THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

(Tuesday, 24 February 1998)

*********************************************************************

  1. The Law Amending the Computer Science Development Law
  2. Copper deposit in Hsalingyi Township pronounced commercially feasible
  3. Military bands play vital role in enhancing and strengthening morale of the Tatmadaw
  4. Deputy Prime Ministers visit wood-based industrial zone in Shwepyitha
  5. Joint Myanmar-American survey team collects poppy samples from plantations in Eastern, North-East Command areas
  6. Rubber goods factory inspected
  7. Minister for L&F meets faculty members of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Institute (Yezin)
  8. NWCWA- holds Regular Coord Meeting 1/98
  9. Importance of trade information highlighted
  10. Ace at MGF Golf Course

__________________________________

(1) The Law Amending the Computer Science Development Law

The State Peace and Development Council

The Law Amending the Computer Science Development Law

(The State Peace and Development Council Law No 3/98)

The 12th Waning Day of Tabodwe 1359 ME
23rd February, 1998.

*********

The State Peace and Development Council hereby enacts the following Law.

1. This Law shall be called the Law Amending the Computer Science Development Law

2. In the Computer Science Development Law:

(a)the expression "Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education" contained in clause (5) of sub-section (a) of section 4 shall be substituted by the expression "Deputy Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology";

(b) the expression "Ministry of Education" contained in section 5, section 33 and sub-section (a) and sub-section (b) of section 42 shall be substituted by the expression "Ministry of Science and Technology";

© the expression "The Department of Higher Education" contained in section 6 shall be substituted by the expression "The Department of Higher Science and Technology".


Signed-
Than Shwe
Senior General
Chairman
The State Peace and Development Council

______________________________________________

(2) Copper deposit in Hsalingyi Township pronounced commercially feasible

YANGON, 23 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye met officers, other ranks and their families at Monywa Station and inspected No 1 Copper Project in Hsalingyi Township yesterday.

Meeting officers and other ranks of battalions and units of Monywa Station and their families at Zeyarthiri Hall in Monywa General Maung Aye urged them to work upholding Our Three Main National Causes, shoulder national and Tatmadaw duties efficiently and carry out welfare services properly.

Afterwards, he cordially conversed with the Tatmadawmen and their families.

The General and party next helicoptered to No 1 Copper Project in Hsalingyi Township where they were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein and officials.

At the project office, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint briefed them on the project in general, Project General Manager U Mya Win on progress of work in Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Company's project and prospects, and General Manager Mr Paul A Chare of Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co on production technology.

General Maung Aye gave necessary instructions and then presented gifts to Mr Paul A Chare.

Later, General Maung Aye and party inspected processing of copper ore to produce copper cathode plates through SX-EW technique at the pilot plant, the genuine copper cathode plates and preparations being made to build a full-fledged plant based on the findings at the pilot plant.

In Monywa, the General and party visited Bodhi Tahtaung Kyaungtaik and paid respects to Bodhi Tahtaung Sayadawgyi Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikaedhaja Bhaddanta Narada and offered alms to him.

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and ministers, who were also on tour together with the General, met the Secretary and members of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council, divisional officials, chairmen of Sagaing, Monywa and Shwebo District and Township Peace and Development Councils and members of the Agriculture Supervisory Committees on 22 February.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin clarified matters on cultivation of paddy, effective utilization of water from the completed dams in the division, realization of cultivation acreage target, expansion of cultivation acreage, boosting production and cotton purchase.

Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint also spoke about programmes for mining and production of metal resources and the division's copper deposit which can be exploited on commercial scale.

The Secretary-2 also spoke of boosting production in the agriculture sector, effective implementation of the project for greening of nine arid districts, maintenance of dams and reservoirs and the canals of underground water irrigation projects and tasks for materialization of the aims of the Five-Year Plan.

Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing also met officials and personnel of the departments under the ministry at Monywa Township General Administration Department Office on 21 February and inspected Monywa Police Station yesterday.

__________________

(3) Military bands play vital role in enhancing and strengthening morale of the Tatmadaw

YANGON, 23 Feb - The prize distribution ceremony of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Seventh Military Band-Contest took place at the People's Square here at 8 am today and Chairman of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Observance Leading Committee Patron of the Military Band Contest Organizing Committee Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo delivered an address and presented prizes to the winners.

Also present were Judge Advocate-General Maj-Gen Than Oo, Commandant of National Defence College Maj-Gen San Aung, Chairman of the Military Band Contest Organizing Committee Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, directors of the Ministry of Defence, military region commanders, Parade Commander of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Brig-Gen Lun Maung and commanding officers of the Yangon Station, senior officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air Force), members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross, Tatmadaw members and their families, guests and contesting bands.

At 7.40 am, 29 contestant bands entered the People's Square and took their positions. They saluted Lt-Gen Tin Oo. They also saluted the State Flag and the fallen heroes and Tatmadawmen. They next took the oath.

The Chief of Staff (Army) presented first prize to North-East Command military band, second prize to North-West Command, third prize to No 44 LID and special prizes to Northern Command, Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), No 77 LID, Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Air) and No 11 LID.

_______________________________________

(4) Deputy Prime Ministers visit wood-based industrial zone in Shwepyitha

YANGON, 23 Feb - Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun, accompanied by Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Min Thein and officials of MIC office, visited wood-based industrial zone of Myanmar Timber Enterprise in Wataya Village, Shwepyitha Township this morning.

They were welcomed by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Myint.

The Deputy Prime Ministers were conducted round the single unit housing for service personnel, construction of sluice gates, wharf, construction of wood-based factory of Tawwin Family Co Ltd, MTE's No 3 Saw Mill and parquet factory under construction with the joint venture of MTE by Minister U Aung Phone.

The minister reported on transport, land area, targets of MTE and private wood-based factories, power supply, welfare and work being undertaken and to be undertaken.

The Deputy Prime Ministers then gave instructions.

____________________________________

(5) Joint Myanmar-American survey team collects poppy samples from plantations in Eastern, North-East Command areas

YANGON, 23 Feb - Under the joint operation against narcotic drugs eradication programme between the governments of Myanmar and the United States, the Air Force helicopters flew to illegal poppy plantations in the Eastern Command and North-East Command areas in Shan State from 16 to 21 February 1998 and gathered poppy samples and surveyed poppy plantations there.

The team also observed poppy plantations jointly destroyed by the military columns and local people. During the trip, members of the team held discussions on opium refineries exposed and destroyed by the military columns, possibilities for cultivation of opium-substitute crops and narcotic drugs eradication programme.

The team comprised officials of the Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, Myanmar Police Force Special Narcotic Squad, Myanmar Agriculture Service and local military columns plus Thomas Murphy, Douglas Rassmusen, Ms Sue Bromley and Dr Basil Acock of the US Department of Agriculture and US Embassy officials totaling 14 led by member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Head of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein.

The joint Myanmar-US team left here by Tatmadaw flight on 16 February and gathered poppy samples from the illegal plantations in Pinlaung Township in the Eastern Command, Shan State. It also video-taped the destroyed poppy plantations. The same day, it surveyed opium plantations in Leicha Township.

At 8 am on 17 February, Col Kyaw Thein and US government officials led by Mr Thomas Murphy called on Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig Gen Maung Bo. They proceeded to the poppy plantations in Mongpan Township and collected poppy samples. The following morning, they also collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in Siseng and Loilem Townships. They went on to Lashio via Taunggyi.

At the Shweli Guest House in the evening, they met local authorities and discussed law enforcement to eradicate narcotic drugs in northern Shan State.

On 19 February morning, the joint Myanmar-American team arrived at Walin Village in Mongmaw Township, Wa region, northern Shan State. Members of the team collected poppy samples from poppy plantations in the region and discussed opium eradication with Wa national race leaders U Pau Laik Kham, U Kyauk Wan Kuan and U Kyan Ywet Chan.

In the afternoon, they also collected poppy samples from the plantations in Hopang Township. On 20 February morning, Col Kyaw Thein and Mr Murphy called on Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo. They later collected poppy samples from Poppy plantations in Tangyang Township.

In the afternoon, they helicoptered to Mangton area in Namtu Township and Myintan mountain range in Kunlong Township in northern Shan State to observe illegal poppy plantations destroyed by military columns. They video-taped and took photographs of the areas. They left Lashio on 21 February and arrived bask here in the afternoon.

This is the fourth joint Myanmar-American survey on poppy cultivation. Similar measures were taken in 1993, 1995 and 1997.

_________________________

(6) Rubber goods factory inspected

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and officials inspected rubber goods factory in Thingangyun Township this morning.

The minister met manager and staff of the factory.

Managing Director of Myanma General Maintenance and Industries U San Kyi reported on salient points of the factory.

Manager U Soe Lwin reported on production, distribution, operation with machines and investment. The minister spoke of making efforts for production and innovation of goods for customers' satisfaction.

He inspected sample of rubber goods, process of production, mattress-making and gloves.

The minister also inspected blanket factory and its branch in Thingangyun Township.

______________________________________

(7) Minister for L&F meets faculty members of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Institute (Yezin)

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, accompanied by Director-General of Livestock and Fisheries Department U Kyaw Lwin, Managing Director of Livestock, feedstuff and Dairy Products Enterprise U Maung Maung Nyunt, met faculty members of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Institute (Yezin) on 21 February.

The minister presented appointments to lecturers and tutors individually. He discussed fish and meat sector with Col Kyi Thein of Pyinmana Station.

The minister attended the 14th convocation of the institute. He inspected shops of pharmaceutical companies, office of head of Yamethin District Fisheries Department and poultry farms.

He also inspected construction of lecture halls and library.

The minister and party went to Paunglaung Hydel Power Project site where Project Manager reported on progress of work and inspected diversion tunnel Nos 1 and 2.

_____________

(8) NWCWA- holds Regular Coord Meeting 1/98

YANGON, 23 Feb - The National Working Committee for Women's Affairs held its Regular Work Coordination Meeting 1/98 at the Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement this afternoon.

It was attended by Vice-Chairperson of the NWCWA Dr May May Yi, leader of the Committee for Prevention of Violence Against Women and Rehabilitation Dr Khin Win Shwe, other members of NWCWA and work group leaders and members, Police Lt-Col San Lwin of the Ministry of Home Affairs and officials.

Dr May May Yi delivered the opening address.

Next, Secretary of the NWCWA Acting Director-General Lt-Col Khin Aung of Social Welfare Department clarified accomplishments of tasks during the two months and future programmes.

A general round of discussions followed.

________________

(9) Importance of trade information highlighted

YANGON, 23 Feb - Ministry-of Commerce and Singapore Trade Development Board co-sponsored a course on trade information management this morning at the ministry with an address by Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than. Information gathering is important in trade, he said, saying trade information is essential for executives in making decisions.

Precise and timely collection of information is required in making correct decisions, he said adding advance systems such as Internet, Tisnet, E-mail and Website are being used on information super highway at present.

Myanmar has maintained friendly ties and cooperation with Singapore, which is the second largest foreign investor, in many areas, he noted, saying opening of this course enhances bilateral friendship and cooperation.

Ambassador of Singapore Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow also spoke.

Twenty-five trainees are attending the course which continues till 27 February.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Ministers for Commerce Commodore Myo Tint and Col Kyaw Shwe, advisers, directors-general and managing directors of the ministry and other officials were also present.

________________________________

(10) Ace at MGF Golf Course

YANGON, 23 Feb - Ace was scored at Myanmar Golf Federation Golf Course yesterday.

Dr Aye Cho, a member of the federation, scored from 120-yards at hole No 17 while playing a foursome with U Tin Hla, U Kyaw Min and U Aung Kyin.

----------------------------------------------

To view with photos, please browse at - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/