Senior General Than Shwe addresses meeting, 1/2007 of Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races. Thanks to extensive implementation of development tasks, there has been mutual understanding and trust between one national race and another along with stability and peaceuman society will enjoy civil rights fully only if the rule of law is firm

Nay Pyi Taw, 28 March - The Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races held the meeting 1/2007 at the hall of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), here, at 2 pm today, with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Also present at the meeting were Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Member of the Central Committee member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary of the Central Committee Secretary-1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Central Committee members SPDC members Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein and Military Affairs Security Chief Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Joint Secretary Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, invited guest Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing of the Ministry of Defence, ministers, deputy ministers and departmental heads.

Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the SPDC Office acted as MC.

The Senior General said that the Central Committee with him as the chairman is taking measures effectively for the development of border areas and national races.

Myanmar, home to more than 100 national races, fell under alien subjugation for over 100 years due to various reasons. And under the divide-and-rule policy exercised by the colonialists, there was disunity among national races.

When Myanmar was liberated from colonial occupation, the regaining of independence was followed by the armed conflicts. As a result, a careful attention could not be paid to national development tasks, and the nation saw bloodshed and armed conflicts.

Owing to the situation, steps for reducing development gap among national races could not be taken, and it fueled suspicions among the national races and jeopardized national unity.

The government is the most responsible body for ensuring perpetuation and sustainable progress of the Union, and it has played a leading role in building national reconso-lidation.

It has placed emphasis on construction projects so as to bridge the development gap as much as possible between border areas and interior regions.

Consequently, national race armed groups began returning to the legal fold one after another, and they are now carrying out development tasks hand in hand with the government.

Thanks to extensive implementation of development tasks, there has been mutual understanding and trust between one national race and another along with stability and peace. So, development tasks have been implemented more effectively.

Realizing the government's benevolent attitude and efforts, more branches of national race armed groups entered the legal fold and they are joining hands with the government.

Due to armed conflicts, border areas lagged behind in development, especially in the education, health, transport and economic sectors fundamental for regional development and raising the living standard of local people, if compared with inner parts of the nation. The government is making earnest efforts to tackle the issue.

We have to form the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races and the Work Committee as it is not possible to assign the task to the respective departments alone.

A separate ministry has also been formed to practically carry out the tasks with the supervision, coordination and cooperation of the Central Committee and the Work Committee.

Border areas are enjoying unprecedented development in all aspects at present, thanks to the correct duty sharing and organizational programmes and strategy and tactic.

We have witnessed some border areas achieving greater progress and prosperity than the central regions.

Due to the aim ? to narrow the gap between all the regions of the Union including border areas and to ensure unity and harmonious development of the Union ? border areas development tasks are gaining more ground and national solidarity has been consolidated to some extent.

The government has already laid down the seven-step Road Map to build a new nation. Actually, the energetic implementation of border areas development tasks in all seriousness will effectively contribute to realizing the Road Map.

It is required to strengthen the rule of law and peace and stability in border areas, while further developing their health, education, transport and economic sectors.

Throughout the past successive years, border areas were not able to fully enjoy the fruits of the rule of law.

We should not lose sight of the fact that a human society will enjoy human rights fully only if the rule of law is firm or in other words only if there is a firm administrative machinery that runs in accord with the law.

I would like to urge all to strive with might and main to achieve success in building a peaceful, modern and developed Union, while paying special attention to cementing the rule of law, community peace and stability and national solidarity.

Secretary of the central committee for development of border areas and national races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein reported on tasks of the committee. He said that working sub-committees and local work committees under the central committee and national races in border areas have made co-operative efforts for the development of border areas under the supervision of the central committee, and therefore, the implementation of development tasks have met with success within a short period.

In accordance with the guidance of the chairman of the central committee, socio-economic infras-tructures have been built for the human resource development and plans for the elimination of narcotic drugs have been implemented in border areas which legged behind in development. Therefore, the results exceeded the expecta-tions. The production of narcotic drugs has drastically decreased.

The government has given, priority to construction of roads and bridges in border areas and has spent over K 51,994 million in con-structing roads and bridges since 1989.

So far, the government has constructed 3,436 miles of earth road, 2,301 miles of gravel road, 394 miles of tarred road, 76 large bridges, 995 small bridges and 41 suspension bridges and has maintained 3,396 miles of road. Residents in rural areas and hilly regions, which are not easily accessible due to their geographical location, can now travel from one region to another within a short time and can trade local products. All-weather roads have been built to link border areas and inland areas, and it could lead to strengthening of friendship among national races and boosting of trade in the areas. Tasks are being carried out to upgrade the major tarred roads and bridges, and to construct roads wherever necessary in the country.

Regarding the human resource development in border areas, the government has built 852 primary schools, 90 middle schools and 92 high schools in rural areas. Besides, the government has worked together with UNDP for the development project for far-flung areas, and a total of 507 schools have been built and 598 have been renovated in Kachin, Chin, Kayin, Mon and Rakhine States.

A total of 27 schools for development of national races were established in border areas so that needy residents can study at the schools, and the distribution of text books to students was carried out in the areas joining hands with UNICEF.

Under the Food for Education programme, United Nations Food Programme (UNFP), joining hands with the government, has distributed rice to families of farmers who abandoned the poppy cultivation in the golden triangle region, and therefore, school enrol-ment rate in the region has increased.

The number of students in border areas has increased from over 1,500 in the past to 185,552, accounting for 120 times.

As people in border areas have been educated, they have realized consequences of the poppy plantation, and local people have cooperated with the government for elimina-tion of narcotic drugs in the region.

Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges were established in Yangon and Mandalay in 2000. Now, 574 who graduated from the two colleges are participating in the administration and development of their regions as government employees. Some are now studying for master's degree.

There are 727 higher education students at the schools this academic year.

Arrangements are being made for national race youths from border areas to study at University for Deve-lopment of National Races, the University of Nursing and nursing training schools.

Altogether 34 vocational training schools were opened and 20,844 women were trained at the schools. Moreover, technical training schools for national youths of border areas were opened in Sittway, Laukkai, Pansang and Mongla regions. Under the national health policy, priority is being given to health care services in the border areas. There 73 health staff working in six hospitals and eight dispensaries in 1988. Altogether 1,323 staff are appointed at 79 hospitals, 105 dispensaries 58 rural health care centres and 140 health care branches. The 200-bed specialist hospitals were built in every special development region.

In agricultural sector, priority is being given to cultivation of crops in the border areas. Markets were established for trading of surplus agricultural products. Forty eight dams were being built or under construction and five canals were dug. Arrangements are made for construction of 17 dams.

In livestock breeding sector, 20 breeding farms and 41 livestock breeding and veterinary offices were opened and 111 cows and donkeys were distributed.

Highland cultivation was carried out for environmental protection according to the guidance of the central committee. The 10-year highland reclamation project was undertaken in 2003-2004. Altogether 21,450 acres of land have been reclaimed in Shan and Chin States and Magway Division.

Local people extended the cultivation of crops and fruit for food sufficiency. This is why most of the national races have given up poppy cultivation. It is a great victory for the country. Local work committees and sub-committees are making arrangements for extended cultivation of opium substitute crops and for export.

In the electric power sector, 17 border towns are being supplied electricity from small and medium-scale hydel power stations. A total of 199 towns and villages have been facilitated with 265 generators. Under the arrangements of the regional work committees, small-scale hydel power generation contributes to uplift of living standard of the local people. In addition, the Ministry of Industry-2 is carrying out the tasks to build the factory to manufacture small-scale hydel power turbines and generators.

Furthermore, 52 post offices, 45 telegraph offices and 85 telephone stations were constructed in the communications sector for development of the social, economic and administrative sectors in the border area.

With regard to the public relations task, the government had built 111 TV retransmission stations for broadcasting of TV programmes with a view to enabling the national races in border areas to have knowledge on peace and stability of the nation, progress of the State and policies of the government and contributing much to the flourishing of national unity and development of the regions.

Departmental officials are placing emphasis on covering local media on far-flung areas and broadcasting programmes of both MRTV and Myawady TV to some areas where newspapers not reached. In the forestry sector, 14 forest nurseries, 11 reserved forests, 14 arranging reserved forests and four saw mills have been established for extraction of forest products and prevention against deforestation.

In the mining sector, assistance is being provided for mineral exploration in border areas, carrying out of systematic mining tasks and creation of job opportunities for the national races in border areas. Hence, exploration of mineral resources on commercial scale is being undertaken in some regions.

Remarkable progress can be witnessed in border areas, based on socio-economic infrastructures. In this regard, K 101 billion ? K 62,335 million from the border area development funds and K 38,730 million from the funds of ministries concerned ? have been spent on development of the border areas from 1989 to date.

The 15-year drug elimination plan is being implemented from 1999 to 2014. As the border areas development plan commenced in 1989, the drug elimination plan can be implemented successfully.

In carrying out development of border areas, 75 per cent of the total expenditure accounting for K 101,066 million have been spent on development of the regions where the drug elimination plan is being implemented. As a result, poppy growers have the opportunities to do other businesses. Therefore, poppy cultivation declined.

It can be seen that poppy cultivation and opium production declined remarkably in the period of implementing the border area development plan. According to the facts and figures of opium field survey conducted by the government in cooperation with Counter Narcotic and Crime (CNC) of the US, 81 per cent of poppy cultivation and 88 per cent of opium production decreased in 2004 compared with that of 1996. The CCDAC and UNODC jointly conducted opium field survey in 2006. Hence, the poppy cultivation in the entire nation declined by 34 per cent in 2006 in comparison with that of 2005.

Although poppy plantations were destroyed by airplanes through military operations, poppy cultivation and opium production did not decline in the past. At present, regional development tasks, poppy-substitute farming tasks, other economic opportunities and educative talks on disadvantages of narcotic drugs reflect the remarkable decrease of poppy cultivation and opium production. In addition, measures are being taken to combat raw materials and chemical precursors imported from neighbouring countries. Efforts are being made for taking preventive measures against narcotic drugs in Tachilek, Mya-wady and Kawthoung.

The CCDAC and UNODC are jointly implementing the Wa Alternative Development Project (WADP) in Mongpauk Township of Wa region (south) from 1988 to 2007, spending US$ 14.899 million contributed by UNODC. These two organizations undertook talks on drug and AIDS, construction of infrastructures and observation and evaluation of poppy cultivation in the region.

WFP provided 30,576 tons of rice worth US$ 11.793 million to the local farmers who had surrendered cultivation of poppy in Kokang region, Wa region, Kutkai, Kaungkha, Monekoe, Phaunghsai, Tarmoenye, Mantung, Mangpan regions, Phekhon, Pinlaung, Hsihseng townships in Shan State (South) from 2003 to 2006. The food providing project for needy families is being implemented from 2007 to 2009 by providing 114,315 tons of food worth US$ 51.739 million to needy families in Shan, Chin, Rakhine and Kachin States and Magway Division.

In addition, 1,000 tons of rice donated by the Thai Government was distributed to Wa region in 2005. In September 2006, 10,000 tons of rice donated by the People's Republic of China were handed over to the farmers who had surrendered poppy cultivation in the border areas of Myanmar.

Furthermore, substitute cultivation, livestock breeding and other production tasks are being undertaken for uplift of living standard of the people for the long term by utilizing infrastructures and natural resources.

The Secretary-1 said that remarkable progress of socio-economic infrastructures can be seen in border areas due to harmonious efforts of the ministries concerned, regional work committees and subcommittees, local national race leaders and people under the supervision of the Work Committee in accord with the policies of the Central Committee. The development of the infrastructures reflects cementing relations and promoting trust and faith among the people in all regions of the country. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 said that the Work Committee will implement the directives and policies adopted by the Central Committee in the previous meetings and the present meeting.

The Minister for PBANRDA presented a report, saying that 27 youth development training schools have been opened in Putao, Myitkyina, Bhamo, Kunlong, Tangyan, Kengtung, Loimwe, Panglong, Loikaw, Hpa-an, Sittway, Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Pakokku, Kale, Falam, Haka, Thantalan, Tiddim, Tonzang, Hkamti, Leshi and Lahe to strengthen the Union Spirit of youths and to nurture them to become the ones who will safeguard Our Three Main National Causes. A total of 2552 nationality youths ? 303 in primary level, 1620 in middle school level, and 629 in high school level ? are attending classes at the schools. The government has opened vocational training schools in Mongla in Shan State (East), Pangsang and Laukkai in Shan State (North) for the nationality youths of border areas. Mechanical, electrical and other courses are being conducted for those who are not able to continue their studies. The courses have trained 449 nationality youths to this date.

Yangon and Mandalay now have one Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College each. A total of 193 students have completed diploma courses and 381 graduate courses at the two colleges. A total of 727 are attending arts, science, BTech, BE and master's degree courses there. A total of 381 graduates of the colleges are working at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Immigration and Population, Ministry for PBANRDA and Ministry of Information. Another 193 who hold diploma in engineering have been assigned duties at their own regions under the Ministry for PBANRDA, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Electric Power, Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs and MOI.

Women's vocational training schools have been opened in Putao, Bhamo, Dawphonyan, Donban, Lashio, Muse, Kengtung, Tachilek, Monghsat, Loikaw, Hpa-an, Myawady, Mudon, Ye, Myeik, Kawthoung, Maungtaw, Haka, Falam, Tiddim, Mindat, Matupi, Kanpetlet, Nanyun, Leshi and Lahe for nationality girls to earn their own living. Such schools in border areas are conducting special courses.

Vocational training schools are being conducted at towns in Magway and Sagaing Divisions to reduce rural poverty. Up to now, 20,844 trainees have completed courses at the schools. According to the guidance given by the Chairman of Central Committee, rattan and bamboo ware courses will introduce to the courses in 2007-2008 academic year.

Tarkaw-ek-Weinkaung-Pansang road, 81 miles and three furlongs long, was built in 1991 under the supervision of regional work committee and Wa special region-2.

Tarkaw-ek-Mongpat road section was tarred in 1999. The road was widened and upgraded to all-weather one.

The minister spoke at length on construction of Mongpat-Pansang road section and number of miles of roads built, road sections built. The north-west command was responsible for construction of Kalewa-Mawleik road.

He said there are 148 bridges which are 100 feet long and under and nine bridges which are 100 feet long and above were built.

Strategic trail (district to district roads) in states and divisions had been built under the resolution of  1/2002 meeting of  Central Committee since the beginning 2002-2003 fiscal year.

In April 1999, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on implementation of 10-year clean drinking water project in villages in three divisions in arid zone and other states and divisions.

There were 23,225 villages that need clean drinking water in states and divisions. Altogether 17,097 villages out of 23,225 have now access to clean water.

The rural housing project launched in 2003-2004 under the guidance of the Head of State has covered Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, Yangon and Ayeyawady divisions. So far, 3145 low-cost houses have been built across the nation.

Regarding cooperation with international organizations in the anti-narcotics drives and regional development tasks, Kokang region abandoned poppy cultivation in 2003, and Wa region, in 2005. Since 2003 Myanmar has cooperated with the World Food Programme to ensure food security of the former poppy growers. During 2003 and 2006, the WFP provided 30,576 tons of rice worth 11.793 US dollars for them.

Now, the rescue and rehabilitation programme is being implemented to provide 114,315 tons of food worth 51.739 US dollars for needy families in Shan, Rakhine and Kachin states and Magway Division during 2007 and 2009.

In March 2005, 1000 tons of rice donated by Thailand to the WFP were distributed to Wa region. Ten thousand tons of rice donated by the People's Republic of China are now distributed to former poppy growers living along the border of the two countries.

The UNODC and the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control are co-implementing Wa Alternative Development Project (WADP) with the contribution of 14.899 million US dollars by the UNODC in Mongpauk Township in southern Wa region from 1998 to 2007.

With the contribution of 38 million US dollars by the UNDP, Myanmar has implemented the Human Resources Development Project in cooperation with the UNDP at Kachin, Chin and Rakhine states since 1994.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo reported on highland reclamation; Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung, on work progress for elimination of slash-and-burn system; Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, on progress of livestock farming in border areas; Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, on progress in implementing road and bridge projects; Minister for Electric Power No 1 Col Zaw Min, on construction of small-scale hydro-electric power stations; and Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo, on progress of townships.

Senior General Than Shwe said that the government is investing heavily with goodwill in border areas development projects. It is required to raise the living standard of national races in border areas, as scheduled by the government with benevolent attitude, he added.

In conclusion, he highlighted the importance of pursuing the goal of serving the interests of border areas and the majority of the national races that lagged behind in development in successive periods.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is now implementing the highland reclamation project in compliance with the Head of State. Under the 10-year plan (2003-2004 to 2012-2013), it is pursuing the target of reclaiming 111,900 acres of highlands. To date, 21,450 acres of highlands have been reclaimed in Chin State, Magway Division, Shan State (North), Shan State (South) and Shan State (East).

The Ministry of Forestry is implementing tasks to eliminate slash-and-burn practice in high land farming with setting of the four aims.

The ministry is carrying out the tasks in Myitkyina and Bhamo districts in Kachin State, Hpalun in Chin State, Kyaukpyu district in Rakhine State, Taunggyi and Loilem districts in Shan State (South), Lashio, Kyaukme and Muse districts in Shan State (North), Kengtung, Mong-phyat and Tachilek districts in Shan State (East).

Data collection for slash-and-burn has already finished cent per cent at the end of February 2007 since the project tasks were started. Altoghter 12,064.5 acres of crops out of 10,175 were grown accounting for 119 per cent.

The local people and private institutions carried out 64 per cent of establishment of forests. The ministry fulfilled 388 per cent in making of land preparation, 123 per cent in natural fertilizer, 98 per cent in conducting courses in the demonstration on agricultural methods. The ministry targeted to distribute 1.6 million sapplings and 99 per cent have been accomplished.

The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries is implementing breeding tasks in the border areas with four aims starting from 1989. It carried out establishment of poultry farms, appointment of doctors, opening of animal medical treatment-based offices, distribution of good strains of animals and conducting of courses. The ministry is providing assistance in the tasks of fish breeding and bee keeping farms and distributed 48,768 chickens, 3,756 pigs and 10 goats for 33 townships in the border areas free of charge up to 2007 February. The ministry will implement breeding tasks in Kachin State, Shan State (East), (South) and (North), Kayah State, Kayin State, Chin State, Mon State, Taninthayi Division, Rakhine State and Sagaing Division from 2007-2008 to 2009-2010.

The Ministry of Construction laid down long-term and short-term projects and is building rural roads, roads in border areas, earth roads, gravel roads and tarred roads in all parts of the country. The ministry built a total length of 10,704 miles? 4,305 miles and one forlong of earth road, 882 miles and 6 furlongs of earth road, 3,221 miles and 6 furlongs in gravel road and 2,295 miles of tarred road? in rural and border areas from 1989-90 to 2007 February. The ministry built a total of 1,234 bridges.

The Ministry of Electric Power No 1 is implementing hydro-electric power projects and making efforts in the drive for generation of electricity in the rural areas.The ministry is carrying out a total of 24 electic power projects in the states and divisions.

These projects will generate 190 megawatt. The ministry will further implement 18 small-scale hydel power projects in Kachin, Kayin States, Sagaing Division, Shan State (East) and (North) and Mon State. These projects will produce 30 megawatt.