( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Mauritius

Yangon, 12 March - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Karl Offmann, President of the Republic of Mauritius, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Mauritius which falls on 12 March 2002.

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( 3 )  US once again ignores Myanmar's anti-narcotic efforts

Myanmar cooperating effectively with China, Thailand in checking narcotic problems across borders

Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues Press release

Yangon, 11 March- The following is a Press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar on 11 March 2002 with respect to USŐs ignorance of Myanma anti-drugs efforts mentioned in the Annual Presidential Determinations for Major Illicit Drug Producing and Drug-Transit Countries released by the White House Press Secretary. It is most regrettable that the annual United States' Narcotics Report is not objective.

Myanmar's anti-narcotic drugs efforts have once again been ignored by the United States. Despite Myanmar's relentless efforts to eliminate narcotic drugs, the United States in its " Annual Presidential Determinations for Major Illicit Drug Producing and Drug-Transit Countries " released by the White House Press Secretary on 25 February 2002, has wrongly identified it as a country that has failed demonstrably to make substantial efforts during the previous 12 months to adhere to international counter narcotics agreements.

A statement of explanation with respect to Myanmar appended to the Presidential Determination even misleadingly labelled Myanmar as the world's largest producer of illicit opium and also the primary source of methamphetamines trafficked throughout Southeast Asia. On the other hand, the explanation recognizes that " Myanmar has intensified its counter narcotics efforts in 2001, particularly during the second half of the year " and that Myanmar's cooperation with China and Thailand " demonstrated a new commitment to effective counter narcotics measures". Although these two acknowledgements speak for themselves, Myanmar's counternarcotics efforts have been belittled and subjectively minimized.

It is a well-known fact that Myanmar has been implementing the 15-year narcotic drugs elimination plan with the active participation of the national races residing in the border areas where opium poppy is grown. The success of the plan includes, inter alia, the firm pledge made by Wa national race leaders to totally eradicate drugs from their land by the year 2005 and by Kokang national race leaders to rid their region of the narcotic drugs, and the declaration of Mongla region as an Opium Free Zone since 1997. The Japan International Cooperation Agency is providing assistance to local farmers in the Laukkai area to cultivate buckwheat as an opium-substitute crop.

As the project is achieving success, plans are under way to extend buckwheat cultivation. Myanmar has been cooperating effectively with its neighbours, China and Thailand in checking narcotic problems across  borders. Myanmar signed the ASEAN Plus China Accord Plan in 2000. Myanmar and the PRC signed an agreement in Yangon in January 2001 to cooperate in eradicating the drugs and are now closely cooperating with each other in this regard.

 Myanmar signed an MoU with Thailand in June 2001 to jointly control the narcotics. Myanmar and Thailand have set up model villages in the border region between the two countries as project to wipe out poppy cultivation. Myanmar's cooperation with its neighbours has led to many concrete results. Tang Xiaolin, a drug kingpin wanted in Yunnan Province, was arrested in Myanmar and handed over to the Yunnan authorities in April 2001. Through exchange of information and close cooperation with the Chinese authorities, one Shang Chou Mei, who committed drug offence in China, was arrested in Myanmar in September 2001, and it further led to more investigations of drug traffickers in both countries.

Acting on the information provided by the Office of the Narcotic Control Board of Thailand, 116 kilos of heroin and over 7 million tablets of stimulants were seized on the Adman Sea on 7 January 2001 and further investigations enabled the Myanmar authorities to arrest the perpetrators and to confiscate their properties. Through intelligence sharing with the neighbouring countries, over 32 million tablets of stimulants were seized in areas bordering China and Thailand in 2001. Over 1,621 kilos of opium and 95 kilos of heroin were seized over the same period. The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control of Myanmar and the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States of America have been conducting joint opium surveys for the past several years. The DEA also confirmed that poppy cultivation and opium production is decreasing in Myanmar. According to baseline surveys of poppy cultivation, areas under opium poppy have decreased from 151,201 acres in 1997-98 to 96,811 acres in 2000-2001 while over 10,987 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed in 2001. All these statistics are an eloquent testimony of Myanmar's serious and steadfast efforts to eliminate the scourge of narcotic drugs. However slanderous the campaign against Myanmar may be, our efforts will continue, relying on our own resources. We are confident that goal of total elimination of narcotic drugs will be achieved.

( 4 ) Maj-Gen Tin Aye inspects tax-free markets

Yangon, 11 March -Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence visited the tax-free markets in Yangon and viewed sale of goods this morning and attended to the needs. Maj-Gen Tin Aye arrived at Hanthawady tax-free market at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Streets in Kamayut Township at 7.30 am.

 He was welcomed there by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Commander of No 3 Military Region Col Yan Naing Oo, Joint-Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyi Win, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and officials. Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe and party inspected vegetable shops of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Yangon City Development Committee, the Indine Station, the Yangon North District General Administration Department, Hmawby Township Peace and Development Council, Nyaunghnapin Vegetable Special Cultivation Zone and entrepreneurs, the meat and fish shop of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the meat and fish and eggs shops of YCDC and Yangon Command, the fish shops of Mann Myanmar Fisheries Enterprise, Annawa Fisheries Enterprise, Ngwe Pinle Co Ltd, Pyay Aung Yadana Co Ltd and Kyimyinedine Central Sanpya Fish Market, the fish and meat shops of entrepreneurs, the sale of edible oil by the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, the rice shops of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association, the consumer goods shop of the Ministry of Industry-1.

Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Brig-Gen Myint Swe and party then met with customers and shopkeepers and attended to their requirements. Afterwards, they went to the tax-free market in Yankin Township. They were welcomed there by Commander of No 2 Military Region Command Col Tin Oo Lwin.

They inspected sale of  goods, fish & meat, eggs, rice, edible oil and kitchen crops. After attending to the needs, they visited Tamway tax-free market on Kyaikkasan Road where Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyae and officials. They inspected the shops at the market and fulfilled the requirements. Then Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Maj-Gen Myint Swe and party visited tax-free market on Pantara Road in Dagon Township and gave instructions to the officials.

Education Minister receives Indian scientists

Yangon, 11 March- Minister for Education U Than Aung received scientists Dr PS Rao and Dr V Ramaswamy of National Institute of Oceanography of India at Diamond Jubilee Hall here at 2 pm today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, Counsellor (Culture & Publicity) Mrs Mukta D Tomar of the Indian Embassy and officials of the Ministry of Education.

Minister meets entrepreneurs at Myaungmya Industrial Zone

Yangon, 11 March- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin met with entrepreneurs of Myaungmya Industrial Zone at Naungyoe Hall in Myaungmya, Ayeyawady Division, on 10 March. Present were directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Chairman of Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Aye and members, township  level officials and industrialists. First, the Chairman of Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council reported on production of industrialists.

 Then, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin gave instructions on establishment of industrial zones with a view to ensuring development of region-wise industries in the country and tasks to be carried out for development of technology, availability of raw materials, production of finishing goods and assistance to be provided in mainly manufacturing of agricultural equipment in Myaungmya Industrial Zone. Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Myaungmya Jute Factory of Myanma Jute Industries in Myaungmya. Managing Director U Myint Maung and the factory manager conducted the minister around the factory. Next, The minister inspected production process and gave necessary instructions.

( 5 ) Minister inspects booths of 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day
 

Yangon, 11 March- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by the Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, inspected the preparation for the booths of the Industry-1 at the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day booths of ministries at the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road here this morning.

First, the minister and party inspected the booths of the Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Textile Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical and Domestic Industries, records of industries of the Regional Industrial Coordination and Inspection Department, factories of Kyaukse Industrial Zone, Myanmar General and Maintenance Industries, Myanma Ceramics Industries, Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries and gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister inspected the scale models of the furnace of Thayet Cement factory which produces 200 tons of cement per day, soap factory project (Magway) and Kyaukse slippers factory project. The minister then inspected the booths of the Ministry of Industry-1.

 Minister visits 39th Myanma Gems Emporium

Yangon, 11 March - Patron of the Central Committee for Myanma Gems Emporium Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint this afternoon arrived at the 39th Myanma Gems Emporium being held at the Myanma Gems Museum, where he was welcomed by Chairman of the Central Committee for Myanma Gems Emporium Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Managing Director of Myanma Gems Enterprise Secretary U Khin Oo and central committee members.

 The minister viewed the selling of gems lots through tinder and auction systems in the museum and left there in the evening. Gems merchants bought gems lots competitively through tinder and auction systems from 9 am to 5 pm in the emporium which continued for the fourth day today. The auction fetched US$ 3,091,805 from 38 gems lots. Moreover, today's sales of jewellery, jade fingerines and gems at fixed prices ran into US$ 0.2298. Since its opening on 8 March to 10 March, gems merchants have bought a total of 307 lots of raw jade worth of US$ 5,769,703. Today's gems sales until 5 pm amounted to US$ 8,884,646. The gems sales through auction system will continue.

( 6 )  Coordination meeting on discipline Enforcement Committee for the 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival held

Commander calls for guarding against indecent acts and mode of dress in complete antithesis to Myanmar traditional culture, speech and deeds disparaging Government, provoking riots and breaking down national unity

Yangon, 11 March - The Discipline Enforcement Committee for the 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival held a coordination meeting at the office of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council here this morning. Chairman of the Discipline Enforcement Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe addressed the meeting.

 Also present were Vice- Chairman of the Discipline Enforcement Committee Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee Col Myint Aung, military region commanders, senior military officers of stations in Yangon Division, members of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, departmental officials and chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Councils.

 Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe said that the 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival will be held in accord with four objectives Ń to hold the 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival in accord with Myanma traditions, to enable the people to take part in the 1363 ME Maha Thingyan Festival happily and peacefully, to enable the people to refresh themselves with Thingyan water so that they can discharge the duty of State with full strength in the coming new year, and to preserve the essence of Myanma traditional culture.

 It is required for all to guard against indecent acts and mode of dress which are in complete antithesis to Myanmar traditional culture and the teachings of Buddhism, throwing water in a manner which can cause injuries and do harm to others, and speech and deeds which disparage the Government and tarnish its dignity. It is also necessary to take measures against speech and deeds which provoke riots, disturb community peace and tranquillity and break down national unity.

 He quoted Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as saying that observance of culture at the Maha Thingyan Festival has been lax since one or two years ago, and it was found that there were indecent acts and mode of dress and alien culture which run counter to Myanma traditional culture. Therefore, at the coming Maha Thingyan Festival, action is to be taken against speech, deeds and mode of dress which have an adverse effect on Myanma culture and mode of dress.

Then, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint reported on measures taken for the enforcement of discipline at the Maha Thingyan Festival. Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint gave suggestions on enforcement of discipline and security matters. Afterwards, a general round of discussions followed. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

Mayor inspects Maso Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Resort

 Yangon, 11 March - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay inspected Maso Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Resort at the junction of Dagon Myothit (South) & (East) and No 2 Highway & No 7 Highway this morning and gave necessary instructions.

 On arrival at the resort, the mayor heard reports presented by committee member U Aung Soe, heads of departments concerned and officials on construction of golf course in the project region, growing of Ngamjichin (variety of carp), Ngadan (river cat fish) and Ngagjin (Hamilton's carp) bred in fish ponds No A and B, breeding of fish by blocking of waterways, cultivation of sweet pepper, pepper and beans in the greenhouses, growing of kitchen crops and shady trees, digging of fish ponds Nos C and D and tasks being carried out at the resort.

 Then the mayor gave instructions on sale of fish to the markets in the town as scheduled, continuous breeding of fish, extended cultivation of shady trees for greening in the project region and tasks to be carried for the satisfaction of the visitors to the resort.