The following is a translation Chairman of the State and Development Council Senior Than Shwe's message on the occasion of 1999 Workers Day.
To Esteemed Workers,
On this auspicious occasion of the Workers Day which falls on 1 May 1999, I send this message in honor of all the workers in the entire nation, who are striving for higher commodity production of the Union of Myanmar, with the best wishes for their physical and spiritual well-being.
The efforts of the workers play a vital role in fulfilling the food, clothing and shelter needs of the citizens and in endeavoring for national development in all the countries of the world.
In the Union of Myanmar too, the power of the workers who are the basic force in striving for stability and development of the nation's political, economic and social conditions in any era and at any time must be acknowledged.
Myanmar was a nation, which had lived under colonial subjugation for more than a hundred years. It can be seen significantly in history that though Myanmar workers had to struggle with great hardships they had been submerged in a cycle of poverty and want in life as colonialists replaced Myanmar workers with foreigners they had brought into Myanmar and paid lowly wages to Myanmar workers. Myanmar nationals including workers and peasants had to live in deep abyss of abject poverty as colonialists and their compatriots exploited the nation's resources on land and underground only for their interests.
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(2) Central Committee for Hosting 13th ASEAN Labour Ministers
YANGON, 30 Apr - The second meeting of the Central Committee for Hosting the 13th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting was held at the Labour Department this morning, attended by Patron of the Central Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
It was also attended by ministers who are members of the Central Committee, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and members of subcommittees.
Making a speed on the occasion, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the 13th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting will be held in Yangon soon, and the present meeting is to successfully host the ASEAN meeting.
It will be the first ASEAN labour ministers meeting for Myanmar, said the Secretary-1, speaking of the need for ministries concerned to make concerted efforts to ensure successful hosting of the meeting.
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(3) Dinner hosted for delegates to MMCWA conference
YANGON, 30 Apr - Executives of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association hosted dinner in honour of Central Executive Committee members of MMCWA, Central Council members of State/Division MCWAs and patrons of State/Division MCWA supervisory Committee who attended the Ninth Conference of MMCWA at MMCWA Multipurpose Building in South Okkalapa Township at 7 pm today, attended by Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented first, second and third prizes to Dr Tin Lin Myint for Mandalay Division MCWA, Daw Tha Zin Khaing for Mon State MCWA and Daw Marlar Tint for Yangon Division MCWA respectively.
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo also presented development prize to Dr Jozeph for Kachin State MCWA. Then, dinner was hosted.
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(4) Monetary assistance for in-service disabled Tatmadaw members
YANGON, 30 Apr - A ceremony to give cash assistance to the in-service disabled Tatmadaw members by Thanmyanthu Enterprise and well-wishers for the 34th time was held at the City Hall today, 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.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo spoke of the history of the Tatmadaw and endeavors to maintain peace and stability.
He said Tatmadaw members dare to face any difficulties in striving to achieve that they aspire for, and they valiantly fought several battles for Our Three Main National Causes: Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity, and Perpetuation of sovereignty.
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(5) Revenues of Development Committees reach over K 3.7b
YANGON, 30 Apr - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo addressed budget meeting for 1999-2000 of Development Committees of Development Affairs Department at the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs this afternoon.
The Secretary-2 said the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs was formed and required equipment were provided to proportionately extend the functions of Development Committees. DCs should effectively use the equipment for progress of towns and villages and should uplift their work capability. They should strive to win public trust, reliance and cooperation and should serve the well being of the people. Priority should be given to achieving cooperation from other departments and regional authorities to boost success in their works. The revenues of DC at present has reached K 3.7 billion up from only K 390 million ten years ago; they should extend their functions as their in income is rise.
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(6) Cash donations made for construction of Thitagu World Buddhist University on Sagaing Hill
YANGON, 30 Apr - A ceremony to make cash donations for building of Thitagu World Buddhist University on Sagaing Hill was held at Dhammathukha Yeiktha at 30 on Bogyoke Aung San Museum Street in Bahan Township this evening.
It was attended by Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhama Jotikadhaja Maha Dharnma Kathika Bahudhajahitadhara Thitagu Sayadaw of Sagaing Hill Bhaddanta Naninsara, Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, OSD at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint, officials and well-wishers.
Those present received the Five Precepts from the Thitagu Sayadaw.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Tin Oo offered alms to the Sayadaw.
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(7) Ninth MMCWA Annual Conference concludes
YANGON, 30 Apr - The Ninth Annual Conference of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association continued for the third day and final day at MMWCA Multi-purpose Building in South Okkalapa Township today.
The new CEC members recited the oaths ahead the chairman of the conference.
Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe presided over the afternoon session.
The conference decided laying down the future tasks for 1999-2000 and approval. The conference ended successfully after the concluding remarks by Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe.
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(8) More efforts required to extend sown acreage, boost per acre yield
YANGON, 30 Apr - The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation held a meeting to discuss projects for 1999-2000 at Myanma Farms Enterprise today, addressed by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
The secretary-2 said the Head of State has given guidance many times for progress of the agricultural sector, adding more priority must be given to extending farms and per acre yield of crops.
Means should be sought to reclaim millions of virgin lands in Myanmar. Staff of the ministry should render assistance to entrepreneurs who were permitted to take part in land reclamation, which requires large amount of capital.
Efforts should be made to extend per acre yield of paddy to reach 100 baskets, of long staple cotton to reach 600 viss and of sesame to reach 15 baskets as projected.
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(9) Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development reviews tasks
YANGON, 30 Apr - A meeting to review the tasks and expenditures in 1998 99 financial year and coordinate the tasks and budget for 1999 2000 of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development was held at the National Archives Department on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road today.
Present at the meeting were Minister U Soe Tha, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, directors-general and officials of the departments under the ministry, and planning officers of states and divisions.
Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Zaw Tun spoke about the tasks carried out in the previous year and expenditures, and discussed the tasks for 1999-2000 and budget.
A general round of discussions followed. The meeting continues tomorrow.
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(10) Myanmar to host Second Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime
YANGON, 30 Apr - Myanmar scheduled to host the Second ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime here from 21 to 23 June 1999, said Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing today.
Speaking at a meeting, the minister said Myanmar agreed to host the meeting at the request of other ASEAN nations.
The Senior Officials Meeting would be hosted in the city before the Ministerial Meeting began, he added.
The First ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime was held in the Philippines in 1997.
By hosting the meeting, Myanmar would be able to show her active participation in ASEAN affairs as a family country and her peaceful and stable internal situation, he noted.
Other ministries should join hands for successful hosting of the meeting, said the minister who is the chairman of the Leading Committee to host the meeting.
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(11) 42 members exchange arms for peace
YANGON, 30 Apr - After realizing the correct aim and endeavors of the Government and genuine goodwill of the Tatmadaw, armed group members exchanged arms for peace individually or in group.
Cpl Kyaw Aung (a) Balloon, lc cpl Thein Tun (a) Ah-ngelay of No 707 Battalion of ABSDF (Northern) armed group in North-East Command area, platoon commander Hsan Kway, section commanders Kya Kyo and Kya Wa, pvts La Shaung, Law Aye, Kya Khay, Mathar, Kya Wai, Kya Pha, Kya He, Kya Phe and Maung Hla of Lahu armed group, bringing together with four .30 carbines, four single-barrel guns, one .38 revolver, two grenades, two mines and 41 rounds of ammunition and pvt Lauk Ei of MTA armed group in North-East Command area with one M-22 and 70 rounds of ammunition, township commander Myo Win, company commander Naing Oo, platoon commanders Pe Soe and Myo Win, medical assistant Thant Zin, pvts Kin Nge, Myo Myint, Kalarlay, Naing Nge, Naing Win and Soe Nge of Burma Communist Party armed group in Coastal Region Command area with one .38 revolver, three M-16s, one BA-63, two AK-47s, one M-79 launcher, 10 magazines and 237 rounds of ammunition exchanged arms for peace at respective camps in March 1999.
Officials of respective military camps warmly welcomed 26 persons who exchanged arms for peace in March 1999 and fulfilled their requirements.
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(12) 95 members resign from Yamethin Township NLD
YANGON, 30 Apr - Ninety-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Yamethin Township, Mandalay Division.
Sixteen members of Yamethin Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Yamethin Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 15 January 1999, fifty and twenty-nine members followed suit on 16 January 1999 and 17 January 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(13) 10 members resign from Gyobingauk Township NLD
YANGON, 30 Apr - Ten members resigned from the National League for Democracy
of Gyobingauk Township, Bago Division. Ten members of Gyobingauk Township NLD,
Bago Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation
to Gyobingauk Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office
and the party concerned on 19 April 1999 as they no longer wished to participate
in party politics of NLD.