(1) Secretary-1 attends special meeting of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control
YANGON, 16 Jan - The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held the special meeting No 1/99 in the meeting hall of the Ministry of Home Affairs today, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, deputy ministers, deputy attorney-general, senior military officers, Director General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, department heads, chairmen and secretaries of working groups, specially-invited guests and representatives of State/Division Peace and Development Councils.
In his address, the Secretary-1 said some Western countries are making false allegations and disseminating fabricated news in connection with politics and narcotic drugs in Myanmar.
It can be found that as regards prevention and suppression of narcotic drugs, the use of opium, marijuana, intoxicating brew and liquor had been prohibited by issuing royal decrees and orders since the time of ancient monarchs.
Later, some Western countries where science and technology developed disseminated the methods of production of narcotic drugs and distributed equipment to the developing countries; now they are accusing these developing countries of producing narcotic drugs.
In Myanmar, at the time the country was under servitude, colonialists introduced poppy cultivation; it can be found that neo-colonialists are giving encouragement with a view to gradually upgrading poppy cultivation up to production level.
Though narcotic drugs elimination activities including Moehein Phase 1 up to Phase 12 have been carried out at the cost of lives, blood and sweat of the Tatmadaw men, efforts to acquaint the international community with these activities have been weak; this being the case, it would be necessary to fully compile records on involvement of some Western countries in narcotic drug production and endeavors resolutely made by Myanmar for prevention and suppression of narcotic drugs.
Armed groups of national races returned to the legal fold and are speeding up efforts for prevention and suppression of narcotic drugs as well as implementation of development work for border areas.
Thanks to cooperation of leaders of national races;, Mongla region, Special Region 4 of Shan State East, could be declared to the world as opium free zone.
The remaining organizations of national races are also striving to be able to declare their regions as opium free zones.
In consonance with implementation of the projects for progress of border areas and national races, efforts for elimination of cultivation and production of narcotic drugs are being made too.
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(2) Secretary-1 inspects Grand Meeyahta Executive Residence under construction
YANGON, 16 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected the Grand Meeyahta Executive Residence under construction at the corner of Bogyoke Aung San Road and Alan Pya Phaya Street this evening.
On arrival at the residence at 3.40 pm, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt was welcomed by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin, heads of department, President of SPA/ FMI Group of Companies Mr Serge Pun (a) U Thein Wai and members of Board of Directors.
Then, the Secretary-1 inspected rooms, health club and swimming pool of the residence and progress of construction work. U Thein Wai and officials conducted him round the residence. Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt also inspected FMI Centre and left there at 5:30 pm.
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(3) Chief of Staff (Army) observes essay competition of 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day
YANGON, 16 Jan - Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 54th anniversary Armed Forces day Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo visited the venues of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Essay Competition at institute, college and university level and basic education school level this morning.
Lt-Gen Tin Oo, together with Chairman of the Management Committee for Observance of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint, senior military officers and officials of the Committee for Organizing the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Essay and Poem Competitions, arrived at No 2 Basic Education High School in Sangyoung Township at 10 am.
They were welcomed there by Headmistress Daw Khin May Gyi and the staff.
Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo observed the progress of basic education level essay competition on "Unyielding Spirit and the Tatmadaw."
Then, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party proceeded to No 2 BEHS in Mingaladon Township.
They were welcomed there by School Administrative Officer Maj Saw Thein, teaching staff and officials.
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(4) Chief of Staff (Army) views Army, Navy and Air Military Band Competition
YANGON, 16 Jan - The Eighth Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition being held in commemoration of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day for 1999 continued at the People's Square this morning. Before the competition started the band group
comprising school boys and girls of No 4 Basic Education High School in Thingangyun Township presented skills demonstration by playing marching songs. Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented prizes to members of the band through its leader Ma Htay Htay Aung.
Officials of Shwethanlwin Co also presented prizes to the band troupe of Thingangyun No 4 BEHE.
Band troupes representing No 10 Operations Control Command, No 8 Operations Control Command, No 4 Operations Control Command, No 5 Operations Control Command, No 9 Operations Control Command and No 12 Operations Control Command took part in the competition.
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(5) Sasana Mawgun Puja and Mahatheraguna Puja held to mark 40th founding anniversary of Bahan Shwekyin Taikthit
YANGON, 16 Jan - The Sasana Mawgun Puja and Mahatheraguna Puja to mark the 40th founding anniversary of Bahan Maha Visuddhayon (Pali Tekkatho) Shwekyin Taikthit was held at the Taikthit on Nandawun Road in Bahan Township today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present at the ceremony were Shwekyin Sasanabaing Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Kangyi Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa, other Sayadaws and members of the Sangha, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Deputy Minister U Aung Khin, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of Maha Visuddhayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik Welfare Committee, lay disciples and well-wishers.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa invested the congregation with the Eight Precepts.
In his supplication to the Sayadaws, the Secretary-1 said it has been 40 years since Yangon Maha Visuddhayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik was founded in 1320 ME.
The founder Sayadawgyi who cherished Pariyatti literature had managed the Kyaungtaik with proper discipline, and due to this, a lot of Sasana Arzani outstanding in Pariyatti literature emerged, he said.
He noted that the government organizes the Tipitakadhara Selection Examination with the aim of perpetuation, purification and propagation of Sasana, emergence of the Sasana Arzanis who can memorize and recite the Three Pitaka Treatises and providing support to them to work for promotion and propagation of Sasana, and two Tipitakadhara Tipitaka Kovida title recipient Sayadaws emerged from Maha Visuddhayon Shwekyin Kyaungaik.
These two Sayadaws are Presiding Sayadaw of Yangon Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Kyaungtaik Ashin Sumangala Lankara and Presiding Sayadaw of Yangon Maha Visuddhayon Shwekyin Kyaungtaik Yaw Sayadaw Ashin Sirindabhivamsa, who received the Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bhandhagarika titles, the highest in Pariyatti Sasana conferred on them by the State Peace and Development Council on 4 January 1999 he said.
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(6) Pilgrims arrive back from Bodh Gaya, Thailand and Singapore
YANGON, 16 Jan - Pilgrims of Myanmar Bodh Gaya Missionary Association led by KanOoKyaung Sayadaw arrived back here yesterday evening at the conclusion of their pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, Thailand and Singapore.
They were welcomed back at the Yangon International Airport by Chairman of Bodh Gaya Missionary Association Saddhamma Joticadhaja Thihasuddhama Manijotadhara U Kyaw Khin Myint, General Secretary U Kyaw Thein and of officials.
The Pilgrims left here for Bode Gay on 8 January. On their return, they flew on to Singapore and Thailand on Pilgrimage No 1/99.
Those wishing to go on pilgrimage may contact phone numbers 01-545215, 01545216 or 01-551173.
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(7) Minister inspects cultivated area in Nyaungdon Township
YANGON, 16 Jan - Minister for Commerce Maj Gen Kyaw Than inspected cultivated area of the ministry in wetlands near Athinsu Village, Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division, yesterday.
He was accompanied by Deputy Minister Col Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Khin Maung Oo and Director Lt-Col Than Shwe and officials.
They were welcomed there by General Manager U Moe Paw and officials of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading.
U Moe Paw and officials reported to the minister on cultivation work at the fields.
The minister then inspected paddy fields there.
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(8) Ministers for Sports inspects gymnasium swimming pool in Dagon Myothit (North)
YANGON, 16 Jan - Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, accompanied by Officer on Special Duty at the Ministry of Sports Col Thaung Htaik and officials inspected gymnasium and swimming pool of international standard in Dagon Myothit (North) this afternoon.
The minister gave instructions on renovation of the gymnasium and maintenance of the swimming pool.
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(9) 2.5598 kilos of heroin sized in Lashio
YANGON, 16 Jan - Acting on information, members of Local Intelligence unit waited at Maw Shwe Li Hotel in ward 8, Lashio, on 3-199 and arrested Lauk-e (a) Twan-e, 49, son of U Lauk Twan of Ward 5, Lashio; Twan Myin Khauk, 24, son of U Twan Yi of Yikhu Kyaing Village, Kyukok (Panhsai) Township, Lauk Kyaing (a) Kyein Khan Hlyan, 32, son of U Kyein Sein Kwan of Ward 5, Lashio who came to the hotel for drug trafficking.
The antidrug squad also seized from them ten packets of heroin wrapped up in plastic sacks weighing 2.5398 kilos and a white Van vehicle (Ba/9739) used in drug trafficking. Legal action is being taken against the three according to law.
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(10) Members of Pathein Township NLD resign
YANGON, 16 Jan - One hundred and sixty-one members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pathein Township, Ayeyawady Division, on 13 December.
One hundred and forty-seven members of Pathein Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, on their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Pathein Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 8 December, 9 December and 10 December and 14 members followed suit on 13 December, totaling 161, as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(11) Members of Myingyan Township NLD resign
YANGON, 16 Jan - Ninety-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Myingyan Township, Mandalay Division, on 29 December.
Sixteen members of Myingyan Township NLD, Mandalay Division, on their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Myingyan Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 12 December and 19 members followed suit on 16 December, 33 members on 24 December, one member on 26 December and 28 members on 29 December, totaling 97, as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.