THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Tuesday,  2  April  2000)

*******************************************************************

  1. General Maung Aye tours Kunlon and Laukkai in Shan State (North)
  2. Myanmar joins ASEAN with belief that future of Myanmar and, Southeast Asia cannot be separated Myanmar will never become an obstacle or hindrance to ASEAN
  3. Secretary-1 receives Minister of International  Trade and Industry of Japan
  4. Secretary-1 receives ASEAN Economic Ministers and ASEAN Secretary-General
  5. Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of delegates of ASEAN member nations, PRC, Japan and ROK
  6. Delegations arrive to attend East Asia Cooperation Meeting of AEM and PRC, Japan and ROK
  7. Press Conference on Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat held
  8. Delegates to ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat leave
  9. Ministers meet with USDA executives and members in Tachilek
  10. Development of Myitmakha waterways in process
  11. 36 Pwintbyu NLD members resign of own accord
  12. WEATHER
<<<HOME
<<NEWSPAPER INDEX

(1)  General Maung Aye tours Kunlon and Laukkai in Shan State (North)

YANGON, 1 May-Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence  Services Commander--in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye  and party  left Lashio for Kunlon by helicopter on 30 April.

The General met with the officiating tactical operations commander and officials in the hall of the regional battalion, and gave  instructions. Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and with departmental personnel from Kunlon District and Township and  Kunlon Township in ThanlwinU Hall.

Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung met with employees of Kunlon District and Township Information and Public  Relations Department at the district office. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs  Col Thein Nyunt inspected the development school for national youths from border areas in Kunlon.

Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa went to the monastery donated by Youth  Development ParahitaGayha of the Social Welfare Department in Kunlon, and paid respects to the Sayadaw. Minister for  Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein inspected Township People's Hospital.

Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung met with the township education officer and teachers at Kunlon Basic  Education High School, and inspected the school. The General and party left Kunlon for Laukkai by helicopter. They were  welcomed there by Col Zaw Win and senior military officers of Laukkai Station, chairmen of Laukkai District and Township  Organizational and Administrative Committees and members, families, Kokang national race leader U Phon Kya Shin of  Special Region-1 of Shan State ( North) and party.

The General had a cordial meeting with U Phon Kya Shin and party, and gave to officials instructions on regional development  tasks. Then, the General presented gifts to U Phon Kya Shin and party. The ministers, the deputy ministers and the department  heads, who accompanied the General, met with members of Laukkai District and Township Organizational and Administrative  Committee and government employees, and inspected offices and departments.

The ministers also met with local national race leaders and discussed matters related to regional development. The General and  party left there by helicopter at 3.30 pm and arrived back at Lashio.

(2)  Myanmar joins ASEAN with belief that future of Myanmar and, Southeast Asia cannot be  separated Myanmar will never become an obstacle or hindrance to ASEAN

YANGON, 1 May-Welcoming ceremony for the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat was held at Traders Hotel on Sule  Pagoda Road this morning, with an address by Chairman of ASEAN Steering Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were the ministers of the Union of Myanmar, Chairman of Central Committee for holding the  ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brie-Gen Abel  and members, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the chairman of Yangon City Development  Committee Yangon Mayor, Chairman of Work Committee for holding ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat Deputy Minister  for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun and members, the chairmen and secretaries of  Subcommittees and officials.

Those also attending are delegates led by Minister of Industry and Basic Resources of Brunei Darussalam Pehin Dato  Abdul Rahman Taib, delegates led by Minister of Economy and Commerce of Cambodia Mr Cham Prasidh, delegates led by  Special Envoy of the Minister of Industry and Trade of Indonesia Mr Hatanto Reksodipoetro, delegates led by Minister at  Prime Minister's Office of Lao People's Democratic Republic Professor Dr Bountiem Phitsamay, delegates led by Minister of  International Trade and Industry of Malaysia Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz, delegates led by Minister at the State Peace and  Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, delegates led by Minister of Trade and Industry of the Philippines Mr  Mario A Roxas II, delegates led by Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore Mr B.G (NS) George Yeo, delegates led by  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Commerce of Thailand Dr Supachai Panichpakh, delegates led by .  Minister of Trade of Vietnam Mr Vu Khoan, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Rodolfo C Severino and officials, Chairman of  E-ASEAN Task Force Mr Roberto R Romulo, Chairman of AFTA CER-FTA Task Force Mr Cesar E A Virata,  Ambassadors of ASEAN countries, the Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, correspondents, local and foreign  newsmen led by the Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise, 30 reporters from Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi  Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Ji Ji Press, Nihon Keizai, Kyodo News, AP, ABC, Fuji TV, Reuters, AFP, BBC, NHK, Strait  Times, Dow Jones Newswires and guests.

In his welcoming address, the Secretary-1 said:

This is the first ever AEM meeting held in Myanmar and I am therefore deeply  honoured to have the opportunity to give the opening address. As Chairman of the ASEAN Steering Committee of the Union  of Myanmar, I am greatly delighted to welcome our ASEAN brothers and sisters to Myanmar. Although your stay in the  country is all too brief, it is our hope that you will be able to have an insight of our country , a country rich in beauty and culture,  a country that is peaceful, stable and economically vibrant, with people full of zest and full of confidence for the future.

During the past few years, our region faced tremendous challenges. The currency crisis which began in 1997 was a great lesson  for all of us. It quickly spread throughout the region and deepened into a financial and economic crisis in the process. Even as  each nation adopted appropriate measures to mitigate and overcome the effects of the crisis, the ASEAN leaders reaffirmed  their belief in the Association and the path of cooperation and integration. The adopting of the Hanoi Declaration and the Hanoi  Plan of Action at the 1998 ASEAN Summit showed that our Association remained firm in the belief of its ideals and objectives  as well as the ASEAN way of life.

At the time of the crisis, it may be recalled that there were many doomsayers, particularly from the West. Many attacks were  launched against Asian values and some doubts were even expressed about the future of ASEAN, about the future prospects  of the Asian region. But the last couple of years have proved these critics wrong. The resilience, the ingenuity and the  industriousness of the people have clearly shown that our region has not only revived but is also regaining the dynamism that has  been its trademark. Most of the Asian countries hit by the crisis are now at varying levels of economic recovery. As for  ASEAN member countries, the economic outlook as visualized by ADB, ASEAN and IMF, GDP growth would be 2 to 3 per  cent in 1999, and 4 to 5 per cent in the year 2000.

On the other hand, it would not be prudent to conclude that everything is fine and be complacent. There remain many economic  challenges and uncertainties facing ASEAN, and there are social concerns all requiring long-term sustainable solutions. It is  therefore of utmost importance that we implement, on a best effort basis, the Hanoi Plan of Action and the Bold Measures that  were adopted at the Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in December 1998.

One of the most important developments in recent years is the growing awareness among ASEAN and countries of Northeast  Asia, particularly China, Japan and Republic of Korea that they share a common destiny. The adoption of the Joint Statement  on East Asia Cooperation at the Third ASEAN Informal Summit in Manila last year bears testimony to the commitment by  ASEAN and these countries to enhance interaction and develop closer linkages.

Tomorrow, the ASEAN Economic Ministers will be meeting their counterparts from the People's Republic of China, Japan and  the Republic of Korea. Since this is the first time that such an AEM plus 3 meeting is taking place, Myanmar is indeed  honoured to be hosting this inaugural meeting.

I am confident that our ASEAN colleagues will join me in expressing our appreciation for the support and cooperation  extended by all three dialogue partners during the recent economic crisis. In view of the existing goodwill between ASEAN and  the three dialogue partners, I am confident that the deliberations will be most fruitful and will serve to enhance cooperation in  East Asia.

Allow me to touch briefly on our country and its outlook towards ASEAN. Myanmar joined ASEAN in 1997. We did so in  the belief that the future of Myanmar and Southeast Asia cannot be separated. An ASEAN without Myanmar will not be  ASEAN in its true sense. We in Myanmar are convinced that Myanmar can make valuable contribution to peace, stability and  prosperity of Southeast Asia even as the nation itself also benefits from the participation in l he Association.

Although the impact was less than most of the countries in the region, Myanma did not totally escape from the effects of the  Asian finical crisis. With the adoption of correct policies and vigorous implementation of special measures undertaken to  cushion the negative impacts of the crisis , Myanmar's economy is now able to overcome these challenges. Preliminary figure s  show that Myanmar' s economy grew by more than 10 per cent during the last fiscal year which ended on 31st March. We are  fully confident that Myanmar economy is on the verge of economic takeoff.

At the same time, I wish to reiterate our commitment to ASEAN. Myanmar will never become an obstacle or hindrance to  ASEAN. With the emergence of the full economic potentials of the country, Myanmar will surely be of great asset to the  Association. Our agriculture, forestry, mining, livestock breeding, industry, energy, tourism as well as services sectors offer vast  prospects for cooperation with our ASEAN and East Asia partners. Now that the economic recovery of the region is taking  place, it is our hope that mutually beneficial cooperation will regain its momentum.

ASEAN is entering the new century with renewed confidence. The varied and important agenda that is before you represents  the challenges and the opportunities the Association faces. However, I am confident that we shall be able to discover new ways  of cooperation and of strengthening the integration not only among ASEAN nations but also with the East Asia countries as  well. In conclusion, may I wish all of you a most fruitful discussion and a very pleasant stay in Myanmar.

After the ceremony,  the Secretary-1 had commemorative photo taken together with the ministers of ASEAN countries and the ASEAN  Secretary-General.

Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore Mr BG (NS) George Yeo presided over the ASEAN Economic Ministers  Retreat. The ministers and senior officials discussed economic matters.

On 2 May, a coordination meeting between ASEAN Economic Ministers and Trade Ministers of the People's Republic of  China, Japan and the Republic of Korea will be held at the same hotel.

TOP

(3)  Secretary-1 receives Minister of International  Trade and Industry of Japan

YANGON, 1 May-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Minister of  International Trade and Industry MR Takashi Fukaya and party at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 4 pm today.

The Japanese guests arrived here to attend the Meeting between the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the Trade  Ministers from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Also present at the call were Minister  U Aung Thaung, Minister  Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister  Brig-Gen Pyi Sone,  Brig-Gen  Abel, Minister  U Khin Maung Thein, Minister  U Win Aung, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi,  Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy Minister  Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Deputy Minister  U Khin Maung Win and Director-General  of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. The guests were accompanied by Charge d'Affaires ai of the Japanese  Embassy Mr Yosihiko Kamo.

(4)  Secretary-1 receives ASEAN Economic Ministers and ASEAN Secretary-General

YANGON, 1 May- Chairman of ASEAN Steering Committee of the Union of Myanmar Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Minister of Industry and Basic Resources PD Abdul Rahman Taib of  Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Commerce Mr' Cham Prasidh of Cambodia, Special Representative of Minister of Trade and  Industry of Indonesia Mr Hatanto Reksodipoetro, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Prof Dr Bountiem Phitsamay of Laos,  Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia Dato Seri Rafidah Aziz, Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines Mr Mario A Roxas II, Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore BG (NS) George Yeo, Deputy Prime Minister and  Minister of Economy Commerce of Thailand Dr Supachai Panichpakh, Minister of Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam  Mr vu Khoan and ASEAN Secretary General Secretary Mr Rodolfo C Seven'no, currently here, to attend ASEAN Economic  Ministers' Retreat and the Meeting between the ASEAN Economic Ministers and the Economic Ministers from the People's  Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea on East Asia Co-operation, at the Guest-House of the Ministry of  Defence at 8 am today.

Also present at the call were Minister  U Aung Thaung, Minister  Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister  Brig-Gen Pyi Sone,  Brig-Gen  Abel, Minister  U Khin Maung Thein, Minister  U Win Aung, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi,  Minister Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy Minister  Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Deputy Minister  U Khin Maung Win and Director-General  of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

TOP

(5)  Secretary-1 hosts dinner in honour of delegates of ASEAN member nations, PRC, Japan and  ROK

YANGON, 1 May- Chairman of ASEAN Steering Committee of the Union of Myanmar Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt hosted dinner in honour of economic ministers of ASEAN member nations, chairman  of E-ASEAN Task Force and AFTA CER-FTA Task Force and the Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat who  attended the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat and trade ministers of the People's Republic of China, Japan and the  Republic of Korea who arrived here to attend the Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) with the Economic  Ministers from the People's Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road  this evening.

Also present at the dinner were Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, Lt-Gen Tin Tun and Lt-Gen Tin  Hla, ministers, Chairman of Central Committee for Organizing the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat Minister at the  State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and members, the chairman of Civil Service Selection  and Training Board, the chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor, Chairman of Work Committee for  Organizing the ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat Deputy Minister for National Planing and Economic Development  Brig Gen Zaw Tun and members, chairmen and secretaries of Sub-committees, officials, Ambassadors of ASEAN member  nations, Ambassadors of the People's Republic of china, Japan and the Republic of Korea, officials of the State Peace and  Development Council Chairman's Office, departmental heads, delegates of ASEAN member nations including Myanmar,  delegates of PRC, Japan and ROK, officials of E-ASEAN Task Force, AFTA CER-FTA Task Force and ASEAN  Secretariat. At the dinner, vocalists accompanied by Sandaya Thein Myint Than music troupe entertained with Myanmar songs:  to the guests.

(6) Delegations arrive to attend East Asia Cooperation Meeting of AEM and PRC, Japan and  ROK

YANGON, 1 May-A delegation of the People's Republic of China led by Minister of Foreign Trade and  Economic Cooperation Mr Shi Guangsheng, a delegation of Japan led by Minister of International Trade and  Industry Mr Takashi Fukaya, a delegation of the Republic of Korea led by Minister of Trade Mr Han Duck-soo  and Deputy Director Ms Evangelina M Arroyo of E-ASEAN Task Force arrived here by air today to attend the  East Asia Cooperation Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the Trade Ministers from the People's  Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The delegations were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone,  Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun, Deputy Minister for  Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, diplomats of the embassies of PRC, Japan and the Republic of Korea and  officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development.

TOP

(7)  Press Conference on Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat held

YANGON, 1 May - A Press Conference on the Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat was held at the Traders  Hotel this evening. Present were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office  Brig-Gen Abel, Chairman of the AEM Retreat Minister of Trade and Industry of, Singapore BG (NS) George Yeo,  Chairman of E-ASEAN Task Force Mr Roberto R Romulo, Chairman of AFTA-CERFTA Task Force Mr Cesar  EA Virata, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat Mr Rodolfo C Severino, Patron of Myanmar Foreign  Correspondents Club U Sein Win and members, local and foreign journalists led by Director (News) of News and  Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun and correspondents of Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Ji Ji  Press, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Kyodo News, AP, ABC, Fuji TV, Reuters, AFP, BBC, NHK, Strait Times and Dow  Jones Newswires.

Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore BG (NS) George Yeo said the four main points holding free  discussions at the Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) with the Economic Ministers from China,  Japan and the Republic of Korea; extension of the Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme; extending of  closer economic relations between

ASEAN Free Trade Area and Australia and New Zealand; and matters on tariffs which were presented by former  Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mr Roberto R Romulo were discussed at the meeting.

The discussions also included matters relating to long-term and short-term benefits to the ASEAN Officials replied  to queries raised by local and foreign correspondents. Concerning Myanmar's inclusion in EU-ASEAN relations,  officials said prospects are becoming brighter for the meetings of foreign ministers and senior officials between the  two parties. They also said the Meeting between the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and the Trade Ministers  from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea which will be held on 2 May is the first meeting of its kind which will  lay foundation for closer relations between the respective countries; and more such meetings will be organized in  the future.

(8)  Delegates to ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat leave

YANGON, 1 May-Secretary of Trade and Industry Mr Mario Roxas II of the Philippines and Mr Antonio II Basilio of  E-ASEAN left here by air this evening after attending the ASEAN Economic Minister (AEM) Retreat which conduced at the  Traders Hotel here today. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by officials of the Ministry of National Planning  and Economic Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

TOP

(9)  Ministers meet with USDA executives and members in Tachilek

YANGON, 1 May-Member of the Panel of Patrons of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for  Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and member of the Secretariat Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met  with members of the executive committee and members of Tachilek District and Township USDAs in the meeting hall of  District USDA on 28 April afternoon.

The secretary of Tachilek District USDA reported on progress of work. The ministers attended to the requirements. Saw Tun  extended greetings.

Minister U Khin Maung Thein, together with Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Managing  Director of Myanma Economic Bank Thura U Myint Shwe and officials. met with officials and employees of departments and  enterprises under the Ministry of Finance and Revenue in the meeting hall of Tachilek Township Customs Department. Officials  reported on their respective work. The minister attended  to their requirements.

(10)  Development of Myitmakha waterways in process

YANGON, 30 April- Minister for Transport Maj- Gen Hla Myint Swe,  accompanied by Deputy Minister U Pe Than and  Director -General of Department of water  Resources and Improvement of River System Col Chit Khin and officials, inspected  measures being taken to develop water-ways on Myitmakha River in Taikkyi Township, Yangon Division, on 29 April.

TOP

(11) 36 Pwintbyu NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 1 May- Thirty-six members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pwintbyu Township, Magway  Division. Thirty-six members of Pwintbyu Township NLD, Magway Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters  of resignation to Pwintbyu Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 18  March 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in parts politics of NLD.

(12)WEATHER

Maximum temperature on 29-4-2000 was 31.0°C (88°F)
Minimum temperature on 30-4-2000 was 24.0°C (75°F)

TOP
<<<<HOME
<<NEWSPAPER INDEX
 

To view with photos, please browse at - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/