The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 17 May, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 17 May, 2002)
----------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to
   Norway
2. Work coordinated for development of Shan State
   (East) region
3. - U Hla Myint appointed as Ambassador to Brazil
   - Deputy Minister receives guests
   - Transport Minister meets with pilots
   - CPT Minister receives Chinese delegation
   - Sports Minister meets selected Myanmar women
     football team
   - Measures for enrolment of school-age children
     co-ordinated
4. - Prizes presented to outstanding Township MCWAs
   - Commander inspects regional development tasks
   - Yanaungmyin Dam project inspected
   - Commander inspects regional development work
5. - Novitiation ceremony held
   - Fund Supervisory Committee for U Ohn Pe Literary
     Award meets
   - Regional development work inspected in Shan
     State (North)
6. - "ICT for all: empowering people to cross the
     digital divide"
7. - Representatives of third SWG meeting on SKRL
     leave for home
   - Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award prize
     presentation ceremony on 28 May
8. Hotel employee arrested on charge of murder
9. - 4,875 stimulant tablets seized in Tachilek
   - Marijuana seized in Hlinethaya
   - Marijuana trafficker gets 15 years

---------


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

Yangon, 17 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
Majesty King Harald V of Norway, on the occasion of
the National Day of Norway which falls on 17 May 2002.
___________________________

( 2 ) Work coordinated for development of Shan State
(East) region

Yangon, 16 May - The Work Committee for Progress of
Border Areas and National Races held a work
coordination meeting on development of Shan State
(East) region at Zeya Thiri Beikman of Konmyinttha at
4 pm today. Chairman of the Work Committee Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt addressed the meeting.

The Secretary-1 said that emphasis has been placed on
border area development tasks; as Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe has given guidance on development
tasks for Shan State (East) region, a group has been
formed with those on the Central Committee for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and the
Work Committee and assigned the duty to make a field
tour.

In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the
group has made a tour of Shan State (East) region and
presented a report on requirements for the betterment
of transport, agriculture, livestock breeding and
economic sectors, improvement of education, health and
social standards and development of rural areas.

In addition to these regional development tasks, the
highland cultivation plan is to be implemented in
accord with the guidance of the Head of State. In
conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to cooperate in
striving for the development of Shan State (East)
region in accord with the guidance of the Head of
State.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported
on requirements for the development of Shan State
(East) region. Then, the ministers, the chairmen and
officials of the subcommittees reported on
requirements of roads and bridges, health, education,
agriculture, energy, public relations, social welfare,
development affairs, sports and other matters.

The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the
Secretary-1.
___________________________

( 3 ) U Hla Myint appointed as Ambassador to Brazil

Yangon, 17 May - The Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar has
appointed U Hla Myint, as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the
Federative Republic of Brazil.

---------

Deputy Minister receives guests

Yangon, 16 May - Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen
Kyaw Hsan received Mr. Ang Boon Jong and party of Boon
Hong Fishery, Malaysia at his office here at 9 am
today. Also present were Director-General U Nyunt Aye,
Managing Director U Min Hla Aung and officials.

---------

Transport Minister meets with pilots

Yangon, 16 May - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla
Mint Swe met with pilots from Myanma Airways, Air
Mandalay and Yangon Airways at the meeting hall of the
Civil Aviation Training Institute in Mingaladon at 6
pm yesterday.

In his speech, the minister said that as the weather
changes during the monsoon season are very quick and
bad, it is needed for pilots to follow the
instructions for the flight safety and convenience of
the passengers. The purpose of his meeting with them
was to prevent the loss and wastage of the State's
finances, and occurrence of life-threatening accidents
to passengers. He also spoke of the need for pilots to
control the planes in accordance with the standard
operating procedure in order to make this year an
accident free year like the previous one.

---------

CPT Minister receives Chinese delegation

Yangon, 16 May - Minister for Communications, Posts
and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw received General
Representative of Shanghai Bell Co Ltd of the People's
Republic of China Mr. Liu Peng Cheng and party at his
office this afternoon.

---------

Sports Minister meets selected Myanmar women football
team

Yangon, 16 May - Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura
Aye Myint met with the selected Myanmar women football
team, which will take part in the 2002 Hanoi
International Women Invitational Soccer Tournament to
be held in Hanoi, Vietnam, from 17 to 30 May this
year, at the National Indoor Stadium-1 this afternoon.



Then, the minister made a speech. The manager and
officials of the Myanmar team reported on preparations
for the tournament. The minister gave necessary
instructions and greeted the players. The Myanmar team
comprises Dr Pandora Aung Gyi as manager, U Aye Maung
Lay as chief coach, U Tun Tint Aung and Daw Mi Mi Maw
as assistant coaches and 18 footballers. A total of
five teams three teams from host Vietnam, the selected
Shanghai team of the People's Republic of China and
the Myanmar team will participate in the tournament.

The Myanmar team will be in action against selected
Vietnam (Hanoi) team on 20 May, selected Vietnam
(Haiti) team on 22 May, selected PRC (Shanghai) team
on 26 May and selected Vietnam team on 28 May.

---------

Measures for enrolment of school-age children
co-ordinated

Yangon, 16 May - The meeting 1/2002 of the Central
Leading Committee for Enrolment of School-age Children
was held at the meeting hall of the Universities'
Central Council of Higher Education Department (Lower
Myanmar) this afternoon, with an address by Minister
for Education U Than Aung.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen
Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, deputy ministers from
the ministries concerned, directors-general and
chairmen from departments and organizations, chairmen
and officials from Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar
Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Myanmar
Women Entrepreneurs Association.

Chairman of the central leading committee Minister U
Than Aung said according to the education promotion
programmes, School Enrolment Week has been designated
in the last week of May in townships since 1999-2000
academic year. Tasks for enrolment of school-age
children have been implemented all over the country.
Due to active cooperation of the State, the people and
social organizations, the enrolment of children under
5 has increased from 91 per cent in 1999-2000 and 91.5
per cent in 2000-2001 to 92.05 per cent in 2001-2002,
he said.

This year 55 townships have been designated for
enrolment of cent per cent Performance and the
Programme will be extended year after year, he added.
Last year, altogether 696 primary schools were
upgraded and 1,704 primary schools will be upgraded
this year and the number will amount to 2,400.
Students can pursue education up to the sixth standard
at the post-primary schools and there are sufficient
well-qualified teachers, he said. Enrolment of
school-age children has increased year by year and the
State, educational staff, members of social
organizations, school boards of trustees,
parent-teacher associations, and people will join
hands for the success of the programme.

After that, Secretary of the Central Leading Committee
Director-General of the Education Planning and
Training Department U Bo Win explained the programme
and those present made suggestions. The School
Enrolment Week for the 2002-2003 academic year is from
25 to 31 May.
__________________________

( 4 ) Prizes presented to outstanding Township MCWAs

Yangon, 16 May - Under the sponsorship of Yangon
Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association
Supervisory Committee, a ceremony to present prizes to
Township MCWAs for their outstanding performance in
2001 was held in conjunction with a workshop on tasks
to be carried out for 2002 at the meeting hall of the
Division Peace and Development Council this morning.

Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe delivered a speech and
presented the first prize to South Okkalapa Township
MCWA, the second to Ahlon Township MCWA, the third to
Insein Township MCWA, the fourth to Kyauktan Township
MCWA, and the special prizes to prize-winning Township
MCWAs.

Then, Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay presented the first
prize for delivery room to Hline Township, the second
to Pazundaung Township, the third to North Okkalapa
Township, the fourth to Kayan Township and the fifth
to Thanlyin Township; and Chairman of the Supervisory
Committee Head of the Division Health Department Dr
Tin Maung Win presented prizes to mark construction of
buildings to delivery rooms of Hlegu Township MCWA,
Yangon Command MCWA, Yankin Township MCWA, Dagon
Myothit (North) Township MCWA and Hline Township Ward
16 MCWA branch. Afterwards, Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay
presented medicines and certificates of honour on
efforts made by Township MCWAs to respective District
MCWAs, and the first session adjourned. The workshop
followed in the second session.

Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay made an address. Division
MCWA Chairman Dr Tin Maung Win presented future tasks
and Secretary Dr Nwe Ni Ohn keeping of records. Then,
a general round of discussions followed and the
ceremony came to an end.

---------

Commander inspects regional development tasks

Yangon, 16 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected regional development tasks
and met with local people in Aye Ywa Ward, Kyimyindine
Township, Yangon West District, on the other bank of
the Hline River, this afternoon.

The commander arrived at Aye Ywa Ward at 3 pm and
heard reports on regional development tasks presented
by Chairman of Kyimyindine Township Peace and
Development Council U Tin Win and Police Lt-Col Tin
Myint of Yangon West District.

The commander attended to the requirements. The
commander and party met with chairmen of Aye Ywa,
Sethsanya, Seikkyi U Mya Ngasin Ward Peace and
Development Councils and local people at Thida Aye
Monastery. The commander said that the Head of State
has laid down five tasks for rural development.

One of the five tasks is water supply. With regard to
this task, arrangements have been made to ensure
sufficient water supply in the three wards. He also
elaborated on regional development tasks and measures
to be taken for economic development. Chairman of Aye
Ywa Ward Peace and Development Council U Arn Kauk
reported on regional development tasks.

The commander and party attended to the requirements.
The commander and party paid respects and offered alms
to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dhammacara of Thida Aye Monastery
and supplicated on regional development tasks.

---------

Yanaungmyin Dam project inspected

Yangon, 16 May - Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace
and Development Council Commander of Central Command
Brig-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Chairman of Yamethin
District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyi
Thein and officials, arrived at Yanaungmyin Dam
project in Lewe Township on 14 May.

At the briefing hall, Project Director U Win Maung
reported to the commander on work being undertaken.
The commander inspected the site and attended to the
requirements. The dam project is situated on
Yanaungmyin Creek, Yanaungmyin Village, Lewe Township,
and it measures 63 feet by 4060 feet. On completion,
it can supply water to 3,000 acres of land.

----------

Commander inspects regional development work

Yangon, 16 May - A ceremony to clarify implementation
of tasks of 30-year long-term plan (basic education
sector) was held at No 1 Basic Education High School
in Pathein at 9 am on 13 May.

It was attended by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Southwest
Command Brig-Gen Htay Oo, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen
Tint Swe, Ayeyawady Division Secretary Lt-Col Sein
Maung, Division Police Force Police Col Than Tun and
departmental officials, Deputy Director Daw Nwe Nwe
Khin of No 1 Basic Education Department and township
education officers, headmasters and headmistresses and
teachers.

The commander delivered a speech and had a cordial
meeting with the teachers. Later, the commander
accompanied by officials proceeded to Ma Mya creek dam
project and Bon creek (2) dam project in Myanaung
township. Officials reported to the commander on facts
about the projects and progress of construction work.
The commander inspected the work sites and fulfilled
the requirements. He then visited Kyangin cement
factory and gave instructions to the officials. Next,
the commander arrived at Myanaung oil field. He met
with Hinthada District Chairman Lt-Col Win Htein and
departmental officials, members of Union Solidarity
and Development Association and social organizations
at the Yeiktha of the oil field and explained regional
development work and fulfilled the requirements.
__________________________

( 5 ) Novitiation ceremony held

Yangon, 16 May - The first 101-member novitiation
ceremony of the Engineering (Water & Sanitation)
Department of Yangon City Development Committee was
held at the hall of Phugyi Reservoir in Hmawby
Township this morning, attended by Chairman of YCDC
Mayor U Ko Lay and wife Daw Khin Khin.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Dawei
Sayadaw. Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas.
Afterwards, the mayor, vice-mayor, joint-secretary,
committee members and well-wishers presented robes and
offertories to the Sayadaws. Next, Dawei Sayadaw
delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits
gained. Then, soon was offered to the members of the
Sangha.

---------

Fund Supervisory Committee for U Ohn Pe Literary Award
meets

Yangon, 16 May - Meeting of the Fund Supervisory
Committee for U Ohn Pe Literary Award (2/2002) was
held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of
Information on Bo Aung Kyaw Road in Kyauktada Township
here this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of the Fund Supervisory
Committee for U Ohn Pe Literary Award Deputy Minister
for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Chairman of the
Scrutinizing Committee for U Ohn Pe Scholarship Deputy
Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung,
Chairman of the Scrutinizing Committee for Literary
Award U Myo Thant, members of the committees,
officials and guests.

Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung made
speeches on the occasion. Fund Supervisory Committee
for U Ohn Pe Literary Award Secretary News and
Periodicals Enterprise Director (News) U Hla Tun
explained matters related to holding the literary
award-presenting ceremony in Pakokku, and U Myo Thant
work done by the scrutinizing committee.

Then, those attending the meeting presented reports to
Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Brig-Gen Soe
Win Maung, who later gave necessary instructions.
Afterwards, the meeting came to an end with concluding
remarks by Brig-Gen Aung Thein.

---------

Regional development work inspected in Shan State
(North)

Yangon, 16 May - Deputy Minister for Agriculture and
Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, accompanied by Laukkai
Station Commander Col Than Win and officials,
inspected land preparations made for plantation of
perennial crops and orange trees in Laukkai region on
14 May morning. The deputy minister met local national
race leader U Phon Kya Shin and discussed distribution
of opium substitute crop seeds provided by the State,
plantation of perennial crops with the use of highland
cultivation methods and development of Laukkai region.
In the afternoon, the deputy minister and party and
local national race leaders inspected fruit and crop
plantations in surrounding areas of Laukkai and
Yanlonkyaing Village, sites chosen for extended
cultivation, Siton Dam and earth work being done for
cultivation of perennial crops, and attended to the
needs. Then, they inspected domestic science workshop
which produces smoked rubber in Chinshwehaw region.

___________________________

( 6 ) "ICT for all: empowering people to cross the
digital divide"
Message on World Telecommunication Day from Mr. Yoshio
Utsumi,
Secretary-General of International Telecommunication
Union
(17 May 2002)

Dear Friends,

Information and communication technology (ICT) may be
the most powerful tool for social and economic change
since Gutenberg and the invention of the printing
press. But we must not forget that much had to be done
before people had access to books on a widespread
scale. And so it is with access to ICT.

Access to information technology can help to launch
small companies and groupings of artisans in the
poorest and most isolated areas of the world and bring
them into the mainstream of national and even global
markets.

Information technology makes it possible to leapfrog
poor infrastructures so that distance from markets is
no longer a drawback and poor distribution channels a
thing of the past.

ICT offers the possibility of delivering basic health
and education services more efficiently because people
can have access to them from their own homes and
communities.

ICT can help in the agricultural area, with farmers
and farming communities having speedy access to
information on weather reports, new production
techniques and markets, all of which can serve to
improve productivity. Traders and entrepreneurs can
also benefit from information and opportunities for
promoting their businesses nationally, regionally and
globally.

ICT can also be extremely effective in improving
governance. It gives a voice to people in developing
countries, who have been isolated, invisible and
silent, and lets them speak out regardless of their
gender and where they live.

But access to ICT has not been equitable. The use of
the technology and the access to it varies greatly
among countries, and within countries, too, between
urban and rural areas, between the rich and the poor,
between the educated and the illiterate, between men
and women.

Much has already been done in the way of technology,
but more action is needed by governments and by civil
society if all humanity is to benefit from ICT. The
technology is only the beginning and, in a sense, the
easy part. The hard part is how the technology is used
in the less tangible areas of politics, business,
culture and law.

To address this complex issue, ITU Members have chosen
as this year's theme for World Telecommunication Day:
ICT for all empowering people to cross the Digital
Divide.

Considering the enormous power of ICT for
socio-economic development, it is essential that
opportunities to access ICT be given to all those who
have been unable to participate fully in a
knowledge-based digital economy. We must use the power
of ICT in such a way that people can improve their
economic, social and cultural well-being.

We need strong government commitment to strategies
that increase the spread of ICT. This is crucial for
the success of any development initiatives and for the
future of the millions of people in the world today
who still have not heard a dial tone. The task is
daunting, but we must overcome it if we are to keep
the promise of the Information Society.

___________________________

( 7 ) Representatives of third SWG meeting on SKRL
leave for home

Yangon, 16 May - The delegation leaders and
representatives of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos
and Malaysia and representatives of Singapore and
officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, after attending
the third meeting of Singapore-Kunming Rail Link
Special Working Group on 14 and 15 May, left here for
home this morning and afternoon respectively.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by
Chairman of the Work Committee for Holding the Meeting
Director-General U Kyaw Hsan of Transport Planning
Department and Secretary of the Work Committee General
Manager of Myanmas Railways U Hla Yi, Chairman of the
Committee for Reception and Accommodation
Director-General U Hla Thaung Myint of the Road
Transport Administration Department, Secretary U Aung
Myint of the committee and officials.

---------

Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award prize presentation
ceremony on 28 May

Yangon, 16 May - Winners of Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary
Award, scholarship winners and prize winners of the
University of Culture were announced in 12-2-2002
issues of dailies. Prize presentation ceremony will be
held on 28 May 2002 (Tuesday).

Prize winners are asked to contact Sapay Beikman,
529/531 Merchant Street, Yangon Ph 252560 and 240048.
Those who will go to Pakokku by themselves are to
arrive there by 26-5-2002 evening. Those who will go
there in the trip arranged by authorities are to
report to officials concerned by 9 am on 25-5-2002.
Manuscripts for five categories for Pakokku U Ohn Pe
Literary Award selected poems, novels, selected short
stories, treatises and research will be accepted by
Sapay Beikman by 31-8-2002.

___________________________

( 8 ) Hotel employee arrested on charge of murder

Yangon, 16 May - The National Intelligence Bureau on
15 May, arrested Wai Lin (a) Naing Naing Oo (a) Ko
Naing (a) Yan Naing Lin, an employee of the Inya Lake
Hotel, aged 24, son of U San Wai, of No 336/Gagyi,
Adhipati Street, 1/12 Ward, Hlinethaya Township, who
is reported to have killed a Japanese citizen named
Mr. Suhorama Nokuchi, aged 53, and a Myanmar woman
named Ma Kyi Pya (a) Ma Tin Moe Htay, aged 21,
daughter of U Chit Nyunt. Mr. Suhorama Nokuchi and Ma
Kyi Pya were found dead at Room No 508 of the Inya
Lake Hotel on 13 May 2002.

Mr. Suhorama Nokuchi, general manager of Yangon Branch
of Mitsubishi Corporation, had hired four rooms (Rooms
No 508 to 511) at the Inya Lake Hotel since about 6
years ago. It is reported that on 11 May night, while
Wai Lin was stealing things in Room No 509 and Room No
508, Mr. Suhorama Nokuchi and Ma Kyi Pya who were
sleeping in Room No 508 saw him. He killed them with a
jack-knife.

Wai Lin hid some of stolen things under his house,
gave some to his father and dumped some by the road.
Two Pioneer DVDs, two Panasonic VCDs, two Sony CDs,
one Casio Palm Top computer, one Sony Palm Top
computer, 11 cameras of various kinds and one Digital
Video camera hidden under his house were seized. It
was reported that a box had been dumped at the corner
of Adhipati Street and U Ottama Road in 1/12 Ward,
Hlinethaya Township. Found in the box were one Sony
Walkman, one Sony band receiver, one Denon VCD, one
Denon amplifier and some jewellery.

One gold chain weighing three ticals, four wrist
watches and four Dunhill lighters were seized from U
San Wai, father of Wai Lin. One gold ring weighing 0.5
tical taken away from the body of Ma Kyi Pya was
seized from the cupboard in the house of Wai Lin. The
NIB is making further investigations and effective
action will be taken against the culprit and those
involved in the case.

___________________________

( 9 ) 4,875 stimulant tablets seized in Tachilek

Yangon, 16 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local battalion of the Tatmadaw, the local
intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, stopped
and searched a motorcycle together with Than Myint,
son of U Kyaw Thaung of Poneton Ward, Tachilek on
Bogyoke Aung San Road near Kotaung Village, Haungleik
Village-tract, Tachilek Township on 6 May and found
4,875 stimulant tablets from him. Police station
concerned filed him under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Law.

---------

Marijuana seized in Hlinethaya

Yangon, 16 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unity, Yangon Special Anti-drug
Squad and Bago Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on
information, searched the house of Kyaw Htay (a) Chit
Tee of No 1092/A, Bandoola Street, Ward-15, Hlinethaya
Township, and seized 1.632 kilos of marijuana on 23
April. Action has been taken against Kyaw Htay (a)
Chit Tee, 35, son of U Tin Hla, under Section 15/19
(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Law.

---------

Marijuana trafficker gets 15 years

Yangon, 16 May - A combined team comprising members of
the local intelligence unit and Mandalay Special
Anti-drug Squad, acting on a tip-off, searched Thant
Zin at the entrance to Nyaungpintha Village on
PyinOoLwin-Lashio Road on 11 June 2001. The
authorities arrested him together with 3.592 kilos of
marijuana.

Peikchinhmyaung Police Station filed Thant Zin, 30,
son of U Aung Kyaw of PyinOoLwin, under Section 15/19
(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Law. PyinOoLwin District Court handed down 15 year's
imprisonment under Section 19(A) on Thant Zin on 12
April 2002.

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