The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 22 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 22 May, 2002)
------------------------------
1. State rendering agricultural methods, seeds and
   funds for cultivation of opium-substitute crops
   Poppy farmers hand over poppy seeds for this
   year's cultivation season of their own volition
2. - Coord meeting of Ministry of Construction
     continues
   - "Soon" offered to Sayadaws of State Pariyatti
     Sasana University
   - USDA computer course concludes
   - Tax-free markets in Tamway, Dagon Townships
     inspected
3. Press conference on joint SURA terrorists and some
   Thai forces attack on Tatmadaw outposts held
4. Seminar on personal care (hair & skin care) held
5. Holding of women's affairs activities show
   coordinated
6. - World Population Day commemorative poster, essay,

     article competitions to be held
   - YIEC donates cash to YCH and YGH
7. Public phone booths installed in Yangon, Mandalay
8. Artist U Aung Myint wins Juror's Choice Award
9. 2nd Sports Minister's trophy soccer tournament
   continues

---------

( 1 ) State rendering agricultural methods, seeds and
funds for cultivation of opium-substitute crops Poppy
farmers hand over poppy seeds for this year's
cultivation season of their own volition

Yangon, 21 May - The State Peace and Development
Council has laid down and is implementing the two
strategies designation of narcotic drugs eradication
as a national duty and the comprehensive
implementation of that strategy; and the development
and enhancement of the standard of living of the
national races in the border areas and the total
eradication of poppy cultivation. In implementing
these tasks with added momentum, the government in
co-operation with the international organizations is
stamping out the drugs.

The exchange of information with neighbouring
countries has led to seizures of narcotic drugs and
handing over of culprits. Educative talks on drugs and
cultivation of poppy-substitute crops have also been
held for poppy growers ahead of this year's poppy
growing season and seeds suitable to their regions
have been distributed. Seeds of highland paddy, corn,
maize, buckwheat and beans and pulses worth K 52.5
million have been distributed  seeds worth K 42.5
million to Shan State (North), seeds worth K 5 million
to Shan State (South), seeds worth K 2.5 million to
Shan State (East), seeds worth K 500,000 to Kayah
State and seeds valued at K 2 million to Kachin State.
Poppy growers, realizing the goodwill of the
government, handed over dry poppy pods and poppy seeds
collected for the cultivation season to officials
concerned of their own volition.

Up to date, 1,419 bags containing two baskets of dry
poppy pods and 2,826 baskets of poppy seeds have been
handed over to officials in Shan State (North), 85
baskets of poppy seeds to officials in Shan State
(South) and poppy seeds to officials in Kayah State.
More poppy seeds are being handed over. If the
entrusted poppy seeds are cultivated, they will cover
59,900 acres of land and the total output can be
263.819 tons of raw opium, and if refined they will
produce about 26.38 tons of heroin. By doing so,
preventive measures can be made in the poppy
cultivation season. Arrangements have been made to
torch the entrusted poppy seeds of poppy growers in
Lashio and Laukkai regions in Shan State (North) in
the very near future.

___________________________

( 2 ) Coord meeting of Ministry of Construction
continues


Yangon, 21 May - The first four monthly preliminary
coordination meeting of The Ministry of Construction
continued for the second day at the meeting hall of
the Public Works (Head Office) on Shwedagon Pagoda
Road this morning.

Present at the meeting were Minister for Construction
Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and
Brig-Gen Myint Thein, directors-general and managing
directors of the departments and enterprises,
departmental heads, superintending engineers from the
states and divisions, deputy superintending engineers,
senior engineers and engineers. At the meeting,
engineers of the bridge construction projects reported
on their construction works to be carried out.

---------

"Soon" offered to Sayadaws of State Pariyatti Sasana
University

Yangon, 21 May - Under the auspices of Minister for
Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife, staff families of
Border Trade Department offered "soon" and provisions
to members of the Sangha at Mogok Soonsahsaung of
State Pariyatti Sasana University on Kaba Aye Hill
this morning.

Present were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone
and wife Daw Aye Pyi Wai Khin, Deputy Minister
Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, directors-general and the managing
director of departments and the enterprise and
officials. The congregation took the Five Precepts
from Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta
Vannita. Then, the minister and wife donated
provisions to the Sayadaw and K 100,000 for "soon" for
one day to officials. Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Kyaw Hsan donated K 63,000 for 63 members of the
Sangha of the University.

Afterwards, Director-General U Nay Win of Border Trade
Department offered 100 Thermos flasks to the Sayadaw
and shared merits gained. Later, "soon" was offered to
the Sayadaws.

---------

USDA computer course concludes

Yangon, 21 May - A ceremony to conclude basic computer
course No 1/2002 and to open advanced computer course,
organized by Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township Union
Solidarity and Development Association, was held at
the office of the township USDA yesterday afternoon.
Present on the occasion were USDA CEC Member Brig-Gen
Thura Aye Myint, executives of Yangon Division USDA,
secretaries and executives of District and Township
USDAs, officials of the Township Peace and Development
Council, course instructors and trainees.

The CEC Member delivered a speech and presented
certificates to the basic course trainees and prizes
and cash assistance for attending advanced computer
course to three outstanding trainees. Division USDA
executives U Tha Win and U Tin Hlaing presented prizes
to outstanding trainees in the first and second
national culture and morality courses. Division USDA
Secretary U Than Lwin accepted cash donations for
Township USDA. The CEC Member cordially greeted
trainees and then inspected the computer training
hall. A total of 70 trainees are attending the
computer course, which started on 8 May.

---------

Tax-free markets in Tamway, Dagon Townships inspected

Yangon, 21 May - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung
visited the tax-free market of Tamway Township here
this morning and there he inspected the sales of
products manufactured by the ministry and gave
instructions. The minister also inspected rice sales
of the Shwe Myanmar Rice Trading and the Myanmar Rice
Dealers Association, and the sales of fish, meat and
vegetable shops and gave instructions on selling them
at reasonable prices to the public.

Then, the minister went to the biscuit factory of
Myanma Foodstuff Industries in Kyaikkasan, Tamway
Township. He inspected the process of making biscuits
and spoke on production through GMP system. Next, the
minister arrived at Winthuza Shop on Pansodan Street
in Kyauktada Township, and there he inspected the
sales of products from Myanma Textile Industries,
Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical
Industries, Myanma General and Maintenance Industries,
Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries, and Myanma
Ceramics Industries and gave instructions on stocks.
The minister later proceeded to the tax-free market in
Dagon Township and arrived there at 8.30 am.

He inspected the shop of the ministry and left
instructions on proper sales of the products. The
minister also visited Hanthawady Winthuza Shop in
Sangyoung Township and inspected the sales of products
at each counter there. The minister also inspected the
warehouse and left instructions on stock of the
products and ledger.

___________________________

( 3 ) Myanmar will, in no way, allow or accept armed
forces of any country to intrude into sovereign limits
of its territory

News reports of Thai media lack honesty, sincerity and
mutual respect Press conference on joint SURA
terrorists and some Thai forces attack on Tatmadaw
outposts held

Yangon, 21 May - A press conference on the attack of
opium-trafficking SURA terrorists and some Thai forces
and the supporting fire of the Thai army on Tatmadaw
outposts at Myanmar-Thai border was held at Tatmadaw
Guest House on Inya Road this morning.

Present were Minister for Labour U Tin Winn,
Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win,
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win,
Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein,
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Maung, senior military officers, heads of departments,
officials of the Ministry of Information, U Sein Win
of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign
Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe, member correspondents
and guests. Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry
of Defence Col San Pwint said at about 4.06 am on 20
May 2002, the Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and
Nyaungbingon outposts fired heavy weapons at the
Tatmadaw outposts; SURA insurgents and some Thai units
also entered the territory of Myanmar from the
territory of Thailand and attacked Panmongsun,
Nyaung-bingon, Pangantgaw and Yanpaingsun outposts.

At 7.10 am on that day, the tanks from Thai army
arrived at Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and
Nyaung-bingon outposts and fired with cannons on the
Tatmadaw outposts at 7.30 am. Although the cannon
fires stopped at 8.30 am, the firing of heavy weapons
continued from the side of the Thai army camps, and
these were disclosed at the previous press conference,
he said. He added that the fighting was still going on
this morning and the Tatmadaw camps were fighting
against the enemies. Some Thai media reported false
and fabricated news about Myanmar recently. The 20 May
issue of The Nation daily reported that the Thai side
had informed State Peace and Development Council
Vice-Chairman Defence Services Deputy
Commander-in-Chief General Maung Aye during his visit
to Thailand that the Thai Army would launch offensive
against the Wa national group which was involved in
the drug issue and he did not make any objection.

The 19 May issue of The Nation daily mentioned that
Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin himself had permitted a
Thai special force to be ready to invade and attack
the Wa region. The Reuters news broadcast by CNN on 20
May reported that a week ago a senior Thai official
disclosed that there was a plan for the Thai Army to
attack and occupy the Wa headquarters near the border
in Myanmar's territory. It is totally untrue that
General Maung Aye during his goodwill visit to
Thailand had not objected to the programme of Thai
forces to attack Wa nationals in Myanmar's territory.
He categorically asserted that Myanmar will, in no
way, allow or accept any armed forces of any country
to intrude into the sovereign limits of its territory.


Even planning to to intrude into another country is
not the good neighbourly act. General Maung Aye's
visit to Thailand at the invitation of Prime Minister
Dr Thaksin, meant to reflect the good neighbourly
friendship between the two countries. However, the
news reports of Thai media lack honesty, sincerity and
mutual respect. The journalists are hereby convinced
that the programme to attack one's country or to
invade one's territory does not suit the conducts of a
good neighbourly country. The Bangkok Post daily
issued on 19 May stated a news report saying that as
if the Tatmadaw were putting pressure on the Wa
national groups in eradicating the drugs. The news
report also said that as if the Tatmadaw were
pin-pointing at the Wa national races to put pressures
on and crush them to eliminate the drugs; that as if
the Tatmadaw were using force in combing the area; and
that as if the Thai army had reached prior agreement
with the Tatmadaw to send troops to the area to launch
a military offensive against the Wa people. In
reality, the Myanmar government has not reached any
mutual agreement whatsoever with Thailand concerning
the matter.

Myanmar is stepping up its efforts to wipe out the
drugs as a national task particularly in the border
towns of Tachilek, Myawady and Kawthoung with the aim
of making them opium free zones. In eradicating the
drugs, the government is not oppressing the Wa
national race, Shan national race or any other
national race. The national race peace groups
themselves are actively cooperating with the Tatmadaw
in eradicating the narcotic drugs with greater
momentum. While floating fabrications as if there were
agreements with the Tatmadaw to launch military
operations, perpetrations are being made to create
problems at the border; opium-trafficking terrorist
insurgent group SURA, which they have reared, and some
Thai army troops jointly launched armed attacks
against the Tatmadaw and Wa camps with the assistance
of the Thai army barrage. This, he said, is an act to
internationally create problems in the border areas
Myanmar has always tried to solve the problem though
diplomatic means and in a peaceful manner. Myanmar
will use other means to solve the problem if the
diplomatic means fail and the problems continue to be
created.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win gave the supplementary report. He
also replied to queries raised by the journalists. A
video-tapped CNN footage showing the attack launched
by Thai army against the Myanmar Tatmadaw military
camps the previous day. The Press conference ended at
10.20 am. The journalists then viewed the maps showing
the joint armed attack made by SURA terrorist
insurgents and some Thai army troops against the
Tatmadaw camps and the Wa camps of the Shan State
Special 2 under the assistance of Thai army heavy
weapon fire.

__________________________

( 4 ) Seminar on personal care (hair & skin care) held

Yangon, 21 May - The personal care seminar,
co-sponsored by Myanmar Toyota Tsusho Co and CIBA
Speciality Co, was held at the Sedona Hotel at 10 am
today. Managing Director Mr Kenji Suzuki of MTTC made
an opening speech. Then, Ms Madeline Tan of ASEAN
Regional Sales Head of CIBE and technical specialist
Ms Lee Lay Khim explained the facts about hair and
skin care. At the seminar, the officials answered the
queries raised by the guests and those present.
Manager of Chemical Team Myanmar Toyota Tsusho Mr Ko
San spoke words of thanks and the seminar came to an
end.
__________________________

( 5 ) Holding of women's affairs activities show
coordinated

Yangon, 21 May - The co-ordination meeting on holding
women's affairs activities show to be organized by
Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was
held at the Social Welfare Department on Kaba Aye
Pagoda Road this afternoon.

It was attended by Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar
National Working Committee for Women's Affairs
Professor Dr Daw May May Yee and members,
Vice-Chairperson-2 of the Committee for Holding the
Show Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Adviser to the Education
Group of the Working Committee Daw Khin Than Nwe,
members of the Working Committee, officials and
guests. The Vice-Chairperson-2 made an address on the
occasion.

Then, Director of the National Museum under the
Department of Cultural Institute Daw Nu Mra Zan
presented plans on holding the show, followed by a
general round of discussions. Afterwards, general
matters were discussed and approved, and the meeting
came to an end.

___________________________

( 6 ) World Population Day commemorative poster,
essay, article competitions to be held

Yangon, 21 May - The Ministry of Immigration and
Population and the UNFPA will sponsor the poster
competition to mark the World Population Day for 2002.


The competitors are to depict one of the sub-titles
"Poverty, Population and Development", "Education
Builds the Future", "Health for Success" and 'Working
Together for Equity'. The competition is divided into
five levels  level 1 (aged 6-8), level 2 (aged 9-12),
level 3 (aged 13-15), level 4 (aged 16-18) and level 5
(aged 19 and above). Level 1 to 4 will be held at the
designated places in cities of States and Divisions on
9 June. Those wishing to take part in those levels are
to register at the respective Immigration and National
Registration Departments in States and Divisions not
later than 7 June.

Those wishing to participate in level 5 are to
register at the respective Immigration and National
Registration Departments not later than 13 June. First
prize for level 1 to 4 is K 50,000, second K 40,000,
third K 30,000, and K 20,000 for each of three
consolation prizes. For level 5, first prize is K
75,000, second K 50,000, third K 40,000, and K 30,000
for each of three consolation prizes. Prizes will be
presented at the ceremony of World Population Day to
be held in Yangon on 11 July. Works of the respective
first prizes will be sent to the International Poster
Contest of UNFPA. Contact the respective INRDs of
States and Divisions for further information.
Composition (in Myanmar) and invitational article
(Open) (in both English and Myanmar) contests in
commemoration of the 2002 World Population Day will be
held under the title "Poverty, Population and
Development'.

The essay contests  high school level and middle
school level will be held on 16 June in Townships of
Yangon and Mandalay Divisions. First prize is K
30,000, second K 25,000, third K 20,000, and K 10,000
for each of four consolation prizes. Those for
Invitational Article Contest (open) are to send their
works to U Chit Yin, Deputy Director of the Population
Department, No 416, Maha Bandoola Street, by 21 June.
First prize is K 50,000, second K 30,000, third K
20,000, and K 10,000 for each of three consolation
prizes. First, second and third prizes will be
presented at the ceremony of World Population Day to
be held in Yangon on 11 July.

---------

YIEC donates cash to YCH and YGH

Yangon, 21 May - Out of K 2.1 million, realized from
the fun-fair of Yangon International Educare Centre
held in March 2002, K 350,000 was donated to Yangon
Children's Hospital at a ceremony held at the hospital
this morning.

Administrative Director of YIEC Daw Myint Myint Win,
on behalf of the wellwishers, explained the purpose of
the donations. Afterwards, the Administrative Director
and the students of YIEC donated K 350,000 to Medical
Superintendent of YCH Dr Mya Thein, who presented the
certificate of honour and spoke words of thanks. Next,
K 350,000 was donated to Maxillo-facial and Oral
Surgery Department of YGH at 11 am. YIEC has donated a
total of K 1.1 millionÑ K 200,000 to Mary Chapman's
School for the Deaf, K 200,000 to Kyaikwaing Youth
Training Centre and K 350,000 each to YCH and YGH. It
will also donate K 500,000 to Myanmar Maternal and
Child Welfare Association (Central), K 250,000 to
Shwegondaing Day Care Centre and K 250,000 and
foodstuff worth K 30,000 to the training school for
the girls (Malikha).

___________________________

( 7 ) Public phone booths installed in Yangon,
Mandalay

Yangon, 21 May - The Myanma Posts and
Telecommunications of the Ministry of Communications,
Posts and Telecommunications has been installing the
public telephone booths at airports, wharves, bus
terminals, railway stations, markets, schools and
junctions in Yangon and Mandalay cities with the aim
of enabling the people to conveniently communicate
others. Nowadays, over 1,500 public phone booths have
been installed in Yangon and over 500 in Mandalay.

Calling charge is one minute local call per K 5. For
the trunk call, the payment of calling charge is
designated on respective distance with additional K 10
for service charge. The booths open from 8 am to 5 pm
daily and arrangements are to be made for extending
service hours at the required places. The booths are
busy with calling telephone by users in Yangon and
Mandalay as a result of offering service to the people
at reasonable price, and the plan is under way to
extend installation of more booths.

___________________________

( 8 ) Artist U Aung Myint wins Juror's Choice Award

Yangon, 21 May - Artist U Aung Myint of Myanmar won a
prize in the 8th ASEAN Art Competition in Bali Island,
Indonesia. Selected five artists each from ASEAN
countries participated in the competition at Bali
International Convention Hall in Bali on 9 May.

Myanmar artists U Aung Myint, U Kyee Myint Saw, U Nay
Myo Hsay, U Min Zaw and U Myat Kyawt took part in the
competition and artist U Aung Myint won a prize. A
total of 40 works of five artists each from Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam were sent to the
competition. Of them, the Grand Prize Winner Award has
been presented to a winner and Juror's Choice Awards
to five winners in the competition. The Grand Prize
Winner Award was presented to a Singaporean and the
Juror's Choice Award winners were artists from
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam
including U Aung Myint of Myanmar.

The Grand Prize Winner won a trophy and US$ 15,000 and
the Juror's Choice Award winners won one trophy each
and US$ 5,000 each. The work of artist U Aung Myint is
entitled "Homage to the Mothers". Artist U Aung Myint,
55, has been exhibiting his works at art galleries not
only here but also in Japan, Singapore, Germany and
Holland beginning 1960. In 1989, he opened Inya Art
Gallery.

___________________________

( 9 ) 2nd Sports Minister's trophy soccer tournament
continues

Yangon, 21 May - The second round-up for the 2nd
Sports Minister's trophy advanced soccer tournament
2002, organized by Myanmar Football Federation,
continued at the Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna
this afternoon. In the (Kha Kha) group, the selected
football team of the Ministry of Defence beat the
selected football team of the Ministry of Construction
1-0. Htay Aung of the Ministry of Defence team won the
man of the match award.

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