International Relations
Drug
Senior General Than Shwe receives Vietnamese Minister of National Defence and party
Yangon, 17 Feb — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received a Vietnamese goodwill delegation led by Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committees of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Minister of National Defence Sr Lt-Gen Pham Vam Tra at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha at 11 am today.
The Vietnamese goodwill delegation was accompanied by Vietnamese Ambassador Mr Pham Quang Khon and Military Attaché Sr Col Le Van Vy.
Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and party visit narcotic drug elimination tasks in Mongphone, Mongla regions
Yangon,17 Feb — A study group comprising Ambassadors of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and the Russian Federation in Lao PDR, military attaches of the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and India, diplomats of Cambodia, France, Poland and Belarus led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Somsavat Lengsavad of Lao PDR arrived in Tachilek, Shan State (East), Myanmar, through Maesai-Tachilek Friendship Bridge via Thailand on 13 February morning for excursion tour in Golden Triangle Region.
The Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and party were welcomed by officials. In the afternoon, Joint Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Police Col Hkam Aung explained the history of narcotic drugs in Myanmar, elimination of drug production, endeavours of narcotic drugs abuse and eradication, the 15-year narcotic drug elimination plan of Myanmar, New Destiny Project and international cooperation in drug elimination at Regina Hotel in Tachilek.
Then, the study group arrived at the poppy-substitute farm of Hong Pang Co of Special Region-2 near Khokwa Village, Mong-phone Village-tract, Tachilek Township. Farm in-charge U Ar Lu and officials welcomed them and explained matters related to the farm to the group. The Mongphone Agricultural Farm has been established as 1,000 acres of poppy- substitute cultivation farm with capital of K 80 million since 1998. In the previous season, sales of grape, lychee, mango, coconut and plum fetched K 26 million.
In the evening, Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing hosted a dinner to the study group at Regina Hotel in Tachilek.
At the dinner, Col Tin Hlaing extended greetings and explained development of border areas, improvement of living standard and reduction of poppy cultivation.
Vice-Chairman of CCDAC Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung also extended greetings. Then, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Mr Bounkeut Sangsomsak spoke words of thanks.
Then, souvenirs were exchanged. They then enjoyed entertainment of traditional dance troupes.
On 14 February morning, the study group together with Minister for Foreign Affairs Col Tin Hlaing left Tachilek to continue the Kengtung-Mongla trip and arrived in Kengtung at 9.30 am. They were welcomed there by Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Command Brig-Gen Khin Zaw, Secretary Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and national races.
The study group proceeded to Mongla. In Mongla, General Secretary U Min Ein of Special Region-4 explained elimination of narcotic drugs and development of Mongla. He said that the Government made peace with the armed group in Mongla in April 1989. Efforts were made for peace and stability of the region, regional development, uplift of living standard of local people and elimination of narcotic drugs.
The Drug Elimination Museum was opened in April 1997 and the region was declared as an opium free zone.
Mongla, the most developing border region, attracts day-trip visitors along the Myanmar-China border. In 2002, over 350,000 tourists visited there.
Then, the study group were served with lunch at Hlinetunt Hotel. Then, they visited Myanmar-China Border Check-point. Next, the study group arrived back in Kengtung in the evening.
The commander hosted a dinner to the study group at Kengtung Hotel.
At the dinner, the commander extended greetings and Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Somsavat Lengsavad expressed his thanks. Then, the CCDAC Chairman spoke words of thanks.
Next, the commander and the Laotian Deputy Prime Minister exchanged gifts. The traditional dance troupes presented entertainment to them.
On 15 February, the study group visited Kengtung and Naungton Lake by car.
They paid homage to Khemarathta Standing Buddha Statue and presented cash donations to Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Tin Maung Aye and party.
Later, the Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and party proceeded from Kengtung for Tachilek by car. They then left Tachilek for Chaingrai, Thailand.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt receives former prime minister of Japan
Yangon, 17 Feb — Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received former prime minister of Japan Mr Tsumoto Hata and party at Zeya Thiri Beikman Hall at Konmyinttha at 2 pm today.
Also present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Myanmar Ambassador to Japan Dr Aung Naing, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Yuji Miyamoto.
Vietnamese goodwill delegation arrives
Yangon, 17 Feb — At the invitation of Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Lt-Gen Min Thein, a 15 member delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam led by Minister of National Defence of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Sr Lt-Gen Pham Vam Tra arrived here by air to pay goodwill visit this morning.
They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Lt-Gen Min Thein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, Vietnamese Ambassador Mr Pham Quang Khon and Military Attaché Sr Col Le Van Vy, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Vietnamese embassy.
The delegation, accompanied by Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Aung Kyi, Vietnamese ambassador and officials, arrived at the Drug Elimination Museum here this afternoon. Curator Police Lt-Col Hse Maung and officials welcomed them and conducted them round the museum.
The Vietnamese delegation then visited National Museum on Pyay Road and Sr Lt-Gen Pham Vam Tra signed in the visitors’ book.
In the evening, Lt-Gen Min Thein hosted a dinner in honour of the Vietnamese delegation at the Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Kon-myinttha. It was attended by members of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, the ministers, senior military officers, deputy minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Pham Quang Khon and Sr Col Le Van Vy.
Yangon, 17 Feb — Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received Vice-Chairman of Korea-Myanmar Friendship Association Mr Sung Rae Lee at his office at 4 pm today.
Seminar on “Myanmar in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges” commences
Yangon, 17 Feb— The opening ceremony of seminar on “Myanmar in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges” under the project of ASEAN Information Seminar Series was held at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park here this morning.
Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan delivered an address. He said:
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the ASEAN Secretariat, resource persons and responsible personnel from various ministries to arrange this kind of seminar which would facilitate ASEAN awareness in the member countries.
Cooperation in Culture and Information has been one of the ASEAN’s main pillars since the signing of the Bangkok Declaration in 1967. It was activities in this sector that sparked the growth of regionalism during ASEAN’s infant years. One of the ASEAN’s earliest Agreements was the agreement for promotion of cooperation in mass media and cultural activities which was signed at the Third Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in December 1969. The Agreement provided for member countries to examine the possibility of exchanging experts, organizing seminars in mass media and cultural activities.
Since 1978 up to the present, the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) has carried out the functions of socio-cultural activities and mass media. The objective of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) is to promote effective cooperation in the fields of culture and information for the purpose of enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity among the peoples of ASEAN, as well as in furthering regional development. ASEAN activities in culture and information have been regarded most exciting and fulfilling. This is perhaps because of the nature and mass appeal. These activities have developed comradeship and lasting friendship among many of ASEAN’s creative artists, writers and journalists.
At the Second ASEAN Informal Summit held in Malaysia from 15th to 17th December 1997, the leaders of ASEAN nations laid down ASEAN Vision 2020 and the Hanoi Plan of Action. One of the important aspects of implementing the ASEAN Vision 2020 and the Hanoi Plan of Action is to highlight the involvement and cooperation of all the peoples of ASEAN nations. Since there is still lack of full awareness of the work of ASEAN by the peoples of member countries, the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) has been undertaking ASEAN Information Seminar Series Project.
In implementing the ASEAN Information Seminar Series Project, the Myanmar-ASEAN COCI Subcommittee has arranged the following three seminars in Myanmar. These are—
1. “Myanmar in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges”
2. “Initiative for ASEAN Integration: How Can Myanmar maximise the benefits from it” and
3. “e-ASEAN”
Today’s seminar is the first of the three and I have noticed that officials from various ministries, academicians from universities, teachers from various schools, personnel from media and representatives of NGOs, altogether more than one hundred are attending this seminar. The two remaining seminars will be held in February and March respectively. In order to further spread the ASEAN awareness among the public throughout the nation which is the objective of the seminar, I would like to urge all the participants to learn and exchange your views with the resource persons and make good use of this opportunity for your benefit and also for the realising of the objective of the seminar.
I do not want to take too much of your valuable time and in conclusion, want to express my appreciation to all the distinguished guests, resource persons and participants for attending this opening ceremony of seminar on "Myanmar in ASEAN: Opportunities and Challenges” under the project of ASEAN Information Seminar Series.
Also present were Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel, Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyun, the deputy ministers, Chairmen and members of Management Committee for Myanmar ASEAN Information Seminar Series, ASEAN Ambassadors, Charges d’Affaires, delegates of the ministries, the chief justice’s office, the attorney-general’s office, the auditor-general’s office, CSSTB, Yangon City Development Committee, the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Women’s Entrepreneurs Association, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, Myanmar Music Asiayon, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon, City News, Myanmar Times and media persons.
The seminar commenced at 8.45 am. In the morning session, Chairmen of Management Work Committee for Myanmar ASEAN Information Seminar Series Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay presided over the seminar. Chairman of Work Committee for Holding Myanmar Seminar of ASEAN Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department U Aung Bwa took part discussions on brief background on ASEAN.
Director of ASEAN Affairs Department U Tint Swe participated in the discussions on political, security cooperation within ASEAN and external relations among ASEAN nations.
Deputy Director of National AFTA Unit of National Planning and Economic Department Daw Tin Tin Htwe discussed ASEAN economic cooperation.
Next, Professor of International Relations Department of Yangon University Dr Daw Myint Kyi participated in ASEAN functional cooperation. In the afternoon session, Chairman of Work Committee for Holding Myanmar Seminar of ASEAN Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department U Aung Bwa presided over the seminar.
Director-General U Khin Maung Htay discussed ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) and information sector.
Next, Deputy Director of Cultural Institute Department Daw Mi Mi Khaing reported on ASEAN Cultural Subcommittee. Police Col Hkam Aung of Drug Enforcement Department of CCDAC discussed narcotic drugs control and trans-national crimes.
Participants took part in the discussions. The seminar ended with a concluding remark by Director-General U Aung Bwa.
Management Committee for Observance of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day holds third meeting
Yangon, 17 Feb — The Management Committee for Observance of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day held the third coordination meeting at the office of the management committee at Resistance Park on U Wisara Road at 2 pm today, attended by Chairman of the Management Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.
Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint, chairmen and members of the Management Committee and work groups, departmental officials and guests.
First, the commander gave instructions on health and welfare tasks to be carried out for convenience of Tatmadawmen, members of Myanmar Police Force, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade who will participate in the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade, systematic drills and good discipline of Tatmadaw columns at the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade which is the prestigious ceremony of the State.
Secretary of the Management Committee Staff Officer (Grade-I) (A) Lt-Col Min Naing of Yangon Command reported on the minutes of the previous meeting.
Then, officials of the respective sub-committees took part in the discussions.
Next, departmental heads and officials of MPF, Fire Services Department, Myanmar Red Cross Society and Yangon City Development Committee reported on their respective sectors. Those present then discussed general matters.
Afterwards, the commander attended to their needs and gave the concluding remarks.
Seminar on control of drinking water quality in Myanmar held
Yangon, 17 Feb—Seminar on control of drinking water quality in Myanmar sponsored by the Ministry of Health and WHO took place at Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel on Alanpya Pagoda Road here this morning.
In his address, Minister Professor Dr Kyaw Myint said that the two national level workshops concerning drinking water quality in Myanmar were held in 1990 and 1998 with the help of WHO.
The aims of the seminars are to ensure the emergence of a system to control drinking water quality in Myanmar and to ensure the prescription of the national standards regarding drinking water.
With this end in view, the pilot projects are being launched in Nyaungshwe, Kyaukpadaung and Bogalay to find out the conditions of the hill region, the upper Myanmar region and the delta region.
Drinking water supply includes in the five rural development tasks. Nowadays, there are many artesian wells and natural wells in the regions where water is scarce, thereby contributing to ensuring full drinking water supply. In addition, the wellwishers and the national brethren have contributed to the projects for ensuring drinking water supply.
Those successes are tantamount to fulfillment of the immediate needs of the rural people. In other words, the first rural development task has already been implemented.
Supply of water is fulfillment of the social requirements. Only when there is clean and potable water will the people be free from the diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, gastro-enteritis and hepatitis.
To find out the quality of clean and potable water it is not complete to conduct tests one time or two times but constant testing needs to be done. These measures cannot be carried out by a department and the active participation of other departments and organizations is required. The project is the long-term one.
In controlling the water quality test on physical and chemical property of water and test on virus which are suddenly harmful to health have to be conducted. In addition, test on contents of minerals such as iron, fluoride, arsenic, lead and mercury which are harmful to health in the long-run has to be conducted.
If the relevant tests can be effectively conducted the diseases caused by minerals such as iron, fluoride, arsenic, lead and mercury could have been controlled. At the same time, the national standard on water quality could have been prescribed as the countries in the region.
Then, Representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra spoke.
Present were Deputy Minister Professor Dr Mya Oo, officials of state and division health departments, related ministries and Head of Water and Sanitation Division of UNICEF Dr Dee Park Bajracharya.
Next, the minister and officials inspected booths on control of drinking water quality in Myanmar.
Altogether 55 scholars from various departments presented nine papers on findings regarding drinking water quality.
The seminar continues until 18 February.
Yangon, 17 Feb — Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing arrived at Tachilek District Anti-narcotics Association Office in Shan State (East) yesterday and presented K 2 million for drug addict treatment centres.
The minister and party then went to rehabilitation camp of the Social Welfare Department and drug addict treatment centre in Tachilek Hospital and inspected it. The minister and party proceeded to the camp of the Bureau of Special Investigation in Tachilek and inspected agriculture and livestock breeding farm at the camp.
USDA Secretariat member tours Magway Division
Yangon, 17 Feb — Secretariat member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for National Planning and Economics Development U Soe Tha, accompanied by officials concerned on 15 February went to the Division Planning Department, Pyay Township. He met with officials of district and township offices of planning department and gave instructions on measures to be taken.
Then, the secretariat member together with officials viewed rural development tasks being implemented by Township USDAs in Thayet District and Minbu District, west bank of Ayeyawady River, Magway Division and fulfilled the needs. First, they fulfilled the needs of drinking water and construction tasks of new school building.
Next, the secretariat member proceeded to Mezali village and Kanle village and viewed station dispensary being built in cooperation with Mindon USDA and the local people in Mezali village and Kanle village and attended to their needs.
Afterwards, the secretariat member inspected new building of USDA in Padan village, Ngaphe Township and fulfilled the needs there. In the evening, he went to Minbu District USDA office and met with secretaries and executives of districts and townships. Executives of township reported on rural development tasks and community welfare to him and he gave necessary instructions.
Minister U Soe Tha, accompanied by officials arrived at Planning Department office, Minbu District, met with officials of township planning department in Minbu and Magway Districts and gave instructions on tasks to be carried out more effectively.
The secretariat member together with officials went to Yepoat village BEPS, Minbu Township and fulfilled the needs for construction of new school building. Then, he proceeded to Salin Township BEHS and met with members of school board of trustees, teachers, townselders and executive members of Salin Township USDA and gave instructions on extension of school building to them.
Next, he proceeded to Salin Township Sinbyugyun BEHS and met with members of school board of trustees, teachers, townselders and fulfilled the needs for drinking water supply. Afterwards, the secretariat member attended the opening ceremony of science lab of Tanaung village BEHS implemented by Salin Township USDA and members of school board of trustees and teachers and gave instructions on arrangements for building the school library.
Cash donated for renovation of Majjima region old Buddhagaya Monastery
Yangon, 17 Feb — A ceremony to donate cash for the renovation of Majjima region old Bodh Gaya Monastery and the new Thawithti-Myanmar Monastery was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township this morning. It was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin.
First, Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Shwemyintin U Nyo explained the purpose of donations. Owner of Yadanawin Fertilizer Brokerage U Min Din-Daw Win Win Aye and children of No- Nya 27, Arthawka Street, Bayintnaung presented US $ 25,000 for the construction of main two-storey building of Myijjima region Bodh Gaya Myanmar Monastery to Minister U Aung Khin.
Then, cash donation was made for 20 plots of Majjima region Thawithti-Myanmar Monastery. The donations amounted to US $ 34,900 including US $ 1,000 by Dr Hla Shein-Daw Nyo Nyo family of Lanmadaw Township; US $ 2,000 by Daw San Myint and children and grandchildren of Sangyoung Township in remembrance of U Myint Thein; US $ 2,200 by Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Khin Kyi and young sisters of Latha Street; US $ 2,000 by U Zaw Min Oo-Daw Win Win Htay and Ma Ngwe of Aung Yadana Win Fertilizer Brokerage, Bayintnaung; US $ 2,000 by pilgrims led by Daw Aye Aye Kyi and Daw Khin Khin Nyo; and US $ 100 each by U Min Din-Daw Win Win Aye and children of Bayintnaung, U Pe-Daw Kyi family of Ahlon Township, U Myint Lwin-Daw Khin Khin Htwe family of Ahlon Township, U Zaw Min Oo-Daw Win Win Htwe and Ma Ngwe of Bayintnaung, U Tin Hla-Daw Aye Aye Kyi of Bahan Township and Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Khin Nwe Yi (Shwe Pazun) of Than Lwin Street. The minister, the deputy minister and director-general accepted the donations.
The merit-sharing ceremony for the plot of Thawithti-Myanmar Monastery will be held for the first time on 24 February. Five Buddhist missionary groups will leave here in order to hold the ceremony on 10, 24 and 31 March and 7 April. Those wishing to donate cash may dial Ph 01-545215, 01-545216 or 01-555173.
Myanmar Tatmadaw medical seminar to be held
Yangon, 17 Feb — The 13th Myanma Defence Services medical seminar will be held at Defence Services Institute of Medicine in Mingaladon from 1 to 4 March.
Medical experts and enthusiasts may attend the seminar and the admission fee is 1500 kyats. The fee for house surgeons and cadets of DSIM and Institute of Nursing is only K 500. They are to contact the director (Literature) of DSIM (Tel 635022), the registration officer of Mingaladon Defence Services Hospital (Tel 635054), the registration officer of No 2 Defence Services Hospital (500 bed) (Tel 254367) and the registration officer of Defence Services Orthopedic Hospital (500 bed) (Tel 636091) beginning 23 February.
Drug
Yangon, 17 Feb — The victorious Myanmar Archery team, which won one gold medal and three silver, in the First Asia Round Archery Tournament, held in Bangkok, arrived back home yesterday.
It was led by Vice-President of Myanmar Archery Federation Police Brig-Gen Tin Win. The team was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik and officials, members of the panel of patrons for Myanmar Women’s Sports Federation, and others.
