( 1 ) State Peace and
Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Bangladesh
Yangon, 26 March - On the
occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of the People’s Republic of
Bangladesh which falls on 26 March 2001, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman
of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has
sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Shahabuddin Ahmed, President of the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh and to Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister
of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Minister
for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to Bangladesh
Yangon, 26 March — On the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of
the People’s Republic of Bangladesh which falls on 26 March 2001, His Excellency U
Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of
felicitations to His Excellency Mr Abdus Samad Azad, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
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( 2 ) Secretary-1 inspects carving of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image
Yangon, 25 March—Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this morning arrived at Mindhamma
Hill in Insein Township where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept.
The Secretary-1 was welcomed there by Secretary of Committee for
All-round Construction of the Image Captain Khin Maung Oo (Navy), officials, experts and
members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees.The Secretary-1 paid homage to the Image, and gave
instructions on progress of carving the Image.He inspected construction of Gandhakuti
Kyaungdawgyi, northern and southern stairways and retaining walls.He also inspected
Buddhist images at Myanmar Artistic Work Hall. The Secretary-1 gave instructions to the
officials and left the Hill at 6.45 pm.
Government spends huge sums of
money on implementation of dam, sluice gate, river-water pumping projects
Over K 380m worth Shankaing Sluice Gate, 26th facility in Bago Division,
inaugurated
 
Yangon, 25 March — Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by the
ministers, the Chief of Staff (Air), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace
and Development Council Office and heads of department, left here for Waw Township, Bago
Division, by helicopter at 8 am today to attend the inauguration ceremony of Shankaing
Sluice Gate there.
They were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council
Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command
Maj-Gen Tin Aye, the director-general of Irrigation Department and officials.
Also present at the ceremony were departmental officials of Bago
Division, authorities of Bago District and Township, departmental officials, the director
of Construction-6 of Irrigation Department and employees who built Shankaing Sluice Gate,
members of Waw Township Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child
Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, students, band and pom pom
dances and local people from 10 village-tracts of Waw Township exceeding 10,000.
The Secretary-1 said that the State Peace and Development Council is
implementing economic policies to accelerate the development of the State and to
strengthen the national economic life; in this regard, the agriculture sector serves as a
main pillar.
 
Not only is agriculture important to the sufficiency of food for the
national people, but it is also a main economic pillar of the State.
In addition, it is a means of making a livelihood for farmers who
constitute the majority of the population of the State, and it is also a sector which
plays a main role in improving the economic and social life of the national people.
The Secretary-1 quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying
that the government has adopted the attitude that in striving for the development of the
State, it is required to improve the life of farmers. Although it has been for long that
Independence was regained, the condition of life of farmers did not improve. Therefore,
since assumption of the duties of State, the government has placed emphasis on development
of the agriculture sector and improvement of the standard of living of farmers.
In accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe,
the government has carried out reforms in the agriculture sector to be able to use modern
agricultural methods instead of using conventional methods and solely relying on natural
conditions. There are five main tasks to be carried out for the development of the
agriculture sector: the tapping of cultivable land resources, availability of sufficient
water for the agricultural purpose, use of agricultural machinery, technological reforms,
and production and use of quality strains. In Myanmar, there are 44.53 million acres of
arable land. The total acres of land used for cultivation are only about 25 million, and
there are many acres of land which can be reclaimed. As the government is making all-out
efforts for the reclamation of land, there is now an increase in the acres of cultivable
land. In Myanmar, there were 14.23 million acres of paddy field and 818 million baskets of
paddy were produced in 1998-99; 15.53 million acres of paddy field, 969 million baskets of
paddy in 1999-2000. It is estimated that there will be 15.79 million acres of paddy field
and 994 million baskets of paddy can be produced in 2000-2001. Arrangements are being made
to cultivate paddy on 16.49 million acres of land and to ensure production of 1,104
million acres of paddy in 2001-2002.
As Myanmar is endowed with natural resources, ways and
means are to be sought to utilize invaluable natural resources. With regard to promoting
the value of natural resources in the interests of the nation, Head of State Senior
General Than Shwe has given guidance frequently, and in accord with the guidance of the
Head of State, the government has placed emphasis on the promoting of the value of natural
resources for the national interests or for the interests of the entire national people.
Now at places where agricultural work could not be done due to shortage of water, dams,
reservoirs and river-water pumping projects are being implemented. At wetlands and
low-lying areas where agricultural work could not be done due to flood, embankments and
sluice gates are being built. The government had to spend large sums of money on taming
the nature.
 
Although a large portion of budget was spent, embankment, sluice gate
and river-water pumping projects are being implemented one after another because emphasis
is placed on the improvement of the economic and social life of farmers and conditions of
rural areas. The purpose of building Shankaing Sluice Gate is to control the flow of water
at wetlands to ensure that there is water sufficient for agricultural work. It is also
covered by the project for reclamation of fallow, virgin and vacant lands in Bago
Division. It is also one of five sluice gates to be built for the reclamation of land in
the southern part of Pagaingta, Bago District. The fields on both sides of Bago-Sittaung
Canal in the southern part of Pagaingta, Bago Division, were inundated as canals linked
with Sittaung River and Bago River silted up and the flow of water was not good during the
rainy season. Furthermore, when Sittaung River was at high tide, sea water flowed into the
fields, where cultivation work could not be carried out. Therefore, Shankaing Sluice Gate
is built to prevent fields from sea water. Shankaing Sluice Gate is the 26th of its kind
built and opened in Bago Division. It was built at a cost of K 380 million and can
irrigate about 25,000 acres of field. In ancient times, only dams and reservoirs which
could be of great benefits to the entire nation and which were big enough to make economic
progress were built. In the time of the Tatmadaw government, dams and reservoirs have been
built with the sole aim of improving the economic conditions and living standard of local
people whether they are economically profitable or not. Emphasis has been placed on the
interests of local people and farmers and improvement of their social life.
All over the nation, there are 119 dams, embankments and sluice gates
including Shankaing Sluice Gate opened today, and they can irrigate a total of 1,664,756
acres of fields. The government is working for the improvement of social life of farmers
living in rural areas and development of their regions. Therefore, in response to the
goodwill of the government, the national people need to carry out agricultural work with
might and main and to strive for the progress of the economic sector of the State.
Local people and farmers, using fields in the most beneficial way which
have become cultivable due to emergence of Shankaing Sluice Gate, applying modern farming
methods and growing high-yield and quality strains, are to work for the local sufficiency
of rice and regional development.
In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to maintain the sluice gate
opened today and to strive for the improvement of economic and social life of the people
with diligence, innovative measures and nationalistic spirit. Member of the State Peace
and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander
Maj-Gen Tin Aye said in an effort to raise the standard of living of the people and the
nation we had to make natural resource valuable. In Bago Division there were ten dams in
the time of ancient Myanmar kings to 1961-62 and they benefited 14,384 acres of cultivable
lands. Another six dams were built from 1962-63 to 1988-89, and benefited acres increased
up to 107,489, he said. Under the State Peace and Development Council Tat-madaw Government
altogether 25 dams were built from 1988-89 to 2000 and benefited acres were 260,770.
There are ten projects under construction including Shankaing Sluice
Gate and another seven dam projects, he added. He said five sluice gates include in
reclamation of fallow, virgin and vacant lands and wetland project and Shankaing Sluice
Gate is one of them. The commander spoke on usefulness of the sluice gate. He said the
government is making concerted efforts for all-round development based on the power of
national races which is the genuine force of the nation in accord with the Teaching of
Buddha. He spoke of the need for local people and authorities concerned in Bago Division
toÊmaintain the gate that was built spending a large sum of money for durability. He
expressed thanks to Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General
Than Shwe for the emergence of the sluice gate.
Next, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said
cultivable land resources, water resources, climate and capability are basic forces for
economic progress of the country. As is known to all, he said, crop production in
agriculture sector became successful and interest of the people improved due to the united
efforts of the people and the government. As the economic progress based on agriculture is
made other related economic sectors will develop harmoniously, he said. With the
far-sightedness of the Head of State, dam projects and availability of water projects and
flood preventive measures for farmlands are being implemented with might and main for the
present and future interest, he added.
He said the government has built major, medium and small dams in upper
and central Myanmar and arid zone and it is also implementing the plans for reclamation of
fallow, virgin and vacant lands and wetlands in lower Myanmar. He said 119 dam projects
including Shankaing Sluice Gate have been implemented for 1.5 million acres of farmlands
under the Tatmadaw government. The minister spoke at length on 253 water pumping projects,
increase of irrigated acres from colonial period to present period, cultivation of 18
million acres of summer and monsoon paddy for production of over 1,000 million baskets of
paddy, cultivation of 8 million acres of beans and pulses, cultivation of one million
acres of cotton and cultivation of 600,000 acres of sugarcane for sugar mills. In order to
realize these objectives, he said, the government is now implementing 28 dam projects and
15 sluice gate projects in Bago Division.
He expressed thanks to the Head of State, authorities at different
levels and personnel of Irrigation Department for their guidance, assistance and
endeavours. The minister said the sluice gate was built at a cost of over K 380 million
and urged local people to maintain the gate for development of agriculture and promotion
of their socio-economic life. Secretary of Waw Township USDA U Cho Oo spoke words of
thanks for opening of the sluice gate. Then, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation
Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented bonus for workers who participated in the construction of the
sluice gate to Director U Khin Maung Yu and Director (Mechanical) U Paw Htin of
Construction-6 of Irrigation Department.
The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone plaque of the sluice gate.
And Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin opened the sluice gate. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and
party inspected the sluice gate and cordially met members of organizations and local
people. The Secretary-1 and party posed for documentary photo at the sluice gate.
Shankaing Sluice Gate is located on Abya-Shankaing Drainage Creek at the junction of
Abya-Shankaing Drainage Creek and Sittaung River near Shankaing Village, Waw Township. The
sluice gate has 27 6-ft by 8-ft valves and it was built of concrete. The gate has a
2,500-ft-long main water intake canal and a 2,000-ft-long main feeder canal. The gate can
irrigate 25,000 acres of land.
The gate was built at a cost of over K 380 million. After the
ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party heard reports on low-lying area in southern Pagaingta
of Bago District, matters related to sluice gate projects in Bago District built, being
built and to be built by Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and implementation of the projects by
Director-General U Kyaw San Win in the briefing hall. The Commander also reported on
geographical conditions in Waw and Thanatpin regions and progress of cultivation work.
The Secretary-1 gave instructions on tasks to be undertaken step by
step in accord with arrangements of the State and agriculture tasks to be carried out in
reclaimed lands in line with the system laid down by the State.
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( 3 ) Secretary-1 inspects Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary in Bago Division
Yangon, 25 March — Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt went to Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary in
Bago Township by helicopter at 10.30 am today after attending the opening of Shankaing
Sluice-Gate in Waw Township.
The Secretary-1 was accompanied by member of the State Peace and
Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of
Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, ministers, the Chief of Staff (Air), deputy ministers,
officers of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department.
On arrival at the sanctuary, the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by
Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, member of Bago Division Peace and Development Council
Commissioner of Bago Division General Administration Department U Chit Maung and
officials.
In the briefing hall, Minister U Aung Phone reported to the Secretary-1
and party that Moeyungyi-In was a lake which was built in 1878, and it was used for
floating down rafts of timber in Bago-Sittaung Canal in summer.
Moeyungyi-In was designated as a sanctuary on 22 April 1988, and
Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary has been upgraded beginning 1995.
For the first step, a six-furlong-long earth road paved with pebbles
was built. It is also linked with Yangon-Mandalay Highway. A 1,200-foot-long wooden bridge
was built in the lake, and other measures to upgrade the lake were taken as well.
Altogether 92 species of birds frequent Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary. A
survey conducted in Year 2000 shows that about 23,000 birds frequented the sanctuary.
To enable people to enjoy rest and recreation at Moeyungyi-In
Sanctuary, lodging houses, mess halls and three towers for bird-watching have been built,
and power boats have also been arranged to enable people to study in the lake.
Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary has been designated as wetland, and measures for
maintenance of the sanctuary have been taken in cooperation with international
organizations.
Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye reported on measures being taken to ensure
proper flow of water in Moeyungyi-In Lake and Bago-Sittaung Canal and other requirements.
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on
conditions of Bago-Sittaung Canal and arrangements to be made for the upgrading of
Moeyungyi-In.
In replying to their reports, the Secretary-1 said that it is required
to grow clusters of trees and plants in order to make Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary lusher and
greener. Necessary measures are to be taken to prevent the lake from silting up.
The government is fulfilling requirements of transport and implementing
water supply projects through various ways and means to improve the standard of living of
farmers.
The farmers, on their part, need to grow high-yield paddy and quality
strains of paddysystematically in accord with the guidance of the State. They also need to
understand the fact that plans under way aim to benefit them in the long run. The majority
of the population of Myanmar live in rural areas. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe
gave guidance that measures are to be taken for the improvement of living standard of
rural people and development of rural areas. Regional authorities are also to work for the
improvement of transport, education and health sectors in rural areas, availability of
drinking water and economic development of rural areas. To ensure development of rural
areas necessitates better transport.
Therefore, it is required to improve the conditions of roads linking
among villages and among villages and towns. In the education sector, arrangements are to
be made to keep school buildings in good condition, to ensure sufficient teaching staff
and school furniture and to use systematic teaching methodology. In the health sector, it
is required to ensure that there are sufficient health employees and medicines, and
arrangements are also to be made for the availability of potable water in rural areas.
Main crops are to be grown to improve the living standard of rural people, and
agricultural and livestock breeding work is to be carried out on a manageable scale.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected Boat Houses, 30 feet long
and 10 feet wide, built by the Forest Department and Shwepyiaye Company Ltd on a
mutually-beneficial basis at Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary.
Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary takes up 40 square miles and is situated in Bago
and Waw Townships, Bago Division. It lies near Pyinpongyi Village by Yangon-Mandalay
Highway 70 miles away from Yangon. Not only local people but also foreigners visit it to
study and watch birds. The Secretary-1 and party inspected Moeyungyi-In Sanctuary and left
by helicopter for Shwedagonlay Phayakyaung in Kyaikpadaing Village in Thanatpin Township
in the afternoon.
 
The Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to members of the Sangha at
Shwedagonlay Phayakyaung Sandaku Maha Ordination Hall and took the Five Precepts from
Chairman of Bago Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita Agga Maha
Saddham-majotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimala. Presiding Nayaka of Zeya Theikdhi Kyaungtaik in
Insein Township Maha Thonthara Sayadaw Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kumara gave a
speech on hoisting of Htidaw of Shwedagonlay Hsandawshin Hsutaungpyi Pagoda.
The Secretary-1 supplicated on hoisting of Htidaw of Shwedagonlay
Hsandawshin Hsutaungpyi Pagoda in accord with the ovada of the Sayadaws. The Secretary-1
and party presented offertories to members of the Sangha. The Secretary-1 presented K
500,000 donated by the State Peace and Development Council for hoisting of Htidaw of
Shwedagonlay Hsandawshin Hsutaungpyi Pagoda to Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye. Next, the
Secretary-1 accepted K 100,000 donated by 24 wellwishers.
Hailing the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Presiding Nayaka of
Shwedagonlay Phaya Kyaungtaik Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Dhammasara presented K
100,000 to the commander and an official nine gems of Nawarat to the Secretary-1. The
Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance to Buddha images in the prayer hall of Shwedagonlay
Hsandawshin Hsutaungpyi Pagoda and visited the pagoda.
The Secretary-1 inspected religious structures. The Secretary-1 and
party paid obeisance to Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw, tiers of Htidaw and bells of
Shwedagonlay Hsandawshin Hsutaungpyi Pagoda, ancient Buddha images and religious objects.
The Secretary-1 and party cordially met local residents of Kyaikpadaing Village and nearby
villages.
The Secretary-1 and party inspected Kyaikpadaing sluice gate, Tawa
sluice gate and Bagan Nyaungbin sluice gate and cultivation of summer paddy in Thanatpin
Township. On his way back to Yangon, the Secretary-1 inspected cultivation of summer paddy
in irrigated areas of Ngamoeyeik Dam. They arrived back here in the afternoon.
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( 4 )
Secretary-3 inspects
preparations for prawn breeding, poultry farming and fish breeding
 
Yangon, 25 March- Secretary-3 of the State
Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, accompanied by member
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for U Soe Tha, Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe,
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and departmental heads
left here by Tatmadaw helicopter this morning and arrived at Shanchaung Village in
Kyauktan Township, Yangon Division, at 8 am.
The Secretary-3 and party were welcomed there by No 2 Military Region
Commander Lt-Col Tin Oo Lwin, Secretary of Yangon South District Peace and Development
Council Maj Myo Thant, Chairman of Kyauktan Township Peace and Development Council U Lu
Maw and departmental officials.
 In the briefing hall in Mayan Zweba
Extended Prawn Breeding and Production Zone, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win
Myint met chairmen and members of Village Peace and Development Councils, members of Union
Solidarity and Development Association and local farmers and gave instructions on
breeding, on manageable scale and cultivation tasks, organizational task on livestock
breeding in every house to be implemented by officials, cultivation of summer and monsoon
paddy and the Secretary-3 urged them to strive for placing emphasis on cultivation of
beans and pulses in areas where paddy cultivation is impossible, and the Secretary-3
cordially met officials and local people.
The Commander also gave instructions on agricultural matters.
In the briefing hall, the Secretary-3 and party heard reports on
construction of Mayan Zweba Embankment, completion of work and use of heavy machinery
presented by Assistant Director U Ye Myint Soe of Yangon South District Irrigation
Department.
The Commander gave a supplementary report on arrangements for future
tasks.Deputy Director U Khin Maung Win of Fisheries Department U Khin Maung Win reported
on arrangements for organizing Mayan Zweba Extended Prawn Breeding and Production Zone.
Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein gave a supplementary
report on arrangements for tasks.
Lt-Col Kyaw Thein of Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd reported on
preparations for prawn breeding at the Zone and tasks to be carried out.
Chairman of Kyauktan Township Peace and Development Council U Lu Maw
reported on development tasks for the township, future tasks and requirements in work.
After hearing reports, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General gave
instructions on timely completion of preparation tasks and tasks to be carried out as
quickly as possible to officials.
The Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party inspected preparations for
prawn breeding at the Zone by UMEHL with the use of heavy machinery and the place where
prawn breeding will be undertaken.
After that, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party arrived at
Kyweku Village in Bawlekyun of Htantabin Township where they were No 1 Military Region
Commander Col Hla Myint, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council
Lt-Col San Matu, officials of UMEHL, the chairman of Htantabin Township Peace and
Development Council and departmental officials.
In the briefing hall of the poultry farm of UMEHL, Lt-Col Khin Maung
Myint of UMEHL reported to the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party on arrangements for
giving priority to poultry farm in the breeding pigs and hens, feedstuff, plans for doing
research on breeding tasks, power and water supply, the lay-out plan for construction of
poultry farms, arrangements for breeding other animals, requirements of staff, vehicles
requirements and breeding tasks.
The Secretary-3 Adjutant-General gave coordinated requirements in work
with officials and inspected the place for poultry farms.
Afterwards, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party headed for
Zibyukyun Village of Hsamalauk Village-tracts in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Ayeyawady
Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe
Mann, military officers, authorities of Maubin District and Nyaungdon Township and
departmental officials welcomed the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party.
In the Wetland Reclamation Project Office of Myanmar Billion Group Co
Ltd in Zibyukyun Village, the Commander reported to the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and
party on reclamation of vacant and virgin lands including wetland and low-lying land in
Ayeyawady Division, allotment of land to private entrepreneurs, agriculture matters and
future tasks.
Manager U I Zaya Linn of Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd reported on
blocks in the wetland on Nyaungdionkyun and Managing Director Daw Mya Thida Swe Tin of SI
Co on paddy cultivation on blocks of the company.
Then, Secretary-3 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint said there are over
240,000 acres of wetland area in Ayeyawady Division; these areas have been legged behind
in agriculture sector in the past generations; paddy production could be equalized ratio
of population at that time though these areas have been left; at present, rice and paddy
are sufficent and it exceed in our county; however, rice will not be enough for the
population increased in future, it is necessary to reclaim and cultivate paddy in
wetlands; it is important to grow paddy in the wetlands, and jute must be planted on the
places where paddy cannot be cultivated; he stressed the need to breed fish in the
wetlands where cannot be turned into cultivable lands at all; and on the any way, it is
necessary to undertake agriculture and livestock breeding tasks in the wetlands on the any
way.
Afterwards, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party inspected Hmawby
Hsan model paddy field and paddy harvesting and threshing of Myanmar Billion Co Ltd with
the use of paddy thresher.
Next, the Secretary-3 Adjutant-General and party left the jetty in
Zibyukyun Village, Nyaungdon Township, for Gayetgyikwin in Maubin Township. They inspected
the place to be reclaimed as fish ponds and gave necessary instructions.
Then, the Secretary- Adjutant-General and party left Zibyukyun Village,
Nyaungdon Township, by helicopter and arrived back here at 3.30 pm.
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( 5 ) Secretary-3
inspects parade columns
 
Yangon, 25 March-Chairman of the Leading
Committee for Observance of the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day for 2001 Secretary-3 of
the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint this evening
inspected parade columns which are going to participate in the 56th Anniversary Armed
Forces Day Parade.
The Secretary-3 arrived at Maintenance Base where Tatmadawmen of
Sinbyushin Column are staying at 3.45 pm today. The Secretary-3 was welcomed by Chairman
of Management Committee for Observance of the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commander
of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chairman of Armed Forces Day Parade Working
Committee Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint, Chairman of Best Company
Selection and Prize Presentation Committee Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo,
Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, directors of the directorates of the
Ministry of Defence, Parade Commander Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min, Reserve Parade Commander Col
Hla Tun, senior military officers and officials.
First, the Secretary-3 inspected the units of Sinbyushin Column which
were practising singing marching songs.
Then, he inspected the mess hall, kitchen and food preparation there
and left necessary instructions.
The Secretary-3 proceeded to Defence Services Orthopaedic Hospital (500
bed) where Tatmadawmen of Maha Bandoola Column are staying, and arrived there at 4 pm. The
Secretary-3 was welcomed by Column Commander Col Htay Aung, senior military officers and
officials.
He inspected hostels, the mess hall and the kitchen of Maha Bandoola
Column. The Secretary-3 gave necessary instructions and left the hospital in the evening.
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( 6 ) Wellwishers donate foodstuff for Tatmadawmen
 
Yangon, 25 March-Wellwishers are donating
foodstuff to Tatmadawmen discharging national defence duties in far-flung forward areas at
the risk of their lives.
For the fifth time, a group led by General Staff Officer (Grade-III)
Captain Hein Htet sent the foodstuff to forward areas by car this morning. Deputy Chief of
Office of Strategic Studies Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw
Win inspected the transport of the foodstuff at Tatmadaw Guest House, No 16, Inya Road,
and gave instructions.
The donations included 600 boxes each containing 180 packets of Mamee
noodle, 600 boxes each containing 180 packets of Yum Yum noodle, 400 boxes each containing
50 cartoons of cigarettes, 100 boxes each containing 96 cans of Fantasy soft drink, 100
boxes each containing 120 cans of VeVe soft drink, 200 boxes each containing 72 cans and
25 boxes each containing 36 plastic bottles of Scorpion soft drink, 1,000 boxes each
containing 24 fish cans, 104 boxes of Super coffeemix, 229 boxes of Super teamix, 184
boxes of Super cereal, 100 boxes of Super One coffeemix, 100 boxes each containing 100
bars of Hmwe soup, 125 boxes each containing 80 bars of Shwewah soup, 25 boxes each
containing 5000 envelopes, four boxes of Reynold ball-point pens, two boxes of Myawady
ball-point pens, five boxes of writing pads, 18 boxes each containing 125 packets of
roasted lablab beans, 12 boxes each containing 45 bottles of Boundbatin, 78 boxes each
containing 300 packets of Oichi, three boxes each containing 5,000 cheroots, seven boxes
of VeVe cookies, five boxes containing 12 dozens of Kyaw Shaukpaung balm, four boxes each
containing 48 bottles of cough syrup, 466 Colgate toothbrushes, 2,000 tubes of Ziwaka
toothpaste, 145 bars of Bandoola fragrant soup, nine boxes each containing 125 packets of
Bandoola soup powder, 20 boxes of Fuji soup cream, 20 boxes each containing 24 bottles of
shrimp sauce, 22 boxes each containing 2,278 tubes of anti-mosquito lotion, 14 boxes of
various kinds of periodicals, 200 tapes of song
"Taung-dan-pya-hnint-kyaw-po-eik" and 50 tapes of song "Alaungphaya Hnint
Bayintnaung Mya" totalling over 62 tons in weight.The convoy left Yangon at 5.15 am.
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( 7 ) Minister for Health meets Professor from Singapore
 Yangon, 25 March-Minister for Health
Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Orthopaedic Specialist Professor Kamal Bose of Singapore and
party at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road at 4.30 pm today.
The professor presented books, documents and slides on orthopaedics which are teaching
aids for undergraduate and post-graduate medical students, to the minister who accepted
the donation and gave certificate of honour to the donor.
Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and
responsible officials.
Workshop on sports psychology held
Yangon, 25 March-The workshop on sports psychology, sponsored by Myanmar Olympic
Committee and Medical Committee for Sports, was held for the last day at the National
Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of MOC
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, member of MOC Chairman of Medical Committee
for Sports Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han and MOC members, officials
of the ministry, medical experts, professors, tentatively selected athletes for XXI SEA
Games, managers and coaches and medicos in-charge of the sports federations. Deputy
Medical Superintendent of Yangon Psychiatric Hospital Dr Zaw Sein Lwin presented the
subject "Listening" and Associate-Professor of Psychology Department of Yangon
University Daw Khin Myo Yee the subject "Characteristic of Consellor", followed
by a general round of discussion. Then, the subjects discussed 18 March and today were
revised.
Summer training courses open
Yangon, 25 March-A ceremony to open Union Solidarity and Development Association
Multiplier Management Course No 8 and summer courses was held at No 6 Basic Education
Middle School, Ward 7, Dagon Myothit (East) Township this morning, with an address by USDA
CEC member Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint. Also present were Secretary of Yangon (East) District
USDA U Tin Hlaing, Secretary of the township USDA U Myint Khaing and executives and
trainees. Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint presented sport equipment for the township USDA to
Secretary U Myint Khaing. A total of 795 trainees are attending Multiplier Management
Course No 8, spoken English course, dancing course and basic culture course.
USDA CEC member attends opening of Multiplier Course
Yangon, 25 March-Members of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and
Development Association U Saw Tun and Col Maung Pa attended the opening ceremony of
Multiplier Management Course No 14 for USDA Executives organized by Thakayta Township
USDA, Yangon East District, and the ceremony to submit membership applications held at the
hall of the township this morning. CEC member U Saw Tun delivered an opening speech. Then,
Organizer U San Shwe of No 3 Yanpyay Ward handed over 8030 applications of the people from
14 wards in the township to Secretary U Aung Win of the Township USDA. Afterwards, on
behalf of Yangon Division USDA, Executive U Soe Shein of Yangon East District presented K
80,000, Industrialists and Merchants Association K 110,000, the Vice-President of UNFCCI
office furniture worth K 33,000, Myint Myat Paddy Cultivation Group K 10,000, Engineering
(Roads & Bridges) Department of Yangon City Development Committee K 10,000, and others
to Secretary U Aung Win who accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to
the donors.
Yangon City bustling with activities
Yangon, 25 March- Pagodas and Stupas were bustling with members of the Sangha and
devotees, amusement parks and recreation centres with holiday-makers and cinemas with
movie-goers in Yangon City today, on Sunday. Devotees paid obeisance to Shwedagon Pagoda,
offered flowers, water, lights and donations to the pagoda. Novitiation ceremonies were
held in Yangon, the capital. Maha Wizaya, Sule, Bo-tahtaung, Koedatgyi, Chauk-htatkyi,
Ngadatgyi, Kyaik-kasan, Kyaikkhauk, Kyaik-hmawwun pagodas were crowded with pilgrims far
and near of the country. Similiarly, Thakayta Amusement Park and Myakyuntha Park were
bustling with holiday-makers.
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) Minister inspects Tin Refinery
Yangon, 25 March-Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint yesterday inspected successful
cultivation of seasonal plants and vegetable patches in the compound of Tin Refinery in
Thanlyin Township. The minister and party inspected Tin Refinery Plant and the minister
gave instructions on stockpile of raw materials, process of mineral production, seeking
ways and means for production of value-added alloy based on tin and cultivation of
vegetables. The minister went to Salt Mill of Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise
where he was welcomed by Managing Director U Saw Win and officials. The minister gave
instructions on production of iodized salt and rehyderated salt, earning foreign exchange
and beautifying the environs of the mill.
Repaved road put back into service in Myitkyina
Yangon, 25 March- Hailing the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a ceremony to put
back into service Zaygyi Road in Khemathiri Ward in Myitkyina Township was held at the
Mandat on the road on 23 March morning. Present were Chairman of Kachin State Peace and
Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Commander of Myitkyina
Air Force Base Brig-Gen Bo Kyi, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen San Tun, officials and members
of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Kachin State Working Committee for
Women's Affairs, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Bridges and local people. Director of Kachin
State Development Committee U Kan Hla presented a commemorative pennant to the commander.
Then, the commander and the director formally opened the road. The road, 12 feet wide and
5,128 feet long, was constructed at a cost of K 5,486,895 by the State and local people.
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) Drug trafickers punished
Yangon, 25 March-Toungoo District Court handed down a sentence of 20 years'
imprisonment each to a woman and two men on 26 December 2000. A combined team comprising
local intelligence unit and local Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched
the house of U Aung Maung of Ywama Ward, Kanyutkwin, and seized 5.552 kilos of marijuana
at 8.30 pm on 10 October 2000.
Action was taken against Aung Maung, 52, son of U Tapo of Ywama Ward, Kanyutkwin, Win
Khaing, 28, son of U Pauksa of Myintha Village, Wegyi Village-tract, Kyaukkyi Township,
and Ma Khin Pyo (a) Ma Pyo, 35, daughter of U Maung Nyunt of No 35, 1st Street, Mingaladon
Township, under Section 15/19(A)/ 20(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Law. Toungoo District Court heard the case and sentenced Aung Maung and Win Khaing to 20
years' imprisonment each under Section 19(A) and Ma Khin Pyo (a) Ma Pyo to 20 years in
prison under Section 19(B).
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