THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Friday,   3  March 2000)

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  1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Morocco
  2. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior  General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Bulgaria
  3. Plans under way to develop Homein in Shan State (South)  into town
  4. Dy PM of LPDR to visit Myanmar
  5. New 440-passenger-capacity coastal liner added to  Myanma Five Star Line
  6. Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre  of No 4 BEMS in Mayangon
  7. Secretary-1 looks into arrangements for Sayadaw Bhaddanta  Sobhita s 90th Birthday
  8. Sales at Mandalay vegetable and nursery market festival  reach K 11.1m
  9. Secretary-2 attends 2,000-boys novitiation ceremony in  Sagaing Division
  10. Minister for Industry-2 inspects multi-purpose diesel  engine factory project
  11. Minister inspects construction works on Yangon-Mandalay Highway
  12. Minister inspects railway facilities along railway lines  to Mandalay
  13. Cash, medical equipment donated to MMCWA
  14. C-in-C of Malaysian Air Force and party visit Hlinethaya  City of Industry
  15. 12.5 kilos of heroin level 1 seized in Myawady
  16. Heroin, opium oil and opium residue seized in Mandalay
  17.  328 drug-related cases exposed in January
  18. 38 Tatkon Township NLD members resigned of own accord
  19.  WEATHER
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(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior  General  Than Shwe sends felicitations to Morocco

YANGON, 3 March - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Kingdom of Morocco, on the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco which falls on 3 March 2000.

(2) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior  General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Bulgaria

YANGON, 3 March - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Petar Stoyanov, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria which falls on 3 March 2000.

(3)  Plans under way to develop Homein in Shan State (South) into town
 
YANGON, 2 March - A meeting was held this afternoon at the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) to coordinate administration and development tasks for Homein region, Mongpan, Shan State (South), with an address by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-l recalled his recent tour of Shan State (South) and eastern border regions including Homein, Monhtaw, Monhta and Ponpakyin regions, in order to provide assistance for development of the region and ensuring of a systematic administrative machinery.  He said an effective administration machinery is required for progress of economic life of Homein region.  Homein is to be designated as a town, and arrangements are to be made to enable Homein to have characteristics of a town. After the formation of administrative bodies, plans are to be laid down to improve regional economic life and living standards of local people. Attention is to be paid to cultivation of paddy and other seasonal and perennial crops the region endowed with favourable conditions for agriculture. Systematic arrangements are to be made to develop the region into a town, to form administrative bodies and to build other infrastructures such as road for development of Homein region.  Similarly, the respective departments are to make arrangements for progress of Monhta and Monhtaw regions. Necessary assistance has been provided for development of transport and management sectors and the region.  As southern and eastern regions of Shan State have good conditions for agriculture, efforts are to be exerted to develop farming in the areas and to improve social life of local people.  Ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments and officials took part in the discussions.  The Secretary-l gave instructions.  Also present were senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and other officials.

(4) Dy PM of LPDR to visit Myanmar

YANGON, 3 March - At the invitation of Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Mr Boungnang Vorachith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the Lao People s Democratic Republic will pay a goodwill visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

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(5) New 440-passenger-capacity coastal liner added to Myanma Five Star Line
 
YANGON, 2 March - Mv Thanlwin, a 440-passenger capacity ship of Myanma Five Star Line, was commissioned into service this morning at Nanthida Jetty, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe said Thanlwin is the first one of the two 440-passenger capacity coastal liners built by Yunnan Machinery Import and Export Corporation of the People s Republic of China.  Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance to increase the number of international level ships in the water transport sector. In line with this guidance, the Ministry of Transport is importing and building inland water transport vessels and sea going vessels for Inland Water Transport and MFSI..

A contract was singed to build Thanlwin and her sister ship, Chindwin, at Wu Song Shipyard in Shanghai at a cost of US $ 15.5 million. The 550-ton vessel can accommodate 12 passengers in the first class, 28 in the second class and 400 in the ordinary class. The boat, 76.86 metres long, 13.6 metres wide and 14.05 metres high can cruise 14.5 nautical miles per hour. It has a draught of 3.45 metres. Equipped with modern navigation gear, communication apparatus and other supporting facilities, the coastal liner have the capacity to extend runs to neighbouring counties such as Singapore and Malaysia.

The Chinese shipyard will hand over Chindwin to MFSL in October this year. Efforts are being made for Myanmar s ocean-going transport sector to meet the intentional level.  Chairman of YMC Mr Chen Fang said Thanlwin built in accord with Lloyds standards is the fruits of the overtime efforts of Chinese and Myanmar technicians. The success in building the ship is the result of the friendly cooperation between China and Myanmar. It is a pride for the company to help develop the water transport sector of Myanmar.  Managing Director of MFSL U Khin Maung Kyi explained points of the ship with audio-visual aids.  Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Mr Chen Fang presented gifts to the Secretary- and guests.  U Khin Maung Kyi and Mr Chen Fang formally launched the ship.  The Secretary-l and party inspected the ship.

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(6) Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre  of No 4 BEMS in Mayangon
 
YANGON, 2 March - A ceremony to open the multimedia teaching centre of No 4 Basic Education Middle School in Mayangon Town- ship was held at the school this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary- of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.  The Secretary-l formally unveiled the signboard of the multimedia teaching centre.  Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the language lab, the educational broadcasting service centre, the demonstrative media section, the listening section, the reading section, the computerized media section, the painting room, the domestic science room and the music room.  Afterwards, a ceremony to mark the opening of the multimedia teaching centre was held in the hall of the school. Headmaster U Aung Ko Ko reported on matters related to the multimedia teaching centre.  Vice-Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Tin Win reported on efforts for emergence of the multimedia teaching centre.
 
The Secretary-1 accepted donations including K 776,921 for the school by families of Bayintnaung Brokers sales centre, K 606,950 by parents of No 4 BEMS, K 358,000 by Myanmar Banks Association, K 477,512 by the school board of trustees of No 4 BEHS, K 100,000 each by Yangon City Development Committee, Chairman of Myanmar Rice Wholesale Merchants Association U Nyein and Daw Ohn Kyin and family and U Thein Win and Daw Ni (Shwethanlwin Company), K 50,000 each Vice-Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Win Tin and Daw Tin Tin Win and U Soe Moe (Hotel Max).  The Secretary-1 presented a video tape on the life of the Buddha to Headmaster U Aung Ko Ko.  The Secretary-l thanked authorities, members of the school board of trustees, well-wishers and parents for their participation in opening the multimedia teaching centre.  Efforts for opening multimedia teaching centres at the basic education schools contribute towards development of human resources.
 
Today, information technology is developing with momentum, and the Government and the people are to make concerted efforts for development of the nation.  Teaching with the use of modern pedagogic aids will make students more confident.  In conclusion, the Secretary-l urged the teachers to teach students with the use of modern pedagogic aids and strive for all-round development of the students.

(7) Secretary-1 looks into arrangements for Sayadaw Bhaddanta  Sobhita s 90th Birthday
 
YANGON, 2 March - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office arrived at Nikaya Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Yangon Division at 5 pm today.  Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party were welcomed by Deputy Ministers, the Deputy Commander of Yangon Command, departmental heads and officials.  Then, Secretary-1 Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt was re ported by the chairmen and responsible persons of the work committee and sub- committees on arrangements made for holding the 90th Birthday of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita. Secretary- Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave instructions.  Next Secretary-1 Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt and party inspected the preparation of the 90th Birthday of Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddham-majotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita, construction of Pyilonchantha Maha Theinkyaung and plaque, and Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt instructed the requirements.  Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party went to the Sankyaung and paid homage to Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Myingyan Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita.

(8) Sales at Mandalay vegetable and nursery market festival reach K 11.1m
 
YANGON, 2 March - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected farming and the vegetable and nursery market festival at Hsinbyukan Grounds in Mandalay this evening.  Accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, ministers, Yangon Mayor, deputy ministers, senior military officers, Mandalay Mayor and officials, the Secretary-2 inspected the Strand Road, which is included in the City Ring Road Project.  Along the road, the Secretary-2 and party inspected cultivation on alluvial land along Ayeyawady River bank and measures of greening of the environs of Mandalay Kandawgyi. The Secretary-2 and party inspected cultivation of crops at vacant areas along the Nanmyo moat. Battalions and units in Nanmyo put a total of 60 acres of land along the moat under various edible crops.

In Aungmyethazan Township, Secretary-2 and party visited a fuel shop and observed thriving edible crops planted under staff welfare programme.  At Hsinbyukan Grounds, they inspected the vegetable and nursery market festival pinkly organized by Mandalay City Development Committee and Myanma Agriculture Service.

Together with officials, the Secretary-2 inspected sale of vegetables, flowers and nurseries at booths of MCDC, Myanma Agriculture Service and entrepreneurs. The festival began on 12 February.  Sales at the festival from 12 February to I March washed K 11.1 million.  After visiting the festival, the Secretary-2 and party left Mandalay for Yangon by air at 6 pm.

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(9) Secretary-2 attends 2,000-boys novitiation ceremony in Sagaing Division
 
YANGON, 2 March - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended a ceremony to novitiate 2,000 boys by BTB Company family at Nyaungbintha Village, Nyaungbintha Village-tract, Nyaungbinwin Station, Sagaing Township, Sagaing Division, today.

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, together with Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Minister at the Prime Minister s Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, Chief of Staff (Navy)  Commodore Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Judge Advocate-General Brig-Gen Thein Soe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and officials of departments concerned, left for Mandalay by Tatmadaw aircraft at 8.00 am.  The Secretary-2 and party proceeded to Nyaungbintha Village by car, where they were welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Live-stock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint, departmental officials of Sagaing Division and well-wishers.

The procession of the novitiation ceremony took place yesterday morning.   Soon  was offered to members of the Sangha this morning.  Then, the 100-girls ear-boring ceremony was also held. A ceremony to share  merits was held at the Mindat in the compound of U Maung Htwe-Daw Pwe s house.  Chairman of Shwekyin Nikaya Sagaing Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Hanthagiri Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nandavamsa, Chairman of Sudhamma Nikaya Sagaing Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Htoopayon Shwekyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanobhasa and Sayadaws and members of the Sangha totalling 108 and 2,000 novices.

The Secretary-2, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, departmental officials, families of well-wishers, parents and relatives of novices, local people and guests paid respects to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.  Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajadhamma- bhivamsa of Masoeyein Taikthit of Mandalay administered the Five Precepts.  Then, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited parittas.  The Secretary-2 and party and families of well- wishers offered alms to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.  Well-wisher U Thaing Win and Daw Htay Htay Nyunt presented account books for 14 Kyaungtaiks in Sagaing Township to Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajadhammabhivamsa.  Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin supplicated on religious affairs.  Hmancho Traditional Medicine Store and Tun Shwe Wah Traditional Medicine Store donated traditional medicines to the Sayadaw of Masoeyein Talikthit of Mandalay.  Well-wisher U Thaing Win supplicated on holding the novitiation and ear-boring ceremonies.  Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajadhamma- bhivamsa delivered a sermon.  The Secretary-2 and party and well-wishers shared merits gained for the good deeds.  The well-wishers family donated a bag of rice each, ten viss of edible oil each, K 2,000 each and robes to 108 Sayadaws and members of t the Sangha.  The well-wishers family also bore expenses for novices for their one-week stay in respective Kyaungtaiks in villages.  After the ceremony, the Secretary-2 and party paid respects and offered alms to Presiding Sayadaw of Shwehintha Taikthit Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Samvarabhivamsa and Sayadaws.

(10)  Minister for Industry-2 inspects multi-purpose diesel engine factory project
 
YANGON, 2 March - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, together with Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and officials, visited the multi-purpose diesel engine factory in Indakaw, Bago Division, this morning. Managing Director of Myanma Industrial Construction Services U Ye Tun reported on construction of the bridge at the entrance of the factory.

Director-general and managing directors also reported on power and water supply and progress of work in construction of the buildings.

The Deputy Minister gave an additional report.
The minister gave instructions on the work.
Then, the minister and party inspected construction of the staff quarters and guest house and plants.

(11)  Minister inspects construction works on Yangon-Mandalay Highway

YANGON, 2 March - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with officials of Public Works, inspected the toll gate (Bago Section) and maintenance of Bago-DaikU section on Yangon-Mandalay Highway on 29 February morning.

The minister also inspected construction of Pyinmalwin Bridge, Kadoakchaung Bridge and Kawliyachaung Bridge on Yangon-Mandalay Highway, and gave instructions on timely completion of construction work.

Deputy Superintending Engineer U Aung Myint reported on construction of a new road between Mile Posts Nos 93/6 and 94/6.

The minister and party also inspected Phyuchaung Bridge and erosion of the creek bank and the site chosen for construction of new Phyuchaung Bridge.

Afterwards, the minister inspected repairs of Phyu-Oaktwin Road and the surfacing of the road with tar.

The minister and party arrived at Khabaung Bridge Project at Mile Post No 173/1 at 3.00 pm.

The minister and party inspected progress of work and gave instructions on construction work.

(12)  Minister inspects railway facilities along railway lines to Mandalay

YANGON, 2 March - Accompanied by officials, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, inspected railway lines and railway facilities from Toegyaunglay Station to Bago Station, yesterday morning and gave necessary instructions to officials at Bago Station.

The minister and party then proceeded to Toungoo Station in Bago Division, where the minister met with officials and left necessary instructions.

Later, Minister U Pan Aung looked into railway facilities including renovation of the railway lines, maintenance and renovation of bridges, cleaning of the stations and capacity transporting of passengers and cargo by the trains along the railway lines to Mandalay. The minister gave instructions of officials.

(13)  Cash, medical equipment donated to MMCWA
 
YANGON, 2 March - A ceremony to donate cash and medical equipment to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) by well-wishers was held at MMCWA building at the corner of Parami and Thanthuma Roads in South Okkalapa Township this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and executives and well- wishers.
Vice-Chairperson of MMCWA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and family presented FEC 1,000 to Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe.

Similarly, Dr Ronald Swee and Dr Martha Tsai of USA presented medical books and Medical equipment.Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks. The chairperson, the vice-chairperson and donors observed documentary photos of MMCWA.

(14)  C-in-C of Malaysian Air Force and party visit Hlinethaya City of Industry
 
YANGON, 2 March - Visiting Commander-in-Chief of Malaysian Air Force Lt-Gen Dato Seri Ahmad Saruji Bin Che Rose and party, accompanied by officials, visited Hlinethaya City of Industry this morning.

Deputy Director U Tun Lin of Human Settlement and Housing Development Department explained about the Hlinethaya City of Industry to the visiting Commander-in-Chief of Malaysian Air Force at Kanaung Hall of the city. Afterwards, the visiting Commander-in-Chief of Malaysian Air Force and party visited Cable Factory of Myanmar Sigma Cable Co Ltd, Opal Germent Factory, Nawaday Garden City and Badaythabin Myodaw (FMI City) in the city.

(15)  12.5 kilos of heroin level 1 seized in Myawady
 
YANGON, 2 March - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched the house of Kyaw Ngwe, son of U Kyaw Shein of No 1ta/32, Thanda Street, Ward 1, Myawady, and arrested him, on 1 February.
Upon further investigation, the authorities exposed and seized 12.5 kilos of heroin level-l hidden in the ward.
Action is being taken against him according to law.

(16)  Heroin, opium oil and opium residue seized in Mandalay
 
YANGON, 2 March - Members of local intelligence unit, acting on information, raided the house of Tin Tun son of U Khin Hla, at No 295, block 534, corner of 37th Street and 85th Street, Maha Aungmye Township? Mandalay Division Of 12 Pehary The members of the unit seized 94 grams of heroin, 10 grams of opium oil and 25 grams of opium residue together with owner of the house.
Action is taken against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

(17)  328 drug-related cases exposed in January

YANGON, 2 March - A total of 328 drug cases had been exposed by the Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department in January 2000.

The authorities seized 27.2866 kilos of opium in 20 cases, 2.4128 kilos of heroin in 126 cases, 1.1436 kilo of opium oil in two cases, 240.8222 kilos of marijunna in 57 cases, 0.4 litre of Phensedyl in one case, 1.3132 kilo of lower level opium in 14 cases, 659,726 stimulant tablets in 47 cases, 545.4457 kilos of Ephedrine in eight cases, 0.0003 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 4.945 litre of cough depressant in two cases and exposes 49 cases for failure to register and two others.

Action has been taken against 444 culprits?368 men and 76 women involved in 328 cases during the period.

(18)  38 Tatkon Township NLD members resigned of own accord

YANGON, 2 March - Thirty eight members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Tatkon Township, Mandalay Division.

Thirty eight members of Tatkon Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Tatkon Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 28 December 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(19)  WEATHER

Maximum temperature on Mar 1-3-2000 was 35.50C (960F)
Minimum temperature on Mar 2-3-2000 was 17.6 0C (640F)

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