THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Sunday, 27 June 1999)
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YANGON, 26 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Left here by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday morning and arrived at Taungoo, Bago Division, at 8.30 am.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party proceeded to a plot between Mingalar Street on the site of Yangon-Mandalay Road and Kyauktaing for the construction of Toungoo Saya U Kyaw acted as master of ceremonies.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected arrangements for the construction of Toungoo District Thathana Beikhmamdawgyi.
Officials of AryonU Construction Co Ltd explained the programme with the scale model.
Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party took their respective places.
U Kyaw read the stone inscription.
At the auspicious time, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt placed the casket with
Nine Precious Gems on the foundation.
Later, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Ministers Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, U Than Aung, Maj-Gen Ket Sein, District Thathana Beikhmamdawgyi in Toungoo.
Then, the cornerstone laying ceremony for the construction of Toungoo District Thathana Beikhmandawgyi was held there at 9.15 am, attended by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe laid the cornerstones.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt placed the stone inscription on the foundation.
Then, a ceremony to present cash to officials for the construction of the Beikhmamdawgyi at the construction site.
Sayama Daw Khin San Yu of Toungoo and Sayama Daw Khin San Yi from Toungoo Education College acted as master of ceremonies.
First, Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye explained the construction of Beikhmandawgyi.
Well-wishers presented over K 15.5 million to the officials for the construction of Beikhmandawgyi.
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(2) Myanmar Education Committee Chairman Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attends opening ceremonies of multi-media classrooms in Bago Division
YANGON, 26 June - Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the opening ceremonies of multimedia classrooms in Toungoo, Bago Division, this morning.
At Natsingon Basic Education High School, the Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Director-General U Tin Nyo, divisional and township education officers, teachers and pupils.
Patron of the School Board of Trustees Lt-Col Aye Thein of the Southern Command and School Executive Officer Capt Thet Lwin formally opened the multi-media classroom.
They later attended the opening ceremony of the multi-media classroom of Toungoo BEHS 1 and inspected the projected media room, audio-visual media room, computer presentation and E-mail room, computer-aided instruction room, printed media-room, audio system media room and art exhibition.
They also attended the opening ceremonies of the multi-media classrooms of Toungoo BEHS 5 and BEHS 4 at the respective schools.
The Secretary-1 made a speech at the ceremony to mark the opening ceremonies of the multi-media classrooms of Toungoo BEHS 1, BEHS 2, BEHS 4, BEHS 5, BEHS 6, Natsingon BEHS and BEMS 2.
Township Education Officer U Tin Shwe and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees of No 2 BEHS U Thein Soe spoke about the aims and endeavours for opening the multi-media classrooms.
The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Ywatha Village in Taikkyi Township where a they were welcomed by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station and officials.
They attended the opening ceremony of a new two storey building of Ywatha Village BEMS.
Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than formally unveiled the stone inscription of the new building.
The Secretary-1 then made a speech.
The new school building was donated by Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than to the village, which is the native place of his mother.
Well-wishers donated over K 5.624 million for the new school building of Thonze BEHS.
They returned to Yangon this evening.
Secretary-General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and CEC members Brig-Gen Sein Win and Brig-Gen Khin Maung met with Bago Division, Toungoo District and Township USDA executives and members in Ketumadi Hall in Toungoo yesterday.
They discussed the future programmes of the USDA, management tasks and opening of courses.
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(3) Secretary-2 attends Seventh Annual General Meeting of Myanmar Citizens Bank
YANGON, 26 June - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the Seventh Annual General Meeting of Myanmar Citizens Bank which took place at the Yuzana Garden Hotel on Alanpya Phaya Road this afternoon.
Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein gave an opening speech.
Afterwards, Chairman of BOD of the bank U Hla Tin and Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan made speeches.
The meeting approved auditing report, report of the BOD and annual report and announced the sharing of profit.
Then, new members of Board of Directors among the (B) Group share-holders and three members for the auditing committee were elected.
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(4) CCDAC marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
YANGON, 26 June - The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held a ceremony to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and prize presentation of the short story, article, song. poem, cartoon, painting and poster competition sponsored by CCDAC at Aungthabye Ye Yeiktha on Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township this morning, with an address by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chairmen of CCDAC Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and diplomatic corps, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and members, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, senior police officers, departmental heads, resident representatives of UN agencies, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise and journalists, Chairman of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association U Kyaw Aung (Kyaw Aung) and members, officials of NGOs, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Association U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members, foreign correspondents, guests and officials.
First, Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing delivered an address.
Then, Resident Representative of UNDCP Mr Richard Dickins read the message from UN Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan. (Reported separately)
Afterwards, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing presented fist, second and third prizes to Min Shwe Thein (Zingyaik), Daw Nan Tin Yi (Tekkatho Nan Phyu Phyu Tun) and U Naing Oo (Nine) respectively and special prize winners for short stories competition to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung presented first, second and third prizes to U Win Ko (Win Ko), Division Sergeant Phone Myint (Sgt Phone Myint) and U Lay Naing (Lay Naing Min) respectively and special prize winners for songs competition and Minister for PBANRDA Col Thein Nyunt to U Tun Yi (Maung Pyay Hlaing-Thandwe), Lieutenant Zaw Htay (Thamein Byatza) and U Shwe Min (Min Shwe Min) respectively and special prize winners for poems Competitions.
Then, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented first, second and third prizes to Maung Nay Shwe Thway Aung, Ma Nwe Oo Wai and Ma Lwin Myo Myat respectively and special prize winners for the under-10 cartoons competition.
Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein presented prizes to the winners for other competitions.
Police Maj-Gen Soe Win presented gifts to Chairman of MWJA U Kyaw Aung (Kyaw Aung), Chairman of Myanmar Music Asiayon Accordion U Ohn Kyaw and Patron of Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon U Min Naing.
Resident Representative of UNDCP Mr Richard Dickins presented K 100,000 to Minister Col Tin Hlaing for the prize winners of the competitions.
After the ceremony, the minister and guests viewed the exhibition on drugs abuse control activities conducted by CCDAC and various work committees.
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(5) Malaysian Minister and wife visit Nyaungdon
YANGON, 26 June - At the invitation of Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister of Rural Development of Malaysia Dato Haji Annuar Haji Musa and wife Datin Hajah Rosniah and party, accompanied by Deputy Minister for PBANRDA Brig-Gen Than Tun, Director-General of Department for Development of Border Areas and National Races Col Wunna Maung Lwin and wife, Ambassador of Malaysia Dato Mohamad bin Noh and wife, arrived at Ziphyukyun reclamation camp of Myanmar Billion Group in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division at 8.45 am today.
They were welcomed there by Director-General of Development Affairs Department Col Myo Myint and officials of Myanmar Billion Group.
First, Managing Director of Myanmar Billion Group U Zaw Min and Joint-Director Dr Maung Mar reported to the guest minister and delegation on reclamation of model land and cultivation.
Then, officials replied to queries raised by the guest minister.
The guest minister and wife and delegation visited Samalauk Village in Nyaungdon Township.
The delegation went to Samalauk Village health care unit.
The visiting minister and wife cordially met members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade, teachers and students of Samalauk Basic Education High School and staff of health care unit.
The guests inspected arrangements for minimizing iron chemical in water.
Then, Health Assistant U Than Htay explained the arrangements for health care programme of Samalauk Village health care unit.
The guest minister and party then went to Panhlaing Sluice Gate where Director of Construction Group 6 of Irrigation Department U Khin Zaw explained about the sluice gate and its function.
The guest minister and party inspected the sluice gate and left there in the afternoon.
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(6) Over 47,000 eligible voters of Thazi submit declarations expressing no confidence in NLD representative-elect U Maung Maung Lay
YANGON, 26 June - Over 47,000 eligible voters of Thazi Township Constituency-2 submitted signed declarations expressing no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay elected as Pyithu Hluttaw Representative of National League for Democracy in the 1990 Multiparty Democracy General Election from Thazi Township Constituency-2 and no support for him at the rallies held in Hlaingtet, Kyatmauk and Nyaungyan villages of the township on 8 June morning.
A total of 2,729 local people of four wards and six village-tracts rallied at Kyatmauk Village.
Farmer Daw Pu Lay of Kyatmauk Village, on behalf of the voters, expressed no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay of National League for Democracy and no support for him. Then, farmer U Soe Myint presented declarations expressing no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay and no support for him signed by 11,890 eligible voters to Member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission Township Judge U Aye Myint
Similarly, 2,730 local people of five village-tracts rallied in Hlaingtet Village.
Farmer U Khin Maung Aye of Hlaingtet Village, on behalf of the voters, expressed no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay and no support for him. Farmer U Tin Htay of the village presented declarations expressing no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay and no support for him signed by 21,907 eligible voters of 18 village-tracts to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission U Aung Myo Naing.
Likewise, member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Subcommission U Sein Tun accepted the declarations of 14,014 voters from Nyaungyan and surrounding villages.
Out of 46,564 eligible voters of Thazi Township Constituency-2, 36,372 persons voted in the election. A total of 19,079 or 52.45 per cent voted for U Maung Maung Lay. The number of voters who presented signed declarations expressing no confidence in U Maung Maung Lay and no support for him totaled 47,811.
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(7) Minister for Culture inspects Bagan ancient cultural region
YANGON, 26 June - Minister for Culture U Win Sein, accompanied by officials, arrived at Bagan-NyaungU yesterday.
He inspected renovation of ordination hall, lake and Htaygyi monastery No 698 near the Hsinphyushin pagoda in Bagan ancient cultural region.
The minister and party met executives of Union Solidarity and Development Association Taungtha Township at USDA Office.
Minister U Win Sein gave instructions to officials.
The minister and party inspected excavation of cultural heritage in bronze
age near Inde Village in Taungtha Township and gave suggestions to
officials.
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(8) Ministry of Rail Transportation coordination meeting continues
YANGON, 26 June - The Ministry of Rail Transportation continued the annual coordination meeting and first-four monthly coordination meeting today.
Minister U Pan Aung gave instructions on works to be done for Myanma Railways.
Then, officials of Divisions 1 to 11 reported on undertakings of their respective sectors.
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(9) Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ceremonies held
YANGON, 26 June - The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ceremony was held at Yankin Township Peace and Development Council Office this morning.
Chairman of Yankin Township Peace and Development Council U Htay Win read the message from the Chairman of Central Committee for Drugs Abuse Control.
Then, police station commander U Maung Maung Khin, Chairperson of Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Yin Yin Myint and member of No-1 Ward Peace and Development Council U Sein Win talked on matters related to the prevention of narcotic drugs.
Similarly, ceremonies to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking were ‘held in Thanlyin, Hlainethaya, Hlegu, North Okkalapa and Thakayta Townships.
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(10) Message from the Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, Minister for Home Affairs Colonel Tin Hlaing on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June 1999)
Today is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. It has been 12 years since Myanmar began its active participation in observing the Day every year at the Central, State/Division and Township levels. The theme adopted by the United Nations for this year is "Turn on music, turn off drugs".
Myanmar has taken up the task of combating drug abuse as a national responsibility and has laid down the following two-point strategy for narcotic drugs control:
(a) To designate narcotic drug eradication and prevention as a national responsibility and to carry it out with added momentum.
(b) To gradually eliminate poppy cultivation by raising the living standard of the national races in the border areas.
The Three Tactics of Supply Elimination, Demand Elimination and Law Enforcement are employed for the implementation of the two strategics. Moreover, by applying the Three Methods:
(a) Enlightening the producer and abuser of narcotic drugs on their belief, their conviction and their psychological make-up for the better.
(b) Facilitating accessibility and communication between those national races on the highlands and those in other regions.
(c) Developing the socio-economic conditions of the national races in the border areas, the socio-economic life of the national races in the border areas will develop and their dependence opium cultivation will be gradually eliminated. The active participation of the national races is very important in this endeavour. The cooperation of the ethnic leaders and the national races has resulted in unprecedented success. The declaration of Special Region (4) in Shan State'(East) as an Opium Free Zone since 22 April 1997 is significant evidence made known to the world. Similarly, plans are being implemented by ethnic leaders and national races to enable declaration of Special Region (1), Kokang, and Special Region (2), "Wa", in the period 2000-2005.
The baseline data collection project on poppy cultivation and drug addicts was implemented from 1 January to 30 June 1998 nationwide. The data revealed a total of 151,201.006 acres under poppy and 664,63 addicts registered.
The Government has been implementing a 15-year plan for total elimination of opium cultivation. Implementation has begun in the priority areas of 51 townships in five-year periods starting 1999-2000. As the drug problem is one of international concern, we will be able to bring about opium eradication sooner than envisaged if the international organizations take up the responsibility of pitching in to help. Without cooperation and help, it will take longer. However, with or without help, Myanmar will fight the scourge of hard drugs, which is a problem for the entire mankind, as national duty and strive of its elimination to the best of our ability, with added momentum.
Moreover, the Ministry for the Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs has been implementing plans for the development of these areas and have to date spent kyats 14,652.63 for the uplift of the living standard of those who had depended on opium cultivation.
In the Law Enforcement sector, efforts have been stepped up for seizing and destruction of opium, heroin, marijuana, and amphetamines, as also seizures of precursor chemicals and paraphernalia illegally brought in from neighbouring, countries.
For elimination of drug abuse, extensive education and organization have been conducted among youths and the public, specially against the spread of amphetamines. Treatment and social rehabilitation of addicts are being carried out and ethnic leaders have established hospitals at their own expense In their regions for treatment of addicts.
These days, not only opium, heroin, marijuana and other drugs but also amphetamine abuse has started to spread and threaten the youths. It has been assessed that abuse of amphetamines is spreading with each passing day due to the ease with which these can be produced, trafficked and abused. At the same time prevention and Public education are being extensively carried out according to plan.
The drug problem concerns the entire mankind. Therefore in keeping with the slogan "Join hands to combat drugs, the enemy of mankind", I earnestly urge all mankind, all the citizens of Myanmar, to collectively combat the scourge.
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(11) 57 members resign from Pinlebu Township NLD
YANGON, 26 June - Fifty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pinlebu Township, Sagaing Division.
Fifty-seven members of Pinlebu Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Pinlebu Township
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 25
March 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(12) Nepalese cultural delegation arrives
YANGON, 26 June - Under the arrangement of cultural exchange programme between Myanmar and Nepal, a 15-member cultural delegation arrived here by air this evening.
The delegation was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Director-General U Tin Htoo of Fine Arts Department, the Ambassador of Nepal and officials.
While in Myanmar, members of the delegation will perform traditional dances of Nepal to the public in Yangon, Mandalay, PyinOoLwin, Lashio and Taunggyi Townships.
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(13) Myanmar delegation arrives back from Thailand
YANGON, 26 June - An eight-member delegation led by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein arrived back here by air this evening after talks for cooperation in fisheries between Myanmar and Thailand.
The delegation led by Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pensak Chalarak and departmental heads.
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High Temperature (89° F)
Low Temperature (74° F)
Rainfall on 26-6-99 was 20mm (0.79 inch) at Yangon Airport, 17mm (0.67 inch) at Kaba-Aye and 16mm (0.63 inch) at central Yangon.
Total rainfall since I January 1999 was 1113mm (44.61 inches) at Yangon Airport, 1426mm (56.14 inches) at Kaba-Aye and 1651mm (65.00 inches) at central Yangon.
Maximum wind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was 17 mph from southwest at 15:40 hours MST on 25-6-99.
Bay inference: Monsoon is strong in the Bay of Bengal.
Forecast valid until evening of 27th June 1999: Rain will be isolated in lower Sagaing and Mandalay Divisions, scattered in Magway Division, Shan and Kayah States and widespread in the remaining areas. Degree of certainty is 80%.
State of the sea: Seas will be moderate to rough in Myanmar waters.
Outlook for subsequent two days: Strong monsoon.
Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 27th June 1999: Some rain or rain-showers. Degree of certainty is 100%.
Forecast for Mandalay and neighbouring area for 27th June 1999:
Likelihood of isolated rain or rain-showers. Degree of certainty is 60%.
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