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[myanmar_information] THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (Monday December 2, 2002)
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR (Monday December 2, 2002)
Headlines
1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects
construction of Ayeyawady Bridge
(Yadanabon) Project
2. Senior General Than Shwe inspects
industries in Kyaukse Conducting constant
research on market to produce quality
products of market demand stressed
International Relations
3. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye
receives ASEAN Secretary-General
4. Myanmar-Japan joint research in Pondaung region
5. Dinner hosted to ASEAN S-G
6. Seminar on Japanese Tourism held
7. Myanmar-Thai delegates meet
to build Yaungkha model village
8. Press conference on Thailand Exhibition
Regional
9. Poultry given eyedrops
against Newcastle disease
10. Extempore talks held
11. Sale of jade lots on 18-21 December
Health
12. World AIDS Day Exhibition continues
Education
13. Matriculation Exam Timetable
Sport
14. Press conf on Tiger Cup soccer tournament held
15. Third place match of Tatmadaw Cup
Soccer Tourney held
Drug
16. Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs
Elimination Work Committee Minister
for Labour makes field trips to Tachilek
17. Narcotic drugs seized
__________________
1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects
construction of Ayeyawady Bridge
(Yadanabon) Project
Yangon, 2 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe and party left
Monywa for Mandalay on 29 November morning.
At 10 am, the Senior General and party left Monywa and
inspected thriving of various crops along
Monywa-ChaungU-Myinmu-Sagaing motor road and
development in rural and urban areas.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party arrived
at the site of Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadana-bon)
construction project and viewed the site for the
bridge and its environs.
At the briefing hall, Minister for Construction
Maj-Gen Saw Tun reported to the Senior General and
party on matters relating to construction of the
Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) construction project.
Deputy Superintending Engineer U Htay Myint of Public
Works reported on driving of piles for the approach
bridge on the Mandalay bank and progress of work and
Deputy Superintending Engineer U Hsan Win on
construction of the approach bridge on the Sagaing
bank.
Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint
reported on construction of Ayeyawady Bridge
(Yadanabon) to be linked Mandalay ring road.
After hearing the reports, the Senior General gave
guidance. He said that the design of Ayeyawady Bridge
(Yadanabon) is not like other bridges. It has wider
bridge span than others and four-lane motorway. In
building the bridge, construction tasks are to be
carried out with emphasis on durability, accuracy and
gracefulness. And efforts are to be made for
completion of the construction tasks in schedule.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the scale
model of the bridge and progress in building of
approach bridge on the Mandalay bank. Ayeyawady Bridge
(Yadanabon) can withstand 60-ton loads and will have
49 feet wide four-lane motorway. The bridge will be
built of steel frame and it will be 5,614 feet long.
Next, the Senior General and party viewed the
eight-lane ring road of Mandalay and development of
Mandalay Kandawgyi and its environs.
Members of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Ye Myint,
Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein,
Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung
Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of
Defence, who accompanied the Senior General, met with
Tatmadawmen and family members of regiments and units
of Mandalay Station at the Station Hall in Nanmyo,
Mandalay, on 30 November.
Member of the Secretariat of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association Minister for Industry-1 U Aung
Thaung met with secretaries and executives of
Aungmyethazan, Chanaye-thazan, Mahaaungmye,
Chanmyathazi, Pyigyidagun, Amarapura and Patheingyi
Township USDAs at Mandalay Division USDA Office on 29
November afternoon.
_____________
2. Senior General Than Shwe inspects
industries in Kyaukse Conducting constant
research on market to produce quality
products of market demand stressed
Yangon, 2 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe arrived in Kyaukse,
Mandalay Division, on 30 November and inspected
factories, mills and the Government Technological
College and gave instructions.
Senior General Than Shwe, of the State Peace and
Development Council Office arrived at Hsinmin Cement
Factory project site of Union of Myanmar Economic
Holdings Ltd being undertaken at Kyaukse Industrial
Zone eight miles east of Kyaukse at 11 am.
At the briefing hall, Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry
of Defence reported on location and areas of the
project, No 1 Hsinmin Cement Factory which will
produce 400 tons of cement per day with the use of wet
process, No 2 Hsinmin Cement Factory which will
produce 700 tons of cement per day with the use of dry
process, progress in construction of the two cement
factories, test-run of No 1 Hsinmin Cement Factory on
13-10-2002, requirement and stockpile of raw
materials, collection of raw materials, construction
of roads and measures being taken for water
availability which are related to the project,
arrangements being made for power and water supply and
natural gas.
Senior General Than Shwe gave instructions on meeting
the set standard in construction of the factories as
well as in production of cement, and timely completion
of the project.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected
test-run of No 1 Hsinmin Cement Factory. Then, they
arrived at the factory project site of the Ministry of
Industry-1 in Kyaukse Industrial Zone. At the briefing
hall, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported
on production of candy factory, footwear factory and
bicycle factory, arrangements being made for extension
of chocolate and jelly factories in combination with
candy factory.
Next, the minister reported on the cement factory and
the sewing machine factory which will soon be opened,
the vest factory, the asbestos factory and PP woven
factory project being undertaken, the blanket factory,
the enamelware factory, the steel household goods
factory, the toothpaste and cosmetics factory and the
steel-rod factory project to be undertaken, growing of
trees for greening the industrial zone.
Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance. He called for
meeting the quality the consumers prefer, making
constant research on the market to know what kinds of
goods are in good demand in which region and fully
meeting the public demand for these goods to ensure
the import-substitute measures, and to increase the
use of local raw materials in order to decrease
dependence on foreign countries.
Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and party
machinery parts to be used at the cement factory
project, sample of raw materials, and the sewing
machines produced by the sewing machine factory. Next,
Minister U Aung Thaung reported on production of load
bicycles, bicycles for male and female and electric
bicycles with Maungbamar brand produced by the bicycle
factory; samples of vests, T-shirts and sport shirts
to be produced by the vest factory; plastic items to
be produced by PP Woven plastic factory and samples of
steel items to be produced by the steel household
goods factory.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected
products of the candy factory and footwear factory.
They then inspected Kyaukse Cement factory. Next,
Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected products
of the bicycle factory. Senior General Than Shwe and
party proceeded to the Government Technological
College in Kyaukse, where Minister for Science and
Technology U Thaung reported on work being carried out
in accord with the guidance of Senior General Than
Shwe who called for installation of teaching and
learning aids at the GTC, collection of books and
documentaries for nurturing of technicians of
international level and qualified teachers, making
arrangements for modern study on Internet and academic
matters.
Then, Minister U Thaung reported on courses being
conducted for rural development and biotechnology to
Senior General Than Shwe and party. Then, Senior
General Than Shwe and party inspected research on
making and using of bio-fertilizers and traditional
medicines, research works on biotechnology on medical
science by technicians of departments and universities
under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Next, the Senior General and party inspected learning
multimedia courses through Internet, with the use of
multimedia teaching aids, through Internet Website and
e-Library and computer control machinery. Afterwards,
the researchers reported to the Senior General and
party on fish amino acid bio-fertilizer, making humus
with the use of fish amino acid, research works on
making bio-fertilizers with use of regional insects
and production of equipment to be used in producing
bio-fertilizers in order to save foreign currency.
Officials reported on Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
Machine Shop to Senior General Than Shwe who gave
necessary guidance.
Then, the Senior General and party inspected the site
chosen for construction of the embankment at Zawgyi
River near Hsugon Ward in Kyaukse for supplying of
drinking water and arrangements being made for
construction of the retaining walls near Zawgyi River
Bridge in Husgon Ward. Next, they inspected round
Kyaukse where people cordially greeted them on either
side of the road. In the afternoon, they arrived at
Myanma Farm Machniery Factory being built by
Agricultural Mechanization Department near Ingon
Village on Yangon-Mandalay Highway in Kyaukse
Township. At the briefing hall, Minister for
Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported
on area of the factory, arrangements for production of
10,000 16 HP power-tillers per year and 5,000 6 HP
harvesters per year, arrangements and requirements of
electric power and staff, progress of work,
installation of machines at workshops, production of
Myanma Farm Machinery Factory and import machinery
parts for production of the combined harvester.
Director-General U Win Maw of Agricultural
Mechanization Department reported on test-production
of the combined harvester, boosting quality of farming
equipment and spare parts including harvester,
test-production of paddy dryer and test use of the
harvester. After hearing the reports, Senior General
Than Shwe said: the production of farm machinery is
necessary to fulfil the requirements of farmers. In
cultivation work, ploughing, harvesting and winnowing
usually demand time and hard work. Therefore, we must
be able to produce the machinery needed for the
cultivation work to enable the farmers to carry out
their work with the use of machinery. Only then will
it save time and reduce the production cost. We have
already gained experiences in manufacturing tractors
and harvesters and achieved considerable success.
Therefore, we have to keep on trying to be able to
produce combined harvesters useful to the farmers. For
the development of agriculture sector, respective
ministries, private industrialists and technicians are
required to cooperate and coordinate with one another
in matters relating to water supply, using quality
strains, extended use of fertilizer and machinery.
Departmental cooperation and coordination are
essential for the development of the State.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected
progress of work in the construction of workshops (1),
(2) and (3) of the Myanma Farm Machinery Factory.
Afterwards, they inspected the iron foundry and smithy
and the construction of a water tank. Next, they
viewed the recorded photos of the production of engine
oil tanks, dish wheels and water tanks and inspected
the production of pistons, fly wheels, gear boxes and
shafts.
Then, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and officials showed
Senior General Than Shwe and party such machinery,
harvesters, combined harvesters, power tractors and
paddy dryers produced by Agricultural Mechanization
Department and gave necessary instructions.
On 1 December, Senior General Than Shwe and party met
with Chairman of Kyaukse District Peace and
Development Council and members, chairmen of Kyaukse,
Singaing, Myittha and TadaU Townships Peace and
Development Councils and members and district- and
township-level departmental officials at the hall of
the cotton grinding factory in Myittha.
Chairman of Kyaukse District Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Aung Kyi Shein explained land
availability and utility, cultivation monsoon paddy
and summer paddy and other crops, paddy yield and rice
sufficiency, finished dams and irrigated acreage,
livestock breeding work, economic development of the
district and per capita income of the local people,
transport and communications, education and health.
The Chairman of Myittha Township Peace and Development
Council and responsible personnel also explained
matters relating to education, health, community peace
and rule of law and order of the township. Commander
Brig-Gen Ye Myint gave a supplementary report.
Senior General Than Shwe urged the responsible
officials to correctly assess economic, administrative
and social situations of the respective townships and
to mend the weaknesses. He said the development of a
township or a district must be evaluated through
economic, administrative and social yardsticks and
spoke of the need to compile all the data
systematically. The government is implementing the
major projects for full development of the entire
Union, border areas and rural areas after narrowing
down the gap between urban and rural regions. He urged
officials to make field trips to grassroots levels to
undertake the tasks in the regions in accord with the
objectives. Senior General Than Shwe and party
inspected development of Myittha.
Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin discussed purchase of
cotton with executives of Myanmar Cotton Merchants
Association, textile mill owners at the Irrigation
Yeiktha on 29 November. The minister spoke of the need
to observe rules and regulations on purchase of cotton
and to report difficulties.
Managing Director of Myanma Cotton and Sericulture
Enterprise Dr Thein Htay reported on purchase of
cotton and milling. The cotton merchants took part in
the discussions.
____________
3. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye
receives ASEAN Secretary-General
Yangon, 2 Dec - On behalf of the Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council, Vice-Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung
Aye received the visiting ASEAN Secretary-General Mr
Rodolfo C Severino Jr at Zeyathiri Beikman,
Konmyinttha, at 10 am today.
__________
4. Myanmar-Japan joint research in Pondaung region
Yangon, 2 Dec - Prof Dr Nobuo Shigehara of the Primate
Research Institute of Japan led the group comprising
Dr Masa Nayu Takai, Dr Noroco Edgi and Dr Takihisa
Subamo and arrived here on 1 November.
The Japanese team together with Myanmar
Paleontologists from the Ministry of Defence and the
Ministry of Education set out a mission to explore
fossils of Primates at the vicinity of Bahin Village,
Paukkaung Village and Magyeekan Village in Myaing
Township in Magway Division, Gwaybin Village in
Seikphyu Township, Hsupyitsan Village in Magway
Township from 3 to 22 November. Myanmar and Japanese
Paleontolo-gists have jointly launched altogether six
field studies including this one in Pondaung region
since 1998 and due to these field researches, fossils
of the oldest primates were discovered in Myanmar and
success has been achieved in research works.
This year, during the field research, right upper jaw
with molar Nos 1 and 2 of Pondaungia was found near
Ayoedaw-pon Kyit Chaung (estimated -J 937423) on 18
November. The size of the right upper jaw was smaller
than the upper jaw and molars of Pondaungia discovered
by Myanmar-Japan Paleonto-logist Group in Taungnikyin
Kyit Chaung in Magyeekan Village in 1998.
At that time, the combined group also found teeth and
molars of ancient pig, pieces of bone and molars of
rhinoceros, pieces of bone and parts of skull of
mammals, bones, jaw and teeth of fish, teeth, pieces
of jaw and bone of crocodile, pieces of shell of
tortoise, pieces of bone of reptiles, parts of jaw of
carnivores, leaf fossils, teeth of goat, pieces of
bones of rat, squirrels and rabbit, a part of skull
with upper jaw and molars of hippopotamus, jaw,
molars, piece of bone of elephant and pig and buffalo.
The group also measured Stratigraphic Section of the
Pondaung Formation in Seikphyu and Yenangyoung
townships, explored fossils near Hsupyitsan Village,
Thityakauk in Magway Division and observed fossils at
the Geology Department at Magway University.
The Myanmar-Japan Paleontologists cleansed and
observed the primate remains and fossils at the
National Museum starting from 23 November. They also
made researches and pseudo-fossil. The Japanese
Paleontologists left for home on 30 November.
_____________
5. Dinner hosted to ASEAN S-G
Yangon, 2 Dec - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win
Aung hosted a dinner in honour of ASEAN
Secretary-General Mr Rodolfo C Severino Jr at Zizawa
Yeiktha of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 8 pm
yesterday.
___________
6. Seminar on Japanese Tourism held
Yangon, 2 Dec - Wtih the cooperation of ASEAN
Foundation, ASEAN-Japan Central Department, and
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, the Seminar on
Japanese Tourism was held at Nikko Royal Hotel at 8 am
today.
At the opening ceremony, Director-General of
Directorate of Hotel and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt
extended greetings and Director of ASEAN-Japan Central
Department Mr Pitchai Raktasinha explained facts about
ASEAN-Japan Central Department.
Then, Senior Adviser of ASEAN-Japan Central Department
Mr Koji Tsurumoto explained trends and forecast of
Japanese outbound travellers, and the morning session
adjourned. In the afternoon, those present in the
meeting discussed matters relating to strong and weak
points of Myanmar tourism industry and publicizing
tourist destinations in Myanmar on Japanese market.
Then, a general round of discussions followed and the
meeting came to a close.
___________
7. Myanmar-Thai delegates meet
to build Yaungkha model village
Yangon, 2 Dec - Myanmar and Thai delegates discussed
plans on the project for the construction of Yaungkha
model village in Wa region at Special Anti-Drug Office
in Tachilek on 30 November morning.
Thailand will grant Baht 20 million in aid to build
the village. The two sides agreed to promptly
implement the project covering the construction of a
school with the capacity of 500 students and a 16-bed
dispensary and discussed matters on agricultural and
development tasks of the village.
It was attened by the 10-member Myanmar delegation led
by Deputy Head of Department of the Office of the
Chief of Military Intelligence Col San Pwint and the
four-member Thai delegation headed by Mr Disnada
Diskul.
________
8. Press conference on Thailand Exhibition
Yangon,2 Dec - A press conference on Thailand
Exhibition (2002) to be held at Yangon Trade Centre on
Lower Pazundaung Street in Mingala Taungnyunt Township
took place at Hoiel Ntkko on Natmarik Road here this
morning.
The exhibition will be held from 12 to 15 December
under the programme for promotion of Myanmar-Thai-
land bilateral economic cooperation, with the perm
mission of the Ministry of Commerce and sponsorship of
department of Export Promotion of Office of Commercial
Affairs of Embassy of Thailand.
First, Minister Mr Opas Chantarasap and the minister-
counsellor explained that altogether 113 companies
from Thailand will open 130 booths at the exhibition.
Next, the Minister Counsellor (Commercial) answered
the queries raised by local and foreign journalists.
Thailand ,Exhibition (2002) will be held for companies
and economic organizations in Myanmar from 12 to 13
December and the invitation cards are available at TIF
(Yangon) Co Ltd, No 96. Bogalazay Street Botahtaung
Township. Yangon (Tel: 294006. 296227. 245137. 245318
and Fax: 245002)during the office hours.
The exhibition will be kept open for pub1ic from 9 am
to 6pm daily on 14 and 15 December and the admission
is free.
__________
9. Poultry given eyedrops
against Newcastle disease
Yangon, 2 Dec - Under the programme to protect the
poultry of local strain from Newcastle disease, a
ceremony was held to give I2 eyedrops against
Newcastle disease to the poultry at the hall of the
Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department of the
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in Insein Township
this afternoon.
Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman
Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung
Maung Thein attended the ceremony and gave I2 eyedrops
for Newcastle disease to domestic poultry.
Director-General U Maung Maung Nyunt of the Livestock
Breeding and Veterinary Department presented facts
about I2 vaccine against Newcastle disease and
arrangements being made for giving the vaccine to
domestic poultry all over the country. Then, Minister
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported to the commander
on arrangements for rural people to raise domestic
poultry and use vaccine in rural areas.
Afterwards, the commander, the minister and officials
gave I2 vaccine to poultry in Insein and Shwepyitha
townships.
_________
10. Extempore talks held
Yangon, 2 Dec - To mark the 58th Armed Forces Day,
Sangyoung township Union Solidarity and Development
Association held the extempore talks at Sabai Hall of
No 2 Basic Education High School in Sangyoung Township
here this morning, attended by USDA Central Executive
Committee member U Aung Khin, executives of Yangon
Division USDA, local authorities, students and guests.
Altogether 10 students participated in the talks.
After the talks, the prizes were presented to the
winners.
__________
11. Sale of jade lots on 18-21 December
Yangon, 2 Dec - The lots of jade will be sold in Kyats
through competitive bidding at the Jade Hall of
Lonekhin Jade Mining Department in Phakant Township
from 18 to 21 December.
Gem merchants can view and check the jades from 15 to
17 December. The gem merchants can get the
applications beginning 18 November at MGE (Head
Office), Yangon, Jade Mining Department (Lonekhin),
Jade and Gem Mining Camp in Myitkyina and Mandalay.
____________
12. World AIDS Day Exhibition continues
Yangon, 2 Dec - Arranged by the Ministry of Health and
sponsored by wellwishers of local and foreign social
organizations, the exhibition to mark the World AIDS
Day continued at the International Business Centre on
Pyay Road here today.
It was visited by members of Myanmar Maternal and
Child Welfare Associations of various townships,
students, members of Red Cross Society and health
staff. At the exhibition, leaflets, books and posters
are distributed free of charge. Computer viva voce,
educative video features and activities of AIDS
control documentary photos are also provided there.
The exhibition is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and it
will continue till 4 December.
____________
13. Matriculation Exam Timetable
Yangon, 2 Dec - The Myanmar Board of Examinations of
the Ministry of Education today announced the
timetable for the Matriculation Examination to be held
in March 2003.
The examination will be held from 12 to 21 March 2003
from 9 am to 12 noon daily. Myanmarsar will be on
Wednesday 12 March, English on Thursday 13 March,
Mathematics on Friday 14 March, Chemistry/Geography on
Saturday 15 March, Physics on Tuesday 18 March,
Biology/History on Wednesday 19 March, Economics on
Thursday 20 March, and Optional Myanmarsar on Friday
21 March.
_________
14. Press conf on Tiger Cup soccer tournament held
Yangon, 2 Dec -Briefing on Tiger Cup soccer tournament
to be sponsored by Tiger Beer to be held in Indonesia
and Singapore from 15 to 29 December took place at the
Traders' Hotel this afternoon.
At the briefing, Mr David Teng of Myanmar Brewery
Limited and Director-General of Sports and Physical
Education Department U Thaung Htaik made speeches.
Then, Mr David Booth, Coach of Selected Myanmar
Football Team, briefed on the football team. The
official of MBL presented souvenirs to Myanmar
football team and Myanmar Football Federation.
Then, officials concerned replied to the queries
raised by the journalists.
_____________
15. Third place match of Tatmadaw Cup
Soccer Tourney held
Yangon, 2 Dec - The 41st Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services (Army, Navy and air) 's Cup football
tournament to secure the third place took place at the
football ground of the Youth Training Camp (Thuwunna)
here at 3 pm today. The Southern Command Team beat the
Tatmadaw (Navy) Team 2-1. The final match will be held
at the same venue on 6 December at 3 pm.
___________
16. Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic Drugs
Elimination Work Committee Minister
for Labour makes field trips to Tachilek
Yangon, 2 Dec - Chairman of Shan State (East) Narcotic
Drugs Elimination Work Committee member of Central
Committee for Drugs Abuse Control Minister for Labour
U Tin Winn, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border
Areas and National Races and Development Affairs
Brig-Gen Than Tun, Dr Ba Thaung of the Ministry of
Health, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence and
Secretary Police Chief of Staff of Myanmar Police
Force Police Brig-Gen Tin Win arrived in Tachilek on
28 November.
The minister and party left Tachilek for Monghsat
Township by car and arrived at Yaungkha Village in the
afternoon. The minister and party inspected the chosen
site for construction of a school for development of
Yaungkha Village in cooperation with Thai government.
They inspected poppy-substitute honey orange
plantation in Wanhong region. The minister and party
arrived at Wanhong Village. They met national race
leader of Shan State (East) U Pauk Yu Yi and some 200
members at the briefing hall of Wanhong Loihsansaw
poppy-substitute agricultural project office. They
discussed tasks to be carried out for the elimination
of poppy cultivation and trafficking and abuse of
drugs for total elimination of narcotic drugs in
Tachilek and Monghsat Districts.
The minister and party explained formation of the
committee for the New Destiny Project consisting the
deputy minister for Home Affairs, the deputy minister
for Agriculture and Irrigation, the deputy minister
for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs and the deputy minister for
Livestock and Fisheries in accord with the guidance of
the Head of State. The four deputy ministers made
field trips to the far-flung villages in border
regions and met poppy growers. The poppy growers
themselves handed over poppy seeds weighing
164,928.9406 kilos to the State. Such event has never
taken place in any country before.
These poppy seeds can be grown on 100,997.51 acres of
land with the expected yield of 444,389.06 kilos of
raw opium and this amount is equivalent to 444.39 tons
of raw opium. It can be refined into 44.44 tons of
heroin. The handing over of poppy seeds by farmers
have prevented production of raw opium and heroin. The
government provided K 50 million to poppy growers for
cultivation of poppy-substitute crops in monsoon and K
50 million in cold season. The government has been
implementing 15-year drugs elimination project,
adopting the elimination of narcotic drugs as the
national duty. The project started in 1999-2000 and
poppy cultivation acreage decreased each year.
Poppy cultivation acreage in 2001-2002 also fell 60
per cent compared to that of 1996. The United Nations
and the US government accepted the fall in acreage.
The government in cooperation of the UN and the US
Administration conducted survey on opium yield in
poppy growing areas. The government in cooperation
with the US Administration conducted survey on opium
yield for eight times from 1993 to the present year.
The government carried out the tasks without any
assistance from foreign nations and organizations.
The seized narcotic drugs were destroyed in the
presence of diplomats and foreign correspondents for
16 times in Yangon from 1988 to now and 27 times in
border areas from 1991 to 2002. Narcotic drugs include
opium and heroin as well as stimulant tablets. Despite
a reduction in poppy cultivation acreage, frequent
seizures of stimulant tablets were made. Last October,
5.03 million stimulant tablets and 30 kilos of heroin
were seized in Tachilek District. It is important to
expose traffickers of stimulant tablets and take
action against them. The stimulant tablets can be
produced in a 10x10 feet room with the use of
precursors. Effective action must be taken against
them. The chemicals are not the ones produced in the
country and are smuggled into the country from
neighbouring countries. Efforts are to be made for
exposing the smuggling of the precursors into the
country.
He said the people are to take part in elimination of
drug abusers. Arrangements have been made for giving
treatment to drug addicts at Kengtung, Tachilek and
Monghsat Hospitals. Only when there are no production
of stimulant tablets, no trafficking and no drugs
abusers, will the region be declared as drug free
zone. Concerted efforts are being made for declaration
of drug free zone in the region in 2005. He spoke of
the need to extend cultivation acreage of poppy
substitute crops such as, lychee, honey orange and
mangoes. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas
and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen
Than Tun spoke at length on organizational matters in
connection with poppy growers, distribution of poppy
substitute crops such as maize, buckwheat, niger,
wheat, beans and pulses, elimination of poppy in Shan
State (North) this year due to cooperation of local
authorities.
Mongla region was declared as drug free zone five
years ago. He said efforts are to be made for
declaration of drug free zone in Shan State (East). He
also said poppy substitute plantations are to be
extended in Wanhong region. The Ministry of Progress
of Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs and CCDAC will provide necessary assistance,
he added.
Then, Col San Pwint of the Ministry of Defence made a
speech. He said efforts have been made to totally wipe
out growing of poppy since 1998. As poppy is grown and
opium is produced in this neighbouring region. So,
Thailand has accused the national people of poppy
growers. To rebut these accusations, national race
leaders and national people are strive for total
elimination of poppy growing in the region.
Thailand and other nations brought an accusation
against Myanmar that poppy is systematically produced
by building drug factories in Mongyawng region,
Monghsat District. So, last year, diplomats and
mediamen were taken to Mongyawng region by choppers
and let them witness that the factories are not drug
producing ones but buildings for development of the
region. In that way false accusations had been
refuted.
This year, Yodaya dailies carried news items that over
1 million of stimulant pills will be produced in the
region and their troops were put on standby to prevent
the stimulants from trespassing on their land. But, we
are satisfied to see poppy substitute crops such as
orange, lychee, coffee in Wanhon, Mongyawng region.
Although poppy growing is almost no longer in
existence in the region, it is the route stimulants
are carried. So, national race leaders are to strive
as soon as possible for the region to become a drug
free zone, he said.
Then, National Race Leader U Pauk Yu Yi spoke words of
thanks to the leaders of the nation for their drug
elimination tasks. Minister for Labour U Tin Winn
presented gifts and periodicals carrying drug news to
U Pauk Yu Yi.
Then, the minister and party viewed plantations and
then they arrived at Mongyawng at 7 pm. At night, they
discussed matters relating to drugs with national race
leaders.
________________
17. Narcotic drugs seized
Yangon, 2 Dec - Daw Shao Yi (a) Tuan Shao Yi was
caught at Shwe Ein Si guest house on 26 October 2002
after a combined team comprising members of the local
intelligence unit and Mandalay Special Anti-Drug Squad
acting on a tip-off searched her and found 28,363
stimulant tablets in her basket.
In connection with the case, action is being taken
against Daw Shao Yi, 50, daughter of U Lao Sein of
Myananda Ward, PyinOoLwin; Myo Min Hein, 17, son of U
Chit Sein of the same ward; and Ma Kawt (a) Ma Yi
Myint, daughter of U Paw Tun of Ward-1, PyinOoLwin, by
PyinOoLwin Police Station under Section 15/19(A)/21 of
the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
Likewise, a combined team comprising members of the
local intelligence unit and Muse Anti-Drug Squad
acting on information, ransacked the house owned by
Yan Son of Pan Saing on 27 October. The authorities
found Yan Son and Yan Si there together with seven
heroin blocks weighing 2.38 kilos.
In a similar incident on 29 October, a combined team
formed with the members of the local intelligence unit
and the local police force, acting on information,
searched the cold drinks shop owned by Ohn Kyaw near
Kyaikkale Station in Pyidawtha Ward, Mingaladon
Township.
Meanwhile, Thein Shwe Oo made an attempt to escape the
arrest but he was seized together with 3.24 kilos of
marijuana. Action is being taken against the drug
traffickers by the police stations concerned.
________________________
www.myanmar.com/nlm/
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