N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Saturday, 1 January 2000)

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Kachin State urged to work harder for regional economic development
Entire national people urged to perpetuate peace, solidarity and auspiciousness in new millennium
Universities Dhamma Cakka Sutta recitation ceremony held
New millennium tourism fair opens
Year 2000 welcoming ceremony held in Bagan
Cornerstone laid for Bawamyint yeiktha staff housing estate
Commander attends inauguration ceremonies of four streets in Pathein
Heavy machinery for Paunglaung Multipurpose Dam Project arrives
27 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD
WEATHER

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(1)Kachin State urged to work harder for regional economic development
YANGON, 31 Dec -Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt -Gen Khin Nyunt inspected development of Kachin State on 30 and 31 December. Accompanied by ministers, deputy ministers, officials of State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and other officials, the Secretary-1 left here for Kachin State by Tatmadaw flight yesterday.
On arrival at Myitkyina, the Secretary- I and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, military and civilian officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, peace negotiators, national race leader of Kachin State Special Region 2 U Zaw Mai and party national race leaders of Kachin State Special Region 1, Shan State North Special Region 1, Mongko region and Shan State North Special Region 5 and local people.The Secretary-l then met local authorities and departmental personnel in Myitkyina.
He said he was there to explain the guidance given by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe for progress of agriculture and economy in Kachin State which has favourable soil, water and natural conditions. Due to harmonious efforts, Kachin State where there was no local sufficiency in rice before, can now produce surplus amount of rice. It needs to make more efforts to be able to provide surplus rice for other regions.
In addition to its favourable water, soil and climatic condition the state has many reclaimable fallow and virgin lands; cultivation of crops such as mustard, sunflower and edible oil crops should be extended.
For the progress of the regional economy, it is required for the state to extend cultivation of kitchen crops which are suitable to its climate and soil conditions. Serious attention is to be paid to the guidance given by the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, and efforts should be exerted in laying down plans to put more land under paddy, edible oil crops, kitchen crops and vegetables.
As there was moderate rainfall in the entire nation during this year, the harvest of this year was greater than that of the previous years. Rice was the main export item in the past. The government is making arrangements for export of beans and pulses, which are enjoying good prices abroad, to become another main export crops; and plans are under way to render more assistance to bean farmers.
Completion of over 100 dams in the nation at the present has enabled farmers to cultivate crops year-round without waiting for the rain.
Prospects are high to find oil and natural gas in Kachin State; and officials should make all-out efforts for progress of the regional economy. Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said the state put 328,918 acres under monsoon paddy in 1998-99 and produced nearly 17.69 million baskets during the fiscal year; in 1999-2000, monsoon paddy was cultivated on 365,316 acres and the estimated yield is over 20.8 million baskets. He also explained accomplishments in implementing land reclamation projects and extended cultivation of crops. The Secretary-1 gave suggestions.
In Phakant, the Secretary-1 met departmental personnel. Then, the Secretary-l and party went to Hte-lon-sein Kyauk-sein-hmaw at Lonekhin Village-tract in Phakant Township. They were welcomed there by Chairman of Jingphaw Aung Company U Aung Ko Win and officials.
The Secretary-1 and party observed production of jade and gave instructions there.
The Secretary-l attended the 33rd meeting of Kachin Baptist Organization in Myitkyina at 2.30 pm.
Chairman of Myanmar National Health Committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the opening of Kachin State Traditional Medicine Hospital at Khemathiri Ward, Myitkyina, this morning, and formally unveiled the signboard of the hospital.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party went to the central relations office of KIO.
They were welcomed there by national race leaders of Kachin State Special Region-2 U Zaw Mai and U Lamon Tu Jai and members and cultural troupes.
Then, the Secretary-1 cordially met with national race leader U Zaw Mai and party.The cultural troupes entertained the Secretary- 1 and party with entertainment programmes.
Afterwards, the Secretary- 1and party proceeded to the preprimary school of Social Welfare Department in Myitkeina. After that, the Secretary-l and party went to Putao, Kachin State.
They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Tin Shein, district and township authorities, departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, families and local people.
The Secretary-l and party presented gifts to the children. Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Daw Nang Than Htwe and family of Yangon presented K 500,000 for the Pri-primary school. After that, the Secretary-1 and party went to Putao, Kachin State.
They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Tin Shein, district and township authorities, departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, families coming ceremony at Doaktan Village, Putao, at noon.The Secretary-1 also met with leaders of Lisu, Jingphaw and Khanti Shan nationals, and coordinated regional development works of national races.
Next, the Secretary-1 and national race leaders exchanged gifts. The Secretary-l and party then went to the basic education high school in Putao.
They were welcomed thereby headmistress Daw Khin Win Mar and staff and students.
The Secretary-l attended to the requirements of the school. The Secretary- 1 arrived back here in the evening.
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(2)Entire national people urged to perpetuate peace, solidarity and auspiciousness in new millennium
Secretary-1 attends 33rd general meeting of Kachin Baptist Organization, Year 2000 Thanks giving Ceremony in Myitkyina
YANGON, 31 Dec- The 33rd general meeting of Kachin Baptist Organization and Year 2000 Thanksgiving Ceremony was held in Naungnan Year 2000 Hall in Myitkyina, Kachin State, at 2.30 pm on 30 December, with an address by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Kachin State Peace an-d Development Council Commander Mai-Gen Kyaw Win, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of Kachin State, District and Township Peace and Development Council national race leader U Zaw Mai and members of Special Region 2 of Kachin State, representatives of Kachin State Special Region l, Shan State (North) Special Region 1, Mongkoe region and Shan State (North) Special Region 5, Chairman of the Kachin Baptist Organization Rev U Htaw She Lwan Dong, Secretary Rev U Sabwe Jum, chairmen of religious areas, secretaries and members.
Rev Janaw Jr acted as master of ceremonies.Youths of Kachin Baptist Organization welcomed the Secretary-2 with the blessing of the song.Then, Rev U Htaw She Lwan Dong gave blessings and extended greetings.
Afterwards, the Secretary-l delivered an address on the occasion.
Welcoming the New Year together with Kachin brethren, the Secretary- 1 prayed for the prosperity and suspiciousness of the entire Union.
He had participated in saying prayers together with Kachin brethren in the 32nd general meeting of Kachin Baptist Organization in 1995 and the 33rd this year, hoping prevalence of peace, tranquillity, unity, development and auspiciousness in the entire Union of Myanmar.
In accord with the teaching of the Bible, national consolidation and amity, understanding and sympathy among the national races in all states and divisions of the nation will be further strengthened in the coming new millennium beginning from the auspicious moment of changing into the new millennium.
The nations through out are preparing to observe the start of the new mi1lennium in a significant way. The Union of Myanmar will usher into the new millennium with mingala, as the nation has won back mutual love, understanding, respect, trust and sympathy among the national races in the last decade of the old millennium.
All the national races of the Union should continue to strive in harmony for the perpetuation of peace, stability, development, unity, tranquillity and auspiciousness in the Union.
The Union of Myanmar is home to over 100 national races, living in amity and unity in accord with their respective traditions and culture; leaders of the nation and the nationalities of the successive eras have striven for the perpetuation of this tradition.
For thousands of years all the national races have lived in accord with their respective traditions and culture and religions freely; like the Ayeyawady River that has firmly emerged from the tributaries Maykha and Malikhta, the Myanmar people and the Union of Myanmar have emerged with the unity of all national races such as Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.
All religions teach man to live with sincerity, loving kindness, metta, sympathy and unity, to observe the moral code of conduct of the mankind and to work for the well-being of the human society.
Myanmar nationals have accepted the power of religion in controlling the community to have unity and justice; all the religions are flourishing in the nation as the entire Myanmar nationals can freely practise the faith they have believed in; there are no laws or social conditions restraining the freedom of faith.
Ignoring the flourishing of all religions in Myanmar in unity, the destructionists are spreading fabrication as if there were religious oppressions in Myanmar.
Misusing of the religion, which the mankind to stay away from injustice, hatred, unfaithfulness and to live with sincerity and loving kindness, is trying to tarnish the religion with malious intent.
Obviously destructive elements are trying to drive in a wedge between the national races.
The entire national races of Myanmar have lived in weal or woe in the Union for thousands of years, following their respective traditions and culture and religion.
As national races such as Jingphaw, Maru, Rawon, Lisu and Azee in combination are called Kachin, Myanmar is the compound name of the entire national races such as Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan.
Rev U Sabwe Jum presented the Kachin traditional sword and bag to the Secretary- 1 .
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 presented souvenirs to Chairman Rev U Htaw She Lwan Dong and Secretary Rev U Sabwe Jum of the Kachin Baptist Organization, national race leader U Zaw Mai of Special Region 2 of Kachin State, representatives of Kachin State .Special Region 1, Shan State (North) Special Region 1 and Mongkoe region and Shan State (North) Special Region 5.
Rev Maraw Gwan Ja of Katha Baptist Church gave the blessing.
Then, they sang the religious songs. Next, Rev U La la of Myitkyina Baptist Church gave the blessing. Afterwards, Rev U L Tu Lwan gave the blessing for those who will take part in the Manaw Dance took the positions in the hall. The Secretary-1 and party and guests enjoyed the Manaw Dance. Then, the Secretary- 1 signed in the visitors' book.
The Secretary-l and party posed for documentary photo together with officials of the Kachin Baptist Organization and guests.
In the evening, the Kachin Baptist Organization hosted dinner at Town Hall in Myitkyina in honour of the Secretary- 1and party to mark the 33rd general meeting of Kachin Baptist Organization and Year 2000 thanksgiving ceremony.
First, students of Kachin Dhamma College sang the religious songs.Ven G La Myan of Myitkyina Baptist Church gave the blessing at the dinner.
Then, Chairman of the Kachin Baptist Organization Rev U Htaw She Lwan Dong extended greetings. Secretary Rev U Sabwe Jum presented gifts of Christmas to Secretary- 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and ministers.
Then, the Secretary-l presented K 100,000 for construction of Year 2000 Hall of the Kachin Baptist Organization Afterwards, the dinner was served.
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(3)Universities Dhamma Cakka Sutta recitation ceremony held
YANGON, 31Dec- The Universities Dhamma Cakka Sutta recitation ceremony for 1999-2000 academic year Family Day of the Ministry of Education was held at Universities Dhammayon in Kamayut Township this evening.
Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin, Chairman of Myanmar Education Research Bureau U Myint Han, Rector of Yangon University Dr Soe Yin, Rector of Dagon University Dr Maung Thinn, Pro-Rector of Intentional Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Dr Hla Pe, faculty members of Yangon University, Institute of Economics (Yangon), University of Distance Education, Dagon University, University of Foreign Languages (Yangon), Institute of Education (Yangon), Botahtaung College, Kyimyindine College and Hline College totalling 550 members.
Altogether 25 Wut Associations comprising faculty members and students paid homage to the Buddha image and received the Five Precepts at Universities Dhammayon.Then, faculty members and students recited the Dhamma Cakka Sutta.

(4)New millennium tourism fair opens
YANGON, 31 Dec-The new millennium tourism fair, sponsored by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism was observed at People's Park this afternoon.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin said the world nations are welcoming the New Year Day, in various forms which is the start of the new millennium, as a significant day. At this time, all should assess the good or the bad occurred during the 20th Century, ending all the evil things and continue to work with unity, equality and goodwill for the best of the 21st Century or the Third Millennium.
Families of the hotels and tourism sector are organizing "soon" offering ceremonies, rice offering ceremonies, festivities, tourism fairs, food festivals and handicraft exhibitions not only in Yangon but also in places such Mandalay, Bagan, Taunggyi and Chaungtha in welcoming the new millennium.The departments and private enterprises should work in harmony in the coming new millennium.The ministry then formally opened the fair.
Ministry Maj- Gen Saw Lwin then visited the booths at the faire. The fair, which includes evening musical programmes, continues till 2 January 2000.

(5)Year 2000 welcoming ceremony held in Bagan
YANGON, 31 Dec- The Year 2000 welcoming ceremony in Bagan ancient region was held at the Tharapa Gate
in Bagan, NyaungU District, this morning. Afterwards, traditional dance and ancient Bagan cultural dance were presented at space near Bu Pagoda by Ministry of Hotel and Tourism and the cultural troupe. The ceremony continues up to 4 January 2000.

(6)Cornerstone laid for Bawamyint Yeiktha staff housing estate
YANGON, 31 Dec- A ceremony to lay cornerstone for the construction of Bawamyint Yeiktha staff housing estate jointly-built by Labour Department of Ministry of Labour and SN Group Co Ltd was held in the compound of No 27 building of Bawamyint Yeiktha in Thingangyun Township this morning.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Labour Mai-Gen Tin Ngwe and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein. officials, Managing Director U Hsan Yadana of SN Group Co Ltd and members of Board of Directors.
The ministers, deputy ministers, officials and U Hsan Yadana took at the designated places. Then, Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe placed a gem casket. At 7.47 am, the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials and U Hsan Yadana laid the cornerstones and the plaque.
Afterwards they performed the rituals of gold and silver showers.
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(7)Commander attends inauguration ceremonies of four streets in Pathein
YANGON, 31 Dec-Hailing the 52nd Anniversary Independence Day, U Lu Street,U Shwe Wai Street, Mingyi Street and Maha Zedi Street in Pathein repaired by Pathein Township Development Affairs Committee and Phayagyion Bridge were opened at respective places yesterday morning.
Township Executive Officer of Township Development Affairs Committee U Hla Myo explained facts about the streets.
Director of Development Affairs Department U Ohn Nyunt presented commemorative pennant to Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann.
Then, Chairman of Pathein District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Pyone and Director of Division Development Affairs Department U Ohn Nyunt formally opened the U Lu Street and U Shwe Wai Street.
Secretary of District Peace and Development Council Maj Maung Htay and Deputy Director U Maung Toe opened the Mingyi Street.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Aung and U Hla Myo formally opened the Maha Zedi Street and Phayagyigon Bridge.
The Commander inspected construction of two storey building of Kulawithaythi Nunnery, 52nd Anniversary Independence Day exhibition and Youth Development Parahita Gayha in Zetawun Kyaungtaik and gave necessary instructions.

(8)Heavy machinery for Paunglaung Multipurpose Dam Project arrives
YANGON, 31 Dec-Heavy machinery including 46 excavators and two tippers imported by Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation be used in Paunglaung Multipurpose Dam Project in Pyinmana Township, Mandalay Division, arrived here by mv Mawlamyine at No 5 Sule Wharf this morning. The machinery will be transported to the projected under construction as soon as possible.
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(9) 27 members resign from Shwedaung Township NLD
YANGON, 31 Dec-Twenty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Shwedaung Township, Bago Division. Twenty-seven members of Shewdaung Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Shwedaung Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 24 November 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(10)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Dec 31was 31.5 °C (89°F)
Minimum temperature on Dec 30 was 17.5 °C (64°F)

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