( 1 ) Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe's message on 2002 Workers Day

(The following is a translation of the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the Workers Day 2002)

Esteemed workers,

On the occasion of the Workers Day which falls on 1 May 2002, I send this message wishing all the blue collar and white collar workers wellbeing in body and mind and being able to strive for the progress of commodity production and services. The first day of May has been designated as the Workers Day in recognition of the important role of workers who are trying their utmost with their physical and intellectual power and perseverance to fulfill the basic needs of the citizens and to develop the nations in the world.

Esteemed workers,

In retrospect, Myanmar national people, who stood tall in the world with their own monarchs, experienced the aggression of the colonialists, and were enslaved for over a hundred years. They will not be able to forget this unfortunate event although time is going on. During these dark periods, the colonialists oppressed Myanmar national workers and forced them to toil hard, and the workers had to sacrifice their blood, sweat and lives for the sake of the colonialists and their lackeys. These are tragic historical events.

The colonialist government and their lackeys tapped the rich above-ground and underground natural resources of Myanmar. In this regard, they unjustly exploited the labor of the Myanmar workers. The colonialists purposely undermined Myanmar national people's patriotism, Union Spirit and innate character based on diligence, perseverance and industry. These events cannot be deleted from the pages of history.

After Myanmar regained independence, the nation needed to be built again with the unity of the entire national people. But, due to multicolored armed insurgency, the nation was deprived of stability and peace and tranquility. Unity among workers and peasants, the important forces for the building of the nation, collapsed due to instigation of various political parties. The rebuilding of the nation turned out to be an imagination only.

Today, under the leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, all the entire national people of the Union including workers are striving for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed Union of Myanmar. Due to the correct leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, the success of short-term economic plans has gone beyond expectation. Evidently, the nation is stable and peaceful and tranquil, and there are signs of development in the nation.

With a view to realizing the objectives laid down by the Government to build an industrialized nation, modern factories and plants and industrial zones have been set up in the state-owned sector and, with the assistance of the Government, in the private sector. Various production sectors concerning agriculture, fish and meat, forest, mineral and energy are being extended, and the market-oriented economic system is being practiced. As a result, production work, services and commercial activities have increased in number.

Therefore, unlike in previous eras, a lot of job opportunities have emerged in Myanmar. The Government is making arrangements to turn out highly-qualified human resources needed for these jobs in various regions.

Due to an increase in job opportunities, the number of blue collar and white collar workers have grown, and the Government is seeing to it that workers fully enjoy their rights and entitlements such as pleasant worksite condition, welfare and worksite safety.

On account of the leadership of the Government and the active cooperation of the entire national people, success has been achieved in the political, economic and social sectors of the State. Therefore, all the workers are urged to strive with a clear national outlook and from whatever role they are assigned to achieve success which exceeds the target of the short-term economic plans being implemented by the Government.

Esteemed workers,

With the aim of enabling the Union of Myanmar to exist perpetually and to become a peaceful, modern and developed nation in a short time, all the workers are urged to work hard

- for the successful realization of the political, economic and social objectives of the State,

- to strive to exceed the target of five-year short-term plans being implemented by the Government, and

- to strive for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation in cooperation with the entire national people.

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( 2 ) Setting up of terrace farming system for "nomads" will lead to
developing socio-economy, reducing poverty, protecting natural environment
Road transport sector should be developed to enable border areas
to join developing regions of Union and to increase their interrelationship with others
Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races meets

Yangon, 30 April - The Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races held the meeting No (2/2002) at the meeting hall of the office of Commander-in-Chief (Army) at 10 am today, with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein acted as master of ceremonies.

Senior General Than Shwe gave an opening address.

He said the respective ministries are making cooperative efforts to implement the border areas and national races development undertakings; in so doing, they should make on going efforts to cover every region by the border areas development project and to extend its scope.

As the development undertakings are gaining momentum in border areas, as in the other regions, a regular administrative system will have to be set up in the areas also.

Because the border areas were neglected during the colonial era, and due to absence of regional peace and security after the independence was regained, a regular administrative system did not flourish in the areas; in addition, the rule of law was also weak.

At present, peace and stability is prevailing in the border areas, and the education, health and development undertakings have been implemented there. Thus, arrangements should be made to set up a regular administrative system step by step which is based on adherence to law.

Only then, will the Union including the border areas be able to gain systematic and proportionate development.

Reciprocally, it is important to lay good foundations for the health, education and social sectors of the local people in striving to establish a regular administrative system.

In the health and education sectors, high schools, middle schools, station hospitals and rural health centers will have to be built in accord with the regional requirement.

The road transport sector should be developed to enable the border areas to join the developing regions of the Union and to increase their interrelations with others.

Only when there is a chain of progress in all the sectors including the administrative, economic, development, health, education and social sectors of the all the regions of the entire Union, will it be able to gain a proportionate development and to firmly uphold Our Three Main National Causes  non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty. In addition, the nation will become a fully developed State.

When it is said the Union of Myanmar, it means all the regions that lie in the territory of the nation. Only when there is progress in the economic, health, education, social, judicial and administrative sectors of the regions along the nation's boundary, can the nation be called a fully developed State.

It is required to substitute terrace farming for shifted cultivation to fully implement the border areas development endeavors.

Setting up of a terrace farming system for the nomads of the Union will lead to developing their socio-economy, reducing poverty and protecting the natural environment.

As there are interrelations between the task to develop the administrative, economic, health and education sectors of the border areas which lagged progress in the past for various reasons and the project to set up 24 development zones and the five rural development tasks, implementing of the border areas development task will bring about a proportionate progress to the entire Union. Thus, all should make coordination's to implement the task.

Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the Head of State gave guidance on tasks for establishment of normal administration and high land (terrace) farming in border areas development work.

Infrastructures are to be established for development of administration, prevalence of law and order, education, health and social sectors in important regions for emergence of normal administration in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.

Most of the regions have better foundations in education and health and they are to be upgraded to the characteristics of sub-township, he said.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has laid down a plan (draft) for establishment of terrace farming and arrangements are being made for exerting joint efforts with the Ministry of Forestry. In accordance with the guidance of Head of State Senior general Than Shwe, systematic efforts are being made in carrying out the border areas development tasks as well as the development tasks for 24 major regions and five rural development tasks, he said.

He also said that bringing about the normal administrative system and terrace cultivation system in border areas, as guided today by the Senior General, will surely contribute towards the development of the entire Union effectively. The Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races will systematically implement the today's guidance as a project, he said. He continued that the work committee amend sub-committees concerned have also been formed and the project implementation will be started this year.

Then, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing reported the Senior General on regular administrative system to be set up and duties to be assigned to respective departments.

Afterwards, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung reported the Senior General on the history and disadvantages of shifted cultivation in Myanmar and ways and means for highland cultivation system.

Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone also reported the Senior General on systematic arrangements for conservation of forest depleted due to shifted cultivation.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported the Senior General on conditions of roads which are being built through the townships in Yangon Division, Bago Division (West), Magway Division and Mandalay Division.

Minister for Education U Than Aung then reported the Senior General on extended opening of basic education primary, middle and high schools in border areas, and Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein on extended opening of hospitals, dispensaries and rural health departments and branches.

Afterwards, Chairman of the central committee Senior General Than Shwe gave necessary instructions and the meeting came to a close.

Excerpts from the address of Senior General Than Shwe

- As the development undertakings are gaining momentum in border areas, as in the other regions, a regular administrative system will have to be set up in the areas also.

- At present, peace and stability is prevailing in the border areas, and the education, health and development undertakings have been implemented there.

- It is important to lay good foundations for the health, education and social sectors of the local people in striving to establish a regular administrative system.

- Only when there is a chain of progress in all the sectors including the ad minis iterative, economic, development, health, education and social sectors of the all the regions of the entire Union, will it be able to gain a proportionate development and to firmly uphold Our Three Main National Causes.

- It is required to substitute terrace farming for shifting cultivation to fully implement the border areas development endeavors.

( 3 ) Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspects development projects in Kawthoung

Yangon, 30 April -  Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defense, together with departmental officials, left Wakyun Village in Bokpyin Township by boat and inspected the islands in Myanma waters on 25 April morning.

Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo visited Talun Salon Culture Museum at Talun Salon Village, Zardetkyi Island in Kawthoung Township and inspected the village Basic Education Primary School, dispensary and the village in the afternoon. At the office of village Peace and Development Council, he met local populace of Salon national race and discussed regional development tasks being undertaken, and presented 20 bags of rice to the village.

On 27 April morning, Maj-Gen Maung Bo attended the fourth ordination and no vitiation ceremony of Kawthoung Station under the Coastal Region Command at Pyidaw Aye Meditation Centre in Kawthoung.

Members of the Sangha administered the Five Precepts and recited partitas. Next, Maj-Gen Maung Bo and officials presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Pyidaw Aye Meditation Centre Sayadaw Bhaddanta Visuddhi Nana delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Altogether 43 men were ordained and 29 boys no vitiated at the ceremony.

In the afternoon, Maj-Gen Maung Bo, accompanied by Minister for Co-operatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and officials, visited Chanphan Village monastery in Kawthoung Township and presented offertories to Abbot Sayadaw U Silacara.

Afterwards, Maj-Gen Maung Bo met with departmental officials, members of social organizations, village elders and local residents at the village Affiliated BEMS and called for departmental personnel and local people to make concerted efforts for regional development, and fulfilled their requirements. Later, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected Tetnay oil palm farm and Shwe Khamauk oil palm farm and gave instructions and attended to their needs.

( 4 ) Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy for the Nation held

Yangon, 1 May - The Symposium on Drugs and Drug Policy for the Nation co-sponsored by Myanmar Academy of Medical Science and Myanmar Essential Drugs Programmed was held at the meeting hall of Myanmar Medical Association on Theinbyu Street here this morning with an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.

 In his opening address, Maj-Gen Ket Sein said: I would like to congratulate the MAMS and MEDP for this very special symposium on Drugs and Drugs Policy for the Nation. I am fully aware that you have been working very hard in many directions in collaboration with several other organizations for realizing the nation's fourth social objective to uplift health, fitness and education standard of the entire nation.

For today, I would like to call particular attention on the achievement of MEDP during the last decade. The Ministry of Health is very gratified and especially grateful to the MAMS and MEDP for having chosen to work out on the problem most appropriate for the movement and most urgently in need of further development. In deed national drug programmers is a broad based technical programmed with a strong community involvement in the implementation. With all ramifications in Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, etc., as the driving force of high level Bio-technology, the programmed is implemented by medical scientists-Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Paramedical, and others. who permeate into the community.

If we might analyze the situation, we still belong to the group of many countries, those three quarters of the world's population whose procurement of drugs is only 15% of the world's total production. The affliction is heavy mainly in the rural areas and the misfortune of inadequate supply is further magnified by irrational prescribes, dispensers and consumers. Reckoning this problem of drug shortage being enlarged by the world-wide increase in population and health-care demands, the WHO established the Action Programmed on Essential Drugs in 1981, and, here in Myanmar, in collaboration with the WHO the Myanmar Essential Drugs Project was started in 1988, which in 1995 was transformed into Myanmar Essential Drugs Programmed, MEDP.

The first supply of Essential Drugs was availed as an initial stage for nine townships in 1989 after field epidemiology studies. But provision of drugs is only one part of the MEDP  programmed, another celebrated accomplishment is replenishing the drugs by way of the Community Cost Sharing System for erecting the Revolving Drug Fund. Today, all 324 townships in Myanmar have their own Revolving Drug Fund capable of replenishing the Essential Drugs, independently. This relieved the Ministry a large load of budget for other expenditures. The health workers in those 324 townships have also been trained to rationally use the drugs.

Indeed, provision of drugs is only one half of our duty, the other more important half is to use them rationally. To this effect, the MEDP furnished all those health workers with Standard Treatment Guides, additional to training them on the Concept of Essential Drugs, their estimation, storage and distribution. The MEDP, having completed the Essential Drugs Program at the Primary level, is now preparing strategies to extend its activities into the Secondary and Tertiary referral levels, including all private health care centers, GP clinics, private dispensaries and hospitals. Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, I am very proud to proclaim that, so far in the world, Myanmar is probably the only country yet to have successfully completed the Essential Drugs Programmed for all its townships at the Primary Health Care level.

This was implemented by financing the township with Revolving Drugs Funds which to facilitate replenishment of drug forever. This is achieved by utilizing the services of health workers in solving health problems guided by Standard Treatment Guides prepared for each level of health care facilities in Primary health care. My Ministry is very happy that the gap of health care between rural and urban centers have been substantially narrowed in our country. This is a matter of fact the world have learnt some years ago but taking to achieve. The responsible ears should hear about the achievement of MEDP, and the observant eyes should open to this reality that each and every township in Myanmar is running on its own Revolving Drugs Fund for the perpetual supply of Essential Drugs.

I am very pleased to note that the symposium will cover all those diversified aspects of the programmed with emphasis on the technical implementation as an out reach programmed into the community. I notice the National Drug Policy will be touched upon for guiding the programmed on Essential Drug Programmed, Rational Prescription, Essential Drugs and Standard Treatment Guide for all health workers including General Practitioners. Concluding the presentations with control of drugs, import, production and quality control should make the symposium very comprehensive. Lastly, I also like to congratulate you for having finalized the draft on National Drug Policy. Then, Deputy Minister Professor Dr Mya Oo extended greetings.

Next, Professor Dr Hla Myint presented Implementation of Essential Drugs Programmed, its concept and advantages, Professor Dr Maung Maung Wint Rational Prescribing and Rational Use of Drugs, Dr Myint Swe Myanmar Essential Drugs Project objectives, present situation and projection for expansion, Professor Dr Win Maw Essential Drugs for General Practitioners, Professor Dr Khin Kyi Kyi National Drug Policy for enhancing the Essential Drugs Programme, Dr Sein Win Role of Standard Treatment Guide and Dr Soe Myat Tun Control of drugs, imports, production and quality assessment. This was followed by a general round of discussions and the symposium ended.

Education Minister receives Counsellor

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Education U Than Aung received Cultural Counsellor of Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Union of Myanmar Ms Ren Xiuzhi, who had completed her tour of duty in Myanmar, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt and directors-general of the departments under the ministry.

( 5 ) Minister for Cooperatives inspects breeding of sea prawn in Kawthoung

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe inspected breeding of sea prawn and raising of layers at Toe Tet Aung deep sea water prawn production cooperative society Ltd at 7th mile in Kawthoung on 27 April.

On 28 April, the minister met service personnel at Taninthayi Division Cooperative Department Office in Myeik and discussed the tasks. The minister went to international fish auction market in the industrial zone. Head of Division Fisheries Department reported on monthly catch of fish and income through auction.

Yesterday, the minister and Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Tin Latt inspected feedstuff and poultry farms. He also inspected private poultry farms and incubators. Livestock Breeding Entrepreneurs reported on poultry farming and production of chicken and eggs and the minister fulfilled the requirements.

Minister for Construction tours Chin State, Magway Division

Yangon, 30 April - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials of Public Works arrived at Yaymyatni transit camp in Gangaw in Magway Division on 27 April.

District Senior Engineer U Tun Aung Kyaw reported on work being done and tasks to be carried out. The minister gave instructions on repair of the road and bridges as soon as possible. The minister inspected Htilin-Pansan-Kyaukhtu Road and fulfilled the requirements.

He also inspected the site chosen for construction of new bridge by construction group-13. The minister went to the site of Chichaung wooden bridge where Deputy Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint reported on progress of work. The minister fulfilled the requirements. The minister inspected upgrading of the road. District Engineer U Ngon San Aung reported on tasks to be undertaken. On 28 April, the minister met service personnel of Public Works in Mindat.

The minister said Mindat District which was difficult of access in the past is now assessable to a certain degree. Duties were assigned mainly to Chin nationals in the region, he said. He called for making efforts for regional development. Officials concerned reported on targets, stockpiling of construction materials and progress of work. The minister then gave instructions on paving of the road.

Installation of Fibre Optic Cable Networks for Medical ICT donated to Ministry of Health

Yangon, 30 April - A ceremony to donate Installation of Fibre Optic Cable Networks for Medical ICT by Mitsubishi Corporation to the Ministry of Health was held at the Medical Science Department on Bogyoke Aung San Street at 2 pm today, attended by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Ministers Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, directors-general, deputy directors-general, rectors, directors, medical superintendents, officials of Mitsubishi Corporation and the general manager of its Yangon branch and officials. First, the minister made a speech on the occasion.

Then, Senior Vice-President Mr Masaki Miyaji of Mitsubishi Corporation explained the purpose of the donation and handed over the documents related to installation of fibre optic cables worth US$ 75,780 to the minister who in turn presented the certificate of honor.

Antiques presented to Ministry of Culture

Yangon, 30 April - Financier of the Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club Reporter of Asahi Shinbum U Tin Maung Aye and wife Daw Myint Myint Aye presented antiques, which have been collected while working in foreign countries, to the Ministry of Culture at Kanbawza Yeiktha on Kaba Aye Pagoda road here this morning.

Well-wisher U Tin Maung Aye explained the donation and presented antiques to Minister U Tin Winn who spoke words of thanks and presented certificate of honor to him. The rare objects include a set of gilded Kammawa, two sets of Kammawa, a set of palm-leaf inscriptions with gilded glass mosaic box, three sets of gilded palm-leaf inscriptions, strips of palm-leaf inscriptions, ancient glazed earthen jars, cups and figurines, earthen pot and pipes, ancient bronze weights, four fossilized crab figurines and lacquer wares totaling 21 items.

Four-Country Invitational Hockey Tournament continues

Yangon, 30 April -  The year 2002 Myanmar Olympic Committee Chairman's Trophy Four-Country Invitational Hockey Tournament continued at Youth Training Centre this morning. Among the spectators were Chairman of MOC Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, President of Myanmar Hockey Federation Brig-Gen Myo Myint and executives, Liaison Officer U Kyaw Naing, guests and Hockey fans. In the first match, selected Myanmar team played against Malaysia-Perak team goalless draw. Malaysia Project team and India team played 1-1 draw in the second match.

( 6 ) Regional development work inspected in Seikkyi Khanaungto

Yangon, 30 April - Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Secretary Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and members, division level departmental officials, Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Sein Hlaing and officials, inspected regional development tasks in Seikkyi Khanaungto Township, Yangon South District, and attended to the needs this afternoon.

The commander and party arrived at the office of Seikkyi Khanaungto Township Peace and Development Council at 3 pm. Seikkyi Khanaungto Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Khin Maung San reported on measures undertaken for the development of the township and requirements and township level departmental officials on regional development tasks carried out department-wise.

The commander spoke of the need for township level officials to co-operate with goodwill for the development of respective regions where they are assigned duties. The requirements are to be reported as necessary, he added. He would attend to the needs concerning the reports as far as he can, he noted. Then, the commander fulfilled the requirements. The commander and party next inspected the delivery room, operation theatre and wards at the Township People's Hospital. After fulfilling the needs, he left there later in the afternoon.