlook and from whatever role they are assigned to
achieve success which exceeds the target of the
short-term economic plans being implemented by the
Government.

Esteemed workers,

With the aim of enabling the Union of Myanmar to exist
perpetually and to become a peaceful, modern and
developed nation in a short time, all the workers are
urged to work hard

- for the successful realization of the political,
economic and social objectives of the State,

- to strive to exceed the target of five-year
short-term plans being implemented by the Government,
and

- to strive for the emergence of a peaceful, modern
and developed nation in cooperation with the entire
national people.

___________________________

( 2 )30 April - The Central Committee for Development
of Border Areas and National Races held the meeting No
(2/2002)

Yangon, 30 April - The Central Committee for
Development of Border Areas and National Races held
the meeting No (2/2002) at the meeting hall of the
office of Commander-in-Chief (Army) at 10 am today,
with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee
for Development of Border Areas and National Races
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General
Than Shwe.

Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein acted as master of
ceremonies.

Senior General Than Shwe gave an opening address.

He said the respective ministries are making
cooperative efforts to implement the border areas and
national races development undertakings; in so doing,
they should make on going efforts to cover every
region by the border areas development project and to
extend its scope.

As the development undertakings are gaining momentum
in border areas, as in the other regions, a regular
administrative system will have to be set up in the
areas also.

Because the border areas were neglected during the
colonial era, and due to absence of regional peace and
security after the independence was regained, a
regular administrative system did not flourish in the
areas; in addition, the rule of law was also weak.

At present, peace and stability is prevailing in the
border areas, and the education, health and
development undertakings have been implemented there.
Thus, arrangements should be made to set up a regular
administrative system step by step which is based on
adherence to law.

Only then, will the Union including the border areas
be able to gain systematic and proportionate
development.

Reciprocally, it is important to lay good foundations
for the health, education and social sectors of the
local people in striving to establish a regular
administrative system.

In the health and education sectors, high schools,
middle schools, station hospitals and rural health
centers will have to be built in accord with the
regional requirement.

The road transport sector should be developed to
enable the border areas to join the developing regions
of the Union and to increase their interrelations with
others.

Only when there is a chain of progress in all the
sectors including the administrative, economic,
development, health, education and social sectors of
the all the regions of the entire Union, will it be
able to gain a proportionate development and to firmly
uphold Our Three Main National Causes
non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of
national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty.
In addition, the nation will become a fully developed
State.

When it is said the Union of Myanmar, it means all the
regions that lie in the territory of the nation. Only
when there is progress in the economic, health,
education, social, judicial and administrative sectors
of the regions along the nation's boundary, can the
nation be called a fully developed State.

It is required to substitute terrace farming for
shifted cultivation to fully implement the border
areas development endeavors.

Setting up of a terrace farming system for the nomads
of the Union will lead to developing their
socio-economy, reducing poverty and protecting the
natural environment.

As there are interrelations between the task to
develop the administrative, economic, health and
education sectors of the border areas which lagged
progress in the past for various reasons and the
project to set up 24 development zones and the five
rural development tasks, implementing of the border
areas development task will bring about a
proportionate progress to the entire Union. Thus, all
should make coordination's to implement the task.

Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border
Areas and National Races Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
said the Head of State gave guidance on tasks for
establishment of normal administration and high land
(terrace) farming in border areas development work.

Infrastructures are to be established for development
of administration, prevalence of law and order,
education, health and social sectors in important
regions for emergence of normal administration in
accord with the guidance of the Head of State.

Most of the regions have better foundations in
education and health and they are to be upgraded to
the characteristics of sub-township, he said.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has
laid down a plan (draft) for establishment of terrace
farming and arrangements are being made for exerting
joint efforts with the Ministry of Forestry. In
accordance with the guidance of Head of State Senior
general Than Shwe, systematic efforts are being made
in carrying out the border areas development tasks as
well as the development tasks for 24 major regions and
five rural development tasks, he said.

He also said that bringing about the normal
administrative system and terrace cultivation system
in border areas, as guided today by the Senior
General, will surely contribute towards the
development of the entire Union effectively. The Work
Committee for Development of Border Areas and National
Races will systematically implement the today's
guidance as a project, he said. He continued that the
work committee amend sub-committees concerned have
also been formed and the project implementation will
be started this year.

Then, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing
reported the Senior General on regular administrative
system to be set up and duties to be assigned to
respective departments.

Afterwards, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung reported the Senior
General on the history and disadvantages of shifted
cultivation in Myanmar and ways and means for highland
cultivation system.

Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone also reported the
Senior General on systematic arrangements for
conservation of forest depleted due to shifted
cultivation.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported
the Senior General on conditions of roads which are
being built through the townships in Yangon Division,
Bago Division (West), Magway Division and Mandalay
Division.

Minister for Education U Than Aung then reported the
Senior General on extended opening of basic education
primary, middle and high schools in border areas, and
Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein on extended
opening of hospitals, dispensaries and rural health
departments and branches.

Afterwards, Chairman of the central committee Senior
General Than Shwe gave necessary instructions and the
meeting came to a close.

Excerpts from the address of Senior General Than Shwe

- As the development undertakings are gaining momentum
in border areas, as in the other regions, a regular
administrative system will have to be set up in the
areas also.

- At present, peace and stability is prevailing in the
border areas, and the education, health and
development undertakings have been implemented there.

- It is important to lay good foundations for the
health, education and social sectors of the local
people in striving to establish a regular
administrative system.

- Only when there is a chain of progress in all the
sectors including the ad minis iterative, economic,
development, health, education and social sectors of
the all the regions of the entire Union, will it be
able to gain a proportionate development and to firmly
uphold Our Three Main National Causes.

- It is required to substitute terrace farming for
shifting cultivation to fully implement the border
areas development endeavors.
___________________________

( 3 ) Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspects development projects
in Kawthoung

Yangon, 30 April -  Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry
of Defense, together with departmental officials, left
Wakyun Village in Bokpyin Township by boat and
inspected the islands in Myanma waters on 25 April
morning.

Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo visited Talun Salon Culture
Museum at Talun Salon Village, Zardetkyi Island in
Kawthoung Township and inspected the village Basic
Education Primary School, dispensary and the village
in the afternoon. At the office of village Peace and
Development Council, he met local populace of Salon
national race and discussed regional development tasks
being undertaken, and presented 20 bags of rice to the
village.

On 27 April morning, Maj-Gen Maung Bo attended the
fourth ordination and no vitiation ceremony of
Kawthoung Station under the Coastal Region Command at
Pyidaw Aye Meditation Centre in Kawthoung.

Members of the Sangha administered the Five Precepts
and recited partitas. Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and
officials presented offertories to members of the
Sangha. Pyidaw Aye Meditation Centre Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Visuddhi Nana delivered a sermon, followed by sharing
of merits. Altogether 43 men were ordained and 29 boys
no vitiated at the ceremony.

In the afternoon, Maj-Gen Maung Bo, accompanied by
Minister for Co-operatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and
officials, visited Chanphan Village monastery in
Kawthoung Township and presented offertories to Abbot
Sayadaw U Silacara.

Afterwards, Maj-Gen Maung Bo met with departmental
officials, members of social organizations, village
elders and local residents at the village Affiliated
BEMS and called for departmental personnel and local
people to make concerted efforts for regional
development, and fulfilled their requirements. Later,
Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected Tetnay oil palm farm and
Shwe Khamauk oil palm farm and gave instructions and
attended to their needs.

__________________________

( 4 ) Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy for the
Nation held

Yangon, 1 May - The Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy
for the Nation co-sponsored by Myanmar Academy of
Medical Science and Myanmar Essential Drugs Programmed
was held at the meeting hall of Myanmar Medical
Association on Theinbyu Street here this morning with
an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.

 In his opening address, Maj-Gen Ket Sein said: I
would like to congratulate the MAMS and MEDP for this
very special symposium on Drugs and Drugs Policy for
the Nation. I am fully aware that you have been
working very hard in many directions in collaboration
with several other organizations for realizing the
nation's fourth social objective to uplift health,
fitness and education standard of the entire nation.

For today, I would like to call particular attention
on the achievement of MEDP during the last decade. The
Ministry of Health is very gratified and especially
grateful to the MAMS and MEDP for having chosen to
work out on the problem most appropriate for the
movement and most urgently in need of further
development. In deed national drug programmers is a
broad based technical programmed with a strong
community involvement in the implementation. With all
ramifications in Biochemistry, Pharmacology,
Pharmacokinetics, etc., as the driving force of high
level Bio-technology, the programmed is implemented by
medical scientists-Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists,
Paramedical, and others. who permeate into the
community.

If we might analyze the situation, we still belong to
the group of many countries, those three quarters of
the world's population whose procurement of drugs is
only 15% of the world's total production. The
affliction is heavy mainly in the rural areas and the
misfortune of inadequate supply is further magnified
by irrational prescribes, dispensers and consumers.
Reckoning this problem of drug shortage being enlarged
by the world-wide increase in population and
health-care demands, the WHO established the Action
Programmed on Essential Drugs in 1981, and, here in
Myanmar, in collaboration with the WHO the Myanmar
Essential Drugs Project was started in 1988, which in
1995 was transformed into Myanmar Essential Drugs
Programmed, MEDP.

The first supply of Essential Drugs was availed as an
initial stage for nine townships in 1989 after field
epidemiology studies. But provision of drugs is only
one part of the MEDP  programmed, another celebrated
accomplishment is replenishing the drugs by way of the
Community Cost Sharing System for erecting the
Revolving Drug Fund. Today, all 324 townships in
Myanmar have their own Revolving Drug Fund capable of
replenishing the Essential Drugs, independently. This
relieved the Ministry a large load of budget for other
expenditures. The health workers in those 324
townships have also been trained to rationally use the
drugs.

Indeed, provision of drugs is only one half of our
duty, the other more important half is to use them
rationally. To this effect, the MEDP furnished all
those health workers with Standard Treatment Guides,
additional to training them on the Concept of
Essential Drugs, their estimation, storage and
distribution. The MEDP, having completed the Essential
Drugs Program at the Primary level, is now preparing
strategies to extend its activities into the Secondary
and Tertiary referral levels, including all private
health care centers, GP clinics, private dispensaries
and hospitals. Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the
Ministry of Health, I am very proud to proclaim that,
so far in the world, Myanmar is probably the only
country yet to have successfully completed the
Essential Drugs Programmed for all its townships at
the Primary Health Care level.

This was implemented by financing the township with
Revolving Drugs Funds which to facilitate
replenishment of drug forever. This is achieved by
utilizing the services of health workers in solving
health problems guided by Standard Treatment Guides
prepared for each level of health care facilities in
Primary health care. My Ministry is very happy that
the gap of health care between rural and urban centers
have been substantially narrowed in our country. This
is a matter of fact the world have learnt some years
ago but taking to achieve. The responsible ears should
hear about the achievement of MEDP, and the observant
eyes should open to this reality that each and every
township in Myanmar is running on its own Revolving
Drugs Fund for the perpetual supply of Essential
Drugs.

I am very pleased to note that the symposium will
cover all those diversified aspects of the programmed
with emphasis on the technical implementation as an
out reach programmed into the community. I notice the
National Drug Policy will be touched upon for guiding
the programmed on Essential Drug Programmed, Rational
Prescription, Essential Drugs and Standard Treatment
Guide for all health workers including General
Practitioners. Concluding the presentations with
control of drugs, import, production and quality
control should make the symposium very comprehensive.
Lastly, I also like to congratulate you for having
finalized the draft on National Drug Policy. Then,
Deputy Minister Professor Dr Mya Oo extended
greetings.

Next, Professor Dr Hla Myint presented Implementation
of Essential Drugs Programmed, its concept and
advantages, Professor Dr Maung Maung Wint Rational
Prescribing and Rational Use of Drugs, Dr Myint Swe
Myanmar Essential Drugs Project objectives, present
situation and projection for expansion, Professor Dr
Win Maw Essential Drugs for General Practitioners,
Professor Dr Khin Kyi Kyi National Drug Policy for
enhancing the Essential Drugs Programme, Dr Sein Win
Role of Standard Treatment Guide and Dr Soe Myat Tun
Control of drugs, imports, production and quality
assessment. This was followed by a general round of
discussions and the symposium ended.

---------

Education Minister receives Counsellor

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Education U Than Aung
received Cultural Counsellor of Embassy of the
People's Republic of China to the Union of Myanmar Ms
Ren Xiuzhi, who had completed her tour of duty in
Myanmar, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall this afternoon.
Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers
Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt and
directors-general of the departments under the
ministry.

__________________________

( 5 ) Minister for Cooperatives inspects breeding of
sea prawn in Kawthoung

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen
Tin Ngwe inspected breeding of sea prawn and raising
of layers at Toe Tet Aung deep sea water prawn
production cooperative society Ltd at 7th mile in
Kawthoung on 27 April.

On 28 April, the minister met service personnel at
Taninthayi Division Cooperative Department Office in
Myeik and discussed the tasks. The minister went to
international fish auction market in the industrial
zone. Head of Division Fisheries Department reported
on monthly catch of fish and income through auction.

Yesterday, the minister and Deputy Commander of
Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Tin Latt inspected
feedstuff and poultry farms. He also inspected private
poultry farms and incubators. Livestock Breeding
Entrepreneurs reported on poultry farming and
production of chicken and eggs and the minister
fulfilled the requirements.

---------

Minister for Construction tours Chin State, Magway
Division

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen
Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and
officials of Public Works arrived at Yaymyatni transit
camp in Gangaw in Magway Division on 27 April.

District Senior Engineer U Tun Aung Kyaw reported on
work being done and tasks to be carried out. The
minister gave instructions on repair of the road and
bridges as soon as possible. The minister inspected
Htilin-Pansan-Kyaukhtu Road and fulfilled the
requirements.

He also inspected the site chosen for construction of
new bridge by construction group-13. The minister went
to the site of Chichaung wooden bridge where Deputy
Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint reported on
progress of work. The minister fulfilled the
requirements. The minister inspected upgrading of the
road. District Engineer U Ngon San Aung reported on
tasks to be undertaken. On 28 April, the minister met
service personnel of Public Works in Mindat.

The minister said Mindat District which was difficult
of access in the past is now assessable to a certain
degree. Duties were assigned mainly to Chin nationals
in the region, he said. He called for making efforts
for regional development. Officials concerned reported
on targets, stockpiling of construction materials and
progress of work. The minister then gave instructions
on paving of the road.

---------

Installation of Fibre Optic Cable Networks for Medical
ICT donated to Ministry of Health

Yangon, 30 April - A ceremony to donate Installation
of Fibre Optic Cable Networks for Medical ICT by
Mitsubishi Corporation to the Ministry of Health was
held at the Medical Science Department on Bogyoke Aung
San Street at 2 pm today, attended by Minister for
Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Ministers Professor Dr
Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, directors-general,
deputy directors-general, rectors, directors, medical
superintendents, officials of Mitsubishi Corporation
and the general manager of its Yangon branch and
officials. First, the minister made a speech on the
occasion.

Then, Senior Vice-President Mr Masaki Miyaji of
Mitsubishi Corporation explained the purpose of the
donation and handed over the documents related to
installation of fibre optic cables worth US$ 75,780 to
the minister who in turn presented the certificate of
honor.

---------

Antiques presented to Ministry of Culture

Yangon, 30 April - Financier of the Myanmar Foreign
Correspondents Club Reporter of Asahi Shinbum U Tin
Maung Aye and wife Daw Myint Myint Aye presented
antiques, which have been collected while working in
foreign countries, to the Ministry of Culture at
Kanbawza Yeiktha on Kaba Aye Pagoda road here this
morning.

Well-wisher U Tin Maung Aye explained the donation and
presented antiques to Minister U Tin Winn who spoke
words of thanks and presented certificate of honor to
him. The rare objects include a set of gilded Kammawa,
two sets of Kammawa, a set of palm-leaf inscriptions
with gilded glass mosaic box, three sets of gilded
palm-leaf inscriptions, strips of palm-leaf
inscriptions, ancient glazed earthen jars, cups and
figurines, earthen pot and pipes, ancient bronze
weights, four fossilized crab figurines and lacquer
wares totaling 21 items.

---------

Four-Country Invitational Hockey Tournament continues

Yangon, 30 April -  The year 2002 Myanmar Olympic
Committee Chairman's Trophy Four-Country Invitational
Hockey Tournament continued at Youth Training Centre
this morning. Among the spectators were Chairman of
MOC Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint,
President of Myanmar Hockey Federation Brig-Gen Myo
Myint and executives, Liaison Officer U Kyaw Naing,
guests and Hockey fans. In the first match, selected
Myanmar team played against Malaysia-Perak team
goalless draw. Malaysia Project team and India team
played 1-1 draw in the second match.
___________________________

( 6 ) Regional development work inspected in Seikkyi
Khanaungto

Yangon, 30 April - Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Secretary Lt-Col
Kyaw Tint and members, division level departmental
officials, Yangon South District Peace and Development
Council Chairman Lt-Col Sein Hlaing and officials,
inspected regional development tasks in Seikkyi
Khanaungto Township, Yangon South District, and
attended to the needs this afternoon.

The commander and party arrived at the office of
Seikkyi Khanaungto Township Peace and Development
Council at 3 pm. Seikkyi Khanaungto Township Peace and
Development Council Chairman U Khin Maung San reported
on measures undertaken for the development of the
township and requirements and township level
departmental officials on regional development tasks
carried out department-wise.

The commander spoke of the need for township level
officials to co-operate with goodwill for the
development of respective regions where they are
assigned duties. The requirements are to be reported
as necessary, he added. He would attend to the needs
concerning the reports as far as he can, he noted.
Then, the commander fulfilled the requirements. The
commander and party next inspected the delivery room,
operation theatre and wards at the Township People's
Hospital. After fulfilling the needs, he left there
later in the afternoon.

___________________________

( 7 ) MWJA Central Executive Committee meets

Yangon, 30 April - The meeting 4/2002 of the Central
Executive Committee of Myanmar Writers and Journalists
Association was held at the meeting hall of MWJA this
afternoon, attended by Chairman of MWJA U Hla Myaing
(Ko Hsaung), Vice-Chairmen U Tin Kha (Tekkatho Tin
Kha), U Than Maung (Than Maung), U Myint Thein (Myint
Thein Aung), Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) and
central executive committee members.

U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) presided over the meeting and
CEC member U Khin Swe (Shwe Sun Nyo) acted as master
of ceremonies. First, Meeting Chairman U Hla Myaing
(Ko Hsaung) made an opening speech and Secretary U Hla
Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) reported on the implementation
of the resolutions of the CEC meeting 3/2002. Then,
office group and central work group reported on
matters related to the organization, finance,
publishing, funds and international relations. The
meeting came to a close with concluding remark by the
Meeting Chairman U Hla Myaing

---------

Cash donated in honour of MWJA Conference

Yangon, 30 April - Hailing the third Myanmar Writers
and Journalists Association Conference, a ceremony to
present cash donations was held at MWJA (Central) here
at noon today. Present on the occasion were Chairman
of MWJA U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung), Joint-Secretary U
Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe), Central Executive
Committee Members U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), U Khin
Swe (Shwe Sun Nyo), Joint-Secretary of Fund-raising
Work Committee U Soe Shein (Maung Soe Htaik-Thonze)
and well-wishers.

Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) accepted K 50,000
donated by Di-Aywe Ma Ma Doh-Aywe Thingyan Yein Troupe
of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and K 31,000 by 26
well-wishers and presented certificates of honour to
the well-wishers. Those wishing to donate cash and
kind in honor of the third MWJA Conference may contact
No-529, corner of Merchant Street and 37th Street,
Yangon, (Ph 252417/ 254173).

---------

Chin national race study group tours Yangon

Yangon, 30 April - At the invitation of the Chairman
of Working Committee for Development of Border Areas
and National Races, visiting members of the Chin
national race study group from the border area of
Matupi Township in Chin State paid homage to
Kyaikkhauk Pagoda in Thanlyin this morning.

Then, they proceeded to Kyaikhmawwun Yayle Pagoda in
Kyauktan and paid homage to the pagoda. Next, the
study group arrived at the construction project of
National Race Village near Thanlyin Bridge in Thakayta
Township. Then, they studied round the village by car.
The study group also visited the Shukhintha Amusement
Park and took rest there.

___________________________

( 8 ) 17 armed group members exchange arms for peace

Yangon, 30 April -  The State Peace and Development
Council, upholding Our Three Main National Causes, is
making efforts with might and main and genuine
goodwill for the national reconsolidation to ensure
the emergence of a new modern developed country.
Remaining armed groups, realizing that their prolonged
destructive acts did not benefit the nation at all and
hindered development of their regions and
understanding the genuine goodwill and correct
endeavors of the government, have been exchanging arms
for peace individually or in groups.

During the period from 1 to 31 March 2002, in the
region of Northern Command, private Aung Pe (a) Tun
Aung from battalion 701 of ABSDF armed group (North);
in the region of Coastal Region Command, Ma Cho Cho
Than, Ma Khin Lay Nwe and Ma Lay Myint of KNU armed
group, private Saw Al Gay of battalion 10 together
with one 0.30 carbine, one magazine and six rounds of
ammunition, private Tha Bu of battalion 10, his wife
Naw Pi Yoke and his son with one M-16, one magazine
and 10 rounds of ammunition, private Khin Thaung with
one AK-47, one magazine and 29 rounds of ammunition,
and private Saw Ye Nelt and his wife Naw Hla Che with
one revolver and 17 rounds of ammunition; in the
region of Western Command, private Khaing Soe Than of
ALP armed group with one AK-47, one magazine and 47
rounds of ammunition, and private Naing Naing, his
wife Ma Yin Sein Nu, their daughters Ma Zin Mar Oo, Ma
Zin Mar Nwe and May Nu Sein with one BA-63, three
magazines and 33 rounds of ammunition, exchanged arms
for peace at the respective camps.

Officials of the military camps warmly welcomed the 17
persons who exchanged arms for peace and fulfilled
their requirements. There are still more members of
armed groups to exchange arms for peace.

___________________________

( 9 ) 30,000 stimulant tablets seized

Yangon, 30 April - A combined team comprising members
of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force,
acting on a tip-off, intercepted the passenger buses
on Lashio-Tangyan Road, Shan State (North) on 20 April
and discovered 30,000 stimulant tablets bearing WY
letters from passengers Ngo Kar, son of U Aik Ngaw of
Zay Ward, Hopan and Sai Tun Aung, son of U Sam Kaw
Lain of Tachilek who were on board a van with number
plates (Ah/9536). Action was taken against them by the
police station concerned under Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law.

---------

Heroin seized in Muse

Yangon, 30 April - A combined team comprising members
of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force,
acting on information, searched the houses of Kyaw
Myat, son of U Swe Sai of Homon Ward, Muse, Shan State
(North) and Ma Aye Pant, daughter of U Ywat Kham Sai
on 20 April and arrested Kyaw Myat, Ma Aye Pant and
Sai Aung Sar, son of U Swe Nginn of Tonkhan Village,
Muse, Aik Kyaw, son of U Kyaung Kham of Namphatan
Village, Muse, Ma Kham Chai, daughter of U Ywet Kham
of Homan Ward, Muse and Ma Kham Sa, daughter of U Kham
Hlaing of Auk Ton Village, Muse, who were at the
houses.

According to interrogation, the authorities seized
1.066 kilos of heroin kept in 66 soap cases hidden in
the bushes in the compound of the house of Kyaw Myat.
Action was taken against them by the police station
concerned under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Law.

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http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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