The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 11 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday, 11 May, 2002)
-------------------------------------
1. - General Maung Aye delivers address at graduation
     parade of 30th Intake of Under-Officers Training
     Course of Defence Services (Army) Officers
     Training School
   - General Maung Aye arrives at Bahtoo in Yaksawk
     township
2. - Secretary-1 attends opening of Baingda Dam in
     DaikU, Bago Division
   - Secretary-1 attends opening of DaikU BEHS
     multimedia teaching centre, inspects construction

     of Nyaungkhashei-Myitkyo-DaikU road in
     Bago Division
3. Exchange of Notes between Myanmar and Japan signed

4. Surgical equipment donated to Ministry of Health
5. Work coordinated for holding of SKRL Meeting
6. U Aye Zaw Win and sons put on trial
7. Symposium of Leonics Products held
8. Myanmar-Malaysia friendly soccer match on 17,
   19 May
9. - Bomb explosion at Strand Hotel in Tachilek
   - Stimulant tablets seized in Tangyan

---------

( 1 ) If national solidarity disintegrates, the Union
will break up into pieces and will also vanish from
world map

State, Tatmadaw, people able to achieve success in
implementing national economic plans despite economic
sanctions and difficulties
General Maung Aye delivers address at graduation
parade of 30th Intake of Under-Officers Training
Course of Defence Services (Army) Officers Training
School

Yangon, 10 May - The graduation parade of the 30th
Intake of Under-Officers Training Course of the
Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School was
held at the parade ground of the school in Bahtoo
Tatmyo this morning.

On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye
delivered an address.

In his address, General Maung Aye said: Comrades, at
this ceremony, I would like to tell you about the
things that you should know.

You have already studied the subjects and underwent
training courses concerning the three capabilities of
the private, sergeant, warrant officer, and platoon
commander at Warrant Officers Training School,
Non-Commissioned Officers Training School and the OTS.
You have also studied the arts and science subjects to
enhance your intellectual power. As you have
successfully completed all the training courses, you
are now going to discharge duties as under officers in
the respective regions to gain experiences concerning
the three capabilities.

You are the new generation who will have to inherit
the 12 noble traditions of the Tatmadaw. The basic
facts leading to uphold the fine traditions of the
Tatmadaw are good discipline and obeying of the
orders. So, you will have to preserve the noble
traditions by constantly upholding the 60 codes of
conduct and abiding by the military and civil laws.

The Tatmadaw also keeps in the fore Our Three Main
National Causes. "Our Three Main National Causes"
non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of
national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty
is the national task. You can take lessons from some
of the world nations whose strengths weakened due to
the breaking up of their unions. If national
solidarity disintegrates in the nation, the Union will
break up into pieces and will also vanish from the
world map.

The Union is formed with 14 states and divisions. As
various national races are living together in every
state and division, they themselves are also the
unions. Hence, all the national races must
harmoniously safeguard the Union as the single mother-
land and the State. Our Tatmadaw will never accept any
scheme that will lead to the breaking up of the Union.

When the Tatmadaw took over the State's duties, the
nation's economy was in decline. The political
stability was lost, and the social sector was ruled by
atrocities and anarchy. Thus, the Tatmadaw has laid
down the four political objectives, the four economic
objectives and the four social objectives, and has
kept in the fore "Our Three Main National Causes" to
march towards the goal  a new peaceful, modern and
developed nation. Due to the participation of the
people, success has been achieved again and again in
marching to the goal.

The short-term four-year national economic plan was
laid down and implemented in 1992. The nation achieved
7.5 per cent average annual economic growth during the
four years. The second short-term five-year national
economic plan began in 1996. During the five-year
period, the nation achieved 8.4 per cent average
annual economic growth. Beginning fiscal 2001-2002,
the nation is implementing the third short-term
five-year national economic plan. The targeted annual
economic growth rate is six per cent. In fiscal
2001-2002, which is the first year of the plan, the
annual economic growth rate reached 10.5 per cent. The
per capita income increased over 35 times from only K
1,782 in 1988 to 68,902 in 2002. The State, the
Tatmadaw and the people were able to achieve success
in implementing the economic plans despite the
economic sanctions and difficulties.

As there is economic growth in the country, the
government has built a network of motor roads and
railroads the length and breadth of the nation. The
Ministry of Construction has built 141 over
180-foot-long bridges including nine large river
crossing bridges; the Ministry of Rail Transportation,
34 bridges; and the Directorate Military Engineers of
the Ministry of Defence, three bridges. A total of 133
dams and 263 river water pumping stations have been
built to develop the agriculture. Efforts have been
made with greater acceleration to develop the
economic, education, health and social sectors of the
people including those in the border areas.

The 24 development zones have been designated in the
nation depending on the geographical condition,
population density and economic situation, to narrow
the development gap and to bring progress to all the
regions. The transport, education and health sectors
have been effectively improved in the zones. Arts and
science universities, computer colleges and
technological colleges have been opened in the zones.
Hospitals have been upgraded to general hospitals, and
equipped with modern facilities and specialist
surgeons.

As there were only 32 institutions of higher learning
in the nation in 1988, access to the higher education
was difficult then. Now there are 150 institutions of
higher learning. About 700,000 students, nearly
500,000 more than in the past, are attending classes
at the institutions of higher learning. In the health
sector there were only 631 hospitals and over 25,000
beds in 1988. There are now 750 hospitals, some of
which have been upgraded to general hospitals, and
over 30,000 beds.

Inter-village roads have been built to form transport
links in rural areas, town-village roads have been
built and rural telephone system to communicate towns
has been installed to enable the rural people to enjoy
the fruits of urban development.

Of the nation's population of over 51 million, over 36
million are living in rural areas. Thus, over 70 per
cent of the population are rural people. To bring down
the gap between the urban and the rural areas, the
five rural development tasks  improvement of road
transport, agriculture and drinking water supply,
education development, health development and rural
economic development  have been laid down. The
projects should be implemented in cooperation with the
USDA members and the people.

The respective ministries are taking part in
developing the border areas and national races. As the
task is gaining momentum, arrangements must be made to
set up a regular administration system in the border
areas to ensure the rule of law as in other developing
regions. Only then, will the entire Union be able to
gain proportionate progress in all the regions,
including border areas. It is required to introduce
highland farming system to the national races, who are
practicing shifting cultivation, for progress of
border areas.

Introduction of the highland farming system to
shifting-cultivators who are roaming the land will
help improve their socio-economy and living standard
and reduce poverty. The project will also help protect
the environment and effectively wipe out poppy
cultivation. The task to develop the administrative,
economic, education and health sectors of the border
areas which lagged behind development due to certain
reasons has interrelationship with the
24-development-zone project and five rural development
tasks. Thus, you will have to take part in setting up
the regular administrative system and highland farming
system in the places you will be assigned duty to.

As you are going to discharge duties as under
officers, I would like to tell you about the
leadership. First, a military leader will have to
strive to win the trust and reliance of the
subordinates. As the leadership can persuade and
overwhelm the human activities, you are required to
concentrate on psychological and educative
organization task.

To realize the aim of a duty, you will have to explain
the value of each member of the unit, the individual
duty and the group-wise duty to organize them to
actively participate in the task with confidence. You
will have to organize your subordinates to have full
confidence in themselves. If all the subordinates will
actively discharge the duty with full confidence and
in earnest, the task will achieve success. Harmonious
efforts are required to successfully discharge a duty.
Unity is important to harmoniously discharge a duty.
We, the Tatmadawmen, are the persons who dare to risk
our lives to stay in unity. We are required to live in
accord with the political outlook  Our Three Main
National Causes  to achieve indivisible unity in the
Tatmadaw. We need the ability to differentiate between
good and bad to enhance our intellectual level. Thus,
you all need to have total trust in Our Three Main
National Causes from the historical point of view. You
will have to raise your national political spirit to
be able to always play the leading role and to
understand that you are working for Our Three Main
National Causes.

Our Tatmadaw will be able to always safeguard Our
Three Main National Causes. Thus efforts are being
made to build a brilliant modern Tatmadaw. There must
be highly qualified human resources for the Tatmadaw
to catch up with the advancing conditions. Thus,
priority has been given to teaching computer science
and technology in the Tatmadaw. All the Tatmadawmen
are required to be skilled from the basic levels up to
the level of inventing new programmer in the computer
science subject. So, you must use your time well to be
able to adapt yourself to the changing conditions. The
Tatmadawmen should strive with perseverance to become
highly qualified human resources in setting up a
constant learning-teaching society in the entire
nation. In conclusion, I would like to tell you that
at present, the Tatmadaw in addition to taking all the
duties of the State is also carrying out the three
main tasks  the national defence duty, the duty to
train its members and public welfare duty  with might
and main. You are going to discharge the duties.

Thus, you are urged to keep in the fore Our Three Main
National Causes and observe the 12 fine traditions of
the Tatmadaw at the risk of your lives; to live in
accord with the qualities of a leader and to try to
possess special leadership abilities; to strive to
become highly qualified human resources in building a
modern Tatmadaw; and to strive together with the
people in building a peaceful, modern and developed
nation.

At the ceremony, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye
inspected the cadet companies.

Then, General Maung Aye took the salute of the
graduate cadet companies.

Next, General Maung Aye presented Best Cadet Award to
Cadet No-108 Cadet Thiha Aung. Then, General Maung Aye
left the parade ground.

---------

General Maung Aye arrives at Bahtoo in Yaksawk
township

Yangon, 10 May - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General
Maung Aye,  left here by Tatmadaw aircraft and arrived
at Heho airport in Kalaw township at 3.15 pm
yesterday.

General Maung Aye and party were welcomed there by
Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council
Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung
Myint, Principal of General Staff College Brig-Gen
Nyan Win, Deputy Commander Col Myint Aung and senior
military officers, and departmental officials. At the
guest hall of Heho airport, Director-General U Win
Maung of the Department of Civil Aviation reported to
General Maung Aye on Heho airport extension project.

Next, Managing Director U Tun Myint Naing of Asia
World Co Ltd presented a report on the length and
width of the runway and progress of extension work.
General Maung Aye gave necessary instructions.
Extension of the runway covered by Heho airport
extension project is being undertaken in two phases
the first and the second. Out of the first phase of
runway extension tasks, a remaining task to be carried
out is the tarring of the runway. General Maung Aye
and party, accompanied by Commander Brig-Gen Khin
Maung Myint, arrived at Bahtoo in Yaksawk township by
helicopter in the evening.

General Maung Aye and party were welcomed there by
member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win,
Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe of the Office of Military
Appointment-General, Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Judge
Advocate-General Maj-Gen Thein Soe, Inspector-General
of Defence Services Maj-Gen Lun Maung, the Vice-Chiefs
of Armed Forces Training, the directors of the
Ministry of Defence, the commander of Bahtoo Station,
Principal Brig-Gen Kyaw Thu of Defence Services Army
Combat Training School (Bahtoo), Principal Brig-Gen
Zaw Win of Defence Services (Army) Officers' Training
School and officials.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends opening of Baingda Dam in
DaikU, Bago Division

Main reforms of agricultural sector includes extension
of cultivable land, supply of sufficient irrigation
water, emergence of mechanized farming, use of modern
agricultural methods and quality strains
Baingda Dam opens to irrigate about 46,700 acres,
prevent floods in rainy season in Pyuntaza plain in
Sittaung Valley

Yangon, 10 May - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt,  left Yangon by
Tatmadaw helicopter and arrived at Baingda Dam in
Daik-U Township, Bago Division, at 8.30 am today.

Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Chairman
of Bago Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung Min and
officials. The opening ceremony of Baingda Dam in
Daik-U Township, Bago Division, built by Construction
Group-1 of the Irrigation Department of the Ministry
of Agriculture and Irrigation was held at the pandal
near the dam at 8.45 am, with an address by
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were member of the State
Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than
of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Bago Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern
Command Brig-Gen Aung Min, ministers, Chief of Staff
(Navy), deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace
and Development Council Office, departmental heads,
Division, District and Township Peace and Development
Council members, departmental staff, director-general
of the Irrigation Department and staff of construction
group-1, members of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association and social organizations,
teachers and students, drum troupe, band troupe, pom
pom dance troupe, peasants and local people of DaikU
and Kyauktaga Townships, totalling over 5,000.

The Secretary-1 said that as is known to all the local
people and farmers, the Government is building dams,
reservoirs and sluice gates which contribute
practically to the agricultural development of Bago
Division, a region on which reliance can be placed in
the agriculture sector of the State.

As dams and reservoirs have been built in the eastern
and western parts of Bago Division, there are now
altogether 134 dams.

 The Government has been taking systematic measures
for the development of the agriculture sector, a main
business which plays a crucial role in improving the
economic life of the State and which is also a basis
for the business of the majority of the people.

In the agriculture sector, the Government has been
making necessary arrangements to replace the
conventional with the modern agricultural method.

The main reforms carried out in the agricultural
sector are extension of cultivable land, supply of
sufficient water for agriculture, emergence of
mechanized farming, use of modern agricultural methods
and quality strains.

The cultivation method has been changed from single to
double or triple cropping. Encouragement is being
given to cultivation of all kinds of crops such as
cotton, sugarcane, wheat, sesame, peas and beans and
oil crops as well as paddy.

In Bago Division, these main crops are growing well.
After Ayeyawady Division, Bago Division grows paddy on
the largest acres of fields. It can be said that it is
a granary on which the State can rely.

As the Government is building dams and reservoirs
wherever possible in Bago Division to ensure that
water is available in all weathers, it can be surely
said that Bago Division will, in future, become an
agro-based region on which the State can place more
reliance.

As Bago Yoma is situated at the centre of Bago
Division, there are many creeks and tributaries in the
rainy season. As they are linked with three rivers
the Ayeyawady, the Bago and the Sittaung  the region
is in floods in the rainy season and are dried up in
the hot season. Therefore, it has a strange
geographical feature.

Therefore, on the plains, floods can be prevented by
building sluice gates. The water which flows from Bago
Yoma through rivulets can be caught by small- and
medium-sized dams. Therefore, the regions around Yoma
can get water in all weathers, and floods can be
checked on the plains to some extent. This being the
case, a large number of dams, reservoirs and sluice
gates are being built.

Baingda Dam can irrigate the fields in Pyuntaza
Township and DaikU Township and prevent the floods in
Pyuntaza plain included in Sittaung Valley in the
rainy season.

Baingda Dam is the 32nd of its kind built in Bago
Division in the time of the present government and can
irrigate about 46,700 acres of fields. The State spent
K 1998.5 million on Baingda Dam.

In the time of the present government, K 18,660.20
million was spent on building 32 dams, reservoirs and
sluice gates in Bago Division, and they can benefit
over 500,000 acres of fields.

Altogether 134 dams including Baingda Dam have been
opened all over the nation and are benefiting
1,967,619 acres of fields. The State spent K 56,912.2
million on building 134 dams.

However, the Government continues to build new dams
and reservoirs wherever necessary.

In Bago Division, Kawliya Dam is being built in DaikU
Township to irrigate over 24,000 acres of fields;
Yenwe Dam, in Kyauktaga Township to irrigate over
118,000 acres; Gamon Dam and Inhale Dam, in Okpo
Township to irrigate 12,000 acres and 15,000 acres
respectively; Phyu Dam, in Phyu Township to irrigate
120,000 acres; Khabaung Dam, in Oktwin Township to
irrigate 135,000 acres; Alaingni Dam, in Bago Township
to irrigate 10,000 acres; and Tawa Sluice Gate, in
Thanatpin Township to irrigate 32,000 acres.

The efforts of the Government for the development of
each region have resulted in the improvement of
economic and social life of local people and equitable
development of the entire Union. This shows the
genuine attitude and goodwill of the Government
towards all the national people. Altogether 24
development regions have been established. The Head of
State himself is supervising the tasks for social
development covering health and education and for the
all-round development of infrastructures.

Therefore, local people and farmers need to make best
use of these facilities and to work hard for the
development of agriculture, livestock breeding and
other economic undertakings.

If local people work hard, their living standard will
improve as expected by the Government.

The Government has held the attitude that only when
the economic and social life of farmers which
constitute the majority of the population improves,
will the entire Union develop.

Therefore, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has
given guidance that five rural development tasks are
to be implemented in rural and far-flung areas, the
fundamental areas of the 24 main development regions.

Local people need to participate actively in the
implementation of the five rural development tasks
after realizing the goodwill of the Head of State and
to work diligently for the development of agriculture,
livestock breeding and economic undertakings and for
the improvement of health and education standards.

Farmers are responsible for the maintenance of the
dams and reservoirs built at a large amount of money
by the Government to supply water.

The farmers in Bago Division need to cultivate and
produce crops in line with the projects of the State
and respond to the goodwill of the State in this way.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to make
effective use of water supplied by Baingda Dam in
striving for the development of the agriculture sector
and the region and for the improvement of living
standard of local people, to work together for rural
development in response to the goodwill of the Head of
State and to help one another so that all can enjoy
benefits in the agriculture sector.

Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said that a cluster of dams
which will contribute to enhancing agro-economy of the
State emerged in eastern and western Bago Yoma at a
time when development tasks surfaced phase by phase
nationwide with the guidance of the Head of State.

Based on the agriculture on which the majority of
rural people rely, the Government is making efforts to
build an agro-based industrial nation and is
implementing the small, medium and large dam projects
with added momentum in conjunction with the regional
greening tasks.

Therefore, due to the emergence of Kintha, Monchaung,
Sinthe, Pathi, Ngamwe. Yetho, Minye, Swachaung, Bawni,
Mazin, Zalethtaw, Shwepyi, Ngamoeyeik and
Taunglon-myaung dams including newly opened Baingda in
east Bago Division, more and more irrigated lands came
up and North Nawin, South Nawin, Mataungta, Kangyikon,
Natmaw, Shewdaung, Wegyi, Taungnyo, Bawbin, Thegaw,
Kantinbilin, Thonze and Otkan dams in west Bago
Division created the beauty of Bago Yoma with the
agricultural work.

Having natural resources and human resources
opportunities, the government is making all-round
endeavours to ensure local sufficiency in rice and to
earn foreign currency by exporting surplus crops and
at the same time to boost the living standard of the
public including the peasants who engage in
agriculture undertakings.

Rice has been a significant characteristic in the
Myanma agriculture history as Myanmar was among the
nations which exported rice most in the past. The
State is making endeavours to produce 1138 million of
paddy baskets in year 2002-2003 by cultivating 16.4
million acres of monsoon and summer paddy to meet the
local demand and to export the surplus as the State
can grow and export the rice.

Arrangements are being made to produce 2.7 million
tons of pulses and beans by growing 7.7 million acres
of pulses and beans in the coming cultivation season
to become Myanmar as a leading nation in South-east
Asia region in producing pulses and beans.

Furthermore, the State is making efforts to cultivate
6.9 million acres of edible oil crops such as
sunflower, groundnut and sesame to ensure
self-sufficiency. And arrangements are being made to
grow 0.89 million acres of cotton, 0.125 million acres
of jute, 14,000 acres of kenaf and in year 2002-2003
cultivation season as well as to grow oil palm and
Thitseint trees (Termina Belerica).

Bago Division accounted for 158 per cent of the total
agriculture undertaking of the State.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has
implemented 32 projects of dams and sluice gates
including the newly opened Baidah Dam and other
related agro-based industries in Bago Division.

And he urged all farmers to make more earnest efforts
in producing crops in the nation in accord with the
objectives of the State.

Then, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min said: Bago Division
is an agro-based one. Out of total area 9,737,843
acres, 3,100,347 acres are cultivable land. To make
agriculture a success, it is necessary to have water
for cultivation and cultivable land alone is not
enough. It is mainly necessary to irrigate water to
the places where there needs water at the right time.

Baingda Dam to be opened now is one of the cluster of
dams such as Ye Nwe, Baingda, Kawliya. Ye Nwe, Baingda
and Kawliya creeks flow into Sittaung river through
the Pyuntaza plain. Yearly flow of Ye Nwe, Baingda and
Kawliya creeks are 861,000 acre ft, 330,000 acre ft
and 139,230 acre ft respectively. There are floods on
Pyuntaza plain and it has become a wetland and fields
are destroyed because Pyuntaza plain is a narrow
region between the rail road and Sittaung river, flow
of water in creeks is little due to silt deposited in
them and the water in Sittaung river blocks the flow
of water. As a result, Pa Kaing bank built to prevent
Sittaung river from floods is being threatened from
the danger of floods. 330,000 acre ft of water will be
put under control owing to the construction Baingda
dam. As a result, Pyuntaza plain will become free from
danger of flood. On completion of construction of
remaining Kawliya and Ye Nwe dams, the plain will be
completely prevented from floods.

The government has been constructing dams. In
addition, silted up creeks are being dredged,
embankments have been constructed in order to prevent
plains like Pyuntaza from floods.

Special care is to be taken for long lasting of
projects work in which a lot of money was invested.
Local people will be persuaded to follow rules and
regulations issued by Irrigation Department for
durability of the dams constructed in Bago Division.
Concerted efforts will be made with local people and
departmental personnel for effective utilisation of
water, he said.

Then, on behalf of the local people, Secretary of Bago
District USDA U Aung Soe thanked the State Peace and
Development Council Government for the construction of
the dam.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 presented honorary prizes for
the civil staff who participated in construction of
the dam to Assistant Director U Khin Maung Yu and for
mechanical staff, to Assistant Director U Myint Cho.

The ceremony continued at the archway of the dam.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt formally unveiled the
stone inscription of the dam.

Then, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min and Minister for
Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin formally
opened the dam. Secretary-1 and party posed for
documentary photos together with local people and
students in front of the archway.

 Secretary-1 cordially greeted the local people
attending the ceremony and inspected main embankment,
spillway and control tower of the dam. Then, the
ceremony came to a close.

After the ceremony, Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Director-General U
Kyaw San Win of the Irrigation Department reported to
the Secretary-1 on conditions and irrigated areas of
the cluster of dams constructed under the Sittaung
Basin Development Irrigation Projects in east side of
Bago Yoma, conditions of dams under construction,
Pyuntaza plain cluster of dams, facts about the
construction of Baingda Dam Project and quality
control at the briefing hall of the dam.

The Secretary-1 gave instructions on arrangement to
effectively utilize irrigated water in agriculture
works.

The dam, earthen one 122-foot high and 1,400-foot
long, is situated in DaikU Township, Bago Division,
and can irrigate 46,700 acres of land.

---------

Secretary-1 attends opening of DaikU BEHS multimedia
teaching centre, inspects construction of
Nyaungkhashei-Myitkyo-DaikU road in Bago Division

Yangon, 10 May - Chairman of Myanmar Education
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party
attended the opening of Baingda Dam in DaikU Township,
Bago Division and, accompanied by Bago Division Peace
and Development Council Chairman Southern Command
Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min, left there by helicopter
and arrived at DaikU at 10.45 am today.

They were welcomed there by No 77 LID Commander Col
Than Htay and officials. The opening ceremony of the
multimedia teaching centre of DaikU Basic Education
High School in Bago Division was held at the school at
11 am, with an address by the Secretary-1.

At first, the unveiling ceremony of the stone
inscription bearing "Myanmar Education Goal" was held
at the school. The Secretary-1 and party and those
present saluted the national flag. Meanwhile, the
students, accompanied by the school band, sang the
national anthem. Then, the students who won all-round
development awards formally unveiled the stone
inscription. Later, the opening of the multimedia
teaching centre followed. Headmistress Daw Myint Myint
Nyunt and School Board of Trustees Chairman Lt-Col Tin
Myint (Retd) formally opened the centre.

The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of the
centre and inspected the electronic media room
(language lab), the computer application & e-mail
room, the computer-aided instruction room, the
projected media room (visual presenter), the
electronic media room (video system) and the printed
media room (reading corner) and the students' study
with the use of modern teaching aids. They then
inspected the domestic science room and the arts room,
and viewed the artistic skill demonstration of the
students. The headmistress reported on the purpose of
opening the centre and matters pertaining to the
modern teaching aids installed at the centre; and the
chairman of the School Board of Trustees on concerted
efforts for opening the centre.

The Secretary-1 presented video tapes to be used as
teaching aids to the headmistress. In his speech, the
Secretary-1 said that it is obvious that the State is
making progress in implementing the national education
promotion programmer in cooperation with the public
who possessed a sense of responsibility in accord with
the education policy laid down by the State. Emergence
of human resources plays a key role in ensuring the
emergence of a modern developed nation and so do
schools in nurturing and bringing about human
resources.

This being so, multimedia classrooms have emerged one
after another in high schools and middle schools as
well as in primary schools nationwide resulting from
concerted efforts of the State and the people in
trying to enable the students of the basic education
schools to pursue the international level education.
Due to the active participation of students, teachers,
parents, the School Boards of Trustees and
wellwishers, national education promotion programmes
have met with success; and a special four-year
education promotion plan and a 30-year education plan
have been laid down and are being implemented. The
implementation of those plans is making progress to a
certain extent.

Outstanding and brilliant intellectuals and
intelligentsia have emerged as they were nurtured and
brought up with the use of modern teaching aids and
methodology, and at the same time, a modern developed
nation will emerge soon. He also expressed thanks to
those who participated in the project for opening the
multimedia classrooms of Basic Education High School
in DaikU and called on those concerned to provide
constant assistance for the education project. He also
urged the teachers and students to make earnest
efforts to enhance the education standard up to the
international level with the use of the modern
teaching aids and methodology. After the ceremony,
together with members of the School Board of Trustees,
the headmistress, teachers and students, the
Secretary-1 posed for a documentary photo.

The Secretary-1 and party left for the worksite of
Nyaungkhashei-Myitkyo-DaikU Road Construction Project
by helicopter. On his way to the project site, the
Secretary-1 inspected progress of construction of
DaikU-Mingalun section of the road. The Secretary-1
and party arrived at the worksite where local
authorities, departmental personnel and local
residents welcomed them. At the briefing hall, Bago
District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col
Myo Tint reported on the sown acreage on southern and
northern sides of Mingalun in DaikU Township,
construction of dams and drains for proper flow of
water; and opportunities for cultivation of summer and
monsoon paddy and peas and beans after emergence of
the two 24-foot-wide drains on both sides of
Nyaungkhashei-Myitkyo-DaikU Road; and Commander
Brig-Gen Aung Min on progress of the road
construction, possible benefits to be gained from
construction of the road, and construction of bridges.
The Secretary-1 gave instructions.

The Secretary-1 had a cordial conversation with
members of Village Peace and Development Council,
departmental personnel and local people. Afterwards,
the Secretary-1 attended to the needs concerning the
reports on regional development tasks including the
development tasks for the education sector presented
by chairmen of Village Peace and Development Councils
and departmental officials. The Secretary-1 said that
the new road, which passes through the region, has
been constructed and as a result the local populace
would enjoy regional development as well as smooth
transport soon; in constructing the road, there
emerged two drains on both sides of the road and these
contributed to travelling by boat, agriculture and
livestock breeding; the government was constructing a
lot of dams with the use of mountain torrents at the
foot of Bago Yoma and so crops could be cultivated in
all seasons and agricultural sector was going to
develop speedily in the Division; at the same time the
five rural development tasks were being carried out
with added momentum in accord with the guidance of
Head of State Senior General Than Shwe; thus rural
regions would enjoy fruits of all-round development
before long; that indicated the government was making
efforts with genuine goodwill for development of not
only urban areas but rural ones and for promotion of
economy and living standard of local populace;
therefore, in return, local residents were to strive
for the development in agricultural sector by carrying
out tasks for reclamation of farmlands and extended
cultivation of crops.

The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the
evening.

___________________________

( 3 ) Exchange of Notes between Myanmar and Japan
signed

Yangon, 10 May - Minister for National Planning and
Economic Development U Soe Tha and Japanese Ambassador
to Myanmar Mr. Shigeru Tsumori this afternoon signed
an Exchange of Notes at the meeting hall of the
ministry. It was also attended by Deputy Minister for
NPED Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Electric
Power U Myo Myint, responsible personnel from the
Japanese Embassy and officials from government
enterprises. According to the Exchange of Notes,
Japanese Government will provide assistance to Myanmar
Government with 628 million yen for the project,
Rehabilitation for Baluchaung No 2 Hydro Power Plant.

__________________________

( 4 ) Surgical equipment donated to Ministry of Health


Yangon, 10 May - Chairman Dr Lewis G Zirkle of
Surgical Implant Generation Network donated orthopedic
surgical equipment to the Ministry of Health at Yangon
General Hospital on Bogyoke Aung San Street this
morning. Present on the occasion were Minister at the
State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office
Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein,
Deputy Minister Prof Dr Kyaw Myint and officials of
the ministry, medical superintendents, professors,
physicians and guests.

Chairman Dr Lewis G Zirkle explained the purpose of
donation. Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein accepted the
equipment worth K 16 million and presented a
certificate of honour to the donor. Medical
superintendent of YGH Dr Teik Wan expressed thanks.
Then, Dr Lewis G Zirkle explained the function of the
equipment to Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein and party.

__________________________

( 5 ) Work coordinated for holding of SKRL Meeting

Yangon, 9 May - The work coordination meeting for
holding the third meeting of Singapore-Kunming Rail
Link Special Working Group, to be held from 14 to 15
May 2002 at the Sedona Hotel here, took place at the
meeting hall of the Ministry of Rail Transportation
this morning, with an address by Deputy Minister for
Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin. Also present
on the occasion were Chairman of the Working Committee
for Holding SKRL Working Group Meeting
Director-General of the Transport Planning Department
U Kyaw Hsan, committee members and chairmen and
secretaries of the respective sub-committees and
officials. Then, Director-General U Kyaw Hsan reported
on work being carried out for the holding of the SWG
meeting. Respective sub-committees also reported on
work done. The deputy minister gave necessary
instructions and the meeting came to a close.
___________________________

( 6 ) U Aye Zaw Win and sons put on trial

Yangon, 10 May - Tribunals No 1 and No 2 of Yangon
Division Court since 3 May 2002, have been hearing the
cases of U Aye Zaw Win of 19, Maykha Street, Yangon,
and sons Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win who
persuaded some Tatmadaw members and leaders to plot a
coup, to effect changes in the leadership of the State
and to incite dissension in the Tatmadaw.

Tribunal No 1 of Yangon Division Court comprising
Judge of Yangon Division U Aung Ngwe and Joint
Division Judge U Nyan Win as chairman and member
respectively tried U Aye Zaw Win, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne
Win and Zwe Ne Win on the charges of attempting to
seize power and enticing military personnel to commit
High Treason at 10 am today. As the defendants said
that they hadn't hired a lawyer, the tribunal
postponed hearing of the case till 15 May to enable
the defendants to hire a lawyer, and the tribunal
stopped hearing the case at 10.30 am.

Tribunal No 2 of Yangon Division Court comprising
Joint Division Judge U Tin Win of Yangon Division
Court and Joint Division Judge U Soe Thein as chairman
and member respectively tried U Aye Zaw Win, Kyaw Ne
Win, Kyaw Thiha, Wai Lin Hsan and Tun Tauk Win on
eight charges of purchase and use of vehicles without
licences and two charges of illegal import and use of
satellite phones.

The witnesses were examined in connection with
fugitives. The tribunal stopped hearing the case at
1.30 pm so that the defendants can make necessary
arrangements to hire a lawyer and to submit the power
of attorney. At the hearing, 19 local and foreign
correspondents were present to cover the news.

___________________________

( 7 ) Symposium of Leonics Products held

Yangon, 10 May - Symposium of Leonics Products,
jointly organized by Earth Computer Systems Co Ltd
(Myanmar) and Leonic Co Ltd (Thailand), was held at
MICT Park in Hline Township this morning.

It was attended by Chairperson and Managing Director
of Earth Group of Companies Daw Khaing Zaw, Technical
Director Mr. Chokechai Chong Siri Ra Tanakul and
Export Manager Mr. Eddy Pua and officials of Leonic Co
Ltd, managing directors of companies and retailers and
guests. Managing Director of Earth Group made a speech
and Technical Director of Leonic Co explained facts
about products of the company. Then, the export
manager of Leonic Co presented souvenirs to customers
who bought products of the company most. Then, the
technical director presented completion certificates
to trainees of Leonics UPS Training Course.

___________________________

( 8 ) Myanmar-Malaysia friendly soccer match on 17, 19
May

Yangon, 10 May - Myanmar-Malaysia friendly soccer
matches will be held at Youth Training Centre
(Thuwunna) on 17 and 19 May. Selected Malaysia team
will arrive here on 15 May and will play against
tentatively Selected Myanmar team at 4 pm on 17 May
and against tentatively Selected Myanmar Youth team,
at 4 pm on 19 May. Entrance fee is K 200 for ordinary
stand and K 400 for grand strand.

___________________________

( 9 ) Bomb explosion at Strand Hotel in Tachilek

Yangon, 10 May - A bomb exploded in Room 308, 3rd
floor, in Strand Hotel, No 215, Talawt Ward in
Tachilek at 2.50 am yesterday. Due to the explosion,
four people Kya Min (a) Son Sui San, 50, and wife Ma
Ah Hpan, 35, who were staying at Room 308 and Ko Kyi
Soe, 30, and Nay Lin, 24, who were staying at Room 208
on the second floor under the Room 308Ñwere wounded.
The victims were taken to People's Hospital in
Tachilek and given treatments. Ma Ah Hpan succumbed to
the injuries at 4.40 am. Cause of explosion is under
investigation.

---------

Stimulant tablets seized in Tangyan

Yangon, 10 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force,
acting on information, searched a DT motorcycle with a
number plate W-10607 at Takawsat Check-Point in
Tangyan Township, Shan State (North), on 25 April, and
nabbed motor cyclist Aik Khan, son of U Aik Tun of
Baunglaung Village, Naungkhit Village-tract, Tangyan
Township, and his accomplice Aik Kaw, son of U Aik
Aung of Mongyawng, together with 37,000 stimulant
tablets. Action has been taken against them under the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the
police station.
----------------------------------
http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience
http://launch.yahoo.com