87-09 BURMA PRESS SUMMARY (from THE WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY) Vol.I, No. 6, September 1987 +-+-+-+-+ Table of Contents CURRENCY REPLACEMENT............. 1 Demonetization Notice........ 1 Services Salary and Pensions. 2 Ky 45 and 90 Banknotes Issued 2 DIPLOMATIC....................... 2 Spanish Envoy Approved....... 2 FOREIGN RELATIONS................ 2 Burma at the SEA Games....... 2 Burmese Youth to Japan....... 3 Burma-Finland Agreement...... 3 Journalists to China......... 3 Foreign Minister to UNGA..... 3 Burma-India Maritime Pact.... 3 Delegation to World Bank..... 4 Delegation to China.......... 4 UNDP Administrator Visit..... 4 Japanese Aid Agreement....... 4 Journalists to USSR.......... 4 UNGA Address................. 4 BURMA GAZETTE.................... 5 GOVERNMENT....................... 6 Hluttaw Elections............ 6 Pyithu Hluttaw Convened...... 6 MILITARY......................... 6 Insurgent Atrocities......... 6 Offensive against BCP & KIA.. 6 Attack on KNU................ 6 KIA Atrocities............... 7 Ma Da Ta Divided............. 7 Insurgents Surrender......... 8 More KIA Atrocities.......... 8 KIA at end of Tether......... 8 Karenni Insurgency........... 9 ECONOMIC......................... 9 Rangoon-Syriam Bridge........ 9 Crops Decontrolled...........10 Fishing Licence Renewal......10 Power Projects...............10 Hotel Reopens................10 Inspection and Agency Corp...11 Notification to Farmers......11 Rainfall in Rangoon..........11 CULTURAL.........................11 School Holiday Declared......11 Early Ava Period Writers.....12 Konbaung Relics Donated......13 Burmese Buddhism.............13 Red Cross Meeting............13 Ethnic Radio Schedule........13 MISCELLANEOUS....................13 Obituaries...................13 Crime Reports................14 Health & Development.........14 Building Collapses...........16 Classified Ad................17 Health Measures Reviewed.....17 Building Inspections.........17 Medicinal Plants.............17 +-+-+-+-+ August 28 issue included. +-+-+-+-+ Policy: The items summarized are those which seem most likely to be of interest outside Burma, including official appointments, foreign travel and visits, economic statistics, military communiques, narcotics, and cultural information. Except for quoted passages, stories are paraphrased in the interests of brevity, but every effort is made to be faithful to the intent of the original. HCMacD. +-+-+-+-+ CURRENCY REPLACEMENT Demonetization Notice Ordinance having the Force of Law (Ordinance No 1/1987) The Council of State has issued the following Ordinance. With effect from 11 a.m., Saturday, 5 September 1987, 13th Waxing of Tawthalin 1349 BE, K 25 (Kyats twenty-five), K 35 (Kyats thirty-five) and K 75 (Kyats seventy-five) currency notes issued by the Union of Burma Bank have ceased to be legal tender. Sd.Sein Lwin, Secretary, Dated 5-9-87 Council of State (WPD 9/6) BURMA NEWS SUMMARY (from the WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY)--Sept. 1987--- Services Salary and Pensions Services personnel and pensioners will receive a month's extra pay and pension for August NOTIFICATION Services personnel and pensioners who have drawn their salaries and pensions for the month of August are permitted to draw their salaries and pensions for August once again commencing 10 September in order that they may not be adversely effected as K 25 (Kyats twenty-five), K 35 (Kyats thirty-five) and K 75 (Kyats seventy-five) currency notes have ceased to be legal tender under Ordinance having the Force of Law No. 1/1987 of the Council of State. Sd. Sein Lwin Secretary, Dated 5-9-87 Council of State. (WPD 9/6) Ky 45 and 90 Banknotes Issued Sept. 15: The Union of Burma Bank announced, in twin press releases, the issuance, beginning September 22, 1987, of two new banknotes in the denominations of 45 and 90 kyats respectively. The Releases also specify that Kyat one, five, and ten currency notes and all coins issued by the former Union Bank of Burma; Kyat one, five, and ten currency notes and all coins issued by the former People's Bank of Burma; and Kyat one, five, ten, and fifteen currency notes and all coins issued by the Union of Burma Bank will continue to circulate as legal tender. The new Ky 45 note is 15.8 x 7.55 cm. and carries a portrait of the late Thakhin Pho Hla Gyi on the obverse, and a picture of ancient oil workers and modern oil wells on the reverse. The predominant color is blue. The new Ky 90 note is 16.7 x 8.0 cm. and carries a portrait of Saya San on the obverse and pictures of rice ploughing and rice transplanting on the reverse. The predominant color is green. Both notes have watermarks with the respective portraits, and a security thread running breadthwise between the portrait and the watermark. [photos of new notes] (WPD 9/15) DIPLOMATIC Spanish Envoy Approved Sept. 21: The Burmese government approved the appointment of Carlos Reparaz as Ambassador of Spain to Burma. He is resident in Bangkok, where he has been concurrently accredited since 1986. He was born in 1927 and joined the Foreign Service in 1953. He has served in Brussels, Helsinki, San Salvador, Managua, Ankara, and Lisbon. In 1981 he was appointed Ambassador to Libya, and since 1986 has been Ambassador to Thailand. He is married. (WPD 9/21) FOREIGN RELATIONS Burma at the SEA Games Aug. 31: A Burmese State Flag was delivered to the Burmese team that will compete in the 14th South-East Asian Games, to be held in Djakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 9-20. The team will compete in football, volleyball, track and field, judo, boxing, weightlifting, diving, and shooting. The team has 127 members, including 57 men and 35 women athletes, and 35 managers and coaches. (WPD 9/1) - Sept. 6: The team departed. (WPD 9/7) - Sept. 9: The games opened in Djakarta, with 2,100 athletes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Burma, and Cambodia. (WPD 9/10) - Sept. 20: Burma ended the games in sixth place, with fifty points, winning 13 gold, 15 silver, and 22 bronze medals. (WPD 9/21) Gold medal winners were: Phyu Phyu Thant (women's 61-kilo judo); Kyi Kyi Wai (women's 52-kilo judo); Khin Mu Mu (women's 72-kilo judo); Mar Mar Min (women's 10,000 metres: 35:28.83); Tun Win Thein (men's 800 metres: 1:51.18); Ma Hla Shwe (women's 10 km. walk: 53:52.11, a new SEA record); Khin Khin Htwe (women's 3,000 metre: 9:35.35); Kyaw Thet (100 kilos weightlifing {snatch}: 135 kilos); Kyaw Thet (100 kilos {clean and jerk}: 180 kilos); Kyaw Thet (100 kilos {total}: 315 kilos); San Myint (110 kilos {clean and jerk}: 175 kilos); Khin Khin Htwe (Women's 5,000 metres: 16:42.31); Mar Mar Min (women's marathon: 2:50:51, a new SEA record). (WPD, various issues) Burmese Youth to Japan Sept. 5: A ten-member youth delegation headed by Lanzin Youth Central Organizing Committee Secretary U Hla Tun left for Japan under the Japanese youth invitation program. It included LYCOC Joint Secretary U Kyaw Sunn as deputy leader, and as members Secretary of the Mandalay LYOC No. 2 U Khin Maung Win, Shwedaung Township LYOC Secretary Daw Aye Si, and Lanzin Youths Maung Chan Thin Lar, Ma Myint Myint Than, Maung Aung Moe, Ma Khin San Yi, Maung Aung Din, and Ma War War Win. (WPD 9/6) Burma-Finland Agreement Sept. 7: Finnish Ambassador Benjamin Bassin called on Minister for Health U Tun Wai. (WPD 9/8) - Sept. 8: Ambassador Bassin signed an agreement with Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Nyunt Maung providing a loan of 20 million Finnish Marks for electrical distribution equipment, a half-tunnel system, glue, dairy factory parts, and newsprint. There is no interest, but a 0.75% service charge. Repayment, including a seven years grace period, will be in 25 years. (WPD 9/9) Journalists to China Sept. 9: A journalist delegation headed by Chief Editor U Gordon Po of The Myanma Alin Daily left on a study tour of China under the bilateral cultural exchange program. Other members were Executive Editor U Htay Kyi of The Myawaddy Press; Editor U Daniel Aung of the News Agency Burma (Foreign), News and Periodicals Corporation; Editor U Win Tun of the Forward Journal and Compiler U Tin Tun Ohn of the Shaytho Journal, Information and Broadcasting Department; Deputy Assistant Director U Bo Myint Than of the Motion Picture Corporation; and Editor U Win Pe of the Sarpay Beikman, Printing and Publishing Corporation. (WPD 9/10) - Sept. 26: The delegation returned. (WPD 9/27) Foreign Minister to UNGA Sept. 12: Foreign Minister U Ye Goung and his delegation left for the 42nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The Ambassadors of India, Britain, and the United States were at the airport to see him off. Other delegation members, including Pyithu Hluttaw members Dr. Hla Bu and U Sein Maung, Director-General of the Office of the Council of Ministers U Kyaw Tint, Director-General of the Foreign Ministry U Aung Thant, and Assistant Directors U Aung Swe and U Kyaw Nyunt Hman had already left on September 10. En route Foreign Minister U Ye Goung is to visit India, where he will exchange the Instruments of Ratification on the Agreement on the Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary. (WPD 9/13) Burma-India Maritime Pact Sept. 14: Foreign Minister U Ye Goung and Indian Minister of Finance and Commerce Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari exchanged instruments of ratification of the Agreement between Burma and India on the Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary in the Andaman Sea, in the Coco Channel, and in the Bay of Bengal. The agreement, based on equidistance, was signed in Rangoon on Dec. 23, 1986, and with this exchange of ratifications has now come into effect. (WPD 9/15) Journalists to Japan Sept. 14: An information delegation headed by Chief Editor U Kyaw Min of the News Agency Burma (External), News and Periodicals Corporation, left on a study tour of Japan. Other members were Assistant Editor U S' San Thein of the Printing and Publishing Corporation, and Assistant Editor U Phone Myint of the Information and Broadcasting Department. (WPD 9/15) - Sept. 27: The delegation returned. (WPD 9/28) Delegation to World Bank Sept. 15: A delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Planning and Finance Thura U Tun Tin left for Washington to attend the 1987 Annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Ambassadors of the United States, France, Britain, and Australia were at the airport sendoff. The delegation will tour France, the United Kingdom, and the United States and hold discussions with appropriate Ministers, the United Nations Secretary General, and the President of the World Bank, on cooperation and financial matters. (WPD 9/16) Delegation to China Sept. 16: A cultural delegation headed by Deputy Minister for Culture U Than Maung left on a study tour of China under the bilateral exchange program. Members were Director-General U Soe Nyunt of the Fine Arts Department, Head of Office U Tun Zaw of the Office of the Ministry of Culture, Research Officer U Kyaw Win of the Department of Cultural Institute, Administrative Officer (Theatre Division) U Tin Win of the Fine Arts Department, and Research Officer U Khin Maung Lon (Shan State Cultural Division) of the Department of Cultural Institute. (WPD 9/17) UNDP Administrator Visit Sept. 16: United Nations Development Programme Administrator William H. Draper III, accompanied by his wife, arrived in Rangoon. Later he visited the National Forest Management and Inventory Project. A feature article by Theikdi notes that the UNDP Governing Council has approved the $65.5 million Fifth Country Programme for Burma for the 1987-1991 cycle. (WPD 9/17) - Sept. 17: Mr. Draper was received by President U San Yu. (WPD 9/18) - Sept. 18: He and Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Nyunt Maung signed an agreement for grant assistance to Burma by UNDP. From 1951-1986 the total grant was US$ 123.9 million. The current fifth country program is US$ 65.5 million. Deputy Foreign Minister U Saw Hlaing and UNDP Resident Representative Katsuhide Kitatani were present. (WPD 9/19) - Sept. 21: After visiting Inle Lake and Pagan on September 18-20, Mr. Draper and his wife left. (WPD 9/22) Japanese Aid Agreement Sept. 22: Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Nyunt Maung and Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Ohtaka signed two Exchanges of Notes for aid to be furnished in fiscal year 1986-87. The first, a grant of Yen 733 million (Ky 33.27 million) will provide automatic exchange facilities for the eight township telephone network project. The second provides a credit of Yen 32,900 million (Ky 1,493.66 million). Of this, Yen 16,900 million (Ky 767.26 million) will be used for three ongoing projects: Rangoon Power Distribution Improvement Project; Baluchaung No. 2 Power Station Renovation Project; and Combined Cycle Power Station Project. Yen 11,000 million will be used as a general commodity loan for the purchase of raw materials and spare parts, and Yen 5,000 million as a commodity loan for the purchase of raw materials and spare parts for four ongoing industrial projects. (WPD 9/23) Journalists to USSR Sept. 23: a journalist delegation composed of Editor U Soe Naung, of the Working People's Daily, and Editor U Tint Lwin of the Myanma Alin Daily, left on a visit to the Soviet Union under the bilateral cultural exchange program. (WPD 9/24) UNGA Address Sept. 24: Foreign Minister U Ye Goung addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, noting that "the international scene has been clouded by tensions, instability and uncertainties." Calling attention to the special responsibilities of the Security Council, he commented that "a certain degree of understanding between [the great powers] is essential before we can hope to gain tangible results in any peace-keeping process." His major international concern was prevention of nuclear war, and the Foreign Minister expressed hope for the current disarmament effort, saying that "the attainment of general disarmament and the elimination of nuclear weapons" were issues of "paramount importance" to all countries. Turning to the Middle East, he reiterated support for Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 as the necessary basis for solution of the Palestine problem, and said that "the viable option towards ... peace lies in a negotiated settlement between all the parties concerned." He supported the convening of an international peace conference. Lebanon "was still tottering", and the Foreign Minister endorsed the efforts of the Secretary General to bring about a "process of negotiation." In South Africa there had been "no sign of improvement" and he endorsed the need for a "concerted course of action by the United Nations", under Chapter VII of the Charter, "to exercise pressure as a peaceful means" of making South Africa abandon its present policies. "Nearly a decade has passed," he said, since Kampuchea and Afghanistan lost their independence "as a result of foreign intervention and occupation." The solution "lies in resolving the problems of each country within the regional context," but both "would require the complete withdrawal of foreign forces and a negotiated settlement of a comprehensive character between the parties concerned." Burma has consistently supported UNGA resolutions on Kampuchea and Afghanistan. Kampuchea has implications on regional peace and stability in the region, and Burma believes that "the restoration of the legitimate rights of the Kampuchean people would create conditions favourable for mutual trust and understanding which is essential for the realization of regional cooperation on peace and development." Solution of the Afghanistan conflict would not only promote regional peace, but also enhance the resolution of global issues. The world economy has been sluggish for some time, and the fall in oil prices, the dollar, and interest rates have not achieved the hoped for more vigorous growth. The dramatic decline in primary product prices has continued, affecting agricultural and forest products, minerals and metals. But prices of manufactured goods have risen, creating for developing countries "grave difficulties in their balance of payments and terms of trade" and requiring increased foreign borrowing. This has overburdened them with an "immense volume of international debt and debt-serving needs." If these difficulties are to be overcome, "all the Member States must work together in a spirit of cooperation." Last year, U Ye Goung continued, the United Nations faced an "ostensibly financial" crisis, which has given the UN an opportunity "for improving its administrative and financial efficiency." Burma believes that the decisions reached, which "go far beyond organizational reforms," were "due to a spirit of accommodation from all sides." It is essential that this spirit "should continue to prevail for its effective implementation." The Minister concluded by praising the efforts of the Secretary General, and expressed hope that the current session would "go a long way to infuse renewed vigour to the work of the Organization." [full text was published] (WPD 9/26) BURMA GAZETTE Sept. 26: The Council of State made the following probationary appointments: U Tin Hlaing, General Manager of the Agriculture Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, to be Managing Director, Agriculture Corporation. Dr. Myint Thein, General Manager, Agriculture Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (sic), to be Director-General, Working People's Settlement Board. (WPD 9/26) GOVERNMENT Hluttaw Elections Sept. 7: Lt. Col. Hla Wai was elected Pyithu Hluttaw member for Pale Township 2, Sagaing Division, in September 1987. (WPD 9/8) Sept. 8: U Paik was elected Pyithu Hluttaw member for Mongton Township, Shan State, in September 1987. (WPD 9/9) Pyithu Hluttaw Convened Sept. 15: The Council of State, in Proclamation No. 3/87, convened the Fifth Session of the Fourth Pyithu Hluttaw to begin at 10 am on Monday, October 12, l987. (WPD 9/16) - Sept. 17: Members are requested to be in Rangoon not earlier than October 8 nor later than October 9. (WPD 9/18) MILITARY Insurgent Atrocities Aug. 27: On May 27, KNU [Karen National Union] insurgents led by D O Pha Kwet entered Laisawlaw village in Bilin Township and shot villagers U Nyein Maung and Daw Me Tu. On July 4, KNU insurgents took six cattle in Eidu forest reserve, Hlaingbwe Township. On August 11, KNU insurgents headed by Ohn Hmoke Sein entered Aukpinaing village, Pa-an Township, seized villagers Haung Tha Lay, Maung Win Oo, Maung Sah Kyay, and Saw Eh Htoo, and took five head of cattle. On March 14, insurgents from the Nai Seikno group, headed by Mon Saw, attacked Oo-lay village, Kyaikmaraw Township. Two villagers were killed and five wounded; 232 houses were burned and 1,286 persons made homeless. Personal goods worth Ky 2.9 million, 3,000 baskets of paddy, and Ky 20,000 of goods from the cooperative shop were destroyed. On April 15, Nai Seikno insurgents attacked the Kyaikminkalaw pagoda festival in Hangan village, Ye Township, with hand grenades, killing eight villagers and wounding 14. On April 18, they attacked the satuditha ceremony at Mawkanin village, Ye Township, killing three and wounding six villagers with hand grenades. (WPD 8/28) Offensive against BCP & KIA Sept. 1: Troops from the Central Tactical Command and Northern Commands on August 15 attacked the BCP [Burma Communist Party] 101 military region headquarters Kambaiti camp and Sinjai/Lahtawng camp, clashed with about 150 enemy troops, and took the camps on August 16. One Pyithu Tatmadaw member was killed and eight wounded. Captured were 114 firearms, including one 82mm and one .5 machine guns, 13 communications sets, a telephone exchange unit, and mines and ammunition. This is the only BCP group in Kachin State. Prior to 1968 it was the 4th battalion of the KIA [Kachin Independence Army] but, dissatisfied with the "Jingphaw `racialism'" of the KIA, it broke away to become the BCP 101 battalion and in 1969 entered the Chipwe and Hsalaw areas through the Hpimaw/Gamlum area. In 1973 it entered the Kambaiti area, and carried out blackmarketing activities. The Army simultaneously, on August 16, captured the KIA camp at Alawbon, on the KIA communications routes, which had a strength of 250 men. Three Army members were killed and 11 wounded; 16 KIA insurgents were "captured dead" and five firearms seized. Since the Army has now captured all the insurgent base camps along the border, the KIA has no permanent place to stay and is faced with military, economic, and organizational hardships. It is now spreading rumors to boost morale and obtain help from other insurgent organizations. [map] (WPD 9/2) Attack on KNU Sept. 1: Elements of the 44th Light Infantry Division on August 12 attacked a KNU [Karen National Union] sawmill camp on the Melamu confluence in Maw Po Ke region, which was smuggling timber in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. The 20 defenders fled towards the east of the Thaung Yin River. No casualties. Captured were four 12-HP Nissan engines, four large and two small generators, two planing machines, a 6-wheel timber truck, two sets of circular saws, 400 teak logs, 10,000 planks, and 30 sheds. [map] (WPD 9/2) KIA Atrocities Sept. 1: On April 30 insurgents led by Zau Htoo entered Kyaukgyi village, Shweku Township, and kidnapped two villagers, one of whom they later shot near Ah-mat-gyi-gon village. On August 3, KIA insurgents shot U Ma Rid Ladwe of Lamonzut village, Myitkyina Township, and Nankway village People's Council Chairman U La Bang Gam. (WPD 9/2) Ma Da Ta Divided Sept. 6: A feature article entitled "Ma Da Ta split and divided", by Tun Zaw Htwe, discusses the history of the Ma Da Ta "National Democratic Front." This organization started as the "Ma La Nya Ta" in 1956, became the "Ma Da Nya Ta" in 1959, and the "Pa Ma Da Ta" in 1975, and was reorganized in 1976 as the Ma Da Ta "National Democratic Front" (NDF), but has always been a puppet organization for the support of Karen insurgent KNU Nga Mya. The second meeting of the Ma Da Ta was held at the KNU central headquarters Marnay Palau camp from May 25 - July 8, attended by representatives from nine organizations including Nga Mya from the KNU, Brang Seng from the Kachin insurgents' KIA, Maha Sang from the Wa insurgents' group, Nai Seikno from the "Mon Pyithit Party", Saw La Hkan from the Pa-O (White) insurgents' group, Tun Yi of the Palaung insurgents' group, Sai Leik (Kalar) from the SSPP Shan insurgents' group, Khine Myo Min from the Rakhine insurgents' group, and Saw Maw Reh of the Karenni insurgents' group. It accepted the observer of the Lahu insurgents' group as a member, and thus now has ten groups as member. KNU Nga Mya at first objected to the admission of the Lahu group as having no basic area of its own. On June 18, the meeting "elected" Saw Maw Reh of the Karenni as Chairman, replacing KNU leader Nga Mya who had served four years. It selected Tu Ja of the KIA as Secretary. This was just a trick to permit Nga Mya "to be able to exist as a rich capitalist blackmarketeer." Karenni insurgent Saw Maw Reh is a KNU pawn, who gets manpower and weapons from the KNU. He was chosen so as to keep out KIA insurgent Brang Seng. Another reason was to prevent domination by the Burma Communist Party (BCP). "KNU Nga Mya is one who knows the ins and outs of the BCP's evil nature and designs." KIA leader Brang Seng "assassinated" KIA leaders Zau Seng, Zau Tu, and Pone Shwe Zau Seng in March 1975, and became a BCP "disciple" in order to get arms and ammunition. He has accumulated much cash by heroin and jade blackmarketing and thus has considerable influence in the Ma Da Ta. The northern Ma Da Ta group includes the KIA Kachin, Palaung, and Shan (SSPP) insurgents, supported by Brang Seng who gave military assistance to the Shan insurgents in 1984 and has the Palaung insurgents "in his pocket". The central group has the Wa, Pa-O, and Karenni insurgents. The Wa support the KNU. Karenni insurgent Saw Maw Reh obeys both the KNU and the KIA's Brang Seng. He misappropriated to personal use the Christian mission funds within his own organization known as the "Amyotha Toe Tet Ye Party" and is thus mistrusted. The southern group includes the KNU Karen, Mon, and Rakhine insurgents. The Rakhine group "are not a force to reckon with." The Mon are divided into two factions: KNU Nga Mya has made Nai Seikno, "the most ruthless and the most evil of the Mon insurgents," his "disciple". KIA Brang Seng dominates the northern and central groups. He invited many of them to the KIA headquarters camp Pajao, and gave them presents, in a meeting held from 16 December 1985 to 16 January 1987 [sic]. Then he went to the BCP headquarters camp Pangsang as their representatives and signed agreements with BCP chairman Ba Thein Tin on 24 May 1986. Ma Da Ta chairman Nga Mya issued a statement saying that Brang Seng did not speak for the organization, but some within the KNU want to join with the BCP. From 1976 to 1984 Ma Da Ta existed in name only. It was rejuvinated when the Army launched Operation Yan Nyein Aung in the early months of 1984. Ma Da Ta intends "to follow the old rotten path of parliamentary democracy" and chanted the slogan of the "`federal union of national democratic republics.'" Brang Seng has been doing well with heroin and jade and has set up a foreign relations agency (OKFA) near the Thai border which competes with the KNU. Before the second meeting of the Ma Da Ta, Brang Seng said he did not want to be chairman; but he had "some sort of understanding with the BCP to get the Ma Da Ta to regard the BCP as a Burmese national group and allow it to join Ma Da Ta as such." But KNU Nga Mya refused to let it in. Recently the Army destroyed the Waw Lay camps that were essential to KNU Nga Mya, and which had earned over K 70 million yearly in blackmarket business before 1983. The KNU's are also meeting military defeats in 1987. KNU Nga Mya gave the chairmanship to Saw Maw Reh to prevent BCP infiltration of the Karenni area. Today the BCP is trafficking heroin with the Shan (SSPP), and the KIA is doing business in heroin and jade. The KNU wants to be thought of as opposed to heroin so that it can "receive foreign assistance in the form of black money." It also did not wish to lose the yearly foreign aid of 10,000 bags of rice given on the pretext of Karen refugee relief; it intended to use the rice for KNU insurgents. KIA Brang Seng came to the meeting with 40 men, but did not get the chairmanship. Now he has nowhere to return to since the Army captured the KIA headquarter camps Naphaw and Pajao in May, and the Sima, Jahoukawn, Lweyinhing, and Lweje camps in July. He has had discussions with Nai Shwe Kyin's Mon faction, and "decided to take refuge in the other country for good like the late Zau Seng." Despite the bitter objections of KNU Nga Mya, the majority of the Ma Da Ta members have approved the agreement to co-ordinate with the BCP in military matters. The split and divided Ma Da Ta will either be dominated by the BCP or be crushed by the people and Army. (WPD 9/60 Insurgents Surrender Sept. 7: 17 insurgents turned themeselves in, with their arms, between August 1-10. (WPD 9/8) - Sept. 8: 22 insurgents surrendered between August 11-17. (WPD 9/9) - 21 insurgents surrendered between August 20-31. (WPD 9/10) [names and details given] More KIA Atrocities Sept. 10: On August 15 U Myo, aged 48, of Karmaing was kidnapped by KIA insurgents while returning from the Mogaung market. On August 20 he was shot on Nansi-in creek at Gawri village. On August 25 KIA insurgents shot and killed U Bran Saing in Garayan village in Waingmaw Township. On August 31 they blew up Punsichaung Bridge in Waingmaw Township, slightly damaging it, killing Daw Mu Khun, aged 50. (WPD 9/11) KIA at end of Tether Sept. 13: A feature article by Marang Tu Aung (Kutkai) reviews recent Burma army successes against the KIA [Kachin Independence Army]. The KIA is led by Brang Seng, but in reality Brang Seng, Zaungtaya, and Lamone Tu Jaing are in charge of administrative duties only, while the feared Zau Maing is in charge of military duties. Brang Seng has not returned from the Ma Ta Da meeting in May, and is stranded on the Burma-Thai border. Demoralization is increasing and, the article concludes, "in short, the Kachin insurgents are now at the end of their tether." (WPD 9/13) Karenni Insurgency Sept. 26: A feature article by Maung Pyi Kyaw (Loikaw), entitled "Those who are spoiling the beauty of Ngwedaungphy", discusses Karenni insurgency. Kayah state has nearly 170,000 people of the Thaya, Gay-kho, Gay Hpa, Bwe, Paku, Manumanaw, Yinbaw, Yintale, Shan, Pa-O, and Burmese ethnic groups. The economy is agricultural, and the State is known for the Mobye Dam (installed capacity of 168,000 kilowatt), with its Lawpita Hydro Power Station, and the Ngwedaung Dam. Kayah State also produces tin, tungsten, antimony, wolfram and other metals, and Loikaw marbles. Progress is impeded by insurgents: the "Karenni Amyotha Toe-tet-ye Party"; the "Karenni Lumyo Paungzone Lutmyauk-ye Aphwe (Ka La La Ta)"; the "Kayan Pyithit Party"; as well as KNU Karen, Pa-O (White), Pa-O (Red) and BCP insurgents. The insurgents are concentrated in 55 small and poor villages east of the Salween river and near the Thai frontier, with a total population of about 5,000. Some Karenni leaders like Saw Maw Reh live in wooden houses with corrugated iron roofs and are engaged in smuggling timber and operating smuggling motor schooners. The insurgents have carried out wanton killings: e.g., a civilian patient killed at the Pasawng hospital on Feb. 18, 1987; U Lori Bee of Phruhso Township killed Feb. 20; U Yin Khan Van, a war veteran, killed Feb. 21; U The Maw Ei of Demawhso village, Phruhso Township, killed March 31; U Baw Ei, part-time Hoyar village council member, Phruhso Township, killed April 4; and U Karr Ei, Doeyaw village, Pasawng Township, killed May 6. Villages east of the Salween were also destroyed: 17 houses, a clinic and a school were burned at Mesenan village and 18 houses at Nanhu village, Pasawng Township, on Feb. 22; 35 houses at Wamhkan village, 20 houses at Hwepaung village (Karen nationals), and 18 houses at Hwepaung village (Shan nationals) on May 16; and 42 houses at Namman village on May 17. Insurgents fired 19 houses at Salaung village, Hsataw Township on March 24, and a school and monastery at Htale village, Phruhso Township on June 22. The Pekhenan village school and a clinic were also burned. In 1974, the Burma Army captured the Tarkamaw camp of the insurgents, and stopped the flow of money from the Nar-on and other blackmarket centers. It captured the Htitar camp and took it over. The smuggling of metals has been stopped. It has often attacked the Parnarpun camp; in July 1987 it captured the Narpun camp and five firearms and 13 bodies. Local people have joined with the Army and fought against the insurgents three times, in April 1986 and February and July 1987. They captured the insurgents' Hweponlaung headquarters camp. Now the insurgents have to rely on the Ma Da Ta to be "able to move about a little." The Ma Da Ta is composed of Karen, Karenni, Shan, Kachin, Wa, and Palaung insurgents. The Karenni insurgents are "making arrangements to continue to carry out destructive activities with the help of the Ma Da Ta members KNU insurgents, Pa-O insurgents (White) and Wa insurgents." If they are crushed, peace will reign in Kayah State, "also known as the Kantarawaddy Ngwedaungpyi." (WPD 9/26) ECONOMIC Rangoon-Syriam Bridge Aug. 30: Pier No. 15, of the 19 piers in the Rangoon-Syriam rail/highway bridge, has been completed. Work is continuing on piers 11, 13, and 17, and has started on 9 of the 10 piers on the Rangoon side. The arched steel bridge will include a meter gauge rail line, a 14.7 feet one-way motor lane on each side of it, and a 5 foot pedestrian footpath. The rail approaches are 2,583 feet on the Syriam side and 1,077 feet on the Rangoon side. The motor road approach is 646.65 feet on the Syriam side and 431.48 feet on the Rangoon side. The bridge and two approach bridges total 9,638 feet. The bridge connects Thaketa and Syriam Townships in Rangoon Division. The rail line, on the Rangoon-Mandalay route, will be linked to Toegyaunggalay and Thilawa. The motor road will connect the Syriam-Thongwa road with the Eya-wun Road in Thaketa Township, and will go across the Thuwunna Bridge and link with Thingyangyun, South Okkalapa and North Okkalapa Township Roads, and with the Circular Road in Thaketa and the Thaketa Bridge. (WPD 9/1) Crops Decontrolled SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF BURMA COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Notification No 6/87 Rangoon, 9th Waxing of Tawthalin, 1349 BE (1 September, 1987) Decontrol of Crops 1. Paddy, maize, matpe, pedisein, butter bean, suntani, suntapya, pesingon and peyin which were brought under control according to Orders No 10 and 11 issued by the Ministry of Trade dated 27-9-66 have been declared decontrolled crops with effect from the date this Notification is issued. 2. Every citizen is allowed to purchase, transport, store, sell and transact these decontrolled crops in their original state or after being milled and processed, within the country beginning from 1987 crop harvest time. 3. In doing business as regards the decontrolled crops, those interested are to get themselves registered in accordance with the provisions contained in the Private Enterprise Law. 4. Farmers who grow and produce scheduled crops are to pay in their land revenues as usual, not in cash but with crops according to the rates prescribed for each scheduled crop. 5. Farmers who grow crops which are not scheduled ones are to pay in their land revenues as usual, not in cash but with scheduled crops such as paddy, wheat, maize, pulses and beans, sesamum, groundnut, cotton and sugarcane according to the prescribed rates. 6. The rates of crops to be paid in as contained in Paragraphs (4) and (5) will be issued in separate directives. By Order (Kyaw Tint) Secretary Council of Ministers (WPD 9/2) Fishing Licence Renewal Sept. 10: The appropriate authorities reminded fishermen that licences for inland fishing equipment expire at the end of Tabaung; those for coastal fishing at the end of Kason; and licences for deep-sea fishing by powered vessels at the end of Wagaung. (WPD 9/11) Power Projects Sept. 25: An editorial entitled "The Power Sector" describes three electric power projects: The Kinda Hydro Electric project, launched in 1981-82 and completed in 1986-87; The Sedawgyi Hydro Electric project, launched in 1980-81 and still under way; and the Thaton Thermal project, launched in 1980-81 and now completed. The last is providing electricity to the Thaton Tyre & Rubber Products Factory and the Myainggale Cement Factory in Karen State. (WPD Editorial, 9/25) Hotel Reopens NGAPALI BEACH HOTEL Announces that it will reopen on lst October, 1987. Advance reservation accepted. Phone 75328: TOURIST BURMA, Rangoon (WPD 9/26) Inspection and Agency Corp. Sept. 26: The Inspection and Agency Corporation (IAC), Ministry of Trade, helps boost foreign exchange earnings. It inspects exported and imported goods for quality, standard, measurement and weight. It undertakes to discharge pre-sale and after-sale liaison services between State organizations and foreign firms. Of the over 500 firms that have established relations with the IAC, the products of about 40 are shown at the IAC showroom at 504/506 Merchant Street. The IAC arranges trade seminars and discussions for foreign firms. "The IAC is now rendering service for importing new as well as reconditioned cars for citizens who earn foreign exchange and who wish to buy motor vehicles." (WPD 9/27) Notification to Farmers Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma Council of Ministers Notification No 9/87 Rangoon, 8th Waxing of Thadingkyut, 1349 BE (30th September, 1987) Farmers to pay in their land revenues with scheduled crops 1. Farmers who grow and produce scheduled crops mentioned in the appendix on all the land throughout the Union of Burma are to pay in their usual land revenues, not in cash but with crops according to the rates prescribed for each crop according to Lower Burma Land and Revenue Act, Upper Burma Land and Revenue Regulation, Lower Burma Town and Village Lands Act and Burma Canal Act. 2. Farmers who grow crops which are not scheduled ones are to pay in their usual land revenues, not in cash but with crops according to the rates prescribed for scheduled crops as mentioned in the appendix. 3. According to this Notification, land revenues are to be collected not in cash but in kind beginning from the 1987 crop harvest time. 4. This Notification is to be regarded as one overriding all previous notifications regarding thie collection of land revenues in cash. By Order (Maung Ko) For Secretary Council of Ministers (See tables connected with this Notification on pages 2 & 3) (WPD 9/30) [Note: tables referred to are in Burmese - readers interested may request photocopies. HCMacD.] c.: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 September 1 70.67 76.85 74.06 September 15 79.65 84.06 78.43 September 30 87.36 90.63 87.05 CULTURAL Indefinite School Holiday Declared The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma Ministry of Education Announcement regarding Thadingyut holidays 6 September 1987 14th Waxing of Tawthalin 1349 BE 1. The following establishments have been closed for the Thadingyut holidays with effect from today: (a) All the universities, degree colleges, colleges and institutes under the Higher Education Department (b) All the institutes of medicine and the Institute of Dental Medicine under the Medical Education Department (c) All the primary, middle and high schools, the teacher training colleges and schools and all the Youth Affairs Night Schools under the Basic Education Department (d) All the government technical institutes and technical high schools, the state agricultural institute and agricultural high schools, the commercial school, the machinery repair and maintenance school, the school of home sciences, the handicraft school, the school of fisheries, the engineering technology evening classes and the evening trade classes under the Technical, Agricultural and Vocational Education Department. 2. The date on which the educational establishments are to be reopened will be announced later. 3. The examinations now being held will be resumed when the educational establishments are reopened. The dates for the examinations for the remaining subjects will be announced in advance. By order, Sd/Maung Di, Deputy Minister Ministry of Educa- tion (WPD 9/7) Early Ava Period Writers Sept. 7: In the third in his series on the Early Ava Period writers, entitled "Adu Min Nyo, Shin Thu Ye & Shin Twe Nyo (E-chins & Mawguns), Aung Moe discusses writers of the 1440s AD. New forms of poetry, now known as e-chins and mawguns were developed. The first e-chin is credited to a Rakhine poet, Adu Min Nyo of Mrohaung, in G.E. Harvey's History of Burma. The e-chin is composed and sung like a ratu, but is a lullaby used to put a royal infant to sleep. They use soothing sounds and begin and end with the ee sound. They are serious in subject, recounting the infant's genealogy and the deeds of his ancestors; thus they are valuable to historians. The first e-chin in the Court of Ava was composed by Shin Thu Ye, a soldier. It was composed for Thakin Twe, daughter of Thado Kyaw, Lord of Salin, about 1476 AD. It is considered richer in imagination, but poorer in poetic expression, than that of the Rakhine poet. The first mawgun appeared in Ava shortly before, and was by an army officer, Shin Twe Nyo. It recounts the repression, in which the author took a leading part, of a rebellion in Prome. 38 years later, Shin Twe Nyo composed a mawgun about the King's elephant, which is considered inferior. Since then many poetic chronicles of epics have been written. (WPD 9/7) Sept. 14: The fourth article discusses Shin Ottama-Gyaw (Tawlar) a monk who in 1483 AD created the first tawlar, a poem describing the sights and sounds of the virgin forest. He is considered the first of the "four writer monks of Taungdwingyi". (WPD 9/14) Sept. 21: The fifth article discusses Shin Maha-thilawuntha, the most prolific of the writer monks of Taungdwingyi, who was born in AD 1453 in the same village and week as Shin Ottama-Gyaw. He created the first pyo, which is a ratu in form (though not limited to three passages) and a mawgun in content, though it deals with scriptural subjects rather than contemporary achievements. His pyo, called "Paramigan Pyo" retells in poetry the stories of Lord Buddha's ten previous lives. Later he moved to Ava, where he became a poetic contestant with Shin Rattathara. He wrote various mawgun, the "Hsutaungan Pyo" and "Thanwegagan Pyo", and a history of India up to King Asoka, of Sri Lanka up to the time of King Mahanam, and of Burma from Sri Ksetra to the founding of Ava (the "Razawin Gyaw"). He also wrote numerous poems, many metta sars and somma sars, and a Students Guide known as "Tabe Sommasar" which is still valid. He died at 67 while composing the "Dhammapala Pyo." (WPD 9/21) Sept. 28: The sixth article discusses Shin Ohn Nyo and Shin Khemar, the third and fourth of the Taungdwingyi writer monks. Shin Ohn Nyo wrote only one pyo, in 1517, entitled the "Gata Chaukse Pyo" or Sixty Stanzas Pyo whch translates in verse the 64 Pali stanzas in which Kaludayi entreatied Lord Buddha to visit Kapilavatthu. He died in 1528 at the age of 75. Shin Khemar is mentioned as a poet, but his works have not been traced, and he is believed to have died at the age of 50. These four monks "exalted Burmese literature to new heights during the second half of the fifteenth century, nearly one hundred years earlier than William Shakespeare." They may have become overly popular because they came from tiny villages near Taungdwingyi. "Burmans are apt to love the rural folks more than they love those who come from big cities." (WPD 9/28) Konbaung Relics Donated Sept. 15: Historic antiques of the Konbaung Period were donated to the Defence Services Historical Research Institute, at a ceremony in Shwebo on September 12. The antiques, which had belonged to the Shwe Tazar Pagoda Board of Trustees and the Myodaung Pagoda Board of Trustees, consist of 35 soldier figurines, 17 battle boats, and one cannon. (WPD 9/16) - Sept. 19: "Such kind of news is most welcome as it brings merit to the donors as well as to the country in the sense that cultural heritage will be preserved for the posterity to study." People "who do not realize the priceless value of ancient artifacts" may melt them down, sell them at less than their worth, or let them get smuggled abroad. "...The Ministry of Culture in July last year issued an order...[stating] that those who have discovered antiques or who have them in their possession and wish to sell them are to contact the Archaeology department or the Township People's Councils concerned, the bearers of the antiques will be given rewards according to antiquity, historical evidence and artistic values of their ancient artifacts and added rewards will be offered for their value at current prices if they are made of gold, silver or precious stones." (Editorial, WPD 9/19) Burmese Buddhism Sept. 22: A feature article entitled "Burmese character and Buddhist tradition" by Tint Lwin discusses in detail the formal and informal religious and moral education of the Burmese boy from birth through monkhood. (WPD 9/22) Red Cross Meeting Sept. 25: The 28th Central Council meeting of the Burma Red Cross Society was held in Rangoon. President U Kyi presided. Col. Zaw Win, Director-General of the Fire Services Department, was elected a member of the Executive Committee. Secretary U Tun Nyein delivered the report of the Executive Committee, and three resolutions were passed. (WPD 9/26) Ethnic Radio Schedule Sept. 26: From October 1 - December 31 the nationalities broadcasts of the Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) will be as follows: Mon Program: 5 - 5:30 pm Rakine Program: 5:30 - 6 pm Shan Program: 6 - 6:30 pm Kachin Program: 6:30 - 7 pm Kayah Program: 7 - 7:30 pm Sgaw Karen Program: 7:30 - 8 pm News in Burmese: 8 - 8:15 pm Pwo Karen Program: 8:15 - 8:45 pm Chin Program: 8:45 - 9:15 pm (WPD 9/17) MISCELLANEOUS Obituaries Aug. 29: Patron of the Maubin Dhammayon Gana State Ovadacariya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tejavanta Padana Nayaka of the Withokdayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik, Yele-lake village, Maubin Township, Irrawaddy Division, age 92, Vassa 73, died. (WPD 9/1) Aug. 30: Ismael Mohammed Fakruddin Buchoo Bhai, boarding school master, Ex-Zinat Boys Home, died in Rangoon at 75. He was the husband of Sayama Molly Fakruddin, nee K. Horasana, aka Daw Ohn Kyi. (WPD 9/1) Aug. 31: Ada Saw (a) Lae May Khin, wife of U Soe Myint, Chief Editor, The Guardian Press, died in Rangoon at 40. (WPD 9/2) Sept. 1: U Kyaw Nyein, husband of Daw Saw Yi (Shwe Hintha Thingan House), father of U Thein Htut (Editor, The Working People's Daily), etc., died in Rangoon at 73. (WPD 9/2) Sept. 6: Dawood Vanya (a) U Sein Aung, of 555 Merchant Road, Rangoon, died at 72. (WPD 9/7) Sept. 7: Sri Ram Asray Prasad (Zeyawadi), founder of the Zeyawadi Hindu Kalyan Samattee, Zeyawadi Hindu Mitra Mandal, Zeyawadi-Kyauktaga Hindu Kalyan Samittee, Rangoon, and Vice President of the Zeyawadi Station Hospital Construction Committee died in Rangoon at 60. (WPD 9/8) Sept. 9: Naw Lone Khin (Pa-an), wife of Saw Ngwe Tun, mother of Naw Primrose (Saw Ba Tun, Burmese Embassy, Singapore) died in Rangoon at 84. (WPD 9/11) Sept. 11: Presiding Nayaka of the Sasana Wayponla Kyaungtaik in Meiktila, Mandalay Division, State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Joint Secretary Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kelasabhivamsa, aged 58, Vassa 38, died. (WPD 9/13) Sept. 17: U Han Ti (a) U Kyaw Nyunt, retired Honorary Magistrate (lst class), husband of Daw Kyi, died in Rangoon at 83. (WPD 9/18) Sept. 24: U Myint Lwin (a) Joseph Lee King Leng, husband of Daw Kyin Ye (M.E.I) died in Rangoon at 55. (WPD 9/25) Sept. 24: Janab Mohammed Saleh Mehsher (Shayar-E-Burma) died at 68. (WPD 9/27) Sept. 25: Dr. U Kyaw Maung, Retired Director-General, Department of Medical Education, husband of Daw Nu Nu Khine, died in Rangoon at 61. (WPD 9/27) Crime Reports Aug. 31: Mandalay and Sagaing police raided the house of Aung Ko, 31, in Pantin Ward, Kyemon village, Monywa Township on August 14, and seized seven 6-gallon containers of acetic anhydride [used in the processing of heroin]. Following the confession of Ai Lay, alias Mying Aung, 28, another 6-gallon container was found near Mindaunt Jetty in Monwya Township. Those concerned are being prosecuted under Section 14(1) of the Law Conferring Powers for the Construction of the Socialist Economic System. [photos] (WPD 9/1) Sept. 11: On September 8 Mandalay police searched a house in Mingon Ward, Thanhlyethmaw Anauk, Mandalay South-West Township and seized two packets of heroin of Chu-kna-kaung Gabalone brand weighing half a kilogram each. Khin Maung Shwe, 23, and Kyaw Win Naing, 17, were arrested. [photos] (WPD 9/12) Sept. 18: The Pabedan Township Court Judicial Body No. 2 sentenced Myint Swe of Dargah Aukgyain, Syriam, to one year in jail with labor for gambling che-ti. He was arrested on April 12, 1986 when che-ti gambling papers were found on him. (WPD 9/19) Health & Development Continued Series of Articles on "The place of the health sector in Burma's development strategies", by Theidi. Sept. 2: Part IV: Five ongoing projects are intended to "strengthen the institutional capacity of the health administration." The Project on Training for Health Manpower has selected the Institutes of Medicine and Dental Medicine as pivotal points for intervention. Burma produces nearly 550 doctors and 60 dental personnel annually. The UNDP assisted Project on the Strengthening of Nursing Services is utilizing the new Nurses Training Centre established with grant aid from Japan. Japan will provide funds, on a cost-sharing basis with UNDP, for this project. The Project for the Reinforcement of the Instrumentation Division (Workshop) of the Department of Medical Research is to enable DMR to undertake all routine maintenance and most repair of medical equipment and instruments in the Department and in the Institute of Medicine and the National Health Laboratory. The Project for Strengthening of the Food and Drugs Control Administration aims at ensuring minimum health standards in food exports and imports, to provide advisory services to food and drug manufacturers, and to conduct public information activities relating to food and drug quality and hygiene. The Manpower Development for Primary Health Care and Basic Health Services Project is to centralize responsibility for health manpower development through establishment of an operational Health Manpower Planning Unit, and consolidating existing training schools under one management functioning as the National Institute of Health Sciences. Various workshops have been conducted. Midwives and other health workers have been trained. Preparations are under way to integrate the health assistance training school and the Aung San Demonstration Health Unit and the Training Centre. The Traditional Medicine Evaluation Project, implemented in 1984, aims at characterizing the physico-botanical nature of existing approved traditional drugs and herbal medicines, and evaluating the toxicity of selective drugs through animal tests. Another project, implemented beginning two years ago, strengthened and equipped 89 existing traditional medicine dispensaries, while 30 more are to be established. Traditional medicine, together with modern equipment, is now being used in curing such diseases as liver cirrhosis, asthma, and fever. Another project, started in 1982, has achieved results in producing prosthetic/orthotic components, including rubber feet, crutches and canes, pelvic traction tables, parallel bars and orthotic points, now being used at the Hospital for the Disabled. Prototypes of wheel-chairs and trolleys are being field-tested. (WPD 9/2) Sept. 9: Part V: With limited resources, priority has shifted from conventional medical care for the few to primary health care reaching out to all. Volunteers selected by the Lanzin Party are to become the eyes and ears of the health services. A "Ten household worker" pilot project was carried out in Hlegu and Ayadaw townships. In Hlegu Township (Rangoon Division), volunteers were already active in rodent control. They were given a six-day health care course by the Basic Health Services staff. Their duties include first aid, control of communicable diseases, locating pregnant women and nursing mothers, nutrition promotion, environmental sanitation, and health education. They are also taught to recognize and report symptoms of common diseases. They are especially alert to leprosy and malaria, as well as trachoma, iodine deficiency disorders, and protein energy malnutrition. Prevention and management of diarrhoea, including sanitation and oral rehydration are important parts of training. Volunteers now seem to know the proportions of a homemade salt and sugar rehydration mixture. They do not, however, offer curative services or "play `mini' physician." In Hlegu Township, the 20,000 "Ten Household workers" are backed by 175 trained community health workers, 160 trained traditional midwives and auxiliary midwives, and 170 basic health workers in 12 rural health centers, sub-centers, and station hospitals. Nearly 2,300 volunteers have successfully completed the "Ten household workers" training. In Ayadaw Township (Sagaing Division), the Peoples Health Plan began in 1978, and there have been many noteworthy achievements. By 1984, Ayadaw's health force included 146 community health workers, 26 auxiliary midwives, and 2,500 ten-household health workers, in addition to 150 trained traditional birth attendants (let-thes). Some 30 volunteer nutrition health workers were trained to assist the Maternal and Child Health Centre staff. In this township, water shortage was a major health problem. In the 1960's the Rural Water Supply Division of the Agricultural Mechanization Division began 10 tube-wells; by 1983, 120 villages had tube-wells, supplying 84% of the population with safe water; by 1985 the proportion had risen to 97%. Since 1979 there have been no cholera or plague outbreaks, while gastro-intestinal diseases, including diarrhoea and typhoid, have fallen dramatically. Trachoma has dropped from 21% to 3%. Deliveries attended by midwives have increased from 40% to 98%. Almost complete surveillance of the nutrition of children under three has been achieved. For this, Ayadaw Township received the 1985 Sasakawa Health Prize offered by the Japanese Foundation. (WPD 9/9) Sept. 16: Part VI: A target has been set to provide potable water to 50% of the rural population by 1990 and to 100% by 2000. The Fourth Four-Year Plan (1982-1987) target of 26% has been achieved. The overall target is to be achieved by low-cost technologies, including hand-dug wells and shallow tube-wells with hand-pumps, rain water collection, and gravity flow systems. Sanitation for rural schools, health centers, and station hospitals, and the household latrine program, are also stressed. Under the Dry Zone Rural Water Supply Project, started with UNICEF and ADAB aid in 1979, 3,163 tube-wells and 2,566 power pumps were completed by June 1986, and 29% of the dry zone rural population now have safe drinking water. The Household Latrine Construction Project has installed 336,415 latrines, thus approaching the 400,000 target set in 1981. Despite a slow start, Gravity Flow Schemes are now supplying 35,000 people. The Environmental Sanitation Division of the Department of Health has completed 313 water supply systems to hospitals and nearby communities. The Lower Burma Project has identified three types of hand-pumps to be manufactured, and suction-pump manufacture has reached 600 units. 14,914 latrines were constructed in 13 selected townships in 1981-1982. 381,000 household latrines and 523 school latrines were built in 1982-1986. Currently the project concentrates on 60 townships in all 14 States and Divisions, with 29 more to be added. The Latrine Construction Programme includes involvement of local authorities, demonstration and training, and health education materials and construction guides. On completion of the Operation Plan period, 279,000 household latrines, 260 school latrines, and 80 rural health center latrines will have been completed. In greater Rangoon, piped water supply is limited to the old municipality, and the Rangoon City Development Committee has identified areas of greater Rangoon where ground-water is a cost-effective alternative to piped water. The Rural Water Supply Division of the Agricultural Mechanization Department is designing 90 gravity flow systems for hilly areas, and plans to complete 34 during the Fourth Four-Year Plan period. The Lower Burma Rural Water Supply Project, begun during the 1982-1986 Operation Plan period and reprogrammed for 1987-1990, will rehabilitate 1,710 old wells, and drill 3,750 shallow hand-pump tube-wells and 780 deep tube-wells. "Considering that the choice of technology assumes a critical role both in investment decisions and in issues relating to income distribution and employment creation, Burma has decided upon a policy of selective use of advanced technology whenever it is in the interests of the country to do so." (WPD 9/16) Building Collapses Sept. 9: The top floor of a building at 83/85 30th Street, Pabedan Township, Rangoon, collapsed, killing one child and injuring four other residents. (WPD 9/10) Classified Ad "THE PEOPLE AND LAW" by Maung Maung Kyi available at -- 74 B Inya Road. Ph. 30876 -- Law Enterprise, 44,Barr St. -- Lamin Taya Clinic, Thamaing Rd. Junction Price 40 Kyats. Will be sent by V.P.P. for each order of 3 books or more. C-105 (WPD 9/12) Health Measures Reviewed Sept. 13: The Peoples Health Plan is being carried out. One success in 1986-87 was the award presented to Ayadaw Township, Sagaing Division, for outstanding implementation of the health care project. According to provisional 1986-87 figures [for Burma as a whole] 15 hospitals, 105 rural health centers, 12 maternity and child health care centers were opened, and eight school health teams were formed, while 142 doctors, 45 dental surgeons, 345 nurses, 203 lady health visitors, and 541 midwives were appointed. Preventive measures were carried out against Malaria, Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, Filariasis, Tuberculosis, Venereal Disease, Leprosy, and Trachoma. Training was given to 6,000 community health workers, 3,000 auxiliary midwives, and 991 local attendants. Ninety-nine indigenous medicine dispensaries provided treatment to over two million people. In addition, the State spent Ky 616 million for health services during 1986-87. (WPD 9/14) Building Inspections Sept. 17: The Rangoon City Development Committee has formed six township inspection committees to inspect buildings in a dangerous state, and has found 115 such buildings. Of these, 51 are in Botataung Township, 20 in Pazundaung Township, 17 in Lanmadaw Township, 12 in Latha Township, nine in Kyauktada Township, and six in Pabedan Township. Tenants have been given eviction notices; because of "incessant rain" in Rangoon the buildings are in danger of collapse. 97 of the buildings must be pulled down, along with parts of 18 others. (WPD 9/18) Medicinal Plants Sept. 23-25: A three-part series on the development of herbal remedies in Burma, entitled "Medicinal Plants and the enthusiasts" by Po Kya. A variety of plants used for treating illness, some native to Burma and some introduced, are described, and growing foreign interest in herbal remedies is discussed. (WPD 9/23-25) ODDS AND ENDS TO FILL OUT THE ISSUE TV Programme Wednesday, 30-9-87 7:00 pm (a) High School English: "Idioms (2)" (b) High School Physics: "Physics Practical Vernier Calipers (1)" 7:30 pm 1. Classical Songs (Featuring The Zar Ti Nwe Troupe) 8:00 pm 2. News and Weather Report 8:30 pm 3. Weather Forecast For The Month Of October 8:35 pm 4. Spotlight On A Star: "Pianist Aye Aye Mar" 8:47 pm 5. Teleplay: "Myitta Ayaung Soe Lai Thu" (Starring: Kyi Soe, Zaw Oo, Thida Theint, Soe Myint Kyaw, Daw May Thit) (Script Written And Produced by The Burma Television Service) 9:32 pm 6. The Next Day's Programme 9:33 pm 7. Close Down ********* ENCYCLOPAEDIA BIRMANICA YEARBOOK (1987) on sale October 1. 328 pages, 7" x 10", good paper, hard cover, available from Sarpay Beikman Bookshop, 529 Merchant Street, Rangoon, for K 30 per copy. ----------------------------------- Hugh C. MacDougall 32 Elm Street Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326 Please enter a one-year subscription to the Burma Press Summary, beginning with the ( ) April 1987 issue ( ) current issue ( ) ____________(other). I enclose a check for US25:00 in payment, payable to Hugh C. MacDougall. (US$37.50, foreign airmail.) The Summary should be sent to: ___________________________________ (name) ___________________________________ ___________________________________ (address) ___________________________________ (city) (state) (Zip) ----------------------------------- ********* The BURMA STUDIES FOUNDATION is now legally established, and prepared to accept donations of Burmese Art, Books, Artifacts, and other materials for the use of the BURMA STUDIES CENTER at Northern Illinois University in De Kalb, Illinois. For details, call or write to John P. Ferguson, Secretary, Burma Studies Foundation, Warnerville, New York 12187. Tel: (518)234-2276. ********* BBS Wednesday, 30-9-87 41.75/314 metres 0830 News 0840 Music Now to Nine 0900 Close Down 30.85/314 metres 1330 News 1340 Lunchtime Music 1400 Close Down 50.13/314 metres 2100 Variations on a Tune: HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE 2115 News 2130 Music at your Request 2200 Portfolio for Easy Listening 2230 Close Down *********** Rangoon:--Maximum temperature recorded on 28-9-87 was 31.4øC (80øF) and minimum temperature recorded on 29-9-87 was 24.5øC (76øF). Forecast for Rangoon and neighbouring area for 30 September 1987: --One or two rain or thundershowers. ********* REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE I should like to enlist the assistance of the readers of the Burma News Summary in interesting other individuals, and perhaps especially institutions, in subscribing to it. Although the price may seem steep, I still need additional subscribers in order to cover my out-of-pocket costs. Reproduction and postage are both expensive items. Though I attach a subscription form, subscriptions may also be ordered by letter. Hugh C. MacDougall, Compiler