The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 28 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 28 May, 2002)
--------------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
   President of Republic of Azerbaijan
2. - Myanmar-China Bilateral Agreements
     Implementation Committee meets
   - Another white elephant emerges in Rakhine State
     Secretary-1 inspects white elephant in Hlawga
     Wild Life Park
3. Transport Minister receives Korean Ambassador
4. - Minister inspects bridge construction works in
     Mandalay, Magway
   - Tax-free market in Sangyoung Township
     inspected
   - H&T Minister meets departmental officials
   - Industry-2 holds work coord meeting 2002
   - MPT opens application courses
   - Cash donated to welfare committee for Myanmar
     student monks in India
   - Energy Ministry offers soon to monks
5. - Commander, Education Minister visit school
      enrolment day ceremonies
   - Bo tree water-pouring ceremony held in Mandalay
   - Commander, Minister inspect cooperative tasks
     in Sagaing Division
   - Greening of Inle Lake coordinated
6. Secretariat Member meets Division, District,
   Township USDA executives in Mandalay
7. GT Radial tyres sales centre opened
8. - WTO Valuation Agreement Workshop opens
   - CSSTB meets
9. - Acid, heroin refining camps in Kutkai
     Township raided
   - Drug and paraphernalia seized in Mandalayh
   - 600 kilos of ephedrine powder seized
   - Drug traffickers sentenced

---------------------------------------------------

( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman
Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
President of Republic of Azerbaijan

Yangon, 28 May - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council of the Union
of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His
Excellency Mr Heyder A Aliyev, President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of the
National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan which falls
on 28 May 2002.
___________________________

( 2 ) Myanmar-China Bilateral Agreements
Implementation Committee meets

Yangon, 27 May - Myanmar-China Bilateral Agreements
Implementation Committee held its coordination meeting
at Zeyathiri Beikman in Konmyinttha this evening with
an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said the meeting was to discuss the
speedy implementation of Myanmar-China bilateral
agreements. He said President of the People's Republic
of China Mr Jiang Zemin, during his goodwill visit to
Myanmar, held discussions with Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe of the Union of Myanmar. The
bilateral agreements which resulted from the
discussions are being implemented.

Therefore, ministries concerned are to undertake the
matters relating to the agreements with momentum, he
said. He continued Myanmar and PRC exchanged visits
for implementation of the agreements reached during
President Mr Jiang Zemin's visit to Myanmar;
discussions were held for implementation of bilateral
agreements during the recent visit of the Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs to China.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs would report
on the issue. Of the agreements between the leaders of
the two countries, cooperation programmes which are
mainly concerned with agriculture, human resources
development, exploitation of resources and
construction of infrastructures are to be implemented.

He said there are a lot of bilateral cooperation
programmes to be undertaken in connection with human
resource development, the sending of scholars for
further studies, hydel power, oil and natural gas
production and tourism sectors.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance
on the speedy implementation of bilateral agreements.
Completion of the tasks being undertaken by the
ministries concerned, successful implementation of the
future tasks and requirements should be presented at
the meeting.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win
reported on discussions with PRC officials on
cooperation in agriculture, electric power projects,
paper and pulp production, oil and natural gas
exploration and production and promotion of tourism
during his visit to the PRC.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt
Tin, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister
for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National
Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister
for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the State
Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office
Brig-Gen Abel, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue
Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Construction U
Tint Swe, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun,
Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Deputy
Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Minister
for Communications, Posts and Tele-graphs Brig-Gen
Thein Zaw, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Energy
Brig-Gen Lun Thi and Deputy Minister for Electric
Power U Myo Myint reported on matters relating to
agriculture and industry under the bilateral
agreements implementation, communications, transport
by land and water, livestock breeding and fisheries,
oil and natural gas production and hydel power
projects and future tasks.

The Secretary-1 said it was learnt that President Mr
Jiang Zemin gave instructions to the departments
concerned for speedy implementation of bilateral
agreements. This is why the delegations from the PRC
arrived in Myanmar and they are carrying out the
tasks.

He spoke of the need for the respective ministries to
raise the momentum in implementing the bilateral
agreements between the two leaders and to speedy
implement the tasks on infrastructure construction
sector of transport and communication and electric
power production.

Tasks on agriculture, paper and pulp production,
communication, industry and oil and natural gas
production are to be undertaken in accord with the
agreements, he said. He said the ministries concerned
are to report on implementation of the tasks and
discussions made with departments from the PRC. The
meeting ended in the evening.

---------------------------------------------------

Another white elephant emerges in Rakhine State
Secretary-1 inspects white elephant in Hlawga Wild
Life Park

Yangon, 27 May - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected the
white elephant with outstanding features which was
caught near old Kainggyi Village, Alei Thankyaw
Station, Maung-taw Township, Rakhine State, at the
temporary elephant house in Hlawga Wild Life Park of
the Ministry of Forestry this morning.

The Secretary-1, accompanied by officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at
Hlawga Wild Life Park in Mingaladon Township, Yangon
North District, at 9.45 am.

The Secretary-1 inspected another white elephant found
in Rakhine State. It has outstanding features and has
become tame in a short time. Minister for Forestry U
Aung Phone and officials reported on the sighting of
the white elephant.

The Secretary-1 gave instructions and lauded the
efforts of the heads of department and employees. It
is learnt from the local security unit and the local
intelligence unit that a white elephant was found in
Buthidaung and Maungtaw Townships in Rakhine State and
was wandering together with another eight elephants.
During his tour of Rakhine State in December 2001,
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave instructions on keeping an eye
on it, giving information to the higher authorities
and the elephant search team if it was surely a white
elephant and taking measures to capture it as soon as
possible.

The local intelligence unit confirmed on 12 December
2001 that a white elephant was found in Buthidaung
Township, Rakhine State, and asked authorities
concerned to send an elephant finding team of Timber
Extraction Division under Myanma Timber Enterprise.
The Managing Director of Myanma Timber Enterprise
reported the matter to the Ministry of Forestry.

Then, a white elephant finding plan was drawn up; an
eight-member white elephant finding team led by

 Assistant General Manager of Timber Extraction
Division (Head Office) U Aye Kyaing was formed. The
team left for Rakhine on 16 December 2001, and in
cooperation with the elephant finding team in Rakhine
State and members of the local security unit and the
local intelligence unit, were based at Sinsweya
Village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State.

The team combed the forests in search of the white
elephant. On the basis of the information given by
local people, the white elephant finding team moved to
various camps in Buthidaung and Maungtaw Townships
Sinsweya village, Thitaw village, Mawrawady village,
Kainggyi village and Kinchaung village  along Mayyu
mountain ranges in Rakhine State.

The team divided itself into groups, which searched
the white elephant along Mayyu mountain ranges from 20
December 2001 to 25 January 2002. They had to find out
whether the white elephant was among over 250 wild
elephants which they found. On 25 January 2002, the
combined team led by Assistant Manager (Timber
Extraction) U Nyunt Wai found a white elephant with
outstanding features among about 18 wild elephants
near the left tributary of Kainggyi creek (map
reference 84 D/5 M 434310) in Maungtaw Township,
Rakhine State.

The team observed the movement of the elephant herd
comprising the white elephant on 26 and 27 January
2002. At the same time, the site for taming the white
elephant was selected and necessary preparations were
made. At about 10 am on 28 January 2002, a herd of
nine elephants including the white elephant was found;
the team approached the elephant herd with three tame
elephants of the Timber Extraction Division; the team
tried to disperse the herd including the white
elephant and get the elephants to move towards the
plains.

When the team approached the elephant herd, the sun
was gradually setting. At that time, there were

 only four elephants including the white elephant in
the herd; they were then on the plains. At about 5 pm
on 28 January 2002, the team captured the white
elephant by use of the syringe rifle at the right
tributary of Kainggyi creek (map reference 84 D/5 M
405305) at about 5 pm on 28 January 2002.

Then, the white elephant was tied and given antidote;
in the moonlight of the Fullmoon Day of Pyatho, it was
carried together with the three tame elephants to
Pakhetkyone Camp (temporary elephant training camp)
near Kinchaung Village, Maungtaw Township; they
arrived there at about 11 pm. At Pakhetkyone Camp for
about one month from 29-1-2002 to 28-2-2002, the white
elephant was trained to be tame and given treatment;
when caught, it struggled very hard and got cuts and
bruises because of rope; these cuts and bruises were
systematically treated.

The white elephant was moved to the compound of the
local intelligence unit in Buthidaung Township for the
sake of security. The training programme continued and
treatment was given for one month from 1-3-2002 to
30-3-2002 to such an extent that all the cuts and
bruises totally healed. On 31-3-2002, the white
elephant was carried together with a tamed elephant
Shwe Toe Win from Buthidaung to Sittway in Rakhine
State by z-craft Yay Kyant of Inland Water Transport.


On 1-4-2002, the white elephant was conveyed from
Sittway to Yangon by z-craft Aung Yadana of Myanma
Timber Enterprise, and arrived at Aungzeya Timber
Jetty of Myanmar Timber Enterprise in Ahlon Township
at 9 am on 5-4-2002. Then, it was conveyed to Hlawga
Wild Life Park of the Forest Department by car and
arrived there at about 10.35 am. The white elephant
was kept at the temporary house and trained to be
tame; it was also given medical attention to ensure
that all the bruises and cuts healed. Now the white
elephant is tame and its bruises and cuts have already
healed.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected it this morning and gave
instructions. The white elephant is about 25 years
old; it is very calm and has outstanding features; it
is 7 feet 2 inches high; the girth of its body is 10
feet 7 inches; its back is 7 feet 2 inches long; its
tail with a turf of russet hair is 3 feet 8 inches.
Its eyes are of pearl colour; its skin is light pink;
when touched with water, the skin turns brighter pink.
Its hair is white; the shape of its back is like
Hnyet-pyaw-gaing, ie the back hangs down like the
bough of a banana tree; its ears are very large and
resembles a triangular brass gong; there are four
toe-nails on each forefoot and hind foot; its hooves
are pink; its trunk is long and reaches the ground;
the edge of its eyelids is pink and it has white
eyelash. It has a pair of tusks. As the combined team
led by Assistant Manager U Aye Kyaing energetically
searched for the white elephant for 36 days, the State
gets another white elephant with outstanding features.

There have emerged two white elephants in the Union of
Myanmar. The white elephant will be carried to the
white elephant garden near Mindhamma Hill in Insein
Township after seeking Ovada from the Sayadaws.
___________________________

( 3 ) Transport Minister receives Korean Ambassador

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla
Myint Swe received Ambassador of Republic of Korea to
Myanmar Mr Lee Kyung-Woo at his office on the Merchant
Street here at 10 am today. Also present at the call
were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe
Than, Director-General of Department of Civil Aviation
U Win Maung and Managing Director of the Myanma Port
Authority U Thein Htay.
__________________________

( 4 ) Minister inspects bridge construction works in
Mandalay, Magway

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw
Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint
Thein and officials from Public Works, arrived at
Bagan-NyaungU yesterday morning.

There, the minister inspected the construction of
NyaungU-Chauk-Magway Road section by car and gave
instructions on repairs of clogged drains, landslides
and erosion due to mountain torrent.

On arrival at the construction project of Ayeyawady
Bridge (Magway), the minister and party heard reports
on progress of bridge construction by Chief Engineer U
Han Zaw at the briefing hall.

The minister gave instructions on timely completion of
the fixing of iron frames, proper supervision in
reinforced concrete works as it is important,
systematic use of bridge construction materials and
safety in the work site.

Later, the minister inspected the construction work
being carried out at the site. The bridge is being
built spanning the Ayeyawady River, and its main
structure is 6,969 feet in length, and approach
structure 2,020 feet in length, totalling 8,989 feet
long. It has a 28-ft wide lane and a six-ft pedestrian
on both sides of the bridge. The total weight that the
bridge can withstand is 60 tons.

---------------------------------------------------

Tax-free market in Sangyoung Township inspected

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung
visited the tax-free market at the corner of Kyundaw
and Hanthawady Streets in Sangyoung Township this
morning.

The minister inspected the sale of ceramic utensils
and plates produced by the Ministry of Industry-1.

He also visited rice shops of Thiri Linhtein,
Shwesakkya and the No 3 Military Region, vegetable
shops of Indine Station, the Ministry of Energy, the
Ministry of Home Affairs and the general
administration department of Yangon North District,
and meat and fish shops and inspected them.

At Konmyinttha tax-free market at eighth mile, the
minister inspected the sale of the products of the
Industry-1, the egg shop of the production department
of Yangon City Development Committee, the edible oil
shop of No 1 Military Region, rice shops of Myanmar
Rice Dealers Association.

Next, the minister also went to No 1 Mayangon Textile
Factory and inspected the weaving there. The minister
also visited Winthuza Shop at eighth mile and
inspected the sales of products of the ministry.

---------------------------------------------------

H&T Minister meets departmental officials

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Hotels and Tourism
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met with the director-general, the
managing director and personnel of the department and
the service at Beverage Division here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is an economic
organization of the State; the ministry must strive
for development of the tourism industry in cooperation
with other ministries concerned; ministries concerned
and local authorities have coordinated to manage
travelling of tourists at the entries in border areas;
and preventive measures are to be taken against loss
of State-owned properties.

---------------------------------------------------

Industry-2 holds work coord meeting 2002

Yangon, 27 May - A first four-monthly work
coordination meeting 2002 of the Ministry of
Industry-2 was held at the meeting hall of the
ministry on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin spoke on the
occasion.

Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin reported to the minister on
tasks to be carried out in the 2002-2003 fiscal year,
and Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw on matters related to
distribution of production.

Next, Director-General U Khin Maung of the Directorate
of Myanma Industrial Planning reported on productivity
in the 2001-2002 fiscal year, and managing directors
on tasks being undertaken to meet the production
target for the second four months of 2002.

Later, the minister and deputy ministers presented
2002-2003 stipend for children of the ministry staff
to officials. Afterwards, the meeting came to an end
with concluding remarks by the minister.

---------------------------------------------------

MPT opens application courses

Yangon, 27 May - The opening ceremony of PC for Office
Applications Course, Basic U/G Cable Course, Basic
Transmission Course and Basic Maintenance Course was
held at the Communications and Postal Training Centre,
Myanma Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of
Communications, Posts and Telegraphs this morning.

Present on the occasion were Minister for
Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein
Zaw, the managing director of MPT, the
director-general of Directorate of Telecommunications,
the general manager of MPT and heads of departments,
the principal of the training centre and course
instructors.

The minister spoke on the occasion.

Altogether 40 trainees are attending the courses. At
10 am, the minister went to Toegyaunggalay Satellite
Station compound and inspected the fuel warehouse of
MPT, the car workshop and the site of car parking lot.
Then, the minister inspected installation of machines
for the communication satellite.

---------------------------------------------------

Cash donated to welfare committee for Myanmar student
monks in India

Yangon, 27 May - The second donation for the welfare
committee for Myanmar student monks in India was held
at the Meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious
Affairs this afternoon.

The Vice-Chairman Sayadaw administered the Five
Precepts. Then, World Buddhist Missionary Thitagu
Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha
Saddhammajoti-kadhaja Maha Dhamma Kahtika
Bahujana-hitadhara Bhaddanta ?anissara gave an
Ovadakatha.

The minister, the deputy minister, departmental heads
and the wellwishers presented offertories provisions
to the Sayadaws.

Today's donations included K 4,954,700 and 1,000
Indian Rupee by 92 wellwishers as well as US$ 1,000 by
Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta ?anissara, US$ 1,000 by
Mahathonthara Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, K 255,000 by
Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and Daw Khin Mar
Aye family, K 200,000 by Thiri Thudhamma
Mani-jotadhara U Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Khin and
family, K 200,000 by U San Maung-Daw Kyin Than and
family and K 200,000 by U Aung Myo-Daw Aye Aye Khaing
and family. The ceremony ended with three-time
recitation of Buddha Sasanam ?iram Titthatu.

---------------------------------------------------

Energy Ministry offers soon to monks

Yangon, 27 May - The families of the Ministry of
Energy offered soon to the Rector Sayadaw of the State
Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) and members of
the Sangha at Mogok Soonsarsaung on Kaba Aye Hill this
morning. Present were Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun
Thi and wife Daw Khin Mar Aye, Deputy Ministers U Tin
Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung, directors-general,
managing directors and their wives and departmental
officials.

Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita
Bhaddanta Vannita invested the congregation with the
Five Precepts. The minister and wife donated alms and
17 kinds of stationery to the Rector Sayadaw. The
minister presented K 100,000 donated by the ministry
to the fund of soon for the Sayadaws and members of
the Sangha of the State Pariyatti Sasana University
(Yangon). Then the families of the Ministry of Energy
offered soon to the Sayadaws and members of the
Sangha.

__________________________


( 5 ) Commander, Education Minister visit school
enrolment day ceremonies

Yangon, 27 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and
Minister for Education U Than Aung, together with
officials, attended the school enrolment day
ceremonies and presented books and stationery to
school children at No 30 Basic Education Primary
School in Mingaladon Township and Tatgyigon Basic
Education Middle School in Hmawby Township this
morning.

Minister U Than Aung made a speech at No 30 BEPS,
Mingaladon Township. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint
Swe, Minister U Than Aung, the chairman of Yangon
District (North) Peace and Development Council, the
executive of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and
Development Association and the director-general of
the Education Planning and Training Department
presented text books, exercise books, stationery and
schoolbags to the students.

Then, wellwishers presented cash for the school and
the school head spoke words of thanks. The commander,
the minister and party inspected enrolment of students
and gave necessary instructions. They also attended
the school enrolment day ceremony of Tatgyigon BEMS in
Hmawby Township and made donations there. Students
accepted the donations and the school head spoke words
of thanks. The minister and party also attended a
similar ceremony held at Shansu BEPS in Hmawby
Township and presented books and stationery to the
students there. Due to the collective efforts of the
commander, the departmental officials, social
organizations and the public, the school enrolment is
cent per cent successat schools in respective regions.

---------------------------------------------------

Bo tree water-pouring ceremony held in Mandalay

Yangon, 27 May - Devotees and pilgrims poured water at
the Bo trees at the famous pagodas in Mandalay on the
Fullmoon Day of Kason (Buddha Day). A ceremony to pour
water at the Bo tree in Maha Muni Buddha Image in
Mandalay was held yesterday.

Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint paid obeisance to the
Buddha Image and offered Shwethingan to the image.
Yaydaw Sayadaw, the commander and officials paid
obeisance to the image. The commander and wife and
officials poured water at the Bo Tree. Aungdawmu
Pagoda, Bawdigon, Sandamuni, Kuthodaw and Shwekyetyet
Pagodas were crowded with devotees.

---------------------------------------------------

Commander, Minister inspect cooperative tasks in
Sagaing Division

Yangon, 27 May - Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of North-West
Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing and Minister for
Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe arrived at the office of
Thiha General Economic Cooperative Syndicate Ltd in
Monywa on 25 May.

They inspected tasks of weaving, the oil mill and the
ice factory under the Cooperative Syndicate Ltd.

Then, the commander and the minister met with
officials of Chindwin Myodaw Credit Cooperative
Society Ltd.

Next, they inspected tasks of Monywa Weaving Training
High School. The commander and the minister saw over
poultry farming tasks of Yanantthit Agriculture and
General Economic Cooperative Ltd in Htanaungwin
village.

On 26 May, the minister, together with Deputy
Commander Brig-Gen Soe Myint and officials, met with
officials of Monywa, Kalay, Mawlaik and Tamu District
Cooperative Departments and cooperative societies at
the city hall in Monywa and gave instructions on
cooperative matters.

Officials reported on their respective sectors.

Then, the minister and party arrived in ChaungU
Township and called on service personnel of Township
Cooperative Department and officials.

In Myinmu, the minister and party inspected the shop
of Phupwintwai Trading Cooperative Ltd and sheep
breeding of Myinmu Township Cooperative Syndicate.

They then proceeded to Sagaing and viewed Fine Arts
Salesroom and Workshop of Emporium Cooperative
Syndicate-1. The minister and party met with staff
officers and chairmen of Sagaing and Shwebo District
Cooperative Departments and Cooperative Societies.

---------------------------------------------------

Greening of Inle Lake coordinated

Yangon, 27 May - A ceremony to put up a billboard to
mark School Enrolment Week for 2002-2003 School Year
was held at the end of Lammadaw Road in Nyaungshwe on
24 May.

Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council,
Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint
arrived at the Guest House in the Inle Lake where
Secretary of Nyaungshwe Township U Tin Aung reported
to him on greening work of Inle Lake, water condition
in the lake and reclamation of fallow and virgin land.

---------------------------------------------------

District Chairman Lt-Col Ye Tun Sein gave a
supplementary report.

The commander attended to the requirements. At 11 am,
he attended a meeting of the supervisory committee for
conservation of forest, water, land and animals in
20-mile area of Inle Lake held at the project office.

The chairmen of township project supervisory
committees and officials reported to the commander on
growing of trees according to project year and
implementation of seven tasks. The meeting concluded
with remarks by the commander.

Then, the commander inspected the meeting hall of
Nyaungshwe Township Peace and Development Council
Office and left instructions.

___________________________

( 6 ) Secretariat Member meets Division, District,
Township USDA executives in Mandalay

Yangon, 27 May - Member of Secretariat of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association Minister for
Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, accompanied by
Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung
and departmental heads, met executives and members of
Mandalay Division, District and Township USDAs at
Mahaaungmye Township USDA Office on 26 May.

Mandalay Division USDA Secretary U Tin Maung Oo and
Mahaaungmye Township USDA Secretary U Than Tun Oo
reported on development tasks being undertaken the
association. The member of Secretariat explained tasks
of the association and training courses and urged them
to strive for emergence of a modern and developed
nation.

Then, the member of Secretariat presented exercise
books for trainees of the courses organized by
Mahaaungmye USDA to Township USDA Secretary U Than Tun
Oo.

Next, the member of Secretariat accepted USDA
membership applications of the township. In the
afternoon, the minister and party met service
personnel of Mandalay Division Internal Revenue
Department. Officials of the departments under the
ministry reported on their respective sectors. The
minister gave necessary instructions.
___________________________

( 7 ) GT Radial tyres sales centre opened

Yangon, 27 May - With the help of the Ministry of
Commerce, a ceremony to open Gajah Tunggal (GT) Radial
Tyres Sales Centre of Tri Star General Trading Co Ltd
was held at the centre at the corner of Baho Road and
Pan Hline Road in Sangyoung Township this morning.

First, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan formally
opened the centre.

Next, Managing Director of the company U Thein Naing
extended greetings.

Then, company Directors U Myo Win and U Hla Naing
presented 232 dozens of exercise books and 34 dozens
of ball-pens for the students of the staff family of
the Ministry of Commerce to the deputy minister, who
spoke words of thanks. The ceremony then came to a
close.

Tri Star General Trading Co Ltd, which is importing a
variety of tyres and alloy wheels from Indonesia and
selling them at reasonable prices, is the sole agent
in Myanmar.

---------------------------------------------------

Cuban Deputy Minister and party arrive

Yangon, 27 May - At the invitation of Deputy Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, a delegation led
by Deputy Minister of Investment and Economic
Cooperation of the Republic of Cuba Mrs Noemi
Benitrezy de Mendoza arrived here by air this morning
to attend the First Working Meeting of the Joint
Government Commission of Myanmar and the Republic of
Cuba.

The Cuban Deputy Minister and party were welcomed at
Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister U Khin
Maung Win and officials from the ministry.

The Cuban Deputy Minister paid a courtesy call on
Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win at the ministry at 11
am.

After that, the visiting deputy minister and party,
accompanied by Assistant Director Daw Khine Myat Chit
of the Political Department of the ministry, visited
the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of
Hanthawady and Kyundaw streets in Kamayut Township at
3 pm. In-charge of the museum Police Lt-Col Se Maung
briefed the delegation on drugs elimination tasks
being undertaken in Myanmar.

The delegation then looked around the museum and
signed in the visitors' book. They also visited the
Shwedagon Pagoda where officials conducted them round
there and they signed in the visitors' book. At night,
Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win hosted a dinner in
honour of the visiting delegation at Traders' Hotel.

---------------------------------------------------

MNWCWA holds coord meeting

Yangon, 27 May - A work coordination meeting of
Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs
(1/2002) was held at International Business Centre on
Pyay Road here this afternoon.

Chairman of MNWCWA Deputy Minister for Social Welfare
U Hlaing Win made a speech on the occasion.

Then, Prof Dr Daw May May Yi reported to the chairman
on tasks of the work committee and the blueprint of
the work committee for observance of Myanmar Women's
Day, and Secretary of MNWCWA Director-General of the
Social Welfare Department U Sit Myaing on progress of
work being undertaken.

Next, heads of working groups also presented their
respective reports Prof Dr Daw Khin Aye Win on
education; Dr Moe Moe Khine on health; Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe on prevention of violence against women and
rehabilitation; Daw Sein Sein on economy; Daw Thein
Thein Nyunt on culture; Daw Khin Myo Myint on girls
and adults; Daw Yin Yin Lay on preservation of the
environs; Daw Mya Mya on information; and Secretary
Daw Khin Htar May, on behalf of the head of the
working group, on international relations.

Afterwards, reports were discussed and approved and
then the meeting concluded with remarks by the
chairman.

___________________________

( 8 ) WTO Valuation Agreement Workshop opens

Yangon, 27 May - A ceremony to open the third WTO
Valuation Agreement Workshop for Private Sector
jointly sponsored by Union of Myanmar Federation of
Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Customs
Department was held at UMFCCI here this morning.

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Director-General Col Khin Maung Lin and President U
Win Myint spoke on the occasion.

Later, a ceremony to explain ASEAN Integration System
of Preferences-AISP took place. Director-General U
Maung Maung Yi of National AFTA Unit gave an account
of conditions for export to be extended by AISP,
Deputy Director-General Thiha Thura U Thein Tun Tin of
Customs Department opportunities from AISP and Deputy
Director U Aung Soe of Directorate of Trade effective
use of Form D.

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CSSTB meets

Yangon, 27 May - The Civil Service Selection and
Training Board held its first four-monthly meeting at
the six-storey building on Strand Road at 10 am today.
Present were CSSTB Chairman Dr Than Nyun, members U
Nyunt Swe, U Aung Myint, U Hla Myint Oo and U Kaung
Nyunt, directors-general of the departments and
rectors of the universities under the board.

At the meeting, tasks implemented in the first
four-month period and tasks to be carried out for the
next period were discussed.

___________________________

( 9 ) Acid, heroin refining camps in Kutkai Township
raided

Yangon, 27 May - The Government, designating the drug
elimination tasks as a national duty, has drawn a
15-year plan to eliminate drugs and has been
implementing the plan since 1999-2000. Cooperation
have been made with neighbouring countries and
information have been exchanged with them for drug
preventive measures.

Plans have been drawn and implemented with added
momentum in the country. In doing so, a combined team
comprising members of local intelligence unit, Myanmar
Police Force and Tatmadaw columns, acting on
information, cleared the estimated point (O-904413)
near Hophyet Village in Kutkai Township, Shan State
(North) on 25 May 2002. A culprit was captured dead
during the raid of an acid refining camp.

The combined force seized 640 gallons of spirit in 16
barrels, 120 gallons of kerosene in three barrels, 312
gallons of ether in 78 4-gallon containers, 38 glass
jars and 18 kerosene stoves.

Then, the combined team cleared the estimated point
(O-889422). They encountered an armed group comprising
about ten members and opened fire. The combined team
seized a heroin refining camp with two heroin refining
huts, two drugs-stores, two huts for filtering opium
and a hut.

Two armed group members were shot dead together with
one M-23 Chinese-made machine gun, four small arms and
201 rounds of ammunition, 75 kilos of heroin (grade-3)
in 75 packets, 27 kilos of morphine (grade-2) in 27
packets, three kilos of a morphine block, 60 gallons
of spirit in two barrels, 250 gallons of ether in 50
5-gallon containers, 8 gallons of acetic anhydrite in
two 4-gallon containers, 50 gallons of chloroform in
one barrel, 300 kilos of ammonium hydroxide, 12 bags
of quicklime, 100 packets of bone-charcoal, 120
soap-boxes, one 2-KV generator, 2 iron sieves and 49
other drug-related equipment. The police station
concerned opened a file for these seized materials.

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Drug and paraphernalia seized in Mandalayh

Yangon, 27 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unit and Special Anti-drug
Squad, searched a house on 60th street, between 22nd
and 23rd streets, in plot 12 (A), Ahnatetaw Ward,
Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay, on 18 May morning
and arrested drug trafficker Yanshi Chein (a) Win Aung
Than, son of U Chin Pate of No 56, Ward -2,
Aungthabyay Ward, Mohnyin, with 29,800 stimulant
tablets, 294 packets of Khatpone,(kind of opium)
weighing 1.0159 kilos, 480 packets of solid opium
weighing 1.464 kilos, 0.1 gram of heroin, 0.4 litre of
heroin liquid, 41 bottles of Phensedyl and
paraphernalia.

The team also arrested drug users Myo Min Tun (a) Po
Toke, son of U Paw Aung, on 72nd Street, between 31st
and 32nd streets, Yanmyolon Ward, Chanayethazan
Township, Sai Thant Zin (a) Aik Laung, son of U Sai
Aung Kyaw of No (E-14), Shwe Myintha Monastery Road,
Ward-1, Namtu, Soe Myint Aung (a) Aik Yaung, son of U
Yin San of No 272, Ingyin Road, Ward-3, Namtu and Kyaw
Soe, son of U Sein Win of Aung Thabyay Ward, Mohnyin.
Action was taken against them under Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law by the police station
concerned.

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600 kilos of ephedrine powder seized

Yangon, 27 May - A combined team comprising members of
local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-drug
squad, acting on a tip-off, searched a 15 feet long
and 10 feet wide hut in Ward-6, Kyukok Pangsang near
China-Myanmar border and arrested Yansantok, 40, son
of U Yan Ta of Myintan Village, Kyukok Pangsang
Township together with 12 packets of ephedrine powder
weighing 600 kilos on 11 May. Action is being taken
against him under section 15/16 (B) of the Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the police
station concerned.

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Drug traffickers sentenced

Yangon, 27 May - A combined team comprising members of
local intelligence unit, Criminal Investigation
Department (CID) and Yangon Special Anti-drug Squad,
acting on information, searched Maung Maung Oo (a)
Achauk at bus-stop at the corner of Hlawga Road and
Nawaday Road, Dagon Myothit (South) Township on 29
November 2001 and seized 4.9 gm of heroin. In
connection with the case, Dagon Myothit (South)
Township Police Station filed Maung Maung Oo (a)
Achauk, 29, son of U Mya Maung of No 380, Tatphwet
Road, Ward-1, Thakayta Township and Khin Maung Tint
(a) Shaphe, another drug trafficker, 25, son of U Ko
Ko Naing of No 418 (A), Aungchantha 5th street,
Ward-70, Dagon Myothit (South) Township under section
15/19 (A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Law. On 30 April 2002, Yangon East District
Court handed down 20 years' imprisonment each on them
under section 19 (A)/21.

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