The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 3 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 3 May, 2002)
-------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
   Republic of Poland
2. Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study explained
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a press release
   regarding the news that"Myanmar opium crop
   threatens to rise after Afghanistan production
   drops" carried by News Express
4. - Minister receives Japanese guests
   - Work on printing textbooks coordinated
   - Minister visits exhibition
   - Minister inspects tyre factory
   - Hockey Tourney continues
5. - New tarred roads and lakes opened in Dalla
   - Regional development tasks inspected
   - Shwegugyi Pagoda consecrated in Wuntho
   - Commander inspects renovation of pagodas
6. - Thai delegation concludes visit
   - Workshop on geared motors and inverters held
   - Cash and kind donated to 3rd MWJA Conference
   - Naga and Kachin study group tours Yangon
7. - Three KNU terrorists blow up gas pipeline
   - KNU terrorist insurgents mine two passenger
     buses on Kawkareik-Myawady Road
   - CNA mine seriously injures 13-year-old girl
8. Golf Championship on 8-9 May
9. Opium trafficker sentenced

---------

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

Yangon, 3 May - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council of the Union
of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His
Excellency Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of the
Republic of Poland, on the occasion of the National
Day of the Republic of Poland which falls on 3 May
2002.

___________________________

( 2 ) Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study
explained

Yangon, 2 May - The Andaman Sea oceanographic study
programmed jointly conducted by marine scientists of
Myanmar and India was explained at the hall of
Nanthida jetty here this morning.

Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony.

Minister for Education U Than Aung said: The Port Call
programmed of ORV Sagar Kanya, which is part of the
Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study of the Andaman
Sea Programmed, will provide local scientists and
academics the invaluable opportunity to study the
research capabilities of the vessel. The Joint Study
of the Andaman Sea Programmed was initiated with a
workshop held on 25th and 26th November, 1998 at the
Diamond Jubilee Hall in Yangon. It was followed by
another workshop in Goa, India held from 27th to 29th
September, 1999. The Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic
Study of the Andaman Sea brings together Indian and
Myanmar Oceanography experts and includes among
others, seven scientists from Yangon University and
Mawlamyine University.

In conclusion, I wish the scholars of both countries
great success in their research and a fruitful
exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Charge d'Affaires ai of the Indian Embassy in Myanmar
Mr Ashok Tomar also gave a speech. Leader of the
Myanmar-India marine scientist team Dr PS Rao
explained the research programmed.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, ministers and party
viewed the documents and photos of the research
programmed on board the research vessel ORV Sagar
Kanya.

Officials explained the research work with
audio-visual aids.

The Secretary-1 presented a fruit basket to Captain of
the ship Mr Mohan Kuruvilla.

Minister U Than Aung presented a gift to Dr PS Rao and
Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower
Myanmar) U Saw Lwin, to the captain.

Under the programmed, the scientists from the two
countries left Madras in India for Rakhine coast in
Myanmar on 16 April on board the research ship. They
conducted ocean research along the coast on 20 April.

They also conducted geological, chemical, physical and
biological study at the Ayeyawady delta coast and gulf
of Mottama on 30 April.

They will leave Yangon on board the ship for
Taninthayi coast and Andaman Sea on 3 May to study the
areas till 15 May. Afterwards, they will return to
Madras.

---------

They will do research work for six weeks in Goa.

The research papers will be presented and discussed at
a workshop which will be held in Yangon in December
2003.

This afternoon, 152 students and faculties of Marine
Biology Department of Mawlamyine University, the
professors, the associate professors, faculties and
students of Zoology, Botany, Geology, Chemistry and
Physics departments of Yangon University totaling 200,
40 students and faculties of Zoology and Botany
departments of Yangon (East) University and 40
students and faculties of Zoology and Botany
departments of Dagon University visited the ship.

Minister U Than Aung hosted a dinner in honor of the
Indian and Myanmar marine scientists of the team at
Inya Lake Hotel.

___________________________

( 3 ) Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a press
release regarding the news that
"Myanmar opium crop threatens to rise after
Afghanistan production drops"
carried by News Express

Yangon, 2 May - The following is the text of the press
release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
today.

Recently an AFP report, carried by the News Express of
15 April 2002, raised false alarm that "Myanmar opium
crop threatens to rise after Afghanistan production
drops". This speculation was attributed to the
unsubstantiated information that peasants in Myanmar
had been told by drug lords to plant as much poppy as
they could this season. The AFP report stands in stark
contrast with the real situation on the ground.

The government of Myanmar has been undertaking opium
yield surveys in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement
Administration of the United States since 1993 and the
last survey took place from 25 February to 2 March
2002 in townships in eastern and northern Shan State.
Since 1997, the opium production has been declining
steadily. The tonnage of opium production has declined
from 2,365 in 1997 to 865 in 2001, representing a
decrease of 64 per cent.

Acreage under poppy cultivation has also decreased.
151,201 acres under opium in 1997 has declined to
61,824 in 2001, representing a decrease of almost 60
per cent.

As part and parcel of the 15-year Narcotic Elimination
Plan, the Project on Opium Cultivation Control started
in April 2002 will be implemented in northern and
southern Shan State where opium cultivation is the
largest. Although the project is currently focused on
areas that cultivate poppy most, local authorities
have been given leeway to extend the coverage of the
project to other areas as required.

In the light of these concrete figures and efforts,
there is no sound basis for the speculation that
Myanmar opium crop threatens to rise.

In view of these energetic efforts to tackle the
problem at its source, together with sustained law
enforcement measures to control trafficking in drugs,
it is most likely that opium production would rather
drop than rise.

The Government is determined that all the present
efforts stay on course to eliminate the narcotic drugs
as envisaged in the 15-year plan.

__________________________

( 4 ) Minister receives Japanese guests

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein
received Assistant Secretary-General Mr Katsu-mi Moro
of Basic Human Needs Association (BHN), Japan, and
party at his office this afternoon. Also present were
Deputy Ministers Prof Dr Mya Oo and Prof Dr Kyaw Myint
and officials.

---------

Work on printing textbooks coordinated

Yangon, 2 May - The Committee for Printing and
Distribution of Textbooks held its fourth work
coordination meeting on timely distribution of
textbooks before the opening of schools at the Sarpay
Beikman Press near Hanthawady roundabout here this
afternoon.

Chairman of the Committee Minister for Information
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung made a speech at the meeting. Also
present were Chairman of the Sub-committee for
Printing Textbooks Deputy Minister for Information
Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Chairman of the Sub-committee for
Distribution Textbooks Deputy Minister for Education
Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, managing directors, directors
and officials of the ministries concerned. Master of
ceremonies Managing Director of the Printing and
Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein read out the
minutes and decisions made by the third meeting. Then,
Chairman of Sub-committee for Printing of Textbooks
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Chairman of
Sub-committee for Distribution of Textbooks Deputy
Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung reported on printing
work and distribution tasks respectively.

The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the
chairman of the committee. Textbooks for 2002-2003
academic year have been distributed since February;
551,630 copies of textbooks, to Tanintharyi Division;
1,210,760, to Rakhine State; 565,320, to Kachin State;
2,363,407, to Sagaing Division; 1,682,770, to Shan
State; 180,650, to Kayah State; 538,400, to Kayin
State; 1,467,460, to Mon State; a total of 28,752,486
have been distributed to the shops up to 30 April.

---------

Minister visits exhibition

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Education U Than Aung,
accompanied by Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and
directors-general and chairmen of the departments and
boards under the ministry, viewed the "A Journey
through the Myeik Archipelago" exhibition of SEAMEO
Regional History and Custom Centre on Pyay Road this
afternoon.

The exhibition showed facts about Salon national races
living in the southern part of Myanmar sea, based on
the 50 years of research. Photographs, video tapes,
households appliances for daily life and books on
Salon national race were displayed in the exhibition.

---------

Minister inspects tyre factory

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw
Lwin, accompanied by Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung
Kyaw and officials, inspected production of tires of
Myanma Tyre and Rubber Factory (Thaton) of the Myanma
Tyre and Rubber Industries yesterday. Managing
Director of MTRI U Oo Zun and General Manager of the
Factory U Myint Naing reported on the work. The
minister left instructions on production of quality
tires and exceeding the target.

---------

Hockey Tourney continues

Yangon, 2 May - The Four Countries Invitational Hockey
Tourney continued at the Youth Training Centre in
Thuwunna today. Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint,
Commander of No 4 Military Region Commandant of the
Defense Services Records Office President of Myanmar
Hockey Federation Brig-Gen Myo Myint and executives,
member of Hockey Development Committee of the World
Hockey Federation U Kyaw Naing, guests and fans viewed
the matches today. In the first match, Malaysia
Project Youth team beat Malaysia-Perak team 2-0. In
the second match, selected Myanmar team and
Bangladeshi Army team played 1-1 draw. The tourney
continues tomorrow and India team will play against
Malaysia-Perak team and Malay- sia Project Youth team
against Bangladeshi Army team.

__________________________

( 5 ) New tarred roads and lakes opened in Dalla

Yangon, 2 May - Opening ceremonies of Saya San and
Emondra tarred roads and lakes were held in Dalla,
Yangon South District, this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City
Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa,
Commandant of No 1 Military Region Col Khin Maung Soe,
officials and local people. Saya San Road linking
Dalla-Twantay road and Kanna road along Yangon river
opened today is 2,822 feet long. It was constructed at
a cost of K 8 million. Emondra road in Myoma Ward 4 is
1,412 feet long and 12 feet wide.

The lakes opened today are Bo Yan Pyay lake in Bo Yan
Pyay Ward with a storage capacity of 7.9 million
gallons of water, Thegon lake in Myoma Ward 2 that
holds 3 million gallons and Laykyi lake in Myoma Ward
with a storage capacity of 12.3 million gallons. The
total cost of the two roads and the lakes amounted to
K 18.11 million over K 10 million by YCDC and over K
8.1 million by local people.

The commander and party met with departmental
officials, members of social organizations and local
people at Thiri Zeya Anawrahta hall. The commander and
the vice-mayor gave instructions on regional
development.

---------

Regional development tasks inspected

Yangon, 2 May - Kachin State Peace and Development
Council Chairman Northern Command Commander Brig-Gen
Maung Maung Swe, accompanied by officials, met with
national race leader of Kachin State Special Region 2
U Zaung Tayar and officials at the guest house of
Kachin State Special Region 2 in Laingzar on 24 April
afternoon.

The commander discussed regional development tasks and
attended to the needs. On 26 April morning, the
commander arrived at the construction site of Banhtet
Village Middle School in Mansi Township. At the
briefing hall, well-wisher of the school U Tun Tun and
officials reported on progress of work, and the
commander fulfilled their needs.

He also presented K 100,000 to Village USDA and K
50,000 to Village MCWA. The commander visited Village
Sasana Yaungchi Kyaungtaik; he presented offertories
to Sayadaw U ?anadhaja and supplicated on religious
matters. Afterwards, together with Minister for Hotels
and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, he arrived at the
commodity check point of the Border Trade Department
in Kyauksakhan Village, Mo-mauk Township. After
hearing reports presented by officials concerned, the
commander and the minister gave necessary instructions
and fulfilled the requirements.

On 27 April morning, the commander inspected
Bha-mo-Myitkyina road extension project and repairs to
bridges. The commander left instructions and attended
to the needs.

---------

Shwegugyi Pagoda consecrated in Wuntho

Yangon, 2 May - A ceremony to hoist Shwehtidaw atop
Shwegugyi Pagoda and to consecrate the pagoda was held
at the pagoda in Wuntho, Sagaing Division, on 29 April
morning.

Present on the occasion were members of the Sangha,
Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe
Naing and senior military officers, local authorities,
members of USDA and social organizations, well-wisher
U San Htwe and local people. The commander and
officials and the well-wishers conveyed Seinbudaw,
Hnget-myatnadaw, tiers of Shwe-htidaw three times
around the pagoda.

At the auspicious time, Seinbudaw and Hngetmyat-nadaw
were hoisted atop the pagoda. The Sayadaws and members
of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda, followed by the
sharing of merits. After the ceremony, the commander
and party offered soon to the Sayadaws and members of
the Sangha.

Well-wisher U San Htwe and Daw San Kyin donated K
150,000 to Sagaing Division Peace and Development
Council. They also made cash donations to the social
organizations of Wuntho Township.

---------

Commander inspects renovation of pagodas

Yangon, 2 May - Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of South-West
Command Brig-Gen Htay Oo, together with officials,
inspected all-round renovation of Tharaung Maha Pagoda
in Phayagyigone Village, Pathein Township, yesterday
morning.

The officers and other ranks of local battalions and
units, members of the Union Solidarity and Development
Association and local people were carrying out the
renovation of the pagoda. In the afternoon, the
commander visited PhaungdawU Pagoda and Shwemawdaw
Pagoda in Pathein and gave instructions on renovation
work.

___________________________

( 6 ) Thai delegation concludes visit

Yangon, 2 May - The eight-member delegation led by
General Secretary Mr Khachadpai Burusapatana of the
National Security Council of Thailand, which visited
here at the invitation of Deputy Minister for Foreign
Affairs U Khin Maung Win, left for home by air
yesterday evening.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win
and departmental heads, Ambassador of Thailand to
Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and staff of the embassy. The
General Secretary and party were on a visit to Myanmar
from 28 April to 1 May, and exchanged views on mutual
interests with Myanmar authorities.

---------

Workshop on geared motors and inverters held

Yangon, 2 May - Workshop on SEW geared motors and
frequency inverters, that are SEW Eurodrive Range of
Energy Saving Products, jointly organized by SEW
Eurodrive India (Private) Ltd India, and Agricultural
and Industrial Development Co Ltd (Myanmar), was held
at Sofitel Plaza here on 30 April evening.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin
Tun, officials and guests. Managing Director of SEW
Eurodrive India (Private) Ltd Mr PKC Bose extended
greeting and Marketing Director Mr P Majundar
discussed on use of SEW geared motors and frequency
inverters produced in Germany and fixed in India, with
the use of audio-visual aids. Those present raised
queries.

Those wanting more information about SEW geared motors
and frequency inverters may contact Agricultural and
Industrial Development (Myanmar) Co Ltd, No 158 (A),
Kyimyindine Road (Lower), Ahlon Township.

---------

Cash and kind donated to 3rd MWJA Conference

Yangon, 2 May - Hailing the 3rd MWJA Conference,
members of township Writers and Journalists
Associations and well-wishers donated cash to Myanmar
Writers and Journalists Association (Central) at
Sarpay Beikman Building on Merchant Street here this
noon.

It was attended by MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko
Hsaung), Joint Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint
Kywe) and Central Executive Committee members U Myo
Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), U Khin Swe (Shwe Son Nyo),
Joint Secretary of the Funds Raising Committee U Soe
Shein (Maung Soe Htaik-Thonze) and well-wishers.

At the ceremony, Dagon Myothit (South) Township WJA
presented cash and prepayment of annual fee for 2003 K
11,700; Mingala Taungnyunt WJA 200 magazines worth K
60,000 and annual fee K 5,000; U Soe Shein (Maung Soe
Htaik-Thonze) 200 books worth K 40,000; Thanlyin
Township WJA and 9 wellwishers K 15,500. U Hla Myaing
(Ko Hsaung) accepted the donations and presented
certificates of honor to the well-wishers.
Well-wishers may contact No 529, Merchant Street, the
Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon (Ph 252417, 254173).

---------

Naga and Kachin study group tours Yangon

Yangon, 2 May - At the invitation of Chairman of the
Working Committee for Development of Border Areas and
National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, members of
national races study group  30 Naga national races
from Sagaing Division and 24 Kachin national races
from Kachin State  accompanied by Deputy Director of
the Progress of Border Areas and National Races
Department Maj San Wai, paid homage to Shwedagon
Pagoda this morning.

Members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials
welcomed them and briefed them on the history of the
Pagoda. Then, they visited the Buddhological Museum
and Mahawizaya Pagoda. At 10 am, the study group
proceeded to the Defense Services Museum on Shwedagon
Pagoda Road.

Staff Officer (Grade II) Maj Kyaw Kyaw Myint of the
office of Director of Defense Services Museum and
Historical Research Institute briefed them on the
Museum and conducted them around the booths of twelve
State's Objectives, booths of the ministries and
others. They also visited the National Museum on Pyay
Road in the afternoon and Yuzana plaza in the evening.

___________________________

( 7 ) Three KNU terrorists blow up gas pipeline

Yangon, 2 May - Three KNU terrorist insurgents blew up
a gas pipeline near Thabyechaung Creek bridge at
Railroad Mile Post 241/18,19 between Hnit Kayin and
Ahnin villages in Ye Township on 30 April 2002.

The pipeline is transporting gas from Kanbauk to
Myainggale. Watchman of the pipeline U Soe Naing, 33,
son of U Myat Naing, and wife Daw Nyo of Kyeikkhe
village, sustained burns on their back by the
explosion. The three KNU terrorist insurgents holding
small arms arrived at the civilian guard house near
the bridge at night on 30 April.

They tied up U Soe Naing and wife in the guard house,
and blew up the pipeline. The Tatmadaw columns are
combing the surrounding areas to find the culprits.

---------

KNU terrorist insurgents mine two passenger buses on
Kawkareik-Myawady Road

Yangon, 2 May - KNU terrorist insurgents mined and
fired at two Hilux light passenger buses near Mile
Post 35th on Kawkareik-Myawady road on 30 April 2002.

Tali Bai was at the wheels of the car with number
plates Hta/6798 and Saw Thaik Pwe at the wheels of
another car with number plates 9Ka/5734. During the
attack, Ma Myint Aye, 44, daughter of U Ohn Yin of
Kyondoe village, Kawkareik, sustained a bullet wound
under her right ear; Ko Hnin Nu, 38, son of U Ohn Khin
of Pata village, Kawkareik Township, was hit by a
bullet at his shoulder blade; and Maung Win, 42, was
injuried by shrapnel at his right shoulder and right
neck. The three wounded persons are undergoing
treatment at the People's Hospital in Myawady.

The Tatmadaw columns are in hot pursuit of the KNU
terrorist insurgents, who are disturbing community
peace and committing destructive acts and atrocities
against innocent people.

---------

CNA mine seriously injures 13-year-old girl

Yangon, 2 May - A CNA-planted mine seriously injured a
13-year-old girl in Falam Township in Chin State
yesterday.

The girl, Ma Larl Lyan Ngu-ei, daughter of U Hlaing Ku
of Haimwal Ywathit village, was hit by the mine near a
road curve, locally called "S curve", between
Ti-O-chaung village and Hai-mwal Ywathit village. The
mine explosion totally cut off her two legs from the
knees and wounded both of her hands.

When a Tatmadaw column cleared the area they found
five more mines planted by CNA terrorist insurgents,
and defused them. It is known that CNA terrorist
insurgents planted the mines to blow up the passenger
buses and cargo trucks traveling along the
Tiddim-Haimwal-TiO chaung motor road with the
intention of intimidating the local people who are
doing commercial activities along the road to earn
their living. The Tatmadaw columns are in hot pursuit
of the fleeing CNA terrorist insurgents.

The CNA terrorist insurgents are perpetrating
destructive acts to disturb community peace and
butchering the innocent people.

___________________________

( 8 ) Golf Championship on 8-9 May

Yangon, 2 May - The third leg of the Han Golf Masters
Junior Golf Championship 2002 to mark the Workers Day
organized by the Myanmar Golf Federation and mainly
sponsored by Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd is going to be
held at Okkala Golf Course on 8 and 9 May on a grand
scale. The third leg was grouped into five categories
aged 10 and under- division, aged 13-14 division, aged
15-17 division and girl's aged 18 and under division.

Those wishing to participate in the championship may
enlist at the Han Golf Masters YCDC Pro-Shop (Ph
641341), Mya Yeik Nyo Pro-Shop (Ph 543207) and Han
Event Management Office (Ph 723221) not later than 6
May noon. The Wilson, the Rapier-Golf Australia and
the Star Ice-Cream will officially co-sponsor the
championship.

___________________________

( 9 ) Opium trafficker sentenced

Yangon, 2 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unit and railways police force,
acting on information, inspected passenger Ma Mi Mi
Nge in compartment No 3 of No 41 Mandalay-Myitkyina Up
train on arrival at Shwebo railway station on 20
January 2002 and seized 327 grams of raw opium.

Action was taken against Ma Mi Mi Nge, 31, daughter of
U Aung Kyi of Morhan Village in Mohnyin Township under
section 15/19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Law by Shwebo police station. Shwebo
District Court handed down 10 years' imprisonment
under section 19(A) on Ma Mi Mi Nge on 22 March.

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