( 1 ) State rendering agricultural methods, seeds and funds for cultivation of opium-substitute crops Poppy farmers hand over poppy seeds for this year's cultivation season of their own volition

Yangon, 21 May - The State Peace and Development Council has laid down and is implementing the two strategies designation of narcotic drugs eradication as a national duty and the comprehensive implementation of that strategy; and the development and enhancement of the standard of living of the national races in the border areas and the total eradication of poppy cultivation. In implementing these tasks with added momentum, the government in co-operation with the international organizations is stamping out the drugs.

The exchange of information with neighbouring countries has led to seizures of narcotic drugs and handing over of culprits. Educative talks on drugs and cultivation of poppy-substitute crops have also been held for poppy growers ahead of this year's poppy growing season and seeds suitable to their regions have been distributed. Seeds of highland paddy, corn, maize, buckwheat and beans and pulses worth K 52.5 million have been distributed  seeds worth K 42.5 million to Shan State (North), seeds worth K 5 million to Shan State (South), seeds worth K 2.5 million to Shan State (East), seeds worth K 500,000 to Kayah State and seeds valued at K 2 million to Kachin State. Poppy growers, realizing the goodwill of the government, handed over dry poppy pods and poppy seeds collected for the cultivation season to officials concerned of their own volition.

Up to date, 1,419 bags containing two baskets of dry poppy pods and 2,826 baskets of poppy seeds have been handed over to officials in Shan State (North), 85 baskets of poppy seeds to officials in Shan State (South) and poppy seeds to officials in Kayah State. More poppy seeds are being handed over. If the entrusted poppy seeds are cultivated, they will cover 59,900 acres of land and the total output can be 263.819 tons of raw opium, and if refined they will produce about 26.38 tons of heroin. By doing so, preventive measures can be made in the poppy cultivation season. Arrangements have been made to torch the entrusted poppy seeds of poppy growers in Lashio and Laukkai regions in Shan State (North) in the very near future.

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( 2 ) Coord meeting of Ministry of Construction continues

Yangon, 21 May - The first four monthly preliminary coordination meeting of The Ministry of Construction continued for the second day at the meeting hall of the Public Works (Head Office) on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this morning.

Present at the meeting were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, directors-general and managing directors of the departments and enterprises, departmental heads, superintending engineers from the states and divisions, deputy superintending engineers, senior engineers and engineers. At the meeting, engineers of the bridge construction projects reported on their construction works to be carried out.

"Soon" offered to Sayadaws of State Pariyatti Sasana University

Yangon, 21 May - Under the auspices of Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife, staff families of Border Trade Department offered "soon" and provisions to members of the Sangha at Mogok Soonsahsaung of State Pariyatti Sasana University on Kaba Aye Hill this morning.

Present were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife Daw Aye Pyi Wai Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, directors-general and the managing director of departments and the enterprise and officials. The congregation took the Five Precepts from Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vannita. Then, the minister and wife donated provisions to the Sayadaw and K 100,000 for "soon" for one day to officials. Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan donated K 63,000 for 63 members of the Sangha of the University.

Afterwards, Director-General U Nay Win of Border Trade Department offered 100 Thermos flasks to the Sayadaw and shared merits gained. Later, "soon" was offered to the Sayadaws.

USDA computer course concludes

Yangon, 21 May - A ceremony to conclude basic computer course No 1/2002 and to open advanced computer course, organized by Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township Union Solidarity and Development Association, was held at the office of the township USDA yesterday afternoon. Present on the occasion were USDA CEC Member Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, executives of Yangon Division USDA, secretaries and executives of District and Township USDAs, officials of the Township Peace and Development Council, course instructors and trainees.

The CEC Member delivered a speech and presented certificates to the basic course trainees and prizes and cash assistance for attending advanced computer course to three outstanding trainees. Division USDA executives U Tha Win and U Tin Hlaing presented prizes to outstanding trainees in the first and second national culture and morality courses. Division USDA Secretary U Than Lwin accepted cash donations for Township USDA. The CEC Member cordially greeted trainees and then inspected the computer training hall. A total of 70 trainees are attending the computer course, which started on 8 May.

Tax-free markets in Tamway, Dagon Townships inspected

Yangon, 21 May - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung visited the tax-free market of Tamway Township here this morning and there he inspected the sales of products manufactured by the ministry and gave instructions. The minister also inspected rice sales of the Shwe Myanmar Rice Trading and the Myanmar Rice Dealers Association, and the sales of fish, meat and vegetable shops and gave instructions on selling them at reasonable prices to the public.

Then, the minister went to the biscuit factory of Myanma Foodstuff Industries in Kyaikkasan, Tamway Township. He inspected the process of making biscuits and spoke on production through GMP system. Next, the minister arrived at Winthuza Shop on Pansodan Street in Kyauktada Township, and there he inspected the sales of products from Myanma Textile Industries, Myanma Foodstuff Industries, Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries, Myanma General and Maintenance Industries, Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries, and Myanma Ceramics Industries and gave instructions on stocks. The minister later proceeded to the tax-free market in Dagon Township and arrived there at 8.30 am.

He inspected the shop of the ministry and left instructions on proper sales of the products. The minister also visited Hanthawady Winthuza Shop in Sangyoung Township and inspected the sales of products at each counter there. The minister also inspected the warehouse and left instructions on stock of the products and ledger.

( 3 ) Myanmar will, in no way, allow or accept armed forces of any country to intrude into sovereign limits of its territory
News reports of Thai media lack honesty, sincerity and mutual respect Press conference on joint SURA terrorists and some Thai forces attack on Tatmadaw outposts held

Yangon, 21 May - A press conference on the attack of opium-trafficking SURA terrorists and some Thai forces and the supporting fire of the Thai army on Tatmadaw outposts at Myanmar-Thai border was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this morning.

Present were Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, senior military officers, heads of departments, officials of the Ministry of Information, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htwe, member correspondents and guests. Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Col San Pwint said at about 4.06 am on 20 May 2002, the Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and Nyaungbingon outposts fired heavy weapons at the Tatmadaw outposts; SURA insurgents and some Thai units also entered the territory of Myanmar from the territory of Thailand and attacked Panmongsun, Nyaung-bingon, Pangantgaw and Yanpaingsun outposts.

At 7.10 am on that day, the tanks from Thai army arrived at Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and Nyaung-bingon outposts and fired with cannons on the Tatmadaw outposts at 7.30 am. Although the cannon fires stopped at 8.30 am, the firing of heavy weapons continued from the side of the Thai army camps, and these were disclosed at the previous press conference, he said. He added that the fighting was still going on this morning and the Tatmadaw camps were fighting against the enemies. Some Thai media reported false and fabricated news about Myanmar recently. The 20 May issue of The Nation daily reported that the Thai side had informed State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman Defence Services Deputy Commander-in-Chief General Maung Aye during his visit to Thailand that the Thai Army would launch offensive against the Wa national group which was involved in the drug issue and he did not make any objection.

The 19 May issue of The Nation daily mentioned that Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin himself had permitted a Thai special force to be ready to invade and attack the Wa region. The Reuters news broadcast by CNN on 20 May reported that a week ago a senior Thai official disclosed that there was a plan for the Thai Army to attack and occupy the Wa headquarters near the border in Myanmar's territory. It is totally untrue that General Maung Aye during his goodwill visit to Thailand had not objected to the programme of Thai forces to attack Wa nationals in Myanmar's territory. He categorically asserted that Myanmar will, in no way, allow or accept any armed forces of any country to intrude into the sovereign limits of its territory.

Even planning to to intrude into another country is not the good neighbourly act. General Maung Aye's visit to Thailand at the invitation of Prime Minister Dr Thaksin, meant to reflect the good neighbourly friendship between the two countries. However, the news reports of Thai media lack honesty, sincerity and mutual respect. The journalists are hereby convinced that the programme to attack one's country or to invade one's territory does not suit the conducts of a good neighbourly country. The Bangkok Post daily issued on 19 May stated a news report saying that as if the Tatmadaw were putting pressure on the Wa national groups in eradicating the drugs. The news report also said that as if the Tatmadaw were pin-pointing at the Wa national races to put pressures on and crush them to eliminate the drugs; that as if the Tatmadaw were using force in combing the area; and that as if the Thai army had reached prior agreement with the Tatmadaw to send troops to the area to launch a military offensive against the Wa people. In reality, the Myanmar government has not reached any mutual agreement whatsoever with Thailand concerning the matter.

Myanmar is stepping up its efforts to wipe out the drugs as a national task particularly in the border towns of Tachilek, Myawady and Kawthoung with the aim of making them opium free zones. In eradicating the drugs, the government is not oppressing the Wa national race, Shan national race or any other national race. The national race peace groups themselves are actively cooperating with the Tatmadaw in eradicating the narcotic drugs with greater momentum. While floating fabrications as if there were agreements with the Tatmadaw to launch military operations, perpetrations are being made to create problems at the border; opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent group SURA, which they have reared, and some Thai army troops jointly launched armed attacks against the Tatmadaw and Wa camps with the assistance of the Thai army barrage. This, he said, is an act to internationally create problems in the border areas Myanmar has always tried to solve the problem though diplomatic means and in a peaceful manner. Myanmar will use other means to solve the problem if the diplomatic means fail and the problems continue to be created.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win gave the supplementary report. He also replied to queries raised by the journalists. A video-tapped CNN footage showing the attack launched by Thai army against the Myanmar Tatmadaw military camps the previous day. The Press conference ended at 10.20 am. The journalists then viewed the maps showing the joint armed attack made by SURA terrorist insurgents and some Thai army troops against the Tatmadaw camps and the Wa camps of the Shan State Special 2 under the assistance of Thai army heavy weapon fire.

( 4 ) Seminar on personal care (hair & skin care) held

Yangon, 21 May - The personal care seminar, co-sponsored by Myanmar Toyota Tsusho Co and CIBA Speciality Co, was held at the Sedona Hotel at 10 am today. Managing Director Mr Kenji Suzuki of MTTC made an opening speech. Then, Ms Madeline Tan of ASEAN Regional Sales Head of CIBE and technical specialist Ms Lee Lay Khim explained the facts about hair and skin care. At the seminar, the officials answered the queries raised by the guests and those present. Manager of Chemical Team Myanmar Toyota Tsusho Mr Ko San spoke words of thanks and the seminar came to an end.

( 5 ) Holding of women's affairs activities show coordinated

Yangon, 21 May - The co-ordination meeting on holding women's affairs activities show to be organized by Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the Social Welfare Department on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon.

It was attended by Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Professor Dr Daw May May Yee and members, Vice-Chairperson-2 of the Committee for Holding the Show Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Adviser to the Education Group of the Working Committee Daw Khin Than Nwe, members of the Working Committee, officials and guests. The Vice-Chairperson-2 made an address on the occasion.

Then, Director of the National Museum under the Department of Cultural Institute Daw Nu Mra Zan presented plans on holding the show, followed by a general round of discussions. Afterwards, general matters were discussed and approved, and the meeting came to an end.

( 6 ) World Population Day commemorative poster, essay, article competitions to be held

Yangon, 21 May - The Ministry of Immigration and Population and the UNFPA will sponsor the poster competition to mark the World Population Day for 2002.

The competitors are to depict one of the sub-titles  "Poverty, Population and Development", "Education Builds the Future", "Health for Success" and 'Working Together for Equity'. The competition is divided into five levels  level 1 (aged 6-8), level 2 (aged 9-12), level 3 (aged 13-15), level 4 (aged 16-18) and level 5 (aged 19 and above). Level 1 to 4 will be held at the designated places in cities of States and Divisions on 9 June. Those wishing to take part in those levels are to register at the respective Immigration and National Registration Departments in States and Divisions not later than 7 June.

Those wishing to participate in level 5 are to register at the respective Immigration and National Registration Departments not later than 13 June. First prize for level 1 to 4 is K 50,000, second K 40,000, third K 30,000, and K 20,000 for each of three consolation prizes. For level 5, first prize is K 75,000, second K 50,000, third K 40,000, and K 30,000 for each of three consolation prizes. Prizes will be presented at the ceremony of World Population Day to be held in Yangon on 11 July. Works of the respective first prizes will be sent to the International Poster Contest of UNFPA. Contact the respective INRDs of States and Divisions for further information. Composition (in Myanmar) and invitational article (Open) (in both English and Myanmar) contests in commemoration of the 2002 World Population Day will be held under the title "Poverty, Population and Development'.

The essay contests  high school level and middle school level will be held on 16 June in Townships of Yangon and Mandalay Divisions. First prize is K 30,000, second K 25,000, third K 20,000, and K 10,000 for each of four consolation prizes. Those for Invitational Article Contest (open) are to send their works to U Chit Yin, Deputy Director of the Population Department, No 416, Maha Bandoola Street, by 21 June. First prize is K 50,000, second K 30,000, third K 20,000, and K 10,000 for each of three consolation prizes. First, second and third prizes will be presented at the ceremony of World Population Day to be held in Yangon on 11 July.

YIEC donates cash to YCH and YGH

Yangon, 21 May - Out of K 2.1 million, realized from the fun-fair of Yangon International Educare Centre held in March 2002, K 350,000 was donated to Yangon Children's Hospital at a ceremony held at the hospital this morning.

Administrative Director of YIEC Daw Myint Myint Win, on behalf of the wellwishers, explained the purpose of the donations. Afterwards, the Administrative Director and the students of YIEC donated K 350,000 to Medical Superintendent of YCH Dr Mya Thein, who presented the certificate of honour and spoke words of thanks. Next, K 350,000 was donated to Maxillo-facial and Oral Surgery Department of YGH at 11 am. YIEC has donated a total of K 1.1 millionÑ K 200,000 to Mary Chapman's School for the Deaf, K 200,000 to Kyaikwaing Youth Training Centre and K 350,000 each to YCH and YGH. It will also donate K 500,000 to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central), K 250,000 to Shwegondaing Day Care Centre and K 250,000 and foodstuff worth K 30,000 to the training school for the girls (Malikha).