(1) Secretary-1 inspects renovation and construction of extension buildings at Women's Development Centre
YANGON, 22 Nov - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this afternoon inspected construction of extension buildings on the premises of Women's Development Centre of the Social Welfare Department on Thanlwin Road in Kamayut Township.
Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Women's Development Centre at 12.30 pm.
They were welcomed by Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, heads of department, Director of SWD U Khin Aung, Administrator Daw Kyin Nu and officials.
Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and officials reported on renovation and construction of buildings on the premises of the Centre and the future programme to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who gave instructions to them.
Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected the new assembly hall, the new building for gems and jewellery crafted works, the three storey women's hostel, the extension of the weaving mill and the show-room and left there in the afternoon.
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(2) K 17.5 million for construction of Thabyinnyu Pagoda
YANGON, 22 Nov - The fourth donation ceremony for construction of Thabyinnyu Pagoda was held at Dhammaythaka Sarthintaik on Ward 5 in Mayangon Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
The ceremony was also attended by Dr Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, officials of the Office of State Peace and Development Council, District and Township Peace and Development Councils and well-wishers.
Secretary of Work Committee Deputy- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung briefed Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt on progress of work for construction of the pagoda and Chairman of Finance Subcommittee Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin on cash donations and expenditure for construction of pagoda.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and ministers accepted donations amounting to K 17.5 million.
Today's donations were - 100' x 60' plot and two-storey building donated by Maj Bway Than (Retd)Daw Mya May and family, K 10 million by YCDC, K 999,999 by U Aung Pe Myint (a) U William, K 850,000 by Ministry of Transport, K 700,000 by Ministry of Industry-1, 500 bags of cement worth K 550,000 by U Thein Win Daw Ni and family of Shwethanlwin Co, K 500,000 each by U Mya Han-Daw Khin Sabe Kyi and family, Ministry of Industry-2, U Thein Aung Daw Thin Thin Hla and son U Min Min Aung (Silver Wave Co Ltd), K 250,000 each by Dagon Agriculture Group and Yuzana Agriculture Group, K 150,000 by Ministry of Health, K 100,000 each by Metro Asia Myanmar Ltd, Dr Maung Maung Oo (Asia Express), Ministry of Labour, U Aung Naing Ny (Myittashin Transport), Chairman U Thein Tun of MGS Group, U Htay Oo Daw Kyu Kyu Myint, Director-General for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin and Ministry of Information, K 500,000 each by Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Mines.
The Secretary-1 attended to the requirements for construction of Thatbyinnyu Pagoda.
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(3) Secretary-1 attends coordination meeting on teaching and management at International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
YANGON, 22 Nov - Coordination meeting on teaching and management of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University was held at the lecture hall-1 of the university this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present also were heads of departments Sayadaws led by Rector (academic) Maha Gandavasaka Pandita Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Neminda, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htaw, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myira, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister members and guests.
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(4) Secretary-2 visits fresh water breeding station in Hmawby
YANGON, 22 Nov - Secretary-2 of the State - Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo visited the fresh water fish breeding station of KN Fisheries enterprise (Myanmar Pyitha Hay) in Hlapada Village, Hmawby Township, this morning.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, together with Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff; (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice- Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Col Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Breeding U Aung Thein, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Col Maung Pa, Officer tan Special Duty at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Han Thint and departmental officials, heard a report on fish and prawn breeding, progress of the station, distribution for domestic consumption and export by Chairman of KN Fisheries Enterprise U Tin Win.
Deputy Minister U Aung Thein reported on assistance provided by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to enable private national entrepreneurs to carry out fish and prawn breeding work successfully.
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(5) Current situation on NLD's taking of confrontational course and its attempts to forcibly convene Hluttaw clarified
YANGON, 22 Nov - A news briefing on the current situation regarding the National League for Democracy's collusion with illegal organizations within the country and certain agencies abroad to confront the government and authentic follow-up news after the party's attempt to forcibly convene the Hluttaw was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here at 930 am today.
It was attended by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Chief of the Office of the Strategic Studies Deputy Director of the Defence Services Intelligence Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and the heads of department of OSS, Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires ai and Military Attaches of foreign embassies here, Resident Representatives and officials of UN Agencies here, Patron U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members of Foreign Correspondents Club, Director (News, U Hla Tun of the Editor of Myanmar News Agency (Internal) U Zaw Min Thein, Chief Editors and editors of the dailies, officials and guests.
General Staff Officer (Grade I) of OSS Lt-Col Hla Min clarified the current situation. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press:-
At the press conference held on October 8th, 1998, we recounted to you how the National League for Democracy, in collusion with illegal organizations within the country and certain agencies abroad, tired forcibly and unlawfully to convene the Hluttaw.
As you are all aware, the state authorities, in order to prevent a recurrence of such undesirable confrontations, have made arrangements for selected NLD party members and elected representatives to take up temporary residence at State Guest Houses. The purpose of today's meeting is to apprise you of the latest developments in regard to this matter.
Subsequent to the temporary sequestration of its members and elected representatives, the NLD has been issuing statement after statement, alleging that "they have been illegally arrested and are being subjected to severe maltreatment and torture and intense pressure to quit the NLD." Today we propose to place before you the true facts of the case.
Convening of the Hluttaw is the prerogative of the State and in the absence of a Constitution is not possible. The endeavour of a political party to convene the Hluttaw on its own constitutes a contravention of existing laws, and the very declaration of such intent may be regarded as an infringement of the law.
It is the bounden duty of the State to prevent such misguided activities, forestall violent confrontations and to maintain law and order. Accordingly, arrangements were made for NLD party members and elected representatives from various constituencies to take up temporary residence at State Guest Houses in their respective areas from the 6th of September onwards. A total of 200 NLD Representatives and 651 party members were included in these arrangements.
The temporary restraining order represents the utmost leniency on the part of the government and is intended to prevent violent confrontations which, should they occur, would constitute a serious infraction of the law.
Subsequently (63) NLD Representatives and (321) party members who undertook not to participate in such illegal activities were returned to their homes.
In addition, the guests were sent home on two separate occasions, namely, on October 22nd and again on November 7th to enable them to take care of outstanding financial and personal matters and to spend the night with their families.
All throughout their period of stay at State Guest Houses, the guests were provided with the best culinary fare, social arrangements and medical attention. With regard to medical care, medical specialists from the Base Military Hospital gave them weekly medical checkups and provided them with the necessary treatment and medicines, not only for their current ailments but for their medical problems of long standing. In effect they were given medical treatment that matched that available at the best private clinics and hospitals of their own choosing.
Furthermore arrangements were made for correspondence with family members s and for the sending of preferred dishes, medicines and personal effects to the guests by their families. On ceremonial occasions and in cases of personal bereavement the guests were urged to attend and all assistance possible was provided them.
I should now like to touch upon the matter of the voluntary dosing-down of NLD Patty Headquarters and resignation of NLD Representatives and Patty members of various townships from the National League for Democracy. These resignations reflect their own decisions and are in no way due to any pressure exerted upon them. Township NLD party signboards were dismantled and delivered, together with party seals, to the National Electoral Commissions or to NLD Party Headquarters
The Township Party Headquarters that were voluntarily dissolved include
Thanbyu Zayat Township Party Headquarters, Sittway Township Party Headquarters,
Bilin Township Party Headquarter, Ponna-gyun Township Party Headquarters,
Mrauk-U Township Party Headquarters, Kyauk-taw Township party Headquarters,
Seik-Kyee Khanaung-To Township Party Headquarters, Mong-Khat Township Party
Headquarters, Phyapon Township Party Headquarters, and Thanatpin Township Party
Headquarters. The numbers resigning are as follows:
In addition to the above, NLD party members and representatives' from Monywa Township, Htantabin Township, Pantanaw Township, Mawlamyaing-gyun Township and Bogalay Township are in the process of dismantling their party apparatus and the relevant statistics regarding their resignations will be announced by the authorities in due course.
Whether the resignations of NLD party members and Representatives from the National League for Democracy were the result of undue pressure or force exerted upon them by the authorities may be judged from the recent press conference given by the representatives from Bilin and Thanbyu-zayat Townships.
Next, video features on the interviews with members of Thanbyu-zayat and Bilin Township National League for Democracy were presented. In the video feature, members of the Township NLDs said they resigned from NLD out of their own volition and not under pressure of any individual or organization since they did not wish to engage' in party politics any longer. The NLD members also said the objective condition in the country was that the government had been striving for the development of the nation in all aspects.
Afterwards, Lt-Col Hla Min of OSS and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win replied to questions asked by local and foreign correspondents, Ambassadors, CDAs and officials of the embassies.
The news briefing ended at 10.35 am.
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(6) Tatmadaw families and well-wishers donate dry rations to Theinngu Vipasana Kamahtan Yeiktha Kyaunataik
YANGON, 22 Nov - Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers donated dry rations and alms to Theinngu Vipasana Kamahtan Yeiktha Kyaungtaik in Hnawkon Village in Hmawby Township this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe.
The dry rations and alms donation ceremony held at Theinngu Vipasana Kamahtan Yeiktha Kyaungtaik were also attended by Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Commander of Phugyi Station Col Saw Hla Min, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, OSD at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint and departmental officials, nuns, yogis and well-wishers.
Then, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe and officials presented offertories and treatises on codes of conduct of monks to members of the Sangha.
Afterwards, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe and Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo offered rice donated by families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) to Padana Kammahtanasariya Agga Maha Kammahtanasariya Theinngu Vice-Sayadawgyi.
Then, officials presented rice and traditional medicines to Padana Nayaka Sayadawgyi.
The donations for the Theinngu Vipasana Kamahtan Yeiktha Kyaungtaik in Hmawby Township includes' 100 bags of rice, 20 viss of edible oil, one bag of gram, 150 viss of iodine salt, 15 packets of soft salt, 15 packets of soft salt, 100 packets of traditional medicines, 20 traditional medicines books and one copier.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and officials accepted donations for Soon padaythabin.
Today's donations K 30,000 donated by Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe and family, K 200,000 by Daw Nyo Nyo Myint (a) Daw Bawgawady (Thein Ngu), K 100,000 each by U Kan Nyunt-Daw San Shin, Maj Kyaw Soe (Retired)-(Daw Khin San Myin), U Ba Yin-Daw Mya Thi, U Shwe Lin Kyi-Daw Kyin Kyin, U Kan Hla Aung Daw Aye Tha, U Than Tin Daw Aye May, Daw Hla Hla and family, U Maung Maung Kha Swe-Daw Aye Aye Soe and U Tun Aung Kyaw-Daw Than Than Htay, K 50,000 each by U Shwe Win, U Thaung Shwe-Daw Kyin Ti and U Maung Maung Than- Daw Nyein Nyein Htwe, K 45,000 by KN Co, K 450,000 by Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, K 10,000 each by Thamada Thingan-taik, families of Indigenous Medicine Department and Director-General Dr Kyaw Myint Tun and family, K1,5000 by BTB Co, K 9,000 each by U Aung Mon-Daw Hla Hla Maw, U Pytme Cho-Daw Aye Aye Myint and Myan mar Edible Oil Dealer Association.
Afterwards, well-wishers donated K 525,000 to Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo for Soon Padaythabin of nine monasteries.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo supplicated on the aim of soon padaythabin donation.
NanU Kyaung Padana Nayaka Sayadaw delivered an Ovahtakahta.
Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe supplicated on the donation.
Vice-Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Obhasa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits for their good deeds.
After the ceremony, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe made a donation to nuns.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe and officials attended the donation ceremony for the construction of two-storey building in Taungpulu Kyaungtaik on Ward 1 in Bahan Township at noon today.
Padana Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nayada administered the Five Precepts.
Officials presented alms and treatises on codes of conduct of monks to members of the Sangha.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and officials accepted K 4 million donated by YCDC, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe and other well-wishers for the construction of two-storey building.
U Maung San briefed the Secretary-2 on arrangements for construction of two-storey Kyaungsaung and progress of work.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo gave instructions to them.
Taungpulu Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhana delivered a sermon followed by sharing of merits.
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(7) Dealers of counterfeit US $100 and 50 notes nabbed
YANGON, 22 Nov - Myanmar Police Force has nabbed dealers of counterfeit US $ 100 and 50 notes together with 65 US $ 100 notes and nine US $ 50 notes here.
After receiving information that some individuals visited the Myaing-haywun Restaurant in Mayangon Township and paid counterfeit US $ 100 notes on 28 and 29 September 1998, a combined team of MPF Criminal Investigation Department and Mayangon Township MPF kept vigil. The team seized Thein Aye of Thakayta Township who bought beer with a counterfeit US $ 50 note on 6 October 1998. Upon further investigation, Thein Aye disclosed that he had purchased 25 US S 100 counterfeit notes for K 6,500 each and one US $ 50 counterfeit note for K 3,000 from Kamal (a) Hla Shwe of Shwepyitha Township. Kamaj (a) Hla Shwe was said to have bought US $ 100 counterfeit notes from Nurjan (a) Daw Khin Mu in Mingala Taungnyunt for K 3,000 each and US $ 50 counterfeit notes from Mohamad Abu Thalliv (a) Aye Shwe for K 4,000 each.
Nurjan (a) Daw Khin Mu stole 30 US $ 100 counterfeit notes from her brother-in-law Esoof (a) Khin Maung Than in Thakayta Township and sold 12 notes to Kamal (a) Hla Shwe for K 3,000 each and 18 notes to Ramadak (a) Maung Maung in Kyauktada Township. Ramadak (a) Maung Maung sold 18 US $ 100 counterfeit notes he had bought from Nurjan (a) Daw Khin Mu and five US $ 100 counterfeit notes he had bought from Esmat in Pabedan Township for K 4,000 each, to Thein Aye for K 6,000 each. Esmat also bought US $ 100 counterfeit notes from Kamal (a) Hla Shwe for K 4,000 each and sold them to Ramadak (a) Maung Maung.
Eisoof (a) Khin Maung Than was said to have obtained 90 US $ 100 counterfeit notes from a broker in front of the Myanma Foreign Trade Bank in early August 1998 and that the US $ 100 counterfeit notes were acquired from the Thai border. Similarly, Mohamad Abu Thalliv (a) Aye Shwe bought 13 US $ 50 counterfeit notes from an unknown Thai-Chinese in Maesot, Thailand, in August 1998 for 1,950 baht.
Severe action will be taken against seven dealers including Thein Aye for the counterfeit US $ 100 and 50 notes.
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(8) Mongyang Township NLD dissolved
YANGON, 22 Nov - All Executive Committee members of National League for Democracy in Mongyang Township, eastern Shan State, have tendered their resignations and dissolved the Township NLD out of their own volition.
Mongyang Township NLD, eastern Shan State, was first formed with twelve Executive Committee members and U Sam Maha as Chairman on 20 March 1989. Patron U Sam La, Chairman U Sam Maha and Vice-Chairman U Sam Nu resigned on 28 June 1997 from the party membership out of their own volition since they no longer wished to continue to participate in NLD's political activities. Patron Daw Nang Ting Khan Secretary Sai Kyat and EC member Daw Nang Lon shifted to other township.
Now Joint Secretary U Sai Non Tip and EC members U Sai Yi Tip, U Sai Sam Non, U Sai Phe Don, Daw Nang Wo Khan and U Sai Sein Nyunt, all together six, were left in the party. On 18 November 1998, they notified the office of Mongyang Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission that they no longer wished to continue to participate in NLD's political activities and resigned from the party membership out of their own volition and dissolved township NLD by handing over the documents to the Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission.
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(9) Delegates arrive for ASEAN meeting
YANGON, 22 Nov - Delegates of ASEAN nations arrived here by air this morning and evening to attend the Evaluation and Pre-Production Meeting for ASEAN in Action V.
They are: Ms Faridah Onn of Singapore, Ms Helen Thu Moi Chin of Brunei, Mr Sangkhane Choumkhamphanh of LPDR, Mr Chuari Selamat of Malaysia, Ms Evelyn Agato of the Philippines, Mrs Amporn Somosokn of Thailand and Mr Ta Quiang Dong of Vietnam.
They were greeted at Yangon International Airport by officials of Myanma
Radio and TV and the News and Periodicals Enterprise.