THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Wednesday, 12 May 1999)
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(1) Grow paddy on 18 million acres to feed population in future and boost exports Promote private sector in agriculture, industry and services
YANGON, 11 May - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe met members of Bago Division Peace and Development Council, division level departmental officials, chairmen of Bago, Toungoo, Pyay and Thayawady District Peace and Development Councils, chairmen of 14 Township Peace and Development Councils in eastern sector of Bago Division and national entrepreneurs undertaking agricultural works in Bago Division at the meeting hall of Southern Command Headquarters in Toungoo yesterday morning.
On the occasion, the Senior General gave guidance on development of the agriculture Sector. Deputy Director-General U Zaw Myint Pe of the State Peace and Development Council Office acted as report of Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun on constructed roads and bridges in Bago Division and plans to be implemented. Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin explained production and sale of tractors, power tillers, pumps and motors.
Afterwards, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut and Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin reported on fulfilling requirements of Bago Division ministry-wise and Minister for master of ceremonies.
Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye reported to the Senior General on type and condition of soil in Bago Division, district-wise agricultural production, diversion weirs built on self-reliance basis in cooperation with the people in the division and dykes, diversion weirs and sluice gates built by the Government, possible expansion of mixed cropping, district-wise location of vacant and virgin lands, situation of investments of national entrepreneurs and condition of roads and bridges in the transport sector.
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on arrangements for the agriculture sector including building of diversion weirs and sluice gates for irrigation.
It was followed by the report of Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun on constructed roads and bridges in Bago Division and plans to be implemented.
Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin explained production and sale of tractors, power tillers, pumps and motors.
Afterwards, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut and Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin reported on fulfilling requirements of Bago Division ministry-wise and Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha on development of Bago Division.
Then, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo explained that departments and administrative organizations are to work together and to provide assistance for success of agricultural works of national entrepreneurs, and that building of diversion weirs which will assist paddy cultivation extension Projects is being implemented with the labour of Tatmadaw members.
After hearing the reports, Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying it will be based on three divisions, Ayeyawady, Bago and Yangon, where paddy is cultivated mainly in boosting paddy production of the nation by extending sown acreage of paddy to 48 million - 14 million monsoon paddy and 4 million summer paddy. Targets for cultivating paddy as much as possible have been given to those divisions, and it is seen that commanders and officials concerned are making efforts to meet the targets, he said.
Only if paddy is produced as planned can the growing population be fed and export of paddy be promoted, he pointed out. In practicing the market oriented economic system, arrangements are to be made for promotion of the private sector in the vital agriculture, industrial and services sectors, he noted.
Afterwards, the Senior General had a cordial meeting with the families of officers and other ranks of battalions and units in Toungoo Station.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party left for Pyay by Tatmadaw aircraft.
The secretaries of Pyay District and Thayawady District USDAs reported on matters relating to organizational work and courses being conducted.
The CEC members gave necessary instructions. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt met employees of Pyay Township Development Affairs Department at 3.00 pm, and gave necessary instructions on development works.
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(2) Press Release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the bombing of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Belgrade by NATO forces
Myanmar Government and people greatly shocked and distressed by NATO
bombing of RPC Embassy Senior General Than Shwe has conveyed deepest condolences
and sympathy to the Government and the people of the PRC, particularly bereaved
families
Call to solve crisis based on
respect for UN Charter, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
YANGON, 11 May - The following is the full text of the Press Release issued today by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the bombing of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Belgrade by NATO forces.
The Government and the people of the Union of Myanmar are greatly shocked and distressed to learn the news of the bombing of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Belgrade by the NATO forces which had resulted in tragic death and injuries to Chinese Embassy personnel. Myanmar deeply deplores this grave incident which is tantamount to violation of the UN Charter and the basic norms of the International Law; and undermines the fundamental principles of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations governing inter-state relations.
In this regard, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has conveyed to His Excellency Mr Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, and His Excellency Mr Zhu Rongji, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the deepest condolences and sympathy to the Government and the people of the People's Republic of China, particularly the bereaved families.
The Myanmar Government reiterates its conviction that a peaceful resolution should be urgently found to the current situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which has caused the loss of lives of many innocent civilians, including women and children. Therefore, it calls upon all parties concerned to solve the present crisis based on respect for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
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(3) Secretary-1 attends ceremony to accept donation for renovation of western stairway of Shwedagon Pagoda
YANGON, 11 May - Cash and gold plates donation for renovation of the western stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda, offering Shwethingan and perpetual renovation of the pagoda was held at the old museum Tazaung on the pagoda platform this afternoon, attended by Patron of Perpetual Renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, Chairman of Work Committee for Perpetual Renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of Board of Trustees and well-wishers.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Zeya Suta and disciples from Las Vegas in Nevada State, the US, presented 15 gold plates weighing 34 ticals, Deputy Minister for Industry-l Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, an ancient statue made of black ivory, U Kyaw Myint and brothers (Paing Soe Co) K 50 million for the first time, Tetsan Co K 12 million, Hon Pang Co K 10 million, Chairman U Aung Ko Win (Myanmar Billion Group) and wife Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Nang Than Htwe K 7.5 million, in memory of late U Ngwe Tin, Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Hse K 600,000, M-3 Food Centre K 500,000, U Kyi San (Aung Pinlon Gems Co) K 500,000, U Tin Lat (Ruby Dragon Gems Co) K 500,000, U Kyaw Thein (Fuji Gems Co), U Thein Shwe (Chan Lon Gems Co), U Kyaw Kyaw Win (Supaung Gems Co) and U Chaung (Gold Uni Gems Co) K 200,000 each, U Htay Khaing-Daw Khin Mar Htwe (Aung Thabye Khaing Co Ltd) a two-tical gold plate, Myanmar National Working Committee for Women Affairs, Myanmar Women's Entrepreneurs Association and U Maung Maung Lwin-Daw Sein Sein three-tical gold plate each, well-wishers over K 52.2 million and other well-wishers gold plates and cash.
The Secretary-1, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Ministers Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and the Mayor accepted the donations.
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(4) Workshop on Institutional Development and Governance and Red Cross Movement held
YANGON, 11 May - Institutional Development and Governance and Red Cross Movement Workshop co-sponsored by Myanmar Red Cross Society and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was held at Hotel Equatorial on Alanpya Phaya Road this morning, with an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, members of National Health Committee, members of MRCS Central Council, President of MRCS Dr Kyaw Win and CEC members, resident representatives of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and International Committee of the Red Cross, Chairmen of State and Division Red Cross Supervisory Committees and delegates and guests.
Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein delivered an address.
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(5) ASEAN Sub-Committee on Labour Affairs (ASCLA) ends meeting
YANGON, 11 May - The Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Labour Affairs (ASCLA) continued for the second day and final day at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon.
Present at the meeting were Assistant Director of the ASEAN Secretariat Mr Cho Kah Sin, senior officials of the ASEAN member countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The meeting chairman was Inspector General Mr Thapabutr Jamasevi of Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand and Vice-Meeting Chairman was leader of Myanmar delegation Director-General U Sein Myint of Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour. Assistant Director of the ASEAN Secretariat Mr Cho Kah Sin performed as expert for the meeting.
The meeting chairman Inspector General Mr Thapabutr Jamasevi made an opening speech.
The meeting approved the decision to be presented to the ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) which will be held on 12 and 13 May.
After the meeting, members of ASCLA and senior officials who attended the Sixth Meeting on ASCLA visited the Shwedagon pagoda in the afternoon.
The ASEAN Senior Labour Officers' Meeting (SLOM) will be held at Traders Hotel on 12 May.
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(6) MIC Chairman meets MD of Tokiwa
YANGON, 11 May - Deputy Prime Minister Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin met Managing Director Mr Naoyuki Jeff Soga and party of Myanmar Tokiwa Corp Ltd who called at his office this evening.
Present at the call were officials of Government's Office and MIC Office.
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(7) Minister meets Ambassador of Pakistan
YANGON, 11 May - Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung met Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr Amar Hafeez who called at Myanmar Radio and Television at 1 pm today.
Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Managing Director U Than Maung of Printing and Publishing Enterprise, Managing Director U Tin Kha of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Managing Director Col Bo Kyi of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise, Deputy Director-General U Aung San of Information and Public Relations Department, Adviser to the Minister for Information U Kyaw Min and Head of Office U Khin Maung Myint.
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(8) Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson inspect Pandaw Model Village in Kyauktan Township
YANGON, 11 May - Chairperson of the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairman Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party inspected construction of Pandaw Model Village in Kyauktan Township this morning.
They were welcomed by Patron of Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee Daw Marlar Tint, Chairman of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Sein, Chairman of Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee Dr Tin Maung Win, Secretary Dr Ni Ni Sein and officials.
They inspected the lake of Pandaw Model Village and works being undertaken by Village MCWA branch.
Officials reported on progress of the village MCWA.
The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson gave necessary instructions.
Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and family donated eight kinds of traditional medicines and MMCWA donated medicines and stationery to officials.
They then inspected model house of the village and Tailoring Course at Basic Education High School No 2 in Kyauktan Township.
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(9) Mine Ministry holds co-ord meeting on work plans for 1999-2000
YANGON, 11 May - The Ministry of Mines held the coordination meeting on implementing work plans for 1999-2000 al the ministry this morning.
It was attended by Minister for Mines Brig -Gen Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister U Myint Thein, heads of department and senior officials.
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(10) Minister meets President of CM Wood Working Machinery Corp
YANGON, 11 May - Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Maung Maung met President of C M Wood Working Machinery Corp of Republic of Korea Mr Boeng Chel, Jun and party who called at the MIC Office at 11 am today.
Also present at the call were officials of Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration.
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(11) Commander presents medals to Red Cross members
YANGON, 11 May - A ceremony to present medals and certificates for Red Cross members who took part in the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade by Myanmar Red Cross Society was held at Town Hall in Myitkyina on 8 May, the World Red Cross Day.
Present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, members of Kachin State, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, member of Union Solidarity and Development Association, officials and guests.
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(12) Preliminary meeting held to prepare for Traditional performing Arts Competition
YANGON, 11 May - A preliminary meeting on holding the seventh Myanmar traditional performing arts competition was held at the Ministry of Culture on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon.
Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt said the ministry has laid down the task to hand down Myanma arts to new generation and there are many countries which were influenced by alien culture.
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(13) 61 member resign from Singaing Township NLD
YANGON, 11 May - Sixty-one members of Singaing Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Singaing Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 23 April 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(14) 47 members resign from Chaungzon Township NLD
YANGON, 11 May - Forty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Chaungzon Township, Mon State.
Forty-seven members of Chaungzon Township NLD, Mon State, of their own
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Chaungzon Township
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned
on 8 March 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of
NLD.
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