N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Monday, 14 February 2000)

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Secretary-1 attends 10th donation ceremony for construction of Thabbyinnyu Pagoda
"Government striving for development of social sector with national outlook" :Secretary-1 meets officials of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
Advanced language lab opens at No 2 BEHS, Latha
Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate inaugurated in Twantay
Minister inspects unloading of locomotives from mv Dawei
Minister inspects township hospitals in Kungyangon, Kawhmu, Tantay
Minister for Foreign Affairs arrives back from Thailand
41 Taze Township NLD members resign of own accord
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(1) Secretary-1 attends 10th donation ceremony for construction of Thabbyinnyu Pagoda
YANGON, 13 Feb-The 10th donation ceremony for construction of Thabbyinnyu Pagoda held at Dhammesaka Nunnery in Ward 5 of Mayangon Township this afternoon was attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present on the occasion were Presiding Nun of the nunnery Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Daw Dhammesi, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, members of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and social organizations and well-wishers.
The Secretary-1 and members heard a report on progress of work in construction of Thabbyinnyu Pagoda.
Secretary of Construction Committee Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung reported on progress of work in construction of the pagoda and Chairman of Finance Subcommittee Deputy Minister for Rail Tansportation Thura U Thaung Lwin on donations and expenditure for construction. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.
Today' s donations included K 32,025,846 by well-wishers including K 2 million donated by Yangon City Development Committee, K 2.9 million by Daw Yin Yin May in memory of Col Tha Din Gyi (Air), K 1,381,8Xby the people of Mon State, K 400,000 by the Ministry of Transport, K 350,000 by Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe-Daw San San Myint and family, K 750,000 for 1,000 bags of cement by U Thein Win-Daw Ni of Shwe Thanlwin Co, K 600,000 by U Min Min-Daw Aye Thida, K 500,000 by Chairman U Kyaw Swa Myint of Asian Friendship Group Ltd, K 200,000 by the Ministry of Industry-2, K 500+000 by U Mya Han-Daw Khin Sabei Kyi, K 350,Q00 each by Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and family, Joint-Secretary of YCDC U Kyi Win, Myanma railways, Road Transport Administration Department, Head of Department of YCDC U Khin Maung Hla-Daw Khin Kyi Htay and U Htay Oo-Daw Kyu Kyu Myint (Shwe Chantha Daungmin Geha Trading), K 300,000 by Myanma Five Star Line, K 200,000 by Myanma Port Authority, K 300,000 by Managing Director Daw Aye Aye Mon of Golden Parrot Trading Co Ltd, K 150,000 by Ministry of Rail Transportation, K 150,000 by U Dinga and daughter Daw Tin Aye in memory of mother Daw Kyi Khin, K 100,000 by Ministry of Finance and Revenue, Transport Planning Department, U Hla Kyaw and U Tun Amt Kyaw of Htay Myanmar Co, U Win Myat Aung of Team Engineering & Service and U Myat Lwin of Myat Thabye Housing Service.
After the donation ceremony, the Secretary-1and party paid obeisance to ancient Buddha images and casting of bronze Buddha image.

(2)Government striving for development of social sector with national outlook Secretary-1 meets officials of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement
YANGON, 13 Feb-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met officials of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement at the Fire Services Department this morning.
Present were ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, . ambassador of the Republic of Korea Mr Chung Jung Gum, directors-genera1 of departments under the ministry, deputy directors-general, the principal of Central Fire Services Training School, officials and guests.
The Secretary-1 said the State Peace and Development Council is endeavouring for national economic development, the most basic factor which enables the nation to stand tall among the nations of the world, while making efforts for raising the social standard of the entire people.
Strenuous efforts are being made for progress of economic life of the State after laying down national plans. As the objectives of the plans have been implemented year after year, economic progress is being achieved day after day, he said.
The government is also making efforts for raising of the quality of life of the people and fulfilling food, clothing and shelter needs. It is also implementing programmes for material and spiritual development of the people including development opportunities and preservation and promotion of cultural traditions and custom, he said.
The government believed that only citizens with high social quality and spiritual and material development. would bring about uplift of national economic life. Social sector plays crucial role in national development and that is why the government is implementing the sector for development with national outlook.
He said the government has given priority to social sector development and implementation in the sector from 1996-97 to 2000 2001 exceeded the targets every year, increasing 6.4 percent during Five years.
He spoke of the need for ministries on education, health and culture including Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to make continued efforts for gaining momentum in social sector with national outlook.
"Now we are building our nation for development on self-reliance basis hand in hand with national forces. The government is giving special priority to standing national forces to be dynamic and qualified ones and as consolidated single nation-building force," he said.
Now, social forces such as children, youths and women are to be nurtured. The Social Welfare Department is nurturing them as nation-building forces, enjoying respective social rights. Therefore social development tasks of SWD reached an important role in bringing about national interest, he said.
He elaborated on social welfare services on orphans, children and youth with difficult conditions, women in need of care and disabled, works of social organizations, nation-building tasks, government's assistance, SWD's tasks and endeavours, opening of 20 preprimary schools and 41 day nurseries for all-round development of the children, providing money and technical assistance to schools and opening of multimedia classrooms at No 1 Pre-primary school.
He said nursery unit, youth training school and women's development centre accepted those who need social assistance, orphans, youths and women and cultivated them for gaining high morale. Arrangements were made for learning vocational education and seeking jobs. It is heartening to see that the department carries out the tasks for the disabled and drug-addicts for their vocational education, he said.
He said in addition to care for the aged and youths, Youth Yeiktha and volunteer primary schools were opened with the cooperation of the people and the department has organized the youths to take part in community welfare services.
He said SWD handles the matters of child rights, women development and social development after formation of national level committee on respective sectors.
The Secretary-1 pointed out that undertakings on the children and women issues should be in accord with UN Convention on Child Rights, Beijing Process of World Women's Conference, Myanmar's historical background, culture, customs and religious teachings.
He said Myanmar children and women enjoyed the special rights lawfully, customarily and socially. Therefore there was no situation to demand social rights.
A group of destructionists relying on external elements are making preposterous accusations that the children and women of Myanmar are being deprived of their rights, and attempting to spread these accusations to the world. Therefore, it is required to find ways and means to acquaint friends from international community with the rights enjoyed traditionally by the children and women of Myanmar.
On the other hand, the national, state/division and township level committees are to make systematic arrangements to ensure successful implementation of plans for development of children and women, and to cooperate with social organizations from friendly nations.
Relief and Resettlement Department is carrying out the tasks related to prevention of natural disasters and rehabilitation, and they are noble and social tasks.
Today, efforts are being made for development of towns and villages and production to improve the social standard of the people, so special care is to be taken to protect forces of the State and the life and property of the people against fire and national disasters.
Relief and Resettlement Department is required to systematically take measures for preparedness of natural disaster, protection of life and property of the people during outbreak of natural disasters, and provision of exigency relief.
The Secretary-1 also spoke of public participation in taking relief measures after occurrence of natural disasters, and said it is necessary to make arrangements to enable departments, social organizations and the people to cooperate in taking natural disaster preparedness measures.
Priority is to be given to measures for preparedness of natural disasters, and it is needed to cooperate with international organizations and departments.
In addition to taking fire prevention measures, Fire Services Department is to actively cooperate with Relief and Resettlement Department in taking measures for preparedness of natural disasters and other disasters.
To acquaint the people with the danger of fire, knowledge of fire prevention is to be disseminated and local auxiliary fire brigades are to be effectively used in taking prevention measures.
The Secretary-1 urged regional authorities and officials of Fire Services Department to strive for betterment of transport.
He also called for establishing of regional auxiliary fire brigades at villages, factories and plants and every region, and added that ways and means are to be sought to provide fire-fighting knowledge and equipment.
He said that it is absolutely imperative that fire brigades and auxiliary fire brigades are to work as reserve forces for peace and tranquillity of the State and to prevent the danger of subversive elements.
Therefore, fire brigades and auxiliary fire brigades are being trained and nurtured systematically, and officials are officials are required to provide effective supervision.
The duties and responsibilities of departments under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement are to strive for development of human society and uplift of living standard of the people, to carry out the tasks for development of children, youths and women, to carry out tasks related to rehabilitation for those in want of social care, to strive for security of forces of the State and the life and property of the people, to carry out tasks related to rehabilitation after occurrence of natural disasters and outbreak of fire, and to protect national people against sabotage of destructive elements.
To ensure peace and tranquillity, prosperity and development of the nation, employees of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement are to continue to provide social welfare and relief services with might and main.
It is encouraging to see that the people are actively cooperating with the Government in nation-building endeavours, protecting the race, religion and Sasana and carrying out social and relief activities.
Social welfare activities, relief measures and fire prevention measures are making progress due to public participation and contributions of well-wishers.
Therefore, officials need to try to secure the public participation and to make systematic plans for social welfare activities, relief measures and preparedness of natural disasters.
In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to carry out social welfare activities with a view to ensuring emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation, to strive for development of human resources and improvement of social life of the nation with social welfare activities and social development tasks and to nurture the fire brigade to become a reserve force for peace and tranquillity of the State and to be able to prevent the danger of destructive elements and natural disaster and fire.
After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 watched the lifesaving demonstration of members of Myanmar Police Force, Fire Services Department, auxiliary fire brigades, the Union Solidarity and Development Association and Red Cross Society.
Then, the Secretary-1 met with those who participated in the life-saving demonstration and presented prizes to them.
The Secretary-1 and party later inspected modern fire-fighting equipment and life-saving equipment of Fire Services Department, fire-fighting equipment bought from the Republic of Korea, fire engines donated by Japan and fire-fighting demonstration with the use of modern equipment.
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(3)Advanced language lab opens at No 2 BEHS, Latha
YANGON, 13 Feb-A ceremony to open advanced language lab was held at No 2 Basic Education High School in Latha Township, this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, service personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of social associations, the director-general of No 3 Basic Education Department and officials, members of the School Board of Trustees, members of Parent-Teacher Association, headmistress, teachers and students.
The Secretary-1 and party inspected multimedia teaching centre, language lab, broadcasting centre, domestic science and art studio.
Headmistress Daw Khin Ohn Myint reported on turning out intellectuals and intelligentsia who would contribute towards the emergence of a new modern developed nation, efforts for all-round development of students under the education promotion programme, opening of language lab for correct pronunciation and development in understanding and speaking skills and benefits.
Joint Secretary of School Board of Trustees U Tin Tun reported on renovation of school building, all-round development and learning of subjects of international standard and cooperation of members of School Board of Trustees, parents and the people.
U Dennis Win Thein of Capital Mac Centre reported on benefits to be gained after opening of language lab.
Minister for Education U Than Aung presented certificates of honour to well-wishers.
Patron U Thein Win-Daw Ni of Shwe Thanlyin Co Group donated two air-conditioners, U Dennis Win Thein of Capital Mac Centre K 250,000 tor repair of room for language lab, U Sein Win-Daw Mya Mya Than, U Nay Win Tun-Daw Aye Aye Myint, U Aung Myat Kyaw-Daw Ni Htwe and U Than Tun-Daw Kyin Thein a TV each.
The Secretary-1 expressed thanks for participation in opening of Language lab after multimedia teaching centre at the school. No 2 BEHS. Latha is a successful school and it won all-round outstanding award for four consecutive years and other prizes and it produces outstanding students in matriculation examination.
He believed that girl students at the school are originally brilliant and their qualifications will be more brilliant if they are trained at the language lab. Prospects for national in the future will improve, he said.
He said the government is endeavouring for turning out outstanding students and raising education standard to international level.
The Secretary-1 said modem teaching methods and aids are to be provided for uplift of education. Modem technologies can also be learnt widely and effectively if they have English proficiency, he added.
He said language lab is essential basic requirement and called for participation of members of the School Board of Trustees and implementation of education promotion programme in a short time.
He urged those who participated in opening of language lab to continue to provide assistance to production of brilliant students.
He said students are basis for human resources and urged the students to try their best to become persons who would be useful to the country.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 signed in school record book.

(4)Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate inaugurated in Twantay
YANGON, 13 Feb-Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the inauguration ceremony of Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate built at the confluence of Twantay Canal and Zeebyugon Creek near Zeebyugon Village in Twantay Township, this morning.
Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander, departmental officials of Yangon Division, local people, teachers and students, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and band troupes exceeding 10,000.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate covered by Agricultural Project Phase II of Lower Myanmar can drain water out of the fields, irrigate about 7,500 acres of land in Twantay Township and Shwemayin region, store water and prevent sea water from entering the fields, thereby benefiting farmers.
As Shwemayin region is adjacent to Nyaungdongyan, the sluice-gate will partly contribute towards draining the water exceeding what is sufficient.
He also presented gifts to the Secretare-2. the commander and party.
Next, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin formally unveiled the stone plaque of Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate, and Director of Construction-6 U Khin Zaw formally opened the sluice-gate.
After the ceremony, the Secretary-2 and party inspected the entrance gate for vessels.
Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate has seven doors, 6 feet by l2 feet, and a canal, 70 feet wide, 1,300 feet long and 20 feet deep, and was built at a cost of over K 82 million.
The entrance gate for vessels, 18 feet wide, was built at a cost of over K 47 million.
Zeebyugon Sluice-Gate will protect 75,000 acres of field in Shwemayin region, Twantay Township, from flood and sea water, and will be directly beneficial to 7,500 acres.
The Secretary-2 then met with chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Councils and departmental officials from Yangon South District and Twantay, Dalla, Kawhmu and Kungyangon Townships at the meeting hall of Twantay Township Peace and Development Council.
The Secretary-2 stressed the impotence of transport and urged all to strive for regional development.
Then, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin spoke of tasks for agricultural development.
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(5) Minister inspects unloading of locomotives from MV Dawei
YANGON, 13 Feb-Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin, Managing Director U Khin Maung Kyi of Myanma Five Star Line, Managing Director U Thein Htay of Myanma Port Authority, Managing Director U Aye Mu of Myanma Railways and officials, arrived at mv Dawei at No 5 Sule Wharf this morning.
The minister and party inspected unloading new locomotives for Myanma Railways imported from India, maintenance of the vessel and matters related to the loading and storage of cargo.
Then, the minister gave instructions on taking measures for loading and unloading locomotives and cargo without loss and wastage .
The new locomotives were carried by MV Dawei from Madras Port of India and arrived here yesterday morning.

(6)Minister inspects township hospitals in Kungyangon, Kawhmu, Tantay
YANGON, 13 Feb-Miner for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, accompanied by officials, today inspected township hospitals in Kungyangon, Kawhmu and Twantay townships.
The minister and party inspected patient wards, operation theatre, X-ray room and old building of the hospital in Kungyangon.
At Kawhmu, the minister instructed matters related to the construction of operation theatre to officials. The minister and party proceeded to Twantay Township Hospital. He inspected patients ward, operation theatre and X-ray room and attended to their needs.
In the briefing hall, the minister met staff of the hospital and gave instructions on works.
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(7)Minister for Foreign Affairs arrives back from Thailand
YANGON, 13 Feb—Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung arrived back here by air this evening after attending the ASEAN-UN Summit of leaders of ASEAN countries and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and heads of UN agencies, the ASEAN-Japan Leaders Meeting and the 10th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD-X) in Bangkok, Thailand, on 12 February .
While in Bangkok, the minister attended the ASEAN-UN Summit at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre as the Special Envoy of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe.
The minister also attended the reception of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of Thailand in commemoration of the opening of UNCTAD-X and the ASEAN-Japan Leaders Meeting .
Minister U Win Aung received the Minister of Trade of Sri Lanka and party and discussed cooperation matters of BIMST-EC.
The minister also received correspondents of ITV, Channel 9, BBC, The Nation and Yumiyuri Shinbum news agencies.
Minister U Win Aung attended BOI Fair 2000 organized by Board of Investment of Thailand and visited showrooms of CP Company Group and others.

(8)41 Taze Township NLD members resign of own accord
YANGON, 13 Feb-Fourty-one members of National League for Democracy of Taze Township, Sagaing Division, of their own accord, resigned on 7 November 1999.
Fourty-one members of Taze Township NLD, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Taze Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 7 November 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(9)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Feb 12-2-2000 was 34.5°C (94°F)
Minimum temperature on Feb 13-2-2000 was 16.0 °C (61°F)

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