( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Republic of Poland

Yangon, 3 May - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Aleksander Kwasniewski, President of the Republic of Poland, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Poland which falls on 3 May 2002.

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( 2 ) Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study explained

Yangon, 2 May - The Andaman Sea oceanographic study programmed jointly conducted by marine scientists of Myanmar and India was explained at the hall of Nanthida jetty here this morning.

Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the ceremony.

Minister for Education U Than Aung said: The Port Call programmed of ORV Sagar Kanya, which is part of the Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study of the Andaman Sea Programmed, will provide local scientists and academics the invaluable opportunity to study the research capabilities of the vessel. The Joint Study of the Andaman Sea Programmed was initiated with a workshop held on 25th and 26th November, 1998 at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Yangon. It was followed by another workshop in Goa, India held from 27th to 29th September, 1999. The Myanmar-India Joint Oceanographic Study of the Andaman Sea brings together Indian and Myanmar Oceanography experts and includes among others, seven scientists from Yangon University and Mawlamyine University.

In conclusion, I wish the scholars of both countries great success in their research and a fruitful exchange of knowledge and experiences.

Charge d'Affaires ai of the Indian Embassy in Myanmar Mr Ashok Tomar also gave a speech. Leader of the Myanmar-India marine scientist team Dr PS Rao explained the research programmed.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, ministers and party viewed the documents and photos of the research programmed on board the research vessel ORV Sagar Kanya.

Officials explained the research work with audio-visual aids.

The Secretary-1 presented a fruit basket to Captain of the ship Mr Mohan Kuruvilla.

Minister U Than Aung presented a gift to Dr PS Rao and Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin, to the captain.

Under the programmed, the scientists from the two countries left Madras in India for Rakhine coast in Myanmar on 16 April on board the research ship. They conducted ocean research along the coast on 20 April.

They also conducted geological, chemical, physical and biological study at the Ayeyawady delta coast and gulf of Mottama on 30 April.

They will leave Yangon on board the ship for Taninthayi coast and Andaman Sea on 3 May to study the areas till 15 May. Afterwards, they will return to Madras.

They will do research work for six weeks in Goa.

The research papers will be presented and discussed at a workshop which will be held in Yangon in December 2003.

This afternoon, 152 students and faculties of Marine Biology Department of Mawlamyine University, the professors, the associate professors, faculties and students of Zoology, Botany, Geology, Chemistry and Physics departments of Yangon University totaling 200, 40 students and faculties of Zoology and Botany departments of Yangon (East) University and 40 students and faculties of Zoology and Botany departments of Dagon University visited the ship.

Minister U Than Aung hosted a dinner in honor of the Indian and Myanmar marine scientists of the team at Inya Lake Hotel.

( 3 ) Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a press release regarding the news that
"Myanmar opium crop threatens to rise after Afghanistan production drops"
carried by News Express

Yangon, 2 May - The following is the text of the press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

Recently an AFP report, carried by the News Express of 15 April 2002, raised false alarm that "Myanmar opium crop threatens to rise after Afghanistan production drops". This speculation was attributed to the unsubstantiated information that peasants in Myanmar had been told by drug lords to plant as much poppy as they could this season. The AFP report stands in stark contrast with the real situation on the ground.

The government of Myanmar has been undertaking opium yield surveys in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States since 1993 and the last survey took place from 25 February to 2 March 2002 in townships in eastern and northern Shan State. Since 1997, the opium production has been declining steadily. The tonnage of opium production has declined from 2,365 in 1997 to 865 in 2001, representing a decrease of 64 per cent.

Acreage under poppy cultivation has also decreased. 151,201 acres under opium in 1997 has declined to 61,824 in 2001, representing a decrease of almost 60 per cent.

As part and parcel of the 15-year Narcotic Elimination Plan, the Project on Opium Cultivation Control started in April 2002 will be implemented in northern and southern Shan State where opium cultivation is the largest. Although the project is currently focused on areas that cultivate poppy most, local authorities have been given leeway to extend the coverage of the project to other areas as required.

In the light of these concrete figures and efforts, there is no sound basis for the speculation that Myanmar opium crop threatens to rise.

In view of these energetic efforts to tackle the problem at its source, together with sustained law enforcement measures to control trafficking in drugs, it is most likely that opium production would rather drop than rise.

The Government is determined that all the present efforts stay on course to eliminate the narcotic drugs as envisaged in the 15-year plan.

( 4 ) Minister receives Japanese guests

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Assistant Secretary-General Mr Katsu-mi Moro of Basic Human Needs Association (BHN), Japan, and party at his office this afternoon. Also present were Deputy Ministers Prof Dr Mya Oo and Prof Dr Kyaw Myint and officials.

Work on printing textbooks coordinated

Yangon, 2 May - The Committee for Printing and Distribution of Textbooks held its fourth work coordination meeting on timely distribution of textbooks before the opening of schools at the Sarpay Beikman Press near Hanthawady roundabout here this afternoon.

Chairman of the Committee Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung made a speech at the meeting. Also present were Chairman of the Sub-committee for Printing Textbooks Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Chairman of the Sub-committee for Distribution Textbooks Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, managing directors, directors and officials of the ministries concerned. Master of ceremonies Managing Director of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein read out the minutes and decisions made by the third meeting. Then, Chairman of Sub-committee for Printing of Textbooks Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Chairman of Sub-committee for Distribution of Textbooks Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung reported on printing work and distribution tasks respectively.

The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the chairman of the committee. Textbooks for 2002-2003 academic year have been distributed since February; 551,630 copies of textbooks, to Tanintharyi Division; 1,210,760, to Rakhine State; 565,320, to Kachin State; 2,363,407, to Sagaing Division; 1,682,770, to Shan State; 180,650, to Kayah State; 538,400, to Kayin State; 1,467,460, to Mon State; a total of 28,752,486 have been distributed to the shops up to 30 April.

Minister visits exhibition

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Education U Than Aung, accompanied by Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and directors-general and chairmen of the departments and boards under the ministry, viewed the "A Journey through the Myeik Archipelago" exhibition of SEAMEO Regional History and Custom Centre on Pyay Road this afternoon.

The exhibition showed facts about Salon national races living in the southern part of Myanmar sea, based on the 50 years of research. Photographs, video tapes, households appliances for daily life and books on Salon national race were displayed in the exhibition.

Minister inspects tyre factory

Yangon, 2 May - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, accompanied by Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and officials, inspected production of tires of Myanma Tyre and Rubber Factory (Thaton) of the Myanma Tyre and Rubber Industries yesterday. Managing Director of MTRI U Oo Zun and General Manager of the Factory U Myint Naing reported on the work. The minister left instructions on production of quality tires and exceeding the target.

Hockey Tourney continues

Yangon, 2 May - The Four Countries Invitational Hockey Tourney continued at the Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna today. Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Commander of No 4 Military Region Commandant of the Defense Services Records Office President of Myanmar Hockey Federation Brig-Gen Myo Myint and executives, member of Hockey Development Committee of the World Hockey Federation U Kyaw Naing, guests and fans viewed the matches today. In the first match, Malaysia Project Youth team beat Malaysia-Perak team 2-0. In the second match, selected Myanmar team and Bangladeshi Army team played 1-1 draw. The tourney continues tomorrow and India team will play against Malaysia-Perak team and Malay- sia Project Youth team against Bangladeshi Army team.

( 5 ) New tarred roads and lakes opened in Dalla

Yangon, 2 May - Opening ceremonies of Saya San and Emondra tarred roads and lakes were held in Dalla, Yangon South District, this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Commandant of No 1 Military Region Col Khin Maung Soe, officials and local people. Saya San Road linking Dalla-Twantay road and Kanna road along Yangon river opened today is 2,822 feet long. It was constructed at a cost of K 8 million. Emondra road in Myoma Ward 4 is 1,412 feet long and 12 feet wide.

The lakes opened today are Bo Yan Pyay lake in Bo Yan Pyay Ward with a storage capacity of 7.9 million gallons of water, Thegon lake in Myoma Ward 2 that holds 3 million gallons and Laykyi lake in Myoma Ward with a storage capacity of 12.3 million gallons. The total cost of the two roads and the lakes amounted to K 18.11 million over K 10 million by YCDC and over K 8.1 million by local people.

The commander and party met with departmental officials, members of social organizations and local people at Thiri Zeya Anawrahta hall. The commander and the vice-mayor gave instructions on regional development.

Regional development tasks inspected

Yangon, 2 May - Kachin State Peace and Development Council Chairman Northern Command Commander Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, accompanied by officials, met with national race leader of Kachin State Special Region 2 U Zaung Tayar and officials at the guest house of Kachin State Special Region 2 in Laingzar on 24 April afternoon.

The commander discussed regional development tasks and attended to the needs. On 26 April morning, the commander arrived at the construction site of Banhtet Village Middle School in Mansi Township. At the briefing hall, well-wisher of the school U Tun Tun and officials reported on progress of work, and the commander fulfilled their needs.

He also presented K 100,000 to Village USDA and K 50,000 to Village MCWA. The commander visited Village Sasana Yaungchi Kyaungtaik; he presented offertories to Sayadaw U „anadhaja and supplicated on religious matters. Afterwards, together with Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, he arrived at the commodity check point of the Border Trade Department in Kyauksakhan Village, Mo-mauk Township. After hearing reports presented by officials concerned, the commander and the minister gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements.

On 27 April morning, the commander inspected Bha-mo-Myitkyina road extension project and repairs to bridges. The commander left instructions and attended to the needs.

Shwegugyi Pagoda consecrated in Wuntho

Yangon, 2 May - A ceremony to hoist Shwehtidaw atop Shwegugyi Pagoda and to consecrate the pagoda was held at the pagoda in Wuntho, Sagaing Division, on 29 April morning.

Present on the occasion were members of the Sangha, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing and senior military officers, local authorities, members of USDA and social organizations, well-wisher U San Htwe and local people. The commander and officials and the well-wishers conveyed Seinbudaw, Hnget-myatnadaw, tiers of Shwe-htidaw three times around the pagoda.

At the auspicious time, Seinbudaw and Hngetmyat-nadaw were hoisted atop the pagoda. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha consecrated the pagoda, followed by the sharing of merits. After the ceremony, the commander and party offered soon to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Well-wisher U San Htwe and Daw San Kyin donated K 150,000 to Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council. They also made cash donations to the social organizations of Wuntho Township.

Commander inspects renovation of pagodas

Yangon, 2 May - Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Brig-Gen Htay Oo, together with officials, inspected all-round renovation of Tharaung Maha Pagoda in Phayagyigone Village, Pathein Township, yesterday morning.

The officers and other ranks of local battalions and units, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and local people were carrying out the renovation of the pagoda. In the afternoon, the commander visited PhaungdawU Pagoda and Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Pathein and gave instructions on renovation work.

( 6 ) Thai delegation concludes visit

Yangon, 2 May - The eight-member delegation led by General Secretary Mr Khachadpai Burusapatana of the National Security Council of Thailand, which visited here at the invitation of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, left for home by air yesterday evening.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and departmental heads, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and staff of the embassy. The General Secretary and party were on a visit to Myanmar from 28 April to 1 May, and exchanged views on mutual interests with Myanmar authorities.

Workshop on geared motors and inverters held

Yangon, 2 May - Workshop on SEW geared motors and frequency inverters, that are SEW Eurodrive Range of Energy Saving Products, jointly organized by SEW Eurodrive India (Private) Ltd India, and Agricultural and Industrial Development Co Ltd (Myanmar), was held at Sofitel Plaza here on 30 April evening.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun, officials and guests. Managing Director of SEW Eurodrive India (Private) Ltd Mr PKC Bose extended greeting and Marketing Director Mr P Majundar discussed on use of SEW geared motors and frequency inverters produced in Germany and fixed in India, with the use of audio-visual aids. Those present raised queries.

Those wanting more information about SEW geared motors and frequency inverters may contact Agricultural and Industrial Development (Myanmar) Co Ltd, No 158 (A), Kyimyindine Road (Lower), Ahlon Township.

Cash and kind donated to 3rd MWJA Conference

Yangon, 2 May - Hailing the 3rd MWJA Conference, members of township Writers and Journalists Associations and well-wishers donated cash to Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association (Central) at Sarpay Beikman Building on Merchant Street here this noon.

It was attended by MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung), Joint Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) and Central Executive Committee members U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), U Khin Swe (Shwe Son Nyo), Joint Secretary of the Funds Raising Committee U Soe Shein (Maung Soe Htaik-Thonze) and well-wishers.

At the ceremony, Dagon Myothit (South) Township WJA presented cash and prepayment of annual fee for 2003 K 11,700; Mingala Taungnyunt WJA 200 magazines worth K 60,000 and annual fee K 5,000; U Soe Shein (Maung Soe Htaik-Thonze) 200 books worth K 40,000; Thanlyin Township WJA and 9 wellwishers K 15,500. U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) accepted the donations and presented certificates of honor to the well-wishers. Well-wishers may contact No 529, Merchant Street, the Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon (Ph 252417, 254173).

Naga and Kachin study group tours Yangon

Yangon, 2 May - At the invitation of 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, members of national races study group  30 Naga national races from Sagaing Division and 24 Kachin national races from Kachin State  accompanied by Deputy Director of the Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department Maj San Wai, paid homage to Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

Members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials welcomed them and briefed them on the history of the Pagoda. Then, they visited the Buddhological Museum and Mahawizaya Pagoda. At 10 am, the study group proceeded to the Defense Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road.

Staff Officer (Grade II) Maj Kyaw Kyaw Myint of the office of Director of Defense Services Museum and Historical Research Institute briefed them on the Museum and conducted them around the booths of twelve State's Objectives, booths of the ministries and others. They also visited the National Museum on Pyay Road in the afternoon and Yuzana plaza in the evening.