[myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, June 1, 2003)

Subject: [myanmar_information] The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, June 1, 2003)
From: Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 23:47:38 -0700 (PDT)
List-unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]>
The New Light of Myanmar (Sunday, June 1, 2003)
-------------------
1.  Minhla Dam in Okpo Township inaugurated With 
    132 feet in height and 3,044 feet in length, 
    it will irrigate about 15,000 acres
2.  Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than attends opening of 
    multimedia teaching centres at BEHSs in 
    Paukkhaung, Paungtale
3.  Press conference clarifies instigations 
    to cause unrest launched by Daw Suu Kyi of NLD and

    followers including U Tin Oo
4.  Commander inspects sanitation works
5.  Htidaw hoisted atop Twantay Shwehsandaw Pagoda
6.  Work coordination meeting held
7.  Commander meets car owners, drivers
8.  Wellwishers invited for sinking tube-wells
9.  Commerce Minister's trophy soccer
10. Martial art demonstrated
------------------

1. Minhla Dam in Okpo Township inaugurated With 
   132 feet in height and 3,044 feet in length, it
will irrigate 
   about 15,000 acres

YANGON, 31 May - State Peace and Development Council
member Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, accompanied by Chairman
of Bago Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Ko Ko,
ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office, departmental
heads and officials, left here by Tatmadaw helicopter
this morning and arrived at Minhla Dam in Okpo
Township, Bago Division (West) at 8.40 am.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party were welcomed there
by Bago Division (West) Peace and Development Council
Chairman Col Tin Maung Win and officials.

The opening ceremony of Minhla Dam in Okpo Township
constructed by the Irrigation Department of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation was held at the
pandal near the dam at 8.50 am.

The ceremony was attended by Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than,
Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko, the ministers, the deputy
ministers, Col Tin Maung Win, officials of the State
Peace and Development Council Office, departmental
heads, members of division/district/township Peace and
Development Councils, departmental staff, the
director-general of the Irrigation Department, service
personnel of Construction-2 of ID, members of social
organizations, teachers and students, drum troupe,
band troupe, pom pom troupe and farmers and local
people from the townships of Thayawady, Letpadan,
Minhla, Okpo, Monyo, Gyobingauk, Zigon and Nattalin
totalling over 5,000. 

First, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than made a speech, saying
that construction of Minhla dam in Bago Division,
which relied mainly on agriculture, would contribute
towards serving the interests of local farmers, and so
local farmers themselves were also required to make
efforts for fruitful results. Minhla dam was the 37th
facility constructed by the government in its efforts
to establish a cluster of dams and reserviors in Bago
Division, he said. The government had opened one dam
per month in the division including Kalihtaw Dam after
the opening of Tarwa sluice gate in Thanattpin
Township in December 2002. Minhla dam was one of the
six facilities opened during the six month period.
During the time of the government, it spent over K
22,500 million on construction of 37 dams in Bago
Division, which irrigated over 586,000 acres of
farmlands, he said. Emergence of dams, good legacy for
the future generation of the local farmers, one after
another in the division reflected the goodwill of the
government. The government had set up suitable
development projects for respective regions and had
been implementing them for the harmonious development
of the country and prosperity and promotion of living
standard of the people. As Myanmar was an agro-based
country, the government had been constructing dams and
reserviors, which cost large sum of money, for the
regional development. Development of agriculture
sector would contribute towards economy and enhance
the living standards of the people. Hence, the
government, with the aim of developing the agriculture
sector, made arrangements including land reclamation
projects, utilization of natural and chemical
fertilizers, cultivation of quality strains and
construction of dams, sluice gates and river-water
pumping stations. Hydel power projects were also
included in large irrigation projects.

During the time of the Tatmadaw government, altogether
146 dams including Minhla Dam have been built
throughout the country spending over K 62,000 million
to irrigate over 2 million acres of farmland. Forty
irrigation projects are being implemented in the
entire country. Of them, seven projects are in Bago
Division. The seven projects include Yenwe dam, Phyu
Creek dam and Khabaung dam each of which will irrigate
over 100,000 acres. Plans are under way to build 8
more dams including Mokkha dam in Minhla Township. 

Bago Division is meeting with success in cultivation
of crops and the local people are engaging in
cultivation of main crops such as paddy, cotton,
pulses & beans and sugarcane. Hence, the Government
has been building irrigation facilities in the
division. Accordingly, new dams are emerging one after
another. Utilizing the irrigated water most
beneficially, the local farmers are to make efforts
for undertaking multiple cropping and boosting
agricultural production. The Government has laid down
a new policy on rice trading in the interest of the
farmers. Farmers can now sell their paddy freely and
their socio-economic lives will improve certainly.
Continued efforts will be made for building irrigation
facilities as well as for rural development. The
ultimate aim of the Government in carrying out nation
building tasks including the construction of dams and
reservoirs is to enhance the economic and social lives
of the people and enable them to live with peace of
mind. Without foreign aids, the Government has been
building bridges and dams with its own fund on
self-reliant basis. The people are to realize the
genuine goodwill of the Government. Nowadays, new
dams, bridges, hydel stations, universtities, runways,
railroads, factories and mills are opened one after
another. The opposition groups and those relying on
external elements are ignoring these facts. The people
are to join hands with the Government for ensuring
long term use of the facilities by realizing the
destructive acts of the internal and external
elements. In conclusion, he urged the local people to
make collective efforts for ensuring agricultural
development, regional development and promoting the
living standard of the residential people. He also
urged them to help one another for equally enjoying
the fruitful results in the agriculture sector. He
also called for making collective efforts for
emergence of sustained rice market in the interests of
the farmers and the national people. He urged all to
collectively maintain the infrastructures and
facilities for long term use.

Then, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen
Nyunt Tin made an address. He said that focus is aimed
by the State at agricultural development which is the
base for the national development. To supply
sufficient cultivation and domestic water as well as
to keep the environs green dams and reservoirs are
built throughout the country. Now a new dam named
Minhla Dam has emerged. In the entire country, 146
irrigation projects to irrigate 2.1 million acres of
farmland have been implemented within some ten years.
At present, cultivated acreage has increased to over
26 million acres. Of them, circa 19 per cent are
cultivated with irrigated water. In accord with the
guidance of the Head of State, cultivation of paddy,
maize, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, matpe, pedisein,
pigeon pea, cotton and sugarcane are being undertaken
with high yield pedigree seeds. With the good
geographical conditions and assistance provided by the
State, the yields of crops are getting high. The
yields of agricultural produce of our country is going
parallel with those of other countries in the Asian
region. In line with the guidance of the Head of
State, the yield of paddy is targeted at 100 baskets
per acre, that of maize at 80 baskets per acre, that
of groundnut at 50 baskets per acre, that of sesame at
20 baskets per acre, that of sunflower at 50 baskets
per acre, that of matpe at 20 baskets per acre, that
of pedisein at 20 baskets per acre, that of pigeon pea
at 25 baskets per acre, that of long-staple cotton at
400 viss per acre, and that of sugarcane at 30 tons
per acre. In the Lower Myanmar, Bago Division is
providing abundant supply of paddy. It is also
important in producing pulses & beans, cotton,
sugarcane and jute. It has good geographical
conditions for cultivation of oil crops and perennial
crops. Along the western part of Bago Yoma mountain
range, the cultivated acreage has increased to 1.3
million acres. With double and multiple cropping, the
division's agricultural productivity has increased to
over 2.1 million acres. Hence, irrigation projects are
implemented in the division one after another. 

The Minhla Dam which is 132 feet high and 3,044 feet
long has been built to store about 44,000 acre-ft of
water from Minhla Creek. The total length of its
tributary canal is about 20 miles. As regards the long
term use of the dam, the minister urged the local
people to keep the watershed areas green for ensuring
in-flow of water into the dam. He also urged all to
make collective efforts for long term use of the
irrigation facilities of the dam.

Next, Bago Division Peace and Development Council
Chairman Southern Command Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko
made an address. He said that the Minhla Dam in Okpo
Township will irrigate 5260 acres of farmland in Okpo
Township and 9740 acres of cropland in Minhla
Township. The farmers in the region are to utilize the
irrigated water most beneficially for undertaking
multiple cropping. he continued to say that in the
western sector of Bago Division, South Nawin, North
Nawin and Kangyigon dams in Pyay Township; Shwedaung
dam in Shwedaung Township; Nyaunggaing dam in Padaung
Township; Wegyi dam in Paungde Township; Taungnyo dam
in Nattalin Township; Thekaw and Kantin Bilin dams in
Letpadan Township; Sintgu Chaunggaung dam in Okpo
Township; and Thonze dam in Thayawady Township have
been built. Recently on 1 May 2003, the Gamon Dam was
opened in Thayawady Township. The tributary canals of
Bawbin, Gamon, Minhla, Kantin Bilin and Thonze dams
are under construction. The Minhla Dam is the 146th
dam built since 1988. It is the 37th dam in Bago
Division to irrigate 15,000 acres. In conclusion, the
commander urged local authorities and farmers to make
efforts for long term use of the dam. On behalf of the
local people, U Tin Htwe of Okpo Township spoke words
of thanks.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than presented cash awards to
staff of the Irrigation Department through Director U
Tin Maung Ohn and Director U Kyaw Nyunt. 

The opening ceremony continued at the archway of the
dam. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than formally unveiled the
stone inscription of the dam.

Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko and Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt
Tin formally opened the dam by cutting a ribbon. Then,
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party together with local
people and students posed for a documentary photo.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than then cordially greeted those
present on the occasion. He next inspected the main
dam and control tower. Later at the briefing hall,
Irrigation Department Director-General U Kyaw San Win
reported matters on Minhla Dam and those dams built in
the western sector of Bago Division. Lt-Gen Khin Maung
Than gave necessary instructions.

---------

2. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than attends opening of 
   multimedia teaching centres at BEHSs in Paukkhaung,

   Paungtale

YANGON, 31 May - Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party,
accompanied by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Southern Command
Brig-Gen Ko Ko, this morning left Okpo Township where
Minhla Dam was opened and arrived in Paukkhaung
Township at 10.45 am.

The ceremony to open the multimedia teaching centre
was held at Paukkhaung Basic Education High School at
11 am.

Headmistress Daw Khin Pyone and Chairman of SBT U Khin
Maung Oo formally opened the multimedia teaching
centre. Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than unveiled the
signboard.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party viewed the multimedia
classrooms and students learning there. Lt-Gen Khin
Maung Than and party inspected the art room and
domestic science room. Then, they enjoyed performance
of students in the music and art room.

At the opening ceremony, Headmistress Daw Khin Pyone
reported to Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than on the purpose of
opening the centre and installation of modern teaching
aids.

Chairman of SBT U Khin Maung Oo reported on efforts
made for opening the multimedia teaching centre. Then,
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than presented a set of computer, a
TV and VCR set and teaching aids donated by the
Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee to
Headmistress Daw Khin Pyone.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than accepted a set of
computer for the school donated by Bago Division Peace
and Development Council; a set of computer by Pyay
District Peace and Development Council and SBT; two
sets of computer by Col Khin Maung Myint-Daw Aye Aye
Than; a set of computer each by Maj Zaw Lwin, Maj Myo
Swe, U Maung Oo and U Ye Lwin, U Htaing Htaing-Daw
Khin Khin Pyone, and Chairman U Khin Maung Oo of
Paukkhaung Township Khaingmye Cooperative Society; and
a 29-inch TV by retired Headmistress Daw Htwe and
family through Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than delivered an
address. He said that nowadays the Government is
building the nation to emerge as a modern and
developed one. In implementing the nation building
tasks, the national education promotion programmes
were laid down in the education sector and are being
implemented for turning out intellectuals and
intelligentsia. With regard to the border areas
development project, the education promotion
programmes for the national races who reside in the
border areas are being implemented. Similarly, the
uplift of education standard of the people in the
rural areas included in the five rural development
tasks is being carried out. In addition, 24
development zones have been designated in States and
Divisions, and universities, degree colleges,
technological colleges and computer colleges have been
established in the development zones with a view to
enabling the youths to easily pursue higher education
in their respective regions. The Government is
nurturing human resources for building the modern and
developed nation. The multimedia teaching centre was
opened at Paukkhaung BEHS with the collective efforts
of SBT, teachers, students, wellwishers and local
authorities. The teachers were urged to nurture their
pupils to become intellectuals and intelligentsia of
the State.

After the ceremony, they had documentary photos taken.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party viewed flow of
water into South Nawin Dam and storage of water in it.

On arrival at the site of South Nawin Hydel Power
Project, Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo
Myint and Director-General U Win Kyaw of Hydel Power
Department reported on facts about the project.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions and
inspected the construction site.

Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived at the
South Nawin Dam Construction Project. At the briefing
hall, officials reported on facts about the dam, water
storage capacity, irrigation of farmlands including
some 54,000 acres of monsoon paddy and 16,000 acres of
summer paddy, cultivation of paddy and other crops
with the use of water from the dam. Bago Division
Peace and Development Council Chairman Commader
Brig-Gen Ko Ko and Bago Division (West) Peace and
Development Council Chairman Col Tin Maung Win gave
supplementary reports. The opening of multimedia
teaching rooms of the Basic Education High School in
Paungtale, Bago Division (West), was held at the
school in the afternoon. It was attended by Lt-Gen
Khin Maung Than and party, Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko,
Col Tin Maung Win, local authorities, departmental
personnel, members of the USDA, social organizations,
the school board of trustees and parent-teacher
association, wellwishers, teachers and others.

Then, the outstanding students formally unveiled the
signboard that says "Myanmar's Education Goal" and
educational motto. Next, the opening of the multimedia
teaching rooms followed. Principal Daw Khin Nu and
Chairman of the school board of trustees U Tin Win
formally opened the rooms.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than pressed the button
to unveil the signboard to mark the opening of the
rooms. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party viewed
projected media (visual presenter), electronic media
(language lab), computer aided instruction, computer
application & E-mail, electronic media (video system),
printed media (reading corner), arts room and
handicraft room. They then watched the skill
demonstration of the students at the arts room.

Then, the opening ceremony of multimedia classrooms of
the high school in Paungtale was held at Nawade Hall
of the school.

First, Headmistress Daw Khin Nu explained the purpose
of the opening of the multimedia classrooms and
Chairman U Tin Win of the school board of trustees,
the efforts for the opening of the multimedia
classrooms.

Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than handed over a computer, a
television set, a video player and teaching aids
donated to the school by the chairman of Myanmar
Education Committee to the headmistress. Afterwards,
on behalf of the wellwishers, Commander Brig-Gen Ko Ko
handed over equipment for language lab, a television
set and video player, K 500,000 and books for the
school library donated by member of the State Peace
and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, wife Daw
Khin Hnin Wai and family, two computer sets donated by
Bago Division Peace and Development Council and
Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, two 29- inch
television sets donated by Maj-Gen Than Oo (Retd) and
Pyay District Peace and Development Council, two
computer sets donated by U Win Myint, Daw Khin Win Mu
and a wellwisher, K 476,000 donated by wellwishers of
Yangon and K 2.45 million donated by the people in
Paungtale to Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than. Then, Lt-Gen Khin
Maung Than made a speech. In his speech he said the
multimedia classrooms of the school had been
successfully opened thanks to the concerted efforts of
local authorities, wellwishers, teachers and students.
The State was implementing national education
promotion programmes in basic education and higher
education sectors. The teachers of the school are to
systematically nurture students to become nation
building scholars and technicians by effectively using
the teaching and learning aids, he urged. After the
ceremony, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party posed for a
documentary photo together with the teachers and
students.

------------------
3.  Press conference clarifies instigations to cause
unrest launched 
    by Daw Suu Kyi of NLD and followers including U
Tin Oo
YANGON, 31 May- A press conference to clarify the
instigations to cause unrest launched by Daw Suu Kyi
of National League for Democracy and followers
including U Tin Oo during their tour of towns and
villages where peace and tranquillity prevailed was
held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here at
4 pm today.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Public
Relations and Information Committee of the State Peace
and Development Council Minister for Labour U Tin
Winn, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,
Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win,
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint
Maung, Deputy Minster for Information Brig-Gen Aung
Thein, senior military officers of the Ministry of
Defence, officials of the Ministry of Information, U
Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Foreign
Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe, President U Sao Kai
Hpa and members and invited guests.

Minister U Tin Winn explained that members of National
League for Democracy including U Tin Oo led by Daw Suu
Kyi toured some towns and villages where peace and
tranquillity prevailed and incited unrest with the
crowd of the people, and due to their acts, there
occurred a traffic jam and instability. Therefore,
people who opposed Daw Suu Kyi and NLD staged
protests. Then, clashes between those in support of
Daw Suu Kyi and those opposed to her broke out. At the
same time, NLD, using the media, tried to exaggerate
the incidents with the aim of putting pressure on and
finding fault with the Government. He continued to say
that real situation was going to be clarified
explained as it was required to do so.

Daw Suu Kyi and NLD members had been allowed to travel
freely to meet with party members in the states and
divisions since May 2002. Daw Suu Kyi toured Thamanya
in Mon State from 11 to 15 June 2002; 16 townships in
Mandalay and Magway Divisions from 22 to 29 June 2002;
12 townships in Mon and Kayin States from 20 to 23
July 2002; 14 townships in Bago Division from 14 to 17
October 2002; 17 townships in Shan State from 13 to 27
November 2002; 15 townships in Rakhine State and
Magway and Ayeyawady Divisions from 16 to 24 December
2002 and 21 townships in Magway Division and Chin
State from 3 to 13 April 2003 totalling 95 townships.
They made the present tour of Mandalay and Sagaing
Divisions, Kachin and Shan States and Mogok of
Mandalay Division and Monywa via Mandalay starting
form 6 May. The State dignitaries believed that if
they reached states, divisions and townships and saw
the changing situation of development which pave the
way for the good future of the State, there would be a
change in their negative views and contribute to
national reconsolidation. Therefore, during their
previous tours they were treated as VIPs and invited
to visit Duyinkabo River Water Pumping Project near
Aunglan; Yanpae Creek Dam Project near Taungdwingyi;
Ayeyawady River Bridge (Magway) Project; Paunglaung
Hydel Power Project; Thanlwin River Bridge
(Mawlamyine) Construction Project; Winphanon Dam
Project; Thayetdabin Agriculture Project near Minhla;
South Nawin Dam Project near Paukkhaung; Nyaungaing
Dam Project near Padaung and Nathmaw River Water
Pumping Project near Pyay.

First, there were bilateral prior agreements before
setting out the trip, to avoid unnecessary gathering
of crowds and undesirable problems, and to
systematically put up signboards after obtaining the
permission of the respective Township Multi-Party
Democracy Election Commissions in the already agreed
townships. During the trip, Daw Suu Kyi and NLD
followers carried out extended party organization and
youth organization work, opened party offices and
conducted organizational task. In addition, they made
attempts to organize people to come out in crowds and
made political speeches at every opportunity; they
even used monasteries to hold political talks; they
blocked the public roads, by placing tables in the
middle of the road to hold political talks. In their
political talks, they didn't educate the people about
the remedial and positive measures to help fulfil the
national needs and ensure national peace and
stability. Instead, they tried to find fault with and
exaggerate the weak points of the government, and
ultimately, they incited the public to fight. Trip
after trip, they intensified their opposition to and
criticism against the government and the State service
personnel and attempted to incite the public. Their
unjust criticism and accusations against education and
health employees, departmental personnel, local
authorities and some organizations were based on false
information. Thus, dissatisfaction at Daw Suu Kyi grew
among a large number of people. They were also
creating more problems by gathering crowds. The
authorities found out that during the trip, Daw Suu
Kyi knew some information by herself and some from
others. Most of the information she received were
incorrect. Because the news reports she received were
unfair, that were written much in favour of one side
while strongly opposing and slandering the other side.
Such biased and exaggerated information was sent to
Yangon from other places, and then distributed to
foreign media. The bad system of ardently featuring or
broadcasting the news reports that will have ill
effects on Myanmar government by the foreign media is
overwhelming the NLD. As Daw Suu Kyi is surrounded by
pessimists, the government understands that it was
very difficult for her to have a positive outlook on
the government however much the government tried with
good intention and constructive attitude. Thus,
although the government has no desire to blame Daw Suu
Kyi, it is true that her criticisms and attempts to
instigate the public, with democracy as an excuse,
will lead to undermining peace and stability of the
State. He then recounted some incidents during her
latest trip to Kachin State, Sagaing Division, and
Mandalay Division.

Daw Suu Kyi informed the government officials on 2 May
that she and her team had a plan to travel to Kachin
State on 6 May; and that she wanted to put up
signboards of some Township NLD offices during the
trip. Thus, the officials gave a reply to her on 4 May
permitting her to put up signboards in some townships.
Then, she asked the officials to allow her to put up
signboards at 16 more townships in Sagaing and
Mandalay Divisions and Shan State. The officials found
out that some townships where NLD offices already had
signboards were also included in her list of 16
townships. The officials told her that it was
impossible to issue permits for the townships in time
for her trip; that they also had difficulties
sometimes it was a public holiday; that sometimes the
senior official concerned was away on a trip; that the
list presented by the NLD stated only the names of the
townships; that the addresses of the places where the
signboards were going to be put up were not mentioned;
that the place and the building where the signboard of
a political party would be erected had to be free from
anything; that unnecessary problems might occur if the
party office was located at a religious land, a
State-owned building or land, a municipal-owned land,
a farm land, a disputed land, or a building without
the consent of family members; that it was necessary
to study whether the land or the building would have
such problems; that if the officials asked the NLD to
wait sometime for putting up the signboards because of
such problems, it usually accused the government of
trying to ban its signboard erection plan; that the
officials had willingly permitted to put up signboards
at township NLD offices in Sagaing Division in time;
that although there were difficulties, the government
always obliged with intention to build mutual
understanding and respect and to solve the problem.

If some incidents during the trip to Kachin State made
by Daw Suu Kyi and her NLD followers including U Tin
Oo is reviewed, the NLD's aims and intentions can be
seen clearly.

The problem started on 8 May when they left Mandalay
for Sagaing. Beginning from Sagaing Bridge, the NLD
members flanked their convoy with about 20 motorcycles
each flying flags, switching on the headlights
although it was day time, and blowing horns all along
the way till reaching Shwebo. It was not sure whether
the party elders knew this or not. However, the
motorcycles were rolling flanking the convoy like that
all along the way. The worst and the most disorderly
was the trip to Mogok from Momeik. The NLDs violated
traffic rules to the highest degree during the
journey. About 40 motorcycles were rolling in pairs in
front of the convoy causing traffic jams all along the
way till reaching the guest house in central Mogok.
The convoy was also flanked by motorcycles. Traffic
congestion also occurred in the town. During the
journey from Mogok to Mandalay, the NLDs also rode
their motorcycles lawlessly. Because of violating
traffic rules, a motorcycle hit and ran over a 21-year
old woman, Ma Myat Thin Thu, of Pathein-lay village,
Patheingyi Township. She was injured.

On 9 May, on arrival at Sabai Natha Village on its way
from Kanbalu to Kawlin Township, the convoy met with
about 20 youths who came out of the video house
shouting "We don't want Daw Aung San Suu Kyi." The
convoy stopped there and the followers, who are the
so-called NLD youths, used abusive language and harsh
words in the middle of the village. The village youths
had to ran away as the NLD followers were throwing
stones at them. At about 6 pm, the convoy arrived in
Kawlin. Preparations had been made for a summer course
organized by the Union Solidarity and Development
Association at a high school. As usual, the signboard
bearing the points of the People's Desire was also
hung at the school. The so-called NLD youths took
photos and shot video of the school. The two youths
from the school compound also took photos of the
convoy. The NLD youths shouted at those youths and
threw stones at them. The youths from the school
compound had to flee. On reaching Indaw, it had
already past nine. Some 70 people who did not support
Daw Suu Kyi staged a demonstration, holding placards
bearing the four-point People's Desire. However, NLDs
in the dark threw stones at them. As a result, some
villagers, Htay Lwin (a) Bo Lwin, Thein Nu, Than Oo,
Soe Myint Oo and Zaw Lwin Oo, were injured.

On 11 May, the convoy reached Katha. There were a lot
of people who opposed Daw Suu Kyi's trip there. Both
sides shouted at each other with slogans. The two
sides retreated from the place and the convoy could
leave the village only after the Chairman of District
Peace and Development Council had intervened.
Fortunately, there were no physical attacks between
the two groups. NLD party members in some townships
and villages in Kachin State welcomed Daw Suu Kyi in
various forms. Those who opposed her also staged
protests to let NLDs know their desire. There were not
so much prohibition, obstruction or disturbances to
the convey as stated in the NLD announcements that
were sent to foreign broadcasting stations daily.
There were also no hurling of stones at the convoy,
attacks with clubs, hitting the windscreen with fist
or threats with Kachin traditional sword. If such
threats and attacks had taken place, the NLD convoy
would have been crushed into pieces.

After arriving at Momeik on 21 May, not only did Daw
Suu Kyi made political speeches, but also U Tin Oo
made slanderous remarks against the government,
threatening the local authorities to sue under various
legal sections. On 25 May, Kyaw Naing of Wayongon
Village and San Oo and Bo Cho of Yaukpinyoe Village of
the crowd which came out to oppose Daw Suu Kyi at
Nweyon Village in Singu Township were injured by NLD
catapult attack. According to the NLD announcement,
one of its members was also injured in the incident.
When Daw Suu Kyi arrived at Mandalay Division NLD
Office in Mandalay, where she and her followers were
temporarily staying, she made attempts to organize a
crowd and gave a speech. As the crowd was blocking the
street, traffic police of Maha Aungmye Township came
to the scene and cleared the traffic jam and blockage.
Some NLD party members struck the Dyna light truck
bearing number plate 5 Ka/8175 with iron rods. The car
which carried the policemen parked between 78th and
79th streets. The car's windscreen was smashed. An NLD
news report said that the NLD members hit the car as
it drove into the crowd.

The acts of Daw Suu Kyi and party had reached beyond
the degree of creating just public disorder wherever
they arrived. They intensified their act of moving in
a group of motorcycles, cars and men. They started
their journey from Yangon with only three cars
carrying 18 persons. Their manpower had risen to over
100 riding seven cars, 20 motorcycles in travelling
from Mandalay to Monywa on 29 May. When they arrived
in Monywa from ChaungOo, the convoy had 150
motorcycles, 16 cars and over 300 people. They went
round Monywa for three hours and created disturbances
and disorder in the peaceful and tranquil Monywa. A
photographer named Maung Myo Myint documenting the
incident was beaten by a pack of NLDs. He received
head injuries and was warded at the hospital. His
video camera was also destroyed. Daw Suu Kyi and party
put up signboard in Monywa NLD party office at night,
which was against the rules of the bilateral
agreement. According to the agreement, the NLD must
inform the matter to and ask permission from the
Township Multiparty Democracy General Election
Commission or Township Peace and Development Council.

At about noon on 30 May, the convoy of 15 cars, with
about 100 motorcycles serving as point men left and
right flanks and rearguards left Monywa for Budalin.
They entered Budalin at high speed, switching on the
headlights of the motorcycles and making much noise.
The signboard of Budalin Township NLD Office was then
put up. Afterwards, they left for Dapayin. They
stopped at Saipyin Village and continued their trip to
Dapayin with a convoy of nine cars and 40 motorcycles
at roundabout 7.30 pm. A large group of people
numbering about 5,000 were waiting for Daw Suu Kyi to
stage a demonstration against her at a place two miles
from the entrance to Dapayin. As the vehicles of NLD
convoy drove out of the mob, clashes broke out between
the two opposing groups. Disorder and brawl occurred
from about 8 pm to 11 pm. A vehicle at high speed ran
into a tree on road side. A vehicle of NLD convoy run
off the road, breaking its windscreen. It is learnt
that NLD members torched a vehicle of those opposed to
Daw Suu Kyi. Four people died in the car crash. The
clashes left 50 people injured. Eight vehicles and
nine motorcycles were destroyed. After hearing the
news, security personnel comprising MPF members led by
the Secretary of Sagaing Division Peace and
Development Council rushed to the scene and tried to
put the situation under control. The situation was put
under total control about midnight. The injured were
admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. The
authorities are taking measures to address the
situation and ensure regional peace and tranquillity.
There were some incidents in which NLD members
destroyed at night some signboards bearing "People's
Desire" set up in Monywa but when security personnel
arrived NLD members dispersed in all directions. Now
peace and tranquillity prevails in Monywa. 

In the incident, the problem would not have arisen if
the NLD convoy could manage to peacefully pass through
the demonstrators on either side of the road and on
the road. The conflict occurred as vehicles and
motorbikes from NLD convoy sped past the mass of the
people. The cause of the problem was that NLD broke
the terms of the agreement reached with the government
and had taken the course of confrontation, thus
causing disorder and disturbances. The NLD could not
even control its supporters on the road and
motorcyclists. Officials of the government frequently
contacted and forewarned those responsible in NLD to
exercise restraint to avoid untoward incidents during
the organization tour. But it is assumed that the
problem occurred since NLD did not accept the warning
and took the course of confrontation intentionally
with the use of its members.

The security personnel concerned are giving NLD
members including Daw Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo proper care
and protection.

It is known to all that Myanmar could not make efforts
peacefully to build a modern and developed nation
after regaining the independence like other countries.
Time was consumed in tackling problems including
internal strife, power struggles resulting from
differences in ideologies, internal uprisings and
machinations of the national traitors. Tasks for
national development could not be carried out
peacefully. Nowadays, those unfavourable conditions
have been wiped out to a great extent and favourable
conditions are being created. Way has been paved for
the national development. Efforts are to be made for
the national development with the effective use of
good conditions. Thus, national reconciliation or
national recon-solidation or national unity is to be
built based on understanding. At the same time, all
are to take part in seeking means and ways for
development of the Union of Myanmar with
understanding. Having to tackle problems and refute
accusations will not contribute to the national
reconso-lidation mentioned above. The government will
take systematic measures to ensure community peace and
tranquillity and prevalence of law and order for
development of the State.

Then, Head of Department Brig-Gen Than Tun of the
Ministry of Defence replied to queries raised by the
journalists and the press conference ended at 4.45 pm.
-----------
4.  Commander inspects sanitation works

YANGON, 31 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected sanitation works being
carried out by Tatmadawmen, service personnel and
local people in Yangon City this morning. The
commander inspected sanitation works at drains at the
corner of Pyay Road and Minye Kyawswa Street in
Lanmadaw Township. Next, the commander saw over
digging of the drains for proper flow of water and
gave necessary instructions.

The commander and party inspected sanitation of the
drain along Strand Road, greening works being carried
out along the railroad beside Strand Road and
construction of the garden at the corner of Strand
Road and Shwedagon Pagoda Road.In Pabedan Township,
the commander supervised sanitation tasks of the local
people. The commander also inspected greening works
being carried out on Strand Road near Nanthida Jetty
and gave necessary instructions to officials.
----------------
5.  Htidaw hoisted atop Twantay Shwehsandaw Pagoda

YANGON, 31 May - The Htidaw was hoisted atop the
ancient historic Shwehsandaw Pagoda in Twantay at the
ceremony held at the pagoda this morning, attended by
Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development
Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

State Ovadacariya Nyaung Waing Monastery Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Nandavamsa and members of the Sangha graced
the ceremony their attendance. Also present on the
occasion were Deputy Minister for Science and
Technology U Nyi Hla Nge, Deputy Minister for
Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Adviser to
the State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt
Maung, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and members,
local authorities, departmental officials, members of
the pagoda board of trustees, Township Union
Solidarity and Development Association , Working
Committee for Women's Affairs, Maternal and Child
Welfare Association, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary
Fire Brigade, religious associations, wellwishers and
pilgrims.

Kyowngyi Pariyatti Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita
Bhaddanta Ñeyyadhamma invested the congregation with
the Five Precepts. Then, members of the Sangha recited
the parittas. The commander, the deputy ministers,
officials and the donors of the Htidaw Dr Maung Maung
Aye, Daw Khin Mi Mi Hlaing of Moe Hein Co Ltd
presented tiers of the Hitdaw and offertories to the
Sayadaws. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ñeyyadhamma delivered a
sermon. The congregation shared the merits gained.

The commander, the deputy ministers and officials
conveyed Seinbudaw and wellwishers, Hngetmyatnadaw and
tiers of Htidaw round the pagoda clockwise three times
and then to the decorated carriage. Then, the
religious objects were hoisted atop the pagoda.
Afterwards, the commander, the deputy ministers and
the wellwishers fixed the first tier of the Htidaw
atop the pagoda. They performed rituals of golden and
silver showers to mark the successful holding of the
ceremony.

At the ceremony, the first to the fifth tiers of the
Htidaw were hoisted and the remaining tiers will be
hoisted atop the pagoda tomorrow and Seinbudaw,
Hngetmyatnadaw and Hsatthwaphu, on 2 June.
--------------
6.  Work coordination meeting held

YANGON, 31 May - The coordination meeting between the
Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department
and the Education and Training Department of the
Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National
Races and Development Affairs was held at the hall of
the ministry yesterday morning.

Present were Minister for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein
Nyunt, Deputy Ministers U Kyaw Tin and Brig-Gen Than
Tun, directors-general and deputy directors-general,
supervisors of State and Division Development
Supervisory Committees and officials. At the meeting,
the minister gave a speech. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Than Tun reported on border area development tasks.

Director-General Col Than Swe of the Progress of
Border Areas and National Races Department reported on
development of socio-economic infrastructure of border
areas and national races and Director-General Col Than
Win of the Education and Training Department on human
resource development of national youths in border
areas. Officials also reported on their respective
sectors. Later, the minister gave the concluding
remarks.
----------------
7.  Commander meets car owners, drivers

YANGON, 31 May - Chairman of the Supervisory Committee
for Ensuring Smooth and Secure Transport in Yangon
Division Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Maj-Gen Myint Swe met car owners, drivers and staff at
the head office of All Private Bus Lines Control
Committee in Tamway Township this afternoon.

The commander said there are 2,489 vehicles under
APBLCC and a total of 1,882 are in operation
transporting 2.3 million passengers daily.

He spoke at length on observing traffic rules, not
overcharging the bus fares and actions taking against
those who violated the existing laws.

Next, Chairman of APBLCC U Phone Kyaw reported on
arrangements for ensuring smooth transport for the
passengers.
---------------
8.  Wellwishers invited for sinking tube-wells

YANGON, 31 May - The Development Affairs Committees
under the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and
National Races and Development Affairs are making
concerted efforts in sinking the tube-wells in order
to get sufficient fresh water in rural areas in States
and Divisions where water is scarce.

One 200 feet deep two-inch diameter tube-well costs K
250,000; one 400 feet deep two-inch diametre tube-well
costs K 500,000; and one 200 feet deep four-inch
diametre tube-well costs K 500,000.

Those wishing to donate cash for the tube-well sinking
projects for rural areas may contact the
Director-General (Tel: 01-245420 & 253088), the Deputy
Director-General (Tel: 01-240118), the Director
(Engineering) (Tel: 01-291967), the Directors (Sagaing
Division Development Affairs Committee) (Tel:
071-21012), the Director (Magway Division Development
Affairs Committee) (Tel: 063-23164) and the Director
(Mandalay Development Affairs Committee ) (Tel:
02-54657).
-------------
9.  Commerce Minister's trophy soccer

YANGON, 31 May - The second round matches of the
second under-21 youth soccer tournament for the
Commerce Minister's trophy were held at the Padonma
grounds in Sangyoung Township at 3.30 pm today.

Ayeyawady Division team beat Border Trade Department
team 1-0 in the opener. The best player award of the
match was won by Aung Kaung Htet of Ayeyawady Division
team. The Yangon Division team will meet Bago Division
team tomorrow at the same venue.
-------------
10. Martial art demonstrated

YANGON, 31 May - Organized by Myanmar Aikido
Association and Yangon International Hotel, a
demonstration on Japan traditional Aikido martial art
was held at the hotel in Ahlon Street, Dagon Township,
this evening.

Trainers Mr Miles Kessler, U Tint Wai, U Chwa Chan
Hsan and U Bo Bo Lin and trainees presented
demonstration individually and in groups. The Aikido
training course is opened at Yangon International
Hotel.
------------------------------
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