N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Wednesday, 5 April 2000)

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Chairman of State Peace and Development Council receives visiting Minister of PRC
Secretary-1 urges people of Kayin State to develop agriculture
Secretary-1 pays homage to Kyaikhtihsaung pagoda in Bilin Township
Secretary-2 inspects briquette production, distribution in Dagon Myothit ( South)
Secretary-2 inspects Aung Zeya Bridge Project
Second-day session of 35th Meeting of ASEAN-COCI held
U San Thein presents credentials to FRG President
Minister attends iron frame installation ceremony of Maha Bandoola Bridge
Finnish business delegation arrives
Minister receives PRC delegation
Minister meets business delegation of Finland
Minister meets entrepreneurs from Finland
Minister meets guests from India
Minister meets PRC Minister of Agriculture
12 Kungyangon NLD members resign of own accord
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(1) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council receives visiting Minister of PRC
YANGON, 4 April-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Minister of Agriculture Mr Chen Yaobang and party of the People's Republic of China at Credentials Hall of Pyithu, Hluttaw Building at 3.30 pm today.
Also present at the call were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department. The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of the PRC Lmbassy Mr Liang Dong.

(2) Secretary-1 urges people of Kayin State to develop agriculture
YANGON, 4 April-Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected development under.kings in Kayin and Mon States yesterday.
Accompanied by the ministers, Chief of Staff (Air), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development and Council Office and leads of department, the Secretary-l left here for Mawlamyine by air on 3 April.
On arrival at Mawlamyine, the Secretary-l and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Aung and senior officers, divisional-level officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.
Together with Commander Maj-Gen Myint Aung, the Secretary- 1 and party inspected Thanlwin Bridge Project (Mawlamyine). Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and officials of Public Works reported on arrangements being made to build the bridge, location of the project, and preparatory measures being taken to build the approach roads and the bridge, joined in by Commander Maj-Gen Myint Aung. Senior Engineer of Myanma Railways U Tin Win explained plans to build the railroad on the bridge.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave suggestions. Located on Yangon-Mawlamyine-Myeik -Kawthoung Road, the facility will become the longest and biggest bridge in Myanmar. The main bridge will be 1,694 feet long and the approach structure on Mawlamyine bank will be 1,203 feet long and on Mottama bank 1,683 feet long. The facility will include a two-lane motorway, a railroad and pedestrian lanes. The clearance will be 328 feet wide and 46 feet high. The reinforced concrete steel frame bridge will have a capacity to bear up to 60 tons of loads.
The Secretary- 1 and party attended opening of multimedia teaching center at No 6 Basic Education High School in Mawlamyine. Headmistress Daw Hla Kyi and Chairman of School Board of Trustees U Khin Shwe formally opened the center. Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt unveiled the signboard. The Secretary- 1 and party then inspected the sections of the center. Daw Hla Kyi and U Khin Shwe explained points of the center. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented teaching aids to the headmistress.
Then, he delivered an address, saying the government is implementing education promotion programmes nation-wide in bringing out brilliant youths who will lead the nation or who will become intellectuals and intelligentsia in the future as information technology and computer science are advancing in the nation with added momentum.
The education promotion programmes and the four-year special education's plans are being realized in enabling the nation to get abreast of the global changes and to meet the education standard of developed countries of South-East Asia.
In accord with this scheme, modern teaching centers are being opened gradually at all institutions of higher learning a. 3 basic education schools; and the participation of the parents and people is of vital importance in this task. The government is able to open modern teaching centers one after another in the entire nation with the assistance of parents and people, members of the school boards of trustees and well-wishers.
By maintaining this momentum of success, the scheme to enable the nation to get abreast of the global changes and to meet the education standard of developed countries of South-East Asia will be realized soon. In Hpa-an, Kayin State, the Secretary-l and party attended opening of multimedia teaching center of No 1 BEHS.
Also present were Commander of No 22 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung. Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Saw Khin Soe and others. Headmistress Daw San Myint and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees Ngwe Soe formally opened the center. Donations were presented to the funds of the center. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family presented K 350,000, Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races K 300,000, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein K 360,000, Kayin State Peace and Development Council K 2.5 million, School Broad of Trustees of No I BEHS, Hpa-an, K 1.5 million and Kayin State Traders Association K 1 million. The Secretary-1 accepted the donations.He then presented teaching aids to the school.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 said education promotion programmes are being implemented for equal progress of education standards of the people of all the regions in the nation. It is satisfactory to see the brilliant skills of the students and the way they were demonstrating the holding of ASEAN Subcommittee on Education .(ASCOE) Meeting. More students with outstanding skills will come out if adequate number of modern teaching aids can be provided.
The multimedia teaching center of No 1 BEHS, Hpa-an was opened with the collective efforts of the people and the school board of trustees. The school won the all-round progress award for three consecutive years. The Secretary-l met local authorities and officials and discussed progress of Kayin State.
The Secretary-l said as some remnant armed groups are still in the jungles in Kayin State, it can be said that the state has not achieved peace and stability totally.
Relying on aliens, the remnant armed group with just a handful of men is still opposing the government, thinking with a narrow-minded outlook that it will lose foreign assistance if it returns to the legal fold.
The government is striving for peace and stability and progress of Kayin State. It has built Thanlwin (Hpa-an) Bridge linking Kayin and Mon States and two bridges on Gyaing River at Zathabyin and Kawkareik for development of border trade. Since ancient times, agriculture has been a traditional business in Kayin State. which has favorable climate and soil conditions for tanning.
Thus, local people should strive to reclaim more land, extend sown acreage and per acre yield and conduct double-cropping and triple-cropping. Spending large sums of money, the government is reclaiming wetlands and endeavoring for regional development. It is now building Thanlwin (Mawlamyine) Bridge which will link Mawlamyine and Mottama. It is striving with the conviction that socio-economic progress of the people will lead to further strengthening of amity and unity among the national races; thus, propagating the Union Split. Service personnel assigned duties in Kayin State should collectively strive for regional development and improvement of the living standards of local people.
At Mebaung Monastery, the Secretary-l and party paid respects to Sayadaws led by Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indriya. In Bilin, they inspected the No 14 Suger Mill.
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(3) Secretary-1 pays homage to Kyaikhtihsaung pagoda in Bilin Township
YANGON, 4 April Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the opening of archway of Kyaikhtihsaung Thuwunnabonmi Hsakaytha Maha Datuwin Kyaikhtihsaung Hsandawshin and Sacred Hairs at the Kyanbin junction in Bilin Township this morning.
Commander Maj-Gen Myint Aung and Minister Col Thein Nyunt formally opened the archway of Kyaikhthsaung Thuwunnabonmi Hsakaytha Maha Datuwin Kyaikhtihsaung Hsandawshin and Sacred Hairs on Bilin-Zokethoke-Yetkanthema-Kyaikhto Road (Shwewayaung Road) linking Kyaikhtihsaung Hsandawshin, Kaylatha Hsandawshin and Myathabeik Hsandawshin and Kyaikhtiyo Hsandawshin Pagoda
The road was built by Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and disciples of Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw.
Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Pannadipa and the Secretary-l sprinkled scented stone inscription of Kyaikhtihsaung Hsandawshin. The Sayadaw dispensed metta.
The Secretary-l and party inspected Bilin-Zokethoke-Yetkanthema-Kyikhto Road (Shwewayaung Road) and performed rituals of golden and silver showers.
The Secretary-1 and party went to Zokethoke Sanpya Village where they were welcomed by students.
The Secretary-l and party visited Hsandawshin Kyaikhtihsaung Pagoda and paid obeisance to Buddha image at Kyaikhtihsaung Dhamma Palin Dhammayon.
The Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the Sayadaw presented an ancient Buddha image to the Secretary-l. The Secretary-1 and party inspected ancient historic for in Zokethoke Sanpya Village in Bilin Township.
The Secretary- l and party also visited Kaylatha Hsandawshin Pagoda on Kaylatha Hill. The Secretary-l inspected the stone inscription in commemoration of preordainment made by Lord Buddha. Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw explained about the stone inscription.
The Secretary-l paid obeisance to Myamyetshin Buddha image on the platform of Kaylatha Hsandawshin Pagoda. The Secretary-l paid obeisance to Myathabeik Pagoda. He offered 'soon' to members of the Sangha led by Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw.
The Secretary-l and party hoisted Htidaw atop Thuwunnabonmi ancient Pagoda Kyataya (a) Zina Yan Aung Hsutaungpyi Pagoda on Myathabeik Hill in Winka Village.Members of the Sangha led by the Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw consecrated the pagoda.
The Secretary-l conveyed Seinbudaw, the commander Hngetmyatnadaw and the ministers and the deputy ministers tiers to the decorated carriage. The Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw and the Secretary-l hoisted Seinbudaw atop the pagoda.
The ministers also conveyed tiers to the top of the pagoda. The Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw and the Secretary-l sprinkled scented water on Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and Htidaw.
The Secretary-l performed rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the completion of Htidaw hoisting ceremony. Next, the Secretary-l erected Aungdagundaing. The Secretary-l enshrined Buddha images in Gandakutitaik on the upper-terrace of the, pagoda. The Secretary-l and party arrived back here in the afternoon.

(4) Secretary-2 inspects briquette production, distribution in Dagon Myothit ( South)
YANGON, 4 April-Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected briquette production machine and distribution of briquette of Aung Thein Bo Co Ltd in Industrial Zone-2 in Dagon Myothit (South) this evening.
The Secretary-2, the deputy ministers, the deputy commander and officials inspected briquette production machine and use of briquettes in cooking. The Secretary-2 and party observed samples of various kinds of briquettes and machines.
Managing Director U Maung Aye reported on machines and sale of briquettes. Chairman of Work Committee for use of other fuel Deputy Minister for Forestry reported on plans for prevention of depletion of forest and benefits of use of briquettes.
Deputy Minister for Industry- 2 Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin reported on production of briquette of the ministry. Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein reported on supply of raw materials for production of briquettes and Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint on providing assistance and production of paddy husk briquettes.
The Secretary-2 praised the efforts for production of briquette machines and various kinds of briquettes and innovation of Aung Thein Bo Co.He said the government has been laying down plans for extended plantation of various trees and achievements have been made in implementation of greening in nine districts and therefore the project extended to 13 districts.
The Secretary-2 said use of firewood will be reduced for conservation of forest and respective ministries and private organizations are participating in production and distribution of other fuel in stead of firewood.
He called for production of other fuel and wide use among the people. The government will provide necessary assistance to production of firewood: substitute briquettes, he added. He urged the producers to distribute briquettes at reasonable price.
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(5) Secretary-2 inspects Aung Zeya Bridge Project
YANGON, 4 April-Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected construction of Aung Zeya Bridge, which will link Insein and Hlinethaya townships, this afternoon.
In the briefing hall of the project, Superintending Engineer (Project) U Khin Maung Aye and assistants reported on installation of steel frames and laying of concrete slabs at the Pier No '2 and Pier No 3.
Deputy Minister U Pe Than reported on the current of the Hline River and assistance provided by the Ministry of Transport for the project, Director-General U Arnt Kyaw of Human Settlement and matters at the project and assistance provided for the project.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions on ensuring worksite safety and meeting the standards set for the project and attended to the needs. On completion, the main bridge will be 1903 feet long. The commuters are mainly relying on Bayintnaung Bridge to go to downtown from Hlinethaya Township. On completion of the project, the Aung Zeya Bridge will make the transport smoother. Eighty per cent of the project have been completed.

(6) Second-day session of 35th Meeting of ASEAN-COCI held
YANGON, 4 April-The participants of the 35th Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and international were divided into two groups and continued the second day session of the meeting at the Traders Hotel this morning.
Present at the meetings of group- 1 and group-2 were Chairman of the Working Committee for Holding the 35th Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, delegates of ASEAN member nations Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei and the Philippines, officials of ASEAN Secretariat and the delegate of Australia.
Chairman of the National Committee on ASEAN Culture and Information Secretary of Committee for Holding of the 35th Meeting of ASEAN COCI Director-General of Cultural Institute U Myint Thein Swe and Executive Director Ms Pornsawan Utarnwuthipong of the Foreign Affairs Office of Thailand acted as Chairman and Co-Chairman of the meeting of the group- 1.
Participants of the group1 discussed matters related to the status report on the submission of Financial Reports on completed and on-going projects, review of ASEAN COCI projects with Dialogue partners review of the status of projects of ASEAN-COCI project of financial year 19992000 and status of compliance of COCI project proposals- for financial year 1999-200.
Chairman of Information Sub-Committee of ASEAN COCI Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of Myanmar Radio and Television and Deputy General Secretary Mr Chakrarot Chitrabongs of National Culture Commission Office of Thailand acted as Chairman and Co-Chairman of the meeting of Group-2.
Participants of the group 2 discussed the report on the ASEAN Cultural Fund, suggested criteria for selecting project proposals and criteria for the assignment of coordinators and implementers of COCI projects, discussed Project Appraising Committee decision on COC1 project briefs, project briefs and proposals for the ASEAN Cultural Programme and project briefs and proposals for the ASEAN Communication Campaign.
At 9 am, Chairman Mr Artorn Chandavimol of ASEAN-COCI met heads of delegation of ASEAN member nations at Toungoo Hall of the Traders Hotel and reviewed suggestions of the meeting held on 3 April and discussed matters related to the projects of ASEAN Culture and Information. The meeting continues tomorrow.
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(7) U San Thein presents credentials to FRG President
YANGON, 5 April-U San Thein, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Federal Republic of Germany, presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr Johannes Rau President of the Federal Republic of Germany on 29 March 2000, in Berlin.

(8) Minister attends iron frame installation ceremony of Maha Bandoola Bridge
YANGON, 4 April-Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, officials of Public Work, attended a ceremony to install the iron frame at Maha Bandoola Bridge being built in Pazundaung Township.
In the briefing hall, the minister and party received the Five Precepts from Shwethuwun Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Saddhiya.Members of the Sangha recited the parittas.
The minister and party donated provisions to Sayadaws and shared merits gained.Then, the second portion of the ceremony was held on the main tower on the bank of Dawbon Township.
Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun sprayed scented water and paritta water on the frame. At the auspicious time, the minister installed golden nuts at the frame. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and deputy ministers performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark successful completion of the installation.
Then, the minister and deputy ministers inspected installation of the frame at the main tower.The bridge has the 787 feet-long main bridge, the 1,443-feet-long approach bridge on the bank of Dawbon and the 1,413 feet-long one on the bank of Pazundaung. The bridge is being built with reinforced concrete piers, beams and floor and installed with steel suspension iron frames. The bridge has 72-feet wide motor-way with six-feet walkways each on both sides and it can bear 60-ton loads.Employees of the Ministry of Construction are making efforts for early completion of the bridge.
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(9) Finnish business delegation arrives
YANGON, 4 April-A 14 member Finnish business delegation led by Trade Commissioner Mr Jussi Pekka Airtola of Thailand based Finland Trade Center and Ambassador of Finland to Myanmar Mr Tauno Kaaria arrived here by air this morning. The delegation was welcomed by President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win, EC members and officials at the Yangon International Airport.

(10) Minister receives PRC delegation
YANGON, 4 April- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin received the visiting Minister of Agriculture of people's Republic of China Mr Chen Yaobang who was accompanied by Ambassador of PRC to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong, at his office at 8.30 am today.

(11) Minister meets business delegation of Finland
YANGON, 4 April- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met a business delegation led by Ambassador of Finland Mr Tauno Kaaria at his office at 4 pm today.
Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General U Nyunt Aye of Directorate of Trade, Director General Col Nay Win of Border Trade Department, Managing Director U Min Hla Aung of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials.
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(12) Minister meets entrepreneurs from Finland
YANGON, 4 April-Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel met a business from Finland accompanied by Ambassador of Finland to the Union of Myanmar Mr Tauno Kaaria at his| office at 2 pm today.They cordially discussed mutual interests in commerce between the two countries. Also present at the call were officials concerned.

(13) Minister meets guests from India
YANGON, 4 April-Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung met a delegation led by Professor Dr V S Ramamuthi of Science and Technological Department of India accompanied by Ambassador of India to the Union of Myanmar Mr Shyam Saran at his office at 1 pm today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and responsible officials of the ministry.

(14) Minister meets PRC Minister of Agriculture
YANGON, 4 April Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein met a ten-member delegation led by visiting Minister of Agriculture of the Republic Republic of China Mr Chan Yaobang at his office at 10.30 am today.
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(15) 12 Kungyangon NLD members resign of own accord
YANGON, 4 April-Twelve members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kungyangon Township, Yangon Division.
Twelve members of Kungyangon Township NLD, Yangon Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Kungyangon Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 30 March 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(16)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on 3-4-2000 was 37.8C (100F)
Minimum temperature on 4-4-2000 was 24.5C (76F)

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