BURMA PRESS SUMMARY (from THE WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY--May 1987) Vol. I, No. 2, May 1987 Table of Contents Diplomatic -- p. 1 French Ambassador Approved 1 Accreditation . . . . . . 1 Foreign Relations -- p. 1 Burmese WHO Delegation . . 1 ROK Soccer Team Loses . . 2 Sein Lwin Seeks Medical Treatment in U.S. . . . 2 ESCAP Delegation Returns . 2 WFTU Representative Leaves 2 Info. Delegation Returns . 2 Soviet Educ. Delegation . 2 Soviet Volleyball Team . . 2 ADB Delegation Returns . . 2 Ne Win Returns . . . . . . 2 Soviet Sports Gear . . . . 3 Chinese Vice-Premier Visit 3 Soviet Dep. Foreign Min. . 3 Chinese Union Delegation . 3 Burma Gazette -- p. 3 Government -- p. 4 Workers Day Celebrated . . 4 Luyechuns Feted . . . . . 4 Elimination of Insurgency 4 Accountancy Council Member 4 Hluttaw Candidates Named . 4 Social Security Reviewed . 4 Rural Youth Trainees . . . 4 Peasants Course . . . . . 4 Military -- p. 5 Insurgents Surrender . . . 5 KNU Insurgents Surrender . 5 Officers Training Course . 5 War Veterans Meetings . . 5 Economic -- p. 5 Revenue Receipts . . . . . 5 Rangoon Taxis Regulated . 5 P.M. Visits Factories . . 5 Train Service Restored . . 5 Dockyards Corp. Statistics 5 Merchant Marine Cadets . . 6 Parcel Service Resumed . . 6 P.M. Visits Steel Mill . . 6 Foot-and-Mouth Disease . . 6 Rail Car Service . . . . . 6 Rainfall in Rangoon . . . 6 Cultural -- p. 7 Monks Honored . . . . . . 7 Buddhist School Opened . . 7 Buddhist Building Project 7 Maha Wizaya Reliquary . . 7 Rare Books Donated . . . . 7 Educational TV . . . . . . 7 College Magazine . . . . . 7 Miscellaneous -- p. 7 Storm Kills Three . . . . 7 Che-hti Gamblers Arrested 7 Cycling Championship . . . 8 Daw Sein Pu Dies . . . . . 8 Classified Ad . . . . . . 8 Warning on Disease . . . . 8 Radio License Fees . . . . 8 Video Tape Case . . . . . 8 Funeral of U Hla Tun . . . 8 --------- NOTE: Items have been selected in accord with their probable interest to people outside Burma. So far as possible all statistical material has been included, as has other information likely to be useful, but summaries are not necessarily complete. Local and routine meetings have been omitted. Language is generally paraphrased in the interests of brevity. --------- DIPLOMATIC French Ambassador Approved May 14: The Burmese Government granted agr‚ment to Mr. Georges Sidre as new French Ambassador to Burma. Born in 1927, Mr. Sidre joined the diplomatic service in 1955 and has served in Warsaw, Hanoi, Bangkok, and Luxembourg. From 1981-83 he was First Counselor at the French Embassy in Brasilia, and is presently assigned to the Foreign Ministry in Paris. (WPD 5/14) Accreditation May 15: Burmese Ambassador to Yugoslavia U Hla Maung, has also been accredited to Bulgaria and to Albania. (WPD 5/15) FOREIGN RELATIONS Burmese WHO Delegation April 30: A Burmese delegation headed by Minister for Health U Tun Wai left for Geneva to attend the 40th World Health Organization Conference. Members are Prof. Dr. Daw Hnin Yi, Health Dept. Director U Kyaw, Deputy Director Dr. U Thein Dan, and Personal Secretary U Tin Nyunt. (WPD 5/1) ROK Soccer Team Loses April 30: The visiting South Korean youth soccer team was defeated 1-0 by the Aung San Youth selected team in Rangoon's Aung San stadium. (WPD 5/1) Sein Lwin Seeks Medical Treatment in U.S. May 1: BSPP Joint General Secretary U Sein Lwin, accompanied by his wife, left Rangoon for medical treatment in the United States. (WPD 5/3) ESCAP Delegation Returns May 3: An eight-man Burmese delegation to the 43rd session of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok April 21-30, returned to Rangoon. (WPD 5/4) WFTU Representative Leaves May 3: Alexei Davydov, Head of the Asian Regional Department of the World Federation of Trade Unions, departed after meetings with the Workers and Peasants Asiayones on April 20. (WPD 5/4) Info. Delegation Returns May 4: The delegation headed by Director-General of Information and Broadcasting, U Kyaw Min returned from a study of mass communication in Great Britain. (WPD 5/5) Soviet Education Delegation May 12: A three-man Soviet educational delegation arrived, composed of Deputy Minister for Higher and Specialized Technical Education Victor I. Zubarev, Rector of the Moscow Chemical Technical Institute P.D. Sarkisov, and Ministry Foreign Relations Department official G.V. Dzavakhov. (WPD 5/13) - May 13: The delegation met with Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Maung Di, and with the Directors-General of the Departments of Medical Education and Higher Education, and visited Rangoon University, the Insitute of Medicine 1, and the Shwedagon Pagoda. They were accompanied by Soviet Charg‚ d'Affaires Valeri V. Nazarov. In the evening Dr. Maung Di hosted a dinner for the delegation. (WPD 5/14) - May 19: The Delegation met with Minister for Education U Kyaw Nyein. (WPD 5/20) - May 20: The delegation departed. (WPD 5/21) Soviet Volleyball Team May 12: The 16-member Kalev men's volleyball team from Estonia, headed by Mr. Tonu Murasev, arrived to play goodwill matches with the Burma Volleyball Selected team being trained for international competition. Games are scheduled for May 14, 16, and 17 at the National Indoor Stadium No. 1. (WPD 5/13) - May 14: The Soviets won the first match 3-1. (WPD 5/14) -May 20: The team departed. (WPD 5/21) ADB Delegation Returns May 14: The Burmese delegation to the Asian Development Bank meeting in Osaka, headed by Deputy Prime Minister U Tun Tin, returned from its Asian tour after meetings with economic Ministers in Japan, Prime Minister Bob Hawke in Australia, Deputy Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer in New Zealand, and the President and Prime Minister of Singapore. (WPD 5/15) Ne Win Returns May 20: Burma Socialist Program Party Chairman U Ne Win returned from abroad, accompanied by his wife, Daw Ni Ni Myint, Deputy Prime Minister U Kyaw Htin, and other officials. They were met at the airport by government and party officials, by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and by United States Charge d'Affaires a.i. William E. Spruce. (WPD 5/21) Soviet Sports Gear May 22: Sports apparatus donated by the Soviet Sports and Physical Education Department under the cultural exchange program was delivered to Director-General of Sports and Physical Education U Aung Din by Soviet Ambassador Sergei Pavlovitch Pavlov. (WPD 5/23) Chinese Vice-Premier Visits May 23: Chinese Vice-Premier Qiao Shi and a delegation of 12 arrived at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister U Tun Tin. The delegation included Zhang Wanshou, Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, Yang Zhenya, Director-General of the Foreign Ministry Asian Department, Jiang Zhongkui, Deputy Director-General of Regional Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade, Chen Jiping, the Vice-Premier's secretary, and Gong Husheng, Division Chief of the Foreign Ministry Asian Department. On arrival Qiao Shi expressed pleasure in the continued progress of Sino-Burmese relations "based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence", and his hopes for further cooperation "and the traditional Paukphaw [cousinly] sentiments between our two peoples". A dinner was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister U Tun Tin. (WPD 5/24) - May 24: Vice-Premier Qiao Shi visited the Rangoon-Syriam bridge project and National Indoor Stadium No. 1 [both Chinese aid projects], as well as the National Museum and Shwedagon Pagoda. (WPD 5/25) - May 25: He was received by President U San Yu and other top officials, and called on Deputy Prime Minister U Tun Tin. (WPD 5/26) - May 28: Vice-Premier Qiao Shi and his delegation departed, after visiting Taunggyi, Mandalay, and Pagan/Nyaung-U. (WPD 5/29) Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister May 25: Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister I.A. Rogachev, accompanied by his personal secretary, arrived on a four-day visit. (WPD 5/26) - May 26: He called on Foreign Minister U Ye Goung. Later he held talks on bilateral relations with Deputy Foreign Minister U Saw Hlaing, who hosted a dinner in the evening. (WPD, 5/27) - May 28: The delegation departed, after calling on Prime Minister U Maung Maung Kha, and attending a lunch hosted by Foreign Minister U Ye Goung. (WPD 5/29) Chinese Union Delegation May 26: Yu Qinghe, Secretariat member of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, accompanied by Zhen Guoshun, Deputy Head of the Federation's International Department and an interpreter, arrived at the invitation of the Workers Asiayone Central Body. (WPD 5/27) - May 27: The delegation met with officials of the Workers Asiayone Central Body, and visited local sights including Chinese aid projects. (WPD 5/28) - May 28: The delegation visited the No. 1 Oil Refinery at Syriam, and the National Museum. (WPD 5/29) BURMA GAZETTE May 9: U Aung Thant, formerly Director-General of Protocol, Foreign Ministry, has been named Director-General of the International Organizations and Economic Department. The following have been confirmed in their posts after one year probation: U Myo Thant as Managing Director, Metal Industries Corporation; U Khin Maung Nyunt as Managing Director, Jute Industries Corporation; U Kyaw Min as Director-General of Information and Broadcasting; and U Khin Maung Yin as Managing Director, Construction Corporation. (WPD 5/9) GOVERNMENT Workers Day Celebrated May 1: Workers Day was celebrated by mass meetings in Rangoon and throughout the country. (WPD 5/3) Luyechuns Feted May 2: Representatives of the Luyechuns [BSPP Youth movement members], who have been attending camps all over Burma for several weeks, were given a dinner by Prime Minister Maung Maung Kha at Rangoon's Kyaikkasan Fairgrounds. (WPD 5/3) Elimination of Insurgency "Insurgents in the country who are nothing but weeds must be removed with the people's might.... Insurgent destructive elements are still obstructing socialist construction work and disturbing peace. While there are above-ground and underground destructive elements who are carrying out destructive acts, there are also money hoarders, black-marketeers and those who want to re-establish the exploiting economic capitalist system, who are hindering, by various means, the distribution of commodities and trade and also evading taxes.... It is incumbent upon the entire working people to cooperate with the Pyithu Tatmadaw in eliminating the destructive elements." (Editorial, WPD 5/18) Accountancy Council Member May 22: The Council of State announced in Notification 63/87 that Daw Khin Than Tin, Director-General of the Central Accounts Office, was named member of the Burma Accountancy Council (formed under Notification 33/86), in place of U Hla Pe. (WPD 5/23) Hluttaw Candidates Named May 25: U Sai Hla Oo was named by the Elections Commission as Pyithu Hluttaw candidate for Mongmaw Township Constituency in Shan State, in by-elections to be held May 23-June 7. (WPD 5/26) - May 27: Col. Aung Phone was named Pyithu Hluttaw candidate for Nawnghkio Township Constituency in Shan State, in by-elections to be held in June 1987. (WPD 5/28) - May 28: U Thawng Khan Mang was named Pyithu Hluttaw candidate for Falam Township Constituency in Chin State, in by-elections to be held in June 1987. (WPD 5/29) Social Security Reviewed May 29: The Social Security Scheme was launched on Jan. 1, 1956, and covered only part of Rangoon municipality. By 1962 it was extended to Rangoon, Mandalay, Bassein, Pegu, Moulmein and Monywa. It has been further extended since. Originally covering establishments with 10 or more workers, it was in 1970 extended to those with 5 or more workers. It provided free medical treatment and cash benefits for sickness, maternity, death, and employment injury. The sickness period covered has been extended from 13 to 26 weeks. In 1964 a 200-bed workers hospital was opened. (Editorial, WPD 5/29) Rural Youth Trainees May 29: Lanzin Youth (Rural Youth) Leadership Course No. 22 concluded at the Central Institute of Political Science. 356 trainees attended the 7-week course. (WPD 5/30) Peasants Course May 29: Peasants Affairs Course No. 15, conducted by the Rangoon Division Party Regional Committee, concluded at the Kyaikkasan Fairgrounds. 119 trainees attended the 6-week course. (WPD 5/30) MILITARY Insurgents Surrender May 6: 20 insurgents from various groups gave themselves up between April 1-9 (WPD 5/7) - May 7: 17 between April 10-21 (WPD 5/8) - May 8: 17 between April 23-30 (WPD 5/9) [articles specify names, units, and weapons turned in]. KNU Insurgents Surrender May 21: The Army and people are cooperating, using the Phyat-lay-Phyat method, in crushing KNU insurgents in the South-East Command area. A KNU corporal and 11 privates from KNU battalion No. 10, No. 3 company, surrendered in Bokepyin Township, Tenasserim Division, in the first week of May, bringing with them 11 weapons and 1,300 rounds of ammunition. [Names given] (WPD 5/22) Officers Training Course May 29: Officers Training Course No. 73 of the Tatmadaw Officer Training School (Army) concluded with a parade at the Hmawbi Officers Training School. (WPD 5/30) War Veterans Meetings May 30: Township branches of the War Veterans Organization held annual meetings in various parts of the country. An editorial praised the Organization. (WPD 5/31) ECONOMIC Revenue Receipts April 30: Deputy Minister for Planning & Finance U Nyunt Maung said that in 1986-87 revenues were targeted at Ky 3,228.25 million, but reached Ky 3,303.85 million, or 102.3% of target. The goal for 1987-88 is Ky 3,254.05 million. The profit tax collected Ky 180 million, but there is still tax evasion. (WPD 5/1) Rangoon Taxis Regulated April 30: The over 6,600 taxis with ga-nge work permits in Rangoon are not all doing passenger transportation work fully. A Rangoon City Passenger Supervision Committee work project, to go into effect May 2, requires that the over 500 taxis with capacities of 9-11 passengers are to provide transport between designated terminals in the suburbs and downtown during the hours of 7:30-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:30 p.m., with the fare set at Ky 1 per head. Other taxis are to report to 51 designated terminals from 5:00 - 7:00 a.m., and may charge Ky 3 per mile. Action will be taken against violators. (WPD 5/1) P.M. Visits Factories May 3-4: Prime Minister U Maung Maung Kha, Foreign Minister U Ye Goung, Industry (1) Minister U Tint Swe, Mines Minister U Than Tin, and Chief of Staff Gen. Saw Maung visited the Textile Mill at Meiktila, the Canning Factory at Thazi, the Metallurgical Research and Development Centre at Ela, and the pilot metal concentration plants there. (WPD 5/5) Train Service Restored May 5: Rail service between Mandalay and Maymyo, which had been temporarily suspended [no reason given] will resume May 9. (WPD 5/5) Dockyards Corp. Statistics May 7: The Dockyards Corporation at Sinmalaik was begun in 1964 and has been building and repairing ships on a commercial basis since 1970. Since 1979 it has been under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Since 1970 it has constructed 181 ships (including one sea-going vessel) and repaired about 1,000 vessels. From 1970-80 it constructed 61 oil tankers and cargo ships, including one sea-going vessel; an average of 6 per year. Since 1981 it has concentated on building new ships, and repairing large vessels that other dockyards cannot handle. It repaired 130 such vessels since 1981, an average of 17 per year. The Sinmalaik Dockyard can build river vessels and 1,500-ton coastal vessels. It has one berth that can dock two 1,500-ton, 300 foot vessels, one that can dock four 750-ton, 200 foot vessels, and others that can dock six 350-ton, 200 foot vessels. In 1986-87 it built eight oil barges, a Navy transport, two pusher-tugs, one 150-ton landing craft for the Timber Corporation, one 500-ton gravel barge, one 40-foot work boat, two cargo vessels, and a kywe 19 type vessel for the Petrochemical Industries Corporation. Under construction in 1987 are three 500-ton gravel barges, two buoys, and two oil barges. Agreements have been signed for the construction of two pusher-tugs, 16 gravel barges, pontoon bridges, and two 17-metre log raft towing launches. The dockyard also does repairs for Burma Railways, and has repaired 79 carriages including two passenger coaches. The dockyard charges a 5% profit on construction and repairs, and 12% on by-products, and has given its workers a Ky 2,000 bonus each year. Engineering work has been completed on the Thilwa dockyard project for the extended construction of vessels. (WPD 5/8) Merchant Marine Cadets May 11: Graduation ceremonies were held at the Institute of Marine Technology, whose Principal, Dr. Tin Hlaing, presented certificates to 10 Nautical Cadets, 10 Marine Engineering Cadets, 8 Fishery Engineering Cadets, 6 Port Nautical Cadets, and 4 Inland Nautical Cadets. (WPD 5/12) Parcel Service Resumed May 13: Daily Parcel train service between Rangoon and Mandalay will resume May 16, "with a view to ensuring the fall of commodity prices and for enabling consumer goods and general merchandise to reach the working people as fast as possible." (WPD 5/14) P.M. Visits Steel Mill May 15: Prime Minister Maung Maung Kha inspected the Metal Industries Corporation Steel Mill at Ywama, Insein, Rangoon Division. He visited the water treatment and oxygen plants, and observed the production of mild steel round bars, nails, wire meshes, steel sheets, and barbed wire. (WPD 5/16) Foot-and-Mouth Disease May 17: Farmers were warned to take precautions against foot-and-mouth disease, which tends to break out during the early monsoon. Type "O" virus broke out in April in some townships in western Pegu Division, and has spread to Rangoon, Irrawaddy, Magwe and Sagaing Divisions and Shan and Rakhine States. Farmers are to report outbreaks, isolate stricken cattle, and give them only soft and delicate feed. (WPD 5/18) Rail Car Service May 19: Rail car service was inaugurated May 18 between Pyuntaza and Toungoo, with one car in each direction daily. Fares and stops are the same as for trains. (WPD 5/20) Rainfall in Rangoon Rainfall since January 1, 1987, in inches, at Rangoon's three weather stations of Rangoon Airport (RA), Kaba-Aye (KA), and Central Rangoon (CR) was: As of RA KA CR May 1 1.69 2.40 3.70 May 15 2.36 3.19 6.02 May 30 3.11 5.79 7.40 CULTURAL Monks Honored May 3: The 39th ceremony to pay homage to the Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, and to present religious certificates, was held by the Religious Affairs Department at the Maha Pasana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill. (WPD 5/4) Buddhist School Opened May 10: The Hill Region Buddhist Missionary Training School, jointly sponsored by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and the Religious Affairs Department, was inaugurated at the Yaukkaw Tawya Kyaung Taik in Hlegu, Rangoon Division. (WPD 5/11) Buddhist Building Project May 12: At the State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho at Kaba Aye Hill, Rangoon, foundations were laid for six 3-story Vijalaya buildings for Chin and Rakhine States and for Sagaing, Tenasserim, Rangoon, and Irrawaddy Divisions, and a library. State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman Sayadaw Abhidaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Indacara Pegu Myoma Sayadawgyi presided also over the dedication of the Mon State Vijalaya building, the teaching building, and a residence for the chief patron Sayadaw. (WPD 5/13) Maha Wizaya Reliquary May 12: On this Fullmoon Day of Kason (Buddha Day), and to mark the successful conclusion of the First Congregation of the Sangha of All Orders for the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana and the unity of Sangha of All orders, a ceremony was held closing the reliquary of the Maha Wizaya Zedi [pagoda] being constructed on the Dhamma Rakkhita Hillock, Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Rangoon. In addition, ground was broken for the entrance archway to the northern staircase of the Shwedagon Pagoda. The full moon of Kason was celebrated by pouring water on the sacred Bo tree at pagodas around Rangoon. (WPD 5/13) Rare Books Donated May 26: Daw San Myint donated to the Universities Central Library rare books collected by her late husband, U Aung Myin (Myoma Maung). They included 144 volumes of The Rangoon Daily, (July 1949-June 1972), the manuscripts of Hmawbi Saya Theingyi, rare Burmese printed books, the Datuwin Kyan translated into Burmese from Mon, books published over 100 years ago, the Cittupakkilesa paper written by Kinwun Mingyi [Minister under King Mindon] and published by Mandalay Yadanabon City, and the Dhammoja Mawkun. (WPD 5/27) Educational TV May 27: Beginning June 1, educational programs will be telecast on Burma TV from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, and 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. (WPD 5/28) College Magazine May 29: The May 29 issue of WPD shows a picture of the cover of the Burmese language "Henzada College Magazine", dated 1986. (WPD 5/29) MISCELLANEOUS Storm Kills Three April 29: A sudden windstorm killed three people, injured four, and destroyed over 350 houses on the road between Monywa and Ye-U. (WPD 5/1) Che-hti Gamblers Arrested April 30: Rangoon police raided four che-hti gambling establishments, and arrested their owners, seizing a total of Ky 30,544 in stakes and gambling equipment. (WPD 5/1) Cycling Championship May 2: Winners in the 39th 150 km. National Cycling Championship were: lst-Khin Maung Latt (Customs); 2nd-Saw Maung Maung (Customs); and 3rd-Aung Khin Kyaw (Insein Township). 43 cyclists participated. (WPD 5/3) Daw Sein Pu Dies May 13: Daw Sein Pu (Mrs. E. Yone Mo), S.R.N., SN., London, widow of former Burma Railways Commissioner U Yone Mo, died at the age of 76. (WPD 5/14) Classified Ad "FOR SALE" "National and Bosch single and double doors various sizes refrigerators and electric ovens. Contact:- Than Shwe, 187, Barr Street, Rangoon" (WPD 5/15) Warning on Disease May 17: The public is advised that seasonal diseases, notably bowel disorders, Dengue Haemorrhagic fever, malaria, and viral hepatitis tend to break out with the advent of the monsoon season. Dengue is especially feared as it attacks children from 3-12 years old; although the rate has declined in recent years, there has been a resurgence in some parts of Burma. Good nutrition and sanitary practises are advised. (Editorial, WPD 5/17) Radio License Fees May 19: The Ministry of Transport and Communications has since May 9 been checking radio receiver licenses, including licenses for radios used in homes, motor vehicles, shops, and for radio/television service purposes. Persons using unlicensed radios in violation of Section 14 of the Burma Radio and Amplifier Rule will be fined. (WPD 5/20) Pyithu Hluttaw Report May 31: The English language edition of the 1987-88 Annual Report to the Pyithu Hluttaw is now available at the Sarpay Beikman Bookshop on Merchant Street, Rangoon. (WPD 6/1) Video Tape Case May 21: Hearings began in the case of a couple charged with hiring out uncensored video tapes, in violation of Section 40 of the 1985 Video Law. They are U Khin Maung Lwin (a) Tan Hok Ngin, and his wife Daw Thwe Thwe (a) Lin Kin, of Maha Bandoola Street, Latha, Rangoon, at whose premises 74 uncensored video tapes were seized. (WPD 5/22) Funeral of U Hla Tun May 21: Funeral services were held for U Hla Tun, formerly Burmese language instructor at the American Embassy, Rangoon. (Acknowledgement Notice in WPD 5/26) -+-+-+-+-+- Vol. I, No. 2, May 1987 Compiled monthly for the Burma Studies Group by Hugh C. MacDougall, 32 Elm Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Subscription $25.00 per year, $2.50 per issue, post paid in the U.S. Burma Press Summary No. 2, May 1987 06/09/9608/31/87