YANGON, 23 Apr - The Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races held its meeting at the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) today, with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.
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(2) Excerpts from Senior General Than Shwe's address
The aim of formation of the Central Committee and the work committees is to narrow the development gap between one region and another, including border areas.
Illiterate could not build the nation to become developed. Hence, primary, middle and high schools are opened in various regions.
When the intellectual and educational standard of the border region youths improves, they will be able to work in the interest of their own regions.
Industries based on the mineral resources of border regions are to be established.
Research must be conducted to systematically study the progress in border region development projects during the 10 years.
Central and regional level officials are to constantly keep in touch with the national brethren in order to know their regional situation and effectively implement tasks.
Plans are under way to extend institutions of higher learning and vocational training schools for youths of border areas.
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(3) Construction of modern wharf in Ahlon begins
YANGON, 23 Apr - The first pile was driven in today to build a general freight and container wharf at Twinchaung Seikkan region, Strand Road, Ahlon Township, Yangon Division.
Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt pushed the button to drive in the first pile of the 255 800-mm-diameter and 900-mm-diameter reinforced concrete marine piles.
Fifty per cent of the work has been completed in erecting 283 reinforced concrete onshore piles, said Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe at the ceremony.
It is a project to rebuild the No 1 Ahlon Wharf with cent per cent investment of Asia World Port Management Co Ltd.
AWPMCL, owned by national entrepreneurs, signed contract with Myanma Port Authority of the Ministry of Transport on 25 November 1998 to build a world class wharf, the minister recalled.
Construction works have started as the old jetty and the related buildings were dismantled as planned and pre-engineering works such as soil testing and designing have been completed, he noted.
Located next to the No 2 Ahlon Wharf which is under operation, the Wharf was designed by Myanmar architects and is being built and installed with modern equipment by Myanmar engineers.
It will be a 1,114.6-foot wide bridge to be built on a 5.934-acre plot within three years.
When completed the wharf can be moored by seagoing freighters, 184-metre long and 30-metre wide, with a depth of 12.7 metres and drought of nine metres.
It will have capacity to accommodate three over 120-metre long ships at the same time.
The existing wharves at Yangon Port have limits in handling cargo due to their age and designs and that adding of another advanced wharf within three years will help develop freight handling at the port, the minister said.
Managing Director of Asia World Co Ltd U Tun Myint Naing explained points of the project.
Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and U Tun Myint Naing also drove in a onshore pile.
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(4) Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee holds Sixth meeting
YANGON, 23 Apr - The Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee held its sixth meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs at 1 pm today, attended by Chairman of Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Secretary of Communications Policy Supervisory Central Committee Director of Signals Brig-Gen Aung Myint acted as master of ceremonies.
Joint-Secretary of the Committee General Staff Officer (Grade I) of Ministry of Defence Lt-Col Yin Maung Sein sought the approval from the meeting of the minutes of the previous meeting.
Then, Joint-Secretary of the Committee General Staff Officer (Grade I) of the Directorate of Signals Lt-Col Ye Lwin reported to the meeting on decision of the Committee on proposals for communications equipment.
Brig-Gen Aung Myint reported to the meeting on inspection of communications equipment used at Forestry Department, Survey Department and Myanma Timber Enterprise.
Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin reported on arrangements for installation of 6,000 auto telephone lines in Yangon and CDMA mobile phones and, CDMA (Fixed) phones installed and Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein on arrangements to use FM system for the development of broadcasting services.
A general round of discussions followed.
Then, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo fulfilled their requirements.
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(5) Deputy Prime Minister meets President of Exe Asia
YANGON, 23 Apr - Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin met President of Exe Asia Co Ltd Mr Hitoshi Tani and party of Japan who called at his office at 4 pm today.
Present at the call were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Secretary of MIC Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials.
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(6) Over 1.1m stimulant tablets seized in Hsenwi, Lashio
YANGON, 23 Apr - A combined team comprising members of Lashio Anti-Drug Squad, local battalion and Customs Department, acting on information, searched Kontar light truck 6Ka/6006 driven by Aye Kyaw, leaving from Laukkai to Mandalay, at Yaybukan check point in Hsenwi Township on 10 April evening.
They seized 980,000 stimulant tablets hidden in a secret compartment of fuel tank between the cab and the rare of car body.
Action is taken against car driver Aye Kyaw, 27, son of U Maung Than of new Ward 7, Lashio, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
Similarly, the authorities, acting on information, searched Town Ace 5Ka/9002, leaving from Lashio to Mandalay, at Sint-in check point in Lashio on 15 April. They seized 170,520 stimulant tablets hidden in a secret compartment of fuel tank at the rear of the car body.
Action is taken against spare-man Soe Min (a) Saw Min, 30, son of U Bo Gyi, of region-2 Taungni Village, Taunggyi and driver Aik Kwe of Thirimingala Street, Yeayogwin Ward, Taunggyi, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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(7) Last beam fixed at Bo Myat Tun Bridge (Nyaungdon)
YANGON, 23 Apr - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and officials of Public Works, left for Bo Myat Tun Bridge (Nyaungdon) Project and attended the ceremony to fix the last beam of the bridge today.
The minister, the deputy minister and party arrived at the bridge construction site at 9.15 am, and together with Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of the South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, inspected the completed bridge.
Precisely at 10 hours 44 minutes and 09 seconds, the auspicious time, the Commander and the Minister fixed the bolts of the last beam and sprinkled scented water onto it, and showered confetti to mark the successful completion.
The Commander, the Minister and party went along the bridge up to Kyeinbinse bank inspecting the bridge and left.
On both banks, the steel beams have been fixed and construction workers are striving for completion of the project as scheduled.
Bo Myat Tun Bridge (Nyaungdon) Construction Project is the most important project to build one linking Yangon Division with Ayeyawady Division.
The bridge with reinforced concrete piers and steel frames of upper structure spans the Ayeyawady River. Its total length is 8,544 feet with the 6,164-foot-long main structure, and 1,000-foot-long and 1,380-foot-long approach roads.
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(8) 32 members resign from Mongyaung Township NLD
YANGON, 23 Apr - Thirty-two members resigned from National League for Democracy of Mongyaung Township, Eastern Shan State.
Thirty-two members of Mongyaung Township NLD, Eastern Shan State, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Mongyaung Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 24 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(9) Pa-O group visits USDA Headquarters
YANGON, 23 Apr - Pa-O nationals study group of Hsihseng Township in southern Shan State arrived at the Headquarters of Union Solidarity and Development Association at 4.30 pm today.
They were welcomed by member of the Secretariat of Union Solidarity and Development Association U Khin Maung Thein, EC members U Than Shwe and U Thein Sein and officials.
U Khin Maung Thein extended the greetings.
U Than Shwe explained points about the function of Headquarters.
On behalf of the study group, a member of delegation spoke words of thanks.
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(10) Minister meets GMs of Mitsubishi, Sumitomo
YANGON, 23 Apr - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation Mr Tsuneo Akabane and party who called at his office at 2 pm today.
General Manager of Sumitomo Corporation Mr T Takayama and party called on Minister U Khin Maung Thein at his office at 3 pm today.
Also present at the calls was Vice-Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Than Lwin.
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YANGON, 23 Apr - A ceremony to donate medicines to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at multipurpose hall of the MMCWA at the corner of Thanthuma Road and Parami Road in South Okkalapa Township this morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and EC members and well-wishers.
First, Economic Development Manager Mr Gill Burton of Glaxo Welcome Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and Mega Products Ltd presented medicines worth at K 1.8 million to Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe who presented certificate of honour to him.
Then, Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks.
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(12) Japanese delegation calls at UMFCI
YANGON, 23 Apr - A five-member Japanese delegation led by Mr Kunihiko Hirai called on officials of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Commerce and Industry (UMFCI) at 504/ 506, Merchant Street, this morning.
President of UMFCI U Win Myint explained facts about Myanmar trading.
They then discussed economic, commercial and investment matters.
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(13) Well-wishers make donations for MKF
YANGON, 23 Apr - A ceremony to present donations towards the funds of Myanmar Karatedo Federation was held at National Indoor Stadium-l this morning, for achieving success of Myanmar Karatedo event in the XX South-East Asian Games.
Present on the occasion were President of MKF Police Colonel Khin Maung Tun and executives and guests.
The federation executives were introduced to selected Myanma Karatedo athletes.
The donations included K 300,000 by Managing Director of U Khin Maung Soe of Myanmar Sithu Yadana Ltd and K 100,000 by members of Board of Directors U Maung Than and U Kan Hla of Great Garuda Co.
Police Col Khin Maung Tun accepted the donations and thanked them.
The selected Karatedo athletes demonstrated skills.