THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Sunday, 23 May 1999)

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(1)  Secretary-1 tours Rakhine State

YANGON, 22 May - 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, accompanied by Ministers member and officials, left here for Kyaukphyu by Tatmadaw flight on 21 May.

At the Kyaukphyu Airport, the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association and families.

At the airport terminal hall, Commander Maj-Gen Aung Htwe reported on prospects on extended cultivation of agriculture and livestock, breeding of deep sea water prawn in Kyaukphyu, Yambyeh and Manaung Townships and condition of Kyaukphyu deep sea port.

The Secretary-1 and party and the commander went to Kinmyauk Village in Kyaukphyu Township by Tatmadaw flight.

Magwin Village Peace and Development Council Chairman U Aung Soe Than reported on cultivation of crops including paddy and conditions of livestock breeding and education.

The Secretary-1 then fulfilled the requirements.

The Secretary-1 presented exercise books and pencils donated by Myanmar Paper and Stationery Mart Ltd to students in Kalante and Kinmyauk Village-tracts. He then met local people.

The Secretary-1 and party went to Manaung where they were welcomed by members of Manaung Township Peace and Development Council, service personnel, members of USDA, Red Cross Brigade, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Township Working Committee for Women's Affairs.

Next, the Secretary-1 met members of Township Peace and Development Council, departmental personnel and USDA members at the meeting of Township Peace and Development Council.

Chairman of Manaung Township Peace and Development Council U Pote reported on conditions of agriculture and fisheries, measures being taken for extension of sown acreage in the township, construction of TV re-transmission station, renovation of roads and education.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Yambyeh where they were welcomed by members of Township Peace and Development Council, department personnel, and members USDA, Red Cross and Maternal and Child Welfare Association.

Later, the Secretary-1 met with township authorities, departmental personnel, and members of USDA, Red Cross and MCWA at the Township Peace and Development Council.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 suggested systematic expansion and development of prawn breeding in Yambyeh Township with technology and other necessary support provided by the department.

Rakhine State, he said, has potentials to develop the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sector and there are many places where deep-sea ports and tourist resorts could be built.

He said the government considered various aspects to develop Rakhine State, and is implementing projects to improve the transport sector, which is primary for regional development.

Large sums of funds have been utilized to build Yangon-Sittway Highway which includes about 1,000 bridges, he said and added that a total of over $ 100 million has been spent on the project. Addition to tens of thousands of millions of kyats, with the aim of improving the living conditions and social standard of the regional people.

He said Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance to narrow development gap between one region and another and to pay priority to implementation of development projects in the least developed regions.

He said that in keeping with the guidance of the Head of State, officials are touring various parts of the country to provide effective support.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called for efforts to expedite tasks for boosting production and regional development.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected Yambyeh Township USDA before proceeding to Thandwe.

They were welcomed in Thandwe Airport by district and township authorities, departmental personnel, USDA members and families.

They later toured Ngapali Beach Hotel and stopped for the night at Annawa Yeiktha in Thandwe.

Ministers Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Col Tin Hlaing and Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein inspected the departments under the respective ministries.

USDA CEC members Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung met with District and Township USDA executives.

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(2)  Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge inaugurated in Kayin State

YANGON, 22 May - Gyaing (Kawkareik) Bridge built by Public Works in Hpa-an Township, Kayin State, was opened this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

On their way to the bridge, the Secretary-2 and party stopped over in Thaton where they were welcomed by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Aung, Commander of No 44 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Nay Win, Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Saw Khin Soe and officials.

The Secretary-2 and party, together with Maj-Gen Myint Aung and Col Saw Khin Soe, proceeded to Phapun, Kayin State, in helicopter.

They were welcomed there by Officiating Tactical Operations Commander Lt-Col Myo Lwin and officials.

Chairman 15 Thein Htay Win of Township Peace and Development Council and officials briefed them on area, population and agriculture condition of the township, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy and other crops, health, education and information, followed by a supplementary report of Col Saw Khin Soe.

On behalf of the ministers, Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung gave instructions, saying that service personnel are to make efforts for development of regions where they are assigned duties, regarding the regions as their regions with Union spirit and patriotism.

Afterwards, the ministers and officials inspected Township Information and Public Relations Department, Township People' s Hospital, Township USDA Office and TV Relay Station.

Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win presented cash for Township USDA to an official.

In the afternoon, the Secretary-2 and party left Phapun for Hpa-an by helicopter.

They were welcomed there by Commander of No 22 LID Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung and departmental officials.

In Zwegabin Hall of the town, the Secretary-2 met members of Kayin State Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, service personnel and officials of NGOs and spoke on the occasion.

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(3)  Seminar on Year 2000 Computer Problem held

YANGON, 22 May - The opening ceremony of Seminar on the Year 2000 Computer Problem sponsored by Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF) and Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) of Japan supported by Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Japan, was held at Traders Hotel this morning.

Chairman of Myanmar National Committee on Y2K Work Programme Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin delivered an opening address.

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(4)  19 members resign from DaikU Township NLD

YANGON, 22 May - Nineteen members resigned from the National League for Democracy of DaikU Township, Bago Division.

Seven members of DaikU Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to DaikU Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 16 January 1999 and 12 members, totaling 19, followed suit on 28 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

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(5)  Cornerstone laid for construction of Mingala Market Dhammayon

YANGON, 22 May - A ceremony to lay cornerstone for construction of Mingala Market Dhammayon was held in conjunction with the donation ceremony at Mingala Mandat near the plot for the Dhammayon on Gyardawya Street in Bahan Township this morning.

Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa laid silver casket there.

Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister U Aung Khin, Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and officials laid the cornerstone at the designated places.

Then, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa laid the plaque and sprinkled scented water on it, silver casket and cornerstone.

Officials presented K 8 million to Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee through Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa.

Afterwards, 103 well-wishers donated K 24 million to Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa Deputy Minister U Aung Khin and officials who presented certificates of honour to them.

The Mingala Market Dhammayon, 120 feet long, 47 feet wide and 25 feet high will be built by Yu Myanmar Construction.

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(6)  USDA CEC member gives talks

YANGON, 22 May - Central Executive Committee Member of Union Solidarity and Development Association Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun gave talks at Multiplier Management Course 7/99 for executives of Bahan Township USDA this afternoon.

In his address, Col Thaik Tun called on all USDA members to strive in accord with the association's motto "Morale, Discipline, Solidarity, Unity".

He then proceeded to South Okkalapa and Thingangyun Townships where he inspected briquette factories and left necessary instructions to officials.

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(7)  Delegates of 37th Meeting of ASEAN COST leave

YANGON, 22 May - Delegates of Science and Technology Committees of ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat who attended the 37th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) left here by air for home today.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by departmental officials.

Chairman of the 37th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology Chairman of Science and Technology Committee of Singapore Mr Chong Lit Cheong left here by air yesterday evening.

The delegates of Singapore will leave here tomorrow afternoon.

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(8)  35 members resign from Mongyaung Township NLD

YANGON, 22 May - Thirty-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Mongyaung Township, Shan State.

Thirty-five members of Mongyaung Township NLD, 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)  Yangon Mayor inspects City Farms Resort, roads and golf course construction

YANGON, 22 May - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by Secretary Col Myint Aung and officials, inspected City Farms Resort near Udo-Aphyauk Road in Taikkyi Township this morning.

In the briefing hall, Chairman of Agricultural Work Committee of YCDC Col Thaung Wai reported on completion of club house, progress of golf course construction, extension of roads in project area, completion of paving strategic road, cultivation of paddy and jute, preparation for cultivation of flower trees in rainy season, cultivation of 3,500 acres in Udo and Kya-in fields and preparation for growing 4,000 acres of paddy coming year.

The mayor and officials inspected progress of the golf course constructed by Win & Shin Company and the club house by Hsaung Hayman Construction Company and tasks of Myodaw Rice Mill.

Mayor U Ko Lay gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements.

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(10)  Minister attends cash donation for Bhaddanta Pannavamsa's final rites

YANGON, 22 May - The first cash donation ceremony .for holding final rites of State Ovadacariya Presiding Sayadaw of Ahthawkayama Pariyati Sarthintaik in Kyauktan Township, Yangon Division, Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Pannavamsa, was held at the Sarthintaik this afternoon.

It was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Chairman of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Sein, and officials.

Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Kusala invested the Five Precepts to the congregation, followed by cash donation ceremony.

Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa handed over K 500,000 donated by State Peace and Development Council to Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint.

Officials including Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Deputy Director-General Dr Myo Myint, and Chairman of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Sein accepted cash donated by well-wishers.

A total of 45 well-wishers today donated over K 1.4 million.

The second cash donation ceremony will be held on 26 May.