THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Tuesday,    7 March 2000)

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  1. Efforts required to extend tea cultivation in Leshe, Lahe, Hkamti to help improve people's living standard General Maung Aye on tour of Sagaing Division
  2. Secretary-1, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR hold discussions
  3. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr BoungnangVorachith of LPDR arrives on goodwill visit to Myanmar
  4. Secretary-1 receives Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR and party
  5. Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR and party
  6. Conference of Heads of Mission of Myanmar Embassies, Permanent Missions and Consulates-General opened
  7. Minister for Health meets guests
  8. Minister for CPT meets Ambassador of Singapore
  9. Minister presents gifts to DSOGCH
  10. Htidaw hoisted atop Mingala Muninda NanU Hsutaungpyay Pagoda in Mottama Dockyard
  11. Minister for Finance and Revenue receives officials of foreign companies
  12. Quadripartite Meeting of Working Group on Draft Agreements on Commercial Navigation on Lancnag-Mekong River held
  13. Press Conference held on successful completion of      buckwheat harvesting and export to Japan
  14. 10 Kyimyindine Township NLD members resign of own accord
  15. WEATHER
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(1)   Efforts required to extend tea cultivation in Leshe, Lahe, Hkamti to help improve peoples living standard General Maung Aye on tour of Sagaing Division

YANGON, 6 March - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye toured Pinlebu, Homalin and Hkamti in Sagaing Division yesterday and today.

At Township Peace and Development Council Office, the General and party met with departmental personnel of district and township offices, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and town elders.

Lt-Col Myint Naing reported to the General on agricultural work being done in the township, conditions of Pinlebu-Kawlin, Pinlebu- Phaungpyin and Pinlebu-Bamauk roads and education and communication of the town.

General Maung Aye said the government is striving to ensure proportionate progress in all states, divisions and regions of the nation. Though not situated in the remote regions, Pinlebu is difficult of access due to transport difficulties. Collective efforts of local officials and people will lead to development of Pinlebu. Nature has already provided opportunities for development of the region. It has land and water for cultivation; and its climate is favourable.

The government will render assistance for progress of Pinlebu to the utmost extent. Based on favourable natural resources, efforts should be made for achieving regional progress. Ayeyawady, Bago and Yangon are three main divisions fulfilling the nation's local rice demand. Pinlebu Township should take part as a lump of brick and a grain of sand in the rice producing sector.

He then cordially greeted those present at the meeting.

Minister for Education U Than Aung presented a computer and teaching aids to the town.

Accompanied by Minister U Than Aung, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo met the township education officer and teachers at Township Basic Education High School.

Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt met with stab of the respective departments.

At Homalin Airport Project, the General looked into requirements in implementing the project. At the Homalin Station Hall, the General cordially met with Tatmadawmen and families of battalions and units under thc station.

The General and party then inspected the town.

At the Basic Education Primary School in Naungpakyit-khopewa, they met departmental personnel of Homalin.

Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung and Minister U Than Aung gave speeches.  Minister U Than Aung presented a computer and teaching aids to the school.  Ministers Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and Col Thein Nyunt inspected the respective departments and met with the staff.  Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo inspected the Township People's Hospital. In Hkamti, the General and party met departmental personnel of Hkamti District and Township, Councils members of USDA, Red Cross, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Maternal and Child Welfare Association and townselders. Local authorities presented reports on health, education, road transport and regional development of the district and township.

General Maung Aye said they toured the regions to look into the requirements.in developing the less developed areas of Sagaing Division. Officials should frankly present their requirements during the meeting. Service personnel are discharging duties on behalf of the State. Harmonious efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw will lead to progress of the nation. Due to the correctness of the 12 objectives laid down by the government and cooperative efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw the nation is gaining progress overcoming various difficulties. As there are large areas of vacant lands in Hkamti District, efforts should be made to extend cultivation in the region. Due to the efforts of the forefathers, the present people do not need to worry about food. The present people should make arrangements for ensuring food sufficiency for the growing population in the future. Crops that are suitable to the soil and climate of the regions should be chosen in extending agriculture. Priority should be given to extending sown acreage and per acre yield. Leshe, Lahe and Hkamti regions have suitable soil and climate condition to grow tea. Thus, efforts are required to conduct test growing of tea in the region to help improve the living standard of the local people.People of townships in Hkamti District should strive for the success of agriculture in their regions.

Next, General Maung Aye and party toured Hkamti. The Secretary-2 gave instructions on work to be implemented during the previous visit in meeting with officials and fulfilled the requirements.
Minister for Education U Than Aung presented computer and teaching aids for Hkamti Basic Education High School to Township Education Officer U Sein Tun. Minister U Than Aung then inspected multimedia teaching centre. Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung together with Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha met service personnel at Hkamti District Information and Public Relations Department Office.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt met service personnel at Township Development Affairs Committee. Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met service personnel and gave instructions. Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo inspected Hkamti Township People's Hospital. Secretary-General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and CEC members U Aung Khin, U Thaung, Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Col Thein Nyunt and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met secretaries of Hkamti District and Township USDAs, EC members and organizers.

This morning, General Maung Aye met officials at the regional battalion and gave instructions on implementation of Hkamti-Lahe and Htamanthi-Leshi roads to be all weather ones.

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(2)   Secretary-1, Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR hold discussions

YANGON, 6 March - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic held discussions at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 2.15 pm today.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao PDR was accompanied by Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Phongsavath Boupha, Vice-Minister Mr Sitaheng Rasphone of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vice-Minister Mr Cheng Sayavong of the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism, Vice-Minister Mr Kham Louat Sidlakone of the Ministry of Communication, Post, Transportation and Construction, Vice-Minister Mr Sinlavong Khoutphaythgoune at the Prime Minister's Office, Vice-Governor Mr Thongvanhsay Manhpadith of Luangnamtha Province, Vice-Governor Mr Visaykhone Vannasomechanh of Bokeo Province, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham and departmental heads.

After the discussions, the Secretary-1 posed for documentary photo together with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Lao PDR and party.

(3)   Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of LPDR arrives on goodwill visit to Myanmar

YANGON, 6 March - At the invitation of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and members arrived here on goodwill visit to Myanmar this morning. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of LPDR and members were welcomed at the airport by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Finance and Revenue , Minister for Forestry , Minister for Foreign Affairs , Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs , Director-General of Protocol Department , Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and embassy staff.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of LPDR and members together with Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt proceeded to Inya Kantha State House.

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(4) Secretary-1 receives Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR and party

YANGON, 6 March - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 2 pm today.

Also present at the call were the ministers and the deputy ministers of the Union of Myanmar.

The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of Lao PDR Mr Ly Bounkham.

(5)Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR and party

YANGON, 6 March - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt hosted dinner at Karaweik Palace in honour of visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and party this evening.

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(6)Conference of Heads of Mission of Myanmar Embassies, Permanent Missions and Consulates-General opened

YANGON, 6 March - The Conference of Heads of Mission of Myanmar Embassies, Permanent Missions and Consulates-General began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, with an address by Chairman of Foreign Affairs Policy Committee Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said:
 

Today's occasion is in deed a very significant event as this is the first time that such a conference is being held in Myanmar since 1963. The conference will provide the Heads of Mission, who are shouldering front-line responsibilities in Myanmar's external relations, with the opportunity to have direct guidance from the leaders of the nation; to be aware of the developments and endeavours of the nation as well as to be aquatinted with the policies and programmes of the Government. Moreover, it is hoped that the Heads of Mission during the course of the conference will openly and frankly discuss how the activities in the international arena can contribute towards the fulfillment on Myanmar's national objectives. We are therefore fully confident that the deliberations at the conference will enhance the performance of their duties after their return to the respective posts.

To effectively implement the interests of the nation our diplomats must be well informed about the characteristics of the state of today's international relations as well as Myanmar's conditions and objectives.

Therefore I wish to take this opportunity to review some of the main features in the world today and their implications on Myanmar. To put it briefly, the international situation today is both complex and delicate. Without the presence of power equilibrium, the international situation has assumed a unipolar stance and a group of nations is trying to dominate the world by using their political, economic, diplomatic and military might. These nations are blatantly abusing and violating norms of international relations such as equality among nations, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and are openly interfering in the internal affairs of other nations by using human rights, democracy and other pretexts. There are even instances where they have ignored the United Nations Charter and International Law and committed armed aggression against sovereign state.

However, this does not mean it simply that they are always successful in their sinister activities. Today, there is a growing opposition to their schemes and more and more nations are looking forward to the establishment of a multi-polar world.

The trends in global economy indicate that the process of globalization is inevitable and that with the advancement of technology the economic interdependence of nations will continue to grow with the passage of time. Therefore it is most important that in these times of globalization the developing nations are not marginalized. There exists a great danger that the divide between the developed and the developing, between the rich and the poor will become wider if the third world nations are not able to effectively utilize the potential and possibilities offer by the changing world.

I wish also to take these opportunities to touch briefly on the situation in the country as well as on the future programme in Myanmar's international relations. As you all are aware, Myanmar has designated the establishment of the modern and developed nation as our national goal. In this regard, I wish to inform you that great and significant strides are being made politically, economically, socially and in terms of national defence in our march towards this goal. Although the western media have deliberately tried to paint a very bleak picture of Myanmar, although some big western nations are continuing to give pressure against Myanmar in many ways and are interfering in the internal affairs of the country, the reality is that the nation is not encountering-unrest and disturbances which these nations are hoping for and the country remains peaceful and stable. The unity which has remained elusive for many decades has been reconsolidate and the nation is enjoying internal peace for the first time in contemporary Myanmar history. We have opened the door to peace to the one remaining armed group which has still not joined hands with us and it is our hope that this group will choose the right path and place the interest of the union as well as the interest of their own national race and work together with us for the good of the entire nation.

As Heads of Mission, you should never let your guard down since nations that have negative views against us are always trying to isolate us, trying to drive a wedge between Myanmar and its friends and sparing no efforts to blacken Myanmar's image. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Myanmar Missions abroad have a special responsibility to negate the endeavours of these countries; to consolidate the existing ties of friendship with other nations; and to present the true picture of Myanmar to the world. At this dawn of a new century, it becomes imperative that Myanmar should increase the momentum of external relations and launch an effective diplomatic offensive. We believe that the present meeting will provide a forum that will come up with new and innovated ideas so that Myanmar diplomats can carry out effectively and efficiently the tasks that have been so entrusted.

In conclusion, allow me to convey my best wishes;

-   for the success of the Conference;

-   for the deliberations to yield fruitful and beneficial       results in the interest of the country; and

-   for all the personnel from the Foreign Ministry to become fully qualified diplomats that the nation and the people can depend upon; and

-   for the Heads of Mission to be able to launch a diplomatic offensive, in the interest of the nation and the people, after their return to their respective countries.

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(7)  Minister for Health meets guests

YANGON, 6 March - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein met General Managers Mr Akira Kato and Mr Tokio Matsumoto, of Chori Co Ltd of Japan at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road at 2 pm today.

Also present at the call were officials of the Ministry of Health.

(8)   Minister for CPT meets Ambassador of Singapore

YANGON, 6 March - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin met Ambassador of Singapore Mr Simon Tensing de Cruz at his office this morning.

(9)   Minister presents gifts to DSOGCH

YANGON, 6 March - Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa presented 101 toys and water bottles to Defence Services Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Children's Hospital this morning at the hospital.

(10)  Htidaw hoisted atop Mingala Muninda NanU Hsutaungpyay Pagoda in Mottama Dockyard

YANGON, 6 March - The Htidaw hoisting ceremony of Mingala Muninda NanU Hsutaungpyay Pagoda at Mottama Dockyard in Mon State was held in conjunction with the consecration ceremony at the dockyard yesterday morning.

The congregation received the Nine Precepts from the members of the Sangha.

Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe supplicated on the history of the pagoda and renovation matters.
Then, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and wife Daw San San Myint, Deputy Minister U Pe Than, officials and well-wishers donated provisions to the Sayadaws.

Member of the Central Working Committee of the Sangha Thaton Lewun Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacka Pandita Bhaddanta Sirinda delivered a sermon. The congregation shared merits of the pious deeds. Afterwards, the minister, the deputy minister and officials conveyed Seinphudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw, Hsatthwaphudaw and nine tiers of the Htidaw and went round the pagoda for three times.

At the auspicious time, the religious objects were placed in the reliquary.

They then conveyed the Shwehtidaw atop the pagoda by the decorated float and donated Shwekyar Thingan to the pagoda.

At Mingala Pandal, members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda.

Later, officials performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark successful completion of the Htidaw hoisting ceremony.

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(11)  Minister for Finance and Revenue receives  officials of foreign companies

YANGON, 6 March - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met Managing Director Mr Jeong Sandin of Archon Sdn Bhd Co of Malaysia and party at his office at 10.30 am.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein also met General Manager Mr Yoshiaki Kamiya of Nippon Koei Co Ltd of and General Manager Mr Tsunekiyo Endo of Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Co Ltd of Japan at his office.

They discussed cooperation between the two countries.

Present was Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

(12)  Quadripartite Meeting of Working Group on Draft Agreements  on Commercial Navigation on Lancnag-Mekong River held

YANGON, 6 March - The opening session of the Quadripartite Meeting of the Working Group on the Draft Agreements on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River among the Governments of the Peoples Republic of China, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar and the Kingdom of Thailand was held at the Wungyi Padethayazar Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, with an opening address by Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than.

The Meeting discussed the revised draft Agreement on Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River. The Meeting was chaired by Co-Leader of the Myanmar delegation Director-General of International Organizations and Economic Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Kyaw Tint Swe and attended by the delegates from China, Lao, Myanmar and Thailand. The Meeting will also discuss matters relating to the preparation for the convening of next Quadripartite Meeting at the Ministerial Level for signing of the draft Agreement. The negotiating process for development of a draft (I )Agreement on the Commercial Navigation on Lancang-Mekong River has started since 1993 among the four countries of the Upper Mekong River. The Working Group last met in November in Yangon and sub- stantial progress was made in negotiating the next for the draft Agreement. The present meeting is scheduled to be held at the working level from 6 to 7 March with an aim to finalizing the draft text for its official signature at the Ministerial Level in the near future. The conclusion of this draft Agreement will I pave the way for opening of commercial navigation in the upper Lancang-Mekong I River among the four countries.

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(13)   Press Conference held on successful completion of  buckwheat harvesting and export to Japan

YANGON, 6 March - The buckwheat plantations were cultivated as opium substitute crops in the previous opium cultivated areas of Shan State (North). The buckwheat has been successfully harvested in the areas and will be exported to Japan.

A Press Conference on successful completion of buckwheat harvesting and arrangements for export to Japan was held at Studio A of Myanmar Radio and Television this evening.

(14)  10 Kyimyindine Township NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 6 March - Ten member resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kyimyindine Township, Yangon Division.

Ten members of Kyimyindine Township, Yangon Division, of their own accord resigned by sending letters of resignation to Kyimyindine Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 19 January 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(15)  WEATHER

Maximum temperature on Mar 5-3-2000 was 37.50C (1000F)
Minimum temperature on Mar 6-3-2000 was 19.0 0C (660F)

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