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- 47-member plenary meeting of Fourth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee concludes
- Press conference on decision by ILO Governing Body to activate measures against Myanmar held
- 13th Surgeons' Conference of Myanmar Medical Association held
- Medical Associations of South-East Asian Nations Mid-term Council Meeting successfully ends
- Provisions donated to monasteries, nunneries
- News in Brief
- Minister for Energy attends course conclusion ceremony
- Commander inspects regional development in Yangon East, North Districts
- 52 members resign from Labutta Township NLD of own accord
(1) 47-member plenary meeting of Fourth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee concludesYANGON, 18 Nov- The 18th 47-member plenary meeting of the Fourth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee continued for the second day at Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin at Kaba Aye, this morning. Present at the meeting were Sayadaws led by Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika-dhaja Bhaddanta Sobhita, Adviser at the State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, officials, Heads of Religious Affairs Department of States and Divisions, District Religious Affairs Department Staff Officers.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita chaired the meeting with Joint Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Labhasami as master of ceremonies. Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kiiti discussed Vinicchaya affairs, Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Arsara measures on religious affairs and Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa education. The Sayadaws took part in the discussions.
In the afternoon session, matters on Sangha affairs, construction of monasteries, Dhammacariya examination for 2001 and selection of Nikaya Examination Board. Joint Secretary Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Labhasami approved the report of Fourth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee after the discussions. The 18th 47-member plenary meeting came to a close in the evening. Today, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun-Daw Nwe Nwe Kyi and Shwe Yi Win Co offered soon to the Sayadaws who attended the meeting.
(2) Press conference on decision by ILO Governing Body to activate measures against Myanmar held
YANGON, 18 Nov - A Press conference on the decision made on 16 November 2000 by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) at its 279th Session held in Geneva to activate the measures against Myanmar, was held at the meeting hall of Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road this morning. Present were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, Deputy Attorney-General U Khin Maung Aye, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, heads of departments concerned, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay, Director (News) of NPE U Hla Tun, Chief Editor of Myanma News Agency (Internal) U Zaw Min Thein, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa and correspondents and local and foreign journalists. Staff Officer (Grade 1) of Office of Strategic Studies Lt-Col Tin Oo acted as master of ceremonies.
Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein extended greetings, saying that the purpose of the Press conference is to get local and foreign journalists to fully know matters related to the decision made on 16 November 2000 by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) at its 279th Session held in Geneva to activate the measures against Myanmar, and the Press Release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was stated in the newspapers.
Next, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win said that as known to journalists, at its 279th Session held in Geneva on 16 November 2000, the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) made a decision to activate the measures against Myanmar. As regards this matter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Press Release on 17 November. The purpose of the Press conference is to inform all of true situations, events and attitude of the State towards the decision of ILO Governing Body.
In retrospect, Myanmar has been an ILO member since 1948, and it ratified ILO Convention-29 concerning forced labour in 1955. Although the convention was ratified for about 40 years, there was no problem during a period of about 30 years. Only in 1996, accusations that there was forced labour in Myanmar, emerged. That fact is of great importance to comprehend the whole matter. In other words, if that fact is studied, it is evidently found that accusations concerning forced labour had underlying political motives. It is very obvious that there was no action taken against the country in the time of previous governments but only in the time of the incumbent Tatmadaw government, the problem has been created deliberately. Saying that there was forced labour in Myanmar, ILO formed an Inquiry Commission arbitrarily and one-sidedly. As a matter of fact, the report submitted by the Inquiry Commission, was found to have been based on wrong information sent by groups of runaways, insurgent organizations and groups of elements opposed to the Government. As the measures taken by the Inquire Commission were bias and unfair, Myanmar did not at all accept the Inquiry Commission and its findings.
It was found that groups of persons who do not have a clear view on Myanmar, attempted to get action taken against Myanmar on the basis of the report of the Inquiry Commission. On the other hand, in May 1999 in Myanmar, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued Order No 1/1999 prohibiting the use of forced labour. Moreover, Myanmar accepted Technical Cooperation Mission in May 2000 to show her cooperation with ILO. While in Yangon, the mission had comprehensive discussions with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General's Office. The Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, the minister for foreign affairs, the minister for home affairs and the minister for labour met with the mission and explained objective situations of Myanmar. As Myanmar has shown its good faith and sincerity and cooperation, the ILO Conference held in June this year deferred taking action against Myanmar till 30 November.
Myanmar invited the ILO Technical Cooperation Mission once again in October and held talks with it with the aim of ironing out the problem. This time too, the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Labour received the mission. The members of the Mission themselves admitted that the discussions were extensive and fruitful. To prove Myanmar's commitment to preventing forced labour, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued on 27 October an order supplementing the ministry's Order 1/99. As Myanmar is tackling the present matter through the three steps, legislative, executive and administrative, the State Peace and Development Council issued on 1 November a separate order underscoring the need to follow the order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Besides, the General Administration Department and Myanmar Police Force of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs issued separate orders concerned with the matter. Considering these activities, it is evident that Myanmar cooperated with the ILO at her utmost and attended to its needs as much as possible.
The Governing Body, however, turned a blind eye on Myanmar's positive acts and made a totally unfair decision in its session. In fact, the organization and persons, with ill will towards Myanmar, taking an advantage of the ILO's government-employer-labourer stand, deliberately made arbitrary decision with intent to cause troubles to Myanmar people, to hinder the momentum in economic development, to impede and slow down the improvement of social standard and increase in per capita income, and to disrupt the government's nation-building tasks such as construction of roads, bridges, dams and reservoirs, and all round renovation and building of religious edifices and restoration and renovation works in cultural preservation zones. Though they have insulted Myanmar, friendly nations and many nations of the same mind stood on Myanmar's side, and supported Myanmar as well.
As the many friends and like-minded nations took a firm stand on Myanmar's side, the afternoon session on 16 November got entangled, in which irregularities could be found. Although the ASEAN members proposed with a draft plan to postpone the actions to be taken against Myanmar, some Western countries and some delegates applied pressure to take action against Myanmar; thus the proposed draft plan could not be decided by vote. In reality, such a case of taking action against Myanmar has never happened in the history of ILO; this could be a most dangerous precedence as regards developing nations. It can be predicted that in future, the same designs of imposing political pressure and coercion as in the case of Myanmar are likely to be taken against other developing nations.
As their decision is totally unjust and unreasonable, Myanmar categorically rejects it. Myanmar has dissociated itself from it. Myanmar has also declared that owing to this coercion, it will no longer cooperate with the ILO in relations to the ILO Convention 29 though it cooperated with the ILO with good will in the past. On the other hand, the government will continue to take steps in its legislative, executive and administrative measures to prevent forced labour, as this is its policy. Then, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein replied to the questions raised by the local and foreign journalists.
(3) 13th Surgeons' Conference of Myanmar Medical Association held
YANGON, 18 Nov-A ceremony to open the 13th Surgeons' Conference of Myanmar Medical Association was held at MMA building on Theinbyu Street this morning with an opening address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein. Also present were directors-general of departments under the ministry, rectors, medical superintendents, professors and surgeons, President of MMA Professor U Myo Myint and executive committee members, members, visiting Presidents and delegates of Medical Associations from South-East Asia, foreign surgeons and pharmacists and guests.
At the ceremony, Secretary of Organizing Committee of the Conference Pediatric Surgery Specialist Dr Htoo Han of Children's Hospital acted as master of ceremonies. First, the minister delivered a speech. He said: The State Peace and Development Council Government is trying its best for Myanmar to improve the standard of living for all citizens. In doing so, it is of great importance for all citizens to be healthy, and highly educated intellectuals.
The role of surgeons plays an important part in upgrading the national health of the citizens. The two objectives of the Ministry of Health are longevity of the citizens and for every citizen to be free from diseases. To fulfil this purpose, specialists have been appointed in townships and division levels, so that there should not be any difference in medical care. On the advice of Senior General Than Shwe, for equal opportunities in health care, in both upper and lower Myanmar, specialized departments such as: Cardiac Surgical Department, Neuro surgical Department, Pediatric Surgical Department, Facio-maxillary and Plastic Surgical Department have been opened in Mandalay. Just as the SPDC government has fulfilled to increase the number of hospitals, so also, surgeons must, on their part, strive to achieve the highest standard in their field. Today, the SPDC government is giving high priority to health matters, and as such, has increased the health budget, so that it is envisaged that within the four years, Myanmar health care will be on the same level as with other ASEAN countries.
Therefore, surgeons on their part, must strive their level best to achieve that goal. The SPDC government has strive to increase the human resources in the health sector by improving the quality and calibre of surgeons to be on par with surgeons of other countries. In order to fulfil this, apart from courses conducted at the Institutes of Medicine in Myanmar, leading to M.Med.Sc in Surgery and Dr.Med.Sc, State Scholars are being sent abroad for further studies. Previously, only FRCS Part(A) examination was conducted in Myanmar. Now, the FRCS Part (B) and (C) examinations are also allowed to be conducted in Myanmar, and the result so far, have been satisfactory. In the view of this, it is hoped that Myanmar surgeons will be able to perform on the same standard as surgeons in other countries.
For example: successful operations by Myanmar surgeons had been performed on the separation Siamese twins, renal transport and replacement of upper limb, with any assistance being given from foreign surgeons. This proves that Myanmar surgeons have succeeded, and has thus made a landmark in the health sector of Myanmar. Today, at the 13th Surgeons' Conference, it has been noted with pride, that surgeons from abroad and Myanmar, will present forty papers on surgeon, eight posters and four symposia. In the future, it is anticipated that surgeons from ASEAN countries and Myanmar, will participate in the exchange of ideas at conferences.
In conclusion, I would like to recommended the following: to continue striving for the advancement of medical education, to do research work continuously, to have full cooperation among fellow surgeons, to take active participation in any medical field for peace, stability and development of the entire nation, to work to achieve for national health and fitness in all sectors concerned with peoples' health. Finally, I would like to remind all present, to preserve and uphold the pride and dignity of State and national people, and also the Myanmar surgeons by striving to become outstanding surgeons.
Then, Chairman Professor U Myo Myint of MMA and Chairman Professor U Maung Maung of Committee for Organizing the Conference made speeches. Afterwards, Chairman of Guest Scrutinizing Committee Professor Daw Khin Aye Mu extended greeting. After the opening ceremony, the minister and party looked round the posters on surgery exhibited at the conference and medicine exhibition booths of companies. The conference will continue till 22 November and 34 papers and four symposium will be presented.
(4) Medical Associations of South-East Asian Nations Mid-term Council Meeting successfully ends
YANGON, 18 Nov- The Medical Associations of South-East Asian Nations Mid-term Council Meeting was held for the second and final day at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning, and the meeting successfully ended in the evening. Present on the occasion were President of MASEAN President of Vietnamese Medical Association Prof Hoang Dinh Cau and executives, President of Cambodian Medical Association Prof Sau Sokhonn and delegates, President of Indonesian Medical Association Prof Ahmad Djojosugito and delegates, representatives of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, President of Malaysian Medical Association Prof Datuk Dr P Krishnan and delegates, President of Myanmar Medical Association Prof U Myo Myint and delegates, President of Singaporean Medical Association Associate Professor Goh Lee Gan and delegates, representatives led by Dr Vinit Rodanant of Thailand. Dr Vinit Rodanant of Thailand presided over the morning session of the meeting and Chairperson of Prof Daw Tracy Sein of Preventive and Social Medicine Section of MMA and delegates of Cambodia and Vietnam discussed public cooperation in health care services. Associate Professor Cheong Pak Yean of Singaporean Medical Association presided over the afternoon-session of the meeting. Chairman of General Practitioners Section of MMA Dr Tin Aye and delegates of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam discussed family medicinal development of Asia-Pacific Region. The meeting successfully ended in the evening.
(5) Provisions donated to monasteries, nunneries
YANGON, 18 Nov-Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions and cash towards the fund of Thuseitayon Sarthintaik, Thirimingalar Pyawbwe Sarthintaik, Sasana Paragu Pariyatti Kyaungtaik and Phayathonsu Kyaungtaik in Kamayut Township, Yangon West District, at Thuseiktayon Sarthintaik this morning. Present were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, senior military officers, the officer on special duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental officials, local authorities, USDA members, Maternal and Child Welfare Association members, staff families and wellwishers.
The deputy minister, senior military officers and departmental officials presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Soe Thein and Officiating Colonel Air Staff (Mechanical-Air) Lt-Col Ye Chit Pe presented rice donated by Defence Services families to Ohndaw Kyaungtaik Padana Nayaka Sayadaw Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Chairman Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Pannasiha.
Then, Yangon City Development Committee, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon West District and Kamayut Township Peace and Development Councils, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise of Ministry of Mines and well-wishers also presented 111 bags of rice, 40 viss of edible oil, four bags of gram, 350 viss of iodized salt, 25 tubes of tooth paste and 910 bottles of traditional medicines to the Padana Nayaka Sayadaw.
Afterwards, YCDC, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon West District and Kamayut Township Peace and Development Councils, families of Traditional Medicine Department and wellwishers presented K 465,000 for soonpadethabin to the deputy minister, Captain Soe Thein (Navy), Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and Camp Commandant of Defence Services Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein, and Chairman of township Peace and Development Council U Wai Myo Khaing and Chairman of Thuseitayon Pariyatti Sarthintaik Pyinsayanuggaha Committee K 16.5 million for Thaddammanyani six-storey building of Thuseitayon Sarthintaik to Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein. Director of Directorate of People's Militia and Frontier Forces Brig-Gen Than Maung explained the purpose of the donations. Padana Nayaka of Thuseitayon Pariyatti Sarthintaik Sayadaw Bahaddanta Jagara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.
Similar ceremony was held at Thathanawdaya (Pyi) Nunnery in Mayangon Township this morning. Sayadaw Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita of Pyitsimayon Tekkatho Sarthintaik invested the congregation with the Eight Precepts. Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Captain Soe Thein (Navy) and Lt-Col Ye Chit Pe presented rice donated by the Tatmadaw families to nuns Daw Ponnavadi and Daw Dhammikavati. YCDC, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon West District and Kamayut Township Peace and Development Councils, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise and well-wishers also presented 90 bags of rice, 30 viss of edible oil, 40 viss of gram, 200 viss of iodized salt, 20 tubes of tooth paste, 700 bottles of traditional medicines and K 144,000 for soonpadethabin to the nuns.
Minister inspects construction works in Kyaukse
YANGON, 18 Nov- Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials, arrived at Shwe Zedi Home for the Aged in Kyaukse yesterday morning. The minister and party inspected the construction site and gave necessary instructions.
Then, the minister and party inspected construction of four-lane Zawgyi River Bridge at the entrance to Kyaukse. In the briefing hall, Deputy Superintending Engineer U Hsan Win of Bridge Construction Special Group-14 reported on progress of work in construction of the bridge. The minister gave instructions on efforts to be made for completion of the bridge ahead of schedule and attended to their needs. After that, the minister went to Panhsay Creek Bridge construction site on the road leading to Mandalay International Airport. Deputy Superintending Engineer U Hsan Win reported on work. The minister also inspected the paving of six-lane Shwekyetyet-Dok-htawady section of the road leading to Mandalay International Airport.
Minister inspects vegetable farm of Ministry of Home Affairs in Nyaunghnabin
YANGON, 18 Nov- Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, accompanied by the Director-General of Myanmar Police Force and directors-general, arrived at the vegetable farm of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Nyaunghnabin Village, Hmawby Township this afternoon.
Officials reported on cultivation of vegetables, land reclamation, water and power supply and sales of vegetables and fruits. The Director-General of MPF and directors-general gave supplementary reports. The minister gave instructions on efforts for successful establishment of vegetable patches, the laying down of systematic agricultural plans designed to carry out production work on a commercial scale, extended cultivation of various kinds of crops and sales of vegetables and fruits at tax-free markets month after month and efforts to be made for boosting production. Then, the minister inspected vegetable patches and gave necessary instructions. The minister also inspected the vegetable patches of Mingaladon Township General Administration Department.
Home Affairs Minister attends prize-presentation of extempore talks contestYANGON, 18 Nov-The prize-presentation for the first extempore talks contest, sponsored by Prisons Department Maternal and Child Welfare Association, was held at the Head Office of the Prisons Department at 7 p.m. yesterday, with an address by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.
Also present on the occasion were the deputy minister, Chairperson of Home Affairs Ministry MCWA Daw Khin Khin Hla, wife of the minister, and members, the director-general of Myanmar Police Force and directors-general of departments concerned, the deputy director-general of MPF and deputy directors-general, senior police officers and guests. Minister Col Tin Hlaing made a speech on the occasion. Then, the minister presented prizes to Pyitha Myanma Orchestra members who represented Yangon Division and won prizes at the Eighth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions. Later, the minister and wife, and officials gave away prizes to prize-winners of the extempore talks.
(7) Minister for Energy attends course conclusion ceremony
YANGON, 18 Nov- Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi delivered an address at concluding ceremony of Welder Training Course No 3 at the Training and Education School of No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) yesterday. The minister presented certificates to the trainees. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and officials. Then, the minister inspected the vegetables plantations and poultry farms of No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) and gave necessary instructions.
Delegates to HONLEA leave for homes
YANGON, 17 Nov- Officials of UNDCP, heads and delegates of Australia, Macau Special Administrative Region, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam who attended the Twenty-fourth Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Asia and the Pacific left for their respective countries by air today. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by officials of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Myanmar Police Force.
(8) Commander inspects regional development in Yangon East, North Districts
YANGON, 18 Nov-Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, accompanied by Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and officials, arrived Yangon East and North Districts and inspected regional development there.
First, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived at Masoyo Creek Bridge on No 2 Highway in Yangon East District where they were welcomed by Commander of No 2 Military Region Lt-Col Tin Oo Lwin and officials. Then, Head of Yangon Division Settlement and Land Records Department U Naing Win reported on digging of fish breeding ponds by KN Co, Director of SLRD U Tin Maung Win on work to be carried out for dredging of Masoyo Creek, Managing Director of KN Co U Tin Win on tasks for digging fish breeding ponds to the commander who gave instructions on speedy implementation of the project, digging of 100 fish breeding ponds and rendering assistance by division-level officials.
The commander and party proceeded to the work- site of digging of fish breeding ponds being undertaken by KN Co close to Batalin Village in Hlegu Township. At the briefing hall, Managing Director of KN Co U Tin Win reported on work being done for digging of ponds to the commander who attended to their needs. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected work being carried out with the help of heavy machinery and gave instructions.
Afterwards, the commander arrived at Chothe Orchid Garden in Sartalin Village and was conducted round the plantation by owner Daw Tin Kyi. The commander attended to her requirements. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than left there in the evening. There are 23,000 acres of fish breeding ponds in Yangon Division, and to meet 30,000 acres in open season of this year, the project will be implemented by national entrepreneurs and departmental officials.
(9) 52 members resign from Labutta Township NLD of own accord
YANGON, 18 Nov- Fifty-two members resigned of their own accord from the National League for Democracy of Labutta Township, Ayeyawady Division. Fifty-two members of Labutta Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Labutta Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 19 March 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
WEATHER REPORT
TODAYForecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 19th November 2000: Intermittent rain which may be heavy at time. Degree of certainty is 60%
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