[myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, May 22, 2003)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, May 22, 2003)
------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior

   General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador

   of Czech Republic
2. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior

   General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador

   of Kingdom of Spain
3. MOFA issues Press Release on elimination of 
   stimulant tablets
4. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects Yangon-Pyay, 
   Yangon-Sittway roads
5. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than attends opening of Paungtok 
   Bridge in Rakhine State
6. National Convention Convening Commission meets
7. Supervisory Committee for Use of Electricity and 
   Fuel meets
8. USDA Secretariat Member tours Sagaing Division
9. Minister inspects filling station
10. Myanma Insurance holds coordination meeting
11. Social welfare tasks inspected
12. Experience on 6th EAPMCC recounted
13. Time bombs kill four in Tachilek
14. Heavy rain causes floods in Nganzun Township
15. Commander-in-Chief (Air) receives Chief of Royal 
    Malaysian Air Force
16. Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force arrives
17. 15th ASEAN STOM concluded
18. Minister receives Czech ambassador
19. SARS prevention tasks carried out in Mandalay 
    Division
20. SARS surveillance tasks carried out in Tachilek
21. Chinese Wushu coaches arrive
22. Marijuana seized

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

1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior
General 
   Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of
Czech Republic
 

YANGON, 21 May - HE Mr Jiri Sitler, newly accredited
Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Union of
Myanmar, presented his credentials to Senior General
Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council of the Union of Myanmar, at Zeyathiri Beikman,
Konmyinttha here at 10 am today.

Also present on the occasion were State Peace and
Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt,
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy
Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U
Aung Htet of the Protocol Department.

---------

2. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior
General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of
Kingdom of Spain
 

YANGON, 21 May - HE Mr Jose Eugenio Salarich Fernandez
de Valderrama, newly accredited Ambassador of the
Kingdom of Spain to the Union of Myanmar, presented
his credentials to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman
of the State Peace and Development Council of the
Union of Myanmar, at Zeyathiri Beikman, Konmyinttha
here at 10.30 am today.

Also present on the occasion were State Peace and
Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt,
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy
Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U
Aung Htet of the Protocol Department.

---------

3.MOFA issues Press Release on elimination of
stimulant tablets

YANGON, 21 May - Following is the Press Release on
efforts for elimination of stimulant tablets being
under taken by the Government of the Union of Myanmar
dated 22 May 2003 issued by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.

Press Release

Production and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs
bring about crimes and undesirable activities like
money laundering and deterioration of the moral fibre
of people. Drug issue is a major socio-economic
challenge to mankind. As it is a threat to mankind the
Government of the Union of Myanmar has always held
antinarcotics measures as a national endeavour. In so
doing, Myanmar has always contributed unstintingly to
the fight against narcotic drugs and Myanmar has made
great sacrifices in life and limb.

The Government of the Union of Myanmar has been making
relentless efforts for eradication of poppy
cultivation and production and use of drugs and the
national races leaders participate in the drive. As a
result, progress has been made in implementing the
15-year drug elimination plan. At the same time, the
government has laid down the New Destiny Project and
is implementing it to accelerate the momentum of the
15-year drug elimination plan. Meanwhile, the entire
national people residing in border areas are
cooperating with the government in the project.

Remarkable progress has been made in Myanmar's
cooperation with neighbouring countries in the fight
against drugs. Achievements have been recorded in
exchange of information and seizures of drugs suspects
between Myanmar and China. Similarly, progress has
been made in Myanmar's cooperation with Thailand.

While the issue of the illicit production and
trafficking of heroin is being tackled, a synthetic
drug in the name of methamphetamine has forced its way
into the regional drug scene. This drug surfaced in
Myanmar just a few years ago. Anti-narcotic officials
of Myanmar are cooperating with the countries of the
region and organizations that have more experience and
expertise for the control of this drug.

Production of stimulant tablets has nothing to do with
opium cultivation. Chemical precursors needed for
producing stimulant tablets used in the production of
the synthetic drugs are neither produced nor imported
by Myanmar. They illicitly flow into the remote areas
of Myanmar from neighbouring countries.

Myanmar laid down a project against the danger of
amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) precusor drugs in
February 2003. The aftermath of the project is to
totally wipe out the production, trafficking, trading
and using of stimulant tablets in Myanmar. There are
five categories to implement it i.e. taking action
against production, using and trafficking,
international cooperation and to implement the 15-year
drug elimination plan. The 15-year drug elimination
plan has three phases. The first five year plan
started from 1999-2000 to 2003-2004, second five year
plan from 2004-2005 to 2008-2009 and third five year
plan from 2009-2010 to 2013-2014.

Since 1999 Myanmar authorities have seized sizable
quantities of chemicals, illicitly brought into the
remote border areas. Over 6.5 tons of ephedrine was
seized in 1999; 2.6 tons in 2000; 3.9 tons in 2001 and
1.7 tons in 2002. Over 58,000 litres of Chemical
precursors were seized in 1999; 89,000 litres in 2000;
159,000 litres in 2001 and 29,000 litres in 2002. Over
28.89 million stimulant tablets were seized in 1999;
26.76 million in 2000; 32.43 million in 2001 and 9.399
million in 2002. Every year seizures increased in
number but they decreased in 2002 because of tight
security in the border areas.

All neighbouring countries should make efforts for the
control of precursor chemicals in order to eliminate
this synthetic drug menace. Myanmar hosted a meeting
on control of precursors in January 2003 in
cooperation with China, India and UNODC. The meeting
discussed difficulties faced in Myanmar, exchange of
information and technical assistance. A seminar on
control of chemical precursors between law enforcement
officers of Myanmar and India was held in Moreh under
the sponsorship of UNODC at the end of March.
Information is being exchanged between Myanmar and
Thailand at basic and central level transborder
meeting and cooperation is being enhanced by the
opening of border liaison offices.

The suppression of the danger of stimulant tables will
only succeed through cooperation with neighbouring
countries. Hence, prevention of the inflow of chemical
precursors required in making stimulant tablets and
prevention of the smuggling the stimulant tablets out
of the country will be carried out in tandem.

---------

4. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects Yangon-Pyay, 
   Yangon-Sittway roads

YANGON, 21 May - Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the
Ministry of Defence, accompanied by officials, left
here by car on 19 May morning and arrived at
Meeninchaung Bridge at the border of Yangon Division
and Bago Division (West) at noon. They were welcomed
there by Chairman of Bago Division (West) Peace and
Development Council Col Tin Maung Win and local
authorities.


Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected
Yangon-Pyay road and thriving summer paddy fields by
car. On 20 May, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than attended the
ceremony to inaugurate Paungtok Bridge in MraukU
Township.

Then, he met with officers and other ranks of local
battalions and units and their families at the hall of
MraukU Station. Afterwards, he inspected
Yangon-Sittway road by car and construction of gravel
road section at 37/0 mile-post. After hearing reports
on work being carried out presented by Chief Engineer
of Public Works U Kyaw Tint, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than
gave instructions on maintenance of the road and
bridges during the rainy season. Then, he arrived back
here via Am today.


---------

5. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than attends opening of Paungtok
Bridge 
   in Rakhine State

With better transportation, trade and manufacturing
industries     can be boosted and economic development
of a region achieved

YANGON, 21 May - A ceremony to open Paungtok bridge,
built by the Bridge Construction Project Special
Group-10 of Public Works, Ministry of Construction, on
Yangon-Sittway Highway in MraukU Township, Rakhine
State, was held yesterday morning. Member of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than
of Ministry of Defence attended the ceremony and made
a speech.

Also present were Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and
Development Council Commander of Western Command
Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen
Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein,
Brig-Gen Myint Aung of Kyauktaw Station, officials of
the State Peace and Development Council Office,
departmental heads, local authorities, members of the
Union Solidarity and Development Association, War
Veterans Organization, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire
Brigade, Rakhine traditional cultural troupe, band
troupe, pom pom troupe, students and local people
totalling over 8500.

In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said that with
the aim of promoting the momentum of development in
Rakhine State, the Government is paying serious
attention to building roads and bridges which are the
basic requirements for development. Bridges with the
length of 180 feet and above have been built in the
state and the newly opened Paungtok Bridge is the 25th
facility. Roads and bridges being built in both the
southern and the northern part in Rakhine State are
the proof of the goodwill of the State towards local
people in Rakhine State.

The State Peace and Development Council, assessing the
needs of the respective regions, is building
infrastructures wherever necessary for equitable
development of every part of the Union.

Emphasis is being laid especially on building
infrastructures for development of regions which
lagged behind in development in the successive eras
due to various reasons.

Transportation is the most basic and important
requirement for development of a region. With better
transportation, trade and manufacturing industries can
be boosted and economic development of a region
achieved. At the same time, education, health and
social conditions will improve. Together with material
development, there will be increased contacts and
exchange of views and knowledge among the national
races. Moreover, friendship and spirit of helping one
another will develop. As a result, national unity will
be strengthened and Union Spirit flourish. Therefore,
the Government is giving top priority to ensuring
better transport in all states and divisions across
the Union.

In accord with the guidance of Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Senior General Than
Shwe, the Yangon-Sittway Highway has been built. A
total of K 9,500 million was spent on the construction
of over 200 miles of roads in Rakhine State, 10 major
bridges and over 800 small and medium bridges. Due to
the united efforts of the Government, the people and
the Tatmadaw, the new Yangon-Sittway Union Highway
became a dream come true. The Sittway-An motor road
and the Pathein-Monywa Union Highway now enable the
people to travel up to Magway, Sagaing, Bago and
Ayeyawady Divisions.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance
on the speedy construction of a ring road around the
state to connect the northern and the southern parts
of Rakhine State with An at the centre and to connect
Kyaukpyu and Yanbye to the Taungup Pass. Therefore,
the Yangon-Kyaukpyu Union Highway is being implemented
in earnest.

Rakhine State, being a coastal region, is teeming with
many rivers, creeks and lakes. Therefore,
construc-tion of roads and bridges entails
difficulties and costs a lot of money.

On completion of these roads and bridges, the people
in Rakhine State who had to rely on air and water
transports can travel from one region to another in
the state or to other states and divisions by land. As
Rakhine State is rich in land and water resources, the
better the transportation becomes, the more developed
it will become year after year.

In conclusion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than urged the people
of Rakhine State to contribute to development and
perpetuation of the Union of Myanmar based on Union
Spirit.

Then, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, in
his explanation on the construction of the Paungtok
Bridge, said that the State Peace and Development
Council is assiduous in its efforts to make the State
stand proud and tall among the world nations so that
the country will not be left far behind in
development. In shouldering this responsibility, the
"Our Three Main National Causes" is always regarded as
an inborn duty because it is a necessity for entire
nationals.

When it comes to building a peaceful, modern,
developed nation, it is necessary to cement the
national consolidation and ensure the enforcement of
law and order. Only when there is an equilibrium in
political and economic development undertakings, can
tasks for economic growth and regional development be
carried out with added momentum with the strength of
national consolidation. In other words, smooth and
secure transport system, the basic factor for regional
development of rural and urban areas, is needed for
warm relationship and friendship to be fostered among
national races. Therefore, a network of roads were
constructed in the country in line with the guidance
of the Head of State. River-crossing bridges were also
built wherever necessary. A total of 155 bridges of
180 feet and above have been completed since 1988. In
Rakhine State, there are 25 bridges. No foreign
assistance was sought in building these bridges. They
were built on a self-reliance basis, without
considering whether it is economically profitable.
Bridges were constructed not only for immediate
benefit but also for the welfare of generations to
come.

The Paungtok Bridge was not included in the ten
bridges when Yangon-Sittway Road was opened.
Previously, it was of one-lane bailey type. After
opening Yangon-Sittway Road, the traffic became heavy.
Moreover, erosion made the bole piles of the bridge
weaken. Therefore, it was upgraded into a
concrete-reinforced two-lane bridge, he said.


Speaking on the occasion, Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo
said that the government, without discriminating
states from divisions, had been striving to develop
the nation and narrow the development gap by
implementing development projects in all sectors. As
Rakhine State was a region situated between the Bay of
Bengal and Rakhine mountain range, rivers and creeks
were abundant in the region, it had been difficult of
access from other states and divisions and had relied
mainly on water and air ways. As there had been many
difficulties in transport from the southern part of
the state to the northern part, business to be carried
out in the capital of the state, Sittway had been
delayed and even the resident of the state themselves
had become strangers as a result of less contact
between them. It had been a irresolvable problem of
the successive eras, he said.

Under the guidance of the Head of State Senior General
Than Shwe, Yangon-Sittway Highway project to over-come
the difficulties and barriers was implemented as a
special project in November 1995. In his guidance
concerning the highway, Senior General Than Shwe said
Rakhine State was difficult of access. People of the
state had to rely on waterway as the main transport.
But, communi-cations were often cut off due to the bad
weather and availability of small number of ships.
Airway had been serviceable for the few people. It was
not a means of public transport.

Although Sittway region in Rakhine State was not a
border region, it had been difficult of access.
Transportation routes in the region, in the successive
eras, had not improved due to various reasons.

In the time of the State Peace and Development
Council, efforts are being made to develop respective
regions and narrow the development gap between them.
Therefore, Yangon-Sittway Highway must be built for
the smooth transport between the towns despite the
difficulties posed by numerous mountains, rivers and
creeks in the region.

It is also required to link the southern part of the
state and northern part of the state via An. Only when
Kyaukpyu-Yanbye and southernmost part of the state,
Gwa-Ngathaingyoung road, had been linked via Taungup
mountain pass, the state could be accessable from Bago
Division and Ayeyawady Division. Taungup exit road and
Gwa exit road would become major routes of the state.

Therefore, Yangon-Kyaukphyu Union Highway Project had
been carried out. Yangon-Kyaukphyu road would link
Taungup and Kyaukpyu via Ma-ei. It had 42.4 mile-long
Taungup-Ma-ei road section, 40.7 mile-long Ma-ei-Sane
road section and 34.3 mile-long Ma-ei-Sane-Kyaukpyu
road section totalling 117.6 miles. A total of
fourteen major bridges and 681 small and medium ones
would be built along the road. Lamu Bridge, Kaishe
Bridge, Tanlwe Bridge, Ma-ei Bridge and Kyaukkyipauk
Bridge had been opened and the rest are under
construction.

Economic, social, heallth and education sectors of the
state will develop when transport of the state
improved. It is obvious that the manufacturing and
trade of the state have already propsered.

Irrigation facilities were being constructed to make
significant contribution towards the agricultural
sector, he said. The Hinywet Dam was opened in An
Township in the previous year. Then, the Pyaing Creek
Dam is was under construc-tion to irrigate over 5,000
acres of farmland and to generate 250 kilowatts of
electricity. Plans are under way to imple-ment dam
construction projects including Yan Creek Dam
Construction Project. In conclusion, the commander
called on local people to effectively use the roads,
bridges and irrigation facilities for regional
development and maintain them for durability as they
were constructed at a huge sum of money in Rakhine
State not only for present but for the future.

Afterwards, on behalf of the local people, Rakhine
State USDA Secretary U U Kyaw Yin spoke words of
thanks.


Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Commander Maj-Gen Maung
Oo and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened the
Paungtok Bridge.

Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than unveiled the stone
inscription of the bridge.


The 240-foot-long and 30-foot-wide Paungtoke Bridge is
constructed across the Paungtok Creek in MraukU
Township, Rakhine State, on Yangon-Sittway Highway
linking Paungtok Village and Laungkyet Village. It has
24-foot-wide motorway and 3-foot-wide pedestrian lanes
on either side of the motor way.

It is a reinforced con-crete one with clearance of 48
feet wide and 10 feet high and can withstand 60-ton of
loads.

---------

6. National Convention Convening Commission meets

YANGON, 21 May- The National Convention Convening
Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall of the
NCCC this afternoon. Maj-Gen Sein Htwa presided over
the meeting.

At the meeting, the secretary of NCCC, National
Convention Con-vening Work Committee and National
Convention Convening Management Committee reported on
matters relating to the National Convention. Members
of NCCC took part in the discussions.

The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Maj-Gen
Sein Htwa.

---------

7. Supervisory Committee for Use of Electricity and
Fuel meets

YANGON, 21 May - The Supervisory Committee for Use of
Electricity and Fuel held a work coordination meeting
at the Ministry of Electric Power on Lower Kyimyindine
Road in Ahlon Township here this afternoon.

It was attended by Chairman of the Supervisory
Committee Member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw
Win, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing,
Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, members
of the Supervisory Committee deputy ministers and the
vice-mayor, and departmental officials.

The chairman of the Supervisory Committee delivered a
speech, saying that though measures could be taken for
more supply of electricity to industrial zones, and
efforts were still needed to fulfil the public
consumption of electricity. The chairman of the
supervisory committee then called for ways and means
to generate and distribute more electricity.

Then, Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported on prospects
of increased generation of electricity at
hydro-electric power stations, as well as at natural
gas power stations under repair, and progress in
installing machinery to hydel-power and coal-fired
stations that can generate 335 megawatts in 2003-2004
fiscal year; Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi, on increased
production of natural gas and fuel; Managing Director
of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise Dr San Oo, on
temporary interruption of electricity due to the
shifting of lamp-posts and breaking of underground
cables in expanding roads; and Director of Myanma
Electric Power Enterprise U Myo Naing, on increase in
revenues due to exposing cases on illegal use of
electricity in 2003-2004 financial year.

Then, the chairman made concluding remarks.

---------

8. USDA Secretariat Member tours Sagaing Division

YANGON, 21 May - Secretariat Member of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association Brig-Gen Kyaw
Hsan met with executives of Sagaing Division, Monywa
District and Township USDAs and organizers of Ward
USDAs at Division USDA Office in Monywa on 18 May
afternoon.

At the meeting, the secretariat member called on the
USDA members to participate in nation-build tasks, to
organize people in carrying out the five rural
development tasks, and in combating the danger of
internal and external destructive elements, and gave
instruction on active participation of the USDA
members in carrying out tasks in the interests of the
nation through the might of unity.

On 19 May morning, the secretariat member met
townselders and USDA members and organizers at Kyatet
affiliated Basic Education High School in Salingyi
Township and delivered a speech. He then presented
teaching aids of VCDs to the school through the
principal.

Afterwards, the minister attended the ceremonies to
put up Pyi-Khaing-Phyo signboards at Kanni, Panhtoo
and Ngwetha villages in Salingyi Township, and
presented school textbooks, clothes, exercise books
and soap bars to the villages. In the afternoon, the
minister inspected the Ngwetha Dam Construction
Project at the site a half mile from Ngwetha Village
being undertaken by the Construction Group 4 of the
Irrigation Department. Officials reported on salient
points about the project and endeavours being made for
timely completion. The minister gave instructions.
Salingyi Township is a region where water is scarce.
In line with the guidance of Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe, the project is under implementation
targeting to complete it by March 2004. On completion,
it will benefit over 3,000 acres of land, greening of
the region and efficient supply of water.

He then inspected construction of the two-storey
building and arrangements for opening multimedia
teaching rooms for the basic education high school.
The secretariat member attended the ceremony to erect
Pyi-Khaing-Phyo signboard and present USDA membership
applications at Masoeyein Village in Letpadaung and
accepted 720 membership applications. He presented
exercise books, clothes and soap bars to the
villagers. He then accepted K 500,000 for social
organizations of the villages donated by Dr Tha Yin
Myat and family of Ingyin Myaing Street, Thuwunna.

In the evening, the minister visited Salingyi Township
Taungpaw Monastery. He presented offertories to
Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta
Adiccavamsa and supplicated on religious matters.
Next, he met with townselders, departmental heads and
USDA members at the hall of Township USDA.

---------

9. Minister inspects filling station

YANGON, 21 May - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi,
accompanied by officials, arrived at the Storage and
Distribution Department of Myanma Petroleum Products
Enterprise in Kengtung on 19 May afternoon and
inspected storage and distribution of fuel oil there.
At the briefing hall there, the minister met staff of
the enterprise and gave necessary instructions.

Then, the minister visited Filling Station No 0747 and
inspected distribution of fuel. After giving
instructions to the officials, he attended to the
needs.

---------

10. Myanma Insurance holds coordination meeting

YANGON, 21 May - Annual Work Coordination Meeting for
2002-2003 fiscal and work preparation for 2003-2004
fiscal of state/division/district/township offices of
Myanma Insurance (Head Office) of the Ministry of
Finance and Revenue, took place at the meeting hall of
the head office this afternoon.

It was attended by Minister for Finance and Revenue
Maj-Gen Hla Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun,
the Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, Managing
Director U Thein Lwin of Myanma Insurance, and
officials.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister stressed the
needs to further enhance the business in fiscal years
to come by weighing the pros and cons of the 2002-2003
fiscal. 

Then, officials from the head office and branch
offices of states, divisions and districts reported on
matters relating to their tasks. The meeting continues
tomorrow.

---------

11. Social welfare tasks inspected

YANGON, 21 May - Deputy Minister for Social Welfare,
Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win, together with
Officer on Special Duty Brig-Gen Thura Sein Thaung,
arrived at Shwegondaing Child Care Centre of the
Social Welfare Department at Shwegondaing in Bahan
Township this afternoon.

Administrator of the centre Daw Tin Tin Win reported
on nurturing and health care for orphans at the
centre. Then, the deputy minister and party viewed the
orphans.

Then, the deputy minister and party went to
Chan-myay-ein pre-primary school to be opened soon by
the SWD. They inspected computer room, audio room,
play room, and bedrooms there. The deputy minister
gave necessary instructions.

They also inspected the social welfare tasks at No (5)
Pre-primary School in Tamway Township.

---------

12. Experience on 6th EAPMCC recounted

YANGON, 21 May - The experience on the 6th East Asia
and Pacific Ministerial Consultation on Children was
recounted at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief
and Resettlement in Mayangon Township, this morning.

Present were Chairman of National Committee for
Children Rights Minister for SWRR Maj-Gen Sein Htwa,
Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win, Deputy Minister for
Health Prof Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Minister for Education
Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Vice-President of Myanmar
National Committee for Women's Affairs Prof Dr Daw May
May Yi and officials. Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa made
on speech on attending the meeting. Then, Secretary of
Myanmar delegation Director-General of Social Welfare
Department U Sit Myaing and members Director-General
of No (1) Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo and
Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung
recounted experience. After a general round of
discussions, the minister made closing remarks.

---------

13. Time bombs kill four in Tachilek

YANGON, 21 May - In an attempt to disturb peace
prevailing in the State and kill innocent people
without any apparent motives, armed insurgent groups
are committing atrocious acts of brutality like
planting and blowing up mines.

At about 3, 6 and 8 this morning, time bombs, planted
by insurgents at the border, went off at four separate
places in Tachilek, killing four innocent people and
damaging some buildings and two vehicles.

It is reported that armed insurgent groups operating
at the border of the two countries launched these
terrorist attacks on purpose zeroing in on horrifying
the city-dwellers, harming the business transactions
between Myanmar and Thailand and straining relations
between the two countries.

---------

14. Heavy rain causes floods in Nganzun Township

YANGON, 21 May - The young storm taking form in the
East Central Bay of Bengal has crossed the Rakhine
coast near Kyaukphyu, with rain scattering all over
the country on 19 May.

In the evening, the incessant rain raised the amount
of rainfalls up to 5.3 inches in Nganzun Township,
Myingyan District, causing 3 to 4-foot-deep floods in
four wards of Nganzun.

The rain abated yesterday morning, and the flood-hit
areas returned to normal at noon.

State-owned buildings and houses suffered slight
damage and loss due to the floods, which also claimed
two lives and other two persons were reported missing.

Departmental officials were on the scene soon after
the inundation, and rescue operations and health care
services are under way.


---------

15. Commander-in-Chief (Air) receives Chief of Royal
Malaysian
     Air Force
 

YANGON, 21 May - Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat
Hein received visiting Chief of Royal Malaysian Air
Force General Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad and party
at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here this
afternoon.

Also present at the call were Commander of Mingaladon
Air Force Base Brig-Gen Thein Myint, Colonel General
Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw, Colonel General Staff
(Technical) Col Ye Chit Pe and Malaysian Military
Attaché to Myanmar Col Hj Harun Bin Hitam.

---------

16. Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force arrives

YANGON, 21 May - A Malaysian delegation headed by
Chief of Royal Malaysian Air Force General Dato' Seri
Abdullah Bin Ahmad arrived here by air on a goodwill
visit this morning.

The delegation was welcomed at Yangon International
Airport by Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein,
Commander of Mingaladon Air Force Base Brig-Gen Thein
Myint, Colonel General Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw and
senior military officers and Malaysian Military
Attaché to Myanmar Col Hj Harun Bin Hitam. At the
airport Maj-Gen Myat Hein and General Dato' Seri
Abdullah Bin Ahmad took salute of the Guard of Honour.

Next, the delegation paid a visit to the Memorial to
Fallen Heroes on Arzani Road in Bahan township at 3.00
pm.

Chairman of Maintenance Sub-committee for Memorial to
Fallen Heroes No 2 Military Region Commander Defence
Services Records Office Commandant Brig-Gen Myo Myint
and officials welcomed the delegation there.

General Dato' Seri Abdullah Bin Ahmad and party paid
tribute to the fallen heroes, laid a wreath and signed
in the visitors' book. They then left the memorial. At
6.30 pm Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein
hosted a dinner in honour of the goodwill delegation
at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel.

Also present at the dinner were Commander-in-Chief
(Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Navy)
Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Vice Chief of Armed Forces
Training Maj-Gen Win Myint and senior military
officers, Malaysian Ambassador Dato Cheah Sam Kip and
Military Attaché Col Hj Harun Bin Hitam. Before the
dinner, Maj-Gen Myat Hein and General Dato' Seri
Abdullah Bin Ahmad exchanged souvenirs and then dinner
was hosted to those present.

---------

17. 15th ASEAN STOM concluded

YANGON, 21 May - The second and final day of the 15th
ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Meeting, hosted by
Myanmar, continued at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda
Road, here this morning and successfully ended in the
evening.

Present on the occasion were senior officials and
representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam, and officials from the ASEAN
Secretariat. Leader of Myanmar delegation
Director-General of Directorate of Transport Col Nyan
Tun Aung presided over the meeting together with
co-chairman Leader of Cambodia delegation
Director-General of Public Works Mr Chinn Kong Hean.

At the meeting, ASEAN senior transport officials and
representatives, officials from the ASEAN Secretariat
discussed matters on ASEAN transport infrastructures,
the ASEAN highway network project, the
Singapore-Kunming railway project and transport and
safety of ASEAN Transport Cooperation Agreement,
alternate chairmanship and others. Decisions were made
upon the reports of the meeting. The meeting
successfully ended in the evening.

---------

18. Minister receives Czech ambassador

YANGON, 21 May - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi
Sone received Ambassador of the Czech Republic Mr Jiri
Sitler and party at his office on Strand Road, here
this afternoon.

Also present on the occasion were Director-General of
Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of
Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director
of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung
and officials

---------

19. SARS prevention tasks carried out in Mandalay
Division

YANGON, 21 May - Though there is no outbreak of SARS
in Myanmar, systematic SARS prevention, surveillance
and educative tasks are being carried out under the
guidance of the Head of State all over the country. 

Having drawn special projects and formed committees at
different levels as of 20 March 2003, comprehensive
measures for surveillance, information gathering,
prevention and public education, increasing the number
of laboratories and treatment of the disease have been
taken in Mandalay Division since 21 March this year.

The surveillance tasks of the disease have been
carried out on foreign tourists at Mandalay
International Airport, 24th mile checkpoint on
Mandalay-PyinOolwin-Muse road and the railway station
daily. On 19 May, health staff led by Specilist Dr Tin
Ko Ko of Mandalay General Hospital and in-charge Dr
Aung Moe Swe of Mandalay International Airport
conducted surveillance tasks on foreign tourists on
their departure from the country.


---------

20. SARS surveillance tasks carried out in Tachilek
 
YANGON, 21 May - Though there is no outbreak of SARS
in Myanmar, systematic SARS prevention and
surveillance tasks are being carried out at terminals
such as international airports and ports and border
gates. Health personnel, members of No 1 Border Area
Immigration Monitoring Company, staff of the
Immigration and Population Department and the Customs
Department, Tatma-dawmen, members of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross
Society, Township Maternal and Child Welfare
Association, Township Women Entrepreneurs Association
and the public have been carried out SARS surveillance
tasks in Tachilek, a town opposite of Maesai in
Thailand.

SARS surveillance records to be filled with the travel
history of each traveller are distributed to those who
enter Tachilek from Maesai.

Then, responsible personnel carried out SARS
surveillance tasks using digital thermometers. Motor
vehicles are also permitted to enter Myanmar only
after sterilizing the wheels. SARS surveillance tasks
are also being carried out in other border regions
such as Tarley and Kyainglat.

SARS surveillance tasks were carried out on over
30,000 Myanmars and Thais and 2,000 foreigners who
passed Tachilek border gate in April. Talks on
prevention of SARS were also held in Tachilek.

---------

21. Chinese Wushu coaches arrive

YANGON, 21 May - Three Chinese Wushu coaches Mr Zhu
Dong, Miss Zhang Jingwem, Miss Li Baoyu will train
Myanmar Wushu players to win medals in the 22nd SEA
Games. On arrival at the airport today, they were
welcomed by Myanmar Wushu Federation President U Khin
Maung Lay and officials. Chinese coach Mr Wang Shiying
will arrive here soon. At present, Chinese coach Mr Xu
Zhou is training selected youth players.

---------

22. Marijuana seized

YANGON, 21 May - A combined team made up of members of
the local intelligence unit, Bago Anti-drug Squad and
local police force, acting on information, on 18 April
searched the house of Myint Zaw of No 12, Mingala
Street, Kalayani Ward, Bago, and seized him together
with one kilo of marijuana buried in the ground.

Bago N0 3 Police Station, in connection with case, is
taking action against Myint Zaw, 47, son of U Ngwe
Khaing, and his wife Ma Arma (a) Ma Soe Soe Win, 43,
daughter of U Ko under sections 15/19(A)/20(A)/21 of
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

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

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


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