THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Tuesday, 15 June 1999)
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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sees off Secretary-1 on his departure for S Africa to attend inauguration of President of Republic of South Africa
YANGON, 14 June - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe saw off Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who left here this morning by Myanmar Airways international, flight for the Republic of South Africa, to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly-elected President of the Republic of South Africa, on behalf of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, at the invitation of His Excellency Nelson R. Mandela, President of the Republic of South Africa.
The Myanmar delegation let by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt includes Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig- Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department and Director-General U Nyunt Maung Shein of Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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(2) Successful implementation of projects attributable to endeavors in closely-knit unity of the State, the people and the Tatmadaw
YANGON, 14 June - A ceremony to inaugurate Dalek Creek Bridge built by Special Group-10 of the Bridge Construction Project under the Public Works on Yangon Sittway Highway in Ann Township, Rakhine State, was held at the pandal near the bridge this morning, with an address by Chairman of the Central Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
In his address, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said 990-foot-long Dalek Creek Bridge, inaugurated today, is a bailey-type bridge and was built at a cost of over K 480 million.
Out of ten bridges under construction on Yangon Sittway Highway, it was the fifth to have been inaugurated; the previous ones already-inaugurated bridges are Yo Creek Bridge, Kin Creek Bridge, Ohnti Creek Bridge and Myaungbwe Bridge.
Ann-Sittway section lies on the Yangon-Sittway Highway is 202 miles and three furlongs long; and now, the 100-mile section was already tarred and the 80-mile-long section paved with stones; out of ten big bridges and over 800 small bridges to be built together with the Highway, five big bridges and over 620 small bridges were already built; therefore, the Highway and bridges will be completed as scheduled.
As for traveling from one town to another inside Rakhine State or making journey to another states and divisions, waterway has to be used as a major mode of transport.
As Rakhine State is teeming with rivers and creeks, building motor roads is so impossible that it couldn't be even dreamt in the past.
According to the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, 200 mile-long Yangon-Sittway Highway has been built along the route going through Ann, Minbya, MraukU, Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun beginning 1996; the roads and the bridges which could not be implemented even in imagination previously, have come to emerge grandly in so short a time.
On condition that all the sections of the Highway are built step by step, Rakhine State will have an easy access to other states and divisions in all seasons, and trade will improve briskly and extensively; with the easy access to other states and divisions, economic, social and health sectors of Rakhine State will develop considerably.
In striving for the development of the State, especially for the economic growth, the transport and communications are very important; Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance that efforts for regional development necessitate good roads in the region and the roads linking with other regions; only when modes of transport are good, economy, social matters and administration of a region will progress; in accord with that guidance, strenuous efforts are being made to build motor roads, railroads and bridges all over the country.
In this regard, the Head of State himself carried out inspection tours of these construction projects, and gave guidance with a view to improving the works all the more.
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(3) Secretary-2 inspects reclamation of fallow and virgin lands in Magway Division
YANGON, 14 June - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo together with member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, the deputy ministers and officials, left Magway by helicopter for Myosapho region in Pwintbyu Township on 13 June.
Vacant, fallow and virgin lands are being reclaimed in the region by Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd.
The Secretary-2 and party were welcomed by member of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Division Police Force Police Col Ye Myint.
The Secretary-2 and party inspected crop plantation of Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd.
Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd U Teza reported 4.285 acres of land out of 32,349 acres had been reclaimed, long staple cotton, pesinngon, pedisein, groundnut, sasamum and corn were cultivated on 1,659 acres of land and the rest are to be reclaimed and cultivated within three years.
Project Director of Myanmar Billion Group Co Ltd Dr Maung Mar reported on objectives of the company, current undertakings and future tasks.
Project Director U Maung Kyay reported on reclamation of fallow and virgin lands in Tebokan region in Salin Township by Asia World Co Ltd, Project Manager U Saw Samuel on reclamation of lands in Yaypokegyi-Chaungzon region in Pwinthyu Township by Dagon Intentional Ltd and Director U Sanny on reclamation of lands in Kantoke region in Minhla Township by Yuzana Agricultural Group.
Managing Director of Services International Co Ltd Dr Mya Thida reported on reclamation of fallow and virgin lands in Padan region in Ngaphe Township and Ngahlaingdwin region in Salin Township, Project Director of Myanmar Golden Star Co U Maung Ko on plans for reclamation of land in Mindon and Seikphyu Townships.
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(4) Secretary-2 attends collective novitiation ceremony of Dagon International Ltd in Pwintbyu
YANGON, 14 June - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe attended the collective novitiation ceremony organized by Dagon International Ltd staff on the campus of the Agriculture Institute of Myanma Agriculture Service in Pwintbyu in Magway Division yesterday.
Altogether 1,000 boys were ordained as novices.
Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara invested the congregation with the Nine Precepts.
Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa supplicated on religious matters.
Well-wisher U Win Aung supplicated on the purpose of organizing the collective novitiation ceremony.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe presented offertories to the Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.
Afterwards, the Commander, ministers, deputy ministers and party, well-wishers and officials also presented offertories to other Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa donated religious treatises.
The Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee delivered a sermon.
All those present shared merits for the pious deeds done.
Later, the Secretary-2 and wife, and party, and well-wishers offered soon to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
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(5) Member of Myanma Industrial Development Committee meets entrepreneurs
YANGON, 14 June - Member of Myanma Industrial Development Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met entrepreneurs of industrial zones in Hlinethaya Industrial City, Hlinethaya Township, this evening.
Member of the industrial supervisory committee introduced the minister with the entrepreneurs.
Deputy Director of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Tun Myint reported situation of Hlinethaya Industrial City.
Minister U Aung Thaung gave a speech on the occasion. He said Myanmar is changing from manual agriculture to mechanized one. The Myanma Industrial Development Committee was formed for development of industrial sector in line with agricultural one, he added.
Entrepreneurs should presented suggestions and requirements, he said. The minister spoke of the need to produce personal goods to meet the demand of the increasing population. He urged them to produce quality goods which meet the market requirements.
Entrepreneurs presented requirements. The minister gave suggestions.
Afterwards, the minister inspected rubber products of the factory of Reva Co Ltd there.
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(6) Minister meets Ambassador of France
YANGON, 14 June - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi met Ambassador of France Mr Bernard Pottier who has completed his tour of duty at the ministry this morning.
Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning Department.
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(7) National Convention Convening Commission meets
YANGON, 14 June - National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall of NCCC Office at 2 pm today.
Present on the occasion were Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and commission members.
The Secretary of National Convention Convening Commission and members of National Convention Convening Work Committee and National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on the National Convention matters.
Members of the National Convention Convening Commission took part in the discussions.
Afterwards, the meeting ended with remarks by Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.
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(8) Special meeting held on narcotic drugs eradication
YANGON, 14 June - A special meeting on narcotic drugs eradication was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon with an address by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
The minister said Myanmar is carrying out anti-drug activities with high momentum; and priority should be given to wiping out the danger of stimulant tables illegally entering major towns in Myanmar including Yangon and Mandalay.
Eradication efforts and educational programmes should be conducted harmoniously.
Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win reported on accomplishments in implementing anti-drug programmes.
Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Head of Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein and participants gave suggestions.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the minister.
Also present at the meeting were members of CCDAC and guests.
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(9) Myanmar rowing team recounts experience
YANGON, 14 June - A ceremony to recount experience of Myanmar rowing team which took part in the VII South-East Asian International Rowing Championship and the IV Merlion Rowing Championship was held at National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this afternoon, attended by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win.
Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win gave an opening speech.
Officials and players recounted their experiences related to the competition. The ceremony ended with remarks by the minister.
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(10) USDA CEC member tours Mon State, Bago Division
YANGON, 14 June - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, accompanied by Deputy Commander of South-East Command Col Myo Hla, member of Mon State Peace and Development Council Police Col Hla Myo and officials, met with the secretary, executives and members of Mudon Township USDA in Mudon on 11 June.
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(11) 53 members resign from Pale Township NLD
YANGON, 14 June - Fifty-three members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pale Township, Sagaing Division.
Fifty-three members of Pale Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Pale Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 17 January 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(12) MPT assures safe use of mobile phones
YANGON, 14 June - Myanma Posts and Telecommunications announced that digital mobile phones in Myanmar can be used safely as no damages have been found in the mobile communication network of Myanmar or that of the neighboring countries.
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Summary of observations recorded at 0930 hours MST:
During the past 24 hours, weather has been partly cloudy in Kayah State and lower Sagaing Division and rain has been isolated in Rakhine State, upper Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway and Ayeyawady Divisions, scattered in Shan, Chin, Kayin and Mon States and widespread in the remaining areas. The noteworthy amounts of rainfall recorded were Thandwe 1.69 inches, Putao 1.38 inches, Mogok 1.14 inches and Kawthong 1.06 inches.
Maximum temperature on 13-6-99 was 30.0°C (86°F).
Minimum temperature on 14-6-99 was 24.5°C (76°F).
Relative humidity at 0930 hours on 14-6-99 was 84%.
Total duration of sunshine on 13-6-99 was 2.1 hours (Approx).
Rainfall on 14-6-99 was 17mm (0.67 inch) at Yangon Airport, 18mm (0.70 inch) at Kaba-Aye and was 6mm (0.24 inch) at central Yangon.
Total rainfall since 1 January 1999 was 953mm (37.52 inches) at Yangon Airport, 1174mm (46.22 inches) at Kaba-Aye and 1469mm (57.84 inches) at central Yangon.
Maximum wind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was 12 mph from West at 10:35 hours MST on 13-6-99.
Bay inference:
Monsoon is moderate in the Bay of Bengal.
Forecast valid until evening of 15th June 1999:
Rain or rain-showers will be isolated in Kayah State, lower Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions, scattered in Kachin, Chin, Shan and Rakhine States, upper Sagaing and Ayeyawady Divisions and widespread in the remaining areas. Degree of certainty is 80%.
State of the sea:
Seas will be moderate in Myanmar waters.
Outlook for subsequent two days:
Moderate monsoon.
Forecast for Yangon and neighboring area for 15th June 1999:
One or two rain or rain-showers. Degree of certainty is 100%.
Forecast for Mandalay and neighboring area for 15th June 1999:
Likelihood of isolated rain or rain-showers. Degree of certainty is 60%.
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