(1) Success being achieved in rooting out narcotic drugs contributes to strengthening national solidarity

Myanmar actively cooperating with neighbours in combating narcotics 

YANGON, 12 July - The Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control held a special meeting at the
Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon, addressed by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development  Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said Myanmar has been laying down and implementing projects to eliminate the narcotic  drugs without fail. During the time of ancient Myanmar kings decrees were issued to eradicate the drugs;  and after the nation regained independence, it launched major military operations to continue its efforts to  combat the drugs and destroy the poppy fields.

The present government has made endeavours to organize the national race armed groups including those  from the poppy cultivated areas to return to the legal fold and lay down plans for progress of border areas  and national races to eliminate the drugs. In accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General  Than Shwe, the 15-year Narcotics Elimination Plan has been laid down and is being implemented.  Success has been achieved to a certain degree in implementing the tasks at the end of the second year of  the plan.

Efforts are being made to organize the ethnic leaders and regional people to participate in implementing  the plan. The nation is spending a large amount of cash to develop the areas such as Mongla, Kokang, Wa  and Mongkoe regions and to cultivate poppy substitute crops there. Due to the participation of the ethnic  leaders and the local people, the task is achieving success. In the past, military operations were launched  to fight against the scourge of the narcotics; but these operations were not able to totally wipe out the  drugs, and instead causing loss of life of both sides and misunderstanding among the national people. But  when the border areas development task and the drug elimination task have been jointly launched in  accord with the guidance of the Head of State, it is found that the success, which has been achieved in  rooting out the drugs, is also contributing to the national solidarity.

Myanmar alone will not be able to root out the drugs which is a scourge to the entire mankind and all the  countries where drug production and trafficking exist should also give priority to wiping out the narcotics.  The nation has been implementing the 15-year Narcotics Elimination Plan, although it received no  assistance from any nation or organization.

Thus, the ministries concerned should make strenuous efforts in taking part in the task from the respective  sectors. Myanmar is actively cooperating with the neighbouring countries in combating the narcotics.  Myanmar and the People's Republic of China signed a memorandum of understanding on joint control of  narcotic drugs, psychotrophic substances and precursor chemicals in Yangon in January 2001.

The country also successfully hosted the Ministerial, Senior Officials and High Level Officials Meetings  of the Signatory Countries to the Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control in East Asia and the  Pacific sub-region, which are, Myanmar, Thailand, PRC, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, this year. During  the Thai Prime Minister's visit to Myanmar, Myanmar and Thailand signed an MoU on cooperation in  Narcotic Drugs, Psychotrophic Substances and Precursor Chemicals Control on 20 June.

The most significant achievement this year is the opening of the grand Drug Elimination Museum, which  the entire nation is proud of, on 26 June, hailing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit  Trafficking. The museum was constructed in accord with the guidance of the Head of State with the aim  of enabling the people to witness, understand and stay away from the danger of narcotic drugs which  could wipe out the entire mankind, to enable the world nations to know Myanmar's drug eradication  endeavours throughout the successive eras and to further strengthen the determination to fight against the  drugs. The cooperative efforts of the ministries concerned are also being displayed at the museum.

Also present at the meeting were 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, the ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, deputy ministers, senior military  officers, members of CCDAC, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office,  heads of department and officials of the working bodies.

Chairman of CCDAC Minister Col Tin Hlaing reported on implementation of the plan for eradication of  drugs in Kokang, Wa and Mongkoe regions under the 15-year narcotic drugs elimination plan, conditions  of narcotic drugs education plan being undertaken by the World Concern group in cooperation with  CCDAC and UNDCP, issue of the communiqué' after the ministerial level meeting of member countries  that signed MoU on drugs control in East Asia and the Pacific sub-region, measures of Myanmar anti-drug squads, cultivation of opium and destruction of poppy plantations, seizures of opium, heroin, stimulant tablets and Ephedrine, works of

Shwepyitha and Shwepyiaye Youth Rehabilitation Centres and progress of work and successful opening  of Drug Elimination Museum. Secretary of CCDAC Police Maj-Gen Soe Win reported on resolutions of  CCDAC's Special Meeting 5/2000 and work done on resolutions of CCDAC's meeting 1/2001.

Those present discussed treatment for drug addicts and rehabilitation, drug control programmes, narcotic  drugs law, punishment and cultivation and livestock breeding activities in connection with drugs control.  The Secretary-1 said compared with other nations, Myanmar has few drug users because of the religion,  customs and social ethics of Myanmar people.

In order not to spread drug addiction, the schools need to control such practice. Action must be taken  against those who bring in narcotic drugs and stimulants through sea, air and land routes, he said. Some  big Western nations wrongly accused Myanmar of violating democracy and human rights. Now they are  making accusations that drugs addiction and outbreak of AIDS in our country are on the increase, he said.

He said the government has to successfully implement the 15-year narcotic drugs elimination plan laid  down. The Secretary-1 called for cooperation with the ministries concerned, organizations and officials in  implementation of the 15-year plan and particular plan for eradication of narcotic drugs in Kokang, Wa  and Mongkoe regions.

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(2) Deputy Prime Minister receives Canadian Ambassador 

YANGON, 12 July- On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union  of Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Ambassador of Canada  to the Union of Myanmar Mr Bernard Giroux who has completed his tour of duty here at the Guest House  of the Ministry of Defence this afternoon. Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win  Aung and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

Minister U Aung Thaung meets Indian guests

YANGON, 12 July- Minister for Industry 1 U Aung Thaung met Vice-President Mr Bhagwati Khaitan of  Global Expo Co. Ltd of India at his office at 2 p.m. today. Also present at the call were Director-General  of Directorate of Industries U Tin Hlaing, Director-General of Industrial Coordination and Inspection  Department U San Kyi, Managing Director of Myanma Ceramics Industries U Than Shwe, Managing  Director of Myanma Foodstuff Industries U Kyaw Myint, Managing Director of Myanma Textile  Industries U Oo Thein Maung and officials.

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(3) Chinese delegation calls on F&R Minister

YANGON, 12 July- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received General Manager  Mr Zhang Mengqun of China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation and  party of the People's Republic of China at his office this afternoon. Also present was Governor of the  Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

Commerce Minister receives MD of Bernas Co. Ltd 

YANGON, 12 July-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone received Managing Director Dr Larry C.Y  Wong of Bernas Co. Ltd of Malaysia at his office at 5 p.m. today. Also present on the occasion were  Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Kyaw Hsan, Director-General U Nyunt Aye of Directorate of  Trade, Director-General U Nay Win of Border Trade Department, Managing Director U Min Hla Aung of  Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials.
 
Minister for CPT leaves for Malaysia 

YANGON, 12 July-Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw left here  today to attend the First ASEAN Telecommunications Ministers Meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur,  Malaysia, from 13 to 14 July. The minister was seen off at the airport by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen.  Ohn Myint, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, heads of Myanma Posts and  Telecommunications and families. The minister was accompanied by Assistant General Manager of MPT  U Zaw Tint as member.

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(4) Monks honoured in Nyaungshwe

YANGON, 12 July - The monks who passed the religious examinations of Shan State were honoured in  Nyaungshwe Township on 10 July. Present were eminent Sayadaws, Chairman of Shan State Peace and  Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo and wife Daw Khin Lay  Myint, members of Shan State Peace and Development Council, departmental personnel, families, donors  and local people. After receiving the Five Precepts, the commander and party offered "soon " to the  Sayadaws. They then presented offertories to the Sayadaws and the monks who passed the religious  examinations. The congregation shared the merits gained. Of the 2,210 candidates in Shan State 1,607  monks passed the examinations.

Waso robe-offering ceremony held

YANGON, 12 July-Yangon Command held a Waso robe-offering ceremony at the prayer hall of the headquarters this morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka  Committee Sayadaw of Cindarama Kyaungtaik Maha Saddhamma Jotika-dhaja Bhaddanta Kosalla and  Sayadaws, 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 and wife Daw  Malar Tint, the deputy commander and wife, tactical operations commanders and their wives, officers and  other ranks and family members.

The congregation received the Five Precepts for the chairman Sayadaw. Led by the commander and wife,  those present offered Waso robes to members of the Sangha. The chairman Sayadaw delivered a sermon,  followed by sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, " soon " was offered to members of the Sangha.
 
Cash and kind donated to Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha

YANGON, 12 July-The Buddhist Mission led by Sasanabaing Sayadaw Ven Hei Dien of China (Taipei)  donated cash and kind to Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha at the Yeiktha on Sasana Yeiktha Street, Bahan  Township, here, this morning. Present on the occasion were Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha  Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kesara, members of the Yeiktha Ovadacariya and  members of the Sangha, Sayadaw Ven Hei Dien and members of the Sangha, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife  of Lt-Gen. Tin Oo, Daw Khin Khin, wife of Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U  Ko Lay, Daw Khin Nyunt Myaing, wife of Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Daw Khin Khin Ohn, wife of  Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Daw Mu Mu, wife of YCDC  member Col Thaung Wai, executives of the Yeiktha Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Federation, Hitesi Group  and Group for Taking Care of Woman Yogis and guests. Sayadaw Ven Hei Dien explained the purpose of  the donation.

Ovadacariya of the Yeiktha Rector of International Theravada Buddha Missionary University Agga Maha  Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Dr Silananda-bhivamsa administered the Eight Precepts and delivered a sermon. Then, Sayadaw Ven Hei Dien and party presented K 1 million for trust  fund of the Yeiktha, K 1 million for private trust fund and K 1 million for renovation of buildings in  Yeiktha to Chairman of the Buddha Sasana Nuggaha Federation U Tin Wan, who presented a certificate  of honour to them. Later, they also presented offertories to 300 Sayadaws and members of the Sangha,  followed by sharing of merits gained. The Mission of China (Taipei) received a Kammathana sermon  from Sayadaw of the Yeiktha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Kammathanacariya Bhaddanta Catila and  practised meditation there.

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(5) ASEAN Photo Competition and Exhibition Organizing Work Committee meets

YANGON, 12 July - ASEAN Photo Competition and Exhibition Organizing Work Committee held a  meeting at Information and Public Relations Department (Head Office) this morning. Chairman of the  committee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Aung Thein delivered an address. Member of the  committee Director-General of IPRD U Chit Naing explained salient points of the exhibition. The  participants that included members of the committee, departmental personal and IPRD officials gave  suggestions. The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the deputy minister. Handsome prizes  will be presented to the winners. Those who wish to present extra prizes to the winners may contact Prizes  Presentation Subcommittee at IPRD.
 
Experiences on MMCWA Conference recounted

YANGON, 12 July-A ceremony to recount experiences on annual general meeting of Myanmar Maternal  and Child Welfare Association and the coordination meeting on future tasks sponsored by Bago Division  Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at Ketuyadana Hall in Tounggoo on 11 July morning,  attended by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern  Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen. Maung Ni and senior military officers Secretary of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Min, officials and others.  Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye made a speech on the occasion. Then, Chairman of Bago Division MCWA  Head of Bago Division Health Department Dr Maung Maung Myint presented experiences of the annual  general meeting of MMCWA and work being carried out by MCWAs in Bago Division and future tasks,  followed by a general round of discussions.

Next, the commander presented prizes to outstanding MCWAs. In the afternoon, the commander attended the opening of self-reliant auto-telephone exchange by FISCA Security & Electrical Engineering  Co. Ltd and Telephone Installation Supervisory Committee of the Market Board of Trustees at Myoma  Market in Taunggyi. Officials of the company and Bago Division Development Committee formally  opened the auto-telephone exchange, and the commander and officials inspected the communication  systems. The commander then attended to the needs. Later, General Manager U Zaw Min presented K  500,000 for regional development and gifts to the commander and officials. The auto-telephone exchange  is Philips D-120 EPABX. The project costs K 16.5 million.

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(6) Minister inspects site chosen for construction of Kyauksayit Dam in Thaton Township

YANGON, 12 July-Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, accompanied by
Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen.  Myint Swe, chairmen of Thaton District/Township Peace and Development Councils, Director-General of  Irrigation Department U Kyaw San Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agriculture Service U Tun  Than, Director-General of Water Resources Utilization Department U Win Shwe and officials, held a  discussion on construction of Kyauksayit Dam at Wiyaw Village near Thein Seik in Thaton Township.  Then, the minister and party inspected the site chosen for the project.

The directors and engineers of ID reported on the site chosen to the minister who joined in the discussion.  In the afternoon, the minister inspected oil palm plantations and oil hand mill at Ingabo Oil Palm  Plantation of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise in Kyaikhto Township and gave instructions.  Afterwards, the minister and party inspected the sale of vegetables, fruits and agriculture produce at  Vegetables and Fruits Shop of Vegetables and Fruits Development and Research Centre in Hlegu  Township, Yangon Division and attended to the needs.
 
Mayor tours Mingaladon Township

YANGON, 12 July-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by  officials, inspected the hatching of chicken, construction of feedstuff-mixer and the breeding of layers being undertaken by YCDC in Mingaladon Township yesterday. The mayor heard a report by the officials  on weekly production of 5,000 foreign breed chicks at Pale Poultry Farming Camp in Mingaladon  Township.

The commander gave instructions on production of broiler-chicks and boosting of weekly-production of  chick from 5,000 to 15,000. Then, he proceeded to construction site for building 40-ton feedstuff mixer  near Pyinmabin Village, the same township, and left instructions on timely completion and production of  quality feedstuff. After that, he inspected breeding of 150,000 layers and production of eggs at Htaukkyant  Layers Farming Camp in Mingaladon Township and left instructions.

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(7) Myanmar seafarers continue to enjoy trust and confidence of foreign ship owners and employers

YANGON, 12 July- Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization confirmed  that Myanmar was inducted into its IMO White List together with other 95 member nations at its 74th  session held from 30 May to 8 June 2001. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United  Nations Agency, empowered to promote safer ships and cleaner oceans promulgated its amendments to  the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) 1978 in 1995 and declared certain  deadlines by which parties to the STCW convention would provide information that they had given full  and complete effect to the provisions of the STCW' 95.

The Ministry of Transport amended the Myanmar Merchant Shipping Act in 1999 and 2000. At the same  time, Myanmar took necessary measures of IMO successfully on 7 March 2001 and attended the 74th  session of Maritime Safety Committee held in May 2001. The Myanmar seafarer continues to enjoy the  trust and confidence of foreign ship owners and employers while the Department of Marine  Administration, in its unceasing efforts to maintain as well as upgrade the proficiency of these seafaring professionals through exacting training and examination procedures, have secured bilateral recognition of  competency certificates from many countries, including most notably, the MCA (Maritime and Coast  guard Agency) of the United Kingdom (UK). Out of 50,000 seafarers, about 40 per cent are serving on  board various types of ocean-going vessels of different flags and registries. The Department of Marine  Administration under the Ministry of Transport directly oversees the competency examination and  certification of these seafarers.
 
Village school opens multimedia teaching centre

YANGON, 12 July - The Basic Education High School of Htandaw village in YeU Township, Shwebo  District, Sagaing Division, opened its multimedia teaching centre on 9 July. Present at the ceremony were  Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command  Maj-Gen Soe Win, departmental personnel, local authorities, the education officer, teachers, students,  members of social organizations and local elders. Headmistress Daw Yu Yu Naing and Chairman of the  School Board of Trustees U Ke formally opened the centre. The commander and party inspected the  centre. After looking into the requirements of the school, the commander presented teaching aids to the  headmistress. During the inspection of monsoon paddy cultivation in Dipayin and YeU townships in  Shwebo District, he met members of agricultural supervisory committees.

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(8)  CSSTB Chairman inspects CICS (Phaunggyi)

YANGON, 12 July-Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyunt,
accompanied by members U Nyunt Swe, U Aung Myint, U Hla Myint Oo, U Kaung Nyunt and
departmental heads, arrived at the Central Institute of Civil Service (Phaunggyi) this morning. Chairman  Dr Than Nyunt and party together with Rector Col Win Maung met with staff of the institute and gave  instructions. Then, the chairman and party inspected library, research centre, hostels and lecture halls,  construction and maintenance work, agricultural undertakings, hospital of the institute and tailoring  service and gave necessary instructions and left there in the afternoon.

Workshop on Myanmar Character Code Set 14 July

YANGON, 12 July-Workshop on explanation of Myanmar Character Code Set certified in International  Standardization Organization (ISO) No 10646 and Unicode Standard Version 3.0 and future work will be  held at International Business Centre on Pyay Road here on 14 July. Myanmar Character Code Set  Standardization Committee has invited those interested in Myanmar Character Code Set.

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(9) 234 drug-related cases exposed in May

YANGON, 12 July-The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 234  drug-related cases in May, 2001. The authorities seized 27.3129 kilos of opium in 35 cases, 2.2519 kilos  of heroin in 75 cases, 0.1661 kilo of opium oil in three cases, 0.3555 kilo of low grade opium in six cases,  48.8653 kilos of marijuana in 21 cases, 227.58 litres of Phensedyl in five cases, 2,058,038 stimulant tablets in 56 cases, 200 kilos of Ephedrine in one case, 518.0038 kilos of stimulant powder in one case,  2.3 litres of cough syrup in one case, 1,136.5 litres of Acetic Anhydride in one case, 254.576 litres of  chemical liquid in one case, 0.25 kilo of chemical powder, 24 cases for failure and four other cases.  Action was taken against 346 peopleÑ274 men and 72 women in connection with the cases in May.

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