YANGON, 23 July A ceremony to mark exchange of arms for peace by the members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni National Development Party of Hoya Region was held at City Hall in Loikaw, Kayah State, this morning, with an address by 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.
At 7.15 am, Hoya Region Commander of Kayinni National Development Party took positions in Kandara-wady sports ground in Loikaw for attending the ceremony to exchange arms for peace.
Then, Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National Development Party marched from the sports ground to the City Hall of Loikaw. They were accorded a rousing welcome by service personnel, nurses, teachers and students, USDA members, Red Cross and Fire Brigade members, MCWA members, members of Kayah State Committee for Women's Affairs, members of traditional cultural troupe and local people along the route.
Hoya Region Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National Development Party took the places in the City Hall at 8 am.
The Secretary-1 delivered an address.
In his concluding address, the Secretary-1 heartily welcomed the Kayaw national race group led by U Goeri which returned to the legal fold, saying the State will discharge the duty of ensuring firm and secure life for them and will enable them to live peacefully in the warm embrace of the government. He urged the people to render assistance for the remaining armed groups in Kayah State to return to the legal fold. He thanked the peace negotiators and urged all to strive for Myanmar to become modern and developed soonest. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Thein then gave a speech.
Brig-Gen Myint Thein said he warmly welcomed the 113 members of Kayinni National Development Party led by U Goeri who had exchanged arms for peace inviting the remnants of the armed group to follow suit if they have real wish to serve the well-being of the regional people.
U Goeri made a speech. He gave a vote of thanks. He said that they had been engaged in the armed insurrection for development of their national race group and that though time passed, they had not done much for their own people except serving the interest of just a small group of people.
Though they had made peace, they became deviated from the course due to various intra-party problems, he said and added that they heard that other groups, after having made peace, now carry out development project for their regions.
He said that due to the results of peace in other regions and encouragement by local people and peace negotiators, they decided to return to the legal fold.
Fully trusting the State leaders, they have exchanged arms for peace leaving their family members in danger, he said and made an ardent request for resettlement of their families and implementation of projects for development of their region.
He stated that due to difficult access and lack of preparations, there were only 113 members and expressed belief that there would be more coming in future.
He expressed hope that as their region would develop the rest would follow their example, and expressed thanks to the state leaders for giving them a hearty warm welcome and made a solemn promise that they would strive their utmost joining hands with the government for regional development and security.
U Goeri presented arms and his men to Brig-Gen Myint Thein.
Brig-Gen Myint Thein presented gifts to U Goeri.
Secretary-l, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt cordially met with U Goeri and peace negotiators.
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(2) Secretary-1 meets Commander (Hoya Region) of Kayinni National Development Party in Loikaw
YANGON, 23 July Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met with Commander (Hoya Region) of Kayinni National Development Party U Goeri and members at the Regional Control Command in Loikaw, Kayah State, this morning, and discussed regional development projects.
Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo, ministers, deputy ministers, Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Myint Thein, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and peace negotiators, among others.
In his address, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the day marked the dawning of new rays of peace in Kayah State, and the government achieved success in its endeavors for maintenance of peace thanks to the cooperation of the peace negotiators to achieve success. He said that as the troops led by U Goeri have exchanged arms for peace, they have now been in the warm embrace of the government, and that the government would care for the security and livelihood of their families.
Afterwards, Commander of Kayinni National Development Party U Goeri and Peace Negotiator Priest Rev Setae Rofamo reported on regional development projects and requirements.
Ministers and deputy ministers discussed plans for regional development such as establishment of new villages, construction of buildings, education and health improvement, water and power supply, paving of roads and agriculture projects.
The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.
Later, the Secretary-l and party visited Catholic missionary centre in Loikaw.
They were entertained to traditional songs and dances by the Kayaw cultural troupe.
The Secretary-1 presented gifts to the cultural troupe and later viewed the national groups' utensils collected by Rev Setae Rofamo.
The Secretary-l and party had lunch together with peace negotiators, U Goeri and members.
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(3) Secretary-1 inspects Moebye Reservoir, development of Loikaw
YANGON, 23 July 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 left here by Tatmadaw aircraft for Kayah State yesterday afternoon.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party, accompanied by Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo, arrived at Moebye Reservoir of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise.
Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials reported to the Secretary-1 in flow of water, storage capacity and irrigation capacity of the Reservoir.
Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party arrived back in Loikaw.
Later, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at the construction site of Loikaw College.
Superintending engineer U Khin Maung Aye of Public Works and Principal of the college U Khin Maung ho explained about the progress in implementing the project academic matters.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave necessary instructions to them.
Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party went to Kayah State People's Hospital.
They were welcome there by Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Head of Kayah State Health Department Dr Maung Maung Myint, Medical Superintendent Dr Chit Pe, specialists, doctors and nurses.
Then, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Head of Kayah State Health Department Dr Maung Maung, Medical Superintendent Dr Chit Pe reported to the Secretary-1 on medical treatment, health care work and requirements.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended to their needs. The Secretary-1 and party inspected arrangements for construction of Sasana Beikhmamdaw in Loikaw.
In the evening, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party paid homage to Buddha image at Shwekyaungtaik in Loikaw.
The Secretary-1 and party also paid obeisance to Pobbayon Sarthintaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Gunapiya and members of the Sangha and presented alms to the Sayadaws.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony to exchange arms for peace of the members led by Commander U Goeri of Kayinni National Development Party of Hoya Region at City Hall in Loikaw this morning.
Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met Commander U Goeri and members of Kayinni National Development Party of Hoya Region at Regional Control Command (Loikaw) at 9.45 am today.
They discussed development of the region.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party arrived back here this afternoon. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt inspected construction work in Loikaw this morning.
He met service personnel of Kayah State and Loikaw Township Development Affairs Department, Domestic Science Training School and Youth Training School at Township Development Affairs Office.
Minister Col Thein Nyunt gave instructions and inspected Domestic Science Training School and Youth Training School.
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig Gen Pyi Sone inspected Pre-primary Schools in Loikaw this morning. Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented toys to the children.
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(4) Secretary-2 attends opening ceremony of upgraded Naypyidaw Cinema
YANGON, 23 July The opening ceremony of upgraded Naypyidaw Cinema was held at the cinema on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
The old Naypyidaw Cinema was renovated by Mingala Co Ltd to international standard.
Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Managing Director of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise Col Bo Kyi and Managing Director of Mingala Co Ltd U Zaw Min formally opened the Naypyidaw Cinema.
Then, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party viewed a foreign film there. The upgraded Naypyidaw Cinema has 556 seats with modern equipment. The cinema will present five shows daily.
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(5) Ministry of Industry-1 holds Waso robes offering ceremony
YANGON, 23 July The Ministry of Industry-l today held its Waso robes offering ceremony with the patronage of Minister U Aung Thaung and deputy ministers.
At the ceremony in the training hall of the ministry on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Patron of Yankin Kyaukkon Kyaunggyitaik Sayadaw Dhammacariya Bhaddanta Visarada administered the Five Precepts.
Minister U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and officials presented Waso robes and alms to 15 Sayadaws.
Afterwards, the Sayadaws recited parittas and Sayadaw Dhammacariya Bhaddanta Visarada delivered a sermon.
Soon' was offered to the Sayadaws later. The ministry donated 68 sets of robes to members of the Sangha of Kyaukkon Kyaunggyitaik.
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(6) International Relations Course No 1 opened in Nyaung-U
YANGON, 23 July A ceremony to open International Relations Course No 1 of Japanese and French languages, organized by Nyaung-U District Union Solidarity and Development Association, was held at Nyaung-U District USDA Office yesterday morning.
General Secretary of USDA Minister for Education U Than Aung and member of Secretariat of USDA Minister for Culture U Win Sein formally opened the course. General Secretary of USDA Minister for Education U Than Aung and member of Secretariat of USDA Minister for Culture U Win Sein gave speeches.
Secretary of Nyaung-U District USDA U Ye Myint reported on matters relating to the opening of the course.
Altogether 124 trainees, 71 in spoken Japanese course and 53 in French are attending the two-month courses.
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(7) MAPT's Basic Management Course No 2/99 ends
YANGON, 23 July The Basic Management Course No 2/99 of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading concluded today with an address by Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than.
It was the second course opened at the Post-Harvest Technology Department with the aim of turning out qualified personnel and workers.
In his address, Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Than spoke of the need to close the generation gap in agricultural produce trading contributing toward the aim for national economic development.
He later presented gifts to the course instructors and certificates to the trainees.
Altogether 51 trainees attended the four-week course.
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(8) Minister meets service personnel of MPT
YANGON, 23 July Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin met with service personnel of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications at Communications and Postal Training Centre in Pazundaung Township, here, this morning. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that IDD had been permitted to ensure easy contact and to boost the State income, adding as auto-telephones, auto-radio telephones, cellular and CDMAs have been installed, officials at different levels were to supervise in getting rid of malpractices and decreasing defects on the lines.
He spoke of the need to supervise work to ensure proper running of the work and prevent malpractices.
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(9) Myanmar journalists delegation arrives back
YANGON, 23 July Under the China-Myanmar cultural exchange programme, a six member Myanmar journalists delegation led by Chief Editor U Ye Tint of the Kyemon Daily of the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, arrived back by air this evening after visiting the People's Republic of China.
The delegation was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Managing Director U Tin Kha of NPE, Director (News) U Hla Tun, Chief Editor U Kyi Nyunt of the Myanma Alin Daily, Chief Editor of Myanma News Agency (Internal) U Zaw Min Thein, officials, officials of the PRC Embassy and families.
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(10) 441 drug-related cases exposed in June
YANGON, 23 July The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and Customs Department exposed 441 drug-related cases in June 1999. They seized 89.1551 kilos of opium in 20 cases, 2.805 kilos of heroin in 170 cases, 3.9982 kilos of opium oil in six cases, 20.2673 kilos of marijuana in 67 cases, 16.225 liters of Phensedyl four cases, 0.024 kilo of low-grade opium in seven cases, 4,345,996 stimulant tablets in 52 cases, 106.5555 kilos of Ephedrine in two cases, 40 kilos of ammonium chloride, 275 kilos of soda, 23.375 liters of cough syrup in seven cases, 100.1 liters of ether, 36.4 liters of thyonyl chloride, 13.1 liters of hydrochloric acid, 136.38 liters of acid, 198.01 liters of opium liquid, 99 cases for failure to register and seven other cases.
Regiments and units of the Tatmadaw seized 24.9161 kilos of opium, 0.335 kilo of heroin, 3.102 kilos of marijuana, 73 stimulant tablets, 40 kilos of ammonium chloride, 275 kilos of soda, 100.1 liters of ether, 36.4 liters of thyonyl chloride, 13.1 liters of hydrochloric acid, 36.38 liters of acid and 195.25 liters of opium liquid. The Myanmar Police Force seized 64.239 kilos of opium in 20 cases. 2.47 kilos of heroin in 170 cases, 3.9982 kilos of opium oil in six cases, 17.1653 kilos of marijuana in 67 cases, 16.225 liters of Phensedyl in four cases, 0.024 kilos of low-grade opium in seven cases, 4,345,923 tablets of Amphetamine in 52 cases, 106.5555 kilos of Ephedrine in two cases, 23.375 kilos cough syrup in seven cases, 2.76 lit s of opium liquid, 99 cases for failure to register and seven other cases.
Seizures made by the Tatmadaw and MPF were 1.3044 kilos of heroin in one case, 53.7263 kilos of opium in seven cases, 3.5 Liters in Phensedyl in one case, 1.878 kilos of marijuana in one case, 4,333,860 stimulant tablets in 23 cases, 0.002 kilo of low-grade opium 0.0135 kilo of opium oil solid and 16.32 kilos of Ephedrine.
Action was taken against 98 persons 193 men and 105 women-in connection with 441 drug-related cases in June.
On 1 June, Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad and local intelligence unit seized 2,860,000 stimulant tablets in TE-11 Zagwe/3355 at check point in Hsenwi Township.
On 8 June, Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad, local battalion and local intelligence unit seized 396,000 stimulant tablets in Hylux 3Kha/4705 at Kunlong Bridge.
On 18 June, Lashio Special Anti-Drug Squad and local intelligence unit seized 228,850 stimulant tablets in van Bagone/8 85 at Kunlong Bridge.
In 1998-99 cultivation season, 9,824.667 acres or 3,978.99 hectares of poppy plantations - 7,458.38 acres in Shan State (North), 1,983.5 acres in Shan State (South), 160.8 acres in Shan State (East), 143.987 acres in Kachin State and 15.5 acres in Mandalay Division-were destroyed.
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(11) 41 members resign from Launglon Township NLD
YANGON, 23 July Forty-one members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Launglon Township, Taninthayi Division.
Forty-one members of Launglon Township NLD, Taninthayi Division, of their own
volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Launglon Township
Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned
on 18 July 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of
NLD.