THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Tuesday, 25 May 1999)
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YANGON, 25 May - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Carlos Saul Menem, President of the Republic of Argentina, on the National Day of the Republic of Argentina which falls on 25 May 1999.
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(2) Deputy Prime Minister receives Ambassador of United Kingdom
YANGON, 24 May - On behalf of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Ambassador of United Kingdom Mr Robert A E Gordon O B E, who has completed his tour of duty, at Dagon Yeiktha of Ministry of Defence at 10.30 am today.
Also present at the call together with Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department.
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(3) Hlaingbwe River Bridge contributes much towards national solidarity
YANGON, 24 May - Hlaingbwe River Bridge (Dawlan) near Dawlan Village in Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, was inaugurated yesterday morning, with an address by Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Hla.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Hla said in accord with the guidance of Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, when peace and tranquillity has become prevalent in the region after erasing suspicion lurking among national races and putting an end to armed struggles, special emphasis has been placed on the efforts for the development of .border areas and national races with a view to ensuring non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.
Hlaingbwe River Bridge is situated near Dawlan Village, Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, which links Nabu, Dawlan, Winsein and Eindu regions. Previously, the route from Nabu to Hpa-an is about 71 miles, and on completion of the bridge, Nabu-Dawlan-Hpa-an road be comes only 38 miles long; so, the bridge cuts almost about half of the original route.
Previously, the route from Dawlan to Hpa-all is about 51 miles long, and on completion of the bridge, the people can travel from Dawlan to Hpa-an by car, and the route is only 30 miles long; therefore, it can save about 20 miles.
According to the guidance given by Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe at the ceremony to inaugurate Thanlwin Bridge held on 3 August 1997, Hlaingbwe River Bridge was built day in and day out with the aim of completing construction works within the period from 18 March 1998 to 13 March 1999.
Though the size of Hlaingbwe River Bridge is just ordinary, it can link the minds of the national people from different regions; as it can contribute much to national solidarity, it is of great significance in essence; it serves as a gift of the Government for the national solidarity.
In conclusion, he said that the Government is welcoming the armed national brethren still remaining in the far-flung areas to take refuge under the shade of the State and to join hands with the Tatmadaw in striving for the regional development to the benefits of the people.
Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Aung spoke on the occasion.
Col Saw Khin Soe urged officials and local people to safeguard the bridge.
EC member of Kayin State USDA U Chit Tun spoke of cooperation between the people and USDA members in safeguarding the bridge.
Brig-Gen Win Aung Tint presented gifts to the deputy prime minister and guests.
The deputy prime minister presented gifts to employees who undertook the bridge project, through Lt-Col Thaik Soe.
Commander Maj-Gen Myint Aung, Brig-Gen Win Aung Tint and Col Saw Khin Soe formally inaugurated the bridge.
The deputy prime minister formally unveiled the stone inscription.
Then, the deputy prime minister and guests inspected the bridge and had a cordial meeting with the local people.
Hlaingbwe River Bridge, 1,000 feet long, is a bailey bridge with a 13-feet and 7-inches wide motorway.
The bridge can bear 30 ton loads; the safe passage under the bridge is 100 feet and clearance is 30 feet; it was built at a cost of K 128 million.
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(4) Thai NCB Secretary-General and delegation arrive
YANGON, 24 May - A nine-member Thai delegation led by Secretary-General of Thai Narcotic Control Board (NCB) Mr Payont Pantsri arrived here by air today to attend the Meeting on Myanmar-Thai Joint Narcotic Drug Control here.
They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Col Soe Win, senior police officers, officials of Thai Embassy and other officials.
The delegation called on Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
Also present on the occasion were member of CCDAC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of MPF Col Soe Win, the Deputy Director-General of MPF and officials.
Col Tin Hlaing extended greetings to the guests and spoke of the endeavours for eradication of narcotic drugs in Myanmar.
Director-General of MPF Col Soe Win and Myanmar officials held discussions with Secretary-General of Thai NCB Mr Payont Pantsri and party at the Forest Department Guest House on Shwetaunggyar Street.
They discussed the joint cooperation in control of precursors used in producing narcotic drugs and amphetamine.
The meeting was also attended by Head of Department of the Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, CCDAC members, officials of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung hosted dinner for the guests at Yangon Royal City Hotel.
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(5) MIC Secretary meets officials of Singapore India Chamber of Commerce and Industry
YANGON, 24 May-Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman' s Office Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung met an economic delegation led by Chairman of Singapore-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) Mr DD Gupta of Singapore who called at the commission office at 4 pm today.
Also present at the call were officials of Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration.
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(6) Minister arrives back after studying agriculture, irrigation tasks in Japan
YANGON, 24 May - A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin studied agriculture and irrigation tasks of Japan from 14 to 21 May at the invitation of Chairman of Agriculture Development Advisory Committee of Japan Mr Sabulo Okabe, and discussed promotion of Myanma agricultural production.
Members of the delegation Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw, Managing Director U Tun Than of Myanma Agriculture Enterprise, Director-General U Myo Myint of Irrigation Department and Director U Tin Htut Oo of Agricultural Planning Department also arrived back.
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YANGON, 24 May - Fifty-seven members resigned from National League for Democracy of Mongphyat Township, Eastern Shan State.
Fifty-seven members of Mongphyat Township NLD, Eastern Shan State, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Mongphyat Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 9 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(8) Myanmar cultural troupe leaves for Japan
YANGON, 24 May - At the invitation of Minon Association of Japan, and MJRC Co in Myanmar, a ten-member Myanmar cultural troupe led by Director-General U Tin Htoo of Fine Arts Department left here by air on 22 May for Japan to participate in " First Asian Peace and Fine Arts Festival" to be held in Tokyo and Okinawa, from 23 May to 6 June.
Members of the delegation were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, officials of Fine Arts Department, MJRC Co and their families.
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(9) Ministry of Construction holds four-monthly meeting
YANGON, 24 May - The Ministry of Construction held its first four-monthly meeting for 1999 at Public Works this morning, addressed by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun.
The minister said participants were to discuss accomplishments, the remaining tasks to be undertaken and difficulties encountered during the previous fiscal.
They also should make coordination to implement the work programmes of the fiscal 1999-2000. At the same time, he said, efforts should be made to hand down techniques and experiences to the youths. Special care must be taken in implementing road, bridge and airport construction projects as they are being implemented at a huge cost. Means should be sought to reduce the cost of the projects, he said. Theoretical and practical training should be given to youths, he added.
In connection with designs, he spoke of the need for them to be modern, durable and cost effective.
Superintending engineers of the states and divisions and projects took part in the discussions.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and U Tint Swe, Managing Director of PB U Shwe Win, Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw, Director-General of Construction Inspection Department U Soe Tint, deputy managing directors, deputy directors-general, chief engineers and other officials.
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(10) Delegates to attend ASEAN-CCI Council Meeting continue to arrive
YANGON, 24 May - Delegates from abroad continued to arrive here by air, to attend the 56th ASEAN-CCI Council Meeting to be held in Yangon from 25 to 28 May by Federation of Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
A total of 40 delegates arrived this morning, while Chairman of Executive Committee of ASEAN-CCI Mr Jose S Concepcion Jr, and 28 delegates arrived this evening.
They were welcomed by Chairman of Reception and Accommodation Committee U Ko Ko Htwe, CEC member U Moe Kyaw, Executive Officer U Htay Aung and officials.
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(11) Minister for Energy receives former ASEAN Secretary General
YANGON, 24 MAY - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received former ASEAN Secretary-General Director of International Business Ventures of Petronas Oil Company of Malaysia Mr Tan Sri Dato Ajit Singh at his office this afternoon.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers for Energy U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and departmental heads.
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(12) Two women arrested for trying to smuggle out 12 girls
YANGON, 24 May - Two women were arrested for trying to smuggle out 12 innocent Myanmar girls to the other country with assurance to find promising jobs for them in Myawady and Kawkareik at Myanmar-Thailand border.
Members of local Defence Services Intelligence Unit acting on information made a search and found the 14 women at the jetty and Taungup Yangon Bus Terminal in Taungup on 12 May.
Further investigation revealed that of the 14, the two women, Ma Mya Yi, 39, daughter of U Saw Tun and Ma Tin Aye, 32, daughter of U Sein Chan, had lured the 12 young women of Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State, to lead them to the other country.
Ma Mya Yi and Ma Tin Aye, both from Rathedaung, worked in Maesot in the other country where they illegally got through twice via Myawady and Kawkareik.
The two tried together the innocent girls of poor families in the township, saying that they (the girls) would earn much money if they went along with them and worked at the border towns and that they would not prosper if they remained in Rakhine State.
Ma Mya Yi and Ma Tin Aye were arrested on the way while trying to send the girls to the other country.
Severe action is to be taken against the two.
Authorities have made arrangements to send back the innocent girls to their parents.
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(13) Lectures of MMCWA officials
YANGON, 24 May - Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association gave lecture on work done by Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the Basic Management Multiplier Course. No 7/99 for Executives sponsored by Bahan Township Union Solidarity and Development Association at its office today.
Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe also gave lecture on Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs.
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(14) Multiplier Course concludes in Tamway
YANGON, 24 May - The Executives' Multiplier Management Course No 5 of Tamway Township Union Solidarity and Development Association concluded at Basic Education High School No 1 of the township this morning, attended by member of Central Executive Committee of USDA U Than Shwe.
Also present on the occasion were Yangon Division USDA EC members U Min Thein and U Tha Win, officials, secretaries of District and Township USDAs, trainees and guests.
USDA CEC member U Than Shwe gave a speech.
Secretary of Township USDA Daw Le Le Win Swe presented K 2,000 each to 20 Ward USDAs. Well-wishers donated K 10,500 to Daw Le Le Win Swe. The trainees through Daw Le Le Win Swe presented K 10,000 to Headmaster of BEHS No 1 U Win Maw.
The USDA CEC member presented prizes to outstanding trainees.
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