(1) Plans being implemented for wiping out poppy cultivation, carrying out area development in peace-restored regions
YANGON, 16 Feb - Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met leaders of national races and discussed regional development in Shan State and Kayah State today.
Accompanied by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Home Affair Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, officials of the State Peace and Development Council, heads of department and officials, the Secretary-1 left here by Tatmadaw aircraft this morning.
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(2) Secretary-2 attends Yangon Gems '99 show
YANGON, 16 Feb - The 2nd Yangon Gems '99 jointly sponsored by Cooperatives Department and TTF (Yangon) Co Ltd opened at Hotel Equatorial on Alanpyaphaya Road this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present on the occasion were 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, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen Min Thein, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, senior military officers of Ministry of Defence, Ambassador of Brunei, officials, guests, Managing Director of TTF (Yangon) Co Ltd Mr Anant Prasertsit, local gems producers cooperatives societies and entrepreneurs of gems enterprises.
Managing Director Mr Anant Prasertsit delivered a speech.
Next, Minister U Aung San and Mr Anant Prasertsit formally opened the 2nd Yangon Gems '99.
The Secretary-2, the Secretary-3 and ministers inspected the gems sales counters.
Various kinds of gems and paintings were exhibited at 75 counters of ten Gem Producers Cooperative Societies and 53 local private entrepreneurs. Gems will be sold in US dollars.
The gem emporium opens from 10 am to 6 pm daily till 21 February.
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(3) Secretary-2 discusses more extensive use of firewood substitute fuel and requirements for entrepreneurs
YANGON, 16 Feb - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo met national entrepreneurs at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation this afternoon and discussed use of firewood substitute fuel for farm workers and requirements of the national entrepreneurs.
The Secretary-2, the ministers, the deputy ministers and departmental officials heard report on A-1 stove produced by Forest Department, briquette-using stoves, use of other fuel instead of firewood and cost difference between briquette and fire wood by Director-General of Forest Department Dr Kyaw Tint and officials.
Thanmyanthu 007 production group demonstrated production of briquettes and answered questions raised by national entrepreneurs.
Firewood costs K 7,000 per cubic ton. The cost of one briquette is seven kyats. Three hundred and seven briquettes is equivalent to one cubic ton of firewood. The use of briquette saves K 4,851.
A coordination meeting on requirement of national entrepreneurs who are engaged in agriculture in Ayeyawady, Yangon, Magway and Taninthayi Divisions was held at the ministry.
The Secretary-2 fulfilled the requirements on supply of farm machinery, opening of filling stations, workers, convenience for telephone links and security.
Next, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Commerce Col Kyaw San, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun and departmental officials took part in the discussions.
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(4) 25 armed group members exchange arms for peace in January
YANGON, 16 Feb - After realizing the correct aims and endeavours of the Government, and goodwill of Tatmadaw, remaining armed groups are exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups.
Pvt Hla Than (a) Hlaing Lay and Ma Thet Su of ABSDF armed group in Northern Command area, major Lauk Kwe, pvts Lauk Eir, Aik Hlyan and Aik Tun bringing together with one 9mm pistol and eight rounds of ammunition of remnant MTA armed group in Eastern Command area, pvt Saw Phaw Phaw of KNU armed group in Coastal Region Command area Lieutenant Saw Aye Maung (a) Saw Gei Kaw wife Naw Mya Sein, daughters Naw Petcher, Naw Estina and Naw Phroda of No 3 Company, No 2 Brigade of KNU armed group, cpl Soe Min (a) Htoo Thu Soe (a) Sai Pi of the headquarters and sgt Maung Htay With one revolver, six rounds of ammunition and one icon of No 1 Battalion of ABSDF armed group in Southern Command area, major L Biharmankaja (a) Zaw Zaw, company sgt Pa Hin and wife Daw Son Me, sons Dau Li Tun and Maung Htaik Mahn, daughters Ma Nyo Kaing and Ma Nyi Mahn with one M-20 pistol and 20 rounds of ammunition of NNC armed group, pvt Hsan Bikh of CNA armed group and pvt Swe Kyon of CNF armed group in North-West Command area and sgt Yin Htwe (a) Kyaw Oo with one revolver and six rounds of ammunition of PDF armed group and pvt Htut Htut Myo with one AK-47 and 80 rounds of ammunition of PLF armed group in South-East Command area exchanged arms for peace at the respective military camps in January 1999.
Officials of the military camps warmly welcomed the 25 members of the respective armed groups who exchanged arms for peace and fulfilled their requirements.
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(5) 28 members resign from Thayet Township NLD
YANGON, 16 Feb - Twenty-eight members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Thayet Township, Magway Division, on 14 and 25 January l 999.
Ten members of Thayet Township NLD, Magway Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Thayet Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 14 January and 18 members followed suit on 25 January respectively as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(6) Imported machinery arrives for land reclamation work
YANGON, 16 Feb - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister U Pe Than and officials, inspected arrival of 15 bulldozers from Japan by mv Kengtung at Sule Jetty No 5 this morning.
Irrigation Department imported 50 Hitachi bulldozers and spare parts from Nichimen Corporation of Japan to be used in reclamation of vacant and fallow lands and wetlands in Yangon, Ayeyawady and Bago Divisions.
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(7) 71 members resign from Amarapura Township NLD
YANGON, 16 Feb - Seventy-one members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Amarapura Township, Mandalay Division, on 22, 24, 25 and 26 December 1998.
Thirteen members of Amarapura Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Amarapura Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 22 December, thirty-two, nine and 17 members followed suit on 24, 25, and 26 December respectively as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(8) 17 members resign from Dawei Township NLD
YANGON, 15 Feb - Seventeen members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Dawei Township, Taninthayi Division, on 25, 26 and 27 December 1998.
Seven members of Dawei Township NLD, Taninthayi Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Dawei Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 25 December, five members on 26 and five members on 27 December as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(9) Third Meeting of Telecommunications Working Group for South East Asia (TELEWORK-SE) begins
YANGON, 16 Feb - A ceremony to open the Third Meeting of Telecommunications Working Group for South-East Asia (TELEWORK-SE) of Asia Pacific Tele-community was held at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel this morning.
Present at the ceremony were Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Executive Director of Asia Pacific Tele-community Mr Jong Soon Lee and party, Director- General of the Directorate of Communications U Kyi Than, officials of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, delegates of Myanmar, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines Singapore, Thailand, Lao and Vietnam, representatives of International Telecommunication Union and communications organizations, departmental officials and guests.
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(10) Basic accountancy course ends, computer course opened in Taunggyi
YANGON, 16 Feb - Ceremonies to mark the conclusion of Basic Accountancy Course No 2 of Southern Shan State Union Solidarity and Development Association and opening of computer diploma course were held at Shan State USDA office in Taunggyi yesterday evening.
Present on the occasion were Patron of Shan State USDA Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo, member of the Secretariat of the USDA U Khin Maung Thein, CEC member Brig-Gen Thein Aung and officials.
Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo urged trainees to learn respective courses with industry and to apply them in public service.
U Khin Maung Thein said USDA has opened basic accountancy courses in 53 district towns and accountancy courses on basic, high and special level will be conducted.
He said computer courses were also opened for increase of computer technicians and application of the skills in departments and public services.
The commander, Minister U Khin Maung Thein and CEC member Brig-Gen Thein Aung presented certificates to the trainees and gifts to the course instructors.
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(11) Minister meets General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation
YANGON, 16 Feb - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met General Manager of Mitsubishi Cooperation Mr S Yamanokuchi and party who called at his office at 3 pm today.
Present at the call were Director-General U Win Zaw Nyunt of Directorate of Industries, Director-General U Tin Hlaing of Directorate of Regional Industrial Coordination and Industrial Inspection, Managing Director U Than Shwe of Myanma Ceramics Industries and officials.