The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, 21 April, 2002)

Subject: The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, 21 April, 2002)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 02:03:19 -0700
The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, 21 April, 2002)
--------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations
   to Britain
2. State Peace and Development Council
   Vice-Chairman General Maung Aye and wife
   Daw Mya Mya San to pay official visit
   to Thailand
3. Secretary-1 lays cornerstones of Thitzana
   Thukhakari Ordination Hall of Maha Aungmyay
   Yeiktha Kyaungtaik in Hlinethaya
4. - Commander attends opening of Myanma
     Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival in Monywa
   - Commander attends coord meeting on
     cultivation of poppy substitute crops
5. - Transport Ministry holds ordination ceremony
   - Tasks of MAPT inspected in Taikkyi
   - Ministers attend opening of dockyard
   - Minister inspects Monywa Industrial Zone
6. - Myanmar-Thai Joint Task Force on Illegal
     Workers holds third meeting 2,208 Myanmar
     illegal workers in Thailand including children
     return home
   - Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win receives
     ICRC officials
7. - National races cultural group leaves for home
   - MAI to change airline designator
8. - Myanmar trounces Yunnan club 8-0
   - Myanmar women's beat Uzabak 5-1
9. - Raw opium seized in Kutkai
   - Marijuana traffickers sentenced
   - Poppy plantations destroyed in entire nation

---------

( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman
Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
Britain

Yangon, 21 April - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman
of the State Peace and Development Council of the
Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations
to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United
Kingdom and Northern Ireland, on the occasion of Her
Majesty's birthday which falls on 21 April 2002.

___________________________

( 2 ) State Peace and Development Council
Vice-Chairman General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya
San to pay official visit to Thailand

Yangon, 21 April - At the invitation of the Prime
Minister of Thailand, Dr Thaksin Shinawatra,
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San
will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand
in the near future.

___________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 lays cornerstones of Thitzana
Thukhakari Ordination Hall of Maha Aungmyay Yeiktha
Kyaungtaik in Hlinethaya

Yangon, 20 April - A ceremony to lay cornerstones for
Thitzana Thukhakari Ordination Hall Dhamma
Beikmandawgyi at Maha Aungmyaythaya Sasana Yeiktha was
held in the compound of Maha Aungmyay Yeiktha
Kyaungtaik in Ward 7, Hlinethaya Township, at 7 am
today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The cornerstone-laying ceremony was opened with the
three-time recitation of namo tassa. Staff Officer of
Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U San
Thinn Hlaing read the Mingala Mawgun paper. Then, the
Secretary-1 put a casket containing nine gems at the
centre of the cornerstones.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party laid the bricks at the
designated places. The Secretary-1 put the stone
plaque and sprinkled scented water on the gem casket,
the bricks and the stone plaque. Members of the Sangha
recited religious verses. Then, the cornerstone-laying
ceremony came to a close.

Afterwards, the donation ceremony to the funds of
Kyaungtaik was held.

The Secretary-1 and the congregation took the Five
Precepts from the Masoeyein Sayadaw. The Sayadaws
recited Metta Sutta. Then, the Secretary-1 and party
and the wellwishers offered provisions to the
Sayadaws.

At the donation ceremony, the Secretary-1, the
Commander and the Minister for Religious Affairs
accepted K 33,850,000 donated by the wellwishers
including K 10 million by Japanese Theravada Buddhist
Association led by Mrs Takheda of Tokyo, Japan, K 6
million by U Soe Win and brothers and sisters of
Yangon, K 4 million by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara of
Thayet and disciples of Yangon, K 3.5 million by (U
Pwint Gaung)-Daw Khin Nwe Yi and family of Shwe Pazun
family, K 3 million by disciples of Sayadaw Bhaddanta
?anut-tara in Japan, K 1 million by disciples of
Sayadaw Bhaddanta ?anuttara in Japan, K 1 million by
disciples of Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vayamavudha in Yangon,
K 1 million by wellwishers of Hlinethaya, K 800,000 by
Ko Thant Zin (in Japan), K 750,000 by Nang Myat Moe
Thida and friends of Yangon and Taunggyi, K 600,000 by
U Hla Kyi-Daw Tin Yi and family and Ko Aung Hsan Oo-Ma
Amy Kyaw Aye and family of South Okkalapa, K 600,000
by U Ohn Than-Daw Kyi Kyi Nyunt of Ayeyeikmon Housing
Complex, K 500,000 by U Thein Tun (in Japan), K
500,000 by U Chit Maung-Daw Tin Mya, K 500,000 by U
Maung Maung Latt-Daw Tint Tint of Bayin Robe Shop and
K 100,000 by U Hla Htoo Kyaw-Dr Daw Hla Myat Mon of
Yankin Township. Then, certificates of honour were
presented to the wellwishers.

Vice-Chairman Thayet Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara
delivered a sermon and the Secretary-1 and the
well-wishers shared merits gained.

The ceremony came to a close with the three-time
recitation of buddha sasanam ?iram titthatu. Later,
the Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and
silver showers to mark the successful conclusion of
the ceremony.

__________________________

( 4 ) Commander attends opening of Myanma Traditional
Maha Thingyan Festival in Monywa

Yangon, 20 April - The opening ceremony of the Central
Pandal for 1363 ME Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan
Festival in Monywa, Sagaing Division was held at the
pandal on 13 April afternoon, attended by Chairman of
Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing and
wife Daw Tin Tin Latt, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Soe
Myint and wife, senior military officers and their
wives, commanders of battalions and units in Monywa
Station, division/district/township level departmental
officials and guests.

Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing formally opened the
ceremony.

Then, the twelve yein troupes performed by singing
Thingyan songs.

Next, the commander and wife doused senior military
officers and their wives with water.

On 16 April afternoon, the closing ceremony of Myanma
Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival was held in
conjunction with the prize-presentation ceremony at
the Central Pandal.

It was attended by Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Soe Myint
and wife Daw Saw Thida, senior military officers and
their wives, commanders of battalions and units in
Monywa Station, officials and guests.

Daw Saw Thida and officials presented the trophy and
cash awards to the first, second and third prize
winning yein troupes.

Those present and yein troupe members sang Myananda
song in chorus and then the ceremony ended.

---------

Commander attends coord meeting on cultivation of
poppy substitute crops

Yangon, 20 April - A meeting to coordinate cultivation
of poppy substitute crops in Shan State (South) was
held at the meeting hall of Shan State in Taunggyi on
17 April, attended by Chairman of Shan State Peace and
Development Council Commander of Eastern Command
Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Deputy Minister for
Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy
Commander Col Myint Aung and senior military officers,
members of Shan State Peace and Development Council
and Shan State level departmental officials.

Member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control
Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation
Brig-Gen Khin Maung discussed matters related to
extensive cultivation of poppy substitute crops as a
plan to totally wipe out the poisonous flowers,
arrangements for timely delivery of opium substitute
crops to the regions in states before the poppy
cultivation season, and assistance provided by the
State for the opium substitute crop cultivation
project.

Then, Police Brig-Gen Tin Win reported on the tasks
being undertaken for narcotic drugs control, progress
in control of narcotic drugs in the respective project
years, and condition of the decreasing number of acres
of poppy field.

Afterwards, the commander gave instructions on wider
cultivation of the crops that are suitable to the
region to ensure the total eradication of narcotic
drugs and educative talks programmes for poppy
growers.

The meeting drew to a close.
__________________________

( 5 ) Transport Ministry holds ordination ceremony

Yangon, 20 April - The Ministry of Transport held its
second ordination ceremony at the Dhammayon of the
ministry in the precinct of Maha Wizaya Pagoda on
Dhammarakkhita Hill, Dagon Township, this morning.

Nayaka Sayadaw U Vasava and Sayadaws ordained those
monk-to-be at the Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha Ordination
Hall.

Then, offertories were presented to the Sayadaws and
newly-ordained monks.

Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta
Sirindabhivamsa (Mandalay Masoeyein Sayadaw)
administered the Nine Precepts and members of the
Sangha recited parittas.

Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and his wife, the
deputy ministers and heads of departments and their
wives presented offertories to the Sayadaws. The wives
of the minister, the deputy ministers and departmental
heads presented offertories to nuns.

Joint-Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita U Osadha-bhivamsa
(Nyaungdon Sayadaw) delivered a sermon and merits
gained were shared. After the ceremony, rituals of
golden and silver showers were performed to mark the
success of the ceremony.

Then, "soon" was offered to members of the Sangha.

---------

Tasks of MAPT inspected in Taikkyi

Yangon, 20 April - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi
Sone, accompanied by officials of Myanma Agricultural
Produce Trading, arrived at the Myoma purchase depot
of MAPT in Taikkyi this morning. The minister gave
instructions on minimizing loss and wastage and fire
prevention measures and natural disasters preparedness
and attended to their requirements.

---------

Ministers attend opening of dockyard

YANGON, 20 April - The opening ceremony of 1,400-ton
dry dock of Dalla Dockyard of Inland Water Transport
of the Ministry of Transport was held at the dockyard
yesterday morning.

It was attended by Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen
Tin Ngwe, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw
Lwin, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and
Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than,
departmental heads under the Ministry of Transport and
officials, Managing Director of AryonOo Construction
Company U Zaw Win and guests.

First, Minister Maj-Gen ma Myint Swe made a speech and
formally unveiled the stone inscription of the
dockyard.

Then, the ministers and guests viewed round the
dockyard.

AryonOo Construction Co constructed the dockyard,
300-foot long 50-foot wide and 18-foot depth, for the
repair of 1400-ton ships, at a cost of K 80 million.
The company started the project on 20 June, 2000 and
completed it on 15 March, 2002.

---------

Minister inspects Monywa Industrial Zone

YANGON, 20 April - Member of the Leading Committee for
Industrial Development In-charge of Monywa Industrial
Zone Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe,
accompanied by Deputy Commander of North-West Command
Brig-Gen Soe Myint and officials inspected the
Industrial Zone yesterday morning.

In the hall of the Indus- trial Zone, Chairman of the
Monywa Industrial Zone Supervisory Committee Com-
missioner of the Division General Administration
Department U Khin Maung Myint reported on work done.

The minister also inspected automobile units and parts
at the booth of the manufacturing of industrial
equipment, production of traditional medicines and
fulfilled the requirements of the entrepreneurs.

___________________________

( 6 ) Myanmar-Thai Joint Task Force on Illegal Workers
holds third meeting 2,208 Myanmar illegal workers in
Thailand including children return home

Yangon, 20 April - The third meeting of the Joint Task
Force on Illegal Workers chaired by Deputy Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win of Myanmar and
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr Tej Bunnag of Thailand was held at Aye Chan Phyo
Guest House in Myawady, Kayin State, yesterday
afternoon.

Also present together with Permanent Secretary Mr Tej
Bunnag were delegates of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Office of the National Security Council,
the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour, the
Ministry of Defence and Thai Police Force.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win
introduced the members of the Myanmar delegation to
the head and members of the Thai delegation.

Then, he said that it is assumed that the joint
performance of the task is of vital importance to both
Thailand and Myanmar. If the two nations carry out the
task in the spirit of cordiality and cooperation, the
reception task will be successful. He expressed his
belief that at the third meeting of the Joint Task
Force on reception of Myanmar illegal workers in
Thailand, those present will be able to give good
suggestions and exchange their views on the matter. In
Myawady, the task of reception Myanmar illegal workers
in Thailand is starting. Myanmar is systematically
handling the matter. To make the task successful and
smooth, both nations have to work with genuine
goodwill.

Permanent Secretary Mr Tej Bunnag expressed his thanks
for having an opportunity of working in cooperation.
Cooperative work and efforts will lead to success. It
is expected that they all will be able to share their
views frankly and simply. It is found that the
arrangements to receive illegal workers are
systematic.

Then, both parties had cordial and open discussions on
procedures for receiving Myanmar illegal workers in
Thailand.

Afterwards, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win spoke
words of thanks.

The meeting drew a close at 2.30 pm.

As Thai authorities are taking legal action against
the Myanmar citizens working illegally in Thailand and
they are faced with all kinds of trouble and
difficulty, the Myanmar Government has made
arrangements to receive them systematically. A leading
committee on receiving Myanmar illegal workers in
Thailand was formed in February, which is headed by
the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council and composed of the ministers and officials.
Necessary working groups have been formed as well.

In addition, to coordinate the matter between Myanmar
and Thailand, a Myanmar-Thai Joint Task Force headed
by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung
Win on Myanmar side and Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Tej Bunnag on Thai side
was formed. The Joint Task Force held the first
meeting in Yangon in February 2002 and the second
meeting in Phuket, Thailand, in the beginning of
March. The delegations from both countries coordinated
necessary matters in the spirit of friendship and
understanding.

Although Myanmar citizens went to Thailand and worked
there illegally, the Government is systematically
receiving them out of sheer goodwill without taking
any legal action and in the manner of receiving sons
and daughters who are in trouble, and sending them to
their homes. Since mid March, officials from the
Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Social Welfare,
Relief and Resettlement, the Ministry of Immigration
and Population, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry
of Labour and Myanmar Police Force have been sent to
Myawady to carry out the reception task
systematically. With the help of local authorities,
local regiment and units, Myanmar Red Cross Society,
Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association,
Myanmar Working Committee for Women's Affairs and the
Auxiliary Fire Brigade, they are attending to the
needs of those who have come back from Thailand.

Arrangements have been made to send them home, to give
check-ups and to take care of their needs. With the
help of local authorities, they have been sent back to
their houses. Those who are not in good health are
being given medical treatment. Altogether 2,208 men,
women and children have come back up to 19 April 2002.

After the meeting, the Thai delegation headed by
Permanent Secretary Mr Tej Bunnag left Myawady for
Thailand through Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge by
car.

Leader of the Thai delegation Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Tej Bunnag and
members arrived at Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge by
car at noon. They were welcomed by Director-General of
Consular, International Law and Treaties and Research
Department U Thein Myint and officials.

Leader of Myanma delegation Deputy Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win hosted a luncheon in
honour of the Thai delegation at Starlight Hotel in
Myawady.

Leader of the Thai delegation and members, ICRC
officials and leader of Myanmar delegation and members
visited illegal Myanmar workers reception camp opened
at the sports ground in Myawady. They observed
reception of workers, registration, putting on record
by taking photos, scritinizing their citizenship,
clearance of criminal cases, checks on the working
condition of their jobs and salary, medical check-up,
issuing them travelling allowance and daily allowance,
systematic transportation, the mess and hostels.

---------

Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win receives ICRC
officials

YANGON, 20 April - secretary of leading committee for
receiving illegal Myanmar workers in Thailand Deputy
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win met Head
of Sub-delegation of the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC) based in Mawlamyine Mr Robert
Przedpelski and delegate Emilia Femandez at the
station guest house in Hpa-an in Kayin State on 17
April.

___________________________

( 7 ) National races cultural group leaves for home

YANGON, 20 April - A I97-member border area national
races cultural group from Pgnwa and Lweje regions in
Kachin State, Bawlake region in Kayah State,
Myainggyingu and Whaetshan regions in Kayin State,
Kyikha and Paletwa regions in Chin State, Leshi and
Lahe regions in Sagaing Division, Mongton, Kutkai,
Panghsan and Mongmao regions in Northern Shan State,
Mongpauk, Adee and Monghsat regions in Eastern Shan
State and Bokpyin region in Taninthayi Division, which
visited here at the invitation of Chainnan of Border
Areas and National Races Development Work Committee
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. led by Deputy Director Maj Nyan Lin
Myint of the Progress of Border Areas and National
Races Department. visited Defence Services Museum.
Bogyoke Aung San market and Mingalar market yesterday
morning. Officials saw off the members of the cultural
group who left for their respective native areas
starting from this morning.

---------

MAI to change airline designator

YANGON, 20 April - The Myanmar Airways International
(MAl) will use the airline designator '8M' approved by
IATA beginning 22 April 2002. Previous designator 'UB'
will be changed into'8M'. Flight UB221 will be changed
to Flight No 8M221. The MAl will substitute 8M
designator for UB.

___________________________

( 8 ) Myanmar trounces Yunnan club 8-0

Yangon, 20 April - Selected Myanmar football team
trounced Liqant club 8-0 at the Yunnan Province
Invitational Soccer Tournament today.

The Myanmar team won over the Yunnan club with three
goals shot by Aung Kyaw Moe, Lwin Oo and Tint Naing
Tun Thein in the first half.

In the second half, Aung Kyaw Tun scored two goals,
Soe Lin Tun, Lwin Oo and Kyaw Soe Oo one goal each.

On 21 April, the Myanmar team will play against Yunnan
Internet Club team in the final match.

---------

Myanmar women's beat Uzabak 5-1

Yangon, 20 April - Selected Myanmar women's team beat
Uzabakistan team 5-1 in the First Asian U-19 Women's
Football Qualifier in Goa, India, today.

On 22 April, the Myanmar women's team will play
against Thai women's team.

___________________________

( 9 ) Raw opium seized in Kutkai

Yangon, 20 April - A combined team comprising members
of local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-Drug
Squad, acting on information, searched the house of
Chein Kya Hua at Myoma Bazaar in Ward-3, Kaungkha
Myothit, Kutkai Township, and arrested Chein Kya Hua
and wife Ma Tuan Chein Yin together with 83 packages
of raw opium weighing 156.16 kilos on 30 March
morning.

Then, the team searched the shop of Wan Shan Yin at
the market and seized 44 packages of raw opium
weighing 136.92 kilos. Wan Shan Yin escaped. Action is
being taken against Chein Kya Hua, 31, son of U Chein
Haw Sein, Myoma Market, Ward-3, Kaungkha Myothit,
Kutkai Township, and Ma Tuan Chein Yin, 31, daughter
of U Tuan Yauk Chaung, under section 15/19(A)/21 of
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law and Wan
Shan Yin who is at large under section 19 (A) by
Kutkai Police Station.

---------

Marijuana traffickers sentenced

YANGON, 20 April - A combined team comprising members
of local intelligence unit and local police force,
acting on a tip-off, searched a bus with plate numbers
Sa/ 7146 at the Toll Gate at the. .entrance to Bago
and arrested passengers Chit Thein and Than Nyunt
together with 4.7 kilos of marijuana on 9 December
2000.

Action was taken against I Chit Thein, 19, son of U
Nyunt of Kyaukkyibakkan Village, and Than Nyunt, 55,
son of U Tun of Nyaungbin Village, Htantabin Township,
under section 15/19 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law by Bago No-1.Police
Station. Bago District Court handed down three years'
imprisonment under section 15 and twelve years'
imprisonment under section 19 (A) on Chit Thein to
serve separately and twelve years' imprisonment under
section 19 (A) on Than Nyunt on 26 March this year.

---------

Poppy plantations destroyed in entire nation

YANGON, 20 April - Receiving information about
cultivation of poppy with pumped water, near Bilu
Creek, west of Hsaunghsee village, Pinlaung Township,
Shan State (South), a combined team comprising
Tatmadawmen of two companies of local battalion led by
the commandant, local authorities, policemen and the
military intelligence unit seized poppy plantations
and equipment for poppy cultivation at the junction of
Lwephya road on 20 March 2002. The team filed cases
against six poppy cultivators --- Hla Shwe, 38,. son
of U Htaik; Than Maung, 42, son of U Mon; Hsee Chaung,
25, son of U Toe San; Toke Kyi, 31, son of U Latt;
Maung Tun, 21, son of U Chaung; Maung Sein, 30, son of
U Ban -- at Pinlaung Police Station. The authorities
then destroyed 50 acres of poppy plantation. Up to 31
March during the period of 2001-2002 poppy cultivation
season, a total of 1,429.77 acres of poppy plantations
were destroyed in Shan State (South) and 23,777 .3
acres in the entire nation.

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