The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 10 June, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Monday, 10 June, 2002)
--------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman
   Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations
   to Portugal
2. Secretary-1 accepts donations for rural water
   supply programmes
3. - All the Islamic faithful enjoy freedom of
     worship as do those who believe in other faiths
     1476th Prophet's Day observed
   - Exercise books, cash donated to Myanmar Education

     Committee
4. Yangonites support mass rallies of national people
   to denounce SURA and KNU
5. MWVO Central Organizing Committee Chairman
   inspects fish farm in Nyaungond Township
6. Opium worth US$ 3.89 billion calculated with New
   York street value destroyed
7. Diplomats, UNDCP representative, journalists visit
   Kaungkha Myothit
8. Press conference on destruction of poppy seeds,
   seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals and
   paraphernalia in Lashio, Laukkai
9. Construction of road and bridges inspected

---------

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

Yangon, 10 June - 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 Jorge Fernando Branco de Sanpaio,
President of the Republic of Portugal, on the occasion
of the National Day of the Republic of Portugal which
falls on 10 June 2002.
___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 accepts donations for rural water
supply programmes

Yangon, 9 June - The third time donation ceremony for
water supply programme in rural areas being
implemented by Development Affairs Department of the
Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs was held at the meeting
hall of the department in Botahtaung Township at 1 pm
today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Progress of
Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on the Development
Affairs Department carried out the urban water supply
task before 1993-94 and the rural water supply task
after 1993-94. The water supply project for rural
areas has been implemented with added momentum
beginning 1997.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Senior General Than Shwe laid down the five rural
development tasks to equally develop rural and urban
areas. These five tasks are: smooth transportation in
rural area, water supply, uplift of education
standard, uplift of health care services and
development rural economy.

The Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs is undertaking not only
development tasks in 285 townships plus five townships
which are set up according to specific conditions in
the entire nation but also rural development tasks.

The Ministry pays emphasis on roads, bridges and water
availability for rural development. In so doing, the
Ministry spent K 1,073.29 million on construction of
rural road and bridge tasks and K 332.4 million on the
rural water supply tasks in 2001-2002 fiscal year; and
the Ministry also will spend K 1,328.55 million to
carry out construction of rural road and bridge tasks
and K 396.84 million on the rural water supply tasks
in 2002-2003 fiscal year.

For water availability in the rural areas, the 10-year
water supply plan for villages in dry zone Sagaing,
Mandalay and Magway Divisions and remaining states and
divisions is being undertaken. There are 23,225 water
shortage villages 8,042 in the dry zone and 15,183 in
remaining states and divisions.

A total of 2,926 water supply tasks were carried out
at 1,761 villages in the first year of the project
2000-2001 financial year and 3,405 water supply tasks
at 2,038 villages in the second year.

According to the guidance of the Head of State, the
Development Affairs Department is implementing the
10-year water supply plan for villages all over the
country during the period between 2000-2001 and
2009-2010 financial year. In implementing the plan,
the well-wishers have donated K 147.55 million and the
department spent the donations of the well-wishers on
sinking 94 tube wells in Sagaing Division, 81 in
Magway Division, 150 in Mandalay Division, totaling
325 in May 2002. In addition, USDA and MCWA sank 7,028
water supply tasks in 4,496 villages for water
availability of rural areas in cooperation with
international social organizations in the period of
the two years of the project.

As water supply tasks have been undertaken in 4,496
villages out of 23,225, only 18,729 villages are left.
Therefore, the water supply tasks in the all villages
would be carried out before the project period. Water
supply tasks are carried out with the arrangements of
the ministry as well as with cash assistance of
well-wishers. As a result, numerous villages which had
difficulties in obtaining water in the past are now
being supplied with water.

Next, well-wishers present cash donations for water
supply to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Commander
Maj-Gen Myint Swe and ministers. Today's donations
were: K 50 million by Union of Myanmar Economic
Holdings Ltd; K 6.25 million collected from 41
well-wishers by MNWCWA; K 10 million by U Khin Maung
Thein of Shan State (East) special region-4, Mongla; K
10 million by Daw Se and family; K 500,000 by Minister
for Livestock Breeding & Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung
Maung Thein, wife Daw Myint Myint Aye and family; K
815,800 by Minister for National Planning & Economic
Development U Soe Tha and family; K 500,000 by staff
families of the Ministry of Immigration & Population;
K 500,000 by staff families of the Ministry of Health;
K 250,000 by Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen
Aung Thein, wife Daw Tin Tin Nwe and family, K 7
million by U Naing Htut Aung of Myanmar Consultancy Co
Ltd and K 500,000 each by U Ba Thin -Daw Aung Ya of
Kyaukpadaung, U Khin Maung Gyi-Daw Hla Hla Than, Daw
Phyu and family, Daw Kyu Kyu Wa of Infinity Marketing
Enterprise, U Tin Maw Thein-Daw May May Than, U Soe
Myint Thein (Engineer/Trunk call), Maj Ohn Myint
(Retd)-Daw Myint Khaing, U Kyaw Myint (DSA)-Daw San
San Myint, Chairman of Mongphyat District Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Aung Htay-Daw Khin Thanda,
Captain Kyee Myint Bo of Air Mandalay-Daw Aye Aye Maw,
U Aung Thein-Daw San San Kyi and U Ye Myint-Daw May
Thin of Ye Nadi Co Ltd, K 250,000 each by Managing
Director Col Kyi Tun (Retd) of Myanma Hotels and
Tourism Services-Daw Khin Hla Win, Lt-Col Ye Lwin-Daw
Nyunt Nyunt Kyi, Lt-Col Thaik Soe-Daw Htwe Htwe, Daw
Than Than and family of Hsan Dana Family, Daw Kyin
Nyunt, U Tin Sein of Public Works (Retd)-Daw Khin Win
Kyi, U Khin Zaw-Daw Ni Ni Tin Ohn, U Ohn Myint-Daw Yi
Yi Myint, the Principal of Yankin Education College
and trainees, Captain U Tin Aye-Daw Yin Yin Ohn, U Aye
Ko-Daw Marlar Win, U Aung Hlaing-Daw Hla Yi, Managing
Director U Than Tun (Retd)-Daw Khin Swe Win, Lt-Col
Thein Zaw-Daw Khin Lay Mar, U Chit Maung-Daw Ma Ma,
Wunna Kyawhtin U Ba Ohn, Daw Thein Hla, U Chan Tha-Daw
Khin Swe Phone, U Myint Lwin-Daw Aung Kyi, Professor U
Mya Thaung of Geography Department of YU (Retd)-Daw
Nyunt Nyunt Khin, Captain Kyaw Zeya-Daw Nanda Wai Di,
U Maung Maung-Daw Khin Kyi, U Sein Win Htut-Daw Cho
Wai Thein, U Soe Maw-Daw Myint Myint, U Myint
Thein-Daw Than Nyunt and U Myint Thein-Daw Nwe Nwe Oo.


Then, on behalf of the well-wishers, Vice-Chairperson
of MNWCWA Professor Daw May May Yi explained the
purpose of the donations. Then, the Secretary-1 spoke
words of thanks. He said: It is pleasing to see such
donations for availability of drinking water in rural
areas. I feel very pleased for the rural people in the
regions where water is scarce with sympathy for them.

Socio-economic life and health standard of people in
arid zones including Magway, Mandalay and Sagaing
Divisions have lagged behind. It is a sympathising
fact that they have to suffer from diseases and
socio-economic ills due to lack of clean water for
hundred of years.

In the time of Tatmadaw government, the Head of State
Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance on
availability of clean water in the regions with a view
to eliminating social ills.

Moreover, the task of availability of water in rural
areas also includes five strategies for development of
rural areas, the guidance given by the Head of State.

Thus, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs has been
implementing a ten-year plan for availability of water
in the three divisions in arid zone and villages in
other states and divisions where water is scarce.

In order to carry out the tasks in a short time
according to the guidance of the Head of State and
with the support of the people the plan would be
carried out in a short time instead of waiting for ten
years.

The tasks has been meeting with success due to keen
participation of the people. Owing to the donations,
the people in the regions can use clean water to their
heart's content. Local people can enjoy fruits of
concerted efforts of the State and the people. The
Secretary-1 thanked those well-wishers who contributed
cash donations for the noble purpose.

Then, the ceremony came to a close. After the
ceremony, the Secretary-1 and guests viewed
documentary photos of endeavors being made with
contributions of the well-wishers.

Today's donations by 176 well-wishers amounted to K
132,792,800.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and the
well-wishers viewed the documentary photos on sinking
the tube-wells.

Today's donations by 176 well-wishers amounted to K
132,792,800.
___________________________

( 3 ) All the Islamic faithful enjoy freedom of
worship as do those who believe in other faiths 1476th
Prophet's Day observed

Yangon, 9 June - The 1476th Prophet's Day was observed
at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street this
morning. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt addressed the
gathering.

Joint Secretary (2) of the Central Committee for
Observance of the Prophet's Day U Aung Tun opened the
ceremony by reciting the Koran. The Secretary-1 said
that as is known to all, all the Islamic faithful who
have been residing in the Union of Myanmar since the
monarchical time up to date enjoy freedom of worship
as do those who believe in other faiths. The history
of Myanmar bears witness to the fact that all the
Muslims, performing the duty of State faithfully from
whatever role they are assigned, have been living
together with all the national people in unity.

The Government treats the entire national people,
regardless of race or creed, with four cardinal
virtues loving-kindness, compassion, the spirit of
rejoicing at somebody's success or prosperity and
indifference. In addition, it consistently keeps to
Lawkapalataya deterrent principles of shame and fear
which guard the world from falling into chaos in
tackling internal and external matters. The State
Peace and Development Council, in cooperation with the
people, is working hard day and night for the
emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.
It is striving to improve the socio-economic life of
all the national people residing in the Union. In the
world of today, things are changing fast, and each and
every nation is working on their own so that they may
not lag behind others in development. At the same
time, they are striving for stability, peace and
tranquillity and prevalence of law and order.

In Myanmar, stability and peace deteriorated and unity
collapsed in the past with the result that the nation
fell behind in development. Since the assumption of
the duty of State, the Government has been working
hard for the restoration of stability and peace and
tranquility, and then for development. Efforts for the
development of the nation can be exerted only by
deeds, not by speech. As efforts have been made day
and night, transport infrastructures such as roads and
bridges and irrigation facilities such as dams and
reservoirs which will contribute to the agriculture
and livestock breeding sectors have emerged.

Moreover, railroads and airports have been built and
measures taken for the development of human resources,
universities, institutes of medicine, computer and
technological universities, the Marine Technological
University, the Aerospace Engineering University and
hospitals have emerged all over the nation.

Twenty-four regions have been designated as
development zones, and measures are being taken to
achieve equitable development in the nation. Rural
development tasks are being implemented for the
improvement of living standard of rural people. As
efforts have been made successfully to bridge the gap
among rural and urban areas, the hills and the plains
and the interior and far-flung areas, the entire
nation is developing. There is no discrimination among
religions, and freedom of worship is allowed. As a
result, all the faiths exist together. If forgiveness,
patience, justice and sympathy are exercised on the
basis of loving-kindness and compassion, there will be
no dispute in the world.

If the strong do not bully the weak, the rich do not
oppress the poor, and the developed support the
less-developed, the world will be peaceful and
pleasant. If the situation is like that, human rights
and democracy will exist naturally, and they needn't
be claimed.

Therefore, if everybody has delicate mind, is free
from pride, and helps one another with fellow feeling
and loving-kindness, the world will become a peaceful
family. All the peoples are to strive to achieve this
end.

The Union of Myanmar is still striving to become a
modern and developed nation. In establishing a family,
its members have to undergo hardships; in building a
new, modern and developed nation, all the citizens
will have to go through hardships and insufficiency.
If all the citizens work hard with a sense of loyalty
and responsibility, a new, modern and developed nation
will soon emerge. The leaders of the nation are not
talkers. They are practically working for the
interests of the nation and the people. If efforts are
made with the participation of the people, the aim
will be invariably achieved. It is the duty of the
people of all faiths and races. Today all the national
races are in unity, so they are capable of
safeguarding the nation from every internal and
external danger. They need to adopt an attitude that
they are all responsible for the nation in time of
emergency.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 said, "May all the
Muslims be able to promote the interest of the Muslim
faith and the nation and be able to maintain the
tradition of safeguarding the sovereignty of the
nation, and may the people of all faiths and races be
able to work untidily for the emergence of a modern
nation." Then, the programmes of the ceremony
followed.

---------

Exercise books, cash donated to Myanmar Education
Committee

Yangon, 9 June - A ceremony to donate exercise books
and education funds to Myanmar Education Committee was
held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road at 2.30 pm
today. Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accepted the exercise books and
education funds and thanked the well-wishers.

First, on behalf of the wellwishers, Managing Director
U Zaw Min Oo of Arrow Paper Services Co Ltd explained
the purpose of donation.

Managing Director U Zaw Min Oo and wife Director Daw
Khin Khin Hla of Arrow Paper Services Co Ltd presented
10,000 dozens of exercise books worth K 10.2 million
to Myanmar Education Committee and another 10,000
dozens of exercise books worth K 10.2 million for
youth training schools, domestic science training
schools and schools in border areas to the Work
Committee for Development of Border Areas and National
Races, members of Myanmar Rice Dealers Association and
Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association K 2 million,
Chairman of Myanmar Rice Dealers Association U Nyein
and wife Daw Ohn Kyin (OK Rice Brokerage
Family-Bayintnaung) K 1 million, U Than Naing-Daw In
Si (Tharawun Rice Brokerage-Bayintnaung) K 100,000, U
Ohn Ngwe-Daw Khin Lay Swe (Ngwegabar Rice
Brokerage-Insein) K 100,000, U Aung Than Oo-Daw Aye
Myint (Myashwewa Rice Trading-Thanlyin) K 100,000, U
Soe Maung-Daw Khin Than Win (Aung Soe Paing Rice
Brokerage-Bayintnaung) K 100,000, U Kyaw Win-Daw Nyo
Lay Kyi (Zabu Kyaw Rice Trading-Bayintnaung) K 100,000
and U Htay Win, Daw Tin Tin Maw ( Koe Thonelone-Htay
Kyway Rice Brokerage-Bayintnaung) K 100,000.

The Secretary-1 accepted the donations and presented
certificates of honour to the well-wishers.

Next, Chairman of Work Committee for Development of
Border Areas and National Races and Chairman of
Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt spoke words of thanks. He said donation of
exercise books and cash for education funds was very
suitable for schoolchildren at the beginning of school
year and contributed towards the objective of school
enrolment for every school-going age children.

The school enrolment for every school-going age
children which is the most basic in uplift of national
education promotion programme was laid down as an
objective, he said. It was being implemented with the
cooperation of social organizations and active
participation of the people, he added.

He said achievements have been made in implementation
of the government's objective of school enrolment for
every school-going age child due to the cooperation
and assistance. The school enrolment rate of basic
education primary for this year is over 92 per cent.
Efforts are to be made for cent per cent, he said. He
said literacy of every citizen and producing brilliant
intellectual and intelligentsia after completion of
basic and higher education levels are important for
emergence of a modern, developed nation.

He said after regaining her independence, national
solidarity weakened and the nation lagged behind in
development. At the time of present government efforts
are being made with added momentum to keep abreast
with neighbouring countries and those in the region,
he added. Normal efforts are not sufficient for rapid
development. Strenuous efforts are needed because the
country lagged behind in development, he said.

The Secretary-1 spoke of the need to nurture new
generation youths for keeping abreast with
international community. Therefore, development of the
education sector is important. As school enrolment for
every school-going age children is the most basic in
development of the education sector, the task is being
implemented with the cooperation of the people.

Exercise books and stationery were presented to needy
schoolchildren as priority task. With the assistance
of the people over K 50 million have been received for
donation of exercise books and stationery. These
public donations were presented to needy
schoolchildren and those in border areas and the
Secretary-1 thanked the donors.

__________________________


( 4 ) Yangonites support mass rallies of national
people to denounce
SURA and KNU

Yodaya is harbouring and supporting every kind of
insurgents who will give trouble to Myanmar
Our People's Tatmadaw is crushing drug-trafficking
SURA and KNU who are encroaching upon sovereignty of
the nation

Yangon, 9 June - A ceremony to support the mass
rallies denouncing SURA and KNU destructive
insurgents, who are disrupting security and peace in
border areas and to show respect for sovereignty of
the Union of Myanmar was held at the People's Square
on Pyay Road yesterday morning.

Present on the occasion were members of the Union
Solidarity and Development Association from Kyauktada,
Pabedan, Latha, Lanmadaw, Seikkan, Ahlon,
Kyimyin-dine, Sangyoung, Kamayut, Hline, Mayangon,
Dagon and Bahan townships in Yagon West District;
Bo-tahtaung, Tamway, Pazun-daung, Yankin, Mingala
Taungnyunt, Dawbon, Tha-kayta,Thingangyun, South
Okkalapa, North Okkalapa, Dagon Myothit (South), Dagon
Myothit (North), Dagon Myothit (East) and Dagon
Myothit (Seikkan) townships in Yangon East District;
Thanlyin, Kyauktan and Dalla Townships in Yangon South
District; Mingaladon, Insein, Shwe-pyitha and
Hlinethaya townships in Yangon North District; members
of Red Cross Society and Fire Brigade, Women's Affairs
Committee, Maternal and Child Welfare Association,
social organizations, flag bearers, bands, teachers
and students from basic education schools, and
journalists.

First, the Bayintnaung column from the venue at corner
of Pyay Road and Ahlon Street in Dagon Township,
Sinbyushin column at the corner of Pyay Road and
Shinsawpu Road in Sangyoung and the State flag bearers
together with members of band troupes from No 1 Basic
Education High School, Dagon Township, No 2 BEHS,
Latha Township, No 1 BEHS, Mingala Taungnyunt
Township, No 2 BEHS Sangyoung Township, No 2 BEHS
Kamayut Township and No 4 BEHS Tamway Township took
positions in the grounds of the People's Square.

Executive of Yangon South District USDA U Than Htay
acted as master of ceremonies and announced the
agenda.

First, those present saluted the State Flag.

Next, Executive of Yangon West District Seikkan
Township USDA Daw Thuza Min said that the duty to
safeguard the sovereignty of the nation is incumbent
not only on the government but also on the entire
national people. It is a national duty which the
entire national people have to perform without fail.

The Myanmar people value and respect the integrity of
the race and origin. Everybody who value and respect
the integrity of the race and origin loves the
motherland. They do not let the sovereignty of the
nation be violated.

I would like to elaborate on the reason why all of us
are assembling here and why the State flags are
hoisted in the entire city of Yangon.

The national people from border areas have suffered
atrocities of SURA and KNU insurgents such as
shooting, setting fire, looting, explosion of bombs
and planting of mines.

In addition, drug-trafficking SURA and KNU insurgents,
relying on Yodaya, are violating the security and
peace of border areas.

Therefore, our national brethren held mass rallies to
denounce SURA and KNU insurgents in Kengtung on 1 June
and in Taunggyi on 2 June.

Our Yangon-city dwellers absolutely support the mass
rallies. Like the national people in other regions, we
totally condemn drug-trafficking terrorist insurgents.


As is known to all, our People's Tatmadaw is crushing
drug-trafficking SURA and KNU who are encroaching upon
the sovereignty of the nation.

We have a duty to safeguard the land bequeathed to the
new generation by our forefathers. It is a national
cause which our entire national people have to
support.

To evince the spirit of safeguarding the sovereignty
of the nation at the risk of our lives, the State
flags are hoisted at offices, markets, schools and
houses in Yangon. This symbolizes how the people of
Yangon value and respect the sovereignty of the
nation. It also shows that if an attempt is made to
violate our sovereignty, we will not take it lying
down.

We all have to protect the privileges which we can
enjoy as a result of peace and stability. I would like
to urge all emphatically to keep alive and dynamic the
national spirit of safeguarding the nation against any
danger and uphold Our Three Main National Causes
non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of
national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.

Then, with regard to supporting the mass rallies of
local national people to denounce SURA and KNU who are
violating the security and peace of border areas,
Secretary of Minga-ladon Township USDA of Yangon North
District U Soe Min said: all the patriotic people feel
indignant if the sovereignty of the nation is
violated. The national people held mass rallies in
Kengtung on 1 June and in Taunggyi on 2 June to
condemn SURA and KNU who are violating the security
and peace of the border areas.

The national people gave full vent to their feelings
by holding the mass rallies. Our Yangon city dwellers
hoist State flags to support the mass rallies and to
demonstrate our respect for the sovereignty of the
nation.

Since the beginning of 2001, drug-trafficking SURA and
KNU insurgents, placing overwhelming reliance on
Yodaya, have been violating the peace and stability of
the border areas. Yodaya has a hand in this matter.

Yodaya is harbouring and supporting every kind of
insurgents who will give trouble to Myanmar with the
aim of making Myanmar weak, preventing the nation from
developing, causing instability in the nation. What's
more, they are attempting to cause bloodshed among the
national people. This act disturbs the stability and
peace of the nation and retards the development of the
nation. Yodaya is conducting military exercises with
many troops, which amounts to posing a threat to
Myanmar. On 20 May, Panmaingsun, Nyaung-bingon,
Pangantgaw and Yanpaingsun outposts of Myanmar were
attacked by tanks and artillery.

Therefore, we, on behalf of the entire national
people, denounce SURA and KNU relying on Yodaya and
encroaching upon the sovereignty of the State.

I would like to emphatically call on all to
courageously denounce whoever encroaches on the
national sovereignty, security and stability of the
nation, any organization attempting to disturb the
security and stability of the State, insurgents who
are committing destructive acts and any nation putting
pressure on our nation.

Then, all those present at the mass rally shouted
slogans "non-disintegration of the Union - our cause,
our cause; non-disintegration of national solidarity -
our cause, our cause; perpetuation of national
sovereignty - our cause, our cause, which brought the
ceremony to an end.

On 8 June, State flags were hoisted at the government
offices, markets, schools and houses to support the
mass rallies which denounce SURA and KNU and to
demonstrate respect to the sovereignty of the State.
__________________________

( 5 ) MWVO Central Organizing Committee Chairman
inspects fish farm in Nyaungond Township

YANGON, 9 June - Chairman of Central Organizing
Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization member
of the State Peace and Development Council
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, accompanied by
Secretary of COC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs
Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Director of Resettlement
of the Ministry of Defence Brig- Gen Aung Thein and
senior military  officers of the Ministry of Defence
inspected the fish farm where the 350- acre fish
breeding ponds of MWVO (Headquarters) were being dug
in Thazin low-lying area in Nyaungdon Township,
Ayeyawady Division, this morning.

Maj-Gen Thein Sein and party were welcomed there by
Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing and members, Chairman of
Nyaungdon Township Peace and Development Council U Nay
Tun and members, officials of the farm and members of
the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

First, Maj-Gen Thein Sein and party inspected the
progress of digging ponds of the farm. At the
temporary briefing hall, Head of Department of MWVQ
(Head- quarters) Lt-Col Win Maung reported to Maj-Gen
rhein Sein on progress of digging ponds of the farm,
members of COC Managing Director of Inland Water
Transport U Tun Aung Myint and Deputy Director-General
of the, Prisons Department U Saw Ngwe on fish breeding
project and future plans. Next, Maj-Gen Thein Sein
gave instructions on tasks being carried out by the
MWVO, participation of MWVO members in implementing
tasks for the nation- building and future tasks and
fulfilled the requirements of the fish breeding farm.

Then, Maj-Gen Thein Sein and party inspected the
digging of the ponds and gave necessary instructions
to the person in charge of the farm, WVO members,
staff and Tatmadawmen.

___________________________

( 6 ) Opium worth US$ 3.89 billion calculated with New
York street value destroyed

Poppy seeds, seized narcotic drugs, precursor
chemicals, paraphernalia torched in Laukkai, Kokang
region

Yangon, 9 June - The Destruction Ceremony of poppy
seeds presented by farmers, seized narcotic drugs,
precursor chemicals and paraphernalia, organized by
the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, was held
at the Drug Elimination Museum in Laukkai, Kokang
region, Special Region-1, Shan State (North),
yesterday morning, with an address by Chairman of the
Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for
Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for
Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Col
Than Win of Laukkai Station, the representative of
UNDCP, departmental heads, the Japanese Ambassador,
Charges d' Affaires ai of the US embassy and the
Chinese embassy, CCDAC Joint Secretary Police Col Kham
Aung and members, members of work groups, national
race leader U Phon Kyar Shin of Shan State (North)
Special Region-1 and officials, Deputy Head of the
Drugs Control Department Mr Chaung Shi Myin and party
of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China,
officers of Myanmar Police Force, Director (News) U
Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise and
information officials, Secretary of Myanmar Foreign
Correspondents Club U Nyunt Tin and members,
correspondents of foreign news agencies, officials of
Border Area Development Association, the flag-bearing
troupe, the pom-pom dance troupe, the band troupe, the
traditional Ozi troupe and guests.

Daw Nang Khin Phone Myint and Ma Pyone Myint Han of
Laukkai Basic Education High School No 2 acted as
masters of ceremonies.

CCDAC Chairman Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing delivered an address. He said:

It is an undeniable fact in history that two kinds of
legacy inherited in the era of colonialism of the past
such as armed insurrection of the national races and
the production of opium has made the ill-famed
activities prolonged and opened opportunities to
external interventions so much so that it has
developed from the production of ordinary opium into
highly concentrated heroin products.

After the Tatmadaw Government took over the State
power in 1988, the policy of national unity was laid
down stressing priority in national solidarity,
development of the border regions and the national
races. After realizing the Government's objectives
with sincere intentions, 17 armed insurgent groups
have come back into the legal fold. This unprecedented
success laid open for the first time in the
post-independence period, opportunities and access to
all round development programmes in the entire country
and fulfillment of the basic needs of the inhabitants
of the border region.

Since peace and stability were established, access to
far-flung and remote places made possible to carry out
prevention and suppression of opium production. As a
result of the changing situation, the approach and
tactics of addressing drug eradication have also
changed by focusing not only on law enforcement
activities but coupling with alternative development
programmes.

The drug problems of Myanmar are not only dependent on
and inter-related with stability, peace, development
and solidarity among the national races but also mixed
with the regional development, education, health,
social, and development of the quality of life of the
inhabitants of the regions. As the eradication of
drugs has been carried out focusing on the development
of fundamental needs and infrastructure development,
the local inhabitants and ethnic groups realizing the
sincere intentions of the Government have fully
cooperated with the programmes.

Mongla Special Region 4 in the Eastern Shan State,
established as an opium free zone in April, 1997
stands testimony to this successful cooperation.

Acknowledging the Government's sincere efforts, the
leaders of the ethnic groups have joined hands with
the government in constructing roads, bridges, canals,
dams, hydro-power stations and communications stations
as the fundamental items to develop the border region
and the national races as well as development in crop
substitution, livestock breeding for income
substitution, education, health sectors with a view to
strengthening solidarity and unity among the ethnic
brethren.

The signs of success effected the Kokang and Wa
regions. Consequently, the leaders of Kokang and Wa
with the full support of their peoples have launched
crop substitution and income substitution programmes
in their respective regions to finally get rid of
opium production by 2005. This confidence in the
national races is one of the reasons that prompted
Senior General Than Shwe to give guidance to draft a
15-year elimination plan starting 1999-2002 to
2013-2014 fully relying on our own resources. The 5
projected activities of the 15-year plan are supply
and demand elimination of narcotic drugs, organizing
the participation of the local populace, law
enforcement and international cooperation.

At present, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse
Control has launched "Project New Destiny" in the
regions where poppy cultivation is highly concentrated
like the Northern Shan State, the Southern Shan State
and the Eastern Shan State. The Project calls for
prevention of poppy cultivation by taking action with
administrative means, distribution of substitute
crop-seeds for poppy, the control of opium seeds and
taking legal actions. The opium farmers are asked to
grow 7 kinds of alternative crops instead of opium in
21,969 acres of land as a preventive measure.
Substitute seeds are also distributed in time for
cultivation to prevent them from falling back to poppy
cultivation.

While educating the farmers to grow substitute crops
instead of poppy, substitute crop seeds that are
suitable for the areas and climate are distributed for
cultivation on the other hand, On realizing the
sincere intentions of the Government, the opium
farmers, on their own accord, have come up voluntarily
to submit opium seeds they have kept for the next
season. To this date, 58,579 pyis (95,659.507 kilos)
of poppy seeds and 46,681 pyis (76,230.073 kilos) of
dried poppy bulb in the Northern Shan State, 1,373
pyis (2,242.109 kilos) of poppy seeds in the Southern
Shan State, 56.375 pyis (92.60 kilos) of poppy seeds
and 0.25 pyis (0.40825 kilos) of dried poppy bulb in
the Eastern Shan State, 5 pyis (8.165 kilos) of poppy
seeds in the Kayah State and 2,013 pyis (3,287.229
kilos) of poppy seeds in Mandalay Division, making a
total of 62,026.375 pyis (101,289.07 kilos) of poppy
seeds and 46,681.25 pyis (76,230.481 kilos) of dried
poppy bulb totaling 73,696.687 pyis (120,346.6898
kilos) of opium seeds and opium bulbs have been
voluntarily surrendered to the authorities. In a way,
such quantity of seeds that would be grown in over
73,679 acres has been prevented.

Estimated with the yield rate of 4.4 kilo per acre,
the output would be 324.2 tons of opium or 32.42 tons
of heroin worth 3.89 billion US$ calculated with the
New York street value of 120,000 US$ per kilo of
heroin.

In Laukkai region, they have formed up drug
suppression teams on their own and from 1st to the
15th of April 2002, a total of 52 paraphernalia were
discovered and seized from the valleys and mountains.
It is indication that the local residents had been
fully cooperating with the Government.

With regard to drugs control, Myanmar has been
cooperating with neighbouring countries as well as
countries in the sub-region and region.

Moreover, within 2001 and 2002, Myanmar handed over
drug traffickers wanted in China for 8 times including
13 drug traffickers by the Wa on their own
arrangement. Documents were also handed over once.
Such events have clearly proved that Myanmar is very
serious and deeply committed to combating drugs.
Myanmar attaches great importance to cooperation in
the region and in the international arena and the
international media has picked up such incidents.

The above presentation in the efforts and success of
drug control covers only some of the activities on
Myanmar in cooperation with other countries.

In conclusion, I would like to express here that this
Destruction Ceremony to destroy the poppy seeds,
seized drugs, chemicals and paraphernalia clearly
indicates the result of the commitment and full
cooperation of the local inhabitants. If the local
inhabitants are fully committed and show this sort of
cooperation. I am fully confident the drug scourge
threatening the whole mankind will not find a place on
the soil of Myanmar.

Then, Kokang national race leader U Phon Kyar Shin
explained endeavours of their region to eradicate
opium cultivation. He said:

First, on behalf of the Administrative Committee of
Special Region No 1 and regional people of Kokang
region. May I extend warm welcome to all of you, the
State leaders and personnel from international
organizations.

By studying the history of narcotic drugs in Kokang
region, we can find that narcotic drugs have been in
existence for over 100 years till up to now. The tasks
of narcotic elimination can abolish the menace of
narcotic drugs to human society. This duty has now
dwelt upon our shoulders. When we look back at the
past ten years, we were looked down on because of the
reflection of narcotic drugs. This's why we live in
humble with patience. We had to pay a great amount
because of this narcotic drugs.

At these recent years, under the guidance and goodwill
of the State government, members of our associations
took active role in carrying out the tasks of drugs
eradication. So the task of drugs eradication has now
become wider and changed its appearance as in its
outer and inner parts. We can predict that like this
occasion of destroying narcotic drugs can never be
occurred in the coming years. Poppy cultivation in
Kokang region can also be ceased. We have laid down
plan for eradication of poppy cultivation in this
special region. We have assured that there will be no
more poppy cultivation in this region by the year
2003. This promise can be implemented in this Kokang
special region.

By looking back at past experience of carrying out the
drug eradication tasks we had encountered
difficulties, had to repay a great amount and had been
tested with various experiments. This drugs problem is
the legacy of the history and make people to keep out
danger of narcotic drugs has become our unavoidable
duty. After taking peace with the State government,
Administrative Committee of Special Region-1 has been
formed since 1989 in this Kokang region and has been
implementing the drug elimination tasks with added
momentum. This activity has never stopped during the
past 10 years. However this problem has been deeply
rooted in this region that the progress of carrying
out the drug eradication tasks never reached as we
hoped to do so. It is not possible to solve the
difficult problem at once. Drug problem in Kokang
cannot be solved in a short time according to the
natural law.

In the past drug elimination tasks have been carried
out continuously. However, our efforts could not get
true realizations. The only things we obtained are
that  being looked down upon us, being blamed and
rumours about us. That is why we felt very sorry about
that.

Hence, all people must be active and participating the
activities of drug eradication and facing all
difficulties, opium cultivation is to be eradicated
completely with added momentum. On 2 March, 2002, a
decision was made for total eradication of opium
cultivation in 2002. It is much earlier than the
previously target of 2005 for total eradication. After
this decision was made, as the task is being carried
out continuously, the materials shown at today's
ceremony are those which are seized in the present
activities. It is the evidence of out activities of
drug eradication. Establishing the special region-1 as
the opium free zone beginning 2003 is the only goal of
the people in special region-1 and group members.

It is a problem connected with the food, clothing and
shelter in the special region. To solve this problem
providing assistance from every factors is needed. I
would like to request the organizations and observers
for drug abuse control with the goodwill to have right
understanding on us and to give practical assistance
more.

It is to realize that narcotic drug eradication is the
problem of all the people in the world, not only of a
region and a country. Hence, I think it will be easier
to solve the burden of food, clothing and shelter of
the people in Kokang after the activities of narcotic
drug abuse control and the total eradication of opium.


As conclusion, including opium cultivation, total
eradication of narcotic drugs is our main goal. I
would like to state that from 2003, setting up and
performing Kokang as a narcotic drugs free zone is our
great effort and great goal.

Next, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation
Brig-Gen Khin Maung explained matters related to
endeavours on development of border areas and opium
substitute cultivation. He said: The first step being
as you all know, is the regional development task in
agriculture, livestock breeding, health, education,
construction of roads and bridges, power supply, etc.
carried out by the Ministry of Progress of Border
Areas and National Races and Development Affairs. If
we look back at the situation of Kokang region, until
1989, main roads were just ordinary ones and unlike
now, regions like "Chin Shwe Haw", "Par Sin Kyaw" and
"Lauk Kai", were without buildings, electricity,
school, hospitals and dispensaries.

In the agricultural sector you will also notice the
presence of rubber, sugarcane, vegetable and maize
plantations, high-yielding paddy, hybrids, in addition
to dams like Shiphan; "Larlee", "Sitone Shwe" and "Man
Khar" and the development of irrigation systems.

In fact for the speedy development of agriculture and
livestock breeding in Kokang and Kachin regions, a
group of four deputy ministers, have been especially
assigned by the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council in October 2001 during his tour of
Kokang.

In Kokang area, 941 acres of land prepared for poppy
cultivation could be substituted with wheat, beans and
pulsesÊin last October and November, 462 acres were
grown with mangoes, orange, lychee, longons, grapes
plantation etc. For that, for which the Government has
spent 48.9 million kyats. Plans are also under way to
distribute 20,000 trees of other kinds of fruits like
walnuts, during this year in "Tar Shwe Htan" village.

The leader of Kokang special region-1, has also set up
a livestock breeding farm on 150 acres as opium
substitute undertaken near "Yan Lon Kyaing" village
and has arranged to build a dam at a cost of 8.5
million kyats close to it. Likewise in Kachin State,
325 acres of farmland and 300 acres of orchard could
be developed, and "Nant San Yan" weir to irrigate
5,000 acres that had been built at a cost of 77.2
million kyats by government.

The second step being 52.5 million kyats assisted by
CCDAC, for the cultivation of opium substitute crops,
in time for the years 2002-2003 monsoon cultivation
season on 13,528 acres.

In other words, edible crops will be produced from the
land prepared for poppy crops. For Laukkai region,
paddy, maize, wheat, buckwheat, beans and pulses seeds
for 3,064 acres have been distributed and assisted by
Kokang national race leader U Phon Kyar Shin and
Kokang Organization.

As such assistance rendered by the agricultural sector
for the development of border areas and cultivation of
opium substitute crops is meeting with success. Based
on this, we would carry on with our assistance, for
the regional and socio-economic developments of our
national brethren and eradication of cultivation and
production of opium crops.

Afterwards, Myanmar Border Area Development
Association Chairman U Tin Hlaing presented 487 dozens
of exercise books and 100 dozens of pencil worth K
499,650 and medicine worth K 562,350 to Kokang region
to national race leader U Phon Kyar Shin.

Then, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and
members and the guests inspected opium seeds presented
by farmers and narcotic drugs and paraphernalia seized
in Laukkai region.

Next, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin
Maung, Shan State (North) Special Region-1 national
race leader U Phon Kyar Shin and officials, Deputy
Head Mr Chong Sheng Meng of Drugs Elimination
Department of Yunnan Province and party took
designated places and pressed the buttons of the
remote controls to set fire to drugs, precursor
chemicals, paraphernalia and opium seeds. Afterwards,
CCDAC Chairman Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing and party and the guests visited the Drug
Elimination Museum in Laukkai, Kokang Region. Next,
national races, members of Red Cross and USDA and
students destroyed precursor chemicals.

Today's seized narcotic drugs destruction ceremony on
8 June, organized by CCDAC in Laukkai, 7,824 pyis
(12,776.6 kilos) of opium seeds, stimulant tablets
weighing 2.72 kilos, amphetamine tablets solid
weighing 119.41 kilos, amphetamine powder weighing
23.1 kilos, 1.209 kilos of caffeine, 0.055 kilo of
heroin, 50 kilos of opium sediment, tablets containing
Ephedrine weighing 10.8 kilos, 0.5 kilo of Ice, 136.38
litres of opium liquid, 34.1 litres of opium liquid
plus Lysol, 568.25 litres of acid anhydride, 11.36
kilos of hydrochloric acid, 1,591.1 litres of Lysol,
1,545.68 litres of alcohol, 529 litres of hydrochloric
acid, 68.19 litres of ether, 320 litres of tinder,
1,704.75 litres of water plus Lysol, 9,184.5 kilos of
chemical powder and 23 paraphernalia were destroyed.

After the ceremony, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing, the deputy ministers, the diplomats and
journalists viewed thriving of 450,000 lychee and
longan trees, 10,000 mango trees and 550,000 rubber
trees in Namtip Township of Shan State (North) Wa
Special Region-1.
___________________________

( 7 ) Diplomats, UNDCP representative, journalists
visit Kaungkha Myothit

Yangon, 9 June - A team comprising the Ambassador of
Japan to Myanmar, Charges d' Affaires ai of the US
embassy and the Chinese embassy, the representative of
UNDCP, the Director (News) of News and Periodicals
Enterprise, officials, Secretary of Myanmar Foreign
Correspondents Club U Nyunt Tin and members and
correspondents of foreign news agencies, led by member
of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Col
Kyaw Thein of the Ministry of Defence, Joint-Secretary
Police Col Kham Aung and Director-General Col Than Swe
of the Department for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races, left here by the special flight of
Myanma Airways on 6 June morning and arrived at Lashio
Airport in Shan State (North) at 9.45 am.

They were welcomed there by Chairman of Shan State
(North) Peace and Development Council Commander of
North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, senior
military officers, departmental officials and members
of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
Then, the team proceeded to the briefing hall of
Kaungkha Agricultural Farm in Kutkai Township where
they were welcomed by Shan State (North) Special
Region-5 national race leader U Ma Htu Naw and
officials. First, national race leader U Ma Htu Naw
introduced his members to the team and explained opium
substitute cultivation, the growing of tea on 100
acres of land, educative tasks on eradication of poppy
cultivation and measures taken to ensure that no poppy
is grown at all in the Special Region-5 this year.
National race leader U Ma Htu Naw answered the queries
raised by the diplomats and the representative of
UNDCP. The team viewed development of Kaungkha
Myo-thit and agricultural work and left for Lashio.
___________________________

( 8 ) Press conference on destruction of poppy seeds,
seized narcotic drugs, precursor chemicals and
paraphernalia in Lashio, Laukkai

Yangon, 9 June - Central Committee for Drug Abuse
Control held a press conference on destruction of
poppy seeds, seized narcotic drugs, precursor
chemicals and paraphernalia in Lashio on 7 June and in
Laukkai on 8 June at Maw Star Hotel in Lashio on 8
June.

Present were officials of Shan State (North) Committee
for Drug Abuse Control, members of Task Force of
eradication of poppy cultivation and regional
development in Shan State (North), departmental
officials, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and
Periodicals Enterprise and information officials,
Secretary of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U
Nyunt Tin and correspon-dents and reporters from
Myanmar Times. Joint Secretary of CCDAC Police Col
Khan Aung explained holding of the press conference
regarding destruction of poppy seeds, seized narcotic
drugs, precursor chemicals and paraphernalia in Lashio
and Laukkai.

Journalists could meet and ask departmental and CCDAC
officials. In reply to queries raised by the
journalists, officials from CCDAC, Shan State (North)
Committee for Drug Abuse Control, Task Force of
eradication of poppy cultivation and regional
development in Shan State (North) said the list of
farmers who handed over poppy seeds to the authorities
township-and-village-wise was compiled. They also
attended the destruction ceremonies in Lashio and
Laukkai. The price of poppy seeds is K 500 per pyi.
Out of over K 50 million funded by CCDAC for opium
substitute cultivation, K 42.5 million was targeted
for distribution of seeds in districts and townships.

Although the year 2005 was designated as an opium
eradication year in Kokang, no poppy was grown
beginning this year. U Phon Kyar Shin and officials
assured that there will be no poppy in Kokang region
by the year 2003. Maize seeds were distributed to
those who handed over poppy seeds. Measures were
undertaken for opium substitute cultivation, livestock
breeding and industries. For anti-drug education
activities drug elimination museums should be
constructed in major cities of states and divisions.

Ceremonies to hand over poppy seeds to authorities and
destruction took place in eastern, western and
southern Shan State. The CCDAC will announce facts and
figures about them. Former poppy cultivators are now
working in industries, mining and gems mining. The
press conference ended at 6.40 pm.
___________________________

( 9 ) Construction of road and bridges inspected

Yangon, 9 June - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw
Tun, accompanied by officials, arrived at
Nyaunglebin-Madauk road in Bago Division this morning
and heard report on progress of work and future tasks
presented by officials. Then, the minister proceeded
to Shwekyin-Madauk bridge construction site on
Sittaung river. Senior Engineer U Win Aung of the
bridge construction project reported the work
progress. The minister gave necessary instructions and
fulfilled the requirements. Afterwards, the minister
went to Yenwe bridge construction project and gave
instructions and inspected round the project site. The
minister also inspected Baingdar bridge construction
site. The minister gave instructions and attended to
the need

 ___________________________

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