( 1 ) Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects development tasks in Shan State (North)

Yangon, 12 Sept - State Peace and Development Council member Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence, arrived at Namtip of Special Region-2 in Shan State (North) on 9 September morning.

National race leader U Aik Yon and officials welcomed them and reported to them on regional development tasks, growing of poppy-substitute crops and livestock breeding tasks. After the commander had attended to the needs, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe made a speech. In the afternoon, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party inspected tarring of roads in the town and growing of poppy-substitute crops such as lychee, apple, mango, pineapple and rubber in the region. At the Namtip poppy-substitute crops plantations, over 400,000 rubber plants, over 220,000 apple plants and other plants such as mango, sweet chestnut, pineapple and pepper have been planted. Rubber sap can be produced from the plantations next year.

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe also visited Edible Oil Factory in Namtip region and inspected production line and raising of pigs and fish in the factory compound. He then looked into production of stone slabs at Namtip Granite Slab Factory and gave necessary instructions to the officials there. Next, he proceeded to Chinshwehaw border check point and then arrived at Laukkai where Col Than Win of Laukkai Station and officials welcomed him. At night, he met district and township level departmental officials, staff and social organization members at the briefing hall of the station.

He urged those present to cooperate with the people in implementing the five rural development tasks, to extend paddy cultivation and agriculture and livestock breeding tasks and to actively take part in drug eradication tasks. After hearing reports from the officials, he attended to the needs.

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( 2 ) Press conference explains exploitation and sale of women from
foreign countries, who entered Maesai, as sex slaves
Lack of intellectual knowledge and education in Kayin State due to KNU insurgents
Myanmar hands over 9-year-old Yodaya girl to her father on humanitarian grounds

Yangon, 12 Sept - The regular press conference with local and foreign correspondents was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here this morning.

Present on the occasion were Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, senior military officers, departmental officials, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club Patron U Hla Htwe, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members and invited guests.

First, Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Tun explained the matter concerning the exploitation and sale of women from foreign countries, who entered Maesai, as sex slaves. He said scholars of the Yodaya-based UNESCO Office and the Asian activity research camp of the Asia region education colleges jointly held a seminar on the research on trafficking of young women at Yodaya-Myanmar border. At the seminar, coordinator of the humanitarian association of the promotion of women's rights Nang Hsaung Hsuyan Kyinthtam said that a lot of facts had been collected at the meeting including messages sent by some young women for help; that the information included messages sent by young women who were sold into sex slaves asking for help to rescue them; that there were many similar incidents; that the majority were young women from foreign countries; that the largest number of victims were Shans from Myanmar and young women from Xishuangbanna region; that their ages ranged from 14 to 28; that young women who entered the border from various routes were subject to sexual exploitation; that most of them came to the area by boat, car, cargo trucks and trekking; that the price for the journey to the areas cost from baht 4,000 to baht 5,000 for each person; that they came in groups; and that government staff discharging duties at the border areas and women traffickers were jointly conducting the unlawful business. She also said that the study in Maesai alone showed that there were 238 victims in the area in January 2002; that as in the past the involvement of the government officials could be seen clearly. She then explained a case in which the government employees themselves were involved. According to her, the case was that two young Shan women from Kengtung went to Maesai in Yodaya from Tachilek and stayed at a house in the town; that two policemen took them in a police car from the house, saying that they would help find a job for the two young women at a restaurant in Chonburi District; that two policemen raped the two Shan women again and again along the way till reaching Chonburi; that the two policemen sold the victims into prostitution; and that the two women had to work at a massage parlour in Rachdaphisit region, Bangkok.

Brig-Gen Than Tun then said the case was issued in column three, page 15, No 240, of the August 2002 issue of the Chiang Rai News monthly magazine published in Yodaya. But the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) and the Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN) were silent about the case. It is so surprising that the SHRF and the SWAN which compiled the concoction "Licence to Rape" was silent about the case. It is also food for thought that whether the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Yodaya Parliament knows the case or not.

While imposing a blackout on the information given by the seminar, the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Yodaya Parliament and the Yodaya media are not only trying to exaggerate the groundless concoction "Licence to Rape", but also planning to translate it into Yodaya language.

At a time when the dignitaries of Yodaya including the Prime Minister and some other officials are trying to strengthen the relations between the two countries, there are acts to make concoctions. The officials and the people of Yodaya should weigh whether such acts can contribute to serving the interests of and bringing benefits to Yodaya and its people and helping strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries.

Moreover, they should also consider whether the acts are in accord with the good neighbourly practices or not.

Member of the Myan-mar National Committee for Women's Affairs Leader of the Education Group Daw Khin Aye Win explained the MNWCWA's visit to Mon and Kayin States to undertake women's development tasks there. She said the visit to Shan State by the team of the committee members led by MNCWA member Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe to carry out development tasks for the women's sector and to curb human trafficking had already been explained at a press conference. The achievements of another MNWCWA team led by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe will be presented at the conference.

The team made field tours in Mawlamyine on 4 September, Thanbyuzayat and Mudon on 5 September, Hpa-an in Kayin State on 6 September and Kawkareik on 7 September. At the townships in the two states, the team held meetings between the MNCWA and the respective regional Working Committees for Women's Affairs. Departmental personnel, officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs also took part in the discussions. The new formation of the subordinate bodies at different levels of the MNCWA, efforts being made to curb human trafficking and the task to prevent violence against women and deceiving and trafficking in women and children were explained at the meetings. The team divided itself into eight sub-groups and visited the stations, wards and villages, and met with local women's affairs committees and social organizations. According to the sub-groups' discussions with the Mon and Kayin womenfolk and local elders, it was found that young women in Mon State do not take much interest in working in Yodaya; that they are trying to improve their living standard through traditional weaving and agriculture; that they are enjoying good business and education; that some Mon girls are earning about K 40,000 per month from weaving business; that in Kayin State there are some people who are still working in Yodaya; some Kayin girls who thought highly of Yodaya went there to work; that they had to run away from Yodaya to Myanmar, for, they were subject to tortures and molestation by the police and employers and sexual slavery; some local girls in Kayin State still lag behind in economy, education and intellectual knowledge; that the sub-groups made coordinations with the respective bodies to attend to their needs; that lack of knowledge and education in Kayin State is due to KNU insurgents who had disturbed regional peace and security and regional development that led to setbacks in the economic and education sectors. At present, the projects to develop the women's sector can be implemented with full strength as peace and stability is prevailing in the region.

Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Col San Pwint explained the handing over of a Yodaya girl, who was in Hpa-an, Myanmar, back to her father. Yodaya, a neighbouring country of Myanmar, is launching fabrications against Myanmar through the drug bandits and its media, which is detrimental to the good neighborly practices. But Myanmar has always strictly adhered to the good neighborly practices. Despite the Yodayas' unlawful acts of torturing and molesting Myanmar national girls, the authorities of Myanmar rendered help to a Yodaya girl to the most possible degree.

On 17 July 2002, a Yodaya citizen, Piawon Kanok, asked for help from Myanmar authorities through the Yodaya Military Attaché Office in Myanmar to take back her nine-year-old daughter, Supri Dawinsanok, who was in Hpa-an then. When the Myanmar authorities made an investigation, they found out that Ma Nwe Nwe Aye of Hpa-an got married with a Yodaya, by the name of Piawon Kanok, while working at a garment factory in Bangkok; that the couple got a daughter they named "Ma Pwint Nadi"; that Supri Dawinsanok was Piawon Kanok's daughter by his former marriage; that as they were living together in the same house, the motherless child, Supri Dawinsanok, loved Ma Nwe Nwe Aye as her own mother; that when Ma Nwe Nwe Aye returned to Hpa-an in the early July 2002, Supri Dawinsanok requested her father to let her accompany Ma Nwe Nwe Aye to Myanmar for a visit; that Ma Nwe Nwe Aye took her to Myanmar with permission of her father; that not long after arriving in Hpa-an, Ma Nwe Nwe Aye received a phone call from Piawon Kanok, asking her to bring his daughter back to him; that when the authorities learnt that Ma Nwe Nwe Aye was making arrangements to send the Yodaya girl back to her father, they made arrangements to enable Ma Nwe Nwe Aye to hand over her back to her father in Yodaya on 29 July on humanitarian grounds. This deed shows that Myanmar always stick to the good neighborly practices.

Then, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win explained matters related to the power supply station projects of the Ministry of Electric Power already completed, under construction and under planing stage. He said the Government is aware of difficulties of the people relating to electricity. Only about 60 megawatts of electricity was produced before 1988. So, efforts have been made and over 450 megawatts of electricity can be produced on self-reliance, and the Government is always seeking ways and means to solve difficulties. Large and medium hydel power stations are under construction to produce over 3,000 megawatts in 2006 and, in 2003-2004, some projects will be completed and over 500 megawatts can be produced, he added.

Afterwards, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Leader of Education Group Prof Daw Khin Aye Win of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Director-General U Thaung Tun of the Political Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Director-General U Aung Koe Shwe of the Hydel Power Department of the Ministry of Electric Power replied to the queries raised by mediamen and the regular press conference came to a close at 11.15 am.

( 3 )  Commander inspects livestock breeding farms of Yangon Command

Yangon, 12 Sept - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe,  inspected the livestock breeding farms of Yangon Command this evening and fulfilled the requirements. First, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and party arrived at No 1 Livestock Breeding Farm in Sawbwagyigon, Insein Township, Yangon (North) District, where officials welcomed them.

At the briefing hall, in charge of the farm Capt Win Zin Maung reported on the raising, production and distribution of broilers, and Secretary of the Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Committee of Yangon Command Lt-Col Thein Hsint gave a supplementary report. The commander gave instructions on the constant breeding of broilers and distribution to tax-free markets and other markets daily. Then, the commander and party inspected the production of 4,000 briquettes per day and raising of broilers in the farm and gave instructions on sanitation work inside and surrounding areas of the farm and cultivation of vegetables.

The commander also inspected the sale in Taishwegon fish, meat and vegetable shop and gave instructions on distribution of fresh products with the standard weight. Then, the commander and party proceeded to No 3 Livestock Breeding Farm of the command in Danyingon, Insein Township and inspected raising of pigs. The commander gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs. At the briefing hall, incharge of the farm Capt Than Htay reported on raising broilers and pigs and production of broilers.

The commander gave instructions on the constant breeding of broilers and the daily distribution to tax-free markets in Yangon.

( 4 )  Commander presents prizes to winners of Performing Arts Competitions

Yangon, 12 Sept - The prize presenting ceremony of Mandalay Division Performing Arts Competitions was held at the National Theatre in Aungmyaythazan Township in Mandalay on 10 September evening, with an address by Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint. Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint made an opening speech and presented prizes to the winners. Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and officials also presented prizes to winners and the ceremony came to a close.

Achievement in enrolment of all school-age children for 2002 honoured in Bago Division

Yangon, 12 Sept - A ceremony to honour the achievement in enrolment of all school-age children for Year 2002 in Bago Division was held at No 4 Basic Education High School in Toungoo, Bago Division, yesterday. Bago Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Southern Command Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min  made an address on the occasion. Then, Director U Khin Maung Aye reported on successful implementation of tasks on enrolment of all school-age children. Then, Division Education Officer U Saw Ya Day spoke words of thanks. Next, the schoolboys and schoolgirls collectively sang the song titled "Pan-mya-wai-si-pwint-nay-byi" (Many flowers are in full bloom) and the ceremony came to an end.

Pinphyit Station Hospital opened in Yaksauk Township

Yangon, 12 Sept - A ceremony to open Pinphyit Station Hospital in Yaksauk Township, Shan State, was held at the hospital on 7 September morning.

Health Officer of Shan State Dr Khin Aung Cho and Chairman of Station Hospital Construction Committee U Kyaw Hlaing opened the station hospital. Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint then unveiled the signboard of the station hospital. Later, the commander inspected the hospital and gave instructions to officials. He also visited the patients undergoing treatment at the hospital. Next, at the briefing hall, officials reported to the commander on construction and formation of the hospital and health care services being carried out in Shan State. U Kyaw Hlaing then handed over documents related to the hospital to Dr Myo Thant.

Afterwards, cash was donated to the fund of the hospital K 100,000 each by Eastern Command and Shan State Peace and Development Council, K 50,000 by departments, K 30,000 by Taunggyi District Peace and Development Council, K 70,000 by well wishers of Yaksauk Township, K 500,000 by Pwint Kaung and Khin Nwe Yi agriculture companies and K 400,000 by wellwishers of village-tract totalling 1.25 million kyats.

Then, one of the townselders spoke words of thanks. The ceremony came to an end with concluding remarks by the commander.

Billboard erected to hail USDA Annual General Meeting

Yangon, 12 Spet - A billboard to hail the Annual General Meeting 2002 of the Union Solidarity and Development Association was put up at a ceremony held in front of Mawyawady Park, Mawlamyine, on 10 September morning. The commander formally unveiled the billboard. After the ceremony, Mon State USDA Patron South-East Command Commander Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung met delegates to the annual general meeting and then delivered a speech at Aung San Hall of Mon State Peace and Development Council Office. Next, the commander presented cash assistance to the delegates through Mon State USDA Secretary U Tin Soe Moe Naing.