The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 18 December, 2001)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Tuesday, 18 December, 2001)(1/2)
-------------------------------
1. Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs holds
   2/2001 meeting
2. - Secretary-1 attends paper reading session and records
     exhibition to mark 60th Anniversary of Myanmar
     Language Department of Yangon University
   - Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of delegates to
     2nd Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference
3. - Minister inspects road and bridge construction in
     Chin State, Sagaing and Magway Divisions
   - Minister inspects Zaungtu, Yenwe Electric Power Plants
   - CPT Minister opens training courses
4. - Internal Revenue Department holds third quarterly
     meeting
   - Minister inspects cultural buildings in Mandalay
5. - Youth Training Camp 3/2001 opens Mandalay
   - Auditor-General tours Twantay, Kawhmu
6. - CEC member meets USDA members, accepts membership
     applications
   - CEC member meets with USDA members in Mandalay
   - CEC member meets USDA members in Mingala Taungnyunt
     Township
7. - Second Traditional Medicine Practitioners'
     Conference concludes
   - Traditional medicine and medical equipment
     exhibition continues
   - 54th Anniversary Independence Day Reception and
     Dinner Subcommittee meets
   - Korean, Myanmar entrepreneurs hold coord meeting
8. - IPRD Director-General leaves for Bangkok
   - Respects paid to doyen literati
   - Chin students of Mindat District visit downtown Yangon
9. 448,000 stimulant tablets seized in Kengtung

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( 1 )  Myanmar women enjoy equal rights as do men in cultural, religious,
legal and social affairs

Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs holds 2/2001 meeting

Yangon, 17 Dec- The Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs held the
2/2001 meeting at International Business Centre on Pyay Road at 9 am today,
with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the Chief Justice, the deputy
ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, MNCWA
members, Myan-mar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs members,
advisers to the working committee, heads of working groups and guests. The
Secretary-1 said: Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs is a leading
organization which is working for the development of women and improvement of
respectable quality of the mass of women. As a national force, it is a
national-level committee on which the mass of women can rely. The tasks of
Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs, the Working Committee and the
committees at different levels are making progress; meetings in which
committees at different levels all over the nation take part can be held
regularly; therefore, plans which are of great benefit to the Myanmar women
sector will emerge.

Today, the State Peace and Development Council is striving to enable the
Union of Myanmar to stand shoulder to shoulder with others with the
collective strength of the entire national people including all the men and
women. A study at the international situation shows that all the nations the
world over are working hard for their development and the development of
their peoples and that they are striving to protect their interests and the
interests of their peoples in the process of globalization. At that time,
developing nations like the Union of Myanmar are required to make strenuous
efforts with the collective strength and efficiency of all the entire
national forces to promote their interests in the process of globalization
and to enable their nations to stand tall in the world. Therefore, the
government is mobilizing national forces in the respective sectors which are
going to work for the development of the State. Myanmar National Committee
for Women's Affairs has been constituted with the aim of making more
efficient and dynamic mass of women who work for the country together with
men in the course of history. In fact, it is a good attribute of Myanmar that
there has been no gender discrimination in the Union of Myanmar since the
dawn of Myanma civilization.

The Myanmar women have been on an equal footing with men in Myanmar society.
In addition, they have enjoyed equal rights as have men in cultural,
religious, legal and social affairs. It is a Myanmar tradition of which
everybody should be proud. The mass of women themselves do not abuse their
rights which they are enjoying due to Theravada Buddhist teachings, social
codes of conduct and cultural mores. And they pay high regard for men. This
is typical of Myanmar women. In Myanmar society, men and women treat one
another with high regard. So the family system jointly headed by father and
mother still serves as the fundamental social system of Myanmar society. In
striving for the modernization and development of the Union of Myanmar,
everybody is to hold that encouraging the existence of equal rights among men
and women, a sense of sharing of duty and a sense of mutual respects and
understanding among men and women amounts to the building up of a national
strength. In accord with this belief, committees at different levels are
required to implement plans and working programmes for the development of the
women sector under the guidance of Myanmar National Committee for Women's
Affairs to promote outstanding and dynamic efficiency of Myanmar women.

Efforts for the development of the Myanmar women sector are to be in
consonance with international efforts, and the topography, history and
culture and traditions of Myanmar are to be taken into account as well. Plans
designed to produce highly-qualified women entrepreneurs, academicians and
technicians and plans designed to improve educational, health, economic and
social standards are to be implemented harmoniously and systematically. More
arrangements are to be made to inform the international community of the
efforts of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs for the promotion
of inborn rights of Myanmar women. Efforts for implementation of Myanmar
National Action Plans for the Advancement of Women by Myanmar National
Working Committee for Women's Affairs, cooperation with UN agencies,
participation in the implementation of the Declaration of the International
Women Sector and agreements and in international conferences and seminars
including UN General Assembly are made known to the world by distributing
documentary video tapes, putting news about these efforts on the Internet and
informing officials from the international community of the true situation.
As a party to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against
Women, Myanmar is to present a report on the condition of Myanmar women with
respect to Gender Indicators and statistics work. In this regard, necessary
work is to be carried out as speedily as possible. Government departments
concerned need to provide assistance.

The case of violence against women is not a big social problem in Myanmar.
But effective measures are to be taken to offer counselling services and
provide assistance for rehabilitation if there is such a case. Measures
against trafficking in women and children across the border are to be taken
in conjunction with educative and organizing work. Together with educative
and organizing work designed to prevent young women and their parents from
entertaining wrong ideas and from being swayed by some businessmen, plans to
augment family income are to be made and domestic science training courses
conducted extensively. As there are young women including some artistes who
are taking the wrong path due to some tricky businessmen, penetration of
alien culture and the wish to get carried away along with the modern stream,
systematic measures are to be taken to put them on the correct national path.
The noble qualities of the Myanmar women are the sense of preserving and
cherishing culture and traditions, the sense of shame and fear of sinning and
the sense of abiding by morals.

Therefore, it is necessary to hold on Buddhist culture and other cultural
courses so that young women's mode of dressing and manners may be in
accordance with the customs and traditions as well as the teaching of
Buddhism. Moreover, it is imperative that young women develop in line with
the need of the nation and the national head. Therefore, it is required to
carry out with momentum the tasks such as educating young women on health and
culture and holding youth seminars so that they may be able to acquire
knowledge, follow the right way of thinking and avoid being persuaded
culturally and economically. National Committee for Women's Affairs and Work
Committee have been carrying out the work, categorizing such as education,
health, culture and prevention of terrorism against women but these tasks are
basically overlapping one another. Therefore, it is necessary for all the
organizations concerned to coordinate with one another. In addition, women's
affairs work committee are formed at different levels (down to village-tract
level). Therefore, communication, organization and management between various
levels need to be smooth and effective.

Now is the time when the Government, departments concerned, social
organizations and the entire community, in cooperation with each other, have
adopted the five tasks for rural development and are implementing them in
accordance with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe.
Therefore, the secretary-1 called for the implementation of rural development
work in conjunction with the development work for women's sector. Since the
tasks of women's affairs Committees at different levels, namely, promotion of
education, health support, environmental sanitation and increasing family
income are being carried out, implementation of rural development measures
together with the specific tasks of women's affairs committees will lead to
the development of women's sector. Therefore, the Secretary-1 urged the
National Committee for Women's Affairs and work committees at various levels
to continue carrying out women's sector development measures for the
development of the State, safeguarding and promoting the cherishable
characteristics of Myanmar women. For the development of women's sector in
line with the requisites of the State, effective measures should be taken
with increased momentum for the enhancement of the prestige of Myanmar
women's dignity, for the full enjoyment women's rights and emergence of
women's force that could translate national interests into reality, for the
emergence of health, highly-qualified and outstanding women and the emergence
of women who preserve traditional culture and national traits.

The Secretary-1 called on the National Committee for Women's Affairs to try
to stand firmly as a leading organization that could bring about the
development of women's sector representing the entire mass of Myanmar women.
In conclusion, the Secretary-1 impelled the National Committee for Women's
Affairs to strengthen the rights of Myanmar women that have existed through
successive history, to consolidate the strength of the entire mass of Myanmar
women into a national force and lend itself to national development and to
essay for the preservation lineage and national culture and the flourishment
of Union Spirit. Then, the meeting was adjourned.

The second portion of the meeting continued at the same venue at 9.45 am.
Present were Chairman of MNCWA Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chairman of Myanmar National Working
Committee for Women's Affairs Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement U Hlaing Win and working committee members, advisers to the
working committee, heads of working groups and guests. Chairman of MNCWA
Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa gave a speech. Vice-Chairperson of MNWCWA Prof Daw
May May Yi reported on tasks particularly carried out by the working
committee. Secretary of MNCWA and MNWCWA Director-General of Social Welfare
Department U Sit Myaing reported on accomplishment of tasks. Then, heads of
working groups for Education, Health, Prevention of Violence Against Women
and Rehabilitation, Economic Affairs, Culture, Girls and Adult, Information,
Environmental Conservation and International Relations reported on matters
related to their sectors. Afterwards, those present took part in the
discussions. Later, the chairman gave the concluding remarks.
___________________________

( 2 ) Literature a gem that can enhance the pride of the nation and the
people

Secretary-1 attends paper reading session and records exhibition to mark 60th
Anniversary of Myanmar Language Department of Yangon University

Yangon, 17 Dec- A paper reading session and records exhibition in
commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Myanmarsar Department of Yangon
University was held at the Recreation Centre on Yangon University campus this
morning, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman
of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the chairman of the Civil Service
Selection and Training Board, deputy ministers, Director-General of the State
Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, heads of department,
Rector of Yangon University Dr Soe Yin, professors, scholars, retired faculty
members of the Myanmarsar Department, old students, Professor U Khin Aye of
the Myanmarsar Department, faculty members, students and guests. Rector of
Yangon University Dr Soe Yin formally opened the paper reading session and
records exhibition in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Myanmarsar
Department of Yangon University. The Secretary-1 said that it was the
ceremony to honour the historic day on which the teaching of Myanmar
literature started at Yangon University when the nation was under servitude,
and it was also the 60th Anniversary of the Myanmar Language Department.
Everybody must hold that it is an auspicious day which bears significant
meaning and is full of national essence for the entire Myanmar people and
which helps uplift prestige of the race.

Yangon University, the only university when the Union of Myanmar was under
colonial rule, was established in 1920; although 12 subjects were taught at
that time, Myanmar literature was not taught separately. It was heartening to
note that patriotic Myanmar university students fought the slave education
system and introduced a national education system by opening national
schools. The teaching of Myanmar literature took priority over that of other
subjects, and it is the event of which all can be proud. The teaching of
Myanmar language thus started in Yangon University 60 years ago with the
result that the Myanmar Language Department came into existence. This can be
attributed to the national education movement and the efforts of Myanmar
literati with strong nationalist spirit. He said that the celebration of the
60th founding anniversary of the Myanmar Language Department is an attempt
full of national essence to arouse Myanmar literati's and patriotic Myanmar
youths' patriotism, which has taken root in their hearts with the emergence
of the Myanmar Language Department in Yangon University. Literature is a gem
that can enhance the pride of the nation and the people, and it serves as a
cultural pillar of a race. In accord with the saying 'Only when the
literature of a nation is of high standard, will the glory of her people
reach its peak', literature and culture is a criterion that indicates the
status of the nation and the people concerned. It is natural that national
literature must be promoted to enhance the prestige of the nation and the
people. And there are spoken language and written language.

Those who do not have written language passsed on literary works such as
their imaginations, stories, lullabies and poems by oral tradition. Those who
have written language committed their experiences, imaginations, feelings and
poems to writing with the use of stone, palm leaf and paper. With the
advances in technology, they can be stored on diskettes and CD-ROMs. Written
language that can be maintained and handed down from generation to generation
develops with momentum whereas the spoken language of the people who do not
have written language develops to a lesser degree with the passage of time.
He said the people with high literature can promote their culture all the
more. Myanmar people have been proficient in writing since 1,500 years ago.
They wrote Pali, Sanskrit, Pyu and Mon languages with the use of alphabets.
According to the evidence of Pyu stone inscriptions found in Hanlingyi
ancient city and gold palm leaves in Srikhitra ancient city, they could write
Pyu, Pali and Sanskrit with the use of alphabets used in southern India and
Pyu alphabets in 400 AD or 500 AD. Mon writing also existed in Thaton region
in 500 AD.

The letters on terra cotta were written by King Anawrahta himself with the
use of Mon-Myanmar alphabets. Yazakuma stone inscriptions written in four
languages Pyu, Mon, Myanmar and Pali was a record which indicates the
language proficiency of the ancient Myanmar people, and it is of high
historical value. That stone inscription extolls the parental virtues. In
Bagan period, there were a countless number of inscriptions which recorded
donations. They reflect Myanma way of thinking, belief, generosity,
behaviour, way of speech and customs. Bagan stone inscriptions serve as
historic pillars which show that Myanmar literature has a strong foundation.
Karchin, a kind of poem, stimulated patriotism and spirit of national defence
in the people of Pinya period. In Innwa period which extended 200 years,
Myanmar literature rapidly developed. Classical poem such as pyo, mawgun and
egyin can help teach the young of new generation to behave well, he said. The
Secretary-1 said ratu of Toungoo period expressed the gentle disposition of
the Myanmar people and egyin aroused patriotism in them. A wealth of prose
and poetry made Myanmar literature flourish in Nyaungyan and Konbaung
periods. During the colonial rule, literature reflecting patriotism emerged.

There have been various forms of Myanmar literature describing spirit,
thought, customs, culture, social relations and society of Myanmar people, he
said. Myanmarsar Department compiled, edited and taught the literature during
60 years. The department also selected and prescribed literature for giving
lectures from basic education level to Ph D courses, wrote research papers
and compiled treatises for development of Myanmar literature. They are
effective performances of new generation literati, he said. Myanmarsar is
honour of Myanmar people. People who have sound literature and culture can
not only remove imprudent acts of external elements but also win respects. He
urged veteran teachers to make efforts for uplift of honour of Myanmar while
striving for uplift of Myanmar literature in line with noble traditions of
the Myanmarsar Department. He also urged responsible personnel of Myanmarsar
departments of universities to perform tasks of literature and culture to the
best of their ability as they are new generations given birth by the
Myanmarsar Department that came into existence 60 years ago.

In conclusion he wished for long existence of the Myanmarsar Department, an
authentic place for propagating Myanmarsar, that came into existence in
parallel with national spirit. Scholars of Myanmasar, professors, veteran
teachers may uplift honour of Myanmar from the sector of Myanmarsar, language
and culture and may make concerted effort for uplift of Myanmasar, Myanmar
language and Myanmar culture. Chairman of the Central Committee for Observing
the Anniversary Associate Professor Daw Khin Swe Myint of Myanmarsar
Department explained the purpose of the anniversary. Next, students who
majored in Myanmarsar in 1971 presented commemorative gifts to Professor U
Khin Aye of the department. The Secretary-1 and guests looked around the
exhibits and the ceremony came to a close. After the opening ceremony, the
60th anniversary commemorative paper-reading session was held. Teachers and
students from the department paid respects to 70 retired teachers of the
department at Universities' Dahmmayon yesterday. A get-together will be held
at People's Square and People's Park at 6 pm on 20 December evening and
Myanmar Traditional Art Show for Trust Funds will be presented at the
National Theatre at 7 pm daily from 28 to 30 December.

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Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of delegates to 2nd Traditional Medicine
Practitioners' Conference

Yangon, 17 Dec- Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt hosted a dinner in
honour of delegates of States and Divisions who attended the Second
Traditional Medicine Practitioners' Conference at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal
Hotel at 6.30 pm today.

Also present at the dinner were member of the State Peace and Development
Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the Auditor-General, the Yangon Mayor,
members of the National Health Committee, deputy ministers, officials of the
State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of
the Traditional Medicine Council, the Leading Committee and the Working
Committee for Organizing the Conference, officials of Myanmar Medical
Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Red
Cross Society, Myanmar Nurses Association, Myanmar Dental Surgeons
Association, Myanmar Health Assistant Association and Myanmar Academy of
Medical Sciences, delegates and guests. During the dinner, A-1 Soe Myint
modern music troupe presented songs. After the dinner, the Secretary-1
cordially met delegates of States and Divisions.
___________________________

( 3 )  Minister inspects road and bridge construction in Chin State, Sagaing
and Magway Divisions

Yangon, 17 Dec- Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, arrived at Yemyatni Camp
in Gangaw, where the superintending engineer of Magway Division and the
senior engineer of Gangaw District reported on works being carried out at the
Gangaw-Htilin Road construction site in the open season and future tasks to
the minister. The minister gave instructions on construction of the road and
fulfilled machinery requirements. The minister and party inspected the site
temporarily chosen for the construction of the Kyee Creek Bridge. The
minister, deputy minister and party went along Htilin-Kyaukhtu Road. The
district senior engineer and the Magway Division superintending engineer
reported on works being undertaken and future programmes to the minister, who
attended to the requirements.

The minister and party proceeded to Mindat along Mindat-Matupi Road and
inspected the works being carried out along the road. Then, Minister for
Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and
officials met with staff families of the Ministry of Construction in Mindat
at the meeting hall and gave a speech. The minister went to Saw from Mindat
and arrived at the site chosen for the construction of a 300-feet Chichaung
Bridge on Kyaukhtu-Saw-Hseikphyu Road, where Magway Division superintending
engineer and respective engineers reported to the minister, who gave
instructions on thorough survey after soil-test. Later, the minister and
party arrived at the Kyauksarit Creek near Kanchaung village, where the
Magway Division superintending engineer and district senior engineer reported
on the place chosen for construction of the bridge. The minister inspected
the site and gave instructions on detailed survey and the making of quick
reports.

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Minister inspects Zaungtu, Yenwe Electric Power Plants

Yangon, 17 Dec- Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, accompanied by
Director-General Dr Thein Tun of the Electric Power Department, Deputy Chief
Engineer (Hydro electric power) U Win Kyaw and officials, arrived at Zaungtu
Hydroelectric Power Plant in Bago Division on 14 December and inspected the
power plant, the spillway, the emergency spillway and the embankment. Then,
the minister and party met with the staff of the plant and gave necessary
instructions. On 15 December, the minister and party arrived at Kunchaung
Hydroelectric Power Plant in Phyu Township. In the briefing hall, the project
engineer and officials reported on progress of work, future tasks and
availability of equipment. The minister gave instructions on work and
inspected completion of the embankment and sites chosen for construction of
the pipeline and the power plant. Yesterday morning, the minister and party
inspected the site of Yenwe Hydroelectric Power Project in Nyaunglaybin
Township. They inspected the sites for the power plant and the embankment.
Then, the minister gave necessary instructions to officials.

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CPT Minister opens training courses

Yangon, 17 Dec- A ceremony to open the Information to Modem Theory Course and
the Special Refresher Course for Officers was held at Communications and
Postal Training Centre of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications on Lower
Pazundaung Road this morning. Present were Minister for Communications, Posts
and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, the director-general of Directorate of
Telecommunications, the managing director of Myanma Posts and
Telecommunications, officials and trainees. The minister gave a speech. After
the opening ceremony, the minister inspected the library of the training
school. In the afternoon, the minister inspected progress of work in
construction of the building for Ministry of Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs in the compound of Ahlon Auto-exchange. Then, the minister
proceeded to the satellite station in Toe-gyaunggale and inspected completion
of staff quarters in the station.
__________________________

( 4 ) Internal Revenue Department holds third quarterly meeting

Yangon, 17 Dec- The third quarterly meeting of the Internal Revenue
Department of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue for the financial year
2001-2002 was held in the meeting hall of IRD on Pansodan Street today, with
an address by Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein. Also
present at the meeting were Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen
Than Tun, Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung,
Director-General of IRD U Chit Swe and departmental heads of the Ministry,
state/division IRD officers and guests. Minister U Khin Maung Thein said the
government is utilizing funds that are collected as the State budget from
taxes and revenues in the national development projects and in the interest
of the people. Every citizen is supplying funds to the State budget by paying
due taxes fully, he said. The Internal Revenue Department, he said, needs to
follow rules and regulations to exceed the target every financial year in
accord with the market-oriented economic system.

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Minister inspects cultural buildings in Mandalay

Yangon, 17 Dec- Minister for Culture U Tin Winn met with employees of the
Department of Archaeology, the Fine Arts Department and the Department of
Cultural Institute at Myanan Sankyaw Golden Palace in Mandalay on 15 December
afternoon. Then, the minister visited the University of Culture in Patheingyi
Township, met with the staff of the university and gave instructions. The
minister also inspected Maha Atula Waiyan Atumashi Kyaungdawgyi, Shwenandaw
Kyaung and Yaw Mingyi Okkyaung yesterday morning. Later, the minister went to
the Cultural Museum in Mandalay. Assistant Director of the Department of
Cultural Institute U Ye Myat Aung conducted the minister around the museum.
Minister for Labour U Tin Winn inspected Workers' Hospital and construction
site of the Workers Recreation Centre at the office of Township Internal
Freight Handling Committee in Aungmyaythazan Township.
__________________________

to be continued ...