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Established in 1914
HOME Wednesday, 25 September 2002 ONLINE EDITION
1. Authorities save six ethnic young women from being sent to other country by human trafficking agent
2. SEAISA Travelling Seminar
3. Defence Services Commander-in-Chief's Shield Chess Tournament opens
4. Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day Poetry competition announced
5. Armed Forces Day painting, sculpture competitions to be held
6. MWJA CEC meeting held
7. Cash donations for Shwedagon Pagoda
8. Measures for holding Int'l Day for Olders Persons coordinated 9. Announcement for 2003 matriculation exam
SPOTLIGHT
(1) Authorities save six ethnic young women from being sent to other country by human trafficking agent
Yangon, 24 Sept - The authorities were able to save six ethnic young women from being sent to the other country by a human trafficking agent on 20 September. The authorities found the six together with a young man at Mandalay International Airport while they were going to board a plane to fly to Tachilek, and then continue to enter the other country from the town.
Officials of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council and Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council and members of Women's Affairs Committees cordially met the six young women, gave words of encouragement, explained the difficulties they would face in the other country, and handed them over to their parents. As they looked suspicious, the authorities inquired them and found that the six young women from Kyaukme and Kutkai townships were deceived by the agent, Sai Thein Aung, with false promise of jobs in Maesai in Yodaya. A native of Khomon village in Kyaukme Township, Sai Thein Aung has worked in Maesai since two years ago.
Officials of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council and Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs met with them on 22 September and explained the dangers for the women working abroad as the existing laws in Myanmar were not able to protect them there. The officials also told them that they would enjoy economic prosperity under peace and security if they choose to work in their own country. Then, the officials handed them over to Shan State (North) Working Committee for Women's Affairs. The members of Shan State (North) Working Committee for Women's Affairs took the six young women to Lashio. On 23 September, officials of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council and Shan State (North) Working Committee for Women's Affairs met with the women, asking them not to make efforts to go abroad for work another time as they could work in Myanmar under protection of the existing laws and the assistance of the State.
The officials then sent back the young women to their parents. Plans are under way to take severe action against Sai Thein Aung for his attempts to deceive and take innocent young women abroad.
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Sagaing Division Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions concludes
Yangon, 24 Sept - A ceremony to present prizes to winners of the tenth Sagaing Division Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions took place at the City Hall in Sagaing on 15 September evening.
The prize winning students of the competitions (basic education level) presented entertainment programmes to the audience. Then, Daw Sao Thidar, wife of the deputy commander, presented the first prize for basic education high school level girls' modern songs contest to Ma Nyein Ei Kyaw; Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Soe Myint, the first prize for BEHS level boys' modern songs contest to Maung Myo Zaw; wife of the commander, the first prize for girls' religious songs contest to Ma Win Cho Oo; and Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, the special prize for BEHS level classical songs contest to Ma Kyu Kyu Khaing, and the first prize for BEHS level religious songs contest to Maung Bo Bo Lin.
After the ceremony, the commander and those present watched the entertainment programmes presented by the prize winners.
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Commander inspects regional development in Loilem District
Yangon, 24 Sept - Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, accompanied by Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing of Loilem Station and officials concerned, arrived at Kholan Village in Namhsan Township on 18 September.
At the briefing hall, the commander met with Senior Engineer of Loilem District U Myint Thet and officials and gave instructions on maintenance and extension of roads including Taunggyi-Tarkaw Road. In the afternoon, the commander proceeded to the office of Myanma Agriculture Service, Kengtaung Station Hospital and Kengtaung Basic Education High School. The commander inspected and fulfilled their requirements.
At 6 pm, the commander arrived at Tarkon Mingalar TatU Monastery and donated offertories to Sayadaw U Kovida. He then supplicated religious matters to the Sayadaw.
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Commander inspects construction of Mawlamyine industrial zone
Yangon, 24 Sept - Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung, arrived at the site of construction for the industrial zone in Mawlamyine Township on 19 September afternoon.
At the briefing hall, Chairman of Mawlamyine District Lt-Col Thaw Zin reported on progress in construction of the industrial zone to the commander. Next, the officials concerned also reported on completion of land allotment in the industrial zone, power supply and use, entrepreneurs' workshops and their services to the commander. After hearing the reports, the commander fulfilled their requirements and inspected round the industrial zone. The commander gave necessary instructions to the officials.
2002 held Yangon, 24 Sept - Under the joint sponsorship of Myanmar Industries Association and South East Asia Iron and Steel Institute (SEAISI), the SEAISA Travelling Seminar 2002 was held at the Traders Hotel this morning. Chairman of the MIA U Htein Win made a speech on the occasion. Mr Gary Newby, Mr Takeshi Katayama, Mr Ho Chang-Ching, Mr Mark Flint, Mr Kim Hyo-Hwan, Mr Takeshi Kuwajima and Dr Jeon Song-Woo of the SEAISI presented matters related to iron and steel industries.
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Myanmar delegation leaves for Japan
Yangon, 24 Sept - At the invitation of Myanmar Japan Relations Centre (MJRC), a 20-member delegation of Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association led by Joint-Secretary of the association Daw Hla Wady and Joint-Treasurer Daw Tin Myint left here by air for Japan yesterday evening to attend the Business Messe 2002 to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from 23 to 29 September. The Myanmar delegation will meet with the members of Osaka Chamber of Commerce, Japan Women Association and observe the businesses there.
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UMFCCI President meets Japanese guests
Yangon, 24 Sept - President Mr Takariro Furukawa, Vice-President Mr Mamoru Nakamura, Treasure Mr Yasuteru Akashi and General Secretary Mr Tomohiro Ando of Japan Chamber of Commerce-Yangon (JCCY) called on President U Win Myint of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Vice-President U Win Aung, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and Central Executive Committee members at UMFCCI Building of 504/506, Merchant Street, this morning. They cordially discussed boosting cooperation between the chambers in the two countries, promotion of investment and commercial tasks and the discussions between executives of the two countries in coming October.
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Chinese guests meet D-G of Directorate of Hotels & Tourism
Yangon, 24 Sept - Visiting Deputy Secretary-General Mr Gutiming and party of Kunming Municipal, Yunnan Province, met with Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism this afternoon. They cordially discussed cooperation in tourism services between Myanmar and China.
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Cuban delegation arrives
Yangon, 24 Sept - At the invitation of the Union Solidarity and Development Association a Cuban delegation led by Vice-President Mrs Evangelina Seoane Domingues of Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples of Cuba arrived here this morning.
(3) Defence Services Commander-in-Chief's Shield Chess Tournament opens
Yangon, 24 Sept - A ceremony to open the Commander-in Chief of Defence Services' Shield Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Chess Tournament was held at the Station Gymnasium of South-West Command Headquarters in Pathein Township on 23 September.
On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tint Swe delivered an address and formally opened the chess tournament by making the first move in the chess board. Altogether 20 teams representing the Commands, LIDs, Defence Services Navy and Air are taking part in the tournament which will be held up to 4 October.
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Basic martial arts course opened in Shan State
Yangon, 24 Sept - The opening ceremony of the basic martial arts course No 1/2002, organized by the Shan State Prevention of Violence Against Women and Rehabilitation Work Group under the Shan State Working Committee for Women's Affairs, was held at Kyargaung Hall in Taunggyi on 19 September morning.
Patron of the Supervisory Committee for Shan State MCWA Daw Win Win Nu gave a speech. Joint-Secretary of Shan State Prevention of Violence Against Women and Rehabilitation Work Group Deputy Commander of Shan State Police Force Police Lt-Col Tin Thaung explained the purpose of opening the course.
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Midwifery training course concludes in Kayah State
Yangon, 24 Sept - Under the arrangements of the rural health development project, the midwifery training course No 3/2002, co-organized by Kayah State Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department and Health Department, concluded at the city hall in Loikaw, on 18 September morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Regional Working Committee for Progress of Border Areas and National Races Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Col Thein Swe, local authorities, departmental officials, social organizations, local national race members, instructors and trainees. At the ceremony, Col Thein Swe gave a speech and Head of Kayah State Health Department Dr Tin Win Kyaw explained matters related to the course.
Then, Kayah State Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Thein Swe presented prizes to the outstanding trainees and Dr Tin Win Kyaw, completion certificates to the trainees. Altogether 52 trainees attended the six-month course.
(4) Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day Poetry competition announced
Yangon, 24 Sept - Honouring of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on March 27, 2003, a poetry competition to be held by the Observance Committee for Poems and Arts Competitions chaired by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htilar Sitthu) was anounced today.
Rules are as follows: Competitors are to reflect the objectives of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and fine traditions of the Tatmadaw historical events that featured national characteristics of the Konbaung Era (AD 1824), the Independence Era (from 1948 to 1988) and the State Peace and Development Council Era, religious undertakings, nation-building endeavours, efforts to ensure peace and the drug elimination activities of the State Peace and Development Council. The poem contest is divided into two categories professional one and novice one.
Prize-winners of the Armed Forces Commemorative Day Poem Competitions and the National Motto and Poem Competitions, the Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award winners and the prize-winners (poem) of Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award and the National Literary Award winners are to take part in the professional level competitions and those who have never won these prizes and awards are to participate in the novice one. But those who have ever won these prizes and awards, on their own accord, may take part in the professional level. It is needed to send the entry, systematically composed and clearly written on one side of the page and two copies also needed to be sent. The entry must be own creation of the contestants.
Name, pen name, parents' names, educational qualifications, occupation and address are to be sent together with two postcard-size colour photos to Lt-Col Ohn Maung (Retd) (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe), Chief Editor of Naing-Ngan Gonyi Publishing House, No 529/531, Merchant Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon, not later than 31-1-2003.
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Entries invited to Armed Forces Day Commemorative Photo Competition
Yangon, 24 Sept - The 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Literary and Photo Competition Organizing Work Committee has already announced that it will hold photo competitions. The titles of colour photo competitions are "Developing Myanmar" and "Preserving Cultural Heritage" and four entries can be presented for each title. Entries must be print photos by the size of at least 10x12 inches.
Those who won first, second and third prizes in the previous years will be categorized into a separate group and there will be a great chance for new competitors. Data and captions are to be described in a separate sheet of paper and to be attached to the entries. Entries must be own creation and must not be prize-winning works in any other competitions. Handsome prizes will be presented to first, second and third prize-winners as well as consolation prize-winners of each competition. The first, second and third prizes will be presented at the ceremony to mark the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day to be held in Yangon on 27 March while the consolation prizes will be presented at the ceremony to mark the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day to be held at the respective commands.
Entries are to be sent to Director U Tun Min (Information/Public Relations) of Information and Public Relations Department, No 22/24, Pansodan Street, Yangon, not later than 14 February 2003.
(5) Armed Forces Day painting, sculpture competitions to be held
Yangon, 24 Sept - As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on 27 March 2003, the subcommittee for the holding of painting and sculpture competition and exhibition of the work committee for the organizing of poem and arts competition led by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htila Sitthu) as chairman announced that the painting and sculpture competition will be held with the following rules.
The painting competition will be divided into six categories the first for pre-primary school level, the second for junior primary school level (kindergarten to second grade), the third for senior primary school level (third grade and fourth grade), the fourth for middle school level (fifth grade to eighth grade), the fifth for high school level (ninth grade to technological and agricultural high schools) and the sixth for professional level. There will be only one category in the sculpture competition, the wood sculpture and the plaster sculpture at professional level.
Anyone may take part in both. In the painting competition from kindergarten to high school levels, the size of the entry must be 15" x 20", and 20" x 30" for professional level. Name, NRC No, class, school, township, date of birth, father's name, address must be expressed on the back of the painting, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached. For students, the endorsement of the schoolhead is needed. For the sculpture competition, the height of the entry must not be over 36" and its circumference not longer than 24". At the foot of the sculpture, name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name, address must be shown, with three 1.5" x 2"-size photos attached and send the entry right to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 3 March 2003. All the entries, painting or sculpture, must reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.
Entries of both professional levels should be sent to Secretary, Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Pabedan Township, Yangon, not later than 1 March 2003 or to Secretary, Subcommittee for the Holding of Painting and Sculpture Competition and Exhibition, U Wisaya Road, Tatmadaw Convention Centre, Yangon, between 1 and 3 March 2003. Entries of students all over Myanmar should be sent to Development Division, Education Planning and Training Department, Natmauk Street, Bahan Township, Yangon, not later than 15th February 2003. Apart from the entries for both competition, other paintings and sculptures may be sent to be displayed at the exhibition to be opened in honour of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.
Those paintings and sculptures must also featured the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw and should be sent directly to Tatmadaw Convention Centre, U Wisaya Road, between 1 and 5 March 2003.
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Armed Forces Day military and marching song competitions to be held
Yangon, 24 Sept - As a gesture of hailing the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, which falls on 27 March 2003, the subcommittee for holding of the military and marching song competition of the work committee for the organizing of poem and arts competition led by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt (Htila Sitthu) as chairman announced that military and marching song competitions for the armed forces day will be held.
There will be only one category, professional level, for the military marching song competition, while the military song competition is grouped into two categories, level 1 and level 2. First, second and third prizes as well as consolation prizes will be awarded. Rules of the competitions are as follows: In military marching song competition, any one will be allowed to take part in it as the professional level. In military song competition, there will be two levels level 1 and level 2. For the military marching song competition, songs composed must be based on the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.
Composers and vocalists are not entitled to compete in level 2 of the military song competition nor those who stood first, second or third in level 2 of last year's military song competition. They are to enter to level 1. Only a song is allowed for individuals or groups. Entry songs must be in accord with military song composing techniques. Military song must be in Myanmar melody and mode as well as in own tune. The time of the song must be from 4 to 6 minutes. There will be a preliminary contest for entry songs with strong vocals and suitable music. Only a song must be recorded on and entry cassette or a reel. A suitable title may be given. Words of the entry song with its ten typed copies and an origin of its music notes must be attached to the cassette or reel. The brief autobiography of the entrant and the singer together with three passport size colour photos must be sent. Those tentatively selected will be informed.
The tentatively selected songs must be re-recorded and are to compete for final. Entry songs should be sent to U Ko Ko Htwe, Secretary, Subcommittee for the Holding of Military and Marching Song Competitions, Myanma Radio and Television, Pyay Road, Yangon, not later than 31 December 2002.
Yangon, 24 Sept - The Central Executive Committee of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association held the meeting No 9/2002 on the second floor of Sarpay Beikman building this afternoon. U Khin Swe (Shwe Sun Nyo) acted as master of ceremonies and Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) gave a speech. Then, Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) reported on implementation of the minutes decided in the meeting No 8/2002.
Next, group leaders reported on their respective sectors and future tasks. Afterwards, those present took part in the discussions. Later, the meeting laid down the future tasks. Then, the chairman gave instructions on holding the 1364 ME Sarsodaw Day ceremony and the ceremony to pay respects to doyen literati on a grand scale. The meeting ended at 2 pm.
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Basic Librarian Course on 1 OctYangon, 24 Sept - The Basic Librarian Course, to be organized by Myanmar Library Association (Upper Myanmar), will be opened at Mandalay University Library on 1 October. The course will last one month. The number of the trainees limited. Any interested person may attend the course free of charge.
Basic Librarian Course on 1 Oct
Yangon, 24 Sept - The Basic Librarian Course, to be organized by Myanmar Library Association (Upper Myanmar), will be opened at Mandalay University Library on 1 October. The course will last one month. The number of the trainees limited. Any interested person may attend the course free of charge.
(7) Cash donations for Shwedagon Pagoda
Yangon, 24 Sept - The 393rd ceremony to donate cash for offering gold plates and Shwethingan to the Shwedagon Pagoda organized by the Pagoda Board of Trustees was held at the prayer hall of the Southern Stairway this afternoon. Altogether 424 well-wishers presented K 20,822,240 to Chairman U Pe Than and members of the pagoda board of trustees, who then presented certificates of honour to them. Then, Member of Shwedagon Pagoda Ovada-cariya Thingangyun Township Phetpin-aing Pariyatti Sarthin-taik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Sad-dhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Gandama delivered a sermon to the congregation.
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Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda Festival to be held
Yangon, 24 Sept - The four Inlay PhaungdawU Buddha images in Nyaung-shwe Township, Shan State (South), will be conveyed to 24 regions beginning 7 October. The images will be arrive at Nyaungshwe on 13 October and they will be kept there until 15 October. The images will arrive back at Yadanasan Kyaungdawgyi of Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda on 24 October. The pagoda festival will be held on a grand scale with Intha traditional regatta, volleyball contest, Nan Win Zatthabin, Mya Tayar Anyeint and various kinds of fun fair. Those who wish to open shops or to advertise their goods and services may contact the committee for holding the festival in Nyaungshwe and Inlay.
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Buddha Pujaniya of Tooth Relic Pagoda to be held
Yangon, 24 Sept - The Buddha Pujaniya Festival of the Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township will be held on a grand scale on Tazaungmon Fullmoon Day (19 November). Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin yesterday inspected arrangements being made for holding the Buddha Pujaniya Festival and gave instructions on tasks to be carried out for the festival.
(8) Measures for holding Int'l Day for Olders Persons coordinated
Yangon, 24 Sept - The Working Committee for holding a ceremony to mark the International Day for Older Persons (2002) held its third coordination meeting at Bogyoke Aung San Hall of the Ministry of Social Welfare Department on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here this morning.
Director-General U Sit Myaing delivered a speech on the occasion. Then, the joint-secretary presented the resolutions passed at the previous meeting. Next, officials of the Working Committee, subcommittees and homes for the aged reported on work being done, followed by a general round of discussions. The meeting came to an end with the concluding remarks by Chairman Director-General of SWD U Sit Myaing.
(9) Announcement for 2003 matriculation exam
Yangon, 24 Sept - Myanmar Examination Board released an announcement for the matriculation examination which will be held in 2003.
Entrance application forms for the matriculation examination will be sold at the office of MEB as of 1 October 2002. The entrance application forms and cards are marked in two colours, depending on subject group, and are to be bought at the fixed price.
For the subject groups Nos 1, 5, 6 and 7 (chemistry, physics, economics) subject group, (chemistry, physics, history) subject group, (chemistry, physics, optional Myanmarsar) subject group, and (chemistry, physics, biology) subject group, the colour of the entrance application forms and cards is green. For the subject groups Nos 2,3 and 4 (geography, history, economics) subject group, (geography, history, optional Myanmarsar) subject group, and (history, economics, optional Myanmarsar) subject group, the entrance application forms and cards is in pink colour.
For the examination fee, stamps must be bought at the offices of respective township education officers and must be glued at the left top of the entrance application form. The entrance application forms should be submitted to the office of township education officer concerned not later than 31 October 2002. The heads of basic education high schools, branch schools and affiliated schools are to collectively submit the forms of each individual applicant to the office of MEB in the designated date. Those who are late in submitting the forms will not be allowed to sit for the exam, nor they be allowed to sit for the exam with temporary roll number.
As the change of subject group is not permissible, attention should be paid to the correctness of the subject group. The application forms can be ordered by money order through the telecommunication offices to the office of MEB.
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School building handed over to Ministry of Education
Yangon, 24 Sept - A ceremony to hand over Shwepyisoe school building of Pyinmana Basic Education High School No 2 donated by SEM Co Ltd Managing Director U Soe Tint-Daw Yin Nu of Yangon to the Ministry of Education was held at the new school building on 20 September morning.
At the ceremony, Director-General Lt-Col Win Htein, Township Chairman U Saw Aung and wellwisher U Soe Tint formally opened the school building. Then, the director-general gave a speech and the wellwisher explained the purpose of the donations. Next, the wellwisher donated K 500,000 to Soe Foundation Scholarship Fund, K 100,000 to the Home for the Aged, K 200,000 to humanitarian association, K 520,000 for the computer room and one set of computer to the school and K 5 million for construction of Kinpuntan Village BEPS. Headmaster U Kyaw Thein spoke words of thanks.
Shwepyisoe school building is 90 feet long and 30 feet wide and has three rooms. The building and school furniture was constructed at a cost of K 4.6 million.
PM Mahathir foresees democracy for Myanmar, pushes business
THE Myanmar government s stance on gradual evolution towards democracy was supported by Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last week when he visited Myanmar. But, Dr Mahathir said the Malaysian government hoped for a successful result which would lead to national reconciliation and demo-cratisation in Myanmar. A Malaysian national, Mr Razali Ismail, who was appointed by the United Nations as its special envoy for Myanmar, was largely credited for initiating the landmark talks between the two sides. Dr Mahathir, who is a trusted international friend of the Myanmar government, has been widely believed to have had a behind-the-scenes role in Mr Razali s efforts. Speaking at the opening of a business matching forum between the two countries, Dr Mahathir said an overly hasty transition to democracy could bring anarchy. "When opting for democracy it is necessary that the process be gradual. If not, the political process will unravel and you will end up with anarchy; you will end up with practically no government so the people have to understand that democracy does not mean freedom to do anything you like," Dr Mahathir told reporters last Monday. The Malaysian Prime minister met the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe shortly after his arrival in Yangon on August 18 to discuss "for development in economic and political fields". "Our view is that while we uphold democracy practice democracy we are also aware that the process of change must be gradual and we need not go straight to liberal democracy because that is very destructive," Dr Mahathir said. The two leaders met for an hour at the Pyithu Hluttaw (parliament) on Pyay Road. During the visit Dr Mahathir witnessed the signing of three agreements including an offshore oil exploration contract between Malaysia s Petronas and Myanmar s Energy Ministry for oil and gas exploration in Thaninthayi Division. The meeting was also addressed by the SPDC Secretary 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who described Dr Mahathir as a "staunch defender of the developing world".
"We in Myanmar consider ourselves to be very fortunate to have Malaysia, and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir in particular, as a friend," Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said. "One of the pillars that give strength to our relations is the sharing of many ideals, concepts and mental outlook," he said, outlining the SPDC s policy against hasty transition towards democracy. "The world is full of examples where a hasty transition from one system to another has led to unrest, instability and even failed states. "Such a transition cannot be made in haste and in a haphazard manner," Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt said. He said the solution to overcome the challenge facing Myan-mar s political transition should be found by the Myanmar people only. "No one should try to impose their will or attempt to mould Myanmar in their image," Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said in an apparent reference to the Western countries, SPDC s vociferous critics. "The democratic society that we envision is one where all 135 national races live in peace and harmony," said the Secretary-1. The Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, said Myanmar should be dealt with by every country with respect for its independence and sovereignty. "Malaysia has always said that constructive engagement with Myanmar would be the best means of (support for) evolution in the political as well as economic changes," Syed Hamid said in an exclusive interview with Myanmar Times in Yangon. "Myanmar made it very clear that they are to evolve their own system, so whatever other people may think and say it is most important that the Myanmar government bring socio-economic development for its people," he said.Syed Hamid also made it clear that it was the Myanmar government and people s right to choose the system of government for the country. "We will allow change to take place within the country in a way that it suited the purpose of the country. "Some have said the (democratisation) process is slow, but I think it is the Myanmar people who must decide the direction and the pace of the evolution," Syed Hamid said. He echoed Dr Mahathir s comments saying that hasty political reforms would bring "upheaval and turmoil". Syed Hamid said Myanmar has been evolving itself from stage to stage and "getting more confidence in opening up". "Myanmar is moving in the right direction," he said. Syed Hamid said Malaysia s policy of constructive engagement with Myanmar was partly attributed to Myanmar s entry to the Association of South East Asian Nations grouping in 1997. And he said Malaysia s policy towards Myanmar would remain the same despite the coming change in Malaysian leadership next year.
Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130 )
Giant Rakhine gas field dwarfs Yadana, Yetagun
AN enormous offshore gas field near Sittway in Rakhine State has the potential to be significantly larger than Myanmar’s two other producing gas fields at Yadana and Yetagun, it was revealed last week. Mr H D Lee, Deputy Managing Director of Myanmar Daewoo, an affiliate of Daewoo International which holds a major interest in the exploration project, said the reserve "is most likely around 13.4 to 47.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas at the site where we are going to drill a test well in November next year." "We are sure to succeed in this project," Mr Lee said. The reserves at Yadana and Yetagun are 6.7 and 3.2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) respectively, he said. Currently, the consortium is selecting the optimum location before drilling because of the huge investment. "A test well costs more than US$10 million and we will decide on how many more test wells should be drilled," he said. The consortium has plans to start seismic interpretation, geological survey and prospect evaluation in October and November. Daewoo International signed a production-sharing contract with the Ministry of Energy in August 2000 and it assigned 10 per cent share to another South Korean company, KOGAS last November. Last January, Daewoo again assigned 20pc and 10pc shares to two companies under the Indian Ministry of Energy – the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and the Gas Authority of India Limited. Depending on the quantity of gas found, they will consider transporting the gas by ship or through a direct pipeline to India. Mr Lee also said they will have to consider building a liquefied natural gas plant depending on the production volume, which at the moment, he said, was still too far away to judge. The Indian government is eager to buy the gas from Myanmar if the production goes well as expected. According to reports Unocal, Brown & Riot and the Indian government are believed to have conducted initial studies for the construction of a 1000 kilometre-long undersea pipeline from Myanmar to India. Last month, the Ministry of Energy and the Malaysia’s oil giant Petronas signed an agreement for exploration of natural gas at four offshore blocks in southern Myanmar. Petronas is also interested in building a liquid petroleum gas extraction plant at Kanbauk, about 300 miles southeast of Yangon.Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130 )
Impressive decline in opium production, promise of help
AN impressive decline in opium production in Myanmar will be reversed if donor nations continue to refuse funding drug-control programs, the UN’s prime drug officer in Myanmar warned last week. This follows hot on the heels of a United Nations report which showed the production of opium poppy in Myanmar this year has decreased by 25 per cent compared to a year ago. "This decline is a step in the right direction. There is evidence that the government is aware of the damage caused to the country by opium cultivation," Mr Antonio Maria Costa, the Executive Director of the UN office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, said in the report issued on August 27 in Vienna, Austria. The reaction of Mr Jean Luc Lemahieu, UNDCP’s representative in Yangon, was more forthright: "On the one hand I’m a happy man but on the other hand I’m a very worried man because the results are there but my thoughts are - my goodness, how have you done this, how can you sustain this?" he said. Mr Costa said new measures would be needed to achieve further cuts in opium production in Myanmar, adding that UN would need increased donor support to help in the elimination of opium poppy in Myanmar by 2005. According to the report poppy production in Myanmar this year was 828 tons - down from last year’s 1097 tons, based on its survey in Shan State during September 2001 to March 2002. More than 150 surveyors visited 2000 villages and measured 6000 opium fields. The survey was conducted jointly with the government – the first of such survey carried out by the UN in Myanmar.Mr Lemahieu, while welcoming the news, cautioned the decline in opium poppy production should be sustainable. "We are happy with this, but it is not an end game," Mr Lemahieu said. He reiterated his call for increasing international aid to deal with the situation. The Myanmar government has consistently complained the country receives scant international aid in its fight against drugs. This severely inhibits its ability to control drug production and trade. In particular the government has consistently criticised the policy of Western countries including the USA and European nations on continuing to link funding for anti-drug campaigns to political movement. It has pressed its case that aid on drugs is a humanitarian issue that should be fought by all. To highlight this it has cited aid money granted to other SE Asian countries to fight the scourge of heroin. Laos, for instance, a Communist state, has a less serious drug problem, yet receives 20 times more funding than in Myanmar. Mr Lemahieu, whose office has been cut from 12 to two staff over the past two years due to budget cuts, said that while participation in areas like law enforcement assistance will have to wait until then, there should be no barrier to more funding for projects like alternative income generation. He said introduction of tough anti-drug measures by the Wa, Kokang and Kachin national groups in March and the government’s new " Project New Destiny " (formerly the Project Hell Flower) might help to decrease further the poppy production next year. Under the "Project New Destiny" launched in May, opium poppy farmers are encouraged by the government to swap opium seed for those of the other crops. The government says opium production in Myanmar, which decreased by 50 per cent over the past six years, would continue to decrease this year. But, Mr Lemahieu said he was confident that at an informal donors’ meeting later this year the funding tap would be opened. "An understanding is developing that work on drug control programs in Myanmar actually helps with a political transition," he said. Because of the lower output, opium production in Myanmar this year would be lower than in Afghanistan, UN said. It said per hectare output of opium in Myanmar was 10kgs while put Afghanistan’s output at 30kgs per hectare.
Myanmar Times (Sep.2-8), 2002-Vol.7, No. 131)
Tourism trend bucked as arrivals soar 20pc in wet
IN an encouraging development for the tourism sector, travel agents and big hotels have reported a strong increase in bookings during the rainy season, a trend which augurs well for the peak tourist season at the end of the year. Hotels say occupancy rates have increased by an average of about 20 per cent over the rainy season last year, while travel agents say bookings are up between 10 per cent and 50 per cent. Most of the rainy season tourist arrivals are from France, Italy and Spain, where many businesses close for the European summer, as well as Germany, Japan and Israel. Several industry sources said Myanmar was emerging as an increasingly popular destination for Italian and Spanish tourists. Mr Franz Fischer, the country manager of Bangkok-based Diethelm Travel, said documentaries about Myanmar’s cultural attractions and natural beauty had screened overseas in the last six months and this had helped the tourism sector. Myanmar was becoming well known for its cultural tourism among international travellers, said Mr Fischer, who said bookings had risen by up to 50 per cent compared to the low season last year. The managing director of Tawwin travel, Daw Rita Myint, said bookings were up by 25 per cent, continuing a trend for a gradual increase in arrivals during the low season which had emerged several years ago. Travel shows in Spain and other European countries which had featured Myanmar had helped to attract more visitors, Daw Rita Myint said.
Mr Edwin Briels, the marketing and incentive manager at the Exotissimo travel company, agreed with Daw Rita Myint that tourist arrivals during the rainy season had increased in recent years. Exotissimo’s bookings for the low season had increased by about 10 per cent, said Mr Briels. U Khin Zaw, the managing director at Tour Mandalay, reported an increase in bookings of 20 per cent over the same time last year. "Myanmar is emerging as a ‘new’ destination for Spanish travellers," said U Khin Zaw, who is also president of the United Myanmar Travel Association. A survey by Myanmar Times has found that hotel occupancy rates throughout the country are up by between 10 per cent to 25 per cent over the previous rainy season. In Yangon, the Traders hotel said rates were up by 21 per cent on last year’s rainy season and figures for the year had increased by seven per cent on 2001. The Summit Park View said rainy season occupancy rates were down slightly on 2001 but declined to give a percentage figure. In a sign of the growing popularity of Myanmar as a destination among the high end of the market, the luxury Pansea hotel said occupancy rates were up by seven per cent on last year’s rainy season. Traders said most of its guests are from Asia and the United States. Most bookings at the Summit Park View were from France and Japan.
Most of the guests at the Pansea are from Britain, France, Germany and the United States. At popular upcountry destinations, hotels say bookings are up by between 10 per cent to 25 per cent compared to a year ago. The Thiri Marlar Hotel at Bagan said bookings for July were up 10 per cent on the same month last year, with most tourists coming from France and Germany. "They come to Myanmar at this time of the year because it coincides with the holiday season throughout much of Europe," said the hotel’s Ms Khin Marlar Maung. The Shwe Inn Tha Floating Resort hotel at Inle Lake also reported an increase in bookings of about 10 per cent over the same time last year. While bookings are up for the bigger hotels, the bottom end of the accommodation market is reporting a downturn, with many guest houses saying occupancy rates have fallen by around 20 per cent over the same time last year. A spokesperson for the New Park guest house at Bagan said bookings were down by about 20 per cent."In the low season last year were had 338 guests but this year we have 198," he said. At the Pan Cherry guest house in Bagan, staff said bookings were down about 30 per cent over the same time last year. It was a similar story at the Royal guest in Mandalay, which said low season bookings were down by between 10 per cent to 20 per cent. Guest houses said the downtown in budget tourists was having a flow-on effect on bus companies and cheap restaurants.
Myanmar Times (Aug.19-25), 2002-Vol.7, No. 129)
RESPONDING to the disclosure by the international television network CNN that al Qaeda members have been active in Myanmar, the Government of Myanmar last week reaffirmed its determination to stand with the United States and the international community on anti-terrorist cooperation.
"The Government of Myanmar has not had the opportunity to review the relevant portions of the cache of videotapes obtained by CNN in Afghanistan," said spokesman Lt-Col Hla Min. "However, reports by both the Associated Press and CNN indicate that the CNN tapes reveal "material from militant Islamic groups in other countries such as Somalia, Myanmar and Bosnia." The Washington Post reported the tapes include "documentation from al Qaeda members during operations in Burma, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan &and Bosnia.""The Government of Myanmar will investigate this allegation with the utmost urgency, and we will share this information with the United States," said Lt-Col Hla Min. "We are already sharing information with the United States on Islamic armed terrorists operating along Myanmar s Western border and within the region, with connections to Taliban and al Qaeda, now being held and questioned in Yangon," Hla Min said. The Government of Myanmar signed the United States-ASEAN Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism on August 1, 2002 in Brunei Darus-salam. "As we have previously stated, Myanmar has vigorously confronted the activities of a Muslim separatist armed terrorist group calling themselves Rohinga. Today, we are pleased that many of these individuals have given up their armed terrorism. However, we shall remain vigilant in safeguarding Myanmar and steadfast in cooperation in the war on terrorism."
Myanmar Times ( Aug.26-Sep.1, 2002-Vol.7, No. 130
For further information, inqueries may kindly be made to the nearest Myanmar Embassies or Consulates
or email to mission.myanmar@ties.itu.int
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