The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 27 December, 2001)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 27 December, 2001)(1/2)
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1. Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
   Than Shwe attended and addressed the opening ceremony
   of USDA Myanmar Affairs and International Studies
   Course No 4
2. Secretary-1 attends Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali
   Nmai Zup-Myitkyina Majoi Festival
3. Secretary-1 attends dinner to mark Wunpawng Ninggawn
   Hkumra Manau Festival and X'mas Festival, inspects
   development tasks in Myitkyina
4. Minister receives PRC delegation
5. Minister attends instructional meeting of 30-year
   long-term programme
6. Thai University Affairs Minister arrives
7. Prize-presentation ceremony held
8. Traditional Medicine and Medical Equipment Exhibition continues
9. Co-ord meeting on gender indicators and statistics

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( 1 ) Long-term and medium-term power projects under way to meet power demand
of growing industries, other sectors Firmness of economic infrastructures
main requirement for flourishing and development of national economy

National consolidation and peace and stability essential strength for
national development

Yangon, 26 Dec - Patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe attended and addressed the opening
ceremony of USDA Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Course No 4, USDA
Executives Management Course No 23 and International Relations Course No 7 at
the Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, at 9
am today.

Also present were Patron of USDA Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, members of the State Peace and
Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief
(Air), ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the
Auditor-General, members of the Panel of Patrons of USDA, CEC members of
USDA, deputy ministers, senior military officers, directors-general and
managing directors of departments and enterprises, distinguished guests,
course in-charge Lt-Col Sein Win and course supervisors, and trainees.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior General Than Shwe said: Today Myanmar
Affairs and International Studies Course No 4, USDA Executives Management
Course No 23 and International Relations Course No 7 were opened
simultaneously for the first time after the completion of the Eighth Annual
General Meeting of the USDA. The prescribed subjects will be taught at the
respective courses which opened today. In addition to conducting the courses
which contribute to further consolidating of the national strength,
vitalizing of patriotism and Union Spirit and preservation of the national
characters, it has also opened technical and vocational education courses.

As it is required for the citizens to thoroughly know the national and
international affairs, the Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Courses
have been conducted continuously. USDA members and the people have the duty
to take part in the respective sectors to realize the goals of the nation;
thus, they should strive to study the multi-sectors and to uplift the
national strength. In building an all-round developed nation, they should
know in detail the profoundness and the scope of the Myanmar and
international affairs. Here, I would like to elaborate on the developments
achieved during the period of over a decade.

 During the decade, the government relentlessly strove to restore national
consolidation and peace and stability in the nation; to develop economic
infrastructures; to promote the economic strength; to develop the human
resources of the nation; to uplift the social sector; and to extend the
regional and international cooperation. The tasks have been conducted in line
with the State's political, economic and social objectives. The objectives
are the tactics laid down in accord with the objective conditions of the
nation; and emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation is the
strategic goal of the State. The basic tasks I have mentioned above should be
implemented without fail to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

 The tasks to bring about national consolidation and to ensure peace and
stability are related to each other. In other words, the tasks are the
nation's requirement desired by the people since many years ago. Negotiations
for peace have been initiated in the nation to end the armed conflicts which
the people had faced for many years. The State had striven with patience and
upheld " Our Three Main National Causes " Ñ non-disintegration of the Union;
non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty Ñ
which is the national policy laid down by the State, to end the armed
conflicts.

After achieving mutual understanding, the 17 armed groups in the jungles have
returned to the legal fold and are now serving the national interests.
National consolidation and peace and stability are essential strength for
national development Emergence of the economic infrastructures in the entire
nation with greater momentum is an achievement resulting from this strength.

The government has been laying down and implementing the priority tasks for
progress of the nation's economic infrastructures. As is known to all,
firmness of economic infrastructures is the main requirement for flourishing
and development of the national economy. Of the many requirements of the
economic infrastructures, the State has given priority to making investments
in the agricultural sector.

The current economic system of Myanmar is mainly based on agriculture; the
agricultural sector, on which over 70 percent of the nation's population are
relying, is also based on the rural areas. Till now, development of the
nation's other economic sectors depends on the growing strength of
agriculture.

A significant number of dams has been built in the nation within a short
period in order to further strengthen the agricultural sector. A total of 128
dams have been built in the whole nation with greater acceleration within a
period of over ten years. River pumped-water projects have also been
extended. There is significant increase in the use of land and water
resources resulting from the implementation of the irrigation projects.

At present, there are 4.9 million irrigated acres up from 2.52 million acres
in 1988-89. The government is making efforts for progress of the agricultural
infrastructure, and at the same time it is striving for development of the
transport infrastructure which is the main requirement for socio-economic
progress of the citizens. Transport development has contributed not only to
further improvement of trade and production, but also to development of the
socio-economy and mutual relations of the national people. A network of motor
roads and railroads which were built under the strategic plans have become
the Union highways.

 At the same time ports have been upgraded and new airports extended. Major
river-crossing bridges have been built at all necessary places to set up a
transport system linking all the regions of the nation. At a time when
efforts are being made to develop the agriculture and transport
infrastructures, power supply projects have been implemented to increase the
ratio of the industrial sector in the national economic growth. Twenty-six
power projects have been implemented during the period of over ten years; and
large-scale power projects are also being implemented at present.

The Yeywa Hydel Power Project, which will generate 780 megawatts of power,
the 280-megawatt-capacity Bilin Hydel Power Project, and the 280-megawatt-c
apacity Paunglaung Hydel Power Project are included in the large-scale  power
projects. The government is also building the gas-fired and coal-burn power
stations in the nation. Power demand of the extending industries, other
sectors and the social sector will be fulfilled when the long-term and
medium-term power projects are completed. Economic infrastructure development
directly contributes to progress of the economic power.

At the time when the task to build the infrastructures is gaining momentum,
the first short-term four-year national economic plan and the second
five-year short-term national economic plan had been implemented with the
participation of all available forces of the nation. Due to the public
participation, the targets of the respective sectors of the plans were
exceeded. Because to the results of the national economic plans, Myanmar is
steering towards development and reached the stage of changing the economic
pattern.

At present, the third five-year short-term national economic plan from
2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is being implemented for continued progress of the
national economy. The aims of the plans are: to extend agro-based industries;
to develop the power sector in accord with the growing demand of the
industrial sector; to extend the agricultural and livestock breeding sectors
to ensure domestic sufficiency and to boost exports; to develop other
sectors; to extend health and education tasks and to develop the rural areas
for progress of human resources. After the ceremony, the Senior General
cordially greeted the trainees, and had the lunch together with them, and
then left the Central Public Relations Unit.

Excerpts from Senior General's guidance

* USDA members and the people have the duty to take part in the respective
sectors to realize the goals of the nation.

 * The State's political, economic and social objectives are the tactics laid
down in accord with the objective conditions of the nation.

* Negotiations for peace have been initiated in the nation to end the armed
conflicts which the people had faced for many years.

 * Of the many requirements of the economic infrastructures, the State has
given priority to making investments in the agricultural sector. The current
economic system of Myanmar is mainly based on agriculture.

* A total of 128 dams have been built in the whole nation with greater
acceleration during the period of over ten years.

* Transport development has contributed not only to further improvement of
trade and production, but also to development of the socio-economy and
relations of the national people.

* At a time when efforts are being made to develop the agriculture and
transport infrastructures, power supply projects have been implemented to
increase the ratio of the industrial sector in the national economic growth.

* Twenty-six power projects have been implemented during the period of over
ten years, and large-scale power projects are also being implemented at
present.

* Economic infrastructure development directly contributes to progress of the
economic power.

 * At a time when the task to build the infrastructures is gaining momentum,
the first short-term four-year national economic plan and the second
five-year short-term national economic plan had been implemented with the
participation of all available forces of the nation.

* At present, the third five-year short-term national economic plan from
2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is being implemented for continued progress of the
national economy.

___________________________

( 2 ) Grand and auspicious Manau festival reflects richness and high standard
of Kachin culture, pride of preserving and protecting traditions and culture

 Secretary-1 attends Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina
Majoi Festival

Yangon, 26 Jan- The Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina
Majoi Festival was held at Sitapu Manau Grounds in Myitkyina, Kachin State,
at 9 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present on the occasion were members of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, the
ministers, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff
(Air), the deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of state,
district and township Peace and Development Councils, reverends, officials of
Christian Church, national race leader U Za Khun Ting Ring of Kachin State
Special Region-1 and members, national race leader U La Mon Tu Jaing of
Kachin State Special Region-2 and members, peace negotiators, the chairman of
Organzing the Manau Festival and members, members of Central Committee for
Kachin Traditional Culture, representatives of national race organizations,
Kachin nationals and guests.

Daw Zon Nyau, Daw Ar Bu and Daw Hsaung Nam acted as masters of ceremonies and
announced the opening of the Manau Festival. First, Rev Naw Din asked for
blessings. Then, Wunpawng Ning-gawn Cultural Troupe and Kachin vocalists sang
the song "History bears witness". Next, Central Committee for Kachin
Traditional Culture Chairman Sutdu Yup Zau Hkawng extended greetings.

 He said: This is the auspicious time, for the New Year is approaching, and
the 10th anniversary of the restoration of peace in Kachin State due to the
goodwill of the leaders of the State and the farsightedness of Kachin
national race leaders. In the history of the Kachin people, the first
grandest Manau festival was held in Ningran Hkang region, it is learnt. The
Manau festival held at that time as a token of parting was a Kumran Manau
festival. After the festival, the Kachin national races migrated where
conditions were favourable.

Today's festival, the Hkumra Manau festival is held to mark the reunion of
family members who settled down at different places. Meeting one another at a
rendezvous one day is a duty and desire of the Kachin people. With the
assistance of the State and close supervision of Kachin State Peace and
Development Council, our desire is fulifilled today. Today's Hkumra Manau
festival is the sign of peace of Kachin State. Reunion is the result of
peace. We can happily take part in the festival because Kachin State is
peaceful and pleasant.

Delegates of the Kachin races and cultural associations from different
regions will arrive the Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau festival starting from
today. On meeting together, cultural matters of the whole Kachin race will be
discussed, and future plans such as safeguarding, preservation and promoting
of almost vanished cultural heritage and customs, construction of cultural
buildings, and cooperation for the all-round development of culture will be
laid down.

 Future plans should be carried out in accordance with the second of the Four
Social Objectives of the State Peace and Development Council, " Uplift of
national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural
heritage and national character.' Here I'd like to quote the speech of
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made
at the N'Lung n nan new harvest festival held at 2 December 2001.

The Secretary-1 said "As national races such as the Kachin, the Kayah, the
Kayin, the Chin, the Bamar, the Mon, the Rakhine and the Shan have been
residing in the Union for thousands of years, they

cannot be separated. The term " Kachin national " will be meaningless if one
of such races as the Jingphaw, the Maru, the Rawang, the Lisu, the Lachik and
the Azi are excluded from Kachin national.

In the same way, the interests of the Union will be harmed if one of the
races  the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Bamar, the Mon, the
Rakhine or the Shan  is lost. Therefore, the solidarity and concerted efforts
of all the national races are of paramount importance for progress of the
Union."

Discussing cultural matters and laying down future plans should be carried
out upholding this counsel. Kachin cultural funfairs, exhibitions and
competitions will be included in the eight-day festival. Although Manau
festival is the festival of the Kachin people, all brethren living in the
Union and friends are hoped to take part in it happily.

 This is why the adjective "Ninggawn" is added to the festival. All are
invited to participate in the festival with peace of mind. Then, the
Secretary-1 delivered an address. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1
expressed pleasure and happiness to see a gathering of national people
including the ethnic Kachin brethren at the Manau festival, which is the
glorious traditional festival of the people of Kachin stock.

He said it is the greatest and the most splendid festival of the ethnic
Kachin people reflecting their history, religion, beliefs and traditions and
culture. The Manau or the Majoi festival, in which all the ethnic races of
the Kachin stock take part, is held at their region with the essence of
prosperity, health, economy of the children, establish of new settlement and
the symbol of the victory over the enemies and as a cultural festival.

As the Manau festivals are held only during the significant time which is
worthy of the respective Manau festival, they are magnificent. The different
Manau festivals have their own style and tradition of choosing the Manau
ground, erecting the Manau pole, decorating of the Manau pole and creating
the Manau dances; as the festivals are fully endowed with the different and
profound essence, they still stand as the symbol of the Kachin traditions and
culture till now.

Moreover, holding of the grand and splendid Manau festival reflects the
richness and the high standard of the Kachin culture, the pride of preserving
and protecting the good traditions and culture for a long period with strong
national spirit and the strength of the people.

 In addition, holding of the grand festival by all the ethnic Kachins of the
remote areas of the state, the ethnic Kachin races living in various parts of
the Union, the national races being able to reside in Kachin State with
sincerity and unity is the result of peace and stability on the state. It has
been long since the auspicious Manau festivals could not be held.

The Tatmadaw government with the firm determination to restore the fine
traditions and the national solidarity, which had been preserved throughout
the past history, was able to strive together with the Kachin national
leaders for prevalence of peace and stability in Kachin State; due to the
efforts, mutual trust, respect and understanding are flourishing beyond all
limits of measurement and peace and stability is prevailing in the state;
hence all the Kachin races are now able to unitedly and joyfully take part in
the festival.

 The festival can be held on a grand scale as the government on its part is
endeavouring with sincerity and goodwill to perpetuate the propagation of
national solidarity and the Union Spirit for eternal existence of the Union
which is home to over 100 ethnic races. Priority should be given to
restoration and safeguarding of the flourishing national characters of every
single ethnic race such as preservation of the traditions and culture,
religion and history and the will to perpetuate the race.

 Despite the different traditions and culture that are flourishing among the
national brethren including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine
and Shan in accord with the regions they are living in they have also
acknowledged and respected each others' traditions and culture.

 Moreover, the race called Myanmar, the collective term for all the ethnic
races, and its national characters are firmly existing in the nation. In
other words, only when all the ethnic Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon,
Rakhine and Shan races which are called the Myanmar race, preserve and
protect their significant and cherishable traditions and culture, will the
national character of the Union or the Myanmar race and its traditions and
culture exist forever.


Thus, the State is undertaking the task to restore and promote the traditions
and culture of all the ethnic races of the nation. By so doing, the national
people will be able to cherish and respect each other's traditions and
culture more, contributing towards further cementing the understanding and
amity among the national races.

The government has been giving priority to flourishing of the belief that all
the national races are of the descendants of the same ancestor and to restore
and promote the traditions and culture of the Myanmar race. The government
has given encouragement to preservation of traditional customs of Kachin
nationals. The grand Manau ground is the most significant example of the
government's encouragement, he said.


 He said the government provided assistance for construction of the grand
Manau ground in accord with Kachin traditional customs with the use of modern
techniques. Now All Kachin nationals are participating in Manau festival in
the Manau ground together with other national races in the Union. He said
during the early history of Kachin nationals, they set out to explore new
settlement after holding the Kwanyang Manau festival.

>From that time on, Kachin national groups such as Jingphaw, Maru, Rawang,
Lashi, Azi and Lisu came into existence. These six national groups met again
at the auspicious Manau festival. It was a very good point to strengthen
unity of the Kachin State and the Union, he said. Seeking greener pastures,
the national races of the Union settled down in the respective regions. But
they are brethren.

Only when all the national races live unitedly, sharing weal and woe and
through thick and thin, will the Union stand tall in the nations of the
world, he said. He also said that historically national races are inseparable
because they came from the same womb. Only when national solidarity and the
Union Spirit can be built, can national forces resist external instigations
and driving the wedge between the national people.

 The government will strive for raising the socio-economic life of all
national races including Kachin nationals hand in hand with the national
races for prosperity and development of the Union. He urged the national
races to collectively strive with the Union spirit for perpetuation of
national unity, peace and development in the Union.

In conclusion, he wished auspiciousness and benefits of the Manau festival to
overwhelm the Kachin State and then the entire Union; strengthening of peace
and national solidarity in accord with the essence of Manau Festival and
safeguarding of already-achieved stability, unity, loving kindness and
progress forever. Next, Kachin Traditional Culture troupe members presented
variety dances and the Kachin national band presented skill demonstration.
Then, Chairman of the Central Committee for Kachin Traditional Culture Sutdu
Yup Zau Hkawng presented a traditional sword and the shoulder bag decorated
with small silver gongs to the Secretary-1.

 Then, the Secretary-1 unveiled the stone inscriptions of the Myitkyina
Majoi. Afterwards, members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen
Ye Myint and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for Hotels
and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development
Council Commander Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Rev Dr Saboi Jum, peace
negotiator U Khun Myat, national race leader U Za Khun Ting Ring of Kachin
State Special Region-1, national race leader U La Mon Tu Jaing of Kachin
State Special Region-2, Central Committee for Kachin Traditional Culture
Chairman Sutdu Yup Zau Hkawng and leaders of six Kachin national races
formally opened the Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau. Fire works were set by
Gawng Dang and percussion lock firearms and Manau drums, gongs and musical
instruments were played.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party, national race leaders and guests together
with the leading group of Manau dance troupe and the cultural troupe enjoyed
Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau. Next, the Secretary-1 and party left the
Manau ground and arrived at Myitkyina Majoi Hall.

 Afterwards, the opening ceremony of the Myitkyina Majoi Hall followed.
Leaders of six Kachin national races formally opened the hall. After the
opening ceremony, the violin troupe presented songs. Secretary of Myitkyina
Zone Baptist Christian Federation Rev U Sam Sun asked for blessings for the
lunch of Hting Nu Ding Shawn Lu Sha.

The Secretary-1 and party, national race leaders and guests had the lunch.
During the lunch, the cultural troupe members presented traditional dances
and songs. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 presented the flower baskets and cash
awards to Wunpawng Ninggawn cultural troupe, Kachin traditional dance troupe,
Myitkyina University cultural troupe, Kachin handkerchief dance troupe,
Kachin traditional martial arts troupe and the Kachin national band.

After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party viewed clothing and
personal goods, documentary photos and paintings displayed at the cultural
booths of Kachin national races in the exhibition at the Manau ground. The
Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina Majoi Festival will be
held up to 2 January 2002 and will include the opening of Manau sports
grounds, the prize presentation for outstanding winners in education, social
affairs and religious affairs, the cultural entertainment, the traditional cul
tural exhibition, the trade fair and the fun fair. Various competitions of
Kachin traditional cultural sports events and international sports events
will be held at the Manau sports grounds.
___________________________


to be continued ...