(1) Injecting relevant technology, inputs and management capabilities essential to promote agriculture growth
YANGON, 29 Jan - The seminar on "Netafim Advanced Irrigation Technologies" jointly organized by the Netafim Irrigation Equipment and Drip Systems of Israel and the Supreme Enterprise Limited of Myanmar was held at the Equatorial Hotel today.
Present on the occasion were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, deputy ministers, ambassadors of Israel and Singapore, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, correspondents of the Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, entrepreneurs of the companies and joint ventures engaged in the agriculture services on wetlands and vacant, virgin and fallow lands, officials of NGOs, and guests.
Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin made a speech.
He said:
"Since the economy of Myanmar is still dominated by the agriculture sector, we remain engaged in generating all-round growth of other economic sectors, with agriculture sector development as a base. And with the transformation towards the market-oriented economy, we are making all-out efforts to promote agriculture growth both vertically and horizontally".
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(2) Preparations made to offer 'soon' to Sayadaws who will attend religious title presentation ceremony
YANGON, 29 Jan - A meeting was held at Tatmadaw Dhammayon this afternoon to prepare for offering of 'soon' to Sayadaws who will attend the religious title presentation ceremony; it was addressed by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
The Secretary-1 said it was to coordinate offering of 'soon' to State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Sayadaws of the State Working Committee of the Sangha and title recipient Sayadaws and nuns for 1999 by Tatmadaw members and families at Tatmadaw Dhammayon.
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe with the aim of paying respects to all the Sayadaws in Myanmar and from abroad and title recipient Sayadaws who would attend the religious title presentation ceremonies had given guidance to offer 'soon' to these Sayadaws annually before the religious titles were conferred on them.
The leading committee, the work committee and the sub-committees were to strive for offering best services to hold the religious ceremony based on experiences of the previous years.
Secretary of Soon Offering Sub-committee Deputy Quartermaster-General Col Zaw Lin explained work programmes.
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(3) Secretary-1 and wife host dinner in honour of Myanmar doctors from US, UK
YANGON, 29 Jan - Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Khin Win Shwe hosted dinner at Karaweik Hall, Kandawgyi, this evening in honour of Myanmar doctors resident in the United States and the United Kingdom who had attended the 45th Conference of Myanmar Medical Association.
The dinner was also attended by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Ministers at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Education U Than Aung Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, heads of departments under the Ministry of Health, Myanmar doctors from the United States and the United Kingdom and guests.
A programme of cultural dances was presented on the occasion.
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(4) Secretary-1 inspects construction of building for Venerable Sayadaws
YANGON, 29 Jan - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this afternoon inspected progress in construction of a building for Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and renovation of Maha Zeya Awia Marazein Bronze Buddha Image in Bahan Township, Yangon.
Accompanied by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, the Secretary-1 inspected progress in construction of the building which is located at Kaba Aye in Mayangon Township.
Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and officials explained to him salient points of the project.
The Secretary-1 gave counsel on the work.
Next, the Secretary-1 and party paid obeisance at Maha Zeya Atula Marazein Bronze Buddha Image in Bahan Township.
They inspected work at the image and gave instructions to officials.
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(5) Pipeline laying of Yetagun Gas Project to be completed at year end
YANGON, 29 Jan - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi today inspected the DLB KP1, a vessel which is laying a 24-inch natural gas pipeline offshore on Taninthayi coast at Yetagun Gas Project.
Accompanied by officials, the minister observed connecting of pipelines with welding machines, the system of checking the connections and laying of the pipeline.
The minister presented a fruit basket to Pipeline Manager Mr Geoff Stone of Myanmar Premier Oil Company and experts and gifts to staff of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.
At Kanbauk region in Taninthayi Division, the minister inspected laying of a pipeline along the axis at KP42 area, use of heavy equipment and progress in implementing the project.
Laying of onshore pipeline began in October 1998 and offshore pipeline in November 1998.
At present, of the 67 kilometers of pipeline to be laid onshore, 42 kilometers have been laid and of the 206 kilometers of pipeline to be laid offshore, 178 kilometers have been laid.
The work of pipeline laying, erection of a production drilling rig and arrangements to produce and sell condense of Yetagun Gas Project will be ready at the end of 1999.
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(6) Over K 61.4m provided for 333 disabled Tatmadaw men up to 31st time
YANGON, 29 Jan - A ceremony to provide cash assistance to the disabled Tatmadawmen, who are still in service, was held at Yangon City Hall today. It was the 31st time to provide them with cash donated by the enterprises formed under the name ''Thanmyanthu" and well-wishers.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Adjutant General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint, departmental officials, guests, well-wishers and disabled Tatmadawmen.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo said that cash assistance totaling over K 61.4 million has been provided to 333 disabled Tatmadawmen up to the 31st donation ceremony.
He spoke of the Tatmadawmen's spirit of sacrifice in discharging national defence duties and shouldering of nation-building tasks in all sectors.
He also pointed out the Tatmadawmen's duty to participate in the tasks for progress of the agriculture and industry sectors and to carry out community welfare tasks if they do not have to undergo training or discharge national defence duties.
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(7) Over 1.3 million acres of summer paddy cultivated in Ayeyawady Division
YANGON, 29 Jan - Outstanding students and athletes, and prize winners in Code of Conduct contests and extempore talks from Tatmadaw (Air) families were honoured at the Maintenance Air Base this morning.
Present on the occasion were Member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Air)Gen Kyaw Than, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, air base commanders and senior officers of Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office.
Officials of Tatmadaw (Air) teams which won championship trophies in 1998 Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Shooting and Sepak Takraw Championships presented trophies to the Commander-in-Chief (Air).
The Commander-in-Chief (Air) and officials presented prizes to 55 outstanding students who passed BEHS Exam for 1997-98 with distinctions, 35 outstanding athletes and 28 prize winners in Code of Conduct contests and extempore talks.
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(8) Fujitsu demonstrates CDMA systems
YANGON, 29 Jan - Fujitsu Co Ltd of Japan demonstrated CDMA mobile communications and wireless access system at Communications and Postal Training Centre of Myanma Post and Telecommunication this morning.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Managing Director of MPT U Maung Maung Tin, Director-General of Post and Communication Department U Kyi Than, officials and guests.
General Manager of the Japanese company Mr Y Tanaka explained the CDMA mobile communications, CDMA cellular system and wireless local loop system and future plans to be materialized after the year 2000.
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(9) 3,582.61 acres of poppy destroyed Nov 98 to Jan 99
YANGON 29 Jan - The government has resolved to eradicate narcotic drugs as a national duty and the combined teams of members and personnel the Tatmadaw columns, regional intelligence units, Myanmar Police Force and local people with the leadership of the regional commands have been incessantly destroying the poppy plantations illegally grown in the remote areas of Shan State, Kachin State and Kayah State.
In January 1999, altogether 350.30 acres of poppy plantations: 53.5 acres in Namkham Township, Shan State (North), 21 acres in Kutkai Township, five acres in Hsenwi Township, 55 acres in Mon-koe Region, 55 acres in Waing-maw Township, Kachin State, and 160.8 acres in Moebye Township, Kayah State-were destroyed.
The data on destruction of narcotic drugs from November 1998 to January 1999 are as follows:
(a) Monkoe
Region
568.25 acres
(b) Muse
Township
497.75 acres
(c) Namkham
Township 53.50 acres
(d)
Kutkai Township
72.00 acres
(e) Hsenwi
Township 267.00 acres
(f)
Kunlong
132.75 acres
(g)
Tangyang
301.30 acres
(h) Hsipaw
Township 13.00 acres
(i) Pinlaung
Township 182.95 acres
(j) Pekhon
Township 1267.31
acres
(k) Mongtong Township
11.00 acres
(l) Waingmaw Township
55.00 acres
(m) Moebye
Township 160.80 acres
Altogether 3,582.61 acres of poppy plantations illegally grown in Shan State (North), Shan State (South), Kayah State and Kachin State have been destroyed, and efforts are going on to search and destroy the illegal poppy plantations.
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(10) 15 members of armed groups exchange arms for peace
YANGON, 29 Jan - After realizing the correct objectives, endeavors and sincere good-will of the Tatmadaw, members of the armed groups are exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups continually.
A total of 15 members of various armed groups exchanged arms for peace in the respective military command areas from 16 to 31 December 1998.
They were: private Saw Pharay of No 6 brigade of KNU, bringing one AK-47, one rifle, one magazine and 52 rounds of ammunition in South-East Command area, private Khwe Kwe of No 1 company, No 10 brigade of KNU with one grenade, commander Khaing Zaw Min (a) Shwe Maung Maung, joint in-charge Ba Moe, private members Win Oo, Maung Maung, Taing Kyaw Aung, Ma Than Nwe, Khin Maung Yin and his wife Thanda Win of Rakhine terrorist insurgent, bringing in two M-16s, three AK-47s, ten magazines and 200 rounds of ammunition in Coastal Region Commander, private Aik Yi of MTA remnant group with one M-22 rifle in Triangle Region Command area, private Kaw Htwe (a) Lian Tin Htan of CNA insurgent and 2nd-Lt Mat Cho, WO Po Haing and private Sai, bringing in two .303 rifles and 24 rounds of ammunition in North-West Command area.
Officials of regional battalions welcomed the 15 persons who exchanged arms for peace and fulfilled their requirements.
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(11) MTE, United Home Centre Co sign contract setup wood-based factory
YANGON, 29 Jan - Myanma Timber Enterprise of Ministry of Forestry and United Home Centre Co Ltd signed a contract to set up wood-based factory at the MTE this afternoon.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone Deputy Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Soe Myint, heads of department and officials of United Home Centre Co Ltd.
Managing Director of Myanma Timber Enterprise U Shwe Baw and Managing Director of United Home Centre Co Ltd U Win Aung signed the agreement and exchanged documents.
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(12) Twenty-five members resign from Salin Township NLD
YANGON, 29 Jan - Twenty-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Salin Township, Magway Division.
Twenty-five members of Salin Township NLD, Magway Division, on their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Salin Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 13-1-99 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(13) Twelve members resign from Kyauktan Township NLD
YANGON, 29 Jan - Twelve members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kyauktan Township, Yangon Division.
Twelve members of Kyauktan Township NLD, Yangon Division, of their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Kyauktan Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 27-1-99 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.