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

Yangon, 12 June - On the occasion of the 104th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines which falls on 12 June 2002, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to Her Excellency Mrs Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines.

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Russia

Yangon, 12 June - 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 Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation which falls on 12 June 2002.

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( 2 ) NHC, MEC formed for enabling ministries, organizations to take part in laying down and implementing national health objectives
All government staff required to be free from party politics
National Health Committee holds 35th meeting

Yangon, 11 June - The National Health Committee held its 35th meeting at the NHC meeting hall of the Ministry of Health here this morning, with an address by Chairman of NHC Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said the State's administrative machinery collapsed during the 1988 disturbances; thus, the Tatmadaw government after assuming the State duties has to restore the administrative machinery of the nation. The health and education sectors came to a halt. Hence, the Myanmar Education Committee and the National Health Committee were formed to enable other ministries and organizations to take part in laying down and implementing the objectives of the two sectors in addition to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. As government departments and non-governmental organizations have harmoniously participated in the task, the health and education sectors are developing with greater momentum.

Thus, it is required to understand that the NHC and MEC emerged in accord with the national requirements and to make serious efforts to realize the policies, aims and resolutions. It is an honour for Myanmar as Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint was elected as the chairman of the Executive Board of the WHO. The matter is to be put on record at the meeting. All the government staff are required not to be involved in party politics and the government organizations will have to concentrate on their public services without being affected by the party politics.

Thus, the health staff should be free from the influence of party politics in carrying out their tasks and in cooperating with international bodies. Concerning the five rural development tasks and the 24 development zones project, which are being implemented in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, the government staff at different levels, the health committees at different levels and social organizations will have to make cooperative efforts to practically implement the health sector down to the grassroots.

Thus, it is required to use the energetic and harmonious force of the bodies for progress of health activities in the basic levels including in the villages, wards and towns. In the health sector, efforts should be made to promote health care activities, boost medicine production and increase the use of traditional potent medicines in addition to the western medicines. The Ministry of Health will have to make active efforts for rapid development of the traditional medicine sector.

The ministry is required to make arrangements for progress of the herbal gardens in accord with the aims. Not only the Health Ministry, but also other ministries concerned will have to make supervision and assign duties to staff at different levels to realize the resolutions and guidelines to realize the task at basic levels. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe have given guidance to encourage the private sector participation in all the sectors. If there is progress in the private sector, it will be able to share the responsibilities of the government bodies and service the public interests more. The private sector should be organized and encouraged to participate more in the public health activities in accord with the laws and principles. Preparatory measures will have to be taken to effectively control the seasonal diseases as the rainy season has already entered. The Ministry of Education is required to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and social organizations to carry out school health activities including ensuring school sanitation and student hygiene and selling foodstuff which meet the required health standard not only in urban areas, but also in remote wards and villages.

In accord with the guidance of Head of State, continuous efforts should be made to conduct research based on the traditional medicines to control the six major diseases. Duties should be assigned to staff at different levels and supervision should be made to successfully implement the five rural tasks and the 24 development zones project. Cooperative efforts of all the departments concerned are also required. The HIV/AIDS control project will have to be implemented in accord with the national programmes. All should firmly uphold the policy of safeguarding the State's sovereignty and serving the national interests in cooperating the international health organizations.

Then, Secretary of the National Health Committee Director-General of the Health Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe reported the Secretary-1 on tasks being undertaken to implement the decisions of the 34th National Health Committee meeting. Afterwards, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Prof Dr Kyaw Myint and departmental heads discussed matters related to participating of Myanmar in the Programme Coordinating Board of UNAIDS as a member, matters concerning the world's funds for eradication of AIDS, TB and malaria, measures to host the third world leprosy eradication coordination meeting in Myanmar, tasks for drawing of set-up (draft) of the Myanmar Indigenous Medicine Practitioners Association and matters related to give surgical treatment to the needy with inborn wanting of organs. Those present took part in the discussions. Director-General Dr Kyi Soe then sought confirmation on the decisions of the meeting.

On hearing of the reports of the officials, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said in implementing the national health care tasks, it is needed to cooperate with other related ministries, especially with the Ministry of Sports because tasks of the ministry to promote the sports standard of Myanmar are related to the national health care tasks. All departments concerned are to support the tasks for promoting the sports standard of Myanmar.

( 3 ) Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to Philippines

Yangon, 12 June - On the occasion of the 104th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines which falls on 12 June 2002, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Teofisto Guingona Jr, Vice-President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines.

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to Russia

Yangon, 12 June - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Igor Ivanov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation which falls on 12 June 2002.

H&T Minister receives guests

Yangon, 11 June - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Board of Directors of Myanmar Hotels International Mr Adrian Zecha, Mr Kenneth Gaw and Mr Kendall Oei of the Strand Hotel International at his office this afternoon. They discussed security plans for the hotels, construction of hotels with foreign investment and future plans.

Deputy Minister hosts dinner to VOV delegation

Yangon, 11 June - Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein hosted a dinner to the visiting delegation headed by Director Mr Do Ngoc Anh of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at Karaweik Palace at 7 pm today.

( 4 ) Myanmar is a nation of high nationalistic spirit and noble tradition
that safeguards national prestige and integrity
United national races forever safeguard sovereignty sacrificing their lives if one violates the sovereignty
Myanmar does not want any portion of other's territory let alone intrusion

Yangon, 11 June - A ceremony to support the national people's mass rallies denouncing SURA and KNU insurgents who are violating the security and peaceful condition of border areas and to show respect for the sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar was held in the Division Sports Grounds in Bago, Bago Division, at 8.15 am yesterday.

It was attended by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Associations in Bago, Thanatpin, Kawa, Waw, DaikU, Nyaunglebin, Shwegyin and Kyauktada townships in Bago District and Toungoo, Kyaukkyi, Htantabin, Ottwin, Pyu and Yedashe townships in Toungoo District, Bago Division; local people in 31 wards and 66 village-tracts in Bago Township; departmental personnel, members of Red Cross Society, Nurses Association, Auxiliary Fire Brigade, War Veterans Organization, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and social organizations, teachers and students of basic education schools, the State Flag bearing troupes and band troupes.

Led by the State Flag bearing troupes and band troupes of basic education schools, people from the assembly points at Bago No 1 Basic Education High School, the No 3 BEHS, the corner of Bago-Thanatpin Road and Bandoola Street, and Bago Shwemawdaw Pagoda We-stern Archway marched into the sports grounds through the Shwemawdaw Pagoda entrance.

Executive of Bago District USDA U Kyaw Kyaw Naing acted as master of ceremonies.

Those present saluted the State Flag.

Executive of Nyaunglebin Township USDA in Bago Division Daw Lin Lin Thant explained the purpose of holding the ceremony.

She said, the ceremony we held today was to support the mass rallies denouncing the SURA and KNU insurgents who were encroaching on security and peace in the border areas. And as a mark to uphold the sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar.

We supported the mass rallies to denounce the acts to encroach on the sovereignty of Myanmar. The State flags are being hoisted at offices, markets, schools and houses in all parts of Bago Region today and we are assembling here and saluting the State flags. The ceremony symbolizes that we did not accept the encroaching on the sovereignty of Myanmar.

Since the start of 2001, the SURA and KNU taking footholds in the other country have sneaked into Myanmar time and again and committed the atrocities. The acts amount to encroaching on the sovereignty of Myanmar.

At a time when the Government is making efforts for the emergence of a peaceful modern and developed nation, all the entire people are loathing the SURA and KNU insurgents who are encroaching on security and peace of Myanmar.

The KNU and SURA insurgents abetted by Yodayas were encroaching on the sovereignty of Myanmar. Taking the footholds in the territory of Yodaya and with the support of a group of evil Yodayas, the KNU and SURA traitorous insurgents are committing the atrocities such as attacking the small Tatmadaw outposts, the Tatmadaw columns and villages, planting mines, murdering the innocent people and looting their property. They are also encroaching on the sovereignty of Myanmar. These atrocities known to all. We denounce the destructive acts of the opium-trafficking SURA and KNU insurgents as well as foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State.

Hence, to enable the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder with nations of the world, all the national people are urged to always keep the national spirit alive and dynamic to help stamp out the dangers of the elements with every intention to disintegrate the Union and to uphold Our Three Main National Causes Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and Perpetuation of Sovereignty.

As the saying goes "In time of emergency, blood inspires unity". Hence, all the fellow housewives are emphatically urged to oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views, to oppose those trying to jeopardize stability of the State and progress of the nation, to oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State and to crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy.

Secretary of Bago Township USDA U Ye Myint Tun reported on SURA and KNU destructive insurgents with strongholds in Yodaya who are disrupting security and stability of the State and undermining development and peace in border areas through various means.

He said today's mass rally showed nationalistic spirit and patriotism of Myanmar people. The Union of Myanmar with her own culture has existed as an independent and sovereign state from time immemorial . It is a nation of high nationalistic spirit and noble tradition that safeguards the national prestige and integrity.

National races have lived in unity in Myanmar since our ancestors. The united national races forever safeguarded sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar sacrificing their lives if one violated the sovereignty.

If Myanmar's territory and independent sovereignty were violated all national races would not look on with indifference. It is the tradition that they will retaliate any intrusion or danger any time and ward them off.

Moreover, Myanmar people are loyal and brave and they love the truth and freedom and uphold justification. They treat those of the same level wish them well and sympathize with those who are poor. They also rejoice at prosperity of others. They are very gentle and delicate people. Myanmar maintained the five principles of peaceful co-existence in international relations and it also maintained relations with all neighbouring countries and never interfered in other's internal affairs and did not throw one's weight around. We do not want any part of other's territory and it is far from invading others.

However, Myanmar is now facing encroachments on her by unfriendly neighbouring Yodaya.

At the beginning of 2001, SURA led by drug-trafficker Ywit Sit and KNU insurgent group with strongholds in Yodaya were encroaching on sovereignty and perpetuation of territorial integrity in person. They ill-treated and murdered Myanmar national races in border areas and committed destructive acts. Moreover, they fired at Myanma Tatmadaw outposts, military columns, local people and towns and villages with heavy weapons. They also planted mines, murdered people and looted properties.

Yodaya provided these destructive insurgents with shelter, food and arms. Such acts incited them to encroach on security of Myanmar and stability and peace in border areas through various means.

In retrospect, Myanmar and Yodaya had military confrontation under the kings Tabinshwehti, Bayintnaung and Nanda in Hanthawady and Toungoo periods. Alaungphaya of Konbaung period, Hsinbyushin and Bodawphaya had also confronted Yodaya with military means. In 1767, Myanmar attacked Ayutthia.

As the world know that Myanmar blood is red, international communities know that Myanma sword is sharp. The Union of Myanmar consists of 135 races. In times of emergency, blood inspires unity. The entire people are making preparations to ward off destructive elements bravely. Mass rallies to denounce SURA drug-trafficking group and KNU destructive elements were held in Kengtung in eastern Shan State on 1 June and in Taunggyi in southern Shan State on 2 June. Local people in Mandalay and Yangon hailed and supported the mass rallies on 3 and 8 June respectively.

Today, people from Bago gathered here to support the mass rallies denouncing SURA drug-trafficking group and KNU destructive elements who are violating sovereignty of Myanmar. We all marched and saluted the State Flag and hoisted the State Flag in the whole Bago to show respect for sovereignty of the State. It also shows that we do not accept encroachments on sovereignty. Today's ceremony is the national cause. Every citizen with patriotism and the Union Spirit who love and cherish Myanmar and are loyal to the national cause must bluntly and bravely ward off drug-traffickers and destructive insurgents and anyone who incited them. Let's get ready.

Then, led by the master of the ceremonies, those present shouted the slogans "non-disintegration of the Union - our cause, our cause; non-disintegration of national solidarity - our cause, our cause; perpetuation of sovereignty - our cause, our cause. The ceremony came to a close later in the morning.

As a gesture honouring the national people's mass rallies denouncing SURA and KNU terrorist insurgents who are violating the security and peaceful condition of border areas and to show respect for the sovereignty of the Union of Myanmar, the State Flags were being hoisted proudly at departments, schools, markets, streets and houses in Bago Division yesterday.

( 5 )  Maj-Gen Maug Bo sees over cold storages in Mawlamyine

Yangon, 11 June - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung and departmental officials, visited Mawlamyine cold storage of Thanlwin Aye Industrial Co in Mawlamyine on 8 June morning.

There Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected processing and packing of fresh water and sea fish and fulfilled the requirements after hearing the reports presented by officials concerned. Then, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected processing and packing of sea and fresh water fish and prawns at Mawlamyine Holdings Ltd and left necessary instructions. Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party proceeded to the 16-bed traditional medicine hospital in Mawlamyine and met with the personnel and gave instructions to them on making efforts to improve the public health with the use of effective Myanma traditional medicines. After speaking words of encouragement to the patients warded at the traditional medicine hospital, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected construction of a ward for members of the Sangha and the herbal plantation in the hospital compound and attended to the needs.

Maj-Gen Maung Bo and party then proceeded to Mawlamyine Industrial Zone construction project site of Myanma Industrial Construction Enterprise under the Ministry of Industry-2. At the briefing hall, officials reported on progress of construction of the industrial zone. Maj-Gen Maung Bo said that the government was making efforts to fulfill requirements of industrial regions and to manufacture export goods after establishing industrial zones for economic development of the State; in doing so, industrialists were to strive for boosting the production of quality products; and departments were to co-operate with the public for the development of the whole region.

Next, he attended to the needs. Later, Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspected the products manufactured by the industrialists and left necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements.

( 6 ) Distribution of opium substitute seeds, destruction of opium seeds held in Pinlaung

Yangon, 11 June - A ceremony to present opium substitute seeds by Shan State Committee for Drug Abuse Control was held in conjunction with the destruction ceremony of poppy seeds at the town hall in Pinlaung, Shan State, on 2 June afternoon. Present were Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Leader of Shan State Drug Elimination and Regional Development Committee Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung, members of state, district and township DACs and local farmers totalling over 750.

Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint and Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone gave speeches. Then, farmer U Maung Toke of Tagayin village of Lein-nyar village-tract and Khun Thein Zaw of Wale village of Pinlaung Township handed over 70 baskets of poppy seeds (1,828.96 kilos) to Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone.

Next, Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Shan State Police Force Commander Police Col Thura Tin Hla and Taunggyi District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Ye Tun Sein presented opium substitute seeds 159 baskets of paddy, 6,743 kilos of maize, five baskets of sunflower, seven baskets of buckwheat, 18 baskets of pigeon pea, nine baskets of pea, six baskets of soybean, six baskets of niter, 10 baskets of groundnut and 10 baskets of wheat to Khun Shwe Oh of Lonbyin village, U Nyan of Pot-in village, Khun Thein Tan of Tiyun village and U Chaung of Takumoh village.

U Maung Than of Pinkhun village spoke words of thanks. Next, the commander, the minister and party and the local people set 70 baskets of opium seeds (1,828.96 kilos) on fire at the sports grounds. A total of 309 baskets and eight pyis of poppy seeds and 30 baskets of poppy bulbs (8,282.98 kilos) have been destroyed in the townships in Shan State.

Opium-substitute seeds distributed and poppy seeds destroyed in Kayah State

Yangon, 11 June - Kayah State Committee for Drug Abuse Control held a ceremony to present opium-substitute crop seeds to poppy cultivators and to destroy poppy seeds at the meeting hall of Kayah State Peace and Development Council on 3 June morning. Present on the occasion were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing, local authorities, commanding officers of battalions and units, departmental officials, representatives of peace groups, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, organizations and poppy cultivators totalling over 500.

Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Chairman Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing presided over the ceremony. The minister delivered a speech on the occasion. Then, farmer U Kyaw Kaing handed over 38.171 kilos of poppy seeds handed over by poppy cultivators to the minister. After that, the minister presented opium-substitute crop seeds to U Kyaw Kaing of Thayu village and U Than Aung of Htanaung Nyunt Village; Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung to U Maung Maung and U Sho of Loilim Village; and Chairman Regional Control and Commander Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing to U Nge Oo and U Paw Lu of Nannauk Village.

Next, U Nge Oo spoke words of thanks for presenting opium-substitute crop seeds. Afterwards, the minister, the deputy minister and the chairman torched the surrendered poppy seeds and the ceremony came to an end at 9.15 am.

Myanmar industrial delegation arrives back

Yangon, 11 June - The Myanmar delegation led by the Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung arrived back here by air this morning after visiting factories in China in connection with new factory projects to be implemented by Ministry of Industry-1, from 2 to 10 June at the invitation of the State Economic & Trade Commission of the People's Republic of China.

The delegation was welcomed back at the airport by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, officials and families. Members of the delegation Managing Director U Soe Yi of Myanma Ceramics Industries and General Manager U Myint Thaung, General Manager of Myanma Paper and Chemicals Industries U Thein Win, Administrator of Salingyi Textile Factory Project U Chit Swe, Myingyan District USDA Secretary U Aung Zan and Assistant Director U Saw Lin of Directorate of Industrial Planning also arrived back here.

The Myanmar delegation led by Minister U Aung Thaung arrived in Beijing, China, on 2 June, at the invitation of Chairman Mr Li Rong Rong of Trade and Economic Commission. On 3 June, the minister and party met with Mr Li Rong Rong and discussed promotion of friendly relationship between China and Myanmar, mutual cooperation in industries, encouragement for investment of Chinese companies in building pulp and paper factories reported to President Jiang Zemin who visited Myanmar and training of Myanmar trainees for pulp and paper factories, ceramic and textile industries of the Ministry of Industry-1. The minister met Chairman Mr Ren Hong Bin of China Agriculture & Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CAMC) and discussed construction of 500-ton Cement Plant in Kyaukse and Salingyi Textile Factory, Monywa 200-ton Pulp factory Project and sending of Myanmar trainees to China Textile Design Institute in Beijing.

In the afternoon, Minister U Aung Thaung received officials of companies. Construction of Tha-baung 200-ton Pulp Factory, Thabaung 60-ton Newsprint Paper Factory, Pwintbyu Textile Factory, Kyaukse Advanced Asbestos Factory, Chauk Ceramic Factory and Chauk 30-ton Hydrogen Peroxide Plant were discussed. On 4 June, Minister U Aung Thaung and party went to Chandu in Xichuan Province and discussed economic cooperation with the mayor. The minister visited Zhou Zhu Paper Mill in Ya' an and discussed training programmes for Thabaung Pulp Mill. On 5 June, the minister met the mayor of Jing De Zhen in Jiang Xi Province and discussed training programmes for trainees of Myanmar at ceramics training school.

He visited ceramics factory and discussed construction of ceramics factory in Chauk. On 6 June, the minister visited San Xin Special Glass Co Ltd and Huajing Glass Bottle Co Ltd in Shen Zhen Special Economic Zone. On 7 June, the minister visited glass factory in Shaoxin in Zhejiang Province. On 8 June, the minister went to Suzhou electric bicycle factory, weaving machine factory and textile mill in Zhangjiagang in Jiansu Province. On 9 June, the minister visited fluorescent lamp factory, Shanghai Vacuum Flask plant and tooth paste factory in Shanghai industrial zone. The minister and party arrived back here today.