92-12 BURMA PRESS SUMMARY From the Rangoon "Working People's Daily" Compiled for the Burma Studies Group by Hugh C. MacDougall Published by the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Illinois Volume V, No. 12, December 1992 Table of Contents POLITICAL CRISIS Slogans 1 Official Books 2 Cartoons 2 Political Articles 3 NLD Defector 4 4044 Bangladesh Border Returnees 4 NATIONAL CONVENTION Working Committee Established 5 Preparations for the Convention 6 Warning from Yangon Commander 6 DIPLOMATIC Diplomatic Calls 6 New Myanmar Ambassador 8 New Ambassador to Myanmar 8 Colombo Plan Committee Meeting 8 Myanmar Joins Non-Proliferation Pact 10 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Workshops 10 Foreign Donations 11 Myanmar Donations 11 FOREIGN VISITORS International Agency Visitors 11 Business Visitors 11 Human Rights Delegation 11 Foreign Journalists 12 Academic Visitors 12 Chinese Delegations 12 Thai Border Dispute 13 Buddhist Delegations 13 MYANMAR DELEGATIONS Study Delegations 13 Delegations to Meetings & Events 14 Delegations Return 14 MYANMAR GAZETTE Probationary Appointments 14 Appointments Confirmed 14 Transfers 14 GOVERNMENT Co-operative Law 15 Village Bank Rules 15 Mandalay Development Law 15 MILITARY Insurgents Surrender 15 ECONOMIC Economic Articles 15 Advertisements 16 Joint Ventures 16 Construction & Other Projects 16 Joint Ventures 17 Agriculture 17 Imports and Exports 17 Foreign Exchange Telephones 18 Offshore Oil 18 Railway Inaugurated 18 Cooperatives 18 Tourists 18 Rainfall in Yangon 18 HEALTH AIDS 18 Health Articles 19 Food and Drug Law 19 SPORTS Myanmar Teams & Delegations 19 Sports Articles 19 Mayor's Marathon 19 Traditional Regatta 19 CULTURAL Literary and Cultural Articles 20 Folk Art Exhibition 20 Religious Affairs 20 10th Standard Exams 21 Theatres for Rent 21 University Convocation 21 Motion Picture Awards 21 MISCELLANEOUS Crime News 21 Court News 21 Anti-Narcotics Activities 22 Obituaries 22 Engagements 22 New Postage Stamps 22 Road Accidents 22 Stranded Fishermen Return 22 Fire 23 New Lottery Tickets 23 Rare Animals for Zoo 23 ---- Note: Your compiler's supply of the Working People's Daily was interrupted on Sept. 17, and only re-established with the issue of Dec. 1. We are trying to obtain the back issues, and when we do the missing issues of the Burma Press Summary, for September, October, and November 1992, will be duly forthcoming. HMacD. ------- POLITICAL CRISIS Slogans Regular Slogans: See January 1992 issue. A new slogan appeared during the month: "National Convention is genuine national politics." Variable Slogans: Since August 1991, The Working People's Daily has run a changing religious slogan at the top of each front page: Dec. 1-14: Vinayo ca susikkhito, to be well-trained in discipline; this is the way to auspiciousness. Dec. 5-31: Subhasita ca ya vaca, to speak good and unsinful words; this is the way to auspiciousness. Official Books Dec. 8: Tatmadaw's Traditional Role in National Politics, by Mya Win. "A collection of articles published in the Working People's Daily for 16 day." To be distributed throughout the country on 9-12-92. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 30: The Statistical Yearbook, 1991, is available at Sarpay Beikman and the Central Statistical Organization. (WPD 12/31) Cartoons Examples of political/economic cartoons: Dec. 1: Child crying: "Wah! I wanna attend tuition! I wanna attend tuition!" [i.e., private cram schools preparing students for exams--HCMacD.] Dec. 2: Angry mother to child: "Ah! you want to put your birthday greeting in the paper. How many relatives of yours have gone abroad?" Dec. 4: First Myanmar: "Haven't you made arrangements to distribute the commodities in the godown sent down from above?" Second Myanmar: "Oh yes...we have sent up a request asking permission to distribute them!" \\ Sign: "Mr. Pauper Author." Book reader to author: "Everything in your novel is authentic except the part where a basketful of groceries was bought for one hundred kyats!" Dec. 5: One Myanmar to another: "There goes the most patient and tolerant man I know... He rides the bus every day and goes to the bank every day." \\ Teacher in School: "You dunce! Can't you understand even such a simple little thing? Hom many times must I explain it to you?" Teacher in Private Tuition Course: "So, my dear pupils...if there is anything you can't understand...anything at all...just ask...you all are so very clever!" Dec. 6: Sign: "Cultural training course." First Myanmar: "For the children?" Second Myanmar: "No, for conductors." Dec. 7: Child being dragged by mother at pedestrian crossing: "Why do you run so fast across zebra?" Mother: "Which car stops when there's no traffic cop around?" \\ First Myanmar: "Heard you're filming an adventure?" Second Myanmar: "Yes, yes. About a housewife going shopping in the morning." Dec. 8: First Myanmar: "Hey buddy, you go to work quite regularly these days." Second Myanmar: "Well, it's because our factory has been privatised." Dec. 10: Myanmar to Fortune Teller: "My expenses are exceeding my income Sir...so ..." Fortune Teller: "Hmp! I too am wondering whom I should ask about this problem!" Dec. 11: Young woman: "The fact that my husband's gone abroad to work may be all right, Aunty..." Older woman: "...but now that he's not here to do the washing up at home... I'll have to be doing it..." \\ Returning traveler: "Scalpers sell space on boats, on cars and on railways... It'll be death of me." Friend: "The death of you? Even then, you will have to pay good money to get a good burial space!" Dec. 12: First Myanmar: "Today's the happiest day of my life." Second Myanmar: "Did you win the State Lottery?" First Myanmar: "No, I get a job at a filling station." \\ Elder to young man: "I became a great thinker because I had to go shopping every morning." Dec. 14: Dying father to son: "Though I tried...phone was hard to get. Grandpa couldn't... Keep try...ing son." Dec. 15: Empty rice container to empty cooking oil and kerosene bottles: "It's really humiliating to stay at this house." Dec. 16: First Myanmar (on sidewalk): "I want to go outside when I am at office for a long time." Second Myanmar: "And once you are out of office for a long time you feel like going home?" \\ At Hospital. First Myanmar: "Who is scolding at the hospital? Superintendent or House surgeon?" Second Myanmar: "Patient attendant." Dec. 17: Pail of garbage hanging on sign reading: "Garbage disposal prohibited. Fine K 100." Dec. 18: Mother to son: "Don't you dare be as rude to me at home as you are with passengers on your bus." Dec. 19: Startled Myanmar listens to voices from a window: "'I'll go to far-off villages when I become a doctor.' 'I, too, shall go to the villages when I become a teacher.' Now my dear listeners, that's the end of the radio-play" Dec. 20: One Myanmar to another in empty classroom: "No wonder the class-teacher's dozed off. Everyone's gone off to tuition." \\ Man with TV set to a couple: "If I give it to Saya, it amounts to bribery.... so, I'll give it to your wife." Dec. 21: Wife to husband: "Sell this bull only if they pay in dollars, dear." \\ Sign reads "Actor, Vocalist, Director, Writer, Cartoonist, Contractor, Super Ko Tin." Hippie to friend: "Not that I'm up to it. Just so I can brag and fall back on..." Dec. 22: Man in huge crowd extending from bus stop to traffic light, to policeman: "We're not boarding the bus at the traffic lights [recently prohibited, HCMacD.] but the number of commuters waiting at the bus-stop has increased." \\ Patient to doctor: "I cannot buy the medicine you prescribed." Doctor: "Quite easy! Go to the address I've written for you. It's there for certain." Dec. 23: Wife to husband: "Aren't you dealing with cases of promotion at your department? Make sure that the young fellow is not left out. He's sent us quite a lot of presents!" Dec. 24: Wife to husband: "Why are you keeping the fan on all the time? This happens to be a home...not your office!" \\ First Myanmar: "People dislike being told the truth...when I say what's not true, they call me a liar! What to do?" Second Myanmar: "Don't say anything...keep silent!" Dec. 25: Doctor: When did it start and when was it the worst?" Patient: "It started when I began building my house. It becomes worse on pay days." Dec. 26: Wife to staggering husband: "Are you drunk...or hit by someone...?" Husband: I took a Tharkayta line-bus home!" \\ Fortune Teller: "According to your horoscope...your luck will improve...if ...you can get on well with your boss. Otherwise...you'll get into trouble." Dec. 27: Prosperous man to friend: "Corruption brings a bad name, but it fattens you!" \\ Man reading paper at bus stop: Many imported cars have arrived. Woman: How many buses?" Dec. 29: Girlfriend to hippie: "What will you say when foreign tourists ask our nationality?" Dec. 30: Girl to boy: "How much is your salary in terms of dollars?" Political Articles Following the pattern begun in October 1988, many issues contain lengthy feature articles, translated from Burmese, designed to bolster government views and policies. Editorials sometimes touch on similar themes. We note them briefly, with excerpts of typical or particularly significant portion: Dec. 7: Hailing the 45th Anniversary Independence Day: Safeguard and perpetuate our national independence and sovereignty unitedly, by Shwe La Win. [National solidarity since 1826.] Dec. 8: Circle and square, by Ko Pho Zaw. [Need to resist Western "culture".] Dec. 10: Fully implement national objectives for independence day, by Maung Maung Swe. ["At the present time, imperialists are trying violently to take Myanmar back to neo-colonialism. They are trying particularly to win over national traitors and to try and dismember the Union and destroy national unity."] Dec. 14: Sovereignty is sacred to the people of our nation, by Thura Thamein. [Myanmar's sufferings from colonialist imperialism and war.] Dec. 16-19: A Study of Democracy, by Sithu Aung. [(1) "You can't eat Democracy." Failures of democracy in Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, and Latin America. Foreign investment and economic progress require political stability. (2) "What Genuine Democracy Means." The State must come before Politics. Democracy is intended to reconcile the conflicting phenomena of the "strongly knitted entity" of the State a Politics which "is always in flux." Ideal of a democracy are: a) one person, one vote; b) at least two political parties competing in free and fair elections; c) respect for individual freedoms; d) "Government policies must aim only at the welfare of the masses"; e) Facilities to "enable striking a balance between effective leadership and responsible criticism; contention between the Government and an opposition in legislation; an independent judiciary protecting all the people; f) a venue for peaceful reform of "any governmental institution" with agreed procedures; g) right of recall of elected officials. (3) "Democracy & Affluence." Democracy suited only to affluent and educated societies. (4) "Myanma democracy line yesterday & today." Chaos of democracy in post-independence Myanmar. "It is genuine democracy only when under which political stability is secured, only when the peoples, their deputies, the intelligentsia who are the brains of the nation, all classes and masses of the people, all nationalities can elect legislative bodies freely and democratically only when every one has enough food to eat, when every one enjoys a guarantee of life, when every body is equal before the law, in politics, in economy and in social matters with only minimal gaps, when the essence of democracy could be enjoyed to the full and when an affluent state can really be established {sic}."] Dec. 20: Struggle for independence, by Ko Soe. ["Currently, the imperialists are still endeavouring vigorously to take our country back under neo-colonialism. They are striving especially to win over traitors to destroy the national unity."] Dec. 21: Factual coverage is the essence of objectivity, by Kyaw Thura. [Discussion of "news," fairness, angles, controversies, propriety, balanced reporting. Though most foreign newsmen are fair, a few "excel in distortion and misrepresentation."] Dec. 30: What is "Human Rights"? by Moe Moe. [Denunciation of draft resolution on Myanmar introduced, with 34 sponsors, at the UN Third Committee. "The main demand of the resolution was quite clear; to respect the results of the 1990 elections without further delay. This thinly veiled command that it would be better for Myanmar to deviate from the path she has chosen towards democracy through the National Convention and instead transfer the power of government to the elected representatives of the 1990 elections is again an attempt to interfere into the internal affairs of a sovereign state. As to the so-called reports on 'torture and arbitrary executions' and so one, I have already lamented over the fact that if insurgents' words are to be believed over the words of a government, then where will truth exist?"] NLD Defector Dec. 1: U Aung Kyaing, Superintendent of the "so-called NLD (liberated area) formed at Maneplaw, the headquarters of the KNU terrorist group," returned to the legal fold via the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok, and reached Myanmar Nov. 27. He said the NLD (liberated area) group was made up of some 30 people at Maneplaw, who received 4,000 bahts a month from Sein Win's "government in the jungle" and 64 bags of rice a year from the KNU. He and others attended a human rights training course in Chiangmai, Thailand, in March 1992. A meeting of the NLD (liberated area) Central in August held a meeting without member participation, and elected Sein Win as Chairman, Win Khet as Vice-Chairman, and Tin Aung as Secretary. He quarrelled with Myint Aung and Win Khet "who were said to hold ministerial positions" because of "their search for self-interest." Having lost confidence in them he returned to the legal fold. [photo] (WPD 12/2) 4044 Bangladesh Border Returnees Dec. 6: In accordance with the Myanmar-Bangladesh agreement "on receiving those who absconded from Myanmar to Bangladesh, 366 persons of 83 families comprising 190 males and 176 females were sent back to Ngakhura, Pyinphyu and Kanyinchaung reception camps on Myanmar side by Bangladeshi officials on 5 December.... Relief goods were distributed to them and they will be sent back to their respective villages." (WPD 12/7) Dec. 7: 41 persons of 10 households (20 females and 21 males) returned to the Ngakhura Reception Camp in two boats. (WPD 12/8, corrected 12/9) Dec. 11: 209 persons, comprising 101 males and 106 females from 46 families, were sent back Dec. 10 to the Kanyinchaung reception camp. (WPD 12/12) Dec. 16: 448 persons from 95 households were repatriated back to the Pyinbyu and Kanyinchaung reception camps. (WPD 12/17) Dec. 18: 349 persons from 85 households returned to the Pyinphyu [sic] and Kanyinchaung reception camps. 75 people (34 male, 41 female) led by Mr. Mashiah Rahman from 19 households went to Pyinphyu, and 274 people (133 male, 141 female) led by Mr. Manuar Hussain Akhan and Mr. Abdullah Latif went to Kanyinchaung. (WPD 12/19) Dec. 19: 516 persons from 114 households returned to the Pyinbyu and Kanyinchaung reception camps. Between Sept. 22-Dec. 18, 3,416 people (1,697 males, 1,719 females) have been accepted as returnees. (WPD 12/ 20) Dec. 21: 546 people (259 men, 287 women) from 119 households returned to Kanyinchaing reception camp, bringing the total of returnees since Sept. 22 to 3,962. (WPD 12/22) Dec. 25: 588 people (294 males, 294 females) from 119 households returned to the Ngakhura and Kanyinchaung reception camps Dec. 24. Leading the Ngakhura group was Habib Taluda, bringing 93 people from 17 households; leading the Kanyinchaung group was Zia-ud-Din, with 495 people from 102 households. Since Sept. 22, 4,910 people have returned. (WPD 12/26) Dec. 27: 57 returnees from 14 households arrived at the Ngakyuya Reception Camp in two boats, and 311 from 66 households arrived at the Kanyingchaung Camp in 10 boats, for a total of 368. Total returnees since Sept. 22 are 5,278. Dec. 29: 90 returnees from 21 households arrived at the Ngakhura Camp; 107 from 22 households at the Pyinphyu Camp; and 416 from 89 households at the Kanyinchaung Camp, for a total of 613. 5,891 have come home since Sept. 22. (WPD 12/30) NATIONAL CONVENTION Working Committee Established Dec. 1: Union of Myanmar Convening Commission for National Convention Letter No. 3/Convention/1-Sa ma of Dec. 1 on Formation of the Working Committee for the convening of the National Convention reads [text]: 1. In exercise of the power conferred under paragraph 6 of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Order No. (13/92), the Convening Commission for the National Convention hereby forms the Working Committee for the convening of the National Convention consisting of the following persons and assigns responsibility thereto, in order that the work for the convening of the National Convention be carried out systematically, successfully and smoothly:- Chairman: (i) U Aung Toe (Chief Justice) Vice Chairman: (ii) U Tha Tun (Attorney General) Members: (iii-xxiv) U Aung Myin (Justice, Supreme Court); U Maung Maung); Gyi (Chairman, Public Services Selection and Training Board); U Aung Khin Tint (Legal Adviser, SLORC); U Thein Sein (Officer on Special Duty, SLORC); U Set Maung (Legal Adviser, SLORC); U Maung Aung (Director General, Immigration and Manpower Department); U Tin Htoo (Director General, Department of Fine Arts); U Aung Kyi (Managing Director, Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment Trading); U Tin Pe (Managing Director, Motion Picture Enterprise); U Win Sein (Director General, Information and Public Relations Department); U Aung Thein (Managing Director, Road Transport); U Tun Tin (Principal, Central Services Institute); U Aye Thwin (Rector, University for the Development of National Races); U Myo Nyunt (Rector, University of Distance Education); Dr. Than Nyunt (Pro-Rector, Institute of Economics); Dr. Thaung Myint (Professor, Mandalay Institute of Medicine); Dr. Tin Aung Aye (Professor, Law Department, Yangon University); Daw Than (Ministry of Education); U Myo Thant (Maung Su Shin) (Ministry of Information); Daw Nan Noot (Ministry of Information); U M Bu Nain (Ministry of Rail Transportation); U Labya Pan Aung (Yangon City Development Committee). Secretary: (xxv) U Aye Maung (Director General, Office of the Multi-Party Democracy General Election Commission). Joint Secretary (1): (xxvi) U Thaung Nyunt (Adviser, Office of the Pyithu Hluttaw) Joint Secretary (2): (xxvii) U Tin Hla (Adviser, SLORC). 2. The functions and duties of the Working Committee for the convening of the National Convention are as follows: (a) carrying out the work of identifying representatives who are to attend the National Convention; (b) publishing the place, date, time and programme of the daily meetings of the Convention; (c) making arrangements for ushering the representatives attending the meeting of the Convention, within the Meeting Hall; (d) co-ordinating and selecting the Panel of Chairmen to supervise the daily meetings of the Convention; (e) publishing from time to time a list of the Panel of Chairmen who are to supervise the daily meetings of the Convention; (f) giving proper decisions in respect of matters submitted from time to time by the Panel of Chairmen for the systematic convening of the Convention; (g) carrying out the work of compiling and maintaining the discussions and records relating to the meetings of the Convention; (h) co-ordinating with the Management Committee for the convening of the National Convention in respect to the Press Release relating to the meetings of the Convention; (i) submitting to the Convening Commission for the National Convention the discussions of the representatives of the Convention, together with a report of the progress of the work of the convening of the Convention. 3. The powers of the Working Committee for the convening of the National Convention are as follows: (a) supervising so as to enable the discussion at the Convention to be within the framework of the objectives mentioned in paragraph 4, sub-paragraph (b) of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Order No. (13/92) dated 2nd October 1992; (b) determining the programmes of the National Convention so as to enable the representatives of the National Convention to submit conveniently their wishes, suggestions and proposals in accordance with the procedures relating to the convening of the Convention, as prescribed by the Convening Commission for the National Convention; (c) supervising in order to achieve the systematic and successful completion, in accordance with the procedures relating to the convening of the Convention; (d) co-ordinating and obtainign the assistance and support as may be necessary from the respective Government departments and organizations for the success of the work of the Convention. Sd/- Myo Nyunt Major-General Chairman Convening Commission for the National Convention (WPD 12/2) Preparations for the Convention Dec. 2: Chairman of the Management Committee for Convening the National Convention Inspector-General Brig-Gen. Tin Aye inspected the National Convention Hall in the President's House compound on Alon Road. He also inspected group discussion sites in the Kyaikkasan [Fair] Grounds, and Pyidaungsu Hall where the representatives will mess. (WPD 12/3) Numerous articles throughout the rest of the month reported preparations and inspections of preparations, including meetings of the Convening Commission, erection of "agitational billboards," etc. Warning from Yangon Commander Dec. 21: Speaking to military officers in his Command, Yangon Commander Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt "pointed out that the State formed various organizations to hold the National Convention successfully and the day was drawing near. Some power-crazy politicians and some who depended on foreign countries and selfish traders who sought for their own benefit had ulterior motive for holding the National Convention. With intention of disrupting the Convention, they co-operated with above and underground destructive and disruptive elements and their activities had been found out. In addition terrorist organizations in the remote border areas were trying to disrupt the Convention and some foreign broadcasting stations in collaboration with axe-handlers were spreading rumours." (WPD 12/22) DIPLOMATIC Diplomatic Calls The following calls were paid on Burmese officials by foreign Embassy or UN officials accredited to Burma. Dec. 2: UNDP Resident Representative Jehan Raheem called on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. UNDP member Shiv Kapur and Aviation Mission member Miss Florencelem Lemmonier called on Minister for Transport Maj-Gen. Thein Win, to discuss the development of Yangon Port, the Myanmar Five Star Line, improved civil aviation, and a survey project of Thilawa Port. (WPD 12/3) Dec. 3: Singapore Charge d'Affaires Anthony Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein. (WPD 12/ 3) Dec. 4: The Singapore Charge d'Affaires called on Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin, on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe, and on Minister for Industry-1 Lt-Gen. Sein Aung. Russian Ambassador Mr. Nazarov called on Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Ye Kyaw. UNICEF Resident Representative Stephen H. Umemoto called on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. (WPD 12/5) Dec. 5: UNDP Resident Representative Jehan Raheem called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. (WPD 12/6) Dec. 7: UNICEF Resident Representative Stephen H. Umemoto, accompanied by Dr. Lay Maung of the Thai UNICEF Office, called on Deputy Minister for Health Col. Than Zin. Russian Ambassador P.V. Nazarov on Yangon Mayor U Ko Lay. Singapore Charge d'Affaires Anthony Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for Industry-2 U Than Shwe. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 8: The Russian Ambassador called on Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen. Tin Tun, and on SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt. The Singapore Charge d'Affaires called on Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Ye Kyaw, on Minister for Mines Maj-Gen. Kyaw Min, and on Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant. (WPD 12/9) Dec. 9: The Russian Ambassador called on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe, and on Election Commission Chairman U Ba Htay. (WPD 12/10) Dec. 10: The Singapore Charge d'Affaires called on Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Aung Ye Kyaw, on Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein, and on Minister for Communications, Posts & Telegraphs U Soe Tha. Indian Ambassador G. Parthasarathy called on SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt. German Ambassador Dr. Baron Walther von Marschall called on Minister for Development of Border Areas and National Races Maj-Gen. Maung Thint, and on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. Sri Lankan Ambassador S. Wijesinghe Alawathuwala called on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. (WPD 12/11) Dec. 11: Singapore Charge d'Affaires Anthony Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi, on Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen. Maung Maung, and on Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen. Kyaw Ba. United States Charge d'Affaires Franklin P. Huddle called on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. Russian Ambassador V. Nazarov called on Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin, and on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. UNDP Representative Jahan Raheem called on SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt. Korean Ambassador Hang Kyung Kim, "who has completed tour of duties in Myanmar," called on Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen. Tin Tun. Yugoslav Ambassador Dr. Svetozar Jovicevic called on Minister for Transport Maj-Gen. Thein Win. Indian Ambassador G. Parthasarathy on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe. (WPD 12/12) Dec. 14: Indian Ambassador G. Parthasarathy called on Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen. Tin Tun to discuss border trade and transport, on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt, and on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. Yugoslav Ambassador Dr. Svetozar Jovicevic also called on the Trade Minister. Singapore Charge d'Affaires Anthony Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for Transport Maj-Gen. Thein Win. (WPD 12/ 15) Dec. 15: The Singapore Charge d'Affaires called on Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen. Thaung Myint, and on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. Korean Ambassador Hang Kyung Kim, "who concluded tour of his duty," called on Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin. Russian Ambassador Valery V. Nazarov called on Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen. Kyaw Ba, to recommend Myanmar use of Russian airplanes and riverboats, and said Russian TV crews would like to film documentaries of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bagan, which would help Myanmar tourism; he also called on Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt, and on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. Indian Ambassador G. Parthasarathy called on Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant, and on Minister for Transport Maj-Gen. Thein Win. French Ambassador Alain Briotet called on Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi. (WPD 12/16) Dec. 16: The Indian Ambassador called on Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin to discuss Indian support for "effective use of computers at the Government offices in Myanmar," and other topics; he also called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. Korean Ambassador Hang Kyung Kim called on Election Commission Chairman U Ba Htay. (WPD 12/17) Dec. 17: Italian Ambassador Dr. Giorgio Bosco called on Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen. Kyaw Ba. Yugoslav Ambassador Dr. Svetozar Jovicevic called on Minister for Mines Maj-Gen. Kyaw Min. Russian Ambassador V. Nazarov called on Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen. Thaung Myint, and on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. Singapore Charge d'Affaires Anthony Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. Korean Ambassador Hang Kyung Kim called on Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt. (WPD 12/18) Dec. 18: The Korean Ambassador called on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe The Singapore Charge d'Affaires called on Minister for Construction U Khin Maung Yin. (WPD 12/19) Dec. 21: Korean Ambassador Hang Kyung Kim called on Minister for Agriculture Maj-Gen. Myint Aung. (WPD 12/22) Dec. 22: The Korean Ambassador on SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe. (WPD 12/23) Dec. 28: French Ambassador Alain Briottet called on Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant, and said a French TV crew would visit Myanmar in Feb. 1993 to make cultural TV films. WHO Resident Representative Dr. Klaus Wagner called on Deputy Minister for Health Col. Than Zin. (WPD 12/29) Dec. 29: Singapore Charge d'Affaires Chng Chye Tong called on Minister for the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen. Lun Maung. British Ambassador Hartland Swann calld on Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen. Kyaw Ba to discuss tourism, and was told that "arrangements are being made at Myanmar Embassies abroad to issue visas within 24 hours." (WPD 12/30) New Myanmar Ambassador Dec. 8: Myanmar Ambassador to Russia U Khin Maung Soe left for Moscow. (WPD 12/9) New Ambassador to Myanmar Dec. 28: The Myanmar Government has approved the appointment of Mr. Jung Hwan Kim as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Myanmar. Ambassador Kim was born Sept. 8, 1938, and graduated from the Korea Military Academy. He has been an officer in the Korean army and was Defence Attache in Washington from 1988 to 1990. He retired from the army in 1991 and is now special assistant in the Ministry of Defence, Seoul. He is married with two sons. (WPD 12/29) Colombo Plan Committee Meeting Nov. 30: The 34th Ministerial Meeting of the Colombo Plan Consultative Committee began in Yangon. Among those present were the Afghanistan Minister of Planning, the Malaysia Minister of Justice, the Philippine Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports, the Thailand Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, the Laos Vice-Foreign Minister, the Nepal Vice-Chairman of the Planning Commission, and delegates from 18 countries, observers, and others. Following the inaugural ceremony, Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel was elected Chairman, and Korean Ambassador to Myanmar elected Deputy Chairman. Inaugurating the session, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin [full text published] noted that "though our ability or rather opportunity to entertain you have, for obvious reasons, been very infrequent our association with and involvement in the Plan, nevertheless, have been quite close and intense." Despite progress being made, "we view with grave concern the prevailing practice of intervention in the trade process by introducing barriers that directly or indirectly have a detrimental impact on the less developed countries [including]...such subsidies as are harmful generally to trade, particularly to that of the countries referred to as the South and as are introduced with short term, limited domestic perspective...." He expressed concern at the recent trend to create free trade zones, saying that "we hope these so called free trade zones would not in practice be allowed to evolve or retrograde into an arrangment against free trade." Speaking of foreign aid, he noted that "one form of cooperation with great import would be to help the less developed member countries in acquiring the capability to diversify their products by value addition and generally expanding the manufacturing sector for the purpose of enabling them to field an array of internationally marketable merchandise...as a support for their economic stability and a springboard for further advancement." Speaking in turn, Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel said the meeting "would have to address various issues of significance to the Plan as well as to the members." He called international aid to concentrate on eliminating the "continued presence of pockets of poverty," by inducing accelerated economic development in them. The aim "should be not only be the complete elimination of poverty but to improve the quality of life and bring it up to standards generally acceptable by modern norms." Turning to the debt burden of most developing nations, he said that progress in resolving the problem was "so far... only marginal and the position relating to the net flow of resources to the debtor nations is very much less than satisfactory... when enlarged flow is in dire need." He called for an "enhanced and determined offensive" against drugs. The meeting then adopted the Reports of the Colombo Plan Council for 1990/91 and 1991/92, the Drug Advisory Programme, and the Reports of the Governing Board of the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education for 1990/91 and 1991/92. (WPD 12/1) Dec. 1: Papers were presented on population growth and population activities, and on repayment of debt and flow of resources. It was agreed that the 35th meeting will be held in 1994 in Seoul, Korea. \\ Review of arrival of delegates, beginning Nov. 23. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 2: The Consultative Committee concluded its meeting with a "strong consensus" as to the Colombo Plan's utility and the desirability of its continued existence. Closing the session, Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel noted the "strong will" of the members to revitalize the Plan, and praised the suggestions of the Japanese and Korean delegations. He called for population policies that would enable members to "shy away from undesirable socio-economic problems, and at the same time not be a hindrance to...economic growth." He called for the addressing, by all concerned, of the need to establish a "net flow of development funds" to countries with debt problems. He suggested intensifying activities of the Drug Advisory Programme and the Staff College for Technician Education. A lengthy Joint Communique closed the session [full text published], making the following main points: The meeting was attended by: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. There were observers from: China, France, Germany, and Vietnam. There were UN observers from the FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNDCP, and WHO. The Committee: -- adopted the Reports of the Colombo Plan Council for 1990/91 and 1991/92; -- adopted the Report of the Staff College for Technical Education (CPSC), including its call for further study by the CPSC of the issue of Associate Membership, so that it can be considered by the 35th meeting. -- expressed grave concern at the increasing drug problem, while adopting the Report of the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP), and agreed that more training and equipment is needed to combat drug abuse and trafficking. -- expressed broad support for "The Future of the Colombo Plan," subject to a number of additional suggestions, and agreed on the need for revitalization. -- received specific proposals to this end, viz: The Colombo Plan would be reoriented into a "co-ordination mechanism for promoting South-South co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region." Sub-groups of countries with "common social and cultural backgrounds" might be formed, in which one country would be designated to undertake training for trainees from the others. Training programs would be formulated for transferring "regional appropriate technology," perhaps with the underlying theme of nurturing emerging market-oriented economies, in such areas as development of "small and medium scale enterprises," "labour management," "environmentally friendly agriculture," and "socio-ecologically viable tourism." Missions could be despatched to conduct surveys for the grouping of regional countries and formation of specific training programmes. -- each member will designate a senior "Colombo Plan Liaison Officer" to help identify needs; perhaps the Colombo Plan Council might be reconstituted as a committee of all the Liaison Officers. -- liaison with other organizations in the region, such as ESCAP, ADB, ASEAN, SAARC, and APO should be improved. -- further consideration is needed for financing new programmes; the burden on least-developed countries should not be increased. -- the Colombo Plan Council is authorized to establish an ad hoc working group in Colombo to review Consultative Committee procedures and report to the next session. -- thanks was expressed for a special paper, prepared by Myanmar, on "Population Growth and Population Movement in Developing Member Countries." -- after discussing "Debt Servicing and Flows of Resources," the Committee agreed that while the area was better off than some others, the debt crisis of the 1980s had been contained rather than resolved, and that debt serving burdens impeded economic growth for many members. They agreed that on the importance of the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round, and the need for developed countries to open their markets to agricultural products as a balance to the liberalization of imports by Colombo Plan countries. -- accepted the invitation of the Republic of Korea to host the 35th session. -- acknowledged the special plight of Afghanistan's postwar reconstruction problems. -- deferred consideration of the application for membership by the Republic of Palau. At a Press Conference delegates answered questions, noting that the withdrawal of Britain and Canada "won't spell the end of the Colombo Plan," and the acceptance of the change from "technical cooperation between developing countries," with "South-South cooperation", as suggested by Japan. Malaysia Minister of the Prime Minister's Office and of Justices Syed Hamid Albar called on SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt, and on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. Philippines Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports Armand Fabella, and Nepal Planning Commission Vice-chairman Thakkam Mallik, called on Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein. Philippines Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports Armand Fabella, Malaysia Minister of Justices Syed Hamid Albar, and Laos Vice Foreign Minister Oubanh Srithirath departed after the session. [photos of final session] (WPD 12/3) Myanmar Joins Non-Proliferation Pact Dec. 3: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following Press Release [text]: "The Government of the Union of Myanmar has been actively contributing to the United Nations efforts in the quest for international peace and security, particularly in the field of arms reduction and disarmament with the ultimate objective of general and complete disarmament. As a founding member of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Myanmar has also been constructively engaged in ongoing disarmament negotiations. It firmly believes that non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, cessation of nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament are vital for the prevention of the danger of nuclear war. "On the other hand, it also believes that peaceful uses of nuclear energy and technology should be applicable to every nation for the benefit of all mankind under indiscriminatory and effective international control. "In accordance with the foregoing perception; and with a view to enhancing its firm commitments to the international peace and security, the Government of the Union of Myanmar has decided to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). "The instrument of accession to the said Treaty has been deposited with the United States Department of State in Washington, D on 2 December, 1992 which is one of the three depositories of the Treaty. Thus, Myanmar becomes the 154th state to accede to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons." (WPD 12/3) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Workshops Dec. 1: A Workshop on Improving the Quality of Higher Education was held at the Educational Research Bureau. Present were Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein and Deputy Minister Col. Kyi Maung, UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Jehan Raheem, Adviser Professor Eric Hoyle of Bristol University, Chief Technical Adviser Dr. Antoine Schwartz, and others. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 17: A two-day Workshop on Conservation and Rehabilitation of Mangrove Resources opened under joint sponsorship by the Forest Department, UNDP, and FAO. Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe said the Government had enacted the 1992 Forest Law and empowered his Ministry to "declare any mangrove lands as public forests for conservation purposes." Compared to other forests, few resources have been "invested in managing and developing Myanmar mangroves. Pointing out the present unsustainable exploitation of Myanmar mangroves, he called for every effort to restore the productivity of degraded forests and also to undertake large-scale reforestation programmes.... Only in this way...can the mangroves continue to provide urban and rural dwellers with their fuelwood and charcoal needs and at the same time, enhance the protective functions of coastal ecosystems.... He mentioned the critical state of Myanmar mangrove forests that has resulted from excessive overcutting as well as rampant and indiscriminate removal of wood and non-wood products." Other speakers were UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Roy Sethna and FAO Resident Representative Oscar Lazo. (WPD 12/18) Dec. 29: A Seminar on Population, Labour Force and Development Planning, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Labour and the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), was held at the Inya Lake Hotel. Present were UNFPA Country Director Ms. Sabiha Syed, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative Ms. Flavia Pansieri, and ILO Consultant Dr. S. Nigam. (WPD 12/30_ Foreign Donations Dec. 3: Mr. Seok H. Kim of Kagro Korea Co. Ltd. donated US$1,000 and U Thein Tun of Pepsi-Cola Products Myanmar Ltd. donated K100,000 to the Myanmar 17th South-East Asian Games Committee. (WPD 12/4) Dec. 4: Mr. Low Kim Yong of M/S Golden Glory Co. Ltd. of Singapore donated US$8,000 worth of cameras, refrigerators, etc. for the [Yangon] Mayor's Marathon. Pepsi-Cola Products Myanmar Ltd. donated 200 bottles of Pepsi-Cola. Other cash gifts, totalling over K616,000 were given by other firms. (WPD 12/5) Dec. 16: President Toshio Nakata of Win Setkya Co. Ltd. donated a fire engine to the Meiktila fire services. (WPD 12/17) Dec. 26: Mr. Kengo Mochizuki of Toshiba Corp. and Mr. Low Kim Yong of Golden Glory Pte. Ltd. of Singapore donated a K1.2 million ambulance to the Kantharyar Hospital. (WPD 12/27) Dec. 28: Madame Khyung Hui Kim, wife of the Korean Ambassador, and Chairperson Mrs. Do Kyung Kim of the Korean Women's Association donated K455,380 to the Social Welfare Department for child care, training, and homes for the aged. (WPD 12/29) Myanmar Donations Dec. 24: Myanmar will donate 500 tons of rice for quake victims in Indonesia. (WPD 12/25) FOREIGN VISITORS International Agency Visitors Dec. 1: A three-member delegation from Medicins Du Monde of France, headed by Dr. Pierre Foldes, called on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. They donated a US$50,000 ultrasound unit for the Urosurgical Unit. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 1: John F. Sipkens and Dr. Shozo Tabuchi of Adventist Development and Relief Agency Myanmar, called on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt to discuss the agency's treatment of leprosy patients in Myanmar. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 2: Mr. James Harold Gilmore of the International Commonwealth Agriculture Bureau called on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe. (WPD 12/3) Dec. 3: World Bank economist Mark Sundberg called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel to discuss the Myanmar economic reform programme. Mr. Michael Priestly of UNDP called on Minster for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. (WPD 12/4) Dec. 7: An International Monetary Fund delegation headed by Mr. Simon Quin, Assistant to the Director, Department of Statistics, called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel to discuss "the UNDP assisted project for the collection and compilation of fiscal and monetary statistics." (WPD 12/8) Dec. 8: UNDP Consultant Mr. S. Kapur called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. (WPD 12/9) Dec. 9: UNESCO Task Manager Mr. B. Duvieusart called on Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein to discuss the UNDP sponsored Education Sector Study Project. (WPD 12/10) Dec. 19: Rev. Alden Thoralsen of "Bangkok based drug treatment Christian charity" called on CCDAC Joint Secretary Police Col. Ngwe Soe Tun. (WPD 12/20) Dec. 22: Mr. B. Caldwell, consultant to the UNDP Education Sector Study Project, called on Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein. (WPD 12/23) Business Visitors Dec. 14: Honorary Patron Mr. Park Tae Joon and members of the Pohang Iron and Steel Ltd. (Posco) of Korea called on Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Adm. Maung Maung Khin, and on Minister for Industry-1 Lt-Gen. Sein Aung. (WPD 12/15) Dec. 23: Officials of the Bank of Thailand and the Krung Thai Bank Ltd. called on Minister for Forestry Lt-Gen. Chit Swe. (WPD 12/24) Human Rights Delegation Dec. 7: Prof. Yozo Yokota, Representative of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, arrived, accompanied by Ms. Larisa Gabriel and Ms. Zinetta Lidell of the Centre for Human Rights in Geneva. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 8: Prof. Yokota called on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw. (WPD 12/9) Dec. 9: He called on Chief Justice U Aung Toe, on Deputy Attorney General U Khin Maung Aye, on Red Cross President Dr. Tin Oo, on Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association President Dr. Tin Tin Hmun. He also met with Information Committee leader Brig-Gen. Myo Thant and other information officials, who "replied the questions on persons of the Information Committee, information matters, permission of foreign correspondents to cover in Myanmar, preparations for convening for National Convention and Citizenship Law." (WPD 12/10) Dec. 10: He met with Chairman U Aung Shwe and Secretary U Lwin of the National League for Democracy and Joint Secretary U Sai Nyunt Lwin of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy. (WPD 12/11) Dec. 11: He called on Minister for Development of Border Areas and National Races Maj-Gen. Maung Thint, and visited Prisons Department in Insein and new construction in the new satellite towns. (WPD 12/12) Dec. 13: Village elders of Taungbro Letwe Village in Rakhine State told Prof. Yozo Yokota that there was total religious freedom in Myanmar and they went to Mosque every day. Prof. Yokota also visited Kyeinchaung Village, Maungdaw Twp. [Rakhine], where mosque trustees told him "that the absconders were those who did not earn proper livelihood; most of the absconders had no plots of their own to cultivate; those who did not want to work had crossed over because they believed enticements that they would get relief supplies without having to work; there has been freedom of worship and there are no restrictions; and the State has taken care of their health, education and welfare." He also visited 262 returnees at the Kanyinchaung reception camp, and went to Thandwe [Sandoway] to visit the Dvaravati Market, Hindu Temple, Sunni Mosque, Baptist Church, and the District Immigration and Manpower Department. (WPD 12/14) Dec. 14: Following a meeting with SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Prof. Yozo Yokota departed. (WPD 12/15) Foreign Journalists Dec. 3: Mr. Jonathan Birchall and Mr. Barry Wain of the Asian Wall Street Journal called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. (WPD 12/4) Dec. 4: Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant gave an interview to foreign journalists: Mr. Barry Wain, editor of Asian Wall Street Journal, Mr. William Crawley of BBC World Service, Mr. Junji Ono of the Japanese Yomiyuri Shimbun office in Bangkok. Dec. 14: Mr. Akira Toyama and his wife of Tokyo Shinbum newspaper called on Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt, and said he wanted to write about relics of Buddha in Myanmar. \\ Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant met with foreign journalists in Myanmar: Mr. Hajime Kitamura of TV Asahi, Japan; Mr. Shin Ichi Isobe of NHK, Japan; and Mr. Philip Shenon of the New York Times. (WPD 12/15) Dec. 18: London Guardian correspondent Nicholas Canning Bruce, based in Bangkok, called on Joint-Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Police Col. Ngwe Soe Tun. (WPD 12/19) Dec. 21: Mr. Bernard Rene Genier, correspondent of Swiss TV and Mr. Nicholas Cumming [sic] Bruce of The Guardian Daily in the UK called on Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt. In company of Frau Sabine Christiansen and Mr. Theodore Blitz of ARD TV, Germany, they also called on Minister for Development of Border Areas and National Races Maj-Gen. Maung Thint. (WPD 12/22) Dec. 22: Mr. Bernard Rene Genier of Swiss TV called on Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant and members of the Information Committee. (WPD 12/23) Academic Visitors Dec. 8: Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, Head of the Oriental and African Research Department of London University, and her husband, called on Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Aung Ye Kyaw to discuss cultural and archaeological activities. (WPD 12/9) // Dec. 9: She called on Minister for Education Col. Pe Thein. (WPD 12/11) Chinese Delegations Dec. 7: A delegation from the Chinese State Scientific and Technological Commission led by Mr. Wu Zhi Chun of the office of the Foreign Investment Commission called on Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 9: A writers delegation headed by Mr. Liu Hongyu of Yunnan Province arrived for a two-week visit tpo Bagan-Nyaung-U, Mandalay, Sagain, Pyin-Oo-Lwin [Maymyo], Taunggyi, and Inlay. Other members are Mr. Zhao Huaijin, Mr. Li Junlong, Mr. Yang Zhenkun, Mr. Xiong Wangping, and Secretary Mr. Yang Hongkun. (WPD 12/10) // Dec. 10: The delegation called on Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant. China and Myanmar have had relations since Feb. 12, 802. (WPD 12/11) // Dec. 15: The delegation visited Bagan Nyaung-U on Dec. 12-13. (WPD 12/16) // Dec. 16: The delegation was given a dinner in Mandalay by Central Commander Brig-Gen. Kyaw Than, after visiting Mandalay sites on Dec. 14. (WPD 12/ 17) // Dec. 19: They were given a dinner in Yangon by U Soe Nyunt (Htilar Sitthu), Chairman of the Myanmar Literary and Journalists Organization. Previously, on Dec. 17, they visited Taunggyi. (WPD 12/20) // Dec. 20: They visited pagodas in Bago. (WPD 12/21) // Dec. 21: They met with members of the Literary and Journalists Organization (LJO) at the Karaweik Hall. (WPD 12/22) // Dec. 22: It visited the National Museum and was dined by Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant. (WPD 12/23) // Dec. 23: The delegation left. (WPD 12/24) Dec. 24: A 34-member Shandong Province Beijing Opera Troupe arrived for two weeks, led by Shandong Province Director-General of Culture Mr. Yu Zhamde. It will give four performances in the Yangon National Theatre, and three in Mandalay, before going on a study tour of Yangon, Mandalay, and Bago. (WPD 12/25) // Dec. 25: The troupe gave a special performance attended by Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Aung Ye Kyaw and other officials. (WPD 12/26) // Dec. 29: Members of the troupe called on Minister for Culture Lt-Gen. Aung Ye Kyaw. (WPD 12/30) Thai Border Dispute Dec. 8: A 15-member Thai Regional Border Committee delegation arrived and met with the Myanmar Border Committee. The following Press Release was issued [full text]: "The Thai Regional Border Committee Delegation led by Lieutenant-General Yingyos Chotipimai, Commanding General of the Third Army Area, arrived Yangon on the morning of December 8 to continue discussions of the Seventh Regular Meeting held last month in Chiangmai. Myanmar Regional Border Committee Delegation led by Major-General Maung Aye received them and held discussions in the afternoon. "In the past three years the Regional Border Committee had met eight times, seven regular and one special meeting, and in keeping with the traditional friendship and cooperation, matters relating to border regions were resolved or settled in a spirit of mutual understanding. But during the recent meeting there appeared some misconception of a situation at the border area, where the media took advantage of and played up, causing inconvenience to both sides. From the very beginning the Myanmar side offered to have the situation resolved at two levels parallely, i.e. at the Regional Border Committee level for relocation of security personnel and at the Government level for joint survey of the area to determine which side that particular area belongs to. "The Thai Regional Border Committee leader proposed at the Chiangmai Meeting that pending demarcation of the area, the Myanmar side should relocate the troops from the watershed of the point 491 (Myanmar ref. point 1542). "During the meeting in Yangon today, an agreement was reached on the relocation of troops on point 491 (Myanmar ref. point 1542)." In the evening the Thai delegation left. (WPD 12/9) Buddhist Delegations Dec. 10: A 39-member Korean Buddhist delegation led by Rev. Dean Lee Jae Chang of the Dong Kuk Graduate Sasana College of the Republic of Korea arrived for a five-day visit. The delegation includes 10 monks and 29 lay disciples, and will visit pagodas in Yangon, Bagan/Nyaung-U, and Mandalay. (WPD 12/11) // Dec. 14: Rev. Dean Lee Jae Chang called on Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt. (WPD 12/15) Dec. 13: A 3-member Sri Lankan Buddhist delegation arrived to study Pariyatti literature at the Sate Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho. They are Rev. Wewagedara Gnana Visuddhi Thero, Rev. Kumbukwewe Bud-dhi Visuddhi Thero, and Rev. Wewagedara Seeta Visuddhi Thero. (WPD 12/14) MYANMAR DELEGATIONS Study Delegations Dec. 5: An 8-member delegation headed by Minister for Agriculture Maj-Gen. Myint Aung left for Vietnam to study agricultural services and exports. (WPD 12/6) // Dec. 15: The delegation returned. (WPD 12/16) Dec. 7: A delegation led by Minister for Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen. Lun Maung left to study palm oil production in Singapore and Malaysia for two weeks. (WPD 12/8) // Dec. 18: The delegation returned. (WPD 12/19) Delegations to Meetings & Events Nov. 30: Rector of the Institute of Education U Han Tin, Secretary of the Myanmar National UNESCO Commission, left Nov. 28 for Canberra, Australia, to attend the Nov. 30-Dec. 4 10th Regional Conference of National Commissions for UNESCO in Asia and the Pacific. (WPD 12/1) Dec. 11: A delegation led by Deputy Minister for Education Col. Kyi Maung left for Bangkok to co-ordinate participation of the Asia-Pacific Natural Agriculture Network (APNAN) in Bangkok and the International Nature Farming Research Center (INFRC) of Japan in setting up a research laboratory in Myanmar for the Institute of Agriculture, Agricultural Science and Schools. Other members are Director U Saw Tun of the Higher Education Department (Foreign Study), and the head of office of the Ministry of Education. (WPD 12/12) // Dec. 16: He also met with UNESCO Principal Regional Officer for Asia and Pacific Mr. H. Ahmed and Programme Specialist Dr. Tun Lwin. (WPD 12/17) Delegations Return [Return of Delegations that departed in previous months.] Nov. 30: Minister for Industry-1 Lt-Gen. Sein Aung and his delegation returned from a study tour in Japan and Korea. (WPD 12/ 1) Dec. 1: Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw returned from Laos after representing Myanmar at the funeral of Lao President Kaywone Phoumvihane. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 9: A two-member delegation headed by Lt-Col. Thein Han returned from the 18th Meeting of the Board of Governors of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nov. 30-Dec. 3. (WPD 12/ 19) Dec. 28: Missionary Sayadaw Uttamasara returned from a visit to India, Indonesia, and Singapore "at the invitation of the disciples there." (WPD 12/29) MYANMAR GAZETTE Probationary Appointments The SLORC made the following appointments, on probation: Dec. 2: U Kyaw Tin, Director, to be Director-General, Irrigation Department, Ministry of Agriculture. (WPD 12/3) Dec. 9: Lt-Col. Myint Tun (BC/7975) to be Director-General, Sports and Physical Education Department, Ministry of Health. (WPD 12/10) Dec. 16: Col. Aung Thaung (BC/10307) to be Managing Director, Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading. (WPD 12/17) Dec. 30: U Kyaw Kyaw, General Manager, Myanma Small Loans Division, to be Managing Director, Myanma Economic Bank, Ministry of Planning and Finance. U Ko Ko Lay, General Manager, Myanma Economic Bank, to be Managing Director, Myanma Small Loans Division, Ministry of Planning and Finance. Dr. Sein Tin, Deputy Director-General, to be Director-General, Central Statistical Organization, Ministry of Planning and Finance. Col. Tin Maung Kyi (BC/8365), Ministry of Defence, to be Managing Director, Myanma Farms Enterprise, Ministry of Agriculture. U Khin Maung Myint, Deputy Director General, Department of Civil Aviation, to be Director-General, Department of Transport, Minstry of Transport. Lt-Col. Thura Aung Tun (BC/11192), Ministry of Defence, to be Chairman, Myanmar Board of Examinations, Ministry of Education. U Saw Hlaing, Pro-rector, to be Rector, University of Taunggyi, Ministry of Education. Maj. Maung Maung Naing (BC/8915), Vice-principal, to be Principal, Central Transport and Communication Training School, Ministry of Rail Transportation. Appointments Confirmed The SLORC confirmed the following appointments, after one year of probation: Dec. 16: U Saw Thein as Director-General, Relief and Resettlement Department, Ministry of Social Welfare. U Hla Min as Director-General, Marine Administration Department, Ministry of Transport. U Pe Than as Managing Director, Myanma Port Authority, Ministry of Transport. U Thein Tun as Managing Director, General Merchandise Trading, Ministry of Trade. (WPD 12/17) Transfers The SLORC made the following transfers: Dec. 16: U Myo Min, attached to the Office of the Trade Minister, to be Director-General, Hotels and Tourism Department, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. (WPD 12/17) GOVERNMENT Co-operative Law Dec. 22: SLORC Law No. 9/92, The Co-operative Society Law, regulates cooperatives [full text published]. It provides detailed rules for forming and operating private cooperative societies, and requires their registration. Cooperatives include Primary Co-operative Societies, Co-operative Syndicates, Unions of Co-operative Syndicates, or Central Co-operative Societies. (WPD 12/23) Village Bank Rules Dec. 23: Under Section 38(b) of the Myanma Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Law, the Myanma Agricultural and Rural Development Bank issued Village Bank Regulations on Dec. 21, divided into 14 chapters (chapter headings only listed). (WPD 12/25) Mandalay Development Law Dec. 29: SLORC Law No. 10/92 of Dec. 29, the City of Mandalay Development Law, establishes a City of Mandalay Development Committee with overall responsibility for public works and services, including the establishment of "new towns," within the Mandalay City limits. It will be chaired by the Mayor of Mandalay, with 5-7 members appointed by the Prime Minister, and will report directly to the Prime Minister [full text published]. This is similar to the long-standing Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC). (WPD 12/30) MILITARY Insurgents Surrender Dec. 5: Five terrorists, four from ABSDF and one from KIA, returned to the legal fold, with arms and equipment, on Nov. 26. (WPD 12/6) Dec. 18: 43 terrorists from KNDO, led by Company Commander Bo Letwe, surrendered with their weapons on Nov. 2 at Thanbyuzayat Military Camp [details]. (WPD 12/19) Dec. 29: Between Nov. 3-18, 16 terrorists surrendered, with their weapons [details]. (WPD 12/29) Dec. 30: Between Nov. 19-30, 16 terrorists surrendered, with their weapons [details]. This brings the total for November to 74. (WPD 12/31) ECONOMIC Economic Articles Dec. 7: Bonanza for salt makers, by Kyaw Kyaw. [Myanmar needs 77.5 million viss of salt per year (over 100,000 metric tons) for domestic consumption; when industrial and agricultural needs are included, the total is about 200,000 tons. Myanma Salt Industry produces about 30,000 tons, Co-operative organizations about 30,000 tons, and the balance must be supplied by private manufacturers. In accordance with SLORC Law No. 6/92 of October 18, 1992, the salt production plans calls for an increase of salt production by the State of 500-1,000 acres per year, and by the private sector of 2,500 acres per year. The State will assist private producers with diesel oil for pumps pumping salt water on to salt fields, and will provide grants-in-aid to prepare land for salt fields. It will also supply water pumps, pipes, and salinity measuring instruments (on 5 hp pump will be sold to each producer of 200,000 viss of salt). 300,000 gallons of diesel will be sold in salt-producing towns. These measures by the Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Manufacturing and Trading Enterprise, Ministry of Mines, will "save sale makers from having to go to moneyed-people [,] take loans at exhorbitant rates or repay loans with salt at depressed prices. They are now to be liberated from a life where they were unable to raise their head...."] Dec. 12: Auspicious Tidings, by Thukhi Aung. [Gas and oil found at Yetagun Offshore Test Well No. 1. "One of those very slyly mischievous world radio stations that keeps villifying and maligning Myanmar... has concocted rumour to the effect that a number of foreign oil interests working in a joint venture with the government to prospect oil in off shore areas have since abandoned and withdrawn as no oil was found or as oil found was of inferior quality.... Holy Sayadaws, monks, senior citizens and nationalistic elements...keep reminding us: 'During the time of [SLORC]...Buddhist religion and all other religions are being promoted....we must sooner or later therefore strike oil that we have been waiting for.'"] Dec. 15: MRL is a point for exporters to note, by Kyaw Soe Tun (Agriculture). [MRL (Maximum Residue Limits) of pesticides on agricultural exports.) Dec. 27: A Chin State development mission, by Ma Than Myint (Home Industries). [Account of August/September visit to Chin State, especially the apple industry.] Dec. 29: Move to a village, begin a new life, by Maung Maung Swe. [Visit to Bago villages shows how village bank system makes rural life easy.] Dec. 31: Boosting Cereals Productions, by Doctor Maung Mar. [Statistics and need for increased production of paddy and other grains.] Advertisements Contemporary and Classic Art Works Oils, Watercolours, Gouache Reasonable Prices Yawmingyi Book and Fine Arts Stall 13-14 (Ground Floor) New Building, Bogyoke Aung San Market (WPD 12/1 etc.) ----- FOR X'MAS & NEW YEAR Don't forget to buy Wine, Champagne, Cognacs, Whiskey, etc. Tourist Department Stores 143-149 Sule Pagoda Road, Yangon Phone: 80197 (WPD 12/12, etc.) ----- WELCOME TO MANDALAY TAIN PYU HOTEL [Photograph] (Silver Cloud Hotel) AND RESTAURANT No. 57, Corner of 73rd & 29th Street, Mandalay Tel: 02-27059, 02-25228 (WPD 12/17) ----- INSURANCE COVERAGES IN FREELY CONVERTABLE CURRENCIES Now Myanma Insurance writes following classes of insurance also in freely convertable currencies:- * FIRE INSURANCE * PERSONAL ACCIDENT AND DISEASES INSURANCE * WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION INSURANCE * ENGINEERING INSURANCE * OIL AND GAS INSURANCE * MARINE INSURANCE, AND * AVIATION INSURANCE It means that if the premium is paid in US dollars, the admitted claim (if any) will also be settled in US dollars. For more information please contact:- ENGINEERING, FIRE AND GENERAL INSURANCE DEPARTMENT PHONE NO......82519 84545 ADDRESS.......128/132 PANSODAN STREET, YANGON MARINE AND AVIATION INSURANCE DEPARTMENT PHONE NO......81910 76769 ADDRESS.......625, MARCHANT [sic] STREET, YANGON MYANMA INSURANCE (WPD 12/24) ----- Myanma Heavy Industries Ministry of No. (2) Industry Smartly styled TICO (4-door Saloon Car), (Brand New-LHD) Manufactured by Daewoo Motor Co., Ltd., can be purchased freely from the Myanma Heavy Industries. Outstanding features of the TICO are as follows: (1) Good fuel efficiency: 70 miles per gallon (2) Engine: 800 cc. 41 H.P. 3 Cylinders (3) Two front doors are equipped with safety impact beam Price - US $ 3500 plus K 50000 Enquiry- Myanma Heavy Industries Yangon Ph: (01)62880, (01)62883 Mandalay Ph: (02)22227 (WPD 12/24) Joint Ventures Dec. 6: An agreement was signed between Managing Director and Minister for Planning & Finance Brig-Gen. Abel of the Economic Holdings Ltd. of Myanmar and Managing Director Mr. Rodrigo Hong of Myanmar-Macao International Ltd. (Macao) to establish the Myanmar-Macao Hotel and Travels Ltd. and construct a 6-storey, 84-room, 3-Star hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Street between 31st and 32nd Streets, to be called the Central Hotel. (WPD 12/7) Construction & Other Projects Dec. 5: Speaking in Lashio, SLORC Secretary-2 Maj-Gen. Tin Oo said that Myanmar had spent K29,487.88 million on construction activities nation-wide in the four years between Sept. 1988 and Sept. 1992. (WPD 12/5) Dec. 11: A new K1.8 million, 16-bed, hospital was opened Dec. 7 in Mantong. (WPD 12/11 photo caption) Dec. 13: A new primary school was inaugurated Dec. 1 at Kaungkha Myothit, Special Region 7, Northern Shan State. Piped water was also introduced. (WPD 12/ 14) Dec. 17: The Hotaung bridge across the Nanlwe Stream in Mongyaung Twp. [Shan] was inaugurated Dec. 15. The 253-foot bridge is 33 feet wide and cost K13 million, of which k4.7 was donated by "leaders of the national races of the region." Construction was carried out by the Monglin District construction engineer group of China, beginning Jan. 2, 1992. Present were Myanmar and Chinese officials. The Chinshwehaw (Nampha) Bridge on the China-Myanmar border was inaugurated by Myanmar and Chinese officials on Dec. 14. (WPD 12/18) Dec. 18: The Daik-U Canning Factory Biogas Plant opened. The factory, run by Livestock, Feedstuff and Milk Products Enterprise breeds 6,000 pigs at the factory, which produce up to 1,400 cubic metres of biogas per day. "The factory also produces sausages, bacon and dried pork and sells faeces for agricultural services." In the past the plant "suffered over 22 million kyats loss per year," but the Biogas Plant will "cover the loss." (WPD 12/19) Dec. 23: A new K350,000 primary school building was inaugurated in Yangon. (WPD 12/24) Joint Ventures Dec. 22: JVC No. 3, represented by President U Thein Tun, and Optintorg Co. of Russia, represented by President Victor V. Ivliev, signed an agreement on production of parquet and forest products for joint venture. JVC 3 will provide site, buildings, workers, local currency, and materials; Optintorg will provide equipment, foreign currency, and technology. Equal investments will be made by each side. (WPD 12/ 23) Agriculture Dec. 1: According to Minister for Agriculture Maj-Gen. Myint Aung, Myanma has a population of 42 million and produces 660 million baskets of paddy, which is sufficient for local consumption. Four methods are being applied to increase production; this year paddy is being produced on 12.6 million acres, including 400,000 acres of multiple-cropping. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 3: Editorial: Agricultural Census. ["Enumerators are going door to door to gather information about peasants in 296 townships in 14 States and Divisions. They are collecting the data according to a sample census that involves collecting data from a random sample of peasants, selected statistical principles {sic}. The agricultural census which is to be taken for 49 days beginning 22 February up to 11 April, 1993 ...is expected to be person-oriented--the data will concern the quality of life of the rural community...."] Dec. 6: Speaking in Pathein, Ayeyarwady Division LORC Chairman and South-West Commander Brig-Gen. Tin Hla said that "owing to good weather more paddy will be produced than the targeted 203.5 million baskets in the division.... There are altogether 756 rice mills in Ayeyarwady Division. Myanmar Agricultural Products Trading is scheduled to purchase 34 million baskets of paddy and the Cooperative Department, 22 million baskets. A total of 150 million baskets of paddy is expected to be in free trade in the division." [for a total of 206 million baskets--HCMacD.] (WPD 12/7) Dec. 18: Minister for Agriculture Maj-Gen. Myint Aung said that paddy targets are 700 million baskets for 1992-93 and 800 million baskets for 1993-94. He urged rapid implementation of double-cropping, which must be cultivated by Jan. 15 at latest. (WPD 12/ 19) Imports and Exports Dec. 4: Daewoo Electronics Myanmar Co. Ltd. has exported US$90,000 of electronic components (connecting cables) to Korea; 2 Korean technicians and 86 Myanmar workers are making the components, and about US $100,000 has been invested. US$2 million of components will be manufactured annually. (WPD 12/5) Dec. 21: Speaking to personnel of the Border Trade Chambers of Commerce at the Kawthoung [Tanintharyi] Motel, Minister for Trade Maj-Gen. Tun Kyi said that "every possible effort would be made to ensure that prices of domestic products are not undercut in dealings with foreign merchants in border trade activities." He warned against smuggling goods out of the country, saying that "transactions could be carried out freely and at ease if they pay in due taxes." To promote border trade, the Ministry plans to reduce the number of restricted items. Later, also at the Kawthoung Motel, the Minister met with members of the Chamber of Commerce of Ranong, Thailand. (WPD 12/22) Foreign Exchange Telephones Dec. 7: From Oct. 1-Dec. 4, Myanma Posts and Telecommunications has installed 2,680 telephones in 21 townships under the special arrangements by which subscribers pay in foreign exchange. Applications, including a fee of K500, were maide between Sept. 21-Oct. 31, "prior to paying in the prescribed amount in FE." Last date for paying in foreign exchange is Dec. 31, or applications will be considered invalid. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 16: A contract was signed between Myanma Posts and Telecommunications and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan, represented by Mr. Ichio Fukuta, for "installing more telephones for subscribers with foreign currency." 14,000 more telephones will be installed in the Mayangonn, Yangon East, and Yangon West exchanges. So far, 3,074 phones have been installed. Equipment for controlling 2,000 phones in Thingangyunn and Insein exchanges has been ordered from abroad. (WPD 12/17) Offshore Oil Dec. 8: Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein on Dec. 7 visited the Ye-dagun No. 1 [offshore] Test Well over 100 miles northwest of Myeik [Mergui]. "Drilling began at the Ye-dagun No 1 Test-well on 7 October 1992 and natural gas and oil were struck on 25 October. It has a high degree of potentials for producing natural gas and oil on a commercial scale. Drilling work is being carried out with the Deep Sea Ice drilling ship. The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise of the Ministry of Energy in cooperation with the Premier Co. from Britain, Texaco Co. from US and Nippon Oil Co. from Japan is undertaking the owrk under a production sharing contract." [photo] (WPD 12/9) Dec. 15: Minister for Energy U Khin Maung Thein visited the Western Atlas ship at Htidan port. "The ship is here to conduct a 3 D seismic survey in Mottama [Martaban] Bay for offshore oil exploration under the production sharing contract with Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise and Total Myanmar Oil Co of France for one and half month." (WPD 12/16) Dec. 17: Texaco Myanmar Co. of the United States began drilling Sagawa Off-Shore Test-well No. 1, 47 miles north-west of Myeik [Mergui] on Dec. 16, using the Texaco drilling vessel Deep Sea Ice. (WPD 12/18) Railway Inaugurated Dec. 9: The 18.14 mile Nahtogyi-Myingyan rail road, built at a cost of K60 million and with the voluntary labor of 364,224 people, was inaugurated by Minister for Rail Transportation U Win Sein. Previously the bus fare from Tada-U to Myingyan had been K50; now the rail fare is K9 and another K12 from Myingyan to Mandalay. Since 1988, 56 miles of railway have been constructed, bringing the total to 2,114 miles. (WPD 12/10) Cooperatives Dec. 9: The Alin Thit Trading and Services Co-operative Ltd. was formed, with a capital of K950,000. The 12-member cooperative will buy and sell crops, construction and electrical equipment, textiles, and personal goods. Its address is No. 264/268 Lower Kyimyindine Road, Alon Twp. [Yangon], telephone (temporary) 01-21798. (WPD 12/10) Tourists Dec. 16: The MV Ocean Pearl, from France, will arrive in Yangon for a two-day visit on Dec. 16, with 450 tourists. Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen. Kyaw Ba "attributed the coming visit to the satisfactory services rendered to tourists who visited Myanmar on 26 and 17 November." (WPD 12/17) // Dec. 26: The ship arrived with 460 tourists, who visited tourist sights in Yangon and Bago. (WPD 12/27) // Dec. 27: The 396 tourists [sic] departed after spending over US$18,000 on Myanmar products. (WPD 12/28) Rainfall in Yangon Rainfall, in inches, at Yangon's three weather stations of Yangon Airport (YA), Kaba-Aye (KA), and Central Yangon (CY) was: YA KA CY 1987 97.01 100.98 95.43 1988 99.17 100.00 107.76 1989 96.22 100.59 102.76 1990 ll8.35 109.92 122.84 1991 91.81 83.78 96.65 1992, as of: December 1 81.26 95.98 95.94 December 15 81.26 95.98 95.94 December 30 81.34 96.02 95.98 HEALTH AIDS Dec. 1: World AIDS Day 1992--A Community Committment, by Jehan Raheem {UNDP Resident Representative}. [Worldwide problem; need for community action against it. "A real understanding of AIDS spurs compassion and commitment to action within individuals and society."] Dec. 1: Speaking on AIDS day, Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt said that 4,500 people in Myanmar have been found to be HIV positive, and 28 persons are infected with AIDS. Sex and drug addiction are the main sources of spreading the disease. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 2: World AIDS Day 1991--A Community Commitment, by Dr. Aye Kyu. [AIDS in Southeast Asia; need for education.] Health Articles Dec. 3: Saya, we are proud of you, by Aung Se. [Tribute to Dr. U Aung, campaigner against tobacco.] Dec. 8: Why sanitation, by Pe Than. [Need for, and design of, sanitary latrines and privies.] Dec. 24: Be careful of plague, by Kyaw Thet Khaing (Insitute of Medicine). [Dangers of bubonic plague. Plague bacteria were found at the People's Soap Factory in Hlaing Twp. [Yangon] on Oct. 31, 1992, after there was a "rat fall" (sudden dying off of rats). Disease, epidemology, and symptoms described.] Dec. 25: Students/Youths and Betel/Tobacco hazards, by Ne Wun Ni Ni (Myanaung). [Warning for young people; health hazards both of betelnut chewing and tobacco smoking.] Dec. 28: A Noble Donation, by Aung Hla Soe (Health Education). [Value of blood banks and blood donation.] Food and Drug Law Dec. 15: The first meeting of the Myanmar Food and Drug Board of Authority met. Minister for Health Rear-Adm. Than Nyunt said that the National Drug Law enacted Oct. 10, 1992 was intended to "prevent the people from using fake drugs," and said the Health Department would form a food and drug administration department to implement the Law. (WPD 12/16) SPORTS Myanmar Teams & Delegations Dec. 7: International soccer referees Capt. Tin Aung and U Soe Thein flew to Singapore Dec. 6 to referee the Sixth Merlion Cup Soccer from Dec. 8-19. \\ The Myanmar rowing team won second-place in 4-oar and international pairs, third in sculls, and was second team-wise, at the First South-East Asia International Rowing Competition in Singapore on Dec. 6. Participating were Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Indonesia. (WPD 12/8) Dec. 19: A Myanma Paik-kyaw-chin team returned from Khon Kaen, Thailand, where they had participated in the Dec. 12-16 9th Thai King's Paik-Kyaw-Chin Cup contest. They took first place in the Second Division Regu Event. (WPD 12/20) Sports Articles Dec. 3: Sports; sponsorship and incentives, by Ivan King. [More encouragement for sports, public and private, needed.] Dec. 11: Competing in Traditional Regatta, by Soe Win Nyunt. [Account of first three Traditional Regattas, and plans for the Fourth.] Dec. 22: Myanmar in Asian Soccer, by Ivan King. [Need to give new national soccer coach, Werner Fritz Bickel Haupt, "full control, and so enable our squad to begin the climb back."] Dec. 23: 37 Modes of Oarsmanship, by Mya Zin. [Methods of traditional rowing.] Mayor's Marathon Dec. 12: 39,331 people participated in Third [Yangon] Mayor's Marathon and City Circular Road Relay. 28,953 participants finished in the open-, micro-, and mini-marathon events, aged from 5 to 87 years. Prizes and foreign-donated trophies worth from K550 to K45,000 were presented by SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt and other officials [full details]. UN Human Rights Commission representative Prof. Yozo Yokota, visiting Myanmar, said he was Impressed by the enthusiasm of the participants. (WPD 12/13) Traditional Regatta Dec. 27: After weeks of fanfare, and of preliminary heats, the Fourth Myanma Traditional Regatta Festival for the State Law and Order Restoration Council Chairman's Bowl opened in Yangon. Opening the occasion on behalf of the SLORC Chairman, SLORC Secretary-1 Maj-Gen. Khin Nyunt said [full text published] inter alia that the Regatta was "designed to reflect Myanmar courage, tenacity, might and Myanmar national pride, and to revive Myanmar cultural traditions." He reviewed the history of Myanmar traditional boat races, and called attention to the continuing threat "when certain big countries, desiring to dominate Myanmar, are using national traitors to disrupt national unity by every means at their disposal at every opportunity they get." He called for national unity, saying that "if national races...continue to be discordant and disunited in the manner of the 'bow heaving up when the stern is steadied and the stern heaving up when the bow is steadied', they will get their 'oars broken while rowing' and dangerous situations will definitely recur that could lead to disintegration of the Union and the loss of sovereign power." Festivities described in detail. [many photos] (WPD 12/28) Dec. 28: SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe attended the Regatta. [photos] (WPD 12/29) Dec. 29: The semi-finals were held, amid continuing great publicity. [photos] (WPD 12/30) Dec. 30: SLORC Chairman General Than Shwe presented the prizes as the Regatta concluded. [photos] (WPD 12/31) CULTURAL Literary and Cultural Articles Dec. 5: A Living Tradition, by Mya Zin. [About the Traditional Folk Arts Exhibition.] Dec. 6: Myanmar Navy of the old days defending the nation, by Aung Khin Soe. [Role of the Navy in pre-colonial times.] Dec. 6,13: Impressions by Min Kyaw Min. [Cont. (1) "'Garuna', the quality of compassion." (2) "Humility."] Dec. 6,20,27: Poems (in English and Burmese). [(1) "Myanmar boat from the Myanmar land" by Thiha Aung. (3) "Revering {sic} love's cool shade, by Min Ye Kyaw." (4) "The Ghost" by Kyi Aye.] Dec. 6: Praying for peace & security, by Hein. [1964 short story prizewinner Khin Swe U] Dec. 6: Portraying the splendours of love, by Director Myint Maung. [Making movie scripts from short stories; in contrast to novels, short stories must be expanded.] Dec. 6,13,20,27: Research paper on Translated Literature, by Taezar Hline and others. [Cont. Papers presented during a June-July 1992 cultural visit to China.] Dec. 13: Boats of all ages in Myanmar, by Minre Nandar. [Old records on boats.] Dec. 13: Maxims, by Theimm Htat. [Collection of folk maxims.] Dec. 13: Kyaw Aung's call to construct, by Maung Hsu Shin. [His Ayay Kyi Byi Thway Cee Gya So {Time to Unite} won the 1970 novels prize.] Dec. 13: Shwe Kyi, by Myint Thein Pe (Meiktila). [Daw Kyi Kyi Htay, first actress to receive the Best Actress Award from the Motion Picture Industry in 1952.] Dec. 20,27: Short Stories. [(3) "The Hyacinth" by Theippan Maung Wa. (4) "Undeclared Love" by KMA.] Dec. 20: Life's reflections as seen in prisons, by Hein. [1964 short story prizewinner Min Thurein and his Bawa Kyemon Htaung Atway Atyon.] Dec. 20: Ahmay Kyi, by Myint Thein Pe (Meiktila) [More about film actress Daw Kyi Kyi Htay.] Dec. 26: A Museum requiring public notice, by Aung Paing Soe. [The Thiri Khittara Archaeological Museum in Hmawzar village, Pyi Twp., Bago, and its artifacts from the Thiri Khittara Pyu era.] Dec. 27: Life on the road, by Maung Hsu Shin. [1969 novel prizewinner Maung Thar Ya and his Mut-tut-yut Lo Lann Hmar Ngo.] Dec. 27: "Japan Yinthway" a film that promotes Myanmar-Japan friendship, by Nay Wun Tin. [92-year old film pioneer U Nyi Pu, who made the first Myanmar talkie film in 1936, and his 77-year old Japanese wife Daw Takako Suzuki {Daw Sann Yin}, and a Japanese documentary film just made about them.] Folk Art Exhibition The Myanma Traditional Folk Art Exhibition at the Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road continued, with daily reports on attendance [Nov. 30--3,200]. Dec. 9: Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant inspected the Exhibition on its 100th and final day. (WPD 12/ 10) Religious Affairs [Throughout the month, there were continued frequent articles on Buddhist subjects, including the consecration of Buddha images destined for border areas, religious construction and repair projects, etc.] Dec. 8: The annual feast to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception was celebrated at St. Mary's Cathedral by Rector of the Cathedral Rev. Father Edwin David. (WPD 12/9) Dec. 21: Over 800 people from 155 households were converted to Buddhism in four villages in Phruhso Twp., Kayah State, on Dec. 19. Director-General Col. San Lwin of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana presented them with religious items and 465 viss of salt valued at K32,000. \\ Monastic schools are to be opened in six Yangon townships, namely Pazundaung, Botataung, Mingala Taungnyunt, Tarmway, Dawbon, and Tharkayta. (WPD 12/22) Dec. 24: Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen. Myo Nyunt greeted Christians of the Myanmar Christian Council, saying that of people practised what Jesus Christ preached the "world would turn into a peaceful and pleasant place." Also speaking were Council General Secretary Rev. Saya U Win Tin, Chairman Rev. Saya U M Zau Yaw, Catholic Priest Rev. Father Bruno Sein Win, and Methodist Archbishop of Lower Myanmar Rev. U Mya Thaung. (WPD 12/25) 10th Standard Exams Dec. 1: The Minister for Education has announced that the Basic Education High School (10th Standard) Examination will be held in March 1993. He said that the last exam "was held with questions based on 10th Standard and 9th Standard syllabi," but that "the students are found to have encountered difficulties." Hence, the March exam will be based on the 10th Standard syllabus alone, "to enable the students to sit for the examination with peace of mind." (WPD 12/2) Theatres for Rent Dec. 7: The Department of Fine Arts is renting the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung St. and the Padommar Theatre in Sangyoung Twp. [Yangon] "for departments and private organizations to be used for exhibitions, talks and entertainment programmes" on days when there are no Fine Arts Department performances scheduled. The rent of the National Theatre is K20,000 for the first 4 hours, and K5,000 per hour thereafter. The rent for the Padommar Theatre is K10,000 for one night or one day. Interested parties may contact the Department of Fine Arts or telephone No. 51420. (WPD 12/8) University Convocation Dec. 12: The Institute of Economics (Yangon) held its 25th Convocation. Rector Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt presented degree certificates to 838 graduates and 179 graduates in absentia. (WPD 12/13) Motion Picture Awards Dec. 18: The 1991 Motion Picture Awards were presented by Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Myo Thant. Winners were: Best Actor: Yan Aung for his role in Me-Thida-lo Mein-kha-lay. Best Actress: Moe Moe Myint Aung for her role in Thamee Hnint Amay-myar. Best Music: Gila Lulin Maung Ko Ko for his theme song in Me Thida-lo Mein-kha-lay. Best Photographer: U Pan Aye for the film Dandaryi. Best Supporting Actress: Myint Myint Khain for her role in Thamee Hnint Amay-myar. No awards were made in the other five categories. Each winner received a gold trophy and K20,000. The Myanmar Motion Picture Promotion and Censor Board viewed all 38 films screened in 1991, and then winnowed them down. The Minister "called for the production of films that portray parental love, that lay stress on the obedience and respect that should be paid to parents and teachers, that create love and appreciation for Myanmar traditional culture, and that contribute to strengthening the spirit of patriotism." He defined seven norms by which films are judged: (1) to promote Myanmar Motion Picture standard; (2) to have Myanmar traditional culture flourishing; (3) to strengthen the spirit of patriotism and nationalism; (4) to forge consolidation and unity of national races; (5) to bring about correct ideological outlooks and intellectual development and enhance knowledge; (6) to contribute to moral refinement and integrity; and (7) to contribute to the preservation of the sovereignty of the State, development and peace and tranquillity. (WPD 12/19) MISCELLANEOUS Crime News Dec. 3: Yangon police, beginning Nov. 25, arrested eight burnt paddy-husk sellers from stealing over K100,000 worth of TV sets and other appliances. (WPD 12/4) Dec. 22: 399 illegal In logs, weighing 152 tons and worth K761,560, were seized recently in various places in Sagaing Division. (WPD 12/24) Court News Dec. 19: The Mandalay Division court on Nov. 30 sentenced two persons to 12 years' imprisonment and K50,000 fine when 2.8 kilos of heroin was found in the car they were driving on Apr. 8; the car was also confiscated. (WPD 12/20) Anti-Narcotics Activities Dec. 1: DSI and Customs on Nov. 28 seized 324 gallons of acetic anhydrite from a vehicle at a checkpoint in Kyaing Tong. (WPD 12/3) Dec. 5: The Myitkyina anti-drug squad on Nov. 25 seized 6.5 kilos of opium in Khun Hnit Khine village, Momauk Twp. [Kachin]. The Mandalay anti-drug squad on Nov. 26 seized 22.5 kilos of opium at the Mandalay railway station. (WPD 12/6) Dec. 9: The Yangon anti-drug squad on Dec. 3 seized 1.3 kilos of heroin. (WPD 12/ 10) Dec. 12: The Myitkyina anti-drug squad on Nov. 25 seized 0.2 kilo of heroin in Namti village, Mogaung Twp., and on Dec. 6 seized 0.01 kilo of heroin in Myitkyina, plus K44,000. (WPD 12/13) Dec. 16: Lashio police on Nov. 25 seized 2.4 kilos of raw opium and 0.3 kilos of opium on the Lashio-Mandalay train. The Mandalay anti-drug squad on Dec. 12 seized 13.8 kilos of raw opium and K15,000 on the Kyaukme-Mandalay bus. (WPD 12/17) Dec. 17: Mandalay railway police on Nov. 15 seized 4.9 kilos of raw opium on the Mandalay-Myitkyina train. (WPD 12/18) Dec. 19: During November 1992, 537 persons were arrested in 393 drug cases. Seized were 104.6 kilos of opium (43 cases), 6.7 kilos of heroin (176 cases), 16.2 kilos of marijuana (21 cases), 34.6 litres of Phensedyl (12 cases), 324 gallons of acetic anhydrate (1 case), and 0.1 kilo of opium oil (7 cases). Action was taken in 127 cases of failure to register and 6 other drug cases. (WPD 12/20) Dec. 19: The Tatmadaw on Dec. 5 seized 110 gallons of acetic anhydrate and nine "ownerless" mules and horses near Narpaw village, Kyaing Tong [Kengtung] Twp. [Shan] During the year, the Tatmadaw has seized 796 gallons of acetic anhydrate, 362 gallons of ether, and 109 gallons of chloroform, all used in refining opium into heroin. (WPD 12/20) Dec. 24: The Mandalay anti-drug squad and Customs seized 3.7 kilos of opium Dec. 18 at Mandalay railway station. (WPD 12/25) Dec. 28: The Tatmadaw and the Lashio anti-drug squad seized 76.6 kilos of opium in Namtu [Shan]. (WPD 12/29) Obituaries [English language obituaries only; there are obituaries in Burmese as well.] Nov. 29: U Hla Oung, husband of Naomi, died in San Francisco, aged 90. (WPD 12/1) Nov. 29: Daw Naing Za Ciang (Niang Kok), wife of U Khai Nang, died in Thuk Lai, Chin State, aged 55. [Christian] (WPD 12/2) Dec. 3: Mr. George Win Maung, Glass Technology Expert, UNDP (Aden-Yemen) died in Yangon, aged 57. (WPD 12/5) Dec. 6: Daw Khin May Yi (Taunggyi), wife of Thawda Swe, died in Yangon, aged 60. [Christian] (WPD 12/7) Dec. 16: U Khaing Mye (a) U M Khaing Mye Po Chein, former writer for his father's Thamadi, husband of Daw Hla Thin, died in Yangon, aged 64. [article] (WPD 12/ 20) Dec. 21: Thitkho Saw Thwe Htoo, widower of Naw Mu Ler, died in Mawlamyine, aged 78. [Christian] (WPD 12/22) Dec. 23: Dr. P Krasu, widow of Dr. Saw Robin Krasu, died in Yangon, aged 83. [Baptist] (WPD 12/24) Dec. 23: Sister Magdalene Donavan (Sisters of St. Joseph) died at "Rosita" Mawlamyine, aged 95. [Christian] (WPD 12/24) Engagements Nov. 29: Engagement between Ma Wai Wai Saint (Myanma Airways), daughter of Daw Margaret Po and the late U Aung Saint, and Mg Soe Naing, son of Daw Khin Than and the late U Chit Khaing. (WPD 12/1) Dec. 6: Maung Win Lwin, LL.B., son of Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun and Daw Thein Thein Myint and Mala Bharadwaja, B.Sc(Hons) (Q) MSc. D.P.M.S. (YGN), Medical Technologist, daughter of Mr. V.V. Bharadwaja and Daw Khin Mya Oo. (WPD 12/ 9) New Postage Stamps Dec. 1: Myanma will issue four postage stamps, in denominations of 50 pya, 1 kyat, 3 kyat, and 5 kyat, on Dec. 5, in commemoration of the Dec. 5-11 International Conference on Nutrition in Rome. (WPD 12/2) Dec. 21: Myanma will issue two stamps, in denominations of 50 pya and 3 kyat, beginning Jan. 1, to commemorate the National Convention. [picture] (WPD 12/22) Road Accidents Dec. 3: In November there were only 64 road accidents (8 killed, 73 injured), compared with September when there were 89 accidents (15 killed, 141 injured). (WPD 12/ 4) Stranded Fishermen Return Dec. 4: Thirteen Myanmar seamen, who drifted to India after their trawlers were wrecked in bad weather, arrived back in Yangon by air from Calcutta. (WPD 12/5) Fire Dec. 17: A fire in Hinthada on Dec. 16 destroyed property worth K51 million. (WPD 12/18) New Lottery Tickets Dec. 20: Beginning Jan. 3, State lottery tickets will portray the Mayor's marathon in front of City Hall, with a bluish-green background. [photo] (WPD 12/21) Rare Animals for Zoo Dec. 24: A 13-foot "Shwetu" boa-constrictor, and two leopard cubs, caught by the Tatmadaw in Rakhine, were presented to the Yangon Zoological Gardens on Dec. 23 [pictures]. (WPD 12/25) ----- SUBSCRIPTIONS & RENEWALS ATT: Burma Press Summary The Center for East Asian & Pacific Studies University of Illinois 910 South Fifth Street, RM 230 Champaign, IL 61820 Annual Subscriptions: US$50.00 Add Postal surcharge for Canada - US$ 2.00 Foreign (surface) - US$ 2.00 Europe (air) - US$ 20.00 Asia (air) - US $ 25.00 [additional charge for US$ check on foreign bank - $5.00] NOTE: Checks shouldd be payable to: University of Illinois, with "Burma Press Summary" annotated on check. EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE Editorial correspondence, requests for full copies of articles, and requests for back issues before January 1991 should be sent to: Hugh C. MacDougall 32 Elm Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 Burma Press Summary No. 70, Dec. 1992