The New Light of Myanmar ( Sunday, March 26, 2000 )

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Myanmar Information - http://www.myanmar.com/

The New Light of Myanmar ( Sunday, March 26, 2000 )
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1. Pantanaw Bridge commissioned into service in Ayeyawady Division  
2. Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre in BEHS in 
Pantanaw  
3. Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control reviews anti-narcotic measures   
4. Representatives of ASEAN, Dialogue Partners leave
5 Roads and bridges open in Lashio  
6. Minister meets President of Choon Tae  
7. Minister for Information meets IPRD staff from border areas 
8. U Phone Myiint accredited to Portugal  
9. 4.12 kilos of heroin seized in Lashio  
10. 8 Singaing Township NLD members resigned of own accord  

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(1) Balanced and equitable development further strengthens bond of the Union 
Pantanaw Bridge commissioned into service in Ayeyawady Division 

YANGON, 25 March - Pantanaw Bridge was commissioned into service in Pantanaw 
Township, Maubin District, Ayeyawady Division, today with an address by 
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. 

Then, the Secretary- 1 attended the ceremony to commission into service 
Pantanaw Bridge which links Pantanaw and Kazinngu Village-tract in Pantanaw 
Township. 

The Secretary-l said that Ngwehsaung Beach Resort was opened early March, and 
Pantanaw Bridge which will make for development of Ayeyawady Division, would 
be opened. They are fruits which have been brought forth out of goodwill born 
by the Government towards the people of Ayeyawady Division. 

As known to all, the State Peace and Development Council is making all about 
efforts in political, economic and social sectors to 5 enable the nation to 
keep abreast of other nations, to I uplift the prestige and integrity of the 
nation and to perpetuate sovereignty of the nation. 

Prosperity of economic life and improvement of social conditions of all the 
citizens are very important for development of the Union of Myanmar, and so 
is balanced and equitable progress of all parts of the Union. 

So, the State Peace and Development Council is systematically implementing 
road and bridge projects with a view to ensuring se- cure and smooth 
transport, the fundamental requirement for balanced and equitable progress of 
all states and divisions of the nation. Road and bridge projects which are of 
strategic importance, are being implemented with the aim of contributing 
towards prosperity of economic- life and improvement of social conditions of 
local people. In all the states and divisions, roads and bridges linking 
towns and cities, are being built, and highways and big bridges connecting 
states and divisions are also being constructed. As regards construction of a 
network of roads which provides easy and smooth transport in the entire 
Union, big bridges are now being built across the rivers and creeks. 
Previously, it was difficult to build bridges on account of construction 
cost. 

For instance, in Rakhine State, roads and bridges have been constructed to 
link cities and towns, and Gwa Ngathaingctaung Road, Taungup-Pyay Road and An 
-Minbu Road also built as exits of Rakhine State. Ayeyawady River Crossing 
Nawade Bridge has been constructed and Ayeyawady River Crossing Bridge 
(Magway) is under construction. 

Similarly, for the development of the regions on the western bank of 
Ayeyawady River, Pathein-Monywa road has been built, and Hsinphyushin Bridge 
and Anawrahta Bridge linking the eastern part and the western part of 
Ayeyawady, has been and is being constructed. 

In upper Myanmar, for the development of villages on the eastern bank of 
Ayeyawady River, Mandalay-Thabeikkyin-Tagaung -KathaBhamo Road is being 
built, and Bala Minhtin Bridge across Ayeyawady River near Myitkyina has been 
built. 

Likewise, for the development of the eastern part of Thanlwin River in Shan 
State, Tahsan Bridge and Tar-kawek Bridge have been constructed. 

With the aim of linking Mon State, Kayin State and Taninthayi Division, 
Hpa-an Bridge across Thanlwin River, Zathabyin Bridge across Gyaing River and 
Kawkareik Bridge across Gyaing River have been built and the road stretching 
from Taninthayi Division to Mawlamyine in Mon State, has been upgraded. In 
addition, the hitherto longest bridge linking Mawlamyine and Mottama is in 
the course of construction. 

In Ayeyawady Division which is teeming with rivers and creeks, roads and 
bridges have been built to ensure easy access to other states and divisions, 
and in Ayeyawady Division, there are altogether 29 bridges including Bo Myat 
Tun Bridge across Ayeyawady River .

Include in these 29 bridges are Maubin Bridge across Ayeyawady River, Nagawun 
River Bridge in Yekyi Township and Myaungmya River Bridge which are over 
1,000 feet long.

Gonnyindan River Bridge on Kyaiklat-Pyapon Road and Ayeyawady River ( Dedaye) 
Bridge on Kungyangon-Dedaye -Pyapon Road, which are under construction, will 
contribute much towards development of Ayeyawady Division.

Pantanaw Bridge to be opened today, linking Pathein-Yangon Highway and 
Pantanaw, will help develop Pantanaw in parallel with development of 
Ayeyawady Division. 

As Pantanaw Bridge has been constructed, travelling can be made from Pantanaw 
to Pathein and Yangon either by day or by night, and administration and 
economic and social affairs will become smooth. Pantanaw Bridge will surely 
make for the development of Pantanaw Township. 

Local people are to use Pantanaw Bridge in a beneficial way with the aim of 
developing Pantanaw Township. 

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said that in accord with the guidance 
of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, roads and bridges are being built 
in the State. In Ayeyawady Division, new tarred roads stretching 400 miles in 
all , new gravel roads stretching 600 miles in all and new earthen roads 
stretching 300 miles in all have been constructed. 

He added that there are 92,259 acres of wetlands in Pantanaw Township, and 10 
entrepreneurs are engaged in reclaiming 65,752 acres of these wetlands. He 
stated that due to construction of roads and bridges, travelling can be made 
easily and smoothly from Pantanaw to Pathein through Kyaunggon, from Pantanaw 
to Einme-Dhaka-Pathein, from Pantanaw to Labutta through Einme-Myaungmya, 
from Pantanaw to Shwelaung and Wakhema, from Pantanaw to Mingaru and Danubyu 
and from Pantanaw to Nyaungdon and Maubin. 

Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun said it is an auspicious day for 
opening of Pantanaw Bridge hailing the 55th Anniversary Armed Forces Day. 

The reinforced concrete bridge built across Pantanaw River lies at 51 st mile 
post on Yangon-Pathein Road and links Bayintnaung Road in downtown Pantanaw. 
People can now travel from Pantanaw to Yangon and Pathein any time and 
economic and social development will be made and regional products can be 
transported easily, he said. 

The minister said construction of roads and bridges is for equitable 
development in states and divisions including border areas and national 
solidarity. He called for boosting production of agricultural, livestock 
breeding and marine products. 

Next, member of Pantanaw Township Union Solidarity and Development 
Association Daw Cho Cho Myint spoke words of thanks. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun 
presented gifts to the Secretary-l and Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann. The 
Secretary-l presented gift to Deputy Superintending Engineer of Pantanaw 
Bridge Project U Htay Myint. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Minister 
Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened the bridge. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally 
unveiled the stone plaque. Next, the Secretary-l, the commander, the 
ministers, the deputy ministers and guests inspected the bridge. 

The Pantanaw bridge, 420 foot long and 24 feet wide, was built from 51 st 
mile post on Yangon-Pathein Road to Bayintnaung Road in downtown Pantanaw and 
it has six-foot walkways on both sides. Clearance of the bridge is 46 feet 
wide and 19 feet high and it can bear 60 ton-loads. Construction began on1  
April 1999 and was completed on 19 March 2000.
___________________________

(2)    Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre in BEHS in 
Pantanaw 

YANGON, 25 March- Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the 
State Peace and Development Council Lt--Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by member 
of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Ayeyawady Division 
Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, ministers, 
deputy ministers, senior military officers  the Ministry of Defence and 
officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Basic 
Education High School in Pantanaw Township this morning. 

The Secretary- I and party were welcomed by the headmistress, teachers, 
members e of the School Board of Trustees and students.  Headmistress Daw Mya 
Kyi and Chairman-of the School Board of Trustees U Soe Thein formally opened 
the multimedia teaching centre of BEHS in Pantanaw. The Secretary-l then 
formally unveiled the signboard of of the centre. 

The Secretary-1 inspected the computer application and E-mail room, the 
computerized instruction room, the language lab, the electronic media room, 
the visual presenter room, the printed media room (reading corner), the 
domestic science room, the painting room and the music room, and observed the 
skill demonstration of the students. 

Headmistress Daw Mya Kyi and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Soe 
Thein reported on efforts for the opening of the centre. 

On behalf of well -wishers where U Mahn Maung Maung Nyan and U Kyin Nyein 
presented K 2 million donated by 40 well-wishers to Deputy Director-General 
of No 1 Basic Education Department U C Thang Za Tuan. The Secretary-1 
presented video tapes to Headmistress Daw Mya Kyi.

The Secretary-l said it was a significant day for the opening of multimedia 
teaching centre and it was held in conjunction with the inauguration of 
Pantanaw Bridge. Achievements have been made in implementation of education 
promotion programmes laid down by the State due to the concerted efforts of 
regional authorities, members of school board of trustees, townselders and 
teachers, he said. 

He said Pantanaw was a town that produced outstanding and brilliant persons 
and urged officials including people, members of the school board of trustees 
and teachers to make efforts for turning out bri11iant persons who would 
serve the interest of the country in accord with the good traditions. 

The Secretary- 1 had photo taken together with the teachers, members of the 
school board of trustees and students. 

The Secretary-l and party went to construction site of Bodi sluice gate in 
Pantanaw. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann reported on construction of the 
sluice gate for wetlands in Ayeyawady Division and Director (Construction-6) 
of Irrigation Department U Khin Zaw on construction of Bodi sluice gate. 

The Secretary- 1 then gave instructions. Bodi-sluice gate was constructed 
with the aim of boosting production of summer and monsoon paddy. in rainy 
season, Bodi: sluice gate prevents flowing water from the river and it serves 
as an outlet at the end of the rainy season. The Secretary-l and party 
arrived back here by helicopter this afternoon.
____________________

(3) Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control reviews anti-narcotic measures 

YANGON, 25 March-The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held meeting NO 
1/2000 at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon, 
with an address by Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin 
Hlaing. 

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Col Tin Hlaing said working groups of 
CCDAC are to report on implementation of the previous meeting's decisions. 
The meeting was to review accomplishment achieved during the first-five year 
project covered by the 15year narcotic drugs eradication programme. 

He added drugs prevention groups were to cooperate with teachers of 
respective schools in eradication of stimulant tablets. He stressed the need 
to keep students away from the danger of stimulants. Regarding demand 
reduction, the short story, article, song, poem, cartoon, painting, poster 
and sculpture competitions and the State-level narcotic drugs educative 
exhibitions are annually held to march the International Day Against Drug 
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which falls on 26 June.

In conclusion, the Minister urged them to review their performance in the 
tasks and take remedial measures. Secretary of CCDAC Police Maj-Gen Soe Win 
and officials reported on implementation of the previous meeting's 
resolutions and tasks being carried out. Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and 
those present gave suggestions. The meeting ended with the remarks by 
Minister Col Tin Hlaing.
___________________________

(4) Representatives of ASEAN, Dialogue Partners leave

YANGON, 25 March ? Two representatives led by Director Mr Robert R Teh Jr of 
the ASEAN Secretariat, two representatives led by Deputy Chief of Executive 
Officer of the Trade Development Board of Singapore Mr David Chin Soon Siong, 
five representatives led by Deputy Director-General Mr 

Park Yong-kuk of the Regional Trade Bureau of the Ministry of External 
Affairs and Trade of Republic of Korea and two representatives of the 
Japanese International Trade and Industry and Economic Cooperation Department 
left here by air this morning and this evening after attending the 
preparatory meeting of ASEAN Trade Ministers and Economic Ministers held in 
Hotel Equatorial on 24 March. 

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by officials of Ministry 
of National Planning and Economic Development and National AFTA Unit. 

Director-General of the Japanese International Trade and Industry and 
Economic Cooperation Department Mr Norio Terada and Director Mr Yoshihiro 
Otsuji left here by air yesterday evening.
___________________________

(5)Roads and bridges open in Lashio 

YANGON, 2S March-As a gesture hariling the 55th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, 
a ceremony to put back Nguwa Road into service was held in No 5 Ward, Lashio. 

It was attended by Deputy Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen San Thein 
Secretary of Shan State Peace and Development Council' Lt-Col Win Han and 
members, commanding officers of regiments and units and towns people. The 
deputy commander, the deputy director of State Development Affairs Department 
and a member of the road construction committee formally opened the road. 
Then, they inspected the road. 

Afterwards, the deputy commander and party attended the ceremony of 
commission into service Nyein Chan Ye Bridge held at Awayya Road, No 12 Ward. 
The deputy commander and members of Bridge Constructing Committee cut ribbon 
to open the bridge.
___________________________

(6) Minister meets President of Choon Tae  

YANGON, 25 March-Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin met President of 
Choon Tae Ven Wonn Duk and party from Republic of Korea at his office this 
morning. Present also were Director general of Religious Affairs Department 
Dr Myo Myint, Director of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the 
Sasana Daw Khin Nwe Han Kyi and Head of Office U Maung Maung Myint. 

Then, Ven Wonn Duk computers to Minister U Aung Khin for State Pariyatti 
Sasana Tekkathos (Yangon and Mandalay). Minister U Aung Khin accepted the 
donations and presented certificate of honour to the donor. 
___________________________

(7) Minister for Information meets IPRD staff from border areas

 YANGON, 25 March? Seven staff of Putao, Machambaw and Nagmon Offices of 
Information and Public Relations Department in Putao District, Kachin State, 
paid a courtesy call on Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung at Myanma 
Radio and Television this evening. 

They are here on an excursion tour at the invitation of the minister. Present 
on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Director General of 
MRTV U Khin Maung Htay, Director-General of IPRD U Chit Naing and officials. 

On the occasion, the minister acknowledged the role of IPRD staff in regional 
development tasks. He discussed staff welfare, disseminating of knowledge 
gained from the excursion tour to local people, and taping and recording 
programmes for national races at MRTV He also gave instructions on the 
reports on those works presented by officials concerned.  The minister 
together with the staff had photos taken. 
___________________________

(8) U Phone Myiint accredited to Portugal 

YANGON, 26 March? The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of 
the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Phone Myiint, Ambassador Extraordinary 
and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Italy, 
concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union, of 
Myanmar to the Republic of Portugal.

YANGON, 26 March? The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of 
the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Phone Myiint, Ambassador Extraordinary 
and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Italy, 
concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union, of 
Myanmar to the Republic of Portugal.
___________________________

(9) 4.12 kilos of heroin seized in Lashio 

YANGON, 25 March?A combined team comprising members of local intelligence 
unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, waiting near the house, 
No 1 Region, No 5 Ward, Lashio, Northern Shan State, seized Ma Bauk Gya, 
daughter of U Shan Kham, Lwetauk Village, Hsenwi Township and Ma Mar Ywe, 
daughter of U Yin Chan, Shwesein Street, No 3 Region, No 7 Ward, Lashio, 
together with 4.12 kilos of heroin on 17 March. 

Action is being taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic 
Substances Law. 
___________________________

(10) 8 Singaing Township NLD members resigned of own accord 

YANGON, 25 March-Eight members resigned from the National League for 
Democracy of Singaing Township, Mandalay Division. Eight members of Singaing 
Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending 
letters of resignation to Singaing Township Multiparty Democracy General 
Election Sub-commission Office and the party concerned on 1 December 1999 as 
they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
___________________________

WEATHER

Maximum temperature on 24-3-2000 was 37.0°C (99°F)
Minimum temperature on 25-3-2000 was 23.0 °C (73°F) 

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