Present at the ceremony were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, members of Work Committee for All-round Construction of the Hill, members of the Fund-Raising Committee, departmental heads and wellwishers.

Eye Specialist Dr Khin Maung Than-Daw Sein Sein Yee and family presented K 10 million; Yangon City Bank Co Ltd K 3 million; gem merchant of JJ & Ton Jewelry Ltd Mr Prasert Likhitlert US$ 2,900; traditional medical practitioners and traditional medicine entrepreneurs K 1,200,690; public donations for Thu-dawsin Sannan K 1 million and Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and wife Daw Myint Myint Aye and family K 100,000 to the Secretary-1, who presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.

Then, member of Board of Directors of Myanma Industrial Development Bank U Hla Myint of Mandalay, the chairman of Myint Family Co Ltd, Vice-chairperson Daw Yee Yee Nyunt and family of Mandalay K 1 million; U Aung Than-Daw Sint Sint and family of Yadanamon 7th Street, Yadanamon Housing Estate in Hline Township K 600,000; Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and wife Daw Kyi Kyi Win and family K 60,000; Mindhamma Hill Pagoda Board of Trustees and U Ohn Lwin-Daw Kyin Htwe and family of Panlon Road, Ward 32, Dagon Myothit (North) Township K 500,000 each; U Than Lwin-Daw Myint Myint Zaw and family (VOA) K 72,000; regiments under Central Command and Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council K 1.2 million; Maj Khin Maung Win (Retd)-Daw Aye Aye Win and family of Aung Mingalar Street, Kyauk-myaung, Tamway, K 500,000; U Aye Min-Daw Kyi and family of Pauk Zedi Street, Mayangon Township, K 450,000; Director-General of Central Equipment Statistics and Inspection Department Lt-Col Tin Maung Tun and staff K 200,100; Sayadaw U Jatila of Wailuwun Kyaungtaik, Sangyoung Township, and lay disciples, U Thein Hlaing-Daw Aye Aye Su and family of Padauk 12th Lane, Ayeyeikmon, Hline Township, U Sai Lon and brothers and sisters of 12th Street, Lanmadaw Township, U Hlaing Soe-Daw Htay Htay Yee and family of Myakantha Street, Hline Township, families of No-1 Military Intelligence Unit, Diamond U Pe Than-Daw Khin Htwe Khaing and family of Boyaza Street, Kyaukkon, Yankin Township, graduated officers of DSA Instake (16), U Tin Win-Daw Sanda Maw and family of Myenu Street, Myenigon, Sangyoung Township, U Han Kyi-Daw Ngwe Thein, lay disciples of member Sayadaw of the State Central Working Committee of the Sasana Dagon Pariyatti Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Guna Nanda, Secretary of Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission U Aye Maung-Daw Khin Mya Mya and family, and Mindhamma Hill Yoeya-natnan K 200,000 each; Sayadaw U Kovida of Wailuwun Kyaung, Myeik Taung Ward, Myeik, U Mya Si-Daw Kyin Aye and family of Myaungmya Street, Sang-young Township, U Soe Nyunt-Daw Khin Thi and family, Daw Kyin Kyin Thein of U Bo Tun Street, Bogon, Insein Township, and Lt-Col Aung Thein-Daw Khin Than Htay and family K 150,000 each; U Myint Kyi Oo-Daw Le Le Win and family, and late Wunna Kyaw Htin U Maung Gyi (Retd)-Daw Kyin Kyin K 120,000 each; Police Col Ko Ko Lay-Daw Aye Aye Nwe (Prof, University of Culture), U Bahadu-Daw Myint Myint Thein and family, U Saw Tha Shwe (currently in Japan), Daw Cho Cho Thin of NHK News Agency and family, U Soe Thein-Daw Aye Aye Thant and family, and U Kyaw Kyaw Win-Daw Thin Thin Le and family K 100,000 each; U Shwe Win-Daw Mya Sein and family K 80,000; U Soe Han-Daw Khin Kyi Nyunt and family K 100,000; Maj Maung Maung Myo Nyunt-Daw Mu Mu Kyaw and family K 80,000; U Tun Tun Kyaw-Daw Kyin Su and family, and U Sein Aung-Daw Saw Win and family K 300,000 each; U Pale Maung-Daw Mu Mu Khin and family K 150,000; U Min Kyi-Daw Myint Myint and family K 100,000; U Zaw Win Hlaing various items of jewellery worth K 300,000; and the people US$ 312, 54 FECs and K 25,076,307 to the commander and the ministers who presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.

Afterwards, U Zaw Win-Daw Win Pa Pa and family presented 465.58 carats of topaz worth US$ 14,000 to the Secretary-1 who presented a certificate of honour to them.

Next, Chairman of Fund-Raising Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa reported on financial statements and Chairman of Work Committee for All-round Construction of the Image Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko on carving of the Image and progress of building Gandhakuti Kyaugdawgyi, southern and northern stairways and retaining walls.

Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Director-General U San Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Director-General Dr Myo Myint of Religious Affairs Department, Pro-Rector (Admin) Dr Hla Pe of International Therevara Buddhist Missionary University and Head of Office U Maung Maung Myint.

Press conference on true facts concerning closure of Friendship Bridge held

Yangon, 14 March-A press conference to explain the true situation concerning the closure of Tachilek-Maesai Friendship Bridge was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here at 9.30 am.

Deputy Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said local and foreign journalists were invited to the meeting to inform the public about Myanmar’s continued closure of the Tachilek-Maesai Friendship Bridge although the Thai side opened it at 11.35 am on 12 March 2001.

After the outbreak of armed conflicts at Tachilek at the border, the Maesai side, without informing Myanmar, unilaterally closed the bridge beginning at 7.05 am on 13 February 2001. All the border trade came to a halt as the No 3 Thai Military Command issued a directive to close indefinitely all the legal and illegal border gates to Thailand along the border at Chiangmai, Chiangrai and Mae Hong Son under its control.

It was found that the Thai authorities and responsible organizations did not inform border authorities-from Myanmar side, the Township Border Committee or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar or the Myanmar Embassy and Military Attaché’s Office in Bangkok about the closure.

As the friendship bridge used by local people and citizens of both countries as the main travel link was one-sidedly closed under the Thai military directive, the Myanmar side also closed all arrivals and departures through the bridge from Tachilek on the same day at 7.50 am. The flow of border trade between the peoples of the two countries came to a stop due to the closure of all the border gates including the friendship bridge.

Concerning the close of the bridge, the Thai military officials gave a reason, saying that they closed the bridge in order to protect their territory from intrusion of Myanmar troops to prohibit exporting of rice, medicines and fuel oil to Myanmar side and to stop entering of goods via Lao and Chinese border along the Mekong River route at the Golden Triangle Region. They did so with the aim of cutting food, medicine and fuel supplies to the Tatmadaw columns and the regional militia of Myanmar.

Not even a single crises occurred in Myanmar except from causing only a slight rise in food and fuel oil prices at the border resulting from the close of border gates. But in Thai side Thai merchants and small traders faced economic losses owning to the halt in the trade of regional produce and wholesale dealers also faced economic losses as their investments in export and import business stopped yielding profits as they had to store the goods. Feeling disappointed to face such economic failures, Thai merchants and small traders in Maesai carried their unsold goods and regional produce by car and dumped them in front of Maesai Police Station on 8 March as a show of protest. According to the news reports from Thailand it was known that the termination of the flow of trade had led to daily losses of bahts in millions in Maesai.

As there were disappointments among the regional people and traders there appeared plans to stage strikes; and the regional people took out their frustration on the media persons, as they (media persons) were exaggerating the information in order to sell their news reports.

According to Chiangrai District Chamber of Commerce it is known that Maesai was suffering much economic losses resulting from the closure made by the Thai side as the annual purchase of goods from Myanmar side at the town reached nearly three billion bahts; that the town was in the No 1 position; and all along the border gates it was the town earning the highest amount of revenues.

Due to the above mentioned situations, Commander of No 3 Thai Military Command Lt-Gen Watanachai on 7 March said that as the situation at the border returned to stability all the border gates including Maesai-Tachilek and Maesot-Myawady gates would be opened on 12 March. But it was known that the directive prohibition of the export of necessary supplies including medicines, food and fuel oil for the Myanmar Tatmadaw was still valid.

Though the announcement on the opening of the bridge was made on Thai domestic TV channels and in Maesai, the Thais never sent any information to or made any consultations with the Myanmar side. Lt-Gen Watanachai arrived at Maesai on 12 March at 7 am and discussed with Thai officials matters relating to the opening of the bridge.

At 7.45 am on that day, a delegation from Thai Immigration Department arrived at Myanmar bank, met with Myanmar officials and explained the following six points concerning the opening of the bridge:

(a) The friendship will be opened on 12 March at 11.45 am;

(b) No vehicle will be allowed to cross the bridge and all arrivals must be on foot;

(c) The bridge will be opened only from 6 am to 6 pm daily;

(d) Arrival or departure at the border gate will be permitted only to Thai and Myanmar citizens. No foreigner will be permitted to make arrival or departure.

(e) All arrivals or departures will be permitted only a day’s stay and overstays will be dealt with legal action: and

(f) Complete papers and documents are required for all arrivals and departures.

Conditions presented by Thai Immigration delegation were not the facts discussed with our side. It was found that these facts were only the ones which they one-sidedly fixed as their heart’s content. Therefore officials from our side just met them and no discussions were made.

At 11.35 am, they reopened the Maesai side of the Friendship Bridge and there were no official contact with our side at that time. Things were done according to the instructions of No 3 Military Command. At 12.30 pm, an official letter from Chairman of Maesai TBC dated on 11 March containing the following points in connection with the opening of the bridge.

(a) To meet members of border committee on both sides in the middle of the Friendship Bridge

(b) To delay the traffic temporarily and but pedestrians can go on foot after opening of the bridge from 6 am to 6 pm.

(c) To delay entry for tourists in order to avoid unnecessary problems

(d) To permit transport of daily foodstuffs on manageable scale except various kinds of fuel, rice, medicines and vehicles and spare parts

(e) To permit bringing back of vehicles left in Thailand and Myanmar sides under the inspection of officials on both sides

After opening the bridge on their side, the letter was sent to us only when we did not open our side. It was found that they made feel the pulse of Myanmar, thinking that Myanmar would open the bridge if they did. Their letter was written like a form in which Myanmar was to follow their one-sided conditions they stated.

Looking back the one-sided conditions of closing the Friendship Bridge by Thai side, reopening of the bridge without official information and discussion and walk on the bridge, the Thai army considered that Myanmar had to follow their acts regarding border issues between the two countries. They treated us like a country under their influence.

Ignoring the equality between the two countries, mutual respect, good traditions to be observed by neighbouring countries, international law and procedures and customs on border issues, they treated us like a satellite country that followed their wish.

Moreover, Chairman of TBC said one-sidedly although Thailand opened the border gate, Myanmar didn’t. Despite opening the gate under the agreement between the two countries, Myanmar didn’t open its gate. So Myanmar did not keep her word and the people from both sides were not satisfied with this. It showed the position that Myanmar did not need to depend on Thailand and Myanmar had no cetena on opening of the gate.

True situation was that Thai officials did not inform the opening of the bridge in advance. Flow of commodity in border halted and there may occur demonstration of Thai people and traders who were suffering losses. Therefore the Friendship Bridge reopened according to their will without giving any information to Myanmar Embassy and Office of Military Attaché in Bangkok and Township Border Committee.

Due to their one-sided acts, Myanmar still closes the bridge on her side. The Friendship Bridge on Myanmar side will be closed as long as regional authorities do not receive any instruction from the superior. Therefore the clarifications on Myanmar’s correct stand and attitude were given.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, heads of departments of OSS, senior military officers, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Director (News) of NPE U Hla Tun, chief editors of the dailies, Chief Editor of Myanmar News Agency (Internal) U Win Tin, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondent Club U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa, Secretary U Nyunt Tin and member correspondents and officials.General Staff Officer (Grade-I) of OSS Lt-Col Tin Oo acted as master of ceremonies.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win replied to queries raised by the journalists.Similarly, the true facts concerning the close of Tachilek-Maesai Friendship Bridge were explained to military attaches of foreign missions in Myanmar at the same venue at 11.30 am.General Staff Officer (Grade-I) of OSS Lt-Col Hla Min explained the matter on closing of the bridge.

The delegation was seen off at the airport by Secretary-General of USDA U Than Aung, CEC members U Khin Maung Thein, U Than Shwe, U Thein Sein, U Thein Nyunt, U Khin Maung and U Aung Thein Lin, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Mr Li Jinjun and embassy staff.

They were welcomed there by Chairman of Myanma Gems Emporium Central Committee Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Secretary of the Central Committee Managing Director of Myanma Gems Enterprise U Khin Oo and members.

The minister inspected the sale of jade lots through tender system, and left the venue in the afternoon.A total of US $ 1,291,491 was realized from the sale of 228 jade lots through tender system today.

Out of 22 bidders, a gem merchant from Hong Kong offered US $ 71,000, the highest price, for uncut jade lot No 180 whose floor price is US $ 9800; out of 33, a gem merchant from Hong Kong offered US $ 22,388, the highest price, for uncut jade lot No 413 the floor price of which is US$ 2,500; and out of 24, a gem merchant from Hong Kong offered US $ 15,444, the highest price, for uncut jade lot No 415 the floor price of which is US $ 1,500.The jade lots were sold at prices much higher than floor prices because only the reasonable floor prices had been fixed and due to the superior quality of jade lots.Sale of jade figurines, gems and jewellery at fixed prices fetched US $ 18,683.The sale of jade lots continues tomorrow. A total of 648 gem merchants  421 foreign merchants and 227 local merchants  have arrived here to attend the emporium.

Yangon, 14 March-Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by departmental officials, inspected soil preparation for cultivation of summer paddy in the paddy field of farmer U Ba Maung at Plot No 450 in Nandar Village-tract, Patheingyi Township on 11 March and gave necessary instructions to officials.

Then, the commander inspected paddy cultivation and fertilizers production and left intructions on water supply, meeting the target and timely completion of the work.

A total of 36,800 acres have been put under summer paddy against the target of 159,000 acres in Mandalay Division.Later, the commander inspected work being carried out at the long staple cotton plantation of farmer U Htay Win at Plot No 571 in Cotton Special Region, Shanywagyi, Tamotsoe Village-tract, Amarapura Township, and gave instructions on meeting the target, systematic use of water and attended to the needs of officials.

Altogether 492 acres of long staple cotton have been cultivated against the target of 500 acres in Amarapura Township.Afterwards, the commander inspected the water supply to summer paddy fields, summer sesame crops at Kinbetlettan Canal and attended to the requirements.

Yangon, 14 March-Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye and departmental officials arrived at the model plot of farmland of farmer U Thaung Lay in Pewun Village Tract in Nyaunglebin Township on 10 March.

Division Manager of Myanma Agriculture Service U Hla Myo reported on cultivation of metpe species, use of fertilizers and pesticides, per acre yield and success.

Local farmers reported on condition of crops, success and requirements. The commander gave instructions on cooperation with departments for increasing per acre yield, use of modern techniques, regional development work and rural health care.

The commander inspected successful cultivation of pedisein, pesinngon, matpe, pepoke, niger and sunflower, fertilizers, sample of pesticides and metpe plantation. He also fulfilled the requirements.

Present at the ceremony were 585 members of the Sangha from 54 monasteries in Lashio Township, Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Tactical Operations Commander Col Soe Win Myint and senior military officers and their wives, local authorities and residents.The commander paid homage and offered Shwethingan to the pagoda.Then, the commander and those present offered provisions to members of the Sangha in lot.

Yangon, 14 March—The Infrastructure Implementation Committee for Development of Dagon Myothit Seikkan Township held its work coordination meeting at Kanaung Hall of the township this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of Infrastructure Implementation Committee for Development of Dagon Myothit Seikkan Township Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay. Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint, officials of the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Transport, Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development, Forest Department, Fire Services Department and Myanma Posts & Telecommunications, Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee Col Myint Aung, the Heads of three Engineering Departments and others. The ministries and departments concerned reported on progress of work carried out according to the resolutions made at the previous meeting.

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( 9 ) Drugs possessor gets 15 years

Yangon, 14 March-Members of the local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-drug Squad, acting a on information searched the house of Gam Sai, 28, of Talon Village, Mawtaung Village-tract in Muse and found 180 grams of heroin at 4.30 pm on 15 July 2000.Action has been taken against him in accord with Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The Muse District Court handed down 15 years’ imprisonment under Section 19 (A) on him on 31 January 2001.

Raw opium seized in Kutkai

Yangon, 14 March-A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanma Police Force, acting on information, searched the house of Yan Yu Pyant, son of U Yan Khaing, of No Sa/70, Ward 6, Kutkai, Shan State (North) on 2 March, and seized 34 packets of raw opium weighing 11.785 kilos concealed in the compound of the house.Action is being taken against him under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the Myanmar Police Station concerned.

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