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Established in 1914
HOME ARCHIVE Friday, 27 September 2002 ONLINE EDITION
1. Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein receives Indian guests 2. Minister receives Malaysian guests
3. Construction Ministry holds four-monthly meeting Gifts of honour presented to outstanding athletes, staff and students
4. Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee meets Township MCWAs
5. Regional development tasks inspected, measures for hoisting Seinbudaw atop
6. Seminar on pesticide and insecticide held
7. "Soon" offered to State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) 8. Myanmar boxers leave for ROK 9.
SPOTLIGHT
(1) Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein receives Indian guests
Yangon, 26 Sept - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein received manager Brig GRC Nair and officials of Indian Defence Services volleyball team and soccer team at Zeya Thiri Beikman Hall in Konmyinttha here this morning. The guest teams will play friendly matches with Myanmar Defence Services volleyball team and soccer team.
(2) Minister receives Malaysian guests
Yangon, 26 Sept - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Managing Director Mr Tan See Yin and party of Pharmaniaga Co Ltd, Malaysia, at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha road in Dagon Township at 3 pm today.
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Coord meeting on transport of pilgrims and tourists by Indian Airlines
Yangon, 26 Sept - Chairman and Managing Director Shri Sunil Arora Indian Airlines Limited, and party met with Managing Director U Maung Shwe of Goenka's Bandoola Group of Companies (GSA, Indian Airlines) and party on Myat Thanda ship at Nanthida Jetty yesterday evening and they discussed matters related to carrying pilgrims of India and other tourists to Myanmar by Indian Airlines.
Then, U Maung Shwe hosted a dinner to the visiting party on the ship. The dinner was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Rajiv Kumar Bhatia and officials of the Indian embassy, guests of the Association of Myanmar-India Traders.
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Ambassador U Hla Myint presents credentials to President of Brazil
Yangon, 26 Sept - U Hla Myint, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Federative Republic of Brazil, presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on 18 September 2002, in Brazilia.
(3) Construction Ministry holds four-monthly meeting Gifts of honour presented to outstanding athletes, staff and students
Yangon, 26 Sept - The Ministry of Construction held its second four-monthly work coordination meeting at the head office of the ministry on Shwedagon Pagoda Road at 5.30 pm yesterday.
Then, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, fulfilled the requirements and made the concluding remarks. The minister delivered an address and then presented gifts to the student who passed the matriculation exam with six distinctions seven staff athletes who won gold and silver medals in the soccer tournament and boat race abroad, and two service personnel who won model trainee awards in the Central Institutes of Civil Service (Zeebingyi) and (Phaunggyi).
After that, Deputy Minister U Tint Swe presented gifts to three athletes who won silver and bronze medals in boat race and Judo tournament abroad, two staff who won prizes for outstanding performance in military drill at CICS (Phaunggyi), and two students who won the matriculation exam with four to five distinctions. Then, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein presented gifts to five athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals in national championship boat races and other athletes who won 2002 Inter-Ministry Table Tennis Tournament.
Later, the managing directors and directors-general presented gifts to the athletes who won medals in internal Judo tournaments and the students with three distinctions, and the ceremony came to a close.
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Electric Power Minister inspects use of electric power in industrial zones
Yangon, 26 Sept - Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, inspected the garment factories, a coal storage, "Soe" electric and transformer factory and Asia World plastic bag factory at the industrial zone-1 and industrial zone-2 in Dagon Myothit (South) and North Okkalapa Industrial Zone, Yangon Division this afternoon.
During the inspection tour, the minister and party inspected power supply to the factories, installation and use of power and production process. They also inspected the use of power meters. The minister gave instructions on the effective use of the electric power, minimising loss and wastage in using the electric power, abiding by rules and regulations on the electricity and avoiding the illegal use of the power.
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Education Minister meets staff
Yangon, 26 Sept - Minister for Education U Than Aung, accompanied by Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, arrived at No 1 Basic Education Department on Natmauk Street here this afternoon.
At the hall of the department, the minister met officials from the department and gave instructions on tasks of the branches, education colleges, state/division/township education offices and basic education schools. Then, the minister and party proceeded to Myanmar Education Research Bureau on Pyay Road and met directors-general, chairman and officials of the Higher Education Department, the Universities' Historical Research Department and MERB. He heard reports presented by officials on tasks being carried out and gave instructions. Afterwards, the minister inspected the studio of MERB.
(4) Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committee meets Township MCWAs
Yangon, 26 Sept - A meeting between the patron of Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association Supervisory Committee and executives of Township MCWAs was held at the Shwekantha Hall in Okkan, Taikkyi Township, this morning.
The patron made an address on the occasion. Then, Chairman Head of Division Health Department Dr Tin Maung Win reported to the patron on projects being implemented and Secretary Dr Nwe Ni Ohn, on future tasks and work progress. Under the rural development tasks in accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, the patron presented documents related to tube-well, fly-proof latrines, stationery and educative pamphlets on hygiene donated by the Supervisory Committee to Yintaikkwin Model Village Primary School in Taikkyi Township through Schoolmaster U Aye Thein.
Afterwards, officials and wellwishers presented cash donated by Township MCWAs and wellwishers to the Supervisory Committee through Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay. Later, Township MCWAs and wellwishers presented cash and kind to Okkan Station Hospital through Chairman Dr Tin Maung Win. The meeting came to an end with concluding remarks by the patron. After the ceremony, the patron and party observed the medical treatments given to local people by the medical group of the specialists from South Okkalapa Women and Children Hospital, Yangon Western Hospital, the Ophthalmic Hospital and the Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital under the organization of the Supervisory Committee and Division Health Department. Then, the patron presented glasses to the eye patients and cordially greeted them.
The group gave medical treatments to 174 general patients, 28 obstetric and gynecological patients, 163 eye patients, 22 oral cavity patients, 54 ear, nose and throat patients and other 15 patients.
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Talks on prevention against human trafficking held
Yangon, 26 Sept - Shwepyitha Township Women's Affairs Committee held educative talks on prevention against trafficking in human at No 3 Basic Education High School in the township on 23 September morning. The secretary of the Township Peace and Development Council made an opening speech. Secretary of the Township Women's Affairs Committee Township Law Officer Daw Yi Yi Khin gave talks on the prevention against trafficking in human.
(5) Regional development tasks inspected, measures for hoisting Seinbudaw atop
Maha Kanbawza Pyi Nyein Aye Pagoda coordinated in LoilemYangon, 26 Sept - Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, on 19 September afternoon inspected the site chosen for construction of a replica of Shwedagon Pagoda in front of Kholan Village in Namhsan Township, Loilem District, and gave necessary instructions in response to the reports presented by officials concerned.
Then, the commander inspected the basic education primary school in Konpaung Village and left necessary instructions. Next, he presented cash assistance to two teachers and 57 schoolboys and schoolgirls. The commander then went to Konpaung Village health care centre (branch), where Nurse Daw Nan Nu Htwe in-charge of the centre reported on health care services being carried out and the receiving of medicines. The commander gave instructions and attended to the needs.
The commander also inspected Laikkam Village BEPS and the village health care centre (branch) in Konhein Township. Then, the commander gave necessary instructions and fulfilled requirements regarding the reports of the officials. In the evening, the commander visited Aungmingalar Pariyatti Sarthintaik in the same township, paid obeisance to the 14 Sayadaws who are residing in Taunggyi, Loilem, Kholam, Mongpon and Kyaingtaung, and supplicated on religious matters.
Later, the commander paid homage to the Seinbudaw, which is to be hoisted atop Maha Kanbawza Pyi Nyein Aye Pagoda, at Dhamma Wihara Dhammayon. Then, he visited the Maha Kanbawza Pyi Nyein Aye Pagoda and inspected arrangements being made for hoisting the Seinbudaw atop the pagoda. Afterwards, the commander gave instructions to the officials concerned and attended to the needs.
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Measures for elimination of leprosy coordinated in Taninthayi Division
Yangon, 26 Sept - A work coordination meeting on elimination of leprosy in Taninthayi Division was held at Pale Yadana Hall in Myeik on 18 September.
Then, Assistant Director of the leprosy campaign of Health Department Dr Kyaw Myint reported on purpose of launching the leprosy elimination activities week to be held from 23 to 29 October and Head of the Division Health Department Dr Swe Win on outbreak of leprosy in the region and arrangements for the campaign.
Later, Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Tha Aye and officials viewed the educative wall posters and books on leprosy control at the meeting hall.
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Meeting on "leprosy elimination education week" held in Kachin State
Yangon, 26 Sept - A meeting on "leprosy elimination education week" of Kachin State took place at the city hall of Myitkyina on 17 September morning.
Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe delivered an address on the occasion. Adviser to the National Leprosy Elimination Dr Maung Maung Gyi then reported to the commander on conditions of world leprosy and outbreak of the disease in Myanmar, measures for eradication of the disease, and purposes of the campaign on national leprosy elimination education week.
Dr Htay Aung, health officer of Kachin State Health Department, also reported to the commander on the occurrence of leprosy in Kachin State and activities being carried out to fight the disease. Next, the commander gave instructions on harmonious participation of the whole people in cooperation with the health departments in combating the disease. Afterwards, the meeting came to an end.
On 18 September afternoon pm, Kachin State Drug Abuse Control Committee held a coordination meeting at the city hall of Myitkyina. Chairman of Kachin State Drug Abuse Control Committee Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe attended the meeting and delivered an address. Vice-Chairman of Kachin State Drug Abuse Control Committee Commander of Kachin State Police Force Police Col Tin Maung Maung explained to the commander matters pertaining to measures being done for wiping out the narcotic drugs in Kachin State; and departmental officials of Kachin State, sector-wise progress.
Later, Lt-Col Myint Thein handed over thirteen tons of poppy-substitute maize seeds to Police Lt-Col Khin Maung Htay. The seeds were given by Kachin State Peace and Development Council as poppy-substitute crops for agricultural purpose. Afterwards, the commander made necessary coordination on reports of officials and the meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.
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Commander inspects production of jeep cars and power tillers
Yangon, 26 Sept - Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, arrived at the industrial zone in Monywa on 19 September morning and inspected the assembling of Chindwin Star jeep cars.
The commander gave instructions on meeting the set standard and fulfilled the requirements. Then, the commander inspected Theingi San power tiller production and gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the commander proceeded to Monywa Brokerage House and inspected the sale of goods and construction of new warehouses. The commander gave necessary instructions.
(6) Seminar on pesticide and insecticide held
Yangon, 26 Sept - The Seminar on Insecticide and Pesticide Laws for Course Instructors organized by Crop Protection Department of the Myanma Agriculture Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and UNESCAP, UNEP and Hong Kong-based KFBG was held at the hall of the department in Gyogon in Insein Township this morning.
Present on the occasion were Managing Director of MAS U Tun Than, Managing Director of Myanma Cotton and Sericulture Enterprise Dr Thein Htay, officials from UN agencies and the resident representative of FAO, experts from UNESCAP, UNEP and KFBG, officials from MAS, Yezin Agriculture Institute, National Commission for Environmental Maintenance, Pesticide Registration Department and others totaling 44.
Managing Director U Tun Than and officials from UNESCAP, UNEP and KFBG made speeches on the occasion. The seminar continues tomorrow at Meeting Hall-2 of MAS (Head Office).
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Fertilizer-broadcasting ceremony held in Myaungmya
Yangon, 26 Sept - Myaungmya Township Union Solidarity and Development Association held a ceremony to broadcast fertilizers at the 55.5-acre plot in field No 225 in Thapyaychaung Village, Myaungmya Township yesterday. Chairman Lt-Col Tin Aye of District Peace and Development Council, secretary of the division USDA and head of the Division SLRD made speeches. Members of the village USDA presented a demonstration on fertilizing methods from 9 am to 3 pm.
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MWJA holds coord meeting
Yangon, 26 Sept ' A regular monthly coordination meeting between Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association (Central) and chairmen and secretaries of township WJAs took place on the second floor of the Sarpay Beikman Building, where the MWJA Office is situated, this noon.
At the meeting, Vice-Chairman of MWJA U Than Maung (Than Maung) presided over the meeting and MWJA Joint-Secretary U Khin Swe (Shwesonnyo) acted as master of ceremonies. On the occasion, U Than Maung delivered an address. Joint-Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) reported to the chairman on organizing work of the central committee, welfare, and the observance of Sarsodaw Day (1363 ME) and a ceremony to pay respects to doyen literati. Those present also took part in the discussions. Later, the meeting came to a close with concluding remarks the chairman.
(7) "Soon" offered to State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon)
Yangon, 26 Sept - Under the patronage of Vietnamese Sayadaw Baddanta Agga Sami, his disciples Mr Toidat Huyin and Vietnamese laity offered "soon' to lecturer Sayadaws and student monks, totaling 450, of State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) at Mogok Soonsar Kyaung Saung on Kaba Aye Hill this morning.
On the occasion, the wellwishers donated K 150,000 for "one-day-meal", K 2 million for missionary activities of border areas and hill regions; and K 500,000 for invited members of the Sangha, which were accepted by U Sann Lwin. Afterwards, Patron Sayadaw of SPSU (Yangon) Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Baddanta Vannita shared the merits gained and the ceremony came to an end.
(8) Myanmar boxers leave for ROK
Yangon, 26 Sept - Myanmar traditional boxing champions Wan Chaing and El Hti Kaw left Yangon by air on 24-9-2002 for the Republic of Korea. They were invited to stage a demonstration show at the Fifth World Martial Arts Exhibition to be held in Chaungchu, the ROK, from 27 September to 3 October. As Wan Chaing and El Hti Kaw had knocked down world boxing champions at the invitational events held in Myanmar, the World Martial Arts Federation got interested in and invited them.
(9) U Aye Zaw Win, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win, Zwe Ne Win given death and life sentences for attempting to seize State power, shuffle State Leaders and entice Tatmadaw members to betray the State
Yangon, 26 Sept - The No 1 Yangon Division Court today passed sentences on the culprits, U Aye Zaw Win and sons, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win, for their attempts to seize State power by organizing some of the Tatmadaw forces and commanders, to shuffle the State leaders, to sow discord within the Tatmadaw, and for using illegal communication equipment.
The No 2 Yangon Division Court also handed sentences on U Aye Zaw Win and son, Kyaw Ne Win, and accomplices for buying and using cars without licenses and illegally importing cars and satite phones without paying customs duties.
President of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Pha and members and diplomats of the foreign missions in Yangon were present at the court hearings.
The No 2 Yangon Division Court, presided over by Joint Judge of Yangon Division Court U Tin Win, with Joint Judge of Yangon Division Court U Soe Thein as the member, sentenced Kyaw Ne Win and Wai Lin Hsan to seven years' imprisonment with labour each under section 109 of the Penal Code and section 5 (h) of the 1950 Emergency Act in the criminal case No 5/2002; to seven years' imprisonment with labour each under section 109 of the Penal Code and section 5 (h) of the 1950 Emergency Act in the criminal case No 6/2002; to seven years' imprisonment with labour each under section 109 of the Penal Code and section 5 (h) of the 1950 Emergency Act in the criminal case No 7/2002.
The court also handed down seven years' imprisonment with labour each on Kyaw Ne Win and Kyaw Thiha under section 109 of the Criminal Procedures Law section 5 (h) of the 1950 Emergency Act in the criminal case No 8/2002; and to seven years' imprisonment with labour each on them under section 5(1) of the 1947 Import and Export Act in the criminal case No 10/2002.
The court also sentenced Kyaw Ne Win, Wai Lin Hsan and Tun Tauk Win to seven years' imprisonment with labour each under section 5(1) of the 1947 Import and Export Act in the criminal case No 11/2002.
The court No 2 also sentenced Tun Tauk Win to seven years' imprisonment with labour under section 468 of the Penal Code and to two years' imprisonment with labour under sections 465 and 471 of the Penal Code in the criminal case No 12/2002. The court No 2 also sentenced Kyaw Ne Win to seven years' imprisonment with labour under section 5(1) of the 1947 Import and Export Act in the criminal case No 14/2002.
The court No 2 also handed down seven years' imprisonment with labour on U Aye Zaw Win under section 5 (1) of the 1947 Import and Export Act in the criminal case No 13/2002.
The cars and satellite phones involved in the cases together with related equipment were impounded as public properties.
At 3.30 pm, the Yangon Division Court No 1, presided over by Judge of Yangon Division Court U Aung Ngwe, with Joint Judge of Yangon Division Court U Nyan Win as the member, sentenced Kyaw Ne Win to seven years' imprisonment with labour under section 5 (1) of the 1947 Import and Export Act in the criminal case No 3/2002 for illegally importing communication equipment.
The court also sentenced Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win to three years' imprisonment with labour each under section 6 (1) of the 1934 Wireless Act in the criminal case No 4/2002 for illegal possession and utilization of communication equipment. The court No 1 also sentenced U Aye Zaw Win, Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win to death sentence each under section 122 (1) of the Penal Code and to life imprisonment each under section 131/34 of the Criminal Procedures Law for attempting to seize State power, and enticing Tatmadawmen to betray the State in the criminal case No 2/2002.
The hearing of the cases ended at 7 pm.
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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