(1) Tachilek Airport's new runway, modern terminal commissioned into service
YANGON, 19 Feb - A ceremony to open the new modern airport terminal of Tachilek, Shan State (East), was held today, attended b y Vice-Chairman of the State. Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye.
Mayflower Trading Co Ltd built the new airport terminal for the Department of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport.
Also present on the occasion were Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than and Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of the Triangle Region on Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Industry-l U Aung Thaung, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, 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 Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Vice Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, Commander of the Tactical Operations Brig-Gen Soe Thein, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departments, among others.
At the auspicious time, General Maung Aye formally unveiled the plaque of the new airport terminal.
Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Managing Director of Mayflower Trading Co Ltd U Kyaw Win formally opened the new airport terminal. It was followed by a ceremony in the airport terminal building.
Speaking on the occasion, Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein said it was an auspicious day for Shan State (East) for being able to build and put into service a modern airport in Tachilek.
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(2) Correctness of State objectives leads to achieving national peace and stability and economic advancement plans envisaged to enable entrepreneurs of Shan State (East) to transform vacant, virgin, fallow lands into farms
YANGON, 19 Feb - Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye met departmental personnel in Tachilek, Shan State (East) today.
Accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, ministers and senior officers, General Maung Aye left here for Tachilek by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday afternoon.
On arrival at Tachilek Airport, the General and party were welcomed by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, departmental personnel and families.
This morning the General and party paid obeisance to Buddha images in Nagahnakaung Monastery in the town.
They also paid respects to Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Dhammasiri and presented offertories to him.
At Golden Triangle Hotel, General Maung Aye met departmental personnel and discussed regional development and large-scale cultivation of crops on commercial scale.
The General said the results of the arrangements made and encouragement being given for modernization and progress of border towns can be seen at present due to collective participation of local people.
Tachilek now is much different from the past as it has developed significantly; and tasks should be implemented in accord with the 12 political, economic and social objectives laid down by the State in striving for the progress of the people and the region.
Correctness of the State objectives has led to achieving national peace and stability and economic advancement.
Invitations have been extended to national entrepreneurs for significant development of farming, and now they are taking part in the crop cultivation and production business with might and main.
Arrangements should be made to enable local entrepreneurs of Shan State (East) to transform vacant, virgin and fallow lands into farms.
Efforts should be made not only to secure regional rice sufficiency but to have surplus production and to grow other crops on land which is unsuitable to cultivate paddy.
The General said all the barren hills must be reforested, urging Shan State (East) to actively participate in the ever greening modern farming system being realized by the State to benefit the posterity.
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(3) Secretary-l accepts gold, jewellery and cash donations for renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Htidaw
YANGON, 19 Feb - A ceremony to donate gold jewellery and cash for the Shwedagon Pagoda was held at Old Museum Tazaung on the platform of the pagoda at 8 am today, attended by Patron of the Committee for All round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present on the occasion were Ovadacariya Sayadaw of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and the Board of Trustees of the Shwedagon Pagoda, Thiri Manda Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa and members of the Sangha, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin, Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thuya Myint Maung, Chairman of Work Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, members of the Board of Trustees and well-wishers.
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(4) Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army, delegation leave for home after visiting Inlay, Mandalay
YANGON, 19 Feb - Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army General Surayud Chulanont and his wife and delegation, who are here on goodwill visit at the invitation of Deputy Commander-in Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, left here for Heho Airport in Shan State yesterday afternoon by special flight.
Accompanied by Director of Supply and Transport Brig-Gen Tin Tun and wife, Myanmar Military Attaché to Thailand Lt-Col Kyaw Han and wife, Thai Military Attaches to Myanmar Col Chaiwat Satondee and wife and officials, the Thai General and delegation arrived at Heho Airport at 1.45 pm.
They were welcomed there by Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo and wife Daw Khin Lay Myint, Shan State level departmental officials, military officers, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, national races, members of Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and students with traditional dances of national races.
The Thai General and delegation, together with Maj-Gen Maung Bo and wife, left the airport for Nyaungshwe in a motorcade and then proceeded to PhaungdawU Yokeshindawmyat Buddha Images by boat.
The guests were welcomed at PhaungdawU Yokeshindawmyat Buddha Images by members of Board of Trustees of the Buddha Images, USDA, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade members and students.
The General and delegation paid homage to the Buddha Images, offered flowers, lights and incense and gilt the Buddha Images.
The guests also paid obeisance to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumida of PhaungdawU Phaya Kyaungtaik and presented offertories.
The General signed in the visitors' book of PhaungdawU Buddha Images.
The Board of Trustees of PhaungdawU Buddha Images presented replicas of PhaungdawU Buddha Images.
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(5) Yangon Command Commander meets departmental officials of Yangon East and Yangon North Districts
YANGON, 19 Feb - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Commander of No-2 Military Region Lt-Col Than Win, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aye Win, Chairman of Rangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu and departmental officials, inspected the construction site of Ngamoeyeik Bridge in Thingangyun Township this afternoon.
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived at the construction site and inspected construction of bridge and the approach road.
Deputy Superintending Engineer U Mint Win reported to the Commander on the Progress of work.
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(6) Japanese Traditional Kites and Tops Exhibition opened at National Museum
YANGON, 19 Feb - The opening ceremony of the Japanese Traditional Kites and Tops Exhibition was held at the National Museum on Pyay Road today.
It was attended by Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, departmental heads, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar Mr Kazuo Asakai, ambassadors of the embassies and officials.
In his address, Ambassador Mr Kazuo Asakai said.
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(7) 353 drug-related cases exposed in January 1999
YANGON, 19 Feb - The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and Customs Department seized narcotic drugs in 353 cases - 229.7882 kilos of opium in 32 cases, 98.441 kilos of heroin in 149 cases, 91.186 kilos of marijuana in 47 cases, 57.02 liters of Phensedyl in seven cases, 0.211 kilo of low-grade opium in nine cases, 0.003 kilo of opium oil in one case, 1,286,481 stimulant tablets in 29 cases. 21.523 kilos of opium powder, 6785055 kilos of ephedrine nine cases, 1.44 litters of cough syrup in one case, 238 gallons of acetic anhydride in one case, 1,809 gallons of spirit in one case, 128 gallons of hydrochloric acid in one case, 1,770 gallons of ether, 70 gallons of Lysol, 27 gallons of chloroform, 45 gallons of acid, nine gallons of sulfuric acid, 245 kilos of soda, 20 gallons of liquid-opium 20 kilos of phenyl acetic and powder, 58 cases of failure to register and eight other cases.
The seizures by the Tatmadaw were 27.776 kilos of opium 30.0358 kilos of heroin 26.128 kilos of marijuana, 25,228 stimulant tablets, 130.77 kilos of ephedrine, 23 gallons of acetic anhydride, 1,770 gallons of ether, 1,809 gallons of spirit, 70 gallons of Lysol, 27 gallons of chloroform, 45 gallons of acid, 128 gallons of hydrochloric acid, nine gallons of sulfuric acid, 245 kilos of soda and 21 gallons of liquid-opium.
MPF seized 202.0122 kilos of opium in 32 cases, 68.4052 kilos of heroin in 149 cases, 65.058 kilos of marijuana in 47 cases, 57.02 liters of Phensedyl in seven cases, 0.211 kilo of low-grade opium in nine cases, 0.003 kilo of opium oil in one case. 1,261,253 stimulant tablets in 29 cases, 21523 kilos of stimulant powder, 547.7355 kilos of ephedrine in nine cases, 1.44 liters of cough syrup in one case, one case of acetic anhydride, one case of spirit, one case of hydrochloric acid, 20 kilos of phenyl acetic acid, 58 cases of failure to register and eight other cases.
MPF combined with the Tatmadaw seized 62.4725 kilos of heroin in 16 cases, 170.277 kilos of opium in eight cases, 43.0433 kilos of marijuana in five cases, 1,205,606 stimulant tablets, one kilo of ephedrine, 0.002 kilo of liquid-opium cake and 0.0001 kilo of low-grade opium in one case.
Action was taken against 471 persons - 378 men and 93 women in 353 cases in January 1999.
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(8) 31.691 kilos of raw opium seized in Mandalay
YANGON, 19 Feb - Members of Mawhan Police Post, acting on information, on 6 February searched a car with number plates Nya/8457, driven by Thein Maung (a) Maricok, which was leaving Mandalay for Myintkyina and seized 20 packets of raw opium weighing 31.691 kilos, hidden in oil tank of the car.
They arrested Thein Maung, driver, 35, son of U Hla Aye of Hanbu Village, Phekhon Township together with Thein Win Tint, 32, son of U Aikla of Takwin Village, Mohnyin Township, who was in the car.
Action is being taken against the two according to laws.
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(9) Over 9 kilos of heroin seized
YANGON, 19 Feb - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit, Myanmar Police Force and departmental officials, acting on information, searched a van (Pa/ 8916), driven by Maung Aye (a) May Lyan Yu (a) Lauk Lon, son of U Mein Shauk Phwe at Ward 3, Kyuhkok, at the suspension bridge of Kunlong, Shan State (North), on 11 February. They seized 19 blocks of heroin weighing 9.798 kilos.
Action is taken against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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(10) 9,600 amphetamine tables seized
YANGON, 19 Feb - Acting to information, a combined group comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force waited at Chit Swe Hotel, at the comer of 81st and 35th Streets in East Yadanabonmi Ward, Maha Aungmye Township, Mandalay Division, on 14 February, and seized Ma Wa Tun (a) Ma Aye May, 29, daughter of U Sai San at Ward 8, Kyaukme and Ma Aye Nwan, 25, daughter of U Aik Pu bringing together with A/99 brand 9,600 amphetamine tablets.
In further investigation, the group arrested more owners of the tablets Daw Shawt Lin, 48, daughter of U Ran Rin Ywan at Ta/217, South Ward, Muse Township and Daw Nwan, 44, daughter at U Yay Ngin at Ta/!216, South Ward, Muse Township No 9 Myanmar Police Station in Mandalay is taking action against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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(11) 29 members resign from Kyonpyaw Township NLD
YANGON, 19 Feb - Twenty-nine members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kyonpyaw Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Twenty-nine members of Kyonpyaw Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Kyonpyaw Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 29 December 1998 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(12) 25 members resign from Thaton Township NLD
YANGON, 19 Feb - Twenty-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Thaton Township, Mon State.
Twenty-five members of Thaton Township NLD, Mon State, of their own volition,
resigned by sending letters of resignation to Thaton Township Multiparty
Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 8
February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.