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- Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing see off Myanmar goodwill delegation to India led by General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San
- Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions come to grand finale
- Secretary-1 inspects construction work at Mindhamma Hill
- Twenty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific begins
- 24th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific held
- Social Security Board, Health Department organize workshops on DOTS, HIV, AIDS
- MMA (Yangon) (Women's Chapter) holds respect-paying ceremony
- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs inspects EWSD systems at Mayangon Overseas Exchange
- 24 members resign from Pyay Township NLD of own accord
(1) Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing see off Myanmar goodwill delegation to India led by General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya SanYangon, 14 Nov - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing saw off Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and delegation, who will pay an official goodwill visit to India at the invitation of Vice-President of the Republic of India Mr Shri Krishan Kant, at Yangon International Airport at 9 am today. They were also seen off at the airport by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, Official's, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Embassy of India Mr Ashok Tomar and wife, Defence Attache Col Shakti Gurung and Embassy staff.
Members of the delegation Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe, Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife Daw San Yon, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Deputy Chief of Office of Strategic Studies Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also left on board the same flight.
(2) Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions come to grand finale
Yangon, 14 Nov - A gala prize-giving ceremony of the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street here this afternoon. Patron of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made a speech and presented prizes.
The events of the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions took place at respective venues in Yangon for 17 days, from 26 October to 11 November.
The objectives of the competitions are: to vitalize patriotism and nationalism in all citizens; to preserve and safeguard cultural heritage; to perpetuate genuine Myanma music, dance and traditional fine arts; to preserve Myanmar national character; to nurture spiritual development of the youth; and, to prevent influencing of alien cultures.
Also present at the prize-giving ceremony were Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the Panel of Patrons Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Competitions member s and theirs wife, ministers and their wives, the Work Committee and subcommittees for organizing the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, diplomats and military attaché's, resident representatives of UN agencies, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, local and foreign journalists, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and other social organizations, members of the board of judges, managers and artistes of state/division troupes, and special guests.
Daw Tin Tin Mya, U Hla Win and Daw Thida Swe of Myanma Radio and Television acted as the masters of ceremonies. First, Patron of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt delivered an address by which he urges all:
- to strive by means of their arts to promote Myanmar culture, Myanmar arts and Myanmar national norms to keep the Union of Myanmar fine and strong till the end of the world
- to strive by means of their arts to promote the sense of national pride of Myanmars in all while promoting Myanmar traditional cultural performing arts
- to strive by means of their arts to have Myanmar youths of new generations gain higher national spirit after seeing Myanmars great tradition, great national identity, high cultural standard and Myanmar qualities, so as to ward off the danger of alien cultural infiltration. Next, awards were presented to the winners.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and ministers presented awards to the winners in the classical song-singing competition, religious song-singing competition, old/modern singing competition, dance competition, composing competition, xylophone competitions , ozi troupe contests, orchestra troupe contests.
Later, Ma Zar Zar Win Maung who stood the first in the professional level (women's) harp contest presented music to the audience and the ceremony successfully came to a close at 4.50 p.m.
Medal standing of States and Divisions in the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions (2000)
Sr. State/Division
Gold Silver Bronze Special Total
1. Yangon Division 80 58 41 4 183
2. Mandalay Division 28 36 37 - 101
3. Ayeyawady Division 10 10 11 - 31
4. Sagaing Division 5 8 8 - 21
5. Magway Division 5 4 3 - 12
6. Rakhine State 4 4 9 1 18
7. Bago Division 3 6 7 - 16
8. Kachin State 3 1 3 2 9
9. Kayah State 3 1 2 2 8
10.Mon State 2 3 9 1 15
11.Taninthayi Division 1 2 6 2 11
12.Shan State - 5 5 - 10
13.Kayin State - 2 - 2 4
14.Chin State - - 1 2 - 3
Total 144 140 142 16 442Note: The award for the best player in drama and the award for the best background music in drama are enlisted in " Gold" column.
(3) Secretary-1 inspects construction work at Mindhamma Hill
Yangon, 14 Nov-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this evening arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept. The Secretary-1 was welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura U Aung Ko, officials and architects. First, the Secretary-1 inspected progress of work in making the Image graceful.
Then, he inspected construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi and southern and northern stairways of the hill. Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and officials reported to the Secretary-1 on progress of work. He gave necessary instructions. Similarly, members of the work inspection committee led by Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe also inspected carving of the Image and construction work at the hill this evening. Officials reported to them on progress of work.
(4) Twenty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific begins
Yangon, 14 Nov-The Twenty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific jointly-sponsored by United Nations Drug Control Programme and Myanmar, and hosted in Myanmar was held at the Hotel Equatorial on Alanpya Pagoda Road, here, at 11 am today.
It was attended by officials of INTERPOL and UNDCP, delegates from ASEAN, leaders of delegation from Australia, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administration Region, Macau Special Administration Region, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam totalling 76. Leader of Myanmar delegation Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win was chosen as Meeting Chairman while Leader of Japanese delegation Mr Yasunori Orita and Leader of delegation of the Philippines Hon Ramon J Liwag were elected as Meeting Vice-Chairmen by those present.
Meeting Chairman Director-General of MPF Maj-Gen Soe Win made an opening speech. Adoption of the agenda, current situation with respect to regional and sub regional co-operation, implementation by State of the region of recommendation adopted by the Twenty-second Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific (Kuala Lumpur, 1998), work carried out by INTERPOL, work carried out for drug abuse control in the Pacific region, and smuggling of narcotic drugs from the West Asia owing to the reduction of production of heroin in the region were discussed at the meeting. The second day's session continues tomorrow. Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing hosted a dinner to leaders and delegation members who were attending the meeting at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel this evening.
(5) 24th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific held
Countries suffering from high volumes of drug traffic must be vigilant against corruption in pursuit of drug-free ASEAN
Yangon, 14 Nov-A ceremony to open 24th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific jointly sponsored by United Nations Drug Control Programme and Myanmar and hosted by Myanmar for the first time was held at the Hotel Equatorial this morning. Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing made the opening speech.
Also present on the occasion were members of CCDAC ministers, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, deputy ministers, members of CCDAC, ambassadors, resident representatives of UN agencies, departmental heads, the delegate of ASEAN, delegates of South Pacific Island Countries Association, officials of INTERPOL and UNDCP, heads and members of Australia, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, local and foreign journalists, and observers.
First, Minister Col Tin Hlaing made a speech.
He said: As the Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control of Myanmar and also in the capacity of the Minister for Home Affairs, it is a privilege to be afforded with the opportunity to deliver an opening address to this very important 24th Meeting of the Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies of the Asia-Pacific Region, organized by the UNDCP and hosted by the Union of Myanmar. The international community is now fully aware of the problem of narcotic drugs and the dangers that has been threatening the human society. The traffic of illicit drugs, transcending international borders, has taken its rightful place to become a major transnational crime.
As stated, the illicit trafficking of drugs has also become the major transnational crime committed in our region. The huge profits generated by the drug trade has triggered incentives to drug traffickers that they do not heed anymore even to the death penalties prescribed in national legislation's for drug crimes. Drug trafficking crimes have not only seriously undermined the economy, political and social fabrics, but also the stability of community peace and tranquillity and national security of country states.
In this connection, it is fitful that we welcome the initiative taken by all concerned member states and the United Nations in drafting the UN Convention against Transnational Crimes at Vienna, soon to be signed in December, 2000 at Palermo, Italy. It is apparent that the fight against drugs trafficking could neither be fought nor won by one country alone nor by leaving out one country. Drug traffickers take footholds in countries that lack or have weak anti-drug legislation's, irrelevant enforcement strategies and outdated interdiction tactics.
They would then take full advantage of these shortcomings to traffic drugs in and out of the country, thus affecting and creating a threat to neighboring countries. It is imperative that one country should not be left out but all countries should stand together based on mutual understanding, trust and cooperative spirit, to form a strong and united front. This is why we are gathered here today.
There is no question the UNDCP plays a key role in the combat against drugs. To this end, we have witnessed the enhanced and effective efforts of UNDCP, particularly during the tenure of UN Secretary-General Mr Koffi Anan and Deputy Secretary-General, Mr Pino Arlacchi. Drugs affect all human lives, thus, each and every one of us has an obligation and responsibility to fight against it. However, sad to say, it becomes blurred and out of focus when efforts of individual countries are viewed and tainted with political issues. It is very important that countries have a political will and a strong commitment to fight and eliminate the scourge of drugs. Myanmar has been embarking on a 15 Year Master Plan commencing 1999-2000 to totally eliminate drugs in the country 2014.
We are very much encouraged that ASEAN has set course on the same agenda as Myanmar on its ASEAN Vision 2020 by reducing the target date to Drug Free ASEAN 2015 at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting at Bangkok in July this year. Subsequently, last month in Bangkok, ASEAN and China agreed on a Drug Free ASEAN 2015 Plan of Action.
The Meeting here today is a clear testimony and indication of participating countries of their political will and commitment to cooperate with other countries in the fight against drugs in the region. In this connection, I am sad to say that it left us no choice but to assume that some responsible countries, which have decided to boycott the meeting for various reasons, do not harbor sincere intentions for cooperation with other countries and on the same time, have blatantly ignored an International Meeting organized by the UN. I am not in a position to say what their intentions are but whatever reasons they may have, we have a clear conscience to work together with whoever who wants to work with us and help us. To this end we have the doors wide open and stand ready to show our efforts, our achievements as well as our shortcomings and to welcome the sincere assistance and cooperation of the international community.
Myanmar has been showing her political will and commitment to work together particularly with neighboring countries in the region. Not only do we have bilateral agreements with Vietnam, the Philippines and the Russian Federation as well as a Tripartite Agreement with Laos and Thailand but also we are an active member of the 6 sub-regional countries MOU to control drugs with a balanced approach by implementing supply and demand reduction and law enforcement projects of the Sub-regional Action Plan. UNDCP has been assisting us with financial and technical support with funding from donor countries. Myanmar became a full-fledged member of ASEAN in July 1997 and the Prime Minister; Senior General Than Shwe briefed the ASEAN Summit on drug control endeavors of Myanmar. Mr Koffi Annan, US Secretary General, attending the Summit Meeting was impressed and subsequently dispatched an expert team in 1998 to draft a 10 year plan to eradicate poppy cultivation and production in the whole country.
UNDCP Executive Director Mr Pino Arlacchi also visited the border areas of Myanmar in the same year and sanctioned a few small-scale projects. I was informed that the UNDCP drafted 10 Year Plan for Myanmar was prepared in time to be submitted to the 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Narcotic Drugs. Sadly, for reasons not stated. UNDCP was not in a position to submit the Plan to the Special Session. However, I wish to express our gratitude to Mr Arlacchi for his keen interest and sincere efforts to help us.
As stated, Myanmar has been implementing the 15 Year Plan since 1999. I believe that the majority of the country representatives attending this meeting are much more oriented with drug trafficking and drug abuse while Myanmar has to deal with the problem of poppy cultivation and production also. The border areas that are engaged in poppy cultivation and production were once under the dominance of insurgents and due to this fact, these regions have been left out of the mainstream of the country, lagging behind in terms of development, depending there livelihood on the income from opium poppy. The government now has entered into peace agreements with the insurgent groups, opening up opportunities for all-round-development programmes in these regions. With the guidance of the Prime Minister himself, border area development projects were drawn up and a separate Ministry was established to take care of these problems in a holistic way.
The 15 Year Plan calls for the gradual elimination of poppy cultivation and production in these areas supplemented with demand elimination. Law enforcement, participation of the local inhabitants and international cooperation programmes. In this regard, I sincerely hope that we will have the understanding of the international community on the complexity of the drug problem and what we have gone through and our efforts at present to overcome this menace.
Of course, these changes cannot take place overnight. The distinguished delegates will understand and realize that it is easier said than done. Just when we are starting to see hope in the elimination of poppy cultivation and production with annual decreasing figures, the problem of stimulants has suddenly taken the stage. Researchers have discovered stimulants over a century ago for licit use but it has become to be an abuse problem in the region just a decade ago. Myanmar faced the problem starting only in 1996 when we made the first seizure of stimulants. Starting raw materials, precursor chemicals are not produced in Myanmar in addition to the lack of laboratory expertise and financing to produce these drugs.
Thus, it clearly indicates that foreign drug syndicates are exploiting the long, remote and porous border situation to produce these stimulants on the border area. We are skeptical that the problem of stimulants has been intentionally created when the glimmer of hope and possibility is at hand in the total eradication and production of opium within a few years.
In addition, the drug trend has been changing with the life styles of youth where freedom and personal rights to enjoy the pleasures of nightlife are permitted to stretch to the maximum and beyond limits. It is one of the reasons why it was rightfully predicted and identified at the UNDCP organized Shanghai International Expert Meeting on Stimulants in 1996, that stimulants abuse will be the major drug problem for the 21st century. We have a saying in Myanmar that if we know the illness, there is always a medicine to cure it. In other words, "if there is a will, there is a way".
It is a glaring fact that the world is facing a drug problem. Mobilizing the full awareness and participation of the public, every country should do their utmost to get rid of it. However, if we do not cure or take measures with the medicine called "international cooperation", the illness will be like a cancer spreading and eating away the social fabrics of the human society. There have been numerous crimes of enormous proportions that the evils of drugs have created, even undermining the peace and stability of country states. Money laundered from proceeds of drug trafficking has destroyed the economies of countries. HIV/AIDS epidemics are also offspring of drug abuse.
The dangers and threat of drugs are not contained and limited to one area, region or state and have no discrimination on developed or developing or undeveloped countries. This is the sole reason that the international community needs to stand together and cooperate to fight the menace of drugs. In conclusion, the 24th Meeting of HONLEA will be discussing practical issues and problems on law enforcement in the region to find ways and means on better cooperation between state governments and UNDCP. It will also review the implementation of decisions taken at the 22th HONLEA. I fully believe that participating countries including Myanmar will benefit a lot in the coming 4 days, from the discussions based on national experience and information sharing on illicit heroin trafficking and abuse, electronic crimes or cyber crimes affecting drug trafficking strategy, maritime drug trafficking and control of stimulants.
I wish to sincerely urge all delegates to discuss frankly and openly and to share experiences on a friendly atmosphere to find better ways and means for practical cooperation. I also urge UNDCP to assist us to realize our common goals in the region. I thank the participating countries and UNDCP for their support and decision providing the opportunity to Myanmar to host this HONLEA Meeting in Yangon. I thank each and every one of you who have contributed to make this meeting a success and I thank Your Excellencies and specially invited guests for taking out time from your busy schedules to grace this Opening Ceremony. .
Then, Resident Representative Mr Sandro Calvani of UNDCP made a speech.
He said: It gives me great pleasure to address this, the Twenty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific, on behalf of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and its Executive Director, Mr Pino Arlacchi. On his behalf, I would like to express UNDCP's gratitude to the Government of the Union of Myanmar for hosting the Asia/ Pacific HONLEA this year, and , to welcome you all to Yangon. Over the following four days you will have the opportunity to examine matters of considerable urgency.
They are matters of importance for the countries of the region and for many other countries around the world. This urgency is reflected in the topics identified in your provisional agenda. Global production of illicit opium has risen sharply in the last two years.
The principle contributor to this increase being Afghanistan, who doubled its production in 1999 compared with the previous year. With this doubling of production, supply has become much greater than the traditional " Western " and surrounding regional markets can absorb. We are starting to see the movement of " Golden Crescent " heroin to south east Asia region, adding to the availability of heroin derived from local production in countries of this region, and compounding the difficulties faced by law enforcement and social services to suppress the trafficking and abuse of this addictive scourge.
This situation merits the use of the word" urgent". Additionally as a region you face a growing threat from the manufacture and abuse of amphetamine type stimulants that pose as great a threat to your communities as heroin abuse. Last month in Bangkok Governments of ASEAN and China agreed to a Joint Regional Plan to Achieve a Drug-Free ASEAN by 2015. The ten ASEAN governments and the people's Republic of China endorsed a plan aiming at eliminating or drastically reducing the problems of illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse in the region by the year 2015.
This decision has been supported by more than 30 governments and 15 International Organizations in a political declaration adopted by delegates to an International Congress held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok. In endorsing the Plan of Action, entitled ACCORD - ASEAN and China Cooperative Operations in Response to Dangerous Drugs, the ASEAN Governments and China have agreed to strengthen coordination of their efforts in four major areas of activity: Ñ to promote public awareness of the dangers of drugs and adequate responses within their societies; - to address drug abuse and related HIV problems among injecting drug users through improved data collection, preventive and treatment programmes and the sharing of information; - to attack illicit production and trafficking through the strengthening of law enforcement efforts and international cooperation and the development of up-to-date legislation and other control measures; and to eliminate illicit drug crops through alternative development programmes and related community participation.
Key elements of the Plan of Action are intended to give China and the ASEAN states as well as other governments and Organisations supporting the exercise full " ownership " of the process in pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN. These include target dates for specific actions and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to measure the progress of all drug control activities in the region.
During a statement at the International Congress, UN Under-Secretary-General and ODCCP Executive Director Pino Arlacchi lauded the efforts to develop a Drug-Free ASEAN and pledged the full cooperation and support of his organization. International support will be crucial for the success of the Action Plan.
It is, therefore, particularly significant that, in the Political Declaration, the governments participating in the International Congress committed themselves to consider contributing financial support through the existing mechanisms of grants to the United Nations and ASEAN which would report every year on the funds invested in the execution of the plan. The highest profits in the drug market are generated not at the production end and not at the level of the retail sales to the addict, but rather at the stage of trafficking.
The traffickers will go to extreme measures to ensure these profits. In the eyes of the drug trafficker, a bribe to a law enforcement officer is a small price to pay for safe passage of the merchandise. Bribery is a form of corruption. It is highly contagious once it takes root in a given country. Corruption impedes development. Basic services become available only to those who have the money to buy them. The gap between rich and poor increases. In extreme cases, even an entire national economy is threatened when corruption permeates every level of society. ODCCP has launched a Global programme against Corruption aimed at providing participating governments the advice and assistance they need to set up effective anti-corruption institutions. It goes without saying that countries which suffer from high volumes of drug traffic must be especially vigilant against corruption.
Drug traffickers are looking for profit. That is their principal motive. The profits in many cases provide the cash needed for the purchase of arms by groups that seek to destabilize legitimate government. Asia is vulnerable to money laundering. Legislation and regulation in a number of countries are inadequate to protect their banking systems from criminal misuse. There are off-shore banking centres within this region that do not yet meet the acceptable international regulatory standards.
As I mentioned earlier, when we reflect upon the subject of drug trafficking we quickly arrive at issues like those I have just mentioned corruption, organised crime, money laundering, terrorism and threats to peace and security. When we look back over twenty four years of HONLEA meetings, initiated to respond to the threat posed by drug trafficking, we see the issues that successive meetings have addressed, grow and diversify. Important issues such as the prevention of diversion of precursor chemicals have been added. Even traditional problems must be re-examined in the light of today's globalised society. Yet one fact has not changed. The reason we meet here today, and why our colleagues have met similarly before us - the reason that national and international drug control exist " is ultimately the need to protect individual human beings from drug abuse. 24 years ago Asia was primarily associated with the production and trafficking of illicit drugs. There was little talk of ! drug abuse itself of demand.
That was seen as a problem of western countries. In sum, drug trafficking and abuse are now everyone's problem. This was the spirit which prevailed at the 1998 Special Session of the UN General Assembly on drugs. This high degree of consensus enabled the Special Session to take decisions on a wide range of drug related issues. Even more important, targets were established and deadlines were set. The situation the Asia/Pacific region faces underlines the importance of cooperation. As we look to the future, it is encouraging to see the increase in cooperative ventures.
The work being carried out within the Asean context, the Six Country MOU agreement of the Governments of the Mekong Region, the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between countries of the region through signed agreements of commitment, plus of course the positive and practical approach taken by the countries of the Asia and Pacific region. ODCCP is pleased to be associated with all these initiatives.
I will finish by taking the opportunity inform you of an event that will take place next month in Palermo, Italy over 12 - 15 December, that will have a significant, and positive impact upon your efforts as law enforcement officers. This new international instrument has two over-arching goals. It will enhance international cooperation by providing the framework to overcome differences among legal systems, which in the past have blocked mutual assistance. And second, it will set the standards that domestic legislation must meet to effectively combat organized crime.
I return to my opening words, the work of this HONLEA over the next four days is very important, both for your countries and the rest of the world. The situation you face is difficult. It is also complex. There are no easy solutions.
The starting point for finding solutions is precisely the type of practical consultation and cooperation that has been the basis for the work of successive HONLEA's over the past years. Minister Col Tin Hlaing and Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific then had photo taken.
(6) Social Security Board, Health Department organize workshops on DOTS, HIV, AIDS
Yangon, 14 Nov - The opening ceremony of the workshops on DOTS and HIV and AIDS jointly organized by the Social Security Board of the Ministry of Labour and the Health Department of the Ministry of Health was held at the Social Security Board medical stores department in Ahlon Township this morning.
It was attended by Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, departmental heads and officials of the two ministries, medical superintendents, deputy medical superintendents, specialists, and state/division supervisory doctors.
In his address, Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe said that since 1954, the Social Security Board has been providing free health care to workers of states and divisions from the Board's 89 clinics and two Workers Hospitals. In addition, the Board also provides medical supplies free of charge to 32 clinics of the State-owned factories and mills, and is catering to health of 451,525 workers, who have registered with the Board. In the past, the Board had to spend nearly K18 million on the purchase of medicines for 600 TB patients, and it was 30 per cent of the money the Board used to purchase the entire stock of medicines. The minister also spoke of the efforts to cater to health of TB patients till they are completely cured of the disease, and noted that despite giving the patients costly and potent medicine, the rate of decline in TB cases is found to be so slow. In order to prevent the loss and wastage of medicines and provide effective treatment, educative health talks were held at factories and mills, and a system of feeding medicines to the TB patients daily was applied in Yangon Division, which had 436 TB patients, beginning by the end of 1999.
It was observed that a new, separate TB hospital is needed for the workers, and so, a 100-bedded hospital of the Board is being built on Yangon -Pathein Road, near the border of Hlinethaya Township and Htantabin Township, and it is nearly completed. He called on the professional doctors to share their idea as to how to control the disease. Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo also spoke about DOTS system, and HIV and AIDS control projects. The workshops will be held till 16 November.
(7) MMA (Yangon) (Women's Chapter) holds respect-paying ceremony
Yangon, 14 Nov- The 18th respect-paying ceremony, organized by Myanmar Medical Association (Yangon) (Women's Chapter), was held at MMA building at 249, Theinbyu Street in Mingala Taungnyunt Township this morning. Altogether 147 doyen physicians above-70 of age attended the ceremony.
Also present on the occasion were Head of Panel of Patrons of MMA (Yangon) (Women's Chapter) Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and members of the Panel of Patrons, Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, President of MMA Rector Dr Myo Myint, Director-General of Heath Department Dr Wan Maung, deputy directors-general, the chairperson of MMA (Women's Chapter) and executives, medical superintendents and doctors. Secretary of MMA (Women's Chapter) Dr Khin Mar Aye acted as master of ceremonies.
First, Chairperson Dr Yi Yi Hla extended greetings. Then, gifts were presented to doyen physicians. On behalf of the doyen physicians, retired Professor Dr Hla Myint gave a speech and the ceremony came to a close.
(8) Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs inspects EWSD systems at Mayangon Overseas Exchange
Yangon, 14 Nov- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin arrived at Overseas Exchange of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications in Mayangon Township this morning. The minister inspected the training of digital exchanges and modern communication systems for nine trainees of MPT, who are attending the EWSD Engineering Course at Communications and Postal Training Centre.
Also present on the occasion were the managing director, the general manager and officials of MPT. In the meeting hall of Overseas Exchange, the Chief Engineer of Overseas Communications reported to the minister on the systems and their application at EWSD exchanges, installation of systems in Yangon and countryside and structure of the exchange and communications via VSAT satellite. Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin gave instructions on work. Then, the engineer in-charge of the exchange explained installation of telephone switches at TMX-100 exchange and tasks being carried out. The trainees visited EWSD Exchange and NEAX-61 Exchange.
(9) 24 members resign from Pyay Township NLD of own accord
Yangon, 14 Nov-Twenty-four members resigned of their own accord from the National League for Democracy of Pyay Township, Bago Division. Twenty-four members of Pyay Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Pyay Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 11 May 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
WEATHER REPORT
TODAYForecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 15th November 2000: Intermittent rain which may be heavy at time. Degree of certainty is 70%
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