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(1) Secretary-2 attends to needs of peace group of Thandaung Township
YANGON, 16 Mar - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo today met members of the peace group led by U Saw Fremo which broke away from KNU insurgent group and local people in Thandaung Township.
Accompanied by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Tin Aye, ministers and deputy ministers, the Secretary-2 arrived at Pyasakhan in the township.
They were welcomed there by Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Saw Khin Soe, officials of the command, U Saw Fremo and members of the peace group of Thandaung Township, departmental personnel, local elders and regional people.
The Secretary-2 and party cordially greeted them.
Addressing local people and members of the peace group, the Secretary-2 expressed pleasure in meeting them, recalling the internal strife which broke out due to various reasons of armed groups soon after the independence was regained.
It was a deplorable tact that suspicions came out and unity was broken among national brethren due to exploitation of internal politicians and instigations of external forces who were jealous of the nation, he recounted.
All will remember the days they had lived in fear and lack of security as seeds of distrust and hate were sown among them, he said.
The Government has striven to for get national reconsolidation with correct
attitude, sincere goodwill and patience to foster understanding and unity among the national brethren, he said, adding most of the armed groups arc now joining hands with the Government and National stability has been maintained.
It is quite clear that fighting among the national races benefits nobody but only created failures, wounds and backwardness of regions, he pointed out. The Government heartily welcomed the peace group in Thandaung Township which understood the nation's true situation and the Government's sincere cetena and exchanged arms for peace, he said.
The entire national races should harmoniously join hands and should strive with firm conviction for national progress, he stressed.
The State Peace and Development Council has laid down systematic plans and is implementing them for emergence of a new peaceful, modern and developed nation, he said.
The nation will sure to achieve progress if the State, the people and the Tatmadaw work in harmony and maintenance of peace will surely lead to development, he noted.
The way toward national tranquillity is always opened for the national to achieve peace, he declared.
Commander Brig-Gen Tin Aye said the peace group exchanged arms for peace and returned to the legal fold on 28 October 1997.
Led by U Saw Fremo with the rank of a major, the group broke away from No 2 KNU insurgent brigade, he added, explaining short-term and long-term accommodation plans for them, provision of food, clothing, social and health needs.
Col Saw Khin Soe reported on choosing of land for their long-term settlement.
U Saw Fremo said they realized their past misdeeds and exchanged arms for peace.
They have abandoned their blind-nationalism and armed struggle line and will work for the benefit of the region and it's people, he said, thanking State dignitaries for their assistance.
The Secretary-2 attended to the needs in providing homes, food such as rice and salt, cars, power supply, schools and agriculture.
Ministers and deputy ministers also made arrangements to render assistance to them.
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented gifts to U Saw Fremo and leaders.
Director-General Dr Hla Myint of Health Department presented medical equipment.
Lt-Gen Tin Oo urged officials to strive their utmost with goodwill for the convenience of the group which came back into the arms of the peaceful mother land.
The Secretary-2 and party posed for a souvenir photo together members of the peace group and local people.
The Secretary-2 and party arrived back here by air at 6.15 pm.
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(2) 86 reservoirs, dams built since 1988 benefiting over 1.3 million acres of farmland
YANGON, 16 Mar - The Yaytho Reservoir in Oktwin Township, Bago Division, was commissioned at 9.30 am today with an address by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Col Thura Myint Thein (Air) of Toungoo Station, Col Aung Win and military officers of Oktwin Station, heads of the State Peace and Development Council Office and the departments concerned, departmental officials of Bago Division, Toungoo District and Oktwin, Toungoo, Yeadashe, Htantabin and Phyu Townships, service personnel, teachers, pupils, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and others.
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(3) MIC Chairman receives GM of Kinsho-Mataichi Corporation
YANGON, 16 Mar - Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar In vestment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received General Manager of Kinsho-Mataichi Corporation Mr Hirokazu Hashimoto and party of Japan at his office this morning.
Present also were Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Secretary of MIC Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials.
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(4) Four nabbed with over 2.5 kilos heroin in South Okkalapa, Thingangyun
YANGON, 16 Mar - Personnel of the regional intelligence unit and law enforcement departments nabbed two women and two men with 2.78 kilos of heroin in South Okkalapa and Thingangyun Townships on 8, 15 and 22 February respectively.
They arrested Ma San San Oo, 45, daughter of U Aung, No 890, Thila Street, Ward 4, South Okkalapa, and Ma Mar Mar Oo, 39, daughter of U Hla Maung, No 85, Shwephonepwint Street 2, Ward 1, North Okkalapa, together with 45.99 grams of heroin at the corner of Thada Street and Parami Road in South Okkalapa Township on 8 February.
According to further investigation, the squad nabbed U Aung Than, 53, son of U Wai Phyu Aung, No 10 A, A Street, Ward 11, PyinOoLwin, together with 714.91 grams of heroin in front of Waizayanta Housing, Waizayanta Road, Thingangyun Township, on 15 February, and U Kyaw (a) U Htan Rein Ar, 53, son of U Hlam Hlian Ar, No 21, Kanbauk Ward, Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay, together with 2.02 kilos of heroin near the junction of Thanthuma and Aungmaga Streets, Kyipwayay Ward, Thingangyun Township, on 22 February.
Action is being taken against the four culprits in accord with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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(5) Service personnel must discharge duties precisely and correctly within the law
YANGON, 16 Mar - Special Refresher Course No 2/98 of the Information and Public Relations Department, Ministry of Information, began with the opening address by Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung at the News and Periodicals Enterprise Training Hall on Pansodan Street this morning.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, departmental heads, Advisers at the Ministry of Information, officials, course instructors and trainee officials of the District and Township IPRD Offices.
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(6) Officials of foreign companies call on Minister for CPT
YANGON, 16 Mar - Managing Director Mr Michael Koh of KCT & Associates of Malaysia and party called on Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin at his office this morning.
General Manager Miss Chao Huey Ann of Myanmar DHL Ltd called on Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin.
Present were officials of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications.
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(7) President of Sri Lanaka Buddhist Congress arrives
YANGON, 16 Mar - At the invitation of the Minister for Religious Affairs, Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation led by President of the Sri Lanka Buddhist Congress Ven Dr Mapalagama Vipulasara Thero arrived here by air this morning.
The Buddhist delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Deputy Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, officials of the ministry, Wut Associations of Religious Affairs Department and Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana and Kaha Aye Pagoda.
The Sri Lanka Buddhist delegation paid homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda in the afternoon and paid respect to the member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee at Zabudipa Kyaungsaung on Kaba Aye Hill.
They donated a Buddha image and scripture books to the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.
Later, Ven Dr Mapalagama Vipulasara Thero and party also paid homage to the Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill.
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(8) Building for first nunnery education school handed over
YANGON, 16 Mar - The handing over ceremony of Aye Yeik Mon-3 building of the first nunnery education school at the Ngapyawkyun Nunnery on Yadanabon 2nd Street, Ward 10, Thakayta Township, took place at the nunnery this morning. Minister for Culture U Win Sein explained the emergence of the building. He said the Ngapyawkyun Nunnery looked after the national races girls after overcoming various problems including insufficient accommodation. He said well-wishers were then organized to extend donations. The building was named Aye Yeik Mon-3 since its purpose coincides with that of the Main Aye Yeik Mon and Aye Yeik Mon I and 2, he noted.
He called for security and maintenance of the building.
Presiding Nun Daw Candasiri recounted history of the nunnery, work done and ongoing programmes of work. She then thanked the donors.
Rice, cash and others were then presented to the Presiding Nun.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Dr Khin Win Shwe member of the National Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Daw Marlar Tint wife of Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Daw Khin Hla Wai wife of Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, the nuns, nunnery education school girls and donors.
The three-storey building was constructed on the 9,285 square feet floor area. Foundation of the building was laid on 23 December 1995 and it was completed on 15 November 1997. It accommodates one prayer and assembly hall, one dining hall, four classrooms, bathrooms and toilets.
Well-wishers donated K 12 million for the building.
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(9) Minister inspects Pathein-Kyangin Railroad section
YANGON, 16 Mar - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, together with Managing Director of Myanma Railways U Kyaw San and officials of the Ministry of Rail Transportation, arrived Pathein on 14 March.
Commander of South West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and the minister heard reports by officials on requirements and production of sleepers and stones to be used along Pathien-Hinthada-Kyangin Railroad.
The minister gave instructions.
The minister and party inspected production of sleepers at Pathein Saw Mill No 13 and stones at Kalogkhon Creck.
Yesterday, they inspected Pathein Railway Station, Pathein-Yekyi Railroad section by trolley, Daka Bridge, Myodwin Bridge and Kywesin Stone Production Camp in Ingapu Township.
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