[myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday February 1, 2003)

Subject: [myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday February 1, 2003)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2003 00:49:36 -0800 (PST)
List-unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]>
The New Light of Myanmar (Saturday February 1, 2003)
--------------------
1. Senior General Than Shwe visits Exhibition of 
   Second Myanmar Information and Communications 
   Technology Week
2. Senior General Than Shwe receives Commander-in-
   Chief of Royal Thai Army and party 
3. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya 
   San host dinner in honour of visiting Thai General 
   and party
4. Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General 
   Somdhat Attanand and party visit Defence Services 
   Museum, Drug Elimination Museum, Shwedagon Pagoda  
5. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya 
   San welcome Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army 
   and Madame and party
6. Musical instruments donated to School for the Blind

   (Kyimyindine)
7. Home Affairs Minister receives Ambassador of UK
8. Secretary-1 addresses opening of Alaingni Dam in 
   Bago Township
9. Use of fire extinguishers demonstrated
10. New Generation Golf Tournament on 7 Feb 
11. National Disabled Sports to be held
12. Labour Minister discusses drug elimination in 
    Tachilek 
13. Drug traffickers get long term imprisonment 

--------------------

1. Senior General Than Shwe visits Exhibition of 
   Second Myanmar Information and Communications 
   Technology Week  

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected the
exhibition to mark the Second Myanmar Information and
Communications Technology Week at Myanmar Information
and Communications Technology Park in Hline Township
this afternoon.

At the MICT Conference room, the Senior General heard
reports. Chairman of Work Committee for e-National
Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw reported that
construction of MICT Park in Hline Township started in
2001 and was opened on a grand scale on 21 January
2002.At the opening ceremony, the exhibition in
commemoration of the First Myanmar ICT Week was held
together with ICT Conference, e-ASEAN seminars and the
ICT exhibition.

Although the exhibition of the Second Myanmar ICT Week
was scheduled to be held from 21 to 27 January, the
exhibition has been extended till 5 February in
response to the wish of large number of interested
persons.During the period of the Second Myanmar ICT
Week, three new buildings constructed in the second
phase in ICT Park were opened; conferences, seminars
and workshops related to ICT with two themes ? ICT
Industrial Development and e-Government
Initiatives?were held; booths and showrooms were
displayed; and cooperation agreements were signed with
international ICT organizations.

Arrangements will be made for construction of Cyber
Mall, third phase building, at the park. Similarly,
tasks are being carried out for establishment of
another ICT Park in Mandalay.There were 32 production
rooms at MICT Park in previous year; and now there are
68 rooms at the park. The draft of Myanmar Electronic
Transaction Law (Cyber Law) have been drawn.The pilot
projects ? e-Passport Project and Smart Card Project?
are being implemented.

Similarly, Smart Schools have been opened at Hline
Basic Education High School No 4, Institute of
Education Practising School and Kamayut BEPS No 2.
With the sponsorship of Bagan Cybertech, arrangements
have been made for getting IT connectivity at 100 more
schools to be able to emerge Myanmar School Net.Then,
Chairman of Bagan Cybertech Brig-Gen Thein Swe
reported on construction of Bagan Cybertech and
progress of works, contact of users at Bagan Cybertech
to visit Internet, services of Bagan Cybertech and
future tasks.

Next, the Senior General inspected scale model of MICT
Park. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt reported on
matters related to the park.Afterwards, the Senior
General and party viewed round the booths of
ministries and showrooms of local and foreign
companies at the Myanmar ICT Week. 

---------

2. Senior General Than Shwe receives Commander-in-
   Chief of Royal Thai Army and party 

Yangon, 31 Jan  ?  Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe received visiting Commander-in-Chief of
Royal Thai Army General Somdhat Attanand and party
Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha at 11 am today.

The visiting Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army was
accompanied by General Vichit Yathip, General
Veeraxhai Iamsaad and party, Thai Ambassador to
Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and Thai Military Attaché Col
Kasam Nakpun. 

---------

3. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya 
   San host dinner in honour of visiting Thai General 
   and party

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung
Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San hosted a dinner in honour
of visiting Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army
General Somdhat Attanand and Madame Khunying Suppanapa
Attanand and party at Tatmadaw Hall of Zeyathiri
Beikman at 7 pm today.

Before the dinner, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye
received visiting Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai
Army General Somdhat Attanand at the hall of Zeyathiri
Beikman at 6.30 pm. At the call, Vice-Senior General
Maung Aye and visiting General Somdhat Attanand
exchanged plaques.

After the call, the dinner was hosted. Also present at
the dinner were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Chief of Military Intelligence
General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe,
members of the State Peace and Development Council,
the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief
(Air) and the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command and
their wives, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, senior
military officers of the Ministry of Defence, the
Myanmar Military Attaché to Thailand, the Thai
Ambassador, the Thai Military Attaches and guests.

At the dinner, the Vice-Senior General and the
visiting Thai General exchanged gifts in commemoration
of the goodwill visit. During and after the dinner,
artistes of Fine Arts Department presented Myanma
traditional dances to the guests.

---------

4. Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General 
   Somdhat Attanand and party visit Defence Services 
   Museum, Drug Elimination Museum, Shwedagon Pagoda  

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army
General Somdhat Attanand and goodwill dele-gation, who
arrived here at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council of the Union of
Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung
Aye,  visited the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon
Pagoda Road and Drug Elimination Museum at the corner
of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Roads this afternoon. The
Thai General, accompanied by wife Madame Khunying
Suppa-napa Attanand and party, paid homage to
Shwedagon Pagoda in the evening.

At 2.30 pm, visiting Royal Thai Army General Somdhat
Attanand and party, accompanied by Brig-Gen Kyaw Han
of the Ministry of Defence, Myanmar Military Attaché
to Thailand Col Ko Ko Maung, Thai Military Attaché to
Myanmar Col Kasem Nakpun and officials, arrived at
Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road.
Deputy Curator Maj Zaw Win and officials welcomed and
conducted them round the museum.

Then, the visiting Thai General and party proceeded to
Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw and
Hanthawady Roads in Kamayut Township. Joint Secretary
of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Police Col
Kham Aung and officials welcomed the Thai General and
party.

Next, the visiting Thai General and party viewed round
booths of the museum. Then, the Thai General signed in
the visitors? book.

Afterwards, the visiting Thai General and Madame and
party arrived at Shwedagon Pagoda where they were
welcomed by members of the pagoda board of trustees.
Then, the Thai General, Madame and party went round
the pagoda clock-wise. 

Next, they offered lights, flowers and incense sticks
to Kassapa Buddha Image at the western prayer hall of
the pagoda. The Thai General then signed in the
visitors? book there. 

Afterwards, the Thai General and Madame and party
donated cash towards the funds of the pagoda. Members
of the Pagoda Board of Trustees accepted the donations
and presented the picture of the pagoda to them.
Later, the Thai goodwill delegation left the pagoda.

Similarly, Madame Khunying Suppanapa Attanand, wife of
the visiting Thai General, and party, accompanied by
Daw Yin Yin Nwe, wife of Brig-Gen Kyaw Han of the
Ministry of Defence and Daw Khin Win Kyaw, wife of
Myanmar Military Attaché Col Ko Ko Maung, visited
Myanma Gems Museumon Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 11 am.
Curator U Thit Lwin and officials welcomed and
conducted them round the museum. 

Then, Madame Khunying Suppa-napa Attanand signed in
the visitors? book. 

Next, they went to Lady Luck Souvenir Shop at the
corner of Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and Saya San Road in
Bahan Township, and viewed Myanma handicraft and
jewellery. In the afternoon, they visited Bogyoke
Market.

---------

5. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya 
   San welcome Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army 
   and Madame and party

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army
General Somdhat Attanand and Madame Khunying Suppanapa
Attanand and party arrived here by special aircraft of
Royal Thai Air Force at 10 am today to pay a goodwill
visit in the Union of Myanmar at the invitation of
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung
Aye.

Then, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya
Mya San and party, Thai General Somdhat Attanand and
Madame and party went to the lounge of Yangon
International Airport.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and Thai General Somdhat
Attanand took the salute of the Guard of Honour and
they then inspected the Guard of Honour.

 Next, the Thai General and Madame, accompanied by
Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya
San, went to No 2 Tatmadaw Guest House from the
Airport. 

---------

6. Musical instruments donated to School for the Blind

   (Kyimyindine)

Yangon, 31 Jan? Japan?s Grassroot Grant Assistance and
Ko Ko Ro Volunteer Group donated musical instruments
worth US$ 9,400 to the School for the Blind
(Kyimyindine) of the Social Welfare Department of the
Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
this morning, attended by Minister for Social Welfare,
Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa.

Mr Jimbo of Ko Ko Ro Volunteer Group explained the
purpose of the donations. Then, Japanese Ambassador Mr
Yuji Miyamoto gave a speech. On behalf of Japan?s
Grassroot Grant Assistance, the Japanese Ambassador
presented musical instruments worth US$ 8,400 and Mr
Jimbo of Ko Ko Ro Volunteer Group, the instruments
worth US$ 1,000 to the minister. Then, certificates of
honour went to the wellwishers. Next, the minister
spoke words of thanks. Afterwards, students of the
school presented songs to the audience. 

After the ceremony, the minister, together with the
ambassador and wellwishers, viewed round the computer
room, training rooms and the library of the school.

---------

7. Home Affairs Minister receives Ambassador of UK

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin
Hlaing received Ambassador Ms Vicky Bowman of the
Embassy of the United Kingdom at his office this
morning. 

---------

8. Secretary-1 addresses opening of Alaingni Dam in 
   Bago Township

Only when agricultural sector can be enhanced will
national economy systematically improve as Myanmar is
an agro-based country

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council General Khin Nyunt, left here by
Tatmadaw helicopter this morning and arrived at
Alaingni Dam in Bago Township, Bago Division, at 8 am.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by
Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Aung
Min, No 77 LID Commander Brig-Gen Than Htay and
officials.

At 8.15 am, the ceremony to open Alaingni Dam built by
Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Irrigation was held at the pandal near the dam,
with an address by Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt. 

In his address, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt said
that the Alaingni Dam being opened today will help the
supplying water to Lagoonbyin Dam which has been
already built in Yangon Division. The two dams will
irrigate the farmlands in the areas bordering Hlegu
Township, Yangon Division and Bago Township, Bago
Division. In addition, the two dams will prevent the
flow of water into the wetlands between the
Yangon-Bago motor way and railroad which were usually
inundated in the rainy season in the past.

With the aim of turning the areas bordering Hlegu
Township, Yangon Division and Bago Township, Bago
Division into the valuable farmlands, the two dams
have been constructed. It can be said that goodwill of
the Government towards the people was fully
implemented, he said. With the emergence of the two
facilities the farmers of Bago and Hlegu Townships
will soon be enjoying the fruitful results of the
Government?s  goodwill. Nowadays systematic efforts
are being made to enable the nation to stand shoulder
to shoulder with the nations of the world, to enhance
the living standard of the people and to strengthen
the national economy. Myanmar is an agro-based
country. Only when the agriculture sector can be
enhanced will the national economy systematically
improve. This being so, steps are being taken for
development of the agriculture sector as one of the 
national objectives.

The agriculture sector is related with the food
sufficiency for the people. It is also the livelihood
of the rural people and it contributes to raising
their  living standard  and fulfilling their food,
clothing and shelter needs.  Thus, uplift of the
agriculture sector amounts to uplift of the living
standard of the people.The Government has been placing
emphasis on rapid development of the agriculture
sector. Systematic measures are being taken to ensure
water supply for the agricultural purpose as the most
basic requirement, he noted.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given
guidance calling for implementing the four work
plans?making harmonious and concerted efforts to
ensure water supply for boosting the per acre yield,
introducing the quality strain crops, using the
fertilizer in combination with the local fertilizer
and extended use of farm machinery.

In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the
Government has been making earnest efforts for
construction of dams and reservoirs and implementing
the river water pumping projects to tap the abundant
water resources with the use of advanced technology.
Therefore, dams have been constructed and river water
pumping projects implemented as much as possible in
the areas where water is scarce. At the same time,
reservoirs, embankments and sluice gates have been
built in the areas where there are inundation in the
rainy season, he stressed. Dams and reservoirs are
being constructed the length and breadth of the nation
and the number of dams and reservoirs which have been
completed after 1988 are 142 including Alaingni Dam.

The Government has spent over K 58,000 million on
construction of these facilities. The facilities can
irrigate over two million acres of farmlands. The
projects have been implemented in the interest of the
people but they are not profitable to the Government
in terms of the economy.

The Alaingni Dam and  Lagoonbyin Dam in Yangon
Division can irrigate 22,000 acres of farmlands and
can turn about 9,000 acres of wetlands into the
valuable farmlands. Thus, they will be much beneficial
to the farmers of the areas bordering Bago and Hlegu
Townships, he said. As the areas have been fulfilling
the food needs of the Yangonites, the dam being opened
today will indirectly be beneficial to the Yangonites.
Therefore, the farmers are to make relentless and
sustained efforts for further development of the
agriculture with the effective use of the facility.

He called on the farmers to deal with the business
such as cottage industry and livestock breeding on
manageable scale with the effective use of the
fruitful results of the agriculture sector for 
socio-economic development.

Only when the people develop and prosper will the
nation stand tall among the nations of the world. With
this concept, the Government has been making constant
efforts in the interest of the people.The Government
is making efforts day in, day out to fulfil food,
clothing and shelter needs of the people, to raise the
living standard of the people, and to enable the
people to live with peace of mind  within the
framework of laws. If the people live in miserable
conditions the Government will come to a crisis, and
in the absence of peace and tranquillity the
Government will be discredited. With these evil
intentions, the internal and external destructive
elements, who disturbed the nation-building
endeavours, have been constantly attempting to create
conditions in which the people will be in a terrible
state.

He urged the people to try to realize the destructive
acts and to foil the attempts of the destructive
elements and to refute the allegations and
fabrications. At the same time, the farmers are to
strive for development of farming undertakings and
business with a view to fulfilling the food, clothing
and shelter needs of the people. He also called on the
people to strive together with the Government for
ensuring national development, strengthening national
economy and enabling the people to live with peace of
mind within the framework of laws.

In conclusion, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt called
on the local authorities, departmental officials, the
farmers and the local people to collectively maintain
the dam for its durability, to make earnest efforts
for further development of their social-economic life
and to make concerted and harmonious efforts for
regional development and for raising the living
standard of local people.

Then, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen
Nyunt Tin made a speech. In his speech, he said as
Ayeyawady, Bago and Yangon Divisions of lower Myanmar
were the reliable regions for agricultural produce,
arrangements for improvement of infrastructures and
resources had been carried out with a view to boosting
agricultural production. Therefore the divisions had
been able to enjoy the fruits of economic and social
development. Alaingni Dam, fruit of development for
Bago Township as well as for the country, emerged
under the guidance of Head of State Senior General
Than Shwe to fulfil the infrastructure needs for the
social and economic achievement all over the country.

Although rivers and creeks of Bago Yoma flowed rapidly
in rainy seasons, they always dried up in summer. The
State has been making arrangements for systematic use
of water resources. Dams and reservoirs could also
benefit the environment and watershed areas. They 
could protect the region from floods in the rainy
season and contributed towards the successful 
harvesting of double crops. The State has been
building dams and reservoirs in order to promote the
socio-economic life of farmers. Lagoonpyin Dam had
been constructed to protect the 9,000 acres of
wetlands on both sides of Lagoonbyin Creek at the
border of Hlegu and Bago Townships against the floods.
Alaingni Dam was constructed to supply water to 10,000
acres of the  irrigated area of Lagoonbyin Dam. To
narrow the development gap between urban and rural
regions of the country, the State has been
systematically implementing projects contributing
towards the development of the agriculture sector. He
then urged peasants to effectively utilize the land
resources in combination with machinery, modern
technologies, high quality strains and assistance
rendered by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation, and successfully implement objectives of
the State by striving for the development of
agriculture sector. 

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Aung Min made a speech. In his
speech, he said Alaingni Dam was the 142nd dam
constructed during the tenure of the State Peace and
Development Council and the 34th dam for Bago
Division. Twenty-five per cent of the country?s
irrigation facilities were constructed in Bago
Division. With 100 inches of rainfall in Bago
Division, Alaingni Creek overflowed Alaingni
Village-tract and  Kyipinyo, Insalaung, and Nyaunggon
Villages and 5,000 acres of farmland near the region
every year. The dam would be able to protect those
villages and farmlands, and irrigate 31,000 acres of
farmlands for cultivation of monsoon paddy, summer
paddy, double crops, mix crops and rubber plantations
of Indagaw Rubber Special Zone. 

Then, he thanked the Head of State and the Ministry of
Agriculture and Irrigation for construction of the
dam. 

Afterwards, on behalf of the local people, Secretary U
Ye Myint Tun of Bago Division USDA thanked the
government for construction of the dam.

Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt presented gifts
for civil engineering staff and mechanical engineering
staff to Director of Yangon Division Irrigation
Department U Kyaw Thein and Director (Mechanical) U
Baw Htin. Later, the opening ceremony of the dam
continued in front of the archway.

Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt formally unveiled the
stone inscription of the dam.

Then, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Commander Maj-Gen
Aung Min formally inaugurated the dam. 

The Secretary-1 and local people then posed for a
documentary photo in front of the archway. Then, the
Secretary-1 cordially greeted the local people and
inspected round the dam.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party arrived
at the briefing hall of the construction site of the
dam. First, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported to the
Secretary-1 on salient points of Lagoonbyin Dam and
Alaingni Dam, works being carried out jointly  by the
two dams, cultivation of 459954 acres of rubber
plantation in the country in 2001-2002, cultivation of
19,632 acres of rubber, 738 acres of cashew and 1085
acres of thitseint (Bellaric Myrobalan) in Indagaw
Special Zone. Then, Director-General U Kyaw San Win of
the Irrigation Department reported to the Secretary-1
on construction of Alaingni Dam and advantages.
Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.

The earth dam, with 5,700 feet in length and 52 feet
in height, was constructed on Alaingni Creek near
Kyankhun Village in Bago Township, and can irrigate
10,000 acre of farmlands.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party arrived back here
later in the morning. 

---------

9. Use of fire extinguishers demonstrated

Yangon, 31 Jan ? The demonstration of fire
extinguishers, jointly organized by Ministry of
Energy, Fire Services Department and Myanma Thiha Co,
was held at No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) this morning.
Officials of the company demonstrated use of 35-kilo
fire extinguishers.

Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung gave a
speech. 

---------

10. New Generation Golf Tournament on 7 Feb 

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Hailing the 56th Anniversary Union
Day, the Han Golf Masters New Generation Golf
Tournament, jointly  sponsored by Han Golf Masters Pte
Ltd and Pan-West (Myanmar) and organized by Myanmar
Golf Federation, will be held at YCDC Golf Resort
(Ngwethawda) at 7.30 am on 7 February.

The golf tournament will be held and grouped into five
categories? the under-12 class, the 13-15 age class,
the 16-18 age class, the 19-21 age class and the
under-18 girls? class. Those wishing to participate in
the tournament may enlist at YCDC Golf Resort
(Pro-shop), Tel: 641341 and Han Event Management
Office, No 51, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Tel: 723221 and
Tel: 661216, not later than 4 pm on 5 February. 

---------

11. National Disabled Sports to be held

Yangon, 31 Jan ?Organized by Myanmar Disabled Sports
Federation, the 14th Myanmar Disabled Sports Meets
will be held on a grand scale at the designated places
from 7 to 14 February.

The golf tournament will be held at South Okkalapa
Golf Resort on 7 February; the track and field events
at the Aung San Stadium from 9 to 10 February; the
swimming contest at the national swimming pool  on 11
February; the table tennis event at the training hall
of Myanmar Table Tennis Federation in the compound of
the National Swimming Pool  on 12 February; the
volleyball event at Aung San Stadium  on 13 and 14
February.  Those wishing to take part in the golf
tournament may enlist at Okkalapa Golf Club, Tel:
572036, 572302 and 572304, not later than 3 February. 

Other disabled athletes are to undergo medical
check-up at National Rehabilitation Hospital
(Kyaikwaing) from 3 to 7 February and may participate
in the respective sports events.

---------

12. Labour Minister discusses drug elimination in 
    Tachilek 


Yangon, 31 Jan?Work Committee Chairman for Drug
Elimination in Shan State (East) Minister for Labour U
Tin Winn on 24 January morning met district and
township level officials, social organizations and
local populace at Aung Myat Hall in Tachilek and
discussed drug elimination in the region.

Over 400 people including local Tactical Operations
Commander Col Than Shein, Tachilek District and
township level departmental officials, members of the
Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the Working
Committee for Women?s Affairs, Tachilek District
Anti-Narcotics Association, local authorities, local
people and students attended it.

Minister for Labour U Tin Winn said Tachilek District
is actively taking part in anti-narcotic drugs
campaign. Tachilek District Anti-Narcotics Association
is the first district level association in the country
after the Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (Central)
was formed. The first Village Community Based Drug
Addicts Treatment Centre had been opened in Phanmin
Village-tract in Tachilek Township. Thanks to the
clinic, drug addicts could receive medical treatment 
at low cost at home, he said.  Under the programme,
drug addicts could receive treatment, since Tachilek
District Anti-Narcotics Association has organized and
found the drug addicts; Phanmin Village Peace and
Development Council took responsibility of providing
accommodation and food; and the Government sent a
specialist and nurses and gave medicines and treatment
free of charge.Significant success has been gained in
minimizing the rate of poppy cultivation after the
Government laid down the New Destiny Project, the
Minister said. Poppy cultivators voluntarily had
handed over the poppy seeds which were destroyed eight
times. By doing so, production of over 44 tons of
heroin had been prevented.

To declare districts bordering with Thailand?Tachilek,
Myawady and Kawthoung ? the Drug Free Districts, the
project was implemented first in Tachilek. Tachilek
District meets the basic requirement for the project
because it has a district hospital which can provide
medical treatment to drug addicts, the rehabilitation
centre, the anti-narcotics squad, anti-narcotics
association that can carry out drug education and so
on, the Minister said.

Although poppy cultivation is almost non-existent  in
Tachilek District it was learned that there were
production and trafficking of stimulant tablets.
Although stimulant tablet abuse has been spreading in
Thailand for a long time, our country had never been
accused of dealing with the stimulant tablets until
1996. Only after 1996 when MTA group unconditionally
surrendered such accusations appeared, he said. Poppy
cultivation is quite visible but it is difficult to
find out production of stimulant tablets because they
can easily be produced at a small place. If we receive
participation of local public, the New Destiny Project
will be successful, he said adding the local people
had joined hands to establish Phanmin Village
Community Based  Drug Addicts Treatment Centre and
similarly they should inform the authorities of the
news about drug and stimulant tablet production and
trafficking. By so doing, Tachilek District could soon
be declared to the world as the Drug Free District, he
concluded.

Secretary of the Work Committee for Drug Elimination
in Shan State (East) Myanmar Police Force?s Chief of
Staff  Police Brig-Gen Tin Win explained to the local
people about the yearly destruction of poppy fields
and investigation of drugs and paraphernalia in
detail.  He called for educating the women and
children to prevent human trafficking.

Member of the Work Committee Col San Pwint of the
Ministry of Defence then explained about the British
colonialists? introduction of poppy cultivation in
Tachilek District and KMT intruders? effort to spread
the cultivation and various insurgent groups? drug
trafficking for their existence and the need of public
participation to eliminate the drugs in the district.
In connection with the drug case, every violator would
be punished severely. Local people are urged to
cooperate by informing the authorities in this regard,
he said.

Director U Nyi Nyi of the Ministry for PBANRDA, Dr
Khin Maung Gyi of the Ministry of Health and General
Manager U Pyay Nyein of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Irrigation also briefed them on arrangements for
border areas development to eliminate narcotic drugs,
educative programmes and rehabilitation of drug
addicts, menace of drugs and opium-substitute crops
cultivation. In the afternoon, Dr Khin Maung Gyi gave
educative talks on the menace of drugs to 250 middle
and high school students at the Basic Education High
School in Tachilek. 

---------

13. Drug traffickers get long term imprisonment  

Yangon, 31 Jan ? Loilem District Court on 10 December
sentenced Maung Kyaw of Kontan Village, Konyaung
Village-tract, Loilem Township to  20 years in
prisonment for possession of 1.404 kilos of raw opium.

Maung Kyaw, 41, son of U Kun was arrested in his house
with the drugs at 10 am on 1 October 2002 when a
combined team of local intelligence unit and local 
police force, acting on information, searched the
house. The case was filed at Mongpun Police Station.

Similarly, Yangon East District Court handed down Ma
Tin Myint of Dagonmyothit (South) Township 20 years
imprisonment for possession of narcotic drugs for
trafficking on 26 December.The case was that a
combined team of local  intelligence and Yangon
Special Anti-Drug Squad acting on a tip-off searched
Ma Tin Myint?s house at No. 1605, Nilar 2nd street,
57th Ward, Dagonmyothit ( South) at 10 pm on 11
September 2002 and seized 616 grammas of marijuana.
Action is being taken against Ma Tin Myint, 41, 
daughter of U Armut Hmyar by Dagonmyothit ( South)
Police Station under the section 15/19 (Ka) of
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances  Law. 

---------

http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/



__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
myanmar_information-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Next by Date: [myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday February 2, 2003)
Index(es):
- Date