Secretary-1 receives guest from UK
Yangon, 22 April - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received Mr Viscount Slim, member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom, at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall, Konmyinttha, here this morning.
Yangon, 22 April-Industrial Development Committee held its meeting 1/2003 at the training hall of the Ministry of Industry-1 on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of IDC Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win.
Also present on the occasion were members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence, Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, the ministers, the Yangon Mayor, the Mandalay Mayor and guests.
In his address, Chairman of IDC Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win said that in view of development of Myanma industrial sector, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance calling for officials concerned to make efforts with added momentum for development of Myanma Industrial Sector after combining the ministries in which mills, factories and industries are included in Industries Development Committee with the sponsorship of the Government.
Combining efficiency of the State-owned factories and mills, and production ability of the industrial zones, efforts are to be made for boosting production of new products and valuable products for import-substitute and boosting of exports; to link up the State-owned industries and the private industries, and to combine them for mutual assistance, he noted.
On his inspection tour of Myanma Industrial Exhibition (2003), the Head of State, he said, has also given guidance calling for production of industrial products qualitatively and quantitatively at a low cost with the effective use of high technology and modern machines. People are to make strenuous efforts in building an industrialized nation, the Government, on its part, will fulfil necessary assistance. To ensure development of the industrial zones, the industrial production process is to be gradually upgraded from the use of manpower to mechanical power phase by phase after observation and assessment of mode of production, he pointed out.
The industrial sector plays a key role in development of the national economy. Thus, efforts will have to be made to upgrade import-substitute industries into heavy industries and heavy chemistry industries under the leadership of the Government, and emphasis is to be placed on combination of productive forces and human resources of the ministries and private industries for the emergence of the electronic industries according to the 30 year-plan, he added.
He stressed the need for officials concerned to make concerted efforts to create industrial infrastructure, technical know-how and skill and investments; to develop research and use new technical know-how for innovation and to nurture human resources for management of mills and factories.
In the industrial exhibition 2003, changes and developments in the industrial sector were witnessed, especially, progress has been made in the production of automobile, transformer, power generator, small hydel power engine, electronic and electronic control pannel. The industrial zones are the prerequisites for development of the industrial sector, and efforts will have to be made to upgrade the industrial production process from the use of manpower to mechanical power and from mechanical power to computer-controlled machines phase by phase, he stressed.
If the GDP participation ratio of the three major sectors-the agriculture sector, the industrial sector and the service sector-is studied, it will be found that in 2001, China is the highest in the industrial sector representing 64.6 % whereas Bangladesh was the second lowest representing 26.2 %. Vietnam, one of the leading rice exporting countries in the world, has 22.7 % of agriculture sector and 36.9 % in industrial sector in its GDP while Myanmar has 56% in agriculture sector and 10.5 % in industrial sector in its GDP.
He called on the ministries, the related departments and the cooperative and private industries which play a crucial role in boosting of the ratio of the industrial sector in GDP are to make collective efforts for successful implementation of the national objectives.
Efforts are also to be made for enhancing the efficiency of the State-owned economic organizations that play an important role in industrial development, boosting the production and producing the industrial products qualitatively and quantitatively at less expenses.
Observation and assessment is to be made on efficiencies of economic organizations and remedial measures are to be taken for the industrial development. In addition, field trips are to be conducted right down to mills and factories to know the production capability of respective factories and mills and to review and combine them with the requirements of other factories and mills.
He continued to say that accurate and correct data are required for the industrial development. In this connection, correct data must be collected on machinery, production strength, install capacity and current production of each factory, he said. Similar data should also be collected for industrial zones and private firms, he said. In this way, advantages and disadvantages of industries be scrutinised and co-ordinated for boosting their production, he pointed out.
He also urged the personnel concerned to make efforts for promoting the production strength of industries and to calculate the prospect and ratio of the industrial sector in the GDP by considering the strength of industries on the run and those which have been built and soon to be run. In conclusion he said that according to the 30-year industrial development plan, the ratio of the industrial sector in the GDP is targeted to be 20 per cent in the first five years and 37 per cent in the sixth five years. He called for collective coronations between the state-owned, cooperative and private sectors to meet the targets.
Then, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha reported on the industrial sector in GDP. Next, Secretary of Industrial Development Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported on matters related to industrial development and formation of Industrial Development Committee, Myanma Industrial Development Committee, Myanma Industrial Development Work Committee and the sub-committees.
Then, Secretary of MIDC Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Kyaw Win reported on work carried out by MIDC and Chairman of MIDWC Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin on work carried by MIDWC. This was followed by a general round of discussions.
The meeting ended in the evening with the concluding remarks by Chairman of IDC Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win.
Fresh water creeks to be dammed to extend summer paddy cultivation in Yanbye Township
Yangon, 22 April - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than met with local authorities, departmental personnel, social organizations and local people in Yanbye, Rakhine State, on 20 April.
Chairman of Yanbye Township Peace and Development Council U Oo Tha Sein reported to him on location and area of the town, agricultural activities, health, education, social, livestock breeding, and rural water supply and agricultural undertakings.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said Yanbye Township is achieving progress in agricultural and fish breeding sectors. Rakhine State is a reliable region for the nation, and Yanbye Township is a reliable township for the state. Thus, the township will have to strive to exceed the agricultural and fish breeding and other economic targets set by the State. Although the whole state is enjoying rice sufficiency, greater efforts are needed to produce more food. In this regard, fresh water creeks should be dammed to extend summer paddy cultivation on the island. Scientific methods should be applied to produce more fish and prawn from the breeding ponds. The local economy will develop only if efforts are made for harmonious development of the agricultural and livestock breeding sectors.
As the township covers many rural areas, officials concerned will have to make field tours to carry out the five rural development tasks. They should also pay serious attention to their departmental work.
Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo was also present. Accompanied by officials, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected the Yanbye-Konminphaya-Mingyaung road section and a over 100-year-old Kyatsane tree that can produce edible oil. At the Yangon-Taungup-Maei-Kyaukpyu Road Project at Sane Village, Kyaukpyu Township, they heard a report on progress in building of bridges in the road section between Sane-Konminphaya and Mingyaung Creek Bridge. Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo gave a supplementary report.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected Mingyaung (Myakaytaung) Dam. They were conducted round the dam by Senior Engineer U Tin Soe. The gravel-filled earth dam is 550 feet long and 30 feet high and its storage capacity is 63 million gallons of water. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party went to the site of Mingyaung Creek Bridge Construction Project in Yanbye Township.
Senior Engineer U Tin Soe reported on progress of work and future tasks, Senior Engineer U Than Nyunt on progress of work on Maei-Wanphite road section of Yangon-Kyaukpyu Road Project and construction of roads and bridges in Londawpauk and Didokepauk and Deputy Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint and Senior Engineer U Thila on construction of Didokepauk and Thanthamagyi Bridges on Yangon-Kyaukpyu road section. Commander Brig-Gen Maung Oo also gave supplementary report.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on completion of the tasks in time and durability of the roads and bridges. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected construction site of Mingyaung Creek Bridge, Senior Engineer U Tin Soe reported on piling of approach bridges on Maei and Kyaukpyu banks. The reinforced concrete Mingyaung Creek Bridge, 2,704.2 feet long and 24 feet wide, lies in Yanbye Township. It has three feet wide walkways on each side. Its clearance is 171 feet wide and 36 feet high. It can withstand 60 tons of load.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected construction of Thanthamagyi Bridge. They proceeded to the site of Didokepauk Bridge where Deputy Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint reported on construction piles and approach structures, installation of beams and progress of work of Thanthamagyi Bridge, Superintending Engineer U Than Nyunt on construction of gravel road from Sanepauk to Didokepauk with the use of geotextile process. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected paving of the road from Gyiphyutaung to Didokepauk with the use of geotextile process. Thirteen miles out of 20 miles long marsh were paved with the use of geotextile process. They went to Londawpauk Bridge Construction Project site on Kyaukpyu bank. Deputy Superintending Engineer U Tin Htut reported on progress of work and Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than then gave instructions. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party also inspected Sanepauk Bridge Construction site and left for Maei.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than tours Kyaukpyu and Yanbye townships in Rakhine State
Yangon, April 22 - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence and party, accompanied by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Oo, visited the Gangawdaw Pagoda in Kyaukpyu on 19 April morning.
At the briefing hall of Minpyin Radar Camp, 15 miles and four furlongs from Kyaukpyu, officials of the Settlement and Land Records Department reported on location of Minpyin Village on the sea shore in Kyaukpyu Township and utilization of land resources with the use of charts. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party met villagers of Minpyin Village and discussed tasks to be carried out for improving education, health, social and economic sectors for the development of the village. They also met with villagers of Konbaunggyi, Konbwe, Taungyin, Wettawpyin Ywama, Wettawpyin Konbaung and Kyeedwe villages of Zinchaung Village-tract, departmental personnel, members of social organizations and officials at Zinchaung affiliated basic education high school of Zinchaung Village-tract in Kyaukpyu and dealt with matters on the development of the village-tract.
Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than discussed the projects being implemented by the government for building up a peaceful, modern and developed nation, conditions on implementation of border areas development projects, 24 special development regions projects and the five rural development tasks for proportionate and balanced development of all parts of the nation. He spoke of the need for local authorities and local people to do suitable businesses and to extend cultivation of pepper and other suitable crops in addition to agriculture and livestock breeding tasks for development of respective regions, measures to be taken for reduction of crimes, prevalence of law and order and community peace. He called on local authorities to make field trips to the grassroots level for all-round development of respective regions in cooperation with local residents. He also urged local populace to participate in regional development tasks hand in hand with local authorities.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected progress of village-to-village roads in Kyaukpyu Township. They then inspected construction of a new two-storey building of Zayatpyin Village-tract BEHS, Laydaung Station, Yanbye Township, and left necessary instructions. Next, they visited the Sibinthaya Pagoda in Laydaung Station (Wakyeinpyin) and then donated offertories to Thayetcho Village Sayadaw U Sumana and members of the Sangha.
Then, cash donations presentation ceremony for the pagoda followed at the pagoda. People of Laydaung Station presented K 2 million; Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo and wife, K 600,000; U Maung Yee-Daw Nu Mya Yee and family of Zayatpyin Village and U Maung Than Shwe and brothers and sisters of Thayetcho Village, K 120,000 each; U Ko Lay of Laydaung Station, Daw Yee Yee Myaing and family and proprietors of rice mills and edible oil mills of Zayatpyin Village-tract, K 100,000 each; U Maung Bo San and seven wellwishers of Thayetcho Village, U Aung Myint-Daw Yee Yee San and family of Thayetcho Village, U Aung Tun Kyan-Daw Lon Sein and family of Asheimaw Village, U Hsan Win-Daw Thi Thi Myaing of Kontan Village and teachers and staff of basic education schools in Laydaung Station, K 80,000 each; the variety dances committee of holding Htidaw hoisting ceremony of the pagoda and owners of trawlers in Laydaung and Taungup, K 60,000 each; owners of rice mills and fishery entrepreneurs in Thayetcho Village-tract, K 50,000; and others totalling K 3.97 million. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo and departmental heads accepted the donations.
Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than met rural people in the villages of the station at the pagoda and discussed matters on regional development tasks. Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said that due to the collective efforts and generous donation of departmental personnel, wellwishers and social organizations in Laydaung Station in Yanbye Township, Wakyeinpyin Sibinthaya Pagoda with 38 feet and nine inches in height has been renovated in a short period. Moreover, tasks for renovation of 75 feet long, 83 feet wide and 108 feet high Gandakutitaik will be completed soon. So, such successful renovation of the pagoda bears witness to improvement of economic standard and united efforts of local people. Beefing up the already-gained economic improvement and solidarity, the local people are to make efforts with added momentum to achieve greater success in economic, education, health and social sectors, he said.
The government has been implementing the three major development projects for ensuring equitable development of all parts of the nation including border areas and rural regions. In this regard, he called for greater efforts to be made in harmony for successfully implementing the five rural development tasks.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected Laydaung Station Hospital and self-reliant radio-telephone exchange and left necessary instructions. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than also inspected Laydaung Creek Bridge and gave instructions on maintenance of the bridge for durability. The 145 feet long and 12 feet wide self-reliant bridge is built across Laydaung Creek at a cost of K 20 million by local people with assistance rendered by Kyaukpyu District Peace and Development Council.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected affiliated BEHS in Kyauktwe Village, Zabardon Village-tract in the township and left necessary instructions.
In the evening, they visited Dekkhinayama Wihara Pariyatti Monastery in Ward 4 and Ponnataung Monastery in Ward 2 in the town and paid reverence and donated offertories to the presiding Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
Minister inspects communication facilities
Yangon, 22 April- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw inspected telephone exchange, post and telegraph offices in Seikphyu Township and telephone exchange and post office in Tanyaung Village, Magway Division on 20 April.
The minister also inspected rural telephone exchange under construction in Zibyubin Village. He inspected telephone exchange, post office, microwave stations in Hsinphyugyun, Salin and Pwintbyu Townships. The minister inspected telephone exchanges and post office in Lekai Village and Sagu Township.
On 21 April, the minister inspected microwave stations in Kanhtoke and Shantatgyi and made arrangements for telephone communication. The minister inspected communication facilities in Mindon and Okeshitpin in Bago Division (West). In the afternoon, the minister inspected telephone exchanges, post offices, microwave stations and in Kyangin, Myannaung, Htoogyi, Mezaligon, Ingapu, Talokhtaw, Hinthada and Danubyu.
Renovation of Hkamti Airport inspected
Yangon, 22 April - Accompanied by officials, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein arrived at Hkamti in Sagaing Division yesterday.
At the briefing hall of the Hkamti Airport, engineer in charge U Win Lwin reported on progress of work in renovation of the airport, condition of construction materials and machinery. The minister then gave instructions on completion of renovation tasks as scheduled and fulfilled the required machinery. Then, the minister inspected the progress in repairs of the runway and left there.
Labour management course opened
Yangon, 22 April - The labour management course No 9 for the management personnel grades-1, 2 and 3 of the departments, boards and committees under the Ministry of Labour was opened at the training hall of the Labour Department this morning.
The course opening ceremony was attended by Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein, departmental heads and guests. The minister made an opening speech. Altogether 30 trainees are attending the course which will last till 21 May.
Regional development tasks inspected in Seikkyi Khanaungto Township
Yangon, 22 April - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected regional development tasks in Seikkyi Khanaungto Township, Yangon South District, this afternoon.
At the office of Township Peace and Development Council, officials reported on arrangements for construction of bridges across Khanaungto Creek for regional development, supply of potable water, construction of the circular road and measures being taken for regional development.
The commander also met with departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and townselders at the same venue. At the meeting, the commander discussed efforts being made by the government for development of economic, health, education and social sectors in order to bridge the development gap among the regions of States and Divisions after designating 24 development regions, development tasks for Yangon Division being carried out under the supervision of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, collective efforts to be made by departmental officials of the township for ensuring the development of Seikkyi Khanaungto Township, and assistance to be rendered and the five rural development tasks being carried out by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council for regional development.
The commander and party then inspected the poultry farm of Township General Administration Department and gave instructions on extended poultry farming.
Next, they inspected the stockpiling of laterite for construction of the circular road and stressed the importance of timely completion.
They proceeded to U Mya Ngazin Ward on the other bank of Hlaing River in Kyimyindine Township, Yangon West District, where they were welcomed by No 3 Military Region Commander Col Tint Hsan, Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and officials. Then, they visited the Makkayika Monastery and donated offertories to Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sunanda. The commander supplicated on assistance to be provided by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council for development of the ward.
The commander spoke of the need for the chairman and members of Ward Peace and Development Council to carry out regional development tasks with might and main and to collectively undertake duties for ensuring prevalence of law and order and community peace.
They then inspected construction of self-reliant earth road with 15,200 feet in length and 18 feet in width which will link U Mya Ngazin Ward and the wards on the other bank of Hlaing River in Kyimyindine Township and left necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements.
Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and party inspected road conditions along the village-to-village road. The commander gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs.
New Generation Aviation Courses opened
Yangon, 22 April- The New Generation Aviation Basic Course No 1/2003, organized by the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office, was opened at Kandawmingala hall in Meiktila yesterday morning. Present on the occasion were Meiktila Flying Training Base Commander Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tin, Ground Training Base Commander Col Thura Khin Maung Win, senior military officers, local authorities, departmental officials, Mandalay Division USDA executive U Soe Aung and members of USDA and social organizations. The five-week course is being attended by 50 trainees.
Similarly, the New Generation Aviation Basic Course No 1/2003, organized by the USDA and the Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office, was opened at Khaboung hall in Toungoo yesterday morning. Present on the occasion were Patron of Bago Division USDA Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Ko Ko, Brig-Gen Thura Myint Thein of Toungoo Station, senior military officers, departmental officials, USDA members and guests. Altogether 50 trainees are attending the five-week course.
Likewise, the New Generation Aviation Basic Course No 1/2003, organized by the USDA and the Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office, was opened at Mingala Hall of Namhsan Station yesterday. Brig-Gen Kyaw Aung of Namhsan Station made an opening address. The five-week course is being attended by 50 trainees.
The Law Amending the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Law
(The State Peace and Development Council Law No. 7/2003)
The 6th Waning Day of Tagu 1365 M.E.
(22nd April, 2003)
The State Peace and Development Council hereby enacts the following Law:-
1. This Law shall be called the Law Amending the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Law.
2. In the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Law-
(a) The expression "a representative each from the respective State and Division, total (14)" contained in sub-section (c) of section 7 shall be substituted by the expression "a representative each from the respective State and Division, total (16)".
(b) The expression "three members of the Executive Committee" contained in section 9 shall be substituted by the expression "7 members of the Executive Committee".
(c) The expression " 5 members" contained in sub-section (c) of section 29 shall be substituted by the expression "7 members".
Sd/- Than Shwe
Senior General
Chairman
The State Peace and Development Council
International Relations
PRC donates two digital seismographs
Yangon, 22 April - A ceremony to hand over the documents relating to two digital seismographs donated by the People's Republic of China was held at the Ministry of Transport here today.
At the ceremony, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Li Jinjun signed and exchanged the documents.
According to Momen-rumdum of Understanding between the two countries, PRC donated the two seismographs. They had been now installed at the seismological division buildings in Yangon and Mandalay under the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.
On the occasion, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe said the seismographs contribute to building of the modern and developed nation and this donation was a historical milestone in China-Myanmar cooperation. Then, Mr Li Jinjun pledged to promote bilateral cooperation. Deputy Ministers for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, Officer on special duty Brig-Gen Myo Tint and departmental heads also attended the ceremony.
Sri Lankan Ambassador calls on Yangon Mayor
Yangon, 22 April -Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay received Mr U Mapa, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, at his office at the City Hall here this morning.
Also present at the call were YCDC Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung and the committee members.
Sport
Youth tennis tournaments to be held
Yangon, 22 April - Tennis tournaments for youths under 10, 12 and 14, jointly sponsored by Myanmar Tennis Federation and Wilson Co, will be held at Theinbyu Tennis Court here from 10 to 15 May.
The travelling allowance and accomodations and food during the tournaments will be provided to the participants of states and divisions by MTF. Any youth may take part in the tournaments. Those who wish to take part in the tournament are to contact MTF in Theinbyu Tennis Court not later than 7 May.
Inter-State/Division table tennis tourney opens
Yangon, 22 April - The 16th inter-State/Division Table Tennis championship matches were opened at Aung San Stadium today with an address by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint.
After the opening ceremony, Managing Director U Kyaw Sein of Olympic Hotel presented K 500,000 to the Myanmar Tennis Federation, Federation President U Kyaw Kyaw K 400,000, Vice-President U Mya Maung K 400,000, Executive Member U Aung Lwin K 400,000, U Khin Hsaing of Kyaung Kaba Video Production K 300,000, and executives U Myint Thein, U Chan Hein, U Maung Maung Than and Daw Daisy Lin K 300,000 each and Daw San San Myint K 200,000.
Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint also addressed the opening ceremony of South East Asia Judo Federation Coaching and Refereeing Seminar at the Road Administration Department.
President of South East Asia Judo Federation Mr Hoang Viet Hung also gave a speech. Forty trainees are attending the course which will last till 26 April.
Drug
Minister Col Tin Hlaing addresses 46th session of Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Yangon, 22 April- The 46th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs organized by United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime was held at Austric Centre in Vienna, Austria, from 8 to 17 April. Implementation and difficulties of the Political Declaration approved by the 20th special meeting on drug control held at the UN headquarters in New York in 1998 were reviewed at the Ministerial Level Segment of the session on 16 and 17 April. Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing attended the session. Myanmar delegation comprised member of CCDAC Brig-Gen Kyaw Thein of the Ministry of Defence, Ambassador U Nyunt Maung Shein of Myanmar Embassy in Berlin, Germany, Joint-Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Kham Aung and Second Secretary Daw Aye Mya Hman of Myanmar Embassy in Berlin. Minister Col Tin Hlaing made a speech at the plenary meeting on 17 April. In his address, he said:
At the outset, on behalf of Myanmar delegation, I would like to congratulate for being elected as the Chairman of this most important meeting.
I am very pleased to report on Myanmar's achievements and the difficulties encountered in meeting the goals and targets set out in Political Declaration adopted at the 20th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1998.
Starting 1989, the Myanmar Government have taken advantage of the peaceful situations in the border regions for the first time since independence in 1948, laying down a strategy to develop the infrastructure of the border areas and upgrading the living standards of the national races with a view that poppy cultivation will gradually be phased out. The strategy has gradually paid off with the establishment of an Opium Free Zone in 1997 in Mong La Area, Eastern Shan State, which is sustained to date. The Kokang Special Region-1 followed suit by declaring they have stopped poppy cultivation in 2003. Moreover, the Wa Special Region-2 guaranteed to stop cultivation totally in 2005.
The Government itself launched an ambitious 15-Year in 1999 to totally eradicate drugs in the country by 2014. This major undertaking relies on our own resources and is based on the United Nations' Balanced Approach and accordingly, will not only strive for reducing supply but also reduce demand and drug abuse with community participation. As part and parcel of the 15-Year Plan, a pilot project programme called "New Destiny" was launched in April last year with a pre-emptive approach by setting up seed banks and free distribution of substitute crop seeds to poppy farmers before the poppy season. Project sites were identified in high-density cultivation areas of the Shan State. Educational campaign, crop substitution, livestock breeding, income-substituting cottage industries and various other development programmes were introduced and subsidized by the Government in the project sites. One of the important intervention of the projects is the destruction of opium seed surrendered voluntarily by the farmers from their stock for the coming poppy season. A total of 165,956 kilograms of poppy seeds have been burnt and destroyed in front of the public in nine different occasions. This intervention enabled the prevention of 41,128 hectares from illicit cultivation that could produce 44.17 tons of opium.
I am pleased to report that this concerted efforts have resulted a drastic reduction in the cultivation as well as production of opium in Myanmar. Opium Yield Survey annually held jointly with the United States Government since 1993 reported cultivation dropped sharply to 77,700 hectares with an estimate production of 630 metric tons in 2002 from an estimate of 163,110 hectares of cultivation and a production of 2,560 metric tons in 1996. This is a 77 per cent reduction within seven years without any international assistance but with our own efforts and resources.
The three surveys undertaken together with UNDCP under the Global Illicit Crops Monitoring Programme since 2001 also testified by the significant decrease of 80,000 hectares and estimate production of 830 tons. Based on early reports from the surveys of this season, there are indications of a reduction also this year.
These significant reductions have been acknowledged by all credible sources including the INCB Report of 2002 and we are grateful that the reality has been reflected in the report.
On the law enforcement sector, there is also a marked decline in the amount of opium and heroin seized within the country over the recent years. However, the escalating problems of synthetic drugs like amphetamine type stimulants propel us to cooperate with our neighbouring countries in the region on bilateral, trilateral and multilateral basis. This problem is entirely different from the opium based drugs and cultivation of poppy. Myanmar does not have a chemical industry and does not manufacture precursor chemicals to produce these synthetic drugs. Due to the fact that all these precursor chemicals are illicitly trafficked from neighbouring countries, I am pleased to report that Myanmar is addressing this regional problem with the full cooperation of China, India and Thailand and technical assistance from UNODC.
I have great pleasure to report to this meeting that Myanmar has enacted the Control of Money Laundering Law in June 2002, which is in line with the 40 Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force.
For demand reduction, to address the spread of HIV among injecting drug users, we have joined hands with the UN Organizations as well as International Non Governmental Organizations working not only in the control of the problem but also in harm reduction measures. To this end, we are also tapping into the Global Funds for HIV/AIDS to combat this problem.
In conclusion, to overcome these problems, nations across the world should increase cooperation at the regional, sub-regional and bilateral levels. Myanmar, on her part, is striving vigorously with a national plan to eradicate opium within 15 years, based on our own resources and is committed to maintaining the present momentum. However, if international assistance is forthcoming, Myanmar is confident that we can achieve the objectives in a much shorter period. In this connection, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Government of China, Japan, Italy, Thailand and the United States for their kind contribution to alternative development projects in Myanmar. I would lastly urge the United Nations to further strengthen its leadership in the fight against drugs and transnational crimes through impartial and effective programmes and likewise, request member nations to lend assistance towards less developed countries.
Minister Col Tin Hlaing met with Justice and Customs Minister Mr Chris Ellison of Austria on 16 April and Executive Director Mr Antorio Maria Costa of UNODC on 17 April and discussed matters related to cooperation in narcotic drug control, Myanmar's efforts for elimination of narcotic drugs and difficulties and participation of UNDCP in Myanmar's anti-narcotic drive. Myanmar delegation also met with Drug Control Commissioner Minister for Health and Social Welfare Marion Caspers-merck of Germany, Health Minister Achmad Sujudi of Indonesia, Ambassador Yukio Takasu of Permanent Representative Office of Japan, and Justice Minister Pornthep Jhepkanjana of Thailand and Mr Disnadda Diskul, Secretary-General of Mae Fah Luang Foundation and discussed matters related to cooperation in narcotic drug elimination and drug problems. The delegation arrived back here on 20 April.
Yangon, 22 April - Members of Special Region-2, Shan State (North), acting on a tip-off, on 14 April stopped and searched a car driven by Kyan Lauk Paung, son of U Shaung Sant of Haw Shauk Kyaing Village, Laukkai District on Nyinaung Bridge at the entrance to Namtit and seized 34 packages of heroin weighing 11.9 kilos. On 20 April, he was handed over to Kunlong District Myanmar Police Force Station and No 1 Police Station, Lashio, filed him under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
