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

Yangon, 24 Aug - 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 Leonid D Kuchma, President of the Republic of Ukraine, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Ukraine which falls on 24 August 2002.

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( 2 ) Smart School Pilot Project initiated to promote use of electronics and IT at basic education schools

 Special Refresher Course No 49 for basic education teachers opens

Yangon, 23 Aug - The Special Refresher Course No 49 for basic education teachers opened at Central Institute of Civil Service (Phaunggyi) in Hlegu Township, Yangon Division, this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 The Secretary-1 said in striving to develop Myanmar to get abreast of the world nations, the education sector has the main responsibility to vitalize the national spirit of the entire people and to produce brilliant intellectuals and technicians, who are the main requirements. Throughout the successive eras, the concept  the education is the foundation of all progress  is being accepted and practised. At present, the information technology is overwhelming the human society resulting from rapid development of science and technology.

Thus, the education has become the core of all areas of development, and has taken the more important role at present. For a developing country like Myanmar, its situation will reach the level of standing shoulder to shoulder with the world nations only if the constant learning society whose education level meets the international standard can be created. With a view to improving the national education level to meet the international standard, Myanmar has been systematically laying down and implementing national education promotion programmes phase by phase for emergence of an education system which can face the future challenges. The phase-by-phase national education promotion drive begins at the basic education sector. At present the basic education sector has been connected with the higher education sector, and the 30-year long-term national education plan is being implemented. Thus, the good education environs and foundations enabling the entire nation to get access to the constant learning society have been laid down.

The education sector is using the information and communication technology on a wider scale. In the basic education sector, multimedia classrooms have been set up in almost all the high schools and in some middle and primary schools.

 In addition, the e-Education learning centres using the data broadcasting system are being opened at the basic education high schools and institutions of higher learning. The number of e-Education learning centres will reach 444 at the end of the current financial year. Opening of the electronic-technology-based New Century Resource Centres creates good learning opportunities not only for the student youths, but also for the entire people including the researchers, intellectuals, observers, regardless of the age, education level and status.

With the aim of promoting the use of electronic technology and the IT at the basic education schools, the Smart School Pilot Project has been initiated in a high school, a middle school and a primary school in the nation. Concerning the task to widen the use of ICT, the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park (MICT Park) was set up as the most basic centre serving as the hub in forming the ICT-based health, education, social, administration, economic, trade and financial networks for the basic education schools, institutions of higher learning, government bodies, economic organizations and individuals. As the nation is beginning to enjoy the better foundations for emergence of ICT and success and developments in introducing the modern teaching-learning systems, teachers will have to make efforts for themselves and their pupils to adapt to the education promotion process.

 It can be witnessed that the degree of the youths' enthusiasm to study modern technologies, the State's systematic encouragement and assistance and the ardent participation of the people has reached the record height at present. The teachers are urged to strive for continued progress of the education sector in quality as well as in numbers. They will have to accept the duty to do so as the national task. In accord with the education aims, they are required to nurture their pupils to be outstanding in all fields, to enable them to improve their education level to meet the international standard and to strengthen their mental ability including spirit, discipline and moral.

 They will have to train the students to possess the spirit to strive for the nation and the people to proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the world nations and to safeguard the Union with the spirit of national solidarity. Only if the youths are nurtured with correct and straightforward methods during childhood, they will matured into adults fully possessing the national conviction and outlook. Only then will worthy sons and daughters who are capable of safeguarding the peaceful and developing Union emerge. The government is resolutely making efforts to promote the development of the Union, upholding Our Three Main National Causes - non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty.

 In undertaking tasks which contribute to the further strengthening of national unity or the perpetual existence of the Union, the government has placed more emphasis on equitable development of all the regions of the Union, the bridging the gap of development among national races and harmonious improvement of socio-economic standard. In his speech delivered at the Annual General Meeting of the Union Solidarity and Development Association for 2002, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe said that tasks to be carried out in Myanmar, a developing country, is wide-ranging.

 The entire Myanmar society needs to be united, peaceful, stable and strong. Economic infrastructures are to be built; at the same time, the economic and social sectors need to be developed. In accordance with the far-sighted guidance of the Head of State, the government, while working for the unity of national races and national solidarity, is undertaking regional development tasks, building economic infrastructures and implementing plans designed to improve the health, education and social standards. A committee headed by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe was formed to implement the projects for the progress of border areas and national races.

In addition, the Head of State himself laid down special projects for construction of dams and reservoirs, Union Highways, river-crossing bridges at the economically and socially strategic places in the nation. Moreover, development tasks are being carried out in 24 special development regions and so are five rural development tasks. If these development projects are successful, all the parts of the Union where national races live will develop all the more; moreover, national solidarity is to be safeguarded with the attitude that all the national races were born of the same family in the Union. Only then, will everybody be imbued with the spirit of feeling resent in the event of hurting one of the family members. The Union of Myanmar will be free from foreign interference and able to stand as an independent and sovereign nation in the world.

All the teachers need to realize that the regional development tasks being undertaken systematically by the government are interrelated and that they are national requirements of great importance for the national solidarity and perpetual existence of the Union; therefore, they need to organize and lead their pupils and local people to take part in undertaking the regional development tasks. Included in the regional development projects are the tasks concerning the education sector. The teachers need to lead local people and pupils in improving their education standard and instilling them with the clear national outlook. In the regions where they are assigned duty, they need to cooperate in unity in undertaking regional development tasks, developing human resources, making national solidarity and Union Spirit flourish and improving the economic and social standard of local people. Some groups opposing the State and the insurgent runaway group are attempting to break up national solidarity and drive a wedge among national races, and spreading accusations designed to tarnish the image of Myanmar and its people.

Therefore, the teachers need to work with the national awareness and carry out organizational work so that all the national brethren can know the underlying causes of these concocted accusations designed to drive a wedge among national races and national solidarity and Union Spirit can flourish among Union-born national brethren. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called on all the teachers to work hard so that the Union of Myanmar can stand shoulder to shoulder and the national education of Myanmar can reach up to the international standard, to take part in the tasks for progress of border areas and regional development tasks and to organize the national people so that they can have the clear national outlook and Union Spirit and know the underlying causes of the acts of driving a wedge among national races and making accusations.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 had a cordial meeting with the trainee teachers and left there in the afternoon. Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the auditor-general, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board and members, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, Rector of CICS (Phaunggyi) Col Win Maung, officials, course instructors and trainee teachers. Teachers from states and divisions totalling 1,515 are attending the course.

( 3 ) Briefing on false allegations on sexual violence against women held

Yangon, 23 Aug - A briefing on the false allegations on sexual violence against women in Shan State was held for the heads of diplomatic missions and UN agencies here this afternoon.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, member of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs and Head of Working Group on Prevention of Violence Against Women and Rehabilitation Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs and Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Dr Daw May May Yi, senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the Supreme Court, the Office of the Attorney-General and Myanmar Police Force, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and other heads of missions and UN agencies.

At the briefing, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win stated that two so-called Shan Organizations had made false allegations that Myanmar Tatmadaw committed sexual violence against women in Shan State. To investigate the allegations, teams led by Chairman of Myanmar National Working Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and member of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs and Head of Working Group on Prevention of Violence Against Women Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe visited parts of eastern and southern Shan State. Moreover, a special team made up of security personnel also conducted investigations.

The findings of the investigation teams showed that the allegations were fabricated and groundless, he said.

Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Dr Daw May May Yi and Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe related their experiences during the visit to Shan State. Later, Director-General of the Supreme Court U Tin Aye and Director-General of the Office of the Attorney-General Dr Tun Shin explained about the legal aspects regarding sexual violence in Myanmar. The questions raised by the heads of mission and UN agencies were replied.

Allegations of sexual violence against Shan national women as a weapon by Myanmar Government expressed in "License to Rape" report untrue

Yangon, 23 Aug - Shan Human Rights Foundation and Shan Women's Action Network, so-called NGOs which have a close connection with SURA terrorist insurgent group and are opposing the State Government, released a report under the heading "License to Rape" concerning the allegation of committing sexual violence against Shan national women as a weapon by Myanmar Government. With respect to the report, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that the allegations included in the report are not true. On 20 May 2002, the SURA insurgent group launched attacks on some outposts of the Tatmadaw at the border, with the assistance of some outside elements.

 Together with the military campaign, the SURA also launched an international campaign to smear the image of Myanmar and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. The so-called Shan Human Rights Foundation and Shan Women's Action Network, which are fronts for anti-Government Shan dissidents and are closely linked with the SURA armed group, issued a report entitled, " License to Rape", alleging that the Myanmar Government was using sexual violence as a weapon in the Shan State. It cited 173 cases involving 625 women and girls. It is obvious that the SURA and the two so-called NGOs were acting in concert.

The Myanmar Tatma-daw is a patriotic armed force born out of the struggle for independence. It has always kept the interests of the people at heart. It is composed of national races from all over the country and is a systematically organized disciplined institution. The members of the Tatmadaw must strictly adhere to the military code of conduct and when there are infringes, severe action is taken against the perpetrators. For major crimes like murder and rape, severe punishment including death and life sentences are usually imposed.

 Moreover, systematic inspections are carried out and educational talks given to all the units to ensure that the troops follow the military code of conduct.

 Therefore, to accuse the Myanmar Government and the Tatmadaw of systematically using the policy of rape would be laughable if the intentions have not been so ill-will. But this is not the first time that the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women Action Network have made false allegations against the Myanmar Government. Time and again, their allegations have been shown to be nothing more than malicious accusations. Unfortunately, the false and fabricated report of the collaborators to the SURA was given credence by some politicians in the United State and in Thailand. Some members of the US Congress took up the issue and an official representation was made by the US Embassy in Yangon.

Some Thai politicians, even ones holding responsible positions, also made irresponsible statements. Moreover, the Thai media continues to sensationalize the matter, the latest example of which is the article " Rape as a war weapon" by Pennapa Hongthong that appeared in the Nation newspaper today. It is regrettable that some Thai media are acting as mouthpieces for insurgent groups for such actions will only be detrimental to the cause of friendship between the two nations. Myanmar Government believes that truth will eventually prevail. The various press conferences held by the Information Committee had already explained that these allegations were without any truth.

Moreover both the Myanmar Embassy in Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Yangon have also given appropriate replies to the US side. While fully aware that the accusations are groundless, the Government of the Union of Myanmar nevertheless sent investigation teams to the regions where the alleged incidents took place to seek the truth. Indeed, investigations were carried out by three different organizations, independent of each other. The first team was headed by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung in his capacity as Chairman of the working Committee for Prevention and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

 He toured 13 localities in Shan State (East) and Shan State (South) from 2 to 6 August 2002. In addition, 5 groups were designated as Special Task Force and visited 39 out of the 43 localities in Shan State (East) where alleged offences took place. Special Task Members were not able to visit the 4 remaining places because there exist no places with the names given. Secondly, the Myanmar National Committee on Women Affairs dispatched a team headed by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Member of the Myanmar National Working Committee on Women Affairs and Leader of the Sub-committee on Violence Against Women to Shan State (East) particularly Kengtung and Mongpyat areas from 5 to 9 August 2002.

 The third investigation was undertaken by a Special Team made up of security personnel. The team met and questioned 94 officers and men of 24 Infantry Battalions, 27 members of the judicial courts, police stations and hospitals of the townships where the incidents were said to have occurred as well as 6 members of 5 non-governmental organizations as well as 195 villagers. All in all, the investigation teams met and interviewed to thousands of inhabitants of the region as well as government officials including military officers and members of non-governmental organizations.

The results of these three investigations show that:

- The allegations that there had been widespread rape in Shan State during the period 1996 to 2001 are false and fabricated;

- Even the names of some of the alleged victims were not mentioned in some allegations;

- Some of the villagers where the incidents were supposed to take place were non-existent;

- The military units mentioned were not even present in the area;

 - There was no such military officer or soldier in the military unit mentioned in the allegation;

- Even in instances where the name of the military officer and the unit he was serving was correct, the military officer or his unit was not operating in the area;

 - Judicial, police and military records show there had only been three rape cases and only two involving Shan women; and

- The three soldiers involved have already been given heavy prison sentences by military courts.

 Moreover, one of the assertions was that some of the raped women received treatment at a hospital in Wiang Haeng town, Chiang Mai district, Thailand. Enquiries made by the Myanmar National Committee on Women's Affairs and the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok showed that there were no such cases and there were no hospital records of Shan women admitted and treated as alleged. The Myanmar Government is prepared to take legal action if there is any validity in the allegations. However, extensive investigations therefore have shown that allegations contained in the report " License to Rape" have no truth.

 Nevertheless, the Myanmar Government will continue with its enquiries until all the allegations have been investigated. In this regard, it looks forwards to working together with reputable NGOs to show to the world that there is no truth in the allegations: that they are politically-motivated to smear the reputation of the Myanmar Government and the Tatmadaw; that they were aimed at sowing discord among the national races in the country; and that the so-called Shan Human Rights Foundation and Shan Women Action Network are nothing more than mouth pieces for narco-terrorist organization like the SURA.

( 4 ) Central Organizing Committee of MWVO holds meeting

Yangon, 23 Aug -The Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization held meeting No 6/2002 at the meeting hall of the Headquarters of the Organization this evening. Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein addressed the meeting.

 Maj-Gen Thein Sein made a speech. Joint Secretary of COC Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo reported on the approval of the decisions made at meeting No 5/2002 and implementation of the decisions. Then, leaders of the five working groups reported on progress of work in undertaking five tasks. Afterwards, a general round of discussions followed. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Maj-Gen Thein Sein.

MWJA donates cash to National Convention

Yangon, 23 Aug - Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, hailing the National Convention, donated cash to the National Convention Convening Commission at a ceremony held at the office of the NCCC Working Committee in the Kyaikkasan Ground this morning.

It was attended by NCCC Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and members, Chairman of the Working Committee U Aung Toe, Vice-Chairman U Tha Tun and members, Chairman of the Management Committee for Holding the NCCC Brig-Gen Tin Aye and members, wellwishers MWJA Vice-Chairman U Tin Kha (Tekkatho Tin Kha), CEC Member U Chit Naing (Chit Naing-Psychology), Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay), Joint-Secretary -1 U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) and CEC Member U Than Hlaing (Tekkatho Thin Kha). Director of the NCCC Office U Ko Ko Gyi acted as master of ceremonies. Then, the MWJA vice-chairman explained the purpose of the donation, and presented K 200,000 to Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, who then presented a certificate of honour to him. Next, U Aung Toe spoke words of thanks, which brought the ceremony to a close.

Course on basic diplomatic skill concludes

 Yangon, 23 Aug - The closing ceremony of the basic diplomatic skill course No 6/2002 conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs took place at the ministry on Pyay Road this morning. Present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, departmental heads, course instructor Myanmar ambassadors, experienced diplomats, rectors of universities, professors and trainees. Minister U Win Aung made a speech and presented course completion certificates to trainees. Persons interested in international affairs, business entrepreneurs engaged in foreign companies, and company and government employees totalling 156 attended the course, which lasted 12 weeks.

( 5 )  F & R Minister receives Korean guests

Yangon, 23 Aug- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received President Mr T Y Lee and party of Daewoo International Corp of the Republic of Korea at his office this afternoon and discussed matters related to bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Course on GDP Calculation & Assessment opens

Yangon, 23 Aug - A basic course on GDP calculation and assessment of agricultural development, organized by the Agriculture Planning Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, was opened in the training hall of the department on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 9 am today, with an address by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin. Officials reported to the minister on the use of GIS in drawing up plans of the agricultural sector. A total of 31 trainees are attending the one-week course.

Seminar on promotion of cooperative exports concludes

Yangon, 23 Aug- A seminar on promotion of cooperative exports concluded at the meeting hall of the ministry on Bogyoke Aung San Street at 9 am today, with an address by Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said cooperative societies are undertaking business transactions in line with the three objectives  economic, technological and social development. At a time when efforts are being made for the promotion of export on a national scale according to the export-first policy of the State's economy, cooperative societies are needed to expand export promotion activities as an outcome of the seminar, he said. As for cooperative societies, he also stressed, it is required to actively participate in foreign trade, to take innovative measures and to promote the export sector, depending on the experience gained from the seminar and the condition of their societies.

( 6 ) Yangon East District Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions open

Yangon, 23 Aug- The opening ceremony of the Tenth Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions of Yangon East District was held at the hall of Thingangyun Township Peace and Development Council Office this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

 Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyi formally opened the competitions and made a speech. Next, amateur level medallists Ma Ei Shwe Zin and Maung Naung Naung Lin of Dagon Myothit (South) performed dances with the accompaniment of Myasithu saing troupe. Then, the commander presented gifts to the medallists. A total of 145 participants 107 in amateur level and 38 in professional level are taking part in the competitions which continue tomorrow.

Commander attends coord meeting

Yangon, 23 Aug - A coordination meeting on holding the Tenth Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions of Sagaing Division (2/2002) was held at Myathala Hall of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council on 19 August morning. Present were Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Chairman North-West Command Commander Brig-Gen Soe Naing, officials and artistes. The commander made a speech, and those present reported on progress of work. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport meets

Yangon, 23 Aug -A work coordination meeting of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport took place at the office of Yangon Division All Private Bus Lines Control Committee on Laydauntkan Street, Ta-mway Township, at 5 pm toady, with an address by Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

 In his address, the commander said that the Supervisory Committee was carrying out tasks for the convenience of passengers commuting in Yangon Division and travelling from Yangon Division to other states and divisions. He spoke of the need for committee members to supervise measures for ensuring drivers' abiding by rules and regulations and avoiding accidents. Members of the Supervisory Committee and chairmen of the bus lines of Yangon Division reported on matters related to ensuring secure and smooth transport. Afterwards, the commander fulfilled the requirements and made concluding remarks.

Highland Reclamation, ensuring rice sufficiency and promotion of agricultural sector coordinated in Shan State (North)

Yangon, 23 Aug -A work coordination meeting on highland reclamation, ensuring rice sufficiency and promotion of agricultural sector in Shan State (North) was held at the office of Shan State Peace and Development Council in Lashio on 19 August morning.

 The commander made a speech on the occasion. Then, Member of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council U Sein Oak and officials reported on work being carried out for self-sufficiency in rice, agricultural development and future work to the commander, who then fulfilled the requirements. Next, the commander presented cash awards to Muse and Namkham townships for their excellent performance in paddy cultivation in 2002.

Then, the commander made the concluding remarks. He spoke of the need of collective efforts to be made with might and main for local rice sufficiency. In the afternoon, Deputy Commander Col Hla Myint and officials inspected 50 acres of Hsin Shweli high-yield strain paddy being undertaken by the Customs Department at Htoomon Village-tract in Lashio and attended to the needs. Afterwards, local authorities and officials of Myanmar Agriculture Service inspected cultivation of poppy substitute corn, bee keeping camp (Bonmon) and monsoon paddy fields which are thriving at Hopeik Village in Lashio Township. At 3 pm, the commander attended the opening of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Chairman's Trophy 2002 Inter-district Under-17 soccer tournament held at the Union Sports Ground in Lashio and made a speech on the occasion.