The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 22 February, 2002)(1/2)

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The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 22 February, 2002)(1/2)
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1. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Director of
   Henry Dunant Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
2. Second-day first session of the Special General
   Meeting ( 2002 ) held
3. - Commerce Minister welcomes Korean delegation
   - Education Minister receives guests
   - Industry-1 Minister receives Japanese guests
4. - Myanmar-Japan ICT Association meets
   - Minister receives guests
   - MICT Development Co holds meeting
5. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than tours Bago Division
6. Myanmar Fishery and Livestock Fair-2002 continues
7. Armed Forces Day Observance Leading Committee Chairman
   meets officers of Tatmadaw columns
8. - Myanmar Nurses Conference continues
   - Poem and Arts Competitions Work Committee meets
9. - Myanmar trounces Brunei 11-0 in ASEAN soccer
   - Drug trafficker sentenced

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( 1 ) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Director of Henry Dunant Centre
for Humanitarian Dialogue

Yangon, 21 Feb - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Mr Martin Griffiths, Director of the Henry Dunant
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, based in Geneva, at the guest house of the
Ministry of Defence this evening. Also present at the call were Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Director-General of the
Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. Mr Martin Griffiths was accompanied by
Resident Representative Mr Leon de Riedmatten.

___________________________

( 2 ) Second-day first session of the Special General Meeting ( 2002 ) held

Yangon, 21 Feb - The second-day first session of the Special General Meeting
of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (2002) was held at the
Pyidaungsu Hall of the USDA Executives Management Training School of the
Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby on 20 February morning. It was
attended by member of the Central Panel of Patrons of USDA member of the
State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of
Defence, Secretay-General of USDA U Than Aung and members of the Secretariat,
CEC members, secretaries of state/division USDAs and delegates of
state/division/district/township USDAs. Member of the USDA Secretariat U Ko
Lay presided over the meeting with CEC members of USDA U Aung Thaung and U
Thaik Tun as members of the panel of chairmen. Daw Swe Swe Than, executive of
Rakhine State USDA, acted as master of ceremonies, and Daw Pwint Oo Han,
executive of Pyay Township USDA in Bago Division (West), as joint master of
ceremonies.

 Then delegates from State/Division USDAs began group discussions. Secretary
of Mon State USDA U Tin Soe Moe Naing said the State/Division USDAs
successfully organized the mass rallies at the respective venues from 6 to 16
January this year. Motions in support of the all-round developments in the
nation during a ten-year period were tabled and supported with precise data
to enable the people and the USDA members to understand the national and
rural development endeavours. The results of the mass rallies have led the
people to understand more about the fact " The strength of the nation really
lies within". The rallies also disclosed that the nation had achieved peace,
modernization and progress due to the consolidated force of the people and
the Tatmadaw under the leadership of the State. The people had upheld Our
Three Main National Causes more firmly at present.

He then quoted USDA Patron Senior General Than Shwe as giving guidance "At
present, the nation is heading for progress; thus all the association members
will have to participate with full vigour for continued development of the
nation. They are required to render cooperation with their utmost physical
and intellectual ability to successfully implement the third five-year
short-term national economic plan in accord with the future working
programmes." At present, the nation is striving to materialize the guidance
given by USDA Patron Senior General Than Shwe. At the Special General Meeting
(2002), which was held on 19 February this month, the Senior General also
gave guidance, saying, " The USDA members are to develop patriotic spirit; to
strive for the development of the Union and safeguard it with their lives;
and as befits the members of the USDA; and to nurture strong will and
determination so as to overcome any difficulty whatsoever. " All the members
should resolutely uphold the guidance.

Mon State has a favourable climate. Although water is not scarce in the
state, the coastal areas have to use tube-wells and reservoirs to supply
water. Thus, five large dams including Azin Dam, Winphanon Dam and
Shwenattaung Dam have been built in the region. The USDA contributed over K
2.5 million to build 13 ponds, sink six tube-wells and four wells and two
manual water pumping stations in the villages. The USDAs at different levels
in Mon State will continue to strive with the consolidated force in accord
with the guidance of the USDA Patron and with the close supervision of the
CEC members.

 The future tasks will be implemented successfully if the rural areas can be
developed from all sectors. The Mon State USDAs made a firm resolution to
energetically strive for progress of the nation and the rural areas.
Executive of Rakhine State USDA Daw Myint Myint Tha said the State Peace and
Development Council government has restored the national consolidation and
developed the nation to an unprecedented degree. It has laid down and
implemented working programmes to harmoniously develop all the sectors
including the economic and social sectors.

 As most of the surface area of the state is covered with many mountains and
natural watercourses, it had to rely on air and water transport in the past.
The government overcame many difficulties and spent a large amount of money
to build the Yangon-Sittway Highway. The road has ensured easy and smooth
transport for the national people. It is a milestone for the people of
Rakhine State. As the Kyaukphyu-Yangon road is being built through the tidal
areas, the project staff faced much difficulties in building it. The project
will be completed in 2003. The government is also building an international
deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu. The facilities have contributed to strengthening
national unity.

Myanmar is wiping out polio from the country as a national task. Members of
Rakhine State have taken part with might and main in giving polio vaccine to
the children. Health education talks have been held in 165 villages in
Rakhine State. Fly-free toilets have been built in 85 villages. The USDA
members have repaired rural dispensaries in seven villages. The association
also distributed vaccines to six villages.

The association has also repaired schools and organized parents to send their
children of school age to the schools. It has also taken part in the literary
campaigns. Moreover, the association will open summer courses for the youth.
She spoke of construction and repairs of 12 primary schools and 59
post-primary schools, measures taken to get all the children of school age to
go to school in Yanbye, Manaung and Sittway as well as in Taunggup, Kyaukphyu
and Kyauktaw, arrangements to open 223 summer cultural courses for over
48,600 trainees and the opening of libraries in villages.

Then, Secretary of Khayan Township USDA of Yangon Division U Myint Oo said
that in Yangon Division, the Government has built altogether 11 dams
including Ngamoeyeik Dam, Tabuhla Dam, Kabu Diversion Weir and Lagwanbyin
Dam. With regard to the transport sector, altogether 23 bridges including
Thanlyin Bridge, Bayintnaung Bridge, Maha Bandoola Bridge, Aungzeya Bridge,
Shwepyitha Bridge and Ngamoeyeik Bridge have been built. In Yangon Division,
the Government has dug 469 artesian wells and 90 wells to tap underground
water and 1,700 artesian wells and 3,496 wells to supply drinking water.

In the education sector of Yangon Division, 54 e-learning centres and 156
multimedia teaching centres have been opened. Dagon University, Yangon
Eastern University, the University of Computer Technology and the University
of Culture and colleges have been opened. ICT Park has been constructed. In
the health sector of Yangon Division, 54 rural clinics were opened, and trust
funds were set up in 2001 over K 29 million for 21 township hospitals, over K
2.5 million for 17 station hospitals and over K 2 million for seven rural
clinics. Yangon Division USDA is implementing the fourth and fifth tasks out
of seven future tasks laid down at the 2001 Annual General Meeting and five
rural development tasks covered by three resolutions passed at the mass
meeting held in January 2002.

To improve the condition of transport, 120 tarred roads stretching 28.11
miles in all, 59 concrete roads stretching 7.69 miles in all, 15 gravel roads
stretching 10.97 miles in all, 22 laterite roads stretching 7.20 miles in all
and 37 earth roads stretching 9.45 miles in all have been built. To develop
the rural region and supply sufficient water, 90 2-inch artesian wells, 29
4-inch artesian wells and one 8-inch artesian wells. Next, Secretary of
Taunggyi District USDA of Shan State (South) U Sai Tin Htwe said that to
develop the transport sector, the central executive committee member minister
inspected construction of roads in Nankhoak village, Hopong Township, and in
Taungni village, Taunggyi Township.

The association has built a bridge of concrete type, 162 feet long and 18
feet wide, which links YeU village and Theingon village in Ywangan Township.
To enable rural people to carry out economic, social and communication
activities, SN-568 cordless telephones have been installed at Township USDAs
with the permission of the ministry concerned. Telephone lines have been
extended to 39 villages through nine towns such as Hopong, Hsihseng and
Loilem. Arrangements are being made to install telephone lines at Maukmai,
Maingkaing and Kyethee Townships and Aungban, Bawhsaung and Wanhat villages.
Altogether 53 dams have been built in Shan State (South). Shwenyaung-Yaksawk
railroad, Aungban-Loikaw railroad, Shwenyaung-Taunggyi-Banyin-Hsaikkhaung
railroad and Namhsan-Mongnai railroad have been built.

Hsaikkhaung-Namhsan railroad is being built. Namhsan Airfield in Loilem
District has been upgraded. As to hydroelectric power projects, Zawgyi-1 and
Zawgyi-2 Hydroelectric Power Plants have been built in Yaksawk Township.
Moreover, the biggest coal-fired power station is being constructed in Tikyit
village, Pinlaung Township. A cement plant has been built as well. In Shan
State (South), there were previously 1,930 schools. The number of the schools
has increased up to 2,300 by 400. Some villages have been upgraded into
townships. For the development of border and rural areas, 116 miles of roads
have been built. Kyaingtaung-Kholan road has been built, too. In the cultural
sector, over 2,000 ancient pagodas in Kattu Village, Taunggyi Township, are
being renovated. Afterwards, Secretary of Shan State (North) USDA U Aye
Thaung said. A country needs to be peaceful and stable to develop.
Development is never possible without peace and stability.

 Our region, Shan State (North) legged behind compared with other regions due
to armed insurgency. But, national unity has regained and eternal peace could
be built through goodwill and patience of the government. Our region, Shan
State (North), has developed to a level which has never experienced in any
period for active participation of national groups who returned to legal fold
in regional development work. The government has made efforts for border
areas and national races development with added momentum. As a result,
Laukkaing, Chin Shwe Haw, Nemtit, Mongmaw, Pengsang, Kaungkha and Mantone
which used to be small villages on the border have developed to a level of
urban cities. National people can travel conveniently and easily in the short
time on the strategic roads  Mandalay-Lashio-Muse motor road,
Hsenwi-Kwunlone-Chin Shwe Haw-Laukkaing motor road and
Tarkaw-et-Laylu-Nemtein Nyinaung Bridge. Border areas are developing in
parallel with urban areas in education, health, communication and information
sectors. Patron of Shan State USDA the commander and CEC member in-charge of
the region the minister have constantly fulfilled our requirements and given
necessary assistance.

 In addition, they have supported Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red
Cross, Fire Brigade and War Veteran Association with cash and kinds. They are
K 4.75 million, 120 sets of uniform for Red Cross and Fire Brigade, 600 sets
of uniform and 1,200 hats for USDA, 35 stretchers, 15 sewing machines, four
typewriters, 25 generators, 35 sets of television, 20 units of video and VCD
players and 1,200 sheets of corrugated iron. According to geographic
conditions, transportation in our region is difficult due to thick forests
and mountains and very few plains. As a result, economy, education, health
and social standards were low in the villages on mountains. Unity has loosen
due to a lack of communicationdern technology in agriculture. Arrangements
has been made to exhibit one acre modern model plantation and one livestock
breeding farm each at 42 agriculture camps in strategic villages.

At this point, I would like to present matters related to drug eradication in
our region. Destruction of poppy plantations has been made combing the region
for complete elimination of poppy plantations in Shan State (North) during
this year. USDA could help the local peasants who found difficulty in food,
shelter and clothing for not being able to grow poppy get assistance of 800
rice bags and K 7 million. Overall assistance for growing opium substitute
crops and breeding animals will be given to them to make a living. Later,
Secretary U Saing Lone of Kengtung District USDA, Shan State (East) said. In
the time of present government, transportation has become more developed than
before in Shan State (East).

 In a decade, 219-mile tar road, 133-mile gravel road and 531-mile earthen
road totalling 793 miles have been constructed. As a result, one can travel
more easily between townships after emergence of Kengtung-Tachilek road,
Kengtung-Mongpyin road, Kengtung-Mongla road, Tachilek-Mongsat road,
Mongpyin-Mongsat road, Mongyan-Selu road and
Mongyan-Hoetaung-Mongpauk-Penseng road. People from Mongtone and Mongsat
townships can easily make trips to Taunggyi due to construction of Thalwin
River Bridge linking Mongtone-Tarhsan, a significant emergence. One BEHS,
five BEMS and 52 BEPS totalling 58 schools could be constructed under border
area development programme. As a result, offspring of local national people
can pursue basic education. Moreover, a Degree College, a State Technology
College and a Computer College could be opened in Kengtung in higher
education sector.

New generation national races have been able to pursue higher education.
Multimedia classrooms could be opened in 14 BEHSs. Five electronic learning
centres could also be opened. Member of Panel of Patron of USDA Maj-Gen Soe
Win opened an electronic library at the library of Kengtung District
Information and Public Relations Department on 2 February 2002. Similarly, en
electronic library was opened in Tachilek Township by the commander of
Triangle Command on 14 February 2002. That is like our dreams come true.

During a decade, six hospitals and 12 clinics could be opened for border area
development in Shan State (East) because uplift of rural people contain as an
important strategy in five rural area development policies. Moreover, one
nursing training school could be opened and the school has already given
birth 212 nurses. A total of 58 projects Ñ sinking of shallow tube-wells,
upgrade of lakes for drinking water, upgrade of artesian wells, water supply
from streams could be implemented at the cost of K 17.7 million in 28
villages in nine townships under the arrangement of Ministry of PBANRDA.
Communication plays a key role for smooth performance of economic and social
tasks. In Shan State (East), 12 post offices, ten telegraph offices, six
radio telephone offices, 12 switch boards, 12 satellite communication ground
stations have been constructed and 56-mile cable has been installed. Smooth
transportation is a main factor in rural area development. Arrangements have
been made for construction of five rural roads and one bridge located on the
road between a village and a city in five townships in Shan State (East).
between villages and national races because of difficulty in transportation.
To change this situation, USDA in collaboration with Progress of Border Areas
and National Races and Development Affairs Department has constructed roads
in rural areas. So far, 338-mile gravel road and 173 small bridges have been
built. Arrangements are being made for construction of 410-mile rural road
and 228 bridges in five-year period. One of main objectives of our region,
Shan State (North) is food sufficiency in the region.

 Ten township USDAs could grow 42 acres of summer paddy and 500 acres of
hybrid paddy with the use of modern technology. Organizational efforts are
being made in regional dialect so that local people can utilize mo Then,
Secretary U Than Tun of Ayeyawady Division USDA spoke on education sector. He
said under the leadership of the association, altogether 548 basic education
high, middle and primary schools were constructed and renovated, language
labs were opened in 202 schools, new 27 rural primary schools are
constructed, 23 rural primary schools were renovated, and 52 primary school
were supplied with furniture. During the coming four years, plans for
reconstruction of 221 primary schools and renovation of 488 schools out of
5809 will be carried out year by year, and in some townships, assistance will
be given for purchasing of all schooling-age children and for opening of
primary schools, he said. In health sector, one station hospital and 38 rural
health care branches were opened and 13 rural health care branches were
reconstructed and out of 772.

 He said he wanted to report that there are 297 rural health care branches to
be renovated and 143 were under renovation under the aegis of the association
and another 154 were to be renovated during the coming four year period. One
doctor, four nurses and three staff were appointed at Ahtaung Station
Hospital in Kyonepyaw opened by the association, and health care services for
rural people have been carried out and altogether 44,513 patients were
treated with free of charge to date. In cooperation with physicians and
executive doctors, the members toured the region where transportation is
difficult to give free-of-charge treatment to 157,424 local people in 1,192
villages, he added. For availability of potable water in the division, the
association has renovated 238 ponds and 380 tube-wells in the delta region
where clean water is not available since it was founded, and similar plans
will be implemented during the coming four years, he said. In linking village
roads, the association had constructed 30 roads lengthening 107,367 feet
before special three month period, and during special tree month period, 25
roads that link 50 villages have been constructed and there will be similar
plans for the villages where there is difficult transportation during the
coming four years.

The CEC member the In-charge of the division met with local people and USDA
members from 1,020 village-tracts at 53 venues and explained that assistance
has been rendered for construction of new 100 primary schools and renovation
of 693 ones, construction of 24 rural health care branches and renovation of
119 ones, renovation of 518 bridges and construction of new five fire
offices, one red cross office, 19 MWCA offices and 438 libraries attached to
the USDA offices. Afterwards, Delegate U Nyunt Win of Myitkyina Township in
Kachin State reported that the Government has implemented tasks for
development of transportation infrastructures essential for progress of
social and economic sector of the people, and constructed 276 miles of tarred
road, 308 miles of gravel road and 1010 miles of earth road in Kachin State
during a decade, he pointed out.

 Moreover, the State has constructed eight bridges including Bala Minhtin
Bridge and Tanine Bridge that is opened recently, and Kachin State USDA has
made arrangements for construction and renovation of 14 small bridges and it
will also participate in constructing 10 roads linking towns and villages. In
health sector, 58 rural health care branches and 208 dispensaries have been
opened in Kachin State, he said. In health sector, Kachin State USDA
conducted first aids courses at 14 venues for 1945 members and traditional
medicine courses at five venues for 279 members for the primary health
education. Altogether 2613 bottles of blood were donated and rural
dispensaries in Mohnyin, Phakant, Swegu, Momauk, Putao and Khaunglanphu
townships were renovated, furnished and supply with medicine. Altogether
22370 members took part in the health care development tasks and K 10,969,800
was spent, he said.

Altogether 29,050 members attended the Culture Courses conducted by the
association for the promotion of national culture and character, and with the
help of experienced teachers, the associations in townships opened study
classes for metric students and 4430 students are learning there. Kachin
State USDA has contributed assistance to availability of drinking and
cultivation water in rural areas and members actively took part in building
Kangyi Dam in Bhamo Township, renovation of Manpon Lake in Momauk, digging of
Ngapauk well in Swegu Township, digging of ditches for water pipes in Putao
Township, digging of canals in Naungmon and Khaunglanphu townships, supplying
of water in Sumprabun Township and digging of a lake in Chipwe Township.

Altogether eight tube-wells, six ponds and tasks for availability of drinking
water in 95 schools are under way, he pointed out. In conclusion, he said the
development of a nation depends on the combination of labour of the citizens
with resources and capital and the association will try its best for the
rapid development of the nation and vowed to crush all the destructive
elements risking lives with strong mind for the stability of the State.
Secretary of Kayah State USDA U Kyaw Shwe said that in the education sector,
Kayah State USDA has constructed a new building and repaired an old one in
the Basic Education Primary School in Htaythama Village in Loikaw Township.
The association has also provided assistance for construction of the walls
and floor of BEPS in Monlon (Htilanga) Village.

It has reconstructed Loikamu Village BEPS, and built a new building in
Kunthaya Village BEPS, a new building in Ziphyugon Village BEPS in Dimawhso
Township. It has donated sawn timbers to Ziphyugon Village BEPS in Dimawhso
Township. It has provided cash assistance for the teachers who assisted in
the monastic education school of Kunthaya Village. The association has also
donated cash and contributed voluntary labour to construction of Nwalabolt
Village school.It has opened evening courses for matriculation students. As
to promotion of education for the development of human resources, the
Government has opened Loikaw College, Government Technical College,
Government Computer College, two learning centres, a training school for the
progress of the border area and national races, a domestic science school and
a nursing and midwifery training school.

 The Government has also opened multi-media classrooms in 11 basic education
high schools and in some basic education middle schools and an e-library in
Loikaw for the development of Kayah State. To broaden the scope of knowledge
of the national races, the Government has opened TV relay stations in Loikaw,
Pruhso and Bawlake and other three stations were opened in Mawche, Shataw and
Ywathit under the arrangements of Kayah State. The Government has also opened
a micro-wave station , 105 auto-exchanges, 7 rural communication stations, 5
libraries, 8 telegraph stations. Five rural communication stations are under
construction and plans are afoot to build 10 more stations. USDA has
supported such endeavours of the Government, and pledged to join hand with
the Government wherever necessary. For supply of drinking water for rural
areas, the Government sank 161 tube-wells in rural areas of the region and
another 138 for schools. Members of the USDAs also joined hand with the
people of Pangan Village and Dawkalow Village in Loikaw Township in carrying
out rural water supply tasks. Then, the session ended at 9.45 am.

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( 3 ) Commerce Minister welcomes Korean delegation

Yangon, 21 Feb - At the invitation of the Minister for Commerce, a delegation
led by Mr Hwang Doo-Yun, Minister of Trade of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, the Republic of Korea, arrived at Yangon International Airport by
air this evening. They were welcomed at the airport by Minister for Commerce
Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, officials from the ROK
Embassy and departmental heads.

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Education Minister receives guests

Yangon, 21 Feb - Minister for Education U Than Aung received Mr Kenichi Ohira
of Rotary International, District 2760, AICHI Japan and World Community
Service (WCS) Committee and party, who donate computer and stationery for the
students of Myanmar, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road this afternoon.
Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win
Maung and U Myo Nyunt, directors-general and officials of the departments
under the ministry, the managing director of Myanmar Tokiwa Corporation and
officials.

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Industry-1 Minister receives Japanese guests

Yangon, 21 Feb Ñ Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Vice-Chairman
of Hiroshima Kasei Co Ltd of Japan Mr Akihiro and party at his office this
evening. Also present were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen
Kyaw Win, directors-general and managing directors of the departments and
industries under the ministry.

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to be continued ...