The New Light of Myanmar Friday, 18 January, 2002(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar Friday, 18 January, 2002(1/2)
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1. - State Councillor, Secretary-General of State Council
     of PRC to pay official visit to Myanmar
   - USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural
     development tasks in Bago
2. Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint attend Naga Traditional
   New Year Celebrations
3. Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint tour Sagaing Division
4. - Minister receives Governor of Borikhamxay Province of LPDR
   - Minister receives Ambassador
   - H& T Minister receives guests
   - UMFCCI President meets Ambassador
5. - LPDR goodwill delegation tours Yangon
   - Health Minister arrives back from Geneva
6. Minister inspects regional development tasks
7. - Trainees of MAISC tour Yangon
   - Governor of Borikhamxay Province of LPDR arrives
8. - Minister inspects Dalla Shipyard
   - Commander inspects agriculture and livestock breeding tasks
9. - Armed Forces Day Observance Banners and Mottoes
     Committee meets
   - Poppy plantations destroyed in Ngaphe

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( 1 ) State Councillor, Secretary-General of State Council of PRC to pay
official visit to Myanmar

Yangon, 18 Jan - At the invitation of the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar His Excellency Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt,
State Councillor and Secretary-General of the State Council of the People's
Republic of China His Excellency Mr Wang Zhongyu will pay an official visit
to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

USDA holds mass rally to support national, rural development tasks in Bago

Yangon, 17 Jan - Bago Division (East) Union Solidarity and Development
Association held a mass rally to support the national and rural development
tasks at Bayagyi Village Sports Ground in Bago Township on 13 January
morning.

Over 29,500 USDA members marched in four columns  the Alaungphaya, the
Kyansitha, the Bandoola and the Bayintnaung  to the Sports Ground. U Saw Aung
Zeya led the Alaungphaya column comprising members of Kyauktaga, Nyaunglaybin
and other township USDAs in Bago and Taungoo districts, U Aung Soe, the
Kyansitha column comprising members of Shwekyin, DaikU and Bago township
USDAs in Bago District, U Cho Oo, the Bandoola column comprising members of
Waw, Thanatpin, Kawa and Bago townships in Bago District and U Ye Myint Tun,
the Bayintnaung column comprising members of Bago Township USDA.

Secretary U Saw Maw Tun of Bago Division (East) USDA presided over the rally
together with Secretary U Aung Soe of Bago District USDA and Secretary U Saw
Aung Zeya of Taungoo District USDA. Executive Daw Moe Thuza Kyaw of Bago
Division (East) USDA and Executive Daw Aye Thin Khine of Bago District USDA
acted as masters of ceremonies.

Secretary U Saw Maw Tun of Bago Division (East) USDA made an opening speech.
He said tasks for national consolidation and prevalence of law and order
cannot be separated. The task is essential for the State and is wished by the
public for a long time. Upholding Our Three Main National Causes
non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity
and perpetuation of sovereignty Ñ the Government has striven to end internal
strife. Due to the efforts, 17 armed groups have returned to the legal fold
and are joining hands with the State in striving for national progress. To
develop the economic sector of the State, the third five-year short-term plan
has been laid down and is being implemented.

 The main objectives of the plan are to extend agro-based industries, to
develop electricity and energy sectors in accord with the demand of extended
industries, to extend agriculture and livestock breeding sectors for local
sufficiency as well as for export, to develop other sectors, to extend
education and health care tasks for the development of human resource and to
develop rural areas. In conclusion, he urged the USDA members to accept the
government's nation-building endeavours as national tasks, to maintain the
prevalence of peace and tranquillity, to participate in nation-building
endeavours and to pay serious attention to rural development tasks.

Then, Secretary U Aye Naing of Kawa Township USDA tabled the motion calling
for support of national development endeavours of the Government. He said
that there was only one dam, Pyinpon Dam, in Bago Division in 1988 and now 10
dams have been constructed. The dams supply water to 50,854 acres of land and
23 embankments stretching 122 miles have been built to protect 255,561 acres
of fields from flooding.

There were over 1,202,482 acres of monsoon paddy fields in 1988, and over
1,442,695 acres in 2001. Cultivation of summer paddy has also been extended.
In industrial economic sector, 18 industrial zones have been set up
throughout the country and assistance is rendered to set up small, medium and
large scale industries and workshops.

During the period of a decade, 26 hydel power stations have been built to
boost power generation. In Bago Division, seven hydel power stations
producing 637 megawatts have been constructed since 2001. The newly opened
Zaungtu hydel power station in Taikkyi Village in Bago Township generates 20
megawatts daily. The goal  emergence of a new peaceful, modern and developed
nation  will soon

be achieved because the government is laying down short-and long-term plans
to fulfil the basic needs of the nation, he added. The Government is laying
emphasis on enhancing national prestige as well as preserving traditional
cultures and national character. In doing so, to let know the world the
long-lasted national character and cultural heritage ancient palace sites
have been excavated. Reconstruction of King Bayintnaung's Palace,
Kanbaw-zathadi Palace, is a proof, he pointed out. In education sector, there
was only one college in the division in the past, and one university, one
degree college and three colleges have been opened.

Moreover, seven high schools, 36 middle schools and 167 primary schools are
opened in the division, he said. Afterwards, member of Kyaukkyi Township USDA
Daw Mi Mi Ko seconded the motion calling for support of national development
endeavours of the Government tabled by Secretary of Kawa Township USDA U Aye
Naing. She said the Government has used over K 119.4 million for 100
industries and 219 bridges in the division for the betterment of country
roads and for economic and social sectors. It can clearly be seen that rapid
progress has been achieved in carrying out tasks for the development of the
State. These tasks not only directly serve the interest of the public but
also build good foundations for the new generation youths.

 In conclusion, she urged all the members to preserve these good foundations
and to participate in the nation-building tasks. Then, Thanatpin Township
USDA Secretary U Po Zaw of Bago Division (East) tabled a motion calling for
participa- tion of USDA members in rural development tasks. He said it is
obvious that the tasks being implemented by the State directly benefit the
people in rural areas. In transport sector, the State constructed four
180-foot and above bridges in Bago Division spending K 1,215.8 million; the
468-foot-long Phyu Creek Bridge was inaugurated on 8 January 2002; five more
bridges at an estimated cost of K 3,017.2 million are under construction;
beginning 2002 the 192-mile-long road section of Yangon-Mandalay Highway in
Bago Division is being upgraded from two-lane road to four-lane one.

The State is building economic infrastructures, and at the same time it is
making concerted efforts for development of rural areas; the five rural
development tasks laid down by the State are to fulfil the basic needs of
rural areas; implementation of these tasks will lead to alleviation of
poverty in rural areas. He emphatically tabled the motion urging USDA members
to join hands with the State, the people and Tatmadaw, and to actively
participate in carrying out rural development tasks. Afterwards, Yedashe
Township USDA member Daw Min Pa Pa Kyaw of Bago Division (East) seconded the
motion tabled by Thanatpin Township USDA Secretary U Po Zaw. She said it can
be witnessed that the rural transport sector as well as education and health
care services are being carried out with added momentum in accordance with
the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe; the State constructed
1,124 miles and five furlongs of roads in the division last year; in
implementing the rural water supply projects, the first priority is given to
villages where water is scarce, second priority to villages which face water
shortages and third priority to villages where clean water is not available.
Greening tasks are being implemented in accord with the motto "To cover the
whole nation with luxuriant forests' of the State.

 Increase in the area of forests and trees has helped tame the climate,
create a favourable soil and weather condition to grow large acres of crops;
moreover, the economy of people in rural areas is developing. In transport
sector, 712 miles of tarred roads, 61 miles of gravel roads and 176 miles of
earth roads totalling 949 miles of new roads were constructed in Bago
Division. In communication sector 15 more microwave stations, three auto
telephone exchanges, 64 rural communication stations, 119 post offices and 48
telegraph offices were put into service. In Bago Division efforts are being
made for upgrading of agriculture as well as land reclamation.

 In the past Bago Division put a total of 1.2 million acres of land under
paddy yearly and now it is cultivating 1.5 million acres of paddy annually.
As a result the annual paddy output increased from 69.5 to 91 million
baskets. In the division 36 river water pumping projects have been set to
irrigate 27,455 acres of crops, and 346 artesian wells have been sunk to
irrigate 3,973 acres and another 75 water supply projects to irrigate 19,500
acres. She tabled the motion urging USDA members to participate in rural
development tasks. Then, the rally passed resolutions in support of the
national and rural development tasks undertaken by the State and active
participation of USDA members in national and rural development tasks. Next,
the rally ended with chanting of slogans.

___________________________

( 2 ) Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint attend Naga Traditional New Year
Celebrations

Yangon, 17 Jan-Members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe
Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence attended 2002 Naga
Traditional New Year Festival at Lahe, Hkamhti District in Sagaing Division
at 9 am on 15 January and presented gifts to Naga national race leaders.

 Also present were Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, Minister for Information
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy
Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen
Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko
Tactical Operations Commander Col Win Myint, departmental officials, members
of the panel of patrons for observing 2002 Naga Traditional New Year
Festival, Naga national race leaders, members of the central committee for
observing the festival, the chairman of working committee and members,
delegates of Naga ethnic groups from Hkamti, Homalin, Leshi and Nanyun
townships in Hkamti District and nearby villages, Naga national races from
various regions, members of 29 Naga dance troupes, tourists, guests and local
Naga people totalling over 10,000. U Kun Hpa (a) U Tin Ohn of Lahe Township
chaired the ceremony.

Members of the Panel of Chairmen were U Hla Pe (a) U Kan Ran of Khamhti
Township, U Pa Kun of Homalin township, U Ah Lone and U Kyaw Wun (a) U Khin
Maung Saw of Lashe Township . Daw Shana Fine acted as master of ceremonies
and U Say Ba Rot co-master of ceremonies.

 After the ceremony was announced open, Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Ye Myint and
those present saluted the flag of the State. First, the chairman made a
speech. Then, Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Central Executive Committee member
Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint extended greetings. Later, Naga national Ma Tha
Paung Dwe Nu gave an account of the festival. Maj-Gen Ye Myint presented
gifts to Naga national race leader U Hatti. Then, Maj-Gen Soe Win presented
140 bags of rice and 50 bags of salt donated by the Union Solidarity and
Development Association to Naga national race leaders U Lan and U Sa Mu.
Next, Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung presented gifts to Naga national race leader
U Khaw La Saw.


 In Charge of Sagaing Division USDA Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye MyintÊ
presented K 100,000 each for development work in Hkamti, Lahe, Leshe and
Nanyun townships and track suits worth K 243,000 donated by Ministry of
Sports to Naga national race leaders U She Thee, U San Kha Naung and U Maung
Ngu. Afterwards, Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing presented 100 bags of rice, 70
bags of salt, 50 viss of gram, 50 viss of oil, 25 viss of vermicelli, 50 viss
of dry fish powder and 600 trousers donated by Sagaing Division Peace and
Development Council and Northwest Command to Naga national leaders U Yin Man
and U Kyaw Na. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko presented traditional
medicines worth K 100,000 and food and clothing worth K 200,000 donated by
USDA (Central) to Naga national leaders U Htin Kob and U Sit Kyaw.

 Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun presented two sets of computers for Basic
Education High Schools in Leshe and Lahe townships donated by the Working
Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races to Naga national
race leaders U Chit Nyo and U Maung Nyan. Later, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Thura Myint Maung presented K 50,000 each for development tasks in Hkamti,
Lahe, Leshe and Nanyun townships donated by Ministry of Home Affairs to Naga
national race leader U Pa Soe Gyi. The Naga national race leaders presented
New Year gifts to Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Brig-Gen Soe
Naing, ministers and deputy ministers.

Gifts were also presented to 56 outstanding students  eight from Hkamti
Township, 23 from Leshe Township, 11 from Homalin Township, seven from Tamu
Township, one from Lahe Township, six from Nanyun Township and seven from
Tanai Township. State Peace and Development Council members and party posed
for photo together with Naga leaders, Naga representatives and members of
cultural troupes. Tourists also had photos taken together with Naga people.

They also presented gifts to Naga cultural troupe members. U Kun Hpa (a) U
Tin Ohn gave the concluding address. Then Naga traditional foods were served
and traditional dances were presented. The State Peace and Development
Council members and party then visited the New Year booths. In the evening,
the Naga traditional sports festival was held. The commander, the Minister
for Sports, the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and the Deputy Minister for
Religious Affairs attended the festival and presented prizes to athletes.

 Then, the Naga traditional bonfire festival was held to mark the success of
the New Year celebrations. Present were the State Peace and Development
Council members and party, Naga national race leaders, members of the 29
cultural troupes, tourists, Naga national people, departmental personnel and
guests totalling over 10,000. Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing set the bonfire
ablaze and formally opened the ceremony.

 The Naga cultural dances and songs and bonfire dances were presented.
Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint and party then took part in the
festival. Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint presented gifts to cultural
troupe members. Myanmar movies of the Documentary Films Division of the
Ministry of Information were shown at night. A ceremony to open the venue of
the New Year celebrations and to erect the Tagundaing (post) was held in Lahe
on 14 January. Present were Tactical Operations Commander of North-West
Command Col Win Myint, military officers, officials and local people. Col Win
Myint formally opened the sports ground. The ceremony was held in accord with
the Naga tradition.
___________________________

( 3 ) Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint tour Sagaing Division

Yangon, 17 Jan-State Peace and Development Council Members Maj-Gen Soe Win
and Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence accompanied by Sagaing
Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Northwest Command Commander
Brig-Gen Soe Naing, ministers and deputy ministers arrived in Lahe in Hkamti
District by helicopter on 14 January.

They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Win Myint and
senior military officers, Deputy Director-General U Aung San of Information
and Public Relations Department and officials, USDA members, national race
leaders who are members of the panel of patrons for observing the Naga
Traditional New Year Festival 2002, festival organizing committee members and
Naga traditional dance troupes. In the evening, Maj-Gen Soe Win met with USDA
secretaries and executives of Hkamti, Homalin, Leshe and Nanyun townships in
Hkamti District at the office of Lahe Township USDA.

Also present at the meeting were USDA CEC members Minister for Sports
Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen
Thura Aung Ko. Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko made
speeches and fulfilled the requirements.

Similarly, Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence met with departmental
officials at the hall of Township General Administration Department in the
evening. Also present were Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, Minister for
Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen
Thura Myint Maung.

Maj-Gen Ye Myint made a speech regarding measures taken by the government for
making the country peaceful ans developed one. Then, Brig-Gen Soe Naing and
officials reported on tasks being carried out for development Lahe Township.
Maj-Gen Ye Myint gave necessary instructions. Maj-Gen Soe Win, Maj-Gen Ye
Myint, Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing, the ministers and the deputy ministers
paid obeisance to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Thundra and presented offertories at the
monastery in Lahe on 15 January morning.

 In the afternoon, they inspected the People's Hospital in Lahe. Township
Health Officer of Lahe Township Health Department Dr Toe Maung reported on
health care work. Maj-Gen Soe Win and Maj-Gen Ye Myint gave necessary
instructions and fulfilled the requirements. Minister for Information Maj-Gen
Kyi Aung inspected TV re-transmission station of Myanma Radio and Television
and IPRD offices in Khamti and Lahe townships on 14 January afternoon.

Then, he met with service personnel at the office of township IPRD. Deputy
Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko paid obeisance to
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Thundra and presented offertories to members of the Sangha
and nuns. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun inspected youth training centre in Lahe
and fulfilled the requirements. There was a traditional music concert at the
sport grounds in the evening and it was crowded with concert-goers.
__________________________


( 4 ) Minister receives Governor of Borikhamxay Province of LPDR

Yangon, 17 Jan - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung received member of
the Central Executive Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party,
Governor of the Borikhamxay Province of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
His Excellency Mr Thongbanh Sengaphone and party at the Wungyi Padetha Yaza
Hall of the ministry this afternoon. Also present at the call were
directors-general and officials of the departments under the ministry and
Charge d' Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Lao PDR.

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Minister receives Ambassador

Yangon, 17 Jan - Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint received Ambassador of
Russia to Myanmar Mr Oleg V Kabanov at his office at 3 pm today. Also present
at the call were Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein and officials.

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H& T Minister receives guests

Yangon, 17 Jan - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj- Gen Saw Lwin received
General Manager of Golden Banner Tourism Mr Brett Melzer and party at his
office on Sule Pagoda road at 2 pm today. Also present at the call were
Director- General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt and
officials.

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UMFCCI President meets Ambassador

Yangon, 17 Jan - President of union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of
Commerce and Industry U Win Myint and Joint Secretary-2 Dr Maung Maung Lay
received Ambassador of Slovak Republic to the  Union of  Myanmar resident in
Bangkok Mr Marian Tomasik  of the Head Office of the UMFCCI this morning.
They discussed matters related to investment, trade and sending respective
economic delegations to each other.

__________________________

( 5 ) LPDR goodwill delegation tours Yangon

Yangon, 17 Jan - At the invitation of the deputy minister for the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and wife, visiting Province Commissioner Mr Thongbanh
Sengaphone, CEC member of the People's Revolution Party of the Lao People's
Democratic Republic, and wife and party visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, the
National Museum, the Drug Elimination Museum and the Union of Myanmar
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Office today.

 The visiting delegation arrived at the Shwedagon Pagoda at 9 am, where they
were welcomed and conducted round by officials of the board of pagoda
trustees. The visiting Province Commissioner signed in the visitors' book of
the pagoda and presented cash donations to the pagoda fund.

 At 10 am, the visiting delegation went to the National Museum on Pyay Road,
where they were welcomed at the Thihathana Throne Hall by Director of the
Department of Cultural Institute of the Ministry of Culture Daw Nu Mya Zan
and officials, and were conducted round the museum. The visiting Province
Commissioner signed in the visitors' book of the museum. Then, at 11 am, the
visiting delegation arrived at the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of
Hanthawady and Kyundaw roads, where they were welcomed by Police Lt-Col Hla
Myo Shein and officials of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control who
conducted the guests round the museum.

Next, the visiting delegation, together with Director-General of the Protocol
Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Aye Lwin and officials and
personnel of the Embassy of Laos to Myanmar, visited UMFCCI Office at 3.45
pm, where they were welcomed and greeted at the meeting hall of the
federation by Advisors of UMFCCI Dr Kyaw Htin and Dr Mehm Thet Zan,
Joint-Secretary Dr Maung Maung Lay, Expert Dr Myo Thant Tin and Executive
Officer U Myint Aung. Officials of UMFCCI explained matters related to
national development tasks they are undertaking.

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Health Minister arrives back from Geneva

Yangon, 17 Jan-A delegation led by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein left
here by air on 9 January afternoon for Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the
109th Meeting of the Board of Executives of WHO and the eighth meeting of
executives on health projects development from 11 to 14 January. The
delegation was seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Minister for
Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Mya Oo,
directors-general and officials of the Ministry of Health, WHO Resident
Representative Dr Agostino Borra and relatives.

The delegation comprised Director-General of Health Planning Department Dr
Kyi Soe, Director-General of Medical Science Department Dr Maung Maung Wint
and Director of Foreign Relations Department of the Ministry of Health Dr Pe
Thet Tun as members. The delegation attended the eighth meeting of executives
on 11 January and discussed matters on major health projects of WHO member
nations in the year 2001. It also took part in the discussions on financial
programme of WHO.

On 12 January, Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein met with WHO Southeast Asia Region
Director Dr Uton Rafei. They discussed matters on financial assistance for
setting up e-Health System in Myanmar and hosting WHO regional meetings in
Myanmar. On 14 January, the delegation attended the 109th Meeting of the
Board of Executives of WHO and participated in the discussions on health
policies to be submitted at the 55th WHO Conference and programmes to be
implemented by member nations.

In the afternoon, the minister met with WHO Director (Control, Prevention and
Eradication) Dr Maria Neira and Chief of Leprosy Programme Dr D Daumeric and
discussed matters on eradication of leprosy in Myanmar. The minister also met
with Dr Lorenzo Servioli and discussed matters on eradication of worms at
schools. In the afternoon, the delegation had discussions with a team from
AIDS control programme headed by Dr Kathleen Cravero for holding a technical
workshop for control of AIDS in Myanmar.

The minister and party left Geneva on 15 January and arrived back here on 16
January evening. The delegation was welcomed at the airport by Minister for
National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Livestock &
 Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, directors-general, Acting Resident
Representative of WHO Dr Stephen P Jost and officials.

__________________________

to be continued ...