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Established in 1914
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends
felicitations to FRG
2. Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt receives Australian Foreign Minister 3. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann inspects agriculture and livestock breeding and regional
development in Ayeyawady Division
4. Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to FRG
5. Dry Day Supervisory Committee meets
6. Minister inspects departments under the ministry
7. A&I Minister inspects paddy plantation, North Nawin Dam in Bago Division (west)
8. Information Minister inspects MMPE
9. Commander meets private agriculture and livestock breeding entrepreneurs
SPOTLIGHT
(1)State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to FRG
Yangon, 3 Oct - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe has sent a message of felicitations to Mr Johannes Rau, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the occasion of the Day of German Unity which falls on 3rd October 2002.
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Senior General Than Shwe receives visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia
Yangon, 2 Oct - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Mr Alexander Downer at the Credentials Hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building at 3 pm today. The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs was accompanied by Australian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Trevor Wilson.
(2) Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt receives Australian Foreign Minister
Yangon, 2 Oct - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt received visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Mr Alexander Downer at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha at 11 am today. The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs was accompanied by Australian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Trevor Wilson.
(3) Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann inspects agriculture and livestock breeding and regional development in Ayeyawady Division
Yangon, 2 Oct - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence and senior military officers and officials of the Ministry of Defence left here on 1 October and arrived at Yadanamye Agricultural Educative Farm in Nyaungdon Township.
Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party proceeded to Bo Myat Tun Bridge in Nyaungdon Township where they were welcomed by members of Ayeyawady Division, Maubin District and Nyaungdon Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party went to the project office of Yuzana Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Group in Pantanaw Township. Chairman of Yuzana Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Group U Htay Myint reported on reclamation of Mogok Deedoke (South) wetlands, cultivation of paddy, digging of fish ponds, breeding of fish and tasks to be undertaken.
Next, Managing Director of Shwe Mithazu Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Group U Hla Maung Shwe reported on breeding of fish and prawn and future tasks. In his discussions, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said fish breeding is successful in wetlands and it contributes towards local consumption and the surplus of fish can now be exported. Development of fish and meat sector serves the interests of the nation and investors and consumers. Breeding of fish, prawn and others in the wetlands is marketable in line with the present conditions, he said. Systematic breeding of pedigree fish which is very good demand in market much contributes towards the interests of both the investors and the State.
Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected breeding of various kinds of fish of Yuzana Agriculture and Livestock Breeding Group. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann also inspected breeding of fish and hatchery centre and gave instructions. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party went to Danubyu where they were welcomed by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South West Command Brig-Gen Htay Oo, departmental officials and members of USDA.
Headmistress Daw San Nwe reported on strength of teachers and students and academic matters. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected construction of seven miles and two furlongs of rural development road linking Sankin Village in Danubyu Township and Kalawtthawt Village in Taikkyi Township. Two miles and seven furlongs of the road were paved with gravel. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected wetlands of Sankinkyun in Danubyu Township, Aikalaungkyun and Bawlekyun in Taikkyi Township. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party then inspected dredging in Pakun Creek near Kalawtthawt Village. Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party proceeded to the Pakun Creek Development Project office of the Department of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems.
Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than and Director-General of the Department of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems U Chit Khin reported on the purpose of the project, findings, tasks to be undertaken, targets for 2001-2002 fiscal year, work done and targets for 2002-2003. The project is being implemented with the aims of emerging a new waterway that can be used as a short way from Aphyauk to Yangon and ensuring smooth flow of commodities, preventing low- lying areas in the delta from floods by diverging water from Ayeyawady to Pakun Creek, gaining opportunity to travel for local people through the waterway and reducing the flow of sea water into the regions.
Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann then took part in the discussions and left for Yangon.
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Minister attends coord meeting on tourism
Yangon, 2 Oct - A work coordination meeting on tourism took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Transport on Merchant Street this morning. It was attended by Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, heads of departments under the ministry, chairmen and members of board of directors of Myanmar Airways International, Yangon Airways and Air Mandalay airlines.
On the occasion, the minister spoke of the need for the ministry to arrange everything necessary for the convenience of tourists visiting Myanmar in the open season. Then, chairmen and officials from airlines reported to the minister on arrangements for airlines to be extended in the open season, booked tickets, and arrangements to cooperate among airlines. Next, U Khin Maung Latt made reports on potentials for visits of tourists to Myanmar; Director-General U Chit Khin of Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, on vessel schedules of "Road To Mandalay" ship and other cruise liners; and Managing Director U Tun Aung Myint of Inland Water Transport and Managing Director U Khin Maung Kyi of Myanma Five Star Line, on 'Pandaw" ship and condition of ships for foreigners.
The two deputy ministers, Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, also made additional reports. Those present then took part in the discussions. The meeting came to an end with concluding remarks of the minister.
Myanmar beat India 2-0 in soccer friendly
Yangon, 2 Oct - The second soccer friendly of the football team of the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Defence Services football team took place at the Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna at 4 pm today.
Before the match, Commandant of the Defence Services Record Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint and the Indian teams manager, together with officials of both teams, greeted the footballers of both teams and posed for a documentary photo. At the match, the Ministry of Defence football team beat the Indian Defence Services football team 2-0.
After the match, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Committee Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein presented the friendly match commemorative cup to the Indian football team and posed for a documentary photo.
(4) Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to FRG
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar U Win Aung has sent a message of felicitations to Mr Joseph Joschka Fischer, Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the occasion of the Day of German Unity which falls on 3rd October 2002.
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Australian FM and party arrive
Yangon, 2 Oct - At the invitation of U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, Mr Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia and party arrived here by air at 9 am today.
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Australian FM calls on Home Affairs Minister
Yangon, 2 Oct - Visiting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Mr Alexander Downer and party called on Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing at the latter's office at the corner of Saya San Road and No-1 Set-hmu Road in Bahan Township this afternoon.
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Minister U Win Aung meets Australian counterpart
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung met visiting Foreign Minister of Australia Mr Alexander Downer and party at the Sedona Hotel at 7 pm today. Then, Minister U Win Aung hosted a dinner in honour of the Australian counterpart and party at the hotel in the evening.
(5) Dry Day Supervisory Committee meets
Yangon, 2 Oct - The meeting 2/2002 of the Dry Day Supervisory Committee was held at Thiri Yadana Hall of the Ministry of Mines here this afternoon, with an opening address by Chairman of the supervisory committee Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen Min Thein.
Chairman of the supervisory committee Minister Lt-Gen Min Thein made a speech. He said the dry day was designed for the departmental vehicles not to be used on second and fourth Sundays every month. Inspections were made and success had been achieved. The driving passes signed by responsible officials will be given for the vehicles to be used inevitably and all departments are to abide by the rules. Vice-Chairman of the supervisory committee Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint made a report. He said a committee has been founded to inspect systematic consumption of electricity and fuel oil and good results have been achieved and ministries and departments are to cooperate with the committee in implementing the tasks.
Then, those present took part in the discussions and made suggestions on measures to be undertaken on dry days. The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the chairman.
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ASEAN Youth Camp: Honouring Kindness Through the Arts opens
Yangon, 2 Oct - The opening ceremony of the ASEAN Youth Camp: Honouring Kindness Through the Arts hosted by Myanmar was held at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel in Bahan Township this morning, attended by Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung.
The minister delivered an address on the occasion. He said ASEAN youths in the camp can have opportunity to learn conditions and culture, traditions and customs of one's country and friendly ties through the camp activities. This programme makes ASEAN youths exchange their experiences and have mutual understanding among them. They will also learn culture and information which are the key areas for mutual understanding and friendly ties. The youths are to make efforts for mutual understanding among nations and preserving their own heritage according to ASEAN Way. The Organizing Committee of holding Youth Camp in our country has made every hour of your camp enjoyable and memorable. The youths will not only have the experience of cultural youth camp throughout the activities but also enjoy the beauty of Myanmar, hospitality of the people and true picture of the country that will make them memorable.
Then, the minister declared the ASEAN Youth Camp: Honouring Kindness through the Arts officially open. Next, Chairman of the National Committee for ASEAN Culture and Information Director-General of the Department of Cultural Institute U Myint Thein Swe and Director of the National Library U Kyaw Oo, in-charge of the camp, extended greetings, and the ceremony came to an end. After the ceremony, Chairman U Myint Thein Swe, officials and the representatives posed for a documentary photo. The chairman of the National Committee for ASEAN Culture and Information hosted a dinner to the representatives at the Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel in the evening.
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Minister inspects arrival of iron frames for nine bridges
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, inspected iron frames being unloaded from MV Fuyushan at Bo Aung Kyaw Wharf this morning.
The iron frames (2354.642 tons), which were ordered from PT Waagner Biro Co of Indonesia for the nine bridges on Yangon-Kyaukphyu road, arrived as a first batch (1995.57 tons). MV Saipan Star carrying the second batch of iron frames (346.316 tons) will arrive on 6 October and the third batch (42.756 tons) is due to arrive on 8 October on MV Pro Nediloyd Shackleton. On arrival at the project briefing hall of No 2 Thanlyin bridge construction site, the minister heard reports on construction of the bridge and gave instructions on supervision of officials to meet with set standard, minimising loss and wastage of construction materials and work site safety.
The No 2 Thanlyin bridge is 4,540 feet long and is also of six-lane concrete reinforced bridge, with a 72 feet wide road and six feet wide pedestrian lanes on either side of the road. The bridge can bear 60-ton loads.
(6) Minister inspects departments under the ministry
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, inspected application of computers, power control system, installation of power lines and daily application record of computers at the computer sections of the Immigration and National Registration Department and the Population Department. The minister then gave instructions to the officials on matters relating to systematic use of electric power.
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Minister attends coord meeting on tourism
Yangon, 2 Oct - A work coordination meeting on tourism took place at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Transport on Merchant Street this morning. It was attended by Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, heads of departments under the ministry, chairmen and members of board of directors of Myanmar Airways International, Yangon Airways and Air Mandalay airlines.
On the occasion, the minister spoke of the need for the ministry to arrange everything necessary for the convenience of tourists visiting Myanmar in the open season. Then, chairmen and officials from airlines reported to the minister on arrangements for airlines to be extended in the open season, booked tickets, and arrangements to cooperate among airlines. Next, U Khin Maung Latt made reports on potentials for visits of tourists to Myanmar; Director-General U Chit Khin of Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, on vessel schedules of "Road To Mandalay" ship and other cruise liners; and Managing Director U Tun Aung Myint of Inland Water Transport and Managing Director U Khin Maung Kyi of Myanma Five Star Line, on 'Pandaw" ship and condition of ships for foreigners.
The two deputy ministers, Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, also made additional reports. Those present then took part in the discussions. The meeting came to an end with concluding remarks of the minister.
Training Course opened
Yangon, 2 Oct - A ceremony to open the Health Care, Leadership and Management Course No 2/2002 of the Health Department of the Ministry of Health was held at the health staff training school on the East Market Street in Dagon Township this morning, with an opening address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.
The minister delivered an address. He said that the training course is aimed at turning out skilful health care technicians in the country for long-term health development plan in accord with the National Health Policy. He urged the trainees to strive for becoming leaders to be able to give multiplier course to the health staff in the states and divisions. A total of 45 trainees are attending the four-week course.
(7) A&I Minister inspects paddy plantation, North Nawin Dam in Bago Division (west)
Yangon, 2 Oct -Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and departmental officials yesterday inspected the triple cropping fields in Taikkyi Township. Paddy is cultivated on the fields with the use of natural fertilizer, bio-super folio fertilizer, bio composer fertilizer and azolla fertilizer in accord with the techniques disseminated to the farmers by Myanma Agriculture Service. Then the minister inspected preparations for harvesting the paddy fields, cultivation of cow peas (vigna catjang) and various kinds of natural fertilizers. Managing Director of MAS U Tun Than and the Yangon Division Manager of Myanma Agriculture Service conducted the minister round the plantations.
Next, the minister met with members of Yangon Division Agricultural Supervisory Committee and managers. of District and Township MASs and gave instructions on minimizing loss and wastage in harvesting paddy fields due to the climatic conditions, dissemination of knowledge on extensive use of natural fertilizers, bio-fertilizers and bio-super fertilizers to local farmers and efforts to be made for achieving success in the agricultural sector.
The minister, together with Col Tin Maung Win of pyay Station, inspected technological educative paddy plots in Thayettabin Village, Minhla Township. Officials reported on cultivation of the paddy plots and paddy stains and ripen paddy fields.
Then, the minister arrived at No 12 Sugar Mill (Nawade) in pyay Township and inspected crushing of sugarcane, refining of sugarcane and repairing of machinery in 2002-2003. At the briefing hall, the mill manager and Managing Director U Myo Myint of Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise reported on production, purchasing and transportation matters for running of the mill in November. The minister gave instructions on extended cultivation, water supply, boosting of per-acre yield, thrifty and minimizing wastage and loss. Next, they arrived at North Nawin Dam on Nawin .Creek near Hsihsongon Village, pyay Township, and inspected water storage of the dam, the spillway and the control tower. Director-General U Kyaw San Win of the Irrigation Department conducted the minister round the dam. At the briefing hall, officials reported on cultivation of double cropping in the irrigated areas.
The minister gave instructions on multiple cropping based on staple cotton plantations in the irrigated areas of pyay, Paukkhaung and Thegon townships, maintenance of tributary canals, storage of water at Mataungta and Makyaungkya Dams, conservation of forests at watershed areas and safeguarding and maintenance of the structures of North Nawin Dam.
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F&R Minister U Khin Maung Thein arrives back from 57th Annual Meeting of WB & IMF
Yangon, 2 Oct - A ceremony to open the 57th Anniversary of World Bank and International Monetary Fund was held at the meeting hall of Constitution Building in Washington, the United State of America, from 27 to 29 September.
The annual meeting of WB and IMF continued at the meeting hall of the Constitution Building. On 29 September, Minis-ter for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein delivered an address. He said that plans were laid down and are being implemented in agriculture, industries, construction and economic sectors in building the Union of Myanmar to become a modern and developed nation. Efforts are being made not only for economic development but also for uplift of education and health sectors. While tasks are being carried out for maintaining development momentum, efforts will be made for achieving more success in economic development.
While in Washington, Minister U Khin Maung Thein and party met with Board of Directors Dr W Schlebusch and party of G & D Co of Germany, Chairman Mr Takeo Inokuchi and party of Mitsui-Sumitomo Insurance Co Ltd of Japan, Director Mr Pierre Denis of Bank Lazard of France, Director Mr Kim Ng and party of Home Pride Technology Inc and Director-General Mr Seyyid Abdulai and party of OPEC Fund. They cordially discussed cooperation matters. The minister and party arrived back here by air this afternoon.
Members of the delegation Governor U Kyaw Kyaw Maung of Central Bank of Myanmar, Director-General U Soe Linn of Foreign Economic Relations Department and Director U Nyo Myint of CBM, Chairman of Kanbawza Bank Ltd U Aung Ko Win and General Manager U Kyaw Soe Min and Vice-Chairman U Khin Maung Aye of Cooperative Bank Ltd also arrived back on the same flight.
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Minister inspects Ayethaya Industrial Zone in Taunggyi
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi arrived at the Ayethaya Industrial Zone, Taunggyi Township in Shan State (South) this morning and inspected completion of Shan Star Double Cab Auto-mobile manufactured by Ayethaya Industrial Zone for the first time.
Then, at the Shan Star Jeep auto plant, the minister inspected the installation of car parts, manufacturing of small hydroelectric turbines;150 kilowatt, installation of power tillers and weeding machine and Thitseiilt oil mills.
It is learnt that the first manufactured Shan Star Double Cab (4 x 4) is installed with air-conditioner and it can drive at a speed of 70 mph and it does 40 miles per gallon. Moreover, 150 kilowatt hydroelectric turbine to be manufactured by Ayethaya Industrial Zone to be used in Chin state, Paletwa region and Rakhine State and Kye Kan Myay region is being tested and the design worked out.
Next, the minister arrived at No (0745) filling station and inspected the distribution of petrol and gave instructions to the staff on minimizing loss and wastage of electric power and petrol. The minister also gave instructions to the staff on systematic sale of petrol to cargo trucks not only in the day time but also between 10 pm and 4 am at al- lowed hours.
(8) Information Minister inspects MMPE
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, this afternoon arrived at Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise (Documentary Film) in Bahan Township.At MMPE (Documentary Film), the minister inspected news-shooting cameras, movie hall, transformers, news film store room and the construction of a four-storey staff quarter, and he also inspected the machinery store room of MMPE (Head Office) in Mayangon Township.
After inspection, the minister gave instructions on repair of working materials in case of necessity, taking measures for fire prevention, storage of shot-films with modern methods, protecting of film marks from being erased, timely completion of the staff quarter under construction, cultivation of vegetables on a manageable scale at the staff quarter, maintenance of machine spare parts, electricity consumption in a systematic way, and husbanding of fuel.
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Rail Transportation Ministry continues coord meeting
Yangon, 2 Oct - The second four-monthly work coordination meeting of the Ministry of Rail Transportation continued for the fourth day at the meeting hall of the ministry at noon today.The divisional officers of the Myanma Railways reported on implementation of the second four-monthly work projects. The Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung fulfilled the requirements and left necessary instructions on their reports.
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Minister inspects newly-arrived machinery
Yangon, 2 Oct - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung together with officials arrived at No 3 Wharf (Bo Aung Kyaw) in Botahtaung Township here this afternoon and inspected newly-arrived machinery for Thabaung Pulp Factory Project (200-ton) brought in by China Metallurgical Construction (Group) Corporation (MCC) of the Republic of China,. Managing Director U Than Shwe of Myanma Paper and Chemical Industries and Project Director U Kan Hla reported to him on arrangements for the goods to be transported to Hlaygyitet Jetty and the Project Department. The minister then gave necessary instructions on systematic handling of goods onto the watercrafts to transport them to the project site and supervisory tasks.
(9) Commander meets private agriculture and livestock breeding entrepreneurs
Yangon, 2 Oct - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe met with private entrepreneurs who are undertaking vegeatable cultivation and poultry farming tasks at Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation and Poultry Farming Special Zone near Nyaunghnapin Village, Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, at the meeting hall of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Office at 2 pm today.
The commander gave instructions on tasks being carried out at the Yangon Division Vegetable Cultivation and Poultry Farming Special Zone with a view to ensuring sufficient consumption of vegetables, meat, fish and egg for the people of Yangon City in line with the guidance of the Head of State, assistance being provided to private entrepreneurs for their convenience in undertaking agriculture and livestock breeding tasks and cultivation of vegetables and livestock breeding tasks to be implemented for achieving success with the use of modern and traditional methods.
The commander then said that as the open season arrives, agriculture and livestock breeding tasks are to be undertaken for meeting the target. Next, the private entrepreneurs reported on their requirements. After hearing reports, the commander attended to their needs and gave the concluding remarks.
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 tomission.myanmar@ties.itu.int
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