THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Monday, 16 August 1998)
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(1) Maliyan Bridge (Kachin State) on Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Waingmaw Township opened
YANGON, 15 Aug - A ceremony to inaugurate Maliyan Bridge (Kachin State) on Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, was held at the pandal near the bridge this morning, attended by Chairman of the Work Committee for, Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Efforts made by the Government and national brethren for the modernization and development of Kachin State, have been crowned with success, and such efforts could be made due to prevalence of peace and tranquility in Kachin State. As is known to all, in the course of the thousand-long history of the Union of Myanmar, Kachin national race and Shan national race have lived together with other Myanmar national brethren through thick and thin, and whenever there is alien aggression, all the national brethren cohesively join hands in the fight. Records show that from the ancient monarchical days to date, Kachin nationals have preserved their own culture and traditions in perpetuity, and they also have freedom of faith.
Bhamo is the pride of Kachin State as it has been a strategic region for foreign trade, foreign relations and national defence since ancient times.
At the time when Myanmar was kept in bondage, the unity of national brethren who have been living through weal or woe in the course of history countable by the thousand, collapsed due to divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists and their plot designed to sow discord, and then, evil legacy resulted. Therefore, the State Peace and Development Council, taking lessons from the bitter history, has given priority to efforts for national reconsolidation have met with success and peace and tranquility prevails throughout the nation, systematic plans for the development of border areas and improvement of living conditions of the local people, which are the most basic prerequisite for further strengthening national solidarity, have been laid down and are being implemented.
Specially, priority is being given to efforts for establishment of transport, education and health infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in striving for regional development and improvement of economic and social conditions of the people.
As efforts have been made for the development of transport foundations, social foundations for education and health and economic foundations for agriculture, livestock breeding and trade, regional development has been achieved in so short a time and living conditions of the local people have improved.
From the funds of works for the progress of border areas and national races, over K 15,330 million has been spent till the end of July, 1999; from the funds of other ministries, over K 8,650 million has been spent on works for the progress of border areas; out of K 15,330 million spent for the progress of border areas, over K 443 million has been spent for Kachin Special Region No 1 and 2; if that amount is added with expenses of other ministries, the total amount will come to over K 1,390 million.
Moreover, such roads linking Kachin State and other states and divisions as Myitkyina-Shwebo Road, Bhamo-Mansi-Moemeik-Mandalay Road, Bhamo-Moemauk-Myitkyina Road and Myitkyina-Moegaung-Mandalay Road, have been built; Bhamo-Katha-Tagaung gurated recently, is on Bhamo-Moemauk-Waingmaw-Myitkyina-Sumprabum Road and spans Ayeyawady River; that bridge, 2,688 feet long, was built with steel truss and at a cost of US$5.9 million and K 1,077.3 million.
On Bhamo-Myitkyina Road, four river-crossing bridges are being built; Maliyan Bridge, 320 feet long, is a reinforced concrete bailey bridge, and was built at a cost of US $ 0.15 million and K 70.3 million.
On 108-mile long Bhamo-Myitkyina Road, three bridges including a 300-foot long bailey-type Nanghsanyan Bridge if all these bridges are completed, there will be no need to cross the river by Z-craft, and people can travel by car. In conclusion, the Secretary-l urged all to strive for non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty with clear national outlook and national vigil, to continue to strive for further economic and social development with Union spirit with a view to ensuring the perpetuity of the already achieved peace and tranquility, to prevent with national vigil the danger of destructive elements taking orders from external elements and attempting to disrupt peace and national solidarity through various ways and means and to make all-out efforts for the further flourishing of nationalistic spirit, national solidarity and Union spirit among the national !brethren .
Afterwards, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun made speeches.
On behalf of local people, executive of Waingmaw Township Union Solidarity and Development Association U La Maung Jone Haung spoke words of thanks.
Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun presented a commemorative gift to
the Secretary-1.
The Secretary-l also presented a gift to Deputy Superintending Engineer of Maliyan Bridge Project U Soe Thet. Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened the bridge.
The Secretary-l and party, national race leader from Kachin State Special Region No.1 U Za Khun Ting Ring and national race leader from Special Region No 2 U Zaw Mai freed pigeons of peace to mark the inauguration of the bridge.
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(2) Secretary-1 gives advice on agricultural work in Kachin State
YANGON, 15 Aug - 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 Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials, left here by Tatmadaw flight for Myitkyina on 14 August morning.
The Secretary-l and party together with Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win arrived at the reclamation work site of Golden Green Co Ltd in Dunbannaungmi Region in Phakant Township, Kachin State.
They were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Than Htay, members of Township Peace and Development Council, service personnel, members of USDA and Managing Director of Golden Green Co Ltd U Htin Aung and officials.
First, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win reported to the Secretary-1 on production of 18.3 million baskets of paddy for food sufficiency of 1.17 million population in Kachin State by cultivating 328,918 acres of monsoon paddy and 13,990 acres of summer paddy, totaling 342,908 cultivated acreage in 1998-99. With the participation of national entrepreneurs in reclamation work in 19992000, it was targeted to cultivate 53,996 acres of monsoon paddy totaling 382914. Monsoon paddy was put on 310,058 acres in Kachin State up to 13 August 1999.
Then, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Hla Myint reported on cultivation and production of monsoon paddy in Phakant, target for cultivation of monsoon paddy and cultivated condition in Phakant Township for 1,999-2,000, permission for entrepreneurs to be able to reclaim fallow and virgin lands in the township and kinds of cold season crops.
Then, Managing Director of Golden Green Co Ltd U Htin Aung reported to the Secretary-l that out of 5,200 acres of virgin lands, 600 acres had been reclaimed. Monsoon paddy was cultivated on 240 acres. It was targeted to cultivate oil-mustard on 1000 acres.
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented a supplementary report.
Then, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said that the government is supporting the national entrepreneurs to be able to reclaim the fallow and virgin lands for the progress of agriculture sector of the State with momentum.
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(3) Secretary-2 inspects Aungzeya Bridge Project
YANGON, 15 Aug - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected Aungzeya Bridge Project this afternoon.
The Secretary-2, accompanied by Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Kyi Min, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint and officials, inspected construction works of the approach structure on the bank of Insein Township.
In the briefing hall of the project, Assistant Engineer U Thein Myint Mon reported on progress of work.
Deputy Managing Director (Project) of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing gave a supplementary report.
Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Khin Maung Kyaw reported on assistance provided by the township concerned. In meeting with ward authorities, the Secretary-2 spoke of the need to expose destructive elements.
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(4) Provisions donated to Sarthintaiks, nunneries in Mayangon Township
YANGON, 15 Aug - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Daw Khin Than Nwe attended ceremonies to donate provisions to Sarthintaiks and nunneries of Mayangon Township by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers this morning.
At 9.50 am, a ceremony to donate provisions to Sasanodaya (Pyay) Taikthit and Kambawza Nunnery at Ward 3 of Mayangon Township was held at Sasanodaya (Pyay) Taikthit.
Kyaikwaing Gandhayon Sarthintaik Padana Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vanita administered the Eight Precepts.
The Secretary-2 and wife and ministers offered provisions to the Sayadaws.
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(5) Asia Wealth Bank opens branches in Shwetaungdan, Kyimyindine
YANGON, 15 Aug - A ceremony to open Shwetaungdan branch bank and Kyimyindine branch bank of Asia Wealth I Bank was held at Shwetaungdan branch bank of Asia Wealth Bank at the corner of Shwetaungdan Street and Maha Bandoola Road- this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Minister U Khin Maung Thein and U Aik Tun formally opened the Shwetaungdan branch bank.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, ministers, deputy ministers and guests inspected the Shwetaungdan branch bank.
Then, The opening ceremony of Shwetaungdan branch bank and Kyimyindine branch bank was held at the Traders Hotel.
Minister U Khin Maung Thein made a speech on the occasion. Later, Vice-President U Aik Tun spoke words of thanks.
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(6) Secretary-3 discusses development of agriculture sector in Taninthayi Division
YANGON, 15 Aug - Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Military Appointment General Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, senior military officers, departmental officials, left Yangon by air for Myeik on 14 August.
The Secretary-3 and party went to Kanyoedan guest house of Coastal Region Command and met Taninthayi Division Agriculture Sector Development Committees.
The Secretary-3 then gave instructions. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung also reported on arrangements for rice sufficiency and cultivation of 500,000 acres of oil palm, per acre yield and purchase of paddy.
Minister Col Tin Hlaing reported on extended cultivation of 5,000 acres of paddy by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Officials then took part in the discussions.
The Secretary-3 said cultivation of, paddy is to be made in the lands where nipa palm is grown under three -year project with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
He spoke on-cultivation of strains of paddy from Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions in wetlands in Taninthayi Division, harnessing creeks in Thayetchaung and Pulaw Townships for cultivation purposes, cultivation in sparsely forested lands under the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, implementation of targets, dealing with marine and agricultural products and pro viding assistance by local authorities for realization of the set targets.
He urged farmers and officials to work for the nation and the people with patriotism and Union spirit.
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(7) Myanmar delegation leaves for Thailand
YANGON, 15 Aug - At the invitation of the Minister of Education of Thailand, a three member Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Culture U Win Sein left for Thailand by air this evening. Members of the delegation are Director-General U Myint Thein Swe of Department of Cultural Institute and Director General U Nyunt Han of the Department of Archaeology.
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(8) Commander inspects agriculture, construction works in Yamethin, Pyinmana
YANGON, 15 Aug - Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the secretary of Yarnethin District Peace and Development Council and officials, inspected ploughing work at the farm of farmer U Aung Soe, Inguinal model village, Yamethin Township, yesterday.
Yamethin Township plans to extend cultivation of cotton, sugar-cane, beans and pulses and edible oil crops in addition to monsoon paddy which will exceed the target by 10 per cent.
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(9) Minister inspects repair of rail tracks, bridges, stations
YANGON, 15 Aug - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, accompanied by Managing Director U Kyaw Hsan of Myanma Railways and officials, inspected repair of rail tracks along the Yangon-Mandalay line by EMC on 12 August.
At Pyundaza Station, minister met Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye.
He gave instructions on ensuring smooth transportation and repair of roads and bridges in Bago Division to officials. On 13 August, the minister inspected rail tracks, bridges and stations between Mandalay and Naba stations.
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(10) Leading Committee for Organizing Seventh Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions meets
YANGON, 15 Aug - A coordination meeting between the Leading Committee for Organizing the Seventh Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions and representatives of states and divisions took place at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Road in Dagon Township this afternoon, attended by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Seventh Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than
Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt made speeches.
Then, a general round of discussions followed. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.
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(11) 27 members resign from Singaing Township NLD
YANGON, 15 Aug - Twenty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Singaing Township, Mandalay Division.
Twenty-seven members of Singaing Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their
own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Township Multiparty
Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 3 May 1999 as
they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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