Senior General Than Shwe attends opening of Anawrahta Bridge linking Chauk and Seikphyu on Ayeyawady River

Yangon, 4 April — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe attended a ceremony to open Anawrahta Bridge on Ayeyawady River in Magway Division today.

The main structure of the 5,191-foot Anawrahta Bridge, linking Chauk and Seikphyu townships in the division, is 4,191 feet long. The length of the approach bridge is 1,000 feet. The steel frame body of the main structure is supported by reinforced concrete pillars. The approach bridge built of reinforced concrete spans and floors is also supported by reinforced concrete pillars.

The motorway on it is 28 feet wide. Each of the pedestrian lanes on either side of the road is six feet wide. The waterway under the facility is 350 feet wide and its clearance is 60 feet at the highest water level.

Construction of the bridge started on 26 July 1996 was completed on 10 March 2001. It can bear up to 60-ton trucks. It was built at a cost of K 3,284 million and US $ 5.05 million.

Accompanied by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, senior military officers, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, heads of State Peace and Development Council Office and other departments, the Senior General left NyaungU for Chauk in Magway Division this morning.

On arrival at Chauk, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Commander of No 101 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Ye Myint, officials and members of Union Solidarity and Development Association.

Senior General Than Shwe and party then attended the opening ceremony which was held on Chauk bank.

Also present were division level officials of Magway Division, departmental per-sonnel of NyaungU and Kyaukpadaung townships in Mandalay Division and Magway, Yenangyoung, Chauk, Seikphyu, Pakokku, Minbu and Saw townships in Magway Division, members of USDA, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, teachers and their pupils, members of bands and dance troupes, local people, the superintending engineer and staff of the bridge contractor group of Public Works totalling over 20,000.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint said Ayeyawady and Chindwin Rivers flowing through Magway Division are valuable drainage systems of the nation as they are not only the main waterways for the people of the division but also the water courses where natural resources can be obtained. On the other hand, the rivers posed as natural barriers denying easy links between the people residing on either banks of the respective rivers.

Hsinbyushin Bridge, the first facility spanning the Chindwin, in Yesagyo Township was commissioned into service in September 1999 to ensure speedy transport between the two adjacent regions, the east bank and the west bank of the Ayeyawady.

The State built the Anawrahta Bridge, the second river crossing bridge in Magway Division, to ensure 24-hour speedy transport between the east and west banks of the Ayeyawady River.

The bridge has smoothen the traffic between Chauk Township on the east bank and Seikphyu Township on the west bank, providing with Seikphyu, Saw, Pauk and Kyaukhtu regions on the west bank and Mindat and Kanpelet townships in southern Chin State with better transport and economic and social development.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe with a view to bringing proportionate progress to all the regions of the Union to the most possible degree in the long run has laid down special projects to build bridges across all large and small rivers including the Aye-yawady, the Chindwin, the Thanlwin and the Sittoung.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe during his inspection of the facility on 14 April 1996 said the major bridges are being built to promote close contacts and overcome development imbalance between the regions due to transport difficulty.

Transport development will contribute to strengthening relations among the national people leading to enhancing a better understanding among them.

Efforts should be made for flourishing of Union Spirit, which is the mutual understanding and love between all the national races, who have lived in weal or woe on the same land since yore. Only when the correct patriotism, which will strengthen Union Spirit, can be vitalized will the unity among the national races be further cemented.

Roads and bridges have been extended in the entire nation to further consolidate national solidarity; in addition to the Anawrahta Bridge, other Ayeyawady River bridges, which are, Nawadae Bridge in Bago Division, Maubin and Bo Myat Tun bridges in Ayeyawady Division, and Bala Min Din Bridge in Kachin State, have already build by the present government. Thus, five new bridges have been built on the Ayeyawady River. Takaw-et and Tarsan bridges in Shan State and Hpa-an Bridge in Kayin State have been added on Thanlwin River.

The Secretary-3 then elaborated on building of bridges in the entire nation, totalling 63 bridges of lengths above 500 feet — 31 facilities (500-foot to 1,000-foot) and 32 facilities (over 1,000-foot). Moreover, bridges such as Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway), Ayeyawady River Bridge (Dedaye) and Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) are under construction at present.

Saidu bridge spanning the Myittha river, Mann Chaung bridge, Yaw Chaung bridge, Nwetamai bridge and Mone Chaung bridge have been built for smooth and convenient transport in the western part of Magway Division.

Improvement of transport is a prerequisite for development of all States and Divisions in the Union. To fulfil this requirement, a road network linking all the regions in the length and breadth of the Union is being built. Moreover, bridges are being built where and when necessary. Yangon-Sittway highway, like Pathein-Monywa highway lying west of this Anawrahta bridge, makes possible the travel by car from Rakhine State to other States and Divisions direct.

People in Rakhine State can now travel to Ayeyawady, Bago, Magway, Sagaing divisions by using Yangon-Sittway highway and then via Pathein-Monywa highway. Similarly, they can also journey to other States and Divisions by crossing the bridges spanning the Ayeyarwady river, namely, Nawaday bridge (Pyay) and this Anawrahta bridge. People in Chin State also can reach other States and Divisions through Hakha-Gangaw road or Mindat-Kyaukhtu-Saw road and then crossing Sinphyushin and Anawrahta bridges. In other words, States and Divisions have been linked with one another by these bridges. Magway Division also has now become a main gateway to Rakhine and Chin States.

All the national brethren born in the Union are to build a unified, consolidated and modern nation by making the most of advantages offered by these roads and bridges. It is because these roads are good infrastructures have been built with a view to ensuring the strength and development of the Union.

Moreover, as these infrastructures have been built by Myanmar engineers themselves on self-reliance and through their own technical know-how, they are milestones all the entire nation should value and be proud of.

We must regard the successful building of the Anawrahta bridge as the victory not only of Public Works, the Ministry of Construction, but also of the Union and all the nationals residing in it.

In conclusion, the State is indebted to all the staff of Public Works, the Ministry of Construction for their strenuous efforts for successful completion of Anawrahta bridge. In addition, on behalf of the State Peace and Development Council, I would like to thank the chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council, local officials and people for their assistance and cooperation in the construction of the bridge.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint said inauguration of the bridge has opened a network of direct links between Yangon and Seikphyu, Hsaw, Kanpelet and Mindat via Chauk, Pauk, Htilin, Gangaw, upper Chin State, Sagaing Division, Salin, Pwintphyu, Rakhine State via Minbu-Ann road, western bank of Ayeyawady River, Bago Division and Ayeyawady Division; thus further strengthening amity among the national people.

Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun said 127 bridges of over 180-foot in length have been constructed at a cost of over K 49 billion and over US $ 129 million. since 1988, new roads have been built at a cost of over K 7.5 billion.

Addressing the local people who were present at the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe said as the State and the entire people have wish for national development, the people also want regional development as well as individual progress. "If we want development we must work. No progress can be achieved without work", he said.

As work is the foundation of development, the government as well as the State service personnel and the people must work hard. The required human resources are being nurtured to enable the people to work intelligently and qualitatively.

In so doing, priority is being given to national education promotion task in order to acquire human resources of high education level. As health in addition to education is required to work effectively, the State has laid down plans to uplift the health standard of the people.If the people have real wish and goodwill for individual, regional and national progress, they all should work hard.

Senior General Than Shwe presented gifts to Superintending Engineer of the Bridge Project U Soe Han.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened the bridge.The Senior General unveiled the plaque.After inspecting the bridge, the Senior General and party cordially greeted local people present at the meeting.They also inspected Seikphyu development undertakings.

The Senior General and party were welcomed at Bagan-NyaungU Airport by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Commander of No 101 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Brig-Gen Than Tun of Kyaukpadaung Station and departmental officials.

The Senior General and party visited Lawkananda Tooth Relic Pagoda in Bagan and went around the pagoda clockwise.

Then, the Senior General made a cash donation to the pagoda funds through the chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees.The Senior General and party proceeded to Shwezigon Pagoda, and paid homage to the Buddha images at the eastern archway of the pagoda and then went around the pagoda clockwise. The Senior General also donated cash to the pagoda funds through the Pagoda Board of Trustees.

Before his departure, families of the shops of eastern stairway of the pagoda presented local products to the Senior General.The Senior General and party next visited Alodawpyi Pagoda, and the Senior General presented donations to the Pagoda Board of Trustees.Later, the Senior General and party visited renovated ancient pagoda No 1,478, Hsinmyashin Pagoda.

Yangon, 4 April—A coordination meeting on development of gem mining in Myanmar was held at the Ministry of Mines this morning, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were members of the Leading Committee for Development of Gem Mining in Myanmar, the attorney-general, members of Gem Supervisory Central Committee, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Mines.

The Secretary-1 said Myanmar is rich in valuable resources such as gems, minerals, petroleum and natural gas. There are major gem lands such as Mogok gem land, Mongshu gem land and Phakant jade land and small and medium gem lands and many regions with rich gold deposits, he said.

He spoke of the need for officials at different levels to take systematic measures on mining and trading of gems through proper management in the interest of the country. He said it would be beneficial to the country if tax could be collected fully.

He said various committees had been formed for development of gem mining. In the past, there were great losses to the country as the smugglers traded precious stones in unscrupulous ways. Therefore other nations made profits, he said.

He said the State earned US $ 16.57 million in 1998-99 financial year, US $ 23.46 million in 1999-2000 and US $ 47.8 million in 2000-2001 (up to March) since measures were taken in accord with the Myanmar Gems Law.The Secretary-1 said systematic plans are under way for the benefit of the nation and the people. He urged organizations and national entrepreneurs who received permits to mine gems to make efforts to earn profits without harming the interests of the State and in accord with rules and laws.

Next, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint reported on earnings of Myanma Gems Enterprise during 2000-2001, sale of jade, gems and pearl at the Mid-Year Gems Emporium, the 38th Myanma Gems
Emporium and progress of cooperation between the State and the private sector.

Chairman of the Gem Supervisory Central Committee Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein reported on cooperation between the government and national entrepreneurs, conditions of
organizations that received permits to mine gem and jade, efforts of the Gem Supervisory Central Committee and mining blocks in the gem lands. Those present took part in the discussions.The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

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( 9 ) Tree planting ceremony of Yangon Station held

Yangon, 4 April-Tree planting ceremony of Yangon Station under the arrangement of Yangon Command was held at the regional battalion in South Okkalapa Township this morning. Yangon Division Peace and development Council Chairman Command Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than delivered an address. Then, the commander and officers planted trees. A total of 107,970 saplings have been planted in Yangon station areas. Over 500,000 saplings have been grown and over 1.7 million saplings will be planted during monsoon in Yangon Division. The commander met with military officers concerned and discussed implementation of agriculture and livestock breeding tasks. About 2,000 viss of chicken, 30,000 eggs and 3,000 viss of fish produced from regiments and units under Yangon Command are sold daily at tax-free markets and other markets.

Drug abusers sentenced

Yangon, 4 April-Members of the local intelligence unit and local Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, found 42 marijuana plants weighing 146.97 grams near Kyaw Hlaing's hut at Moksoema ridge on the west of Bago Yoma in Phyu Township on 27 November 2000. Action was taken against Kyaw Hlaing, 32, of Khintangyi Village in Phyu Township and U Shwe Phe, 70, of Ophogon Village in Phyu Township in accord with Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The Phyu Township Court handed down five years' imprisonment under Section 15 and seven yearsÕ imprisonment under section 16 (A) on Kyaw Hlaing to serve separately and four years' imprisonment under Section 15 on U Shwe Phe on 12 March.

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