( 1 ) Secretary-1 inspects cultivation of opium-substitute crops in Wa Namtip region, Shan State (North)

Yangon, 2 Aug- Chairman of the Working Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt left Lashio for Chinshwehaw, Laukkaing District, yesterday morning. The Secretary-1 was accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Brig-Gen Zaw Win of Laukkai Station, Secretary of Laukkai District Organizing and Administration Committee Maj Tin Ohn, Chairman of Chinshwehaw Organizing and Administration Committee Maj Kyaw Zeya and officials. The Secretary-1 and party met with departmental employees who are discharging duty at Chinshwehaw. The ministers and the deputy ministers reported on the assistance being provided by the ministries concerned. The commander gave a supplementary report. Then, the Secretary-1 said that it has been for eleven years since peace was restored in the region. Previously, the region lagged behind in education, health and other social sectors, and the transport condition was not in good condition, either.

Now the region is enjoying peace and the transport condition is improving. Kokang region is the first place where tasks for the development of border areas and national races, which have begun since 1989, have been implemented. Only after these tasks have started in Kokang region, they have been carried out in other regions including Wa region. Although the government has been providing as much assistance as possible for Laukkaing District and Kokang region, development has not been achieved as expected. Local national race leaders and employees need to cooperate in carrying out regional development tasks. The employees who are discharging in these regions are required to work harder. Employees have been sent to border areas so that they can carry out regional development tasks. Only when the region is making economic progress, will national solidarity be stronger and the region be peaceful. Therefore, the employees need to adopt the attitude that they are assigned a special regional development task.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented gifts to the employees in Chinshwehaw through officials. Later, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Wa Namtip in the special border area-2 at the Myanmar-China border. They were welcomed there by U Kyauk Wun Kwan, U Kyauk Aik Nat and U Kyauk Kyone Tan and officials. The Secretary-1 and party had a cordial meeting with Wa national race leaders from Namtip at the township office. The Wa national race leaders expressed their pleasure for the visit of the Secretary-1 to their region. They reported that they found it difficult to carry out development tasks in Namtip at first. Against all the odds, they continued to work and at last, they have achieved development. In Namtip region, there are Phalin Mine and Kyinchan Mine.

This year the people in the region have cultivated more paddy not only in the fields but also on hill-sides than they did last year. According to the opium eradication plan, arrangements are being made to shift 300 opium-cultivating households on the hill to the plain, and 200 households have been shifted. In the region, paddy, rubber, corn and lychee plants have been cultivated and they are thriving now. In addition, arrangements are being made to build a canning factory and a rubber plant. Roads in the town need asphalting. Then, the Secretary-1 said that the purpose of his visit to the region is to look into the requirements of cultivation of opium-substitute crops and of regional development tasks. Wa nationals are carrying out agricultural and livestock breeding work diligently, and the plantations have stretched as far as the eye can see. It is satisfying to see the efforts to develop Wa region and to uplift the living standard of Wa nationals.

The Secretary-1 recalled that when he arrived at Namtip region ten years ago, there were only 25 huts. Now the town is full of brick houses and thriving. The development of Namtip region means that of the Union. He expressed his belief that the efforts of Wa national race leaders to rid Wa region of narcotic drugs by 2005 will meet with success. The groups led by deputy ministers from ministries concerned will be sent to regions including Namtip, Mongmaw, Khwinmar and Phansan to attend to the needs of agriculture, livestock breeding, education and health. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung and Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing reported on the assistance to be provided for Namtip region. Next, the Secretary-1 and the Wa national leaders exchanged gifts.

The Secretary-1 viewed the Namtip region map and the map showing cultivation of opium-substitute crops in the region. The Secretary-1 also had a cordial meeting with the government employees who are discharging duty at Namtip region and presented gifts to them. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party inspected cultivation of opium-substitute crops  500,000 rubber plants and 220,000 Lychee plants. The Wa national leaders reported to the Secretary-1 and party on cultivation of  perennial crops, and accompanied them to the border of Chinshwehaw.

The Secretary-1 and party toured Chinshwehaw, and left there for Kunlong by car in the afternoon. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Tactical Operations Commander Col Wun Maung and officials of the Training School for the Development of Border Areas and National Races, Principal of the school U Hla Myint Oo and staff and trainees. The Secretary-1 had a cordial meeting with the trainees of the school and presented gifts to them. The Secretary-1 and party arrived back Lashio at 7 pm. The Secretary-1 and party left there for Yangon by Tatmadaw aircraft this morning.

Secretary-1 meets Kokang national race leader

Yangon, 2 Aug- Chairman of the Working Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met with Kokang national race leader U Phon Kya Shin and party of Special Region-1 of Shan State (North) at Shweli Guest House of North-East Command in Lashio at 7.30 pm on 31 July.

Also present together with the Secretary-1 were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department. U Phon Kya Shin reported on efforts for development of Kokang region, agricultural, livestock breeding and narcotic drug eradication tasks and requirements. The Secretary-1 attended to the requirements, and spoke of the need for the Kokang national race leaders to take systematic measures to fulfil of the basic needs of national races in Kokang region, to carry out agricultural and livestock breeding work more diligently and cooperate with authorities in striving for the eradication of narcotic drugs. The Secretary-1 and U Phon Kya Shin exchanged gifts.

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( 2 )  More urban people relying on traditional medicines with confidence Need to develop practitioners' qualification and traditional medicine and therapies stressed

Yangon, 2 Aug- The one-year Traditional Medicine Practitioners Course No 1 of the Traditional Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health concluded at the Institute of Nursing this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. The Secretary-1 said the genuine Myanmar traditional medicine has firmly existed throughout the nation's long history; and it is also a traditional heritage offering effective health care for all the national people of Myanmar throughout successive periods.

The government has been laying down and implementing the national health programmes to promote public health care in accord with the objective Ñ Uplift of the standard of health and fitness of the entire nation. In so doing, it has acknowledged the potency of traditional medicines and systematically laid down plans for the progress and flourishing of traditional medicine, the uplifting of the standard of traditional medicine, and promotion of public health care wiht indigenous medicine. Time and again, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe is giving guidance for the development of traditional medicine; he has already given the guidance to restore and develop the vanishing valuable traditional medical sciences and to upgrade the standard of the traditional medicine through scientific means with the aim of enabling it to be on a par with the western medical science, and to standardize indigenous medicines.

The government has gained success in striving to promote and disseminate the knowledge of indigenous medicine in accord with the guidance of the Head of State; programmes to develop indigenous medicine has been included in the national health plan; and the Traditional Medicine Department was formed under the Ministry of Health in 1997 to undertake the task. The State enacted the Traditional Medicine Council Law and also formed the Traditional Medicine Council in accord with the law to help uplift the quality of indigenous medicine practitioners and to unite them. The State had already sponsored the first Myanmar Traditional Medical Practitioners' Conference and Traditional Medicine and Medical Equipment Exhibition.

At the Conference, the participants discussed the raising of the standard of indigenous medicine and laid down future programmes. Due to the discussions and decisions made at the conference, it is believed that a consolidated Myanmar Traditional Medical Practitioners' Association will emerge soon. Before the organizing of the conference, the traditional medicine practitioners' meetings and paper reading sessions were held annually in states and divisions in turn; the meetings and paper reading sessions have restored and recorded potent medicines and therapies used by different sects of indigenous medicine practitioners. The 50-bed traditional medicine hospitals were commissioned into service in Yangon and Mandalay, and the 16-bed traditional medicine hospitals, in Pathein, Ayeyawady Division, Myeik, Taninthayi Division, Taunggyi, Shan State, Myitkyina, Kachin State, Pyay, Bago Division, Mawlamyine, Mon State, Sittway, Rakhine State and Monywa, Sagaing Division. Arrangements are being made to open 16-bed hospitals in Magway, Magway Division, and Hpa-an, Kayin State. Moreover, over 200 township dispensaries and 14 district dispensaries have already been opened.

Rare and species of potent herbal plants are being preserved at nine herbal gardens. Due to the efforts made by the government in developing traditional medicine, its potency and effects are being acknowledged by the world nations. As western medicines are causing more side-effects, the world nations are relying more and more on natural medicines and food supplements. Myanmar traditional medicines are composed with such ingredients as roots, tubers, bulbs, natural items and animal products. The nature of food supplement, which is popular among the world nations at present, is in accord with the concept of the diet of Myanmar traditional medicine. Thus it can be said that the time has arrived for Myanmar traditional medicine to become popular abroad.

In Myanmar rural people have relied on the traditional medicine since the time of their ancestors. At present the indigenous medicine is winning the trust and reliance of the urban people more and more. Concerning the uplift of the qualifications of the traditional medicine practitioners, the Head of State has given a guidance, saying that a course should be opened to systematically promote of the efficiency of the private indigenous medicine practitioners, who are treating patients through various methods and to present certificates to them. In this context, a one year Traditional Medicine Practitioner Course was opened in Mandalay. After the opening of the third course in Mandalay, arrangements were being made to open such courses in Yangon also. The one-year courses are being organized with the fine objectives  to raise the qualifications of the traditional medicine practitioners, for harmonious development of the indigenous medicine, drugs and therapies, and for emergence of brilliant indigenous medicine practitioners holding course certificates. In this manner, the courses will help develop and flourish traditional medicine and promote public health care undertakings.

It is also believed that the course will help strengthen the amity and the Union Spirit among the trainees who came there from various parts of the country and will enable the trainees to exchange and share their knowledge on the field. The trainees should strive for continued existence of the indigenous medicine as a traditional science and to promote public health care undertakings through the indigenous medicine as a national task. As the nation is striving to restore the nearly extinct traditional medical sciences, treatises, manuscripts, effective therapies, potent drugs and herbal plants, the practitioners should strive to development their branch of knowledge. The one-year courses will be continuously conducted in Yangon and Mandalay; in addition to the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Mandalay, a new University of Traditional Medicine will be opened. As the State will take the duty to continuously open traditional medicine practitioner courses, the practitioners should make efforts for further development and flourishing of the indigenous medicine and emergence of more potent drugs.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the trainees to strive with the potency of the traditional medicine for the health and fitness of the entire Myanmar people in enabling the nation to get abreast of other nations; to make efforts to promote public health care sector with the use of genuine and potent traditional medicines; and to strive with national outlook or further development and flourishing of the traditional medicine, to invent potent medicines and to restore and search effective therapies to enable the traditional medicine to be on a par with the western medicine.

Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the directors-general and the rectors of the Ministry of Health, heads of department, traditional medicine physicians, course instructors, members of the social organizations, officials of the WHO Resident Representative Office, guests and trainees. The Secretary-1 presented prizes to the outstanding trainees. Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented certificates through the representative U Maung Maung Oo. The Secretary-1 then cordially greeted the traditional medicine physicians and the trainees. A total of 133 trainees attended the course.

( 3 ) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of USA

Yangon, 2 Aug- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Deputy Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America Mr Ralph Boyce, who is currently here, at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 5 pm today. Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Charge d' Affaires ai of the embassy of the United States of America Ms Priscilla A Clapp.

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( 4 ) Minister inspects mulberry tree plantations and factory

Yangon, 2 Aug- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected Chaymyitpin mulberry tree plantation of Myanma Cotton and Sericulture Enterprise in Nawnghkio Township yesterday morning. Managing Director Dr Thein Htay and General Manager U Sein Win reported on the cultivation of mulberry trees undertaken by entrepreneurs and the raising of silk worms. The minister met with the those who grow mulberry and raise silkworms and inspected mulberry tree plantations and cobwebs.

The minister then arrived at Pyawlwe Coffee Factory of Myanma Farms Enterprise in Pwaytaung, PyinOoLwin Township, and inspected production process of Pyawlwe coffee and Pyawlwe Teamix. He also inspected machinery at Doekwin MFE and gave instructions on maintenance of the machinery. He viewed artemisia plantations and heard the report by Managing Director of MFE U Tun Than. Afterwards, the minister and party arrived at the sericulture factory of MCSE and inspected production work and gave instructions.

Minister inspects coal exploration work in Magway Division

Yangon, 2 Aug- Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, together with Director-General of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department U Win Thein and officials, met with township-level departmental officials at the guest house of Myanma Timber Enterprise and executives of Saw Township Union Solidarity and Development Association at the office of the association in Saw on 28 July. Then, the minister and party inspected the TV relay station and staff quarters and the office of the Information and Public Relations Department in Saw Township. On 29 July, the minister went to Laungshay Village in Saw, and proceeded to the coal survey camp in Nwama Hill region. Geologists U Thein Hsint and U Soe Thiha reported on feasible studies and progress of work. The minister and party inspected coal exploration work. On 30 July morning, the minister inspected coal blocks in Bawat Creek near Nagapwet Village, Saw Township. The minister met with the chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council and the chairman of Minbu District Peace and Development Council and discussed coal exploration work.

The minister proceeded to the coal survey camp in Sedoktara Township. Geologist U Aung San and officials conducted the minister and party around coal mining blocks. The minister went to Mon Creek Dam Project, where Deputy Director-General of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department reported on exploration work carried out in Sedoktara and Ngaphe Townships. On 31 July morning, the minister and party inspected the construction of Mon Creek Dam and proceeded to Letpanto Oil Field. Geologist U Nyunt Htay of Letpanto Coal Survey Camp conducted the minister and party around coal mining blocks, and reported on matters related to coal exploration work. Yesterday the minister went to the iron and steel factory in PyinOoLwin through Mandalay, and gave instructions on the work.

( 5 ) Commerce Minister receives Korean delegation

Yangon, 2 Aug-  Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Chairman of SMK International Co Ltd Mr Chung Moon Sang and party of the Republic of Korea at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials.

U Kyaw Tint Swe accredited to Cuba

Yangon, 3 Aug-  The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Kyaw Tint Swe, Permanent Representative of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, New York, concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Cuba.

( 6 ) USDA CEC member tours Sagaing

Yangon, 2 Aug-  Union Solidarity and Development Association Central Executive Committee member Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint attended the opening of artesian well donated by Wetlet Township USDA at Mingalar Yesin Village in Wetlet Township, Sagaing Division, on 30 July. Then, he attended the ceremony to submit membership applications held at Pauktaw Village, Ingyinbin Village Tract, in KhinU Township and accepted 7,500 applications.

USDA CEC member meets executives

Yangon, 2 Aug- Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Pan Aung met with the executives of Ayeyawady Division USDA and Pathein District and Township USDAs in Pathein yesterday morning. He discussed matters related to courses, meetings and keeping and checking of statistics. The CEC member attended the opening ceremony of new building of the Road Transport Administration Department in Maubin in Ayeyawady Division in the afternoon. Also present on the occasion were Director-General of the RTAD U Hla Thaung Myint, Director-General of the Transport Planning Department U Kyaw San, the Secretary of district Peace and Development Council and members, members of district USDA, departmental officials and local people. The Director-General of RTAD and the Secretary of district Peace and Development Council formally opened the ceremony and Minister U Pan Aung unveiled the billboard.

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( 7 )  Mayor inspects prawn breeding camps

Yangon, 2 Aug- Yangon City Development Committee Chairman Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by officials, inspected Kyauktan Prawn Breeding camp, Agricultural and Livestock Breeding camp and Aung Mingala Poultry Farm in North Okkalapa Township this morning. He arrived at the prawn breeding camp of the Production Department of YCDC near Kayet Village in Kyauktan Township, where Joint-Secretary of YCDC U Kyi Win, Production Department Head U Than Sein and officials reported on quality, size and production of prawn at the prawn breeding pond No A-6 and breeding tasks carried out at pond Nos A-7 and A-8 to him. The mayor gave necessary instructions. Then the mayor proceeded to the Agricultural and Livestock Breeding camp in North Okkalapa Township, inspected the camp and gave instructions to the officials. Afterwards, he gave instructions on preventive measures against diseases, minimizing of production expenditure and systematic supervision to the officials at Aungmingala Poultry Farm in the township.

Cash donated to MMCWA

Yangon, 2 Aug- A ceremony to donate cash to the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the hall of the association at the corner of Parami Road and Thanthuma Road in South Okkalapa Township this morning, attended by Chairperson of the MMCWA Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, CEC members and donors. Chairperson Ms Luxana of Bangkok-based Regina International Co Ltd presented US $ 3,000 and Ambassador of Myanmar to Malaysia U Hla Maung and wife Daw Thanda Khin K 200,000 for the association to Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe who accepted the donations and presented certificates of honours to the donors. Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks.

Symposium on breastfeeding on 4 August

Yangon, 2 Aug- Interested persons may join the Symposium on Breastfeeding in the Information Age of the Myanmar Medical Association (Central) to be held at Hall-B of the association at 249, Theinbyu Street in Mingalar Taungnyunt Township from 1 to 3 pm on 4 August.

( 8 ) Volleyball Tourney opened

Yangon, 2 Aug- The opening ceremony of Year 2001 Commander-in-Chief (Navy)'s Shield Volleyball Tournament was held at Thiha Thura Tun Tin hall of Ayeyawady Naval Region Command Headquarters yesterday morning. Ayeyawady Naval Region Command Headquarters Commander Captain Maw Thein delivered an opening speech and formally opened the tournament. Also present were Commander of Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters Commodore Paw Tun, Ayeyawady Naval Region Command Headquarters Deputy Commander Captain Tha Hsan, senior officers, officers and other ranks, family members and players. Altogether nine men's teams and nine women's teams took part in the tournament which will be held up to 10 August at Thihadipa Stadium in Thanlyin.

Myanmar London Golf Tour concludes

Yangon, 2 Aug- The fourth round and prize-presentation ceremony of the first leg of the Myanmar London Golf Tour 2001-2002, organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and Myanmar Professional Golfers' Association, and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd was held at Bagan Resort Golf Club, attended by President of MGF Brig-Gen Win Hlaing, invited guests and golfers this afternoon. After the fourth round, the prize-presentation ceremony was held and President Brig-Gen Win Hlaing made a speech.

Then, Manager Mr Ban Lim of the Bagan Resort Golf Hotel Residence presented daily best prizes in the Men's Amateur level to Zaw Min Lay and Myat Htut Lwin with 74 strokes each in the first round, Nanda Kyaw and Aung Aung Kyaw with 74 strokes each in the second round, Zaw Zin Win (Han Golf Masters) with 73 strokes in the third round and Zaw Zaw Latt with 74 strokes in the fourth round. Chairman of NyaungU District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo presented daily best prizes in the Professional Golfers' level to Aung Zaw Moe with 69 strokes in the first round, Zaw Paing Oo, Aung Win, Myint Thaung and Soe Kyaw Naing with 72 strokes each in the second round, Myint Shwe with 70 strokes in the third round and Myint Thaung with 70 strokes in the fourth round.

Group Brand Manager Mr Bob Ortega of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd presented the third prize to Zaw Zin Win, the second to Aung Aung Kyaw and the first to Zaw Zaw Latt in the Men's Amateur level. President Brig-Gen Win Hlaing presented the third prize to Aung Zaw Moe, the second to Aung Win and the first to Myint Thaung in the Professional Golfers' level. Group Brand Manager Mr Bob Ortega then presented a cheque to the first prize-winner Myint Thaung and honourable gift for the golf club to Golf Club Manager U Aung Myint. Yangon Airways, Canon, Kaung Myat Co Ltd, Pan-West (Callaway), Wilson, Ping, Bagan Resort Hotel, Sun Far Travels and Tours and Kanbawza Bank Ltd also co-sponsored the tour with the aim of turning out golfers all over the country and raising the standard of Myanmar golf. Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd takes responsibilities for holding the tour.

Friendly matches to be held

Yangon, 2 Aug- The Myanmar Tentatively Selected Women's Football team that is undergoing training for the XXI SEA Games will play friendly matches against the Malaysia Women's Selected Football team at Thuwunna Stadium at 7 pm on 5 and 7 August. The Myanmar Selected Sepak Takraw team will play against the Malaysia Selected Sepak Takraw team at the National Indoor Stadium-1 at 2 pm on 6, 7 and 8 August. The Myanmar Selected Volleyball team, Jiangsu Province Selected Volleyball team of China, and Kyaunggyi University Selected Volleyball team of Korea will also play friendly matches at the National Indoor Stadium-1 at 4 pm from 9 to 14 August. The Myanmar Tentatively Selected Men's Football team will play against Under-23 Selected Football team of Sri Lanka at Thuwunna Stadium at 4 pm on 17 and 19 August. Admission fee for Myanmar-Malaysia Women's Football match are K 300 and K 100, Myanmar-Malaysia Sepak Takraw match K 200, Myanmar-China-Korea Volleyball matches K 200, and Myanmar-Sri Lanka Football match K 400 and K 200.

( 9 ) Drug traffickers sentenced

Yangon, 2 Aug- A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Bago Special Anti-drug Squad and local Police Force, acting on information, searched the house of Ma Aye Win Khaing at No 2/545, U Sit Ko Street, Taungoo and seized 2.4495 kilos of marijuana on 20 March evening. No 2 Police Station of Taungoo filed Ma Aye Win Khaing, 25, daughter of U Mya Win and Kyaw Zeya, 40, son of U Nwe Aung, under Section 15/19 (A) / 21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotrophic Substances Law. The Taungoo District Court handed down four years' imprisonment under Section 15 and twelve years' imprisonment under Section 19(A) on Ma Aye Win Khaing to serve separately and four years' imprisonment under Section 15 and twelve years' imprisonment under Section 19(A)/21 on Kyaw Zeya to serve separately on 29 June.