N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Thursday, 4 May 2000)

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USDA urged to take part with full capacity in raising living standards and dignity of nation and people Myanmar's environmental policy aims at protecting, developing natural resources for future use
General Maung Aye visits Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University on Sagaing Hill in Sagaing Township
Red Cross youths urged to be reserve force for peace and tranquillity of State Get-together of outstanding Red Cross Youth 2000 opens
Secretary-2 attends co-ordination meeting of Committee on Extended Breeding and Production of Prawn
Minister meets foreign guests
Minister meets Chinese guests
Ministers meets Chinese Minister
ASEAN economic ministers, Japanese minister Chairman of AFTA CER-FTA Task Force and ASEAN secretary general leave
Press Conference on South Summit and 13th NAM Ministerial Conference held
National Convention Convening Commission meets
Minister for Information meets IPRD staff of Kachin State
8 Bago NLD members resign of own accord
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(1) USDA urged to take part with full capacity in raising living standards and dignity of nation and people Myanmar's environmental policy aims at protecting, developing natural resources for future use
YANGON, 3 May-Union Solidarity and Development Association Executives' Advanced Management Course No 7 and USDA Executives' Management Course No 21 concluded with a ceremony in Pyidaungsu Hall of' Central
Public Relations Unit in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, at 9 am today, addressed by Patron of USDA Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior General Than Shwe said trainees already have had the opportunity to study the subjects lectured at the course. They had studied the aims, principles and duties of the association, Our Three Main National Causes, the 12 objectives, the four-point People's Desire and development endeavours being undertaken in the respective regions .
In conclusion, the Senior General urged the trainees to continue to uplift their qualifications; to disseminate their knowledge to their comrades; to actively take part in the nation-building tasks with constructive mind; and to work with sincerity, ability, goodwill, perseverance and courage as USDA is a national force.
The Senior General cordially greeted the trainees. He then had lunch together with the trainees in Bayintnaung Hall.
Excerpts from Senior General Than Shwe's address

-In accord with the association's future tasks, USDA members should nurture themselves to improve individual qualifications in serving the national tasks with full conviction.
-The government is joining hands with the people of all regions and sectors to hand down the good heritage to the national people.
-Utilization of the nation's rich natural resources is the main sector in striving to develop the national socio-economic sector.
-Laying of good economic and social foundations is also a vital task.
-Extension of the transport infrastructure helps develop political, economic and social sectors of the respective regions and relations between the national races. The government is rendering assistance to national entrepreneurs in enabling them to participate in agricultural and industrial enterprises.
-As in the industrial sector, the government is upgrading the working force of the national people in agricultural and life breeding sectors.
-The momentum of the results of the joint efforts of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw can be seen in many sectors.
-The success achieved in implementing the nine arid districts greening project of the dry region greening tasks is an example.

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(2) General Maung Aye visits Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University on Sagaing Hill in Sagaing Township
YANGON, 3 May-Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye visited Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University on Sagaing Hill in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Division, yesterday.
General Maung Aye and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win and officials. Then, General Maung Aye and party went to Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University on Sagaing Hill and paid obeisance to Presiding Sayadaw of Thitagu World
Buddhist Missionary University Maha Dhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nanissara.
General Maung Aye and party presented alms to Thitagu Sayadaw and members of the Sangha. Thitagu Sayadaw also explained the work of Aryudhana Sangha hospital and Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University to General Maung Aye.
Then, Thitagu Sayadaw presented Dhammadana books to General Maung Aye and party. General Maung Aye and party signed in the visitors' book. Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara conducted General Maung Aye and party round the construction site of Migadawana lecturer hall, Magada reading hall, Uyuwaila library, Gaya Kyaungsaung, Adipati Kyaungsaung and missionary hall. General Maung
Aye and party observed use of computer by members of the Sangha at Lunbani Computer Hall. Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University was built in 1356 ME.
Altogether 12 main buildings have been constructed. Members of the Sangha and nuns who passed the Pahtamagyi or Dhammacariya Course, will attend the Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University as first year students. The Thitagu World Buddhist Missionary University will give lecture to the trainees to turn out missionary Sanghas and nuns with BA, MA and PhD.

(3) Red Cross youths urged to be reserve force for peace and tranquillity of State Get-together of outstanding Red Cross Youth 2000 opens
YANGON, 3 May-The opening ceremony of outstanding Red Cross Youth Get-together 2000 of Myanmar Red Cross Society was held at Mya Nyi La Hall of Basic Education High !School No 2 in Latha Township this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were member of the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental officials, the chairmen of social organizations and officials, Resident Representative of International Committee of the Red Cross Mr Leon de Riedmatten, Resident Representative of Federation of International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Association Mr Yukata Oiwa, members of MRCS, President of MRCS Dr Kyaw Win and CEC members, members of Yangon Division Red Cross Supervisory Committee, outstanding Red Cross youths from States and Divisions and donors.
The Secretary-1 said a time when the government is laying emphasis on turning out outstanding and dynamic new generation youths who will build and defend the nation in enabling it to stand tall in the world community, get-together of outstanding new generation Red Cross youths shows the practical achievements of the objectives of the State.
In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged Red Cross members to understand the noble aims of arranging the get-together in striving in accord with the national objectives, to participate actively in the respective sectors in making MRCS a reserve force for national peace and tranquillity; to promote the spirit of national solidarity and Union Spirit and to participate in construction, production and agriculture projects.
Managing Director U Soe Hlaing (a) U Akway and wife OI Taunggyi Gem Master Ltd presented K 268,000 for Get- together of outstanding Red Cross Youth, U Soe Thein K 200,000, CEC member of MRSC retired Col Dr Tun Sein and wife Daw Phyu Phyu Aung K 100,000, Myanmar Music Asiayon K 20,000 and U Nyi Nyi K 30000.
The Secretary-1 accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors. President of MRCS Dr Kyaw Win spoke. The Secretary-1 then greeted the Red Cross Youths.
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(4) Secretary-2 attends co-ordination meeting of Committee on Extended Breeding and Production of Prawn
YANGON, 3 May-Committee on Extended Breeding and Production of Prawn held its co-ordination meeting at Fisheries Department this evening, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Making a speech on the occasion, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said the State Peace and Development Council is implementing projects for the development of national economy as well as for the progress of the State and living standard of the national people. He urged the committee members to select the site, conduct, survey of land, to allot farm plot for the entrepreneurs, to ensure smooth transportation, supply of spawns and prawn feed-stuff and to construct research laboratory. The meeting ended with
concluding remarks by Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

(5) Minister meets foreign guests
YANGON, 3 May-Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin met Director Dr Ruben L Villareai and Deputy Director Dr Sockartawi of Agricultural Research Post Graduate Course on regional agricultural research of South-East Asian Education and Agriculture Ministers Board at his office at 4 pm today. Also present were heads of departments and enterprises under the ministry.

(6) Minister meets Chinese guests
YANGON, 3 May-Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met President of Yunan Provincial Imp & Exp ,Corp of People's Republic of China Mr Cao Li Ge and party at his office at 11 am today. Also present were Director-General U Tin Hlaing and officials.
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(7) Ministers meets Chinese Minister
YANGON, 3 May-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the People's Republic of China Mr Shi Guangsheng, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador, at his office at 10 am today.
Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and Minister Mr Shi Guangsheng signed notes on production of power tillers and harvesters. Then, the Myanmar delegation led by Minister Brig- Gen Pyi Sone and Minister Brig-Gcn Abel and the Chinese delegation led by Mr Shi Guangsheng discussed economic, trade and investment sectors.

(8) ASEAN economic ministers, Japanese minister Chairman of AFTA CER-FTA Task Force and ASEAN secretary general leave
YANGON, 3 May-Minister of Trade of Republic of Korea Mr Han Duck Soo, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia Mr Cham Prasidh and party, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office of Laos Prof Dr Bountiem Phissamay and party, Chairman of AFTA-CER FTA Task Force Mr CE Sar E A Virata, delegates from Thailand and the Philippines, Minister of Industry and Basic Resources of Brunei Darussalam Pehin
Dato Abul Rahman Taib and party, Minister of Trade and Industry of Singapore B G (NS) Geore Yeo and party, Secretary- General of ASEAN Secretariat Office Dr Rodolfa Severino JR and party, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Japan Mr Takashi Fukaya, Special Envoy of the Minister of Industry and Trade of Indonesia Mr Hatanto Reksodipoetro and party and Minister of Trade of Vietnam Mr Vu Khoan and party left here by air today.
They were seen off at the airport by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, the deputy ministers, Ambassadors and officials of respective Embassies and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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(9) Press Conference on South Summit and 13th NAM Ministerial Conference held
YANGON, 3 May-Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung held a Press Conference on experiences of the 13th Ministerial Conference of Non-Aligned Movements held in Cartagena, Colombia from 7 to 9 April and South Summit of the Group of 77 held in Havana, Cuba from 10 to 14 April and development of Myanmar at Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Pyay Road at 8 am today.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Directors-General of the ministry, Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay, the Patron U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Chief Editor U Zaw Min Thein of Myanma News Agency
(Internal), correspondents, local and foreign newsmen and reporters of Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun, Ji Ji Press, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Kyodo News, AP, ABC, NHK and AFP.
U Win Aung said:
I was back from Cartazena, Colombia and Havana not a long time ago. There, I attended the summit of the South nations at which we made a point that we developing countries need to cooperate, to unite among us more and then to cooperate among south nations. Because we need to face up the North. Because now we are in the world of Globalization that's the main theme of every discussion taking place.
Globalization, What is the threat of globalization? Globalization of course brings together all those capital and know-how. The globalization should not be marginalization of developing countries. And the southern countries are becoming more and more poor. Effects of globalization or benefits of globalization are not yet globalizes. During the meeting in Havana, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
put up a proposal that we G-77 + China should send its president and delegation and the people composed from and representing developing countries such as OAU, NAM, ASEAN and other regional groups should send together a team to G-7 or G-8 meeting.
On 2 May , the meeting successfully concluded between our 10 ASEAN economic ministers and three economic ministers of China, Japan and Korea. Ways and means can be sough among ASEAN and those three nations. We are now on the right track. We are now on the path towards more enhanced cooperation with ASEAN+3 countries. To institutionalize ASEAN+3 is still a little far away. We cannot expect emergence of something like EAU (East Asian Union) in the very near future.
He replied to the questions. National Convention is meeting three times a week and sometimes the whole week. And the Commission has experts because our constitution is very complicated. For we are trying to have a constitution in which states will have their own parliament and their own government. And also in the state the people are asking autonomous state-the self-administered area.
And these people are now considered to be eligible to have self-administered jurisdiction. And there will be what we called Hluttaw, the parliament. We have a unitary government since independence and we don't have this sort of structure before. To solve all political problems of our country which we inherited from the British colonial masters' "Divide-and-rule" policy when we were so divided.
And then, there were some people who would like to have a separate own land. That's the major cause of the conflict and we have been fighting against each other for that cause. And we have come to this structure of the constitution for the people living in the state and in those self administered areas.
We have come up with many matters where we have particulars groups of areas and townships and divisions or the districts things like that very complicated.
And experts of the committee are meeting three times a week and there are a lot of arguments and the experts sometimes could not have the consensus. Sometimes a word takes a long time to be agreed. I would like to inform you that this process is going on smoothly and really maybe sometime later we cannot say when. But it will come up. When I ask some members of the Commission they said that the process is going on well.
We are now overcoming many, many things of which we could not reach consensus in the past because this is the first time in our country which we are trying to have this sort of the government system or the parliamentary system and that's why it's taking a long, long time.
We are making sure that this constitution should be long-standing. In the past we had two constitutions the 1947 constitution which allowed the states to secede away from the union after ten years. This constitution was and is really a fundamental problem for us. We have people fighting for their own land. Now we are trying to solve this problem by political means.
We have fought each other for many, many years. A lot of bloodshed has been seen and we should stop these meaningless fightings. That's the point which we are trying to make sure that all those fighting's cease.
We are trying to reach to the political solution which means all people in the Union live happily. To live happily we need very, very strong constitution which is to be agreed upon by all the people in the country.
If someone doesn't agree, then it will make trouble and we will go back to fighting again. That's why the process is going on and we are waiting and hoping that the constitution will come up; let's them solve all the problems first.
Appointment of Mr Razali has been informed to us and we are now planning you may call negotiating a date when he will visit our country. He has proposed for those for us and we have again counter- proposed something and then if it was agreed on the date he said he will not be free on the date we proposed.
Then, we have counter proposed some other date. And then you will see the process is going on and the schedule and the itinerary of Mr Razali and the purpose of his visit is to learn about our country's situation.
And he will have the chance to meet with the responsible members of our government and talk with us and then we will explain to him of our situation and other itineraries according to his plans. We don't know his plan yet.
We hope that Mr Razali coming from the same region and from Asia has the opportunity to understand more; the problems and the mentality of our people.
I hope that we can have better understanding and communication between us and we are hoping that we can meet eye to eye and also we can discuss more frankly and we can tell him about our concept and also our view about the role of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.
In the past decade, the greatest achievement of this government is bringing peace and stability to the country that's the number one achievement beginning 1988.
Let me say one thing- you know the Ayeyawady river, the most important river in our country. It flows inside our country down to the sea and at the middle of the country and it is the main river flowing down from north to south. We had only one bridge across the river in the past for so many years and no other governments had been able to build any bridge. So many rivers are flowing down from north to south and it is so difficult to travel from east to west or west to east. If we were not able to build a bridge
in the past how can we expect the economic development and the infrastructure all previous governments were not able to build another bridge on this river.
Because we are building the nation and when we are building the nation and take the responsibility of the State the first thing we have to do is to work for emergence of the democratic state that's the aspiration of the people and also the Government's aspiration. We would like to see the emergence of the democratic country.
Democracy comes with responsibility and together with respect for rule of law; that's one thing. When we took the state responsibility there was no other alternative goal. We set the democratic' real democratic nation.
Lack of national unity made us fight against each other. First, we must build national unity. That's our first priority. That's why we tried to reach peace agreements with armed groups we talked with them rationally with mutual respect and understanding.
This government alone succeeded to have such sort of agreements with the armed groups. Previous governments failed again and again. The peace lasted not long. Now peace is prevailing in the whole country. The structure of our capital Yangon ten years ago was not the same as now. We had narrow roads and when we were young Yangon was full of slums that's in our parliamentary time. Now these were all in the past.
Now we are laying down ground works sound foundation for the economic development? We will not be able to take off economically if our infrastructure is not built.
Now there are eight or nine bridges across the Ayeyawady river, and across other rivers Thanlwin river or other rivers we have built many bridges. Now for the first time we could travel by road from the western major cities like Sittway to Yangon without necessarily to cross by boat.
The people from one place to another can travel easily; then, we will become closer and closer to each other; otherwise, we will be separated for a long, long time.
In the past, the economy was centralized, planning economic system. The people who would like to be traders could not trade legally in the past. This era, that system has been left behind.
Now whoever wants to make a living by trading or by business, there's no problem. We have a lot of private enterprises. And private sector is growing. These are the achievements which we are setting the ground for the smooth functioning of any democratic government which will emerge after the constitution.
Without these things, without peace and stability, with-out good infrastructure, which is a requisite for economic development without economic reforms leading market oriented or capitalist economy that is the trend which we have achieved in the past ten years. It's not an easy task. When this government took the responsibility in 1988 there was no money this government started from minus because many, many factories had been destroyed. And no money in the banks.
This government had to build up the country from scratch to the stage what you are seeing the emergence of middle class or business people.
If you know the real situation from where we came up you will understand what we have achieved.
I wonder what would happen if I go to Northern Ireland and meet with some of the Republicans and say something about the necessity for the British Government and to bring peace to Northern Ireland. That's the one question whether they would like it or not.
Of course Mr Robin Cook visited our region at the invitation of our neighbor Thailand. They invited him to visit so-called refugee camps and invited his remarks -we are sorry for that.
Let me say assuring one thing Kayin problem is our internal problem. Kayins are our brothers and sisters our nationals; they are not aliens. Between us we need to solve outstanding problems. That's what we have been trying.
We are now building up the nation not to exclude the Kayins from the process. we would like to build the nation including all groups all major national groups.
So the Kayin problem is our problem. In the past we have nearly reached the agreement with them to come to the legal fold but those forces saying from the west urged the Kayins not to go to Myanmar not to go back to our country. These are the forces which would like to see more and more flames in our country. They would like to see our country in flame. That's their mentality.
North Korea is a nation in our part and of course the participation of North Korea in ARF for the peace and stability of the whole area Asia Pacific. North Korea's participation in the ARF is important and it will contribute to peace and stability of the region. We would like to welcome them. We do not object no objection to inclusion of North Korea into ARF.
I have already made this known to Mr Surin, the chairman of the ASEAN Standing Committee when he asked me of my opinion. Now he has invited North Korea. We have agreed to that.
Regarding the meeting between ASEAN and EU Ministerial Meeting, you will remember, last year that there was scheduled to meet in Berlin between EU and ASEAN-EU and ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. EU and ASEAN have to meet and talk to each other.
If ASEAN has important things to sort out things between EU and ASEAN if there is a meeting to be planned, then we will consider between us; we have one thing in common for our ASEAN nations.
A member of the ASEAN or a group should not be discriminated or treated with discrimination. Right now we have visa restrictions and so on. So we should have a principle whether we can allow this sort of discrimination.
There could be a meeting in Lisbon between EU and ASEAN senior officials. It could happen that there could be a meeting in one of the European capitals?the meeting which has been postponed for some years. On the first day of the AEM Retreat someone asked me whether I could go there: I said if I didn't get a visa, there w ill be no attendance from me to that meeting; then ASEAN will not go without one.
Not only me, anybody or any country. We will not accept ASEAN minus one or ASEAN minus two.
The principle is ASEAN as a whole should he treated as ASEAN. The Press Conference ended at 9:15 am.
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(10) National Convention Convening Commission meets
YANGON, 3 May-National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall of NCCC Office at 2 pm today. Present on the occasion were Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Chairman Mai-Gen Sein Htwa and commission members. Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin made a speech at the meeting. National Convention Convening Work Committee and National Convention Convening
Management Committee reported on matters related to National Convention, and members of National Convention Convening Commission took part in the discussion. Then, the chairman discussed the reports. and the meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the chairman.

(11) Minister for Information meets IPRD staff of Kachin State
YANGON, 2 May-U Chaw Pha Wu and seven staff of Information and Public Relation Department in Putao, Sumprabum and Khaunglanphu Townships in Kachin State left for home today after visiting Yangon and other cities from 27 April to 3 May at the invitation of Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung.
Before their departure, U Chaw Pha Wu and seven Lisu, Rawan and Jinphaw nationals met Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung at Myanma Radio and Television this afternoon.
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(12) 8 Bago NLD members resign of own accord
YANGON, 3 May-Eight members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Bago Township, Bago Division. Eight members of Bago Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Bago Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 13 December 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in
party politics of NLD.

(13)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on 2-5-2000 was 30.0°C (90°F)
Minimum temperature on 3-5-2000 was 23.5°C (74°F)

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