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Established in 1914
1. Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein hosts dinner in honour of Indian volleyball and
football teams2. Efficient use of electricity and fuel stressed 3. Minister receives Ambassador
4. Minister inspects South Nawin Dam, monsoon paddy harvesting in Bago Division
5. Commander inspects tax-free markets
6. Rules of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day painting, sculpture competitions
announced
7. Boosting production and ensuring regular flow of commodities coordinated
8. Third event of Myanmar London Golf Tour 2002 begins 9. 243 drug cases exposed in August
SPOTLIGHT
(1) Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein hosts dinner in honour of Indian volleyball and football teams
Yangon, 3 Oct - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein hosted a dinner in honour of Manager Brigadier GRC Nair and members of the Indian Defence Services volleyball team and football team, who were currently here, at Karaweik Palace Hotel this evening. At the dinner, the adjutant-general and the manager exchanged gifts.
(2) Efficient use of electricity and fuel stressed
Yangon, 3 Oct - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win stressed the need for efficient use of electricity and fuel at his meeting with departmental personnel and industrialists here yesterday.
Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, who is the Chairman of the Committee to Supervise and Inspect Use of Electricity and Fuel, inspected electricity consumption at the Six-Storey Office Complex on Strand Road, Myanma Port Authority and Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, and met with officials. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win also visited the Shwepyitha Industrial Zone yesterday. At the zone, he met with personnel concerned and industrialists, saying that the meeting was held to know the electricity and fuel consumption capacity of the industrial zones. He assured constant power supply to the zones, adding long-term plans are required to ensure power supply. He warned industrialists of unnecessary stockpiling of fuel, speaking of the need to effectively use the electricity to boost production.
Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut said as adequate amount of power has been supplied to the zones, the entrepreneurs will have to efficiently use it to boost production, adding severe action will be taken against illegal use of electricity. Representatives of the zones and entrepreneurs presented the conditions of the industries and requirements. Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and officials looked into their requirements. He then inspected use of electricity at the Shwepyitha Industrial Zone.
(3) Minister receives Ambassador
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Education U Than Aung received Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar Mr Yuji Miyamoto at Diamond Jubilee hall on Pyay Road this evening.
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Minister receives vice-chairman of MTS
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint received Vice-Chairman Mr Tojiro Tasaki and party of Myanmar Tasaki Shinju Co Ltd, a joint-venture firm with Myanma Pearl Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines, at his office this evening.
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Ambassador U Tin Soe presents credentials to President of Ukraine
Yangon, 3 Oct - U Tin Soe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to Ukraine, presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr Leonid D Kuchma, President of Ukraine on 24 September 2002, in Kiev.
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Australian FM leaves for home
Yangon, 3 Oct - Australian delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Alexander Downer, who were on an official visit to Yangon, left here by air at noon today. Before leaving Yangon, the Australian Foreign Minister and party visited the Shwedagon Pagoda at 8 am.
(4) Minister inspects South Nawin Dam, monsoon paddy harvesting in Bago Division
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, inspected water storage and in-flow of South Nawin Dam, the main dam, the dam structures, maintenance of canals and spillways in Paukkhaung Township yesterday morning.
At the briefing hall, the minister met with division, district and township agricultural committees and officials of the Irrigation Department and gave instructions on cultivation of crops with the use of water from the dam, water supply, and tasks to be carried out for maintenance of embankments in accord with the irrigation rules and regulations. Then, the minister inspected the embankment, the spillway and related structures seven miles downstream the main dam, and left necessary instructions.
After that, the minister went to No 11 Sugar Mill (Inngargwa) and met with local farmers. Managing Director of Myanma Sugarcane Enterprise U Myo Myint reported on projects to be implemented in 2002-2003 sugarcane cultivation season, purchasing, transportation and boosting per acre yield of sugarcane. The minister dealt with assistance to be rendered by the ministry. And then he inspected arrangements made for sugar production in 2002-2003. Later, the minister observed harvesting and threshing of Hmawby Hsan strain paddy in Tarlay Village, Minhla Township, Thayawady District. In Bago Division, the cultivated paddy is thriving and the paddy fields are being harvested.
In the afternoon, the minister proceeded to Nyaunghnapin Agricultural Farm in Hmawby Township and inspected the produce of the farm, vegetable patches, the research laboratories and research work.
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Health Minister attends meeting on proper use of electricity, dry day
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein gave instructions on systematic electricity consumption and designating the dry day at a ceremony held at the meeting hall of the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) on Ziwaka Street in Dagon Township this evening.
On the occasion, the minister spoke of the need for supervision of officials to ensure the proper use of electricity and fuel. Then, Head of the Office Lt-Col Zaw Weik reported to the minister on electricity consumption of the ministry and tasks to be carried out for the dry day. The deputy ministers also made reports to the minister.
Next, directors-general reported on arrangements being made for the utilization of electricity by their departments. Those present at the meeting also took part in the discussions. Afterwards, the meeting ended with concluding remarks of the minister.
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Second four-monthly coord meeting of Rail Transportation concludes
Yangon, 3 Oct - The fifth day and the final day session of the second four-monthly work coordination meeting of the Ministry of Rail Transportation took place at the meeting hall of the ministry this morning.
Deputy Ministers U Pe Than and Thura U Thaung Lwin made reviews on officials' reports on tasks being implemented by their departments and gave instructions. Managing Director U Min Swe of the Myanma Railways made a report on supervision of respective departmental heads for maintenance of locomotive engines of the MR.
Minister U Pan Aung, in his concluding speech, said success will be achieved only if the proper use of electricity and fuel and the research on generation of electricity needed for the factories on a self-reliant basis are able to be applied dutifully. Afterwards, the meeting came to an end in the evening.
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Minister explains systematic use of electric power and fuel
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone met with the officials and staff of department, enterprises, factories, workshops, district and township offices in Yangon Division under the ministry at the tender hall of Myanma Timber Enterprise this afternoon and explained matters related to the systematic use of electric power and fuel in accordance with the directions laid down by the State.
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Minister inspects Shwe Wah Tun Hotel in Bago
Yangon, 3 Oct - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs and for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw arrived at the Shwe Wah Tun Hotel in Bago yesterday.
The managing director of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Htay Aung reported on work being done and renovation of the hotel. The minister inspected the hotel and gave instructions on cleanliness of the rooms, furnishing of the hotel in accordance with the standard of the hotel, proper preparing of meals, ensuring good service, greening of surrounding areas and timely completion of renovation tasks.
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Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium 25 Oct to 2 NovYangon, 3 Oct - A meeting was held to review the 39th Myanma Gems Emporium held last March in conjunction with the first meeting of the Central Committee for Holding Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium in October 2002 at Myanma Gems Museum on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here this afternoon, with an address by Patron of the Central Committee Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint.
The secretaries of the jade, gem and pearl subcommittees reported on conditions of sales at the 39th Myanma Gems Emporium and arrangements made for the Mid-Year Myanma Gems Emporium. The meeting approved of holding the emporium from 25 October to 2 November. The meeting came to an end with concluding remarks by the minister in the afternoon.
(5) Commander inspects tax-free markets
Yangon, 3 Oct - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected the tax-free markets in Yangon and gave necessary instructions.
The commander arrived at the tax-free market at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw streets in Kamayut Township, Then, the commander inspected the sale of vegetables, fish and meat, eggs, rice, and consumer products and fulfilled the requirements.
Afterwards, the commander and party arrived at the tax-free market in Konmyinttha, Mayangon Township, where the commander was welcomed by Commander of No 1 Military Region Col Khin Maung Soe and officials. The commander inspected the functions of the market and Nawade tax-free market on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and gave necessary instructions. The commander and party proceeded to Yankin tax-free market near the Ministry of Industry-2 on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, where Commander of No 2 Military Region Lt-Col Myint Kyi, Head of Markets Department of Yangon City Development Committee U Soe Myint, and officials welcomed them.
The commander inspected the sale of vegetables, fish and meat, eggs, rice, and consumer products in the market and attended to the needs. Then, the commander went to Tamway tax-free market on Kyaikkasan Road in Tamway Township, where the commander was welcomed by the chairman of Yangon (East) District Peace and Development Council and officials. The commander inspected the sales at the market and met with buyers and sellers of market. Then, the commander attended to their needs.
The commander also inspected the tax-free market on Pantra road in Dagon Township and gave instructions on sale of fresh vegetables, meat, and fish and sanitation tasks. Vegetables and meat and fish shops of ministries, YCDC, battalions and units under Yangon Command, producers, and companies, rice shop of Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association, and consumer product shop of the Ministry of Industry-1 are opened at the tax-free markets in Yangon daily.
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Announcement on entrance exams of MMU & MAEU
Yangon, 3 Oct - Myanmar Maritime University under the Ministry of Transport and Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University under the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Union of Myanmar will be opened in December 2002, and applicants have been invited for the two universities through newspapers.
The list of those who are allowed to sit for the entrance exams of the two universities will be posted at the University Entrance Scrutinizing Board of the Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) on Thaton Road on 7 October (Monday). Those who won permission are to personally inform the HED (Lower Myanmar) from 7 to 18 October. In doing so, three passport size photos, an NRC card (original & copy), an original recommendation letter from local authorities concerned, the mark list of matriculation exam (original & copy) and an original fit certificate from respective township medical officers must be brought along.
The entrance exams for the two universities will start from 25 October, and the timetables will be posted together with the list of entrance winners at HED (Lower Myanmar) on 7 October.
Seminar on Malaysian Colleges Package Tour to be held
Yangon, 3 Oct - Tourists from the Malaysian universities and colleges are to arrive here on a package tour on 4 October. Arrangements have also been made to hold a Seminar on Malaysian Colleges Package Tour at the Sofitel Plaza Hotel (Near Thamada Cinema Hall) on Alanpya Pagoda Road from 10 am to 6 pm on 5 and 6 October (Saturday and Sunday). Anybody may attend the seminar free of charge.
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State Lottery prizes drawn in one day
Yangon, 3 Oct - The drawing of 20,080 prizes including one K 30 million prize of the 165th State Lottery began at the hall of Aungbalay Lottery Branch at No 384 at the corner of Maha Bandoola Street and 37th Street in Kyauktada Township at 8 am and successfully completed at 7.07 pm today. The prize-winners can draw their prize money beginning 8 October, and the prizes, which are K 500,000 and below can be drawn with a letter of authority at Aungbalay Lottery Branch.
(6) Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day commemorative Poetry competition announced
Yangon, 3 Oct - 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 announced 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 endeavors, 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 Road, Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon, not later than 31-12-2003.
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Military and marching song competitions to commemorate 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day to be held
Yangon, 3 Oct - 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 must be composed and 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 permitted 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 31-12-2002.
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Rules for 58th Armed Forces Day commemorative Poetry competition announced
Yangon, 3 Oct - 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 announced 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 endeavors, 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 Road, Sarpay Beikman Building, Yangon, not later than 31-12-2003.
(7)Boosting production and ensuring regular flow of commodities coordinated
Yangon, 3 Oct - Ayeyawady Division held a work coordination meeting on boosting production and ensuring regular flow of commodities at the Ayeya Shwe Wah Hall in Pathein yesterday morning.
It was attended by Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Chairman South-West Command Commander Brig-Gen Htay Oo, Myanmar Rice Millers' Association Chairman U Win Myint, rice millers and traders in the division and social organizations. At the meeting, the commander discussed tasks to be carried out for boosting production and ensuring regular flow of commodities. Chairman U Win Myint and officials reported on matters related to production and flow of goods, market conditions and sales region-wise.
The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the commander.
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International Day of Older Persons observed in Monywa
Yangon, 3 Oct - A ceremony to observe the International Day of Older Persons took place at Monywa Home for the Aged on 1 October.
Present were Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, social organizations, well-wishers and guests.
The commander spoke on the occasion. The commander then presented K 122,500 donated by Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council to the aged; Brig-Gen Soe Myint, 286 bags of rice donated by the Social Welfare Department; and Lt-Col Ye Htut, cash donations of the central committee for observance of International Day for Older Persons. Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for the Home for the Aged U Hla Han and officials accepted the donations.
Next, U Hla Han spoke words of thanks. Altogether 60 elderly people of Monywa attended the ceremony and the total donation of cash was K 985,740.
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Commander attends work coord meeting in Bago Division
Yangon, 3 Oct - Bago Division Peace and Development Council held its work coordination meeting 2002 at Thiri Oaktha Hall, Bago Division, yesterday.
It was attended by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung Min. The commander spoke on the occasion. Then, departmental officials reported to the commander on tasks being carried out by their respective departments and future tasks.
After hearing the reports, the commander gave instructions and then the meeting ended.
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Rakhine State Peace and Development Council holds coord meeting
Yangon, 3 Oct - Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Chairman Western Command Commander Brig-Gen Maung Oo, on 1 October afternoon arrived at the checkpoint at the entrance to Gwa and gave necessary instructions to the officials.
In the evening, the commander attended the work coordination meeting of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council at the office of Township Peace and Development Council and elaborated on speedy implementation of the projects sector-wise in cooperation with respective departments in order to exceed the targets of Rakhine State, District and Township, carrying out the five rural development tasks with added momentum, and extended cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy for local sufficiency.
In response to the reports of the departmental officials, the commander attended to the needs. Yesterday morning, the commander visited the Nandayanthikinyon Kyaung-taik in the same town and Maha Bawdhi Dhamma Wihara Kyaung in Kalabyin Village, and together with his wife, presented offertories to the presiding Sayadaws.
Later, the commander inspected the plantation of 1,000 teak and 1,500 Pyingadoe trees (Xylia dolabriformis) in Kyeintali Village, and the 10-acre plantation of 2,000 each of teak, Pyingadoe and Mahogany trees. Then, the commander gave necessary instructions to the officials and fulfilled the requirements.
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Commander inspects farm and plantations
Yangon, 3 Oct - Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, inspected the 50-acre thitseint plantations of local battalions and units in Hsintaung station in Lashio yesterday.
The commander inspected the 50-acre thitseint plantation of local battalion and 300-acre thit-seint plantation and sesamum and groundnut plantations of the command near Lashio. The commander gave instructions on extended cultivation of thitseint and land reclamation tasks. In the evening, the commander arrived at the 1200-acre Hsinshweli monsoon-paddy farm in Lashio and heard reports on thriving fields of monsoon paddy.
The commander inspected the farm and gave instructions on minimizing loss and wastage, harvest of crop and cultivation of summer paddy as soon as possible. In 2002 monsoon paddy cultivation season, 5,000 acres of land in Lashio District and 25,000 acres of land in Shan State (North) were put under Hsinshweli high yield paddy strain.
(8) Third event of Myanmar London Golf Tour 2002 begins
Yangon, 3 Oct - The opening ceremony of the third event of Myanmar London Golf Tour 2002, jointly-organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and Myanmar Professional Golfers Association and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, was held at the Yedagun Taung Golf Club in Mandalay this morning.
After the participant golfers had taken positions at the 1st Tee, Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint, teed off balls to start the tournament. After the first round, Win Aung (Pan West) was leading the tour with 69 strokes, followed by Myint Shwe (Wilson), Maung Maung Tar (Wilson) and Aung Win (YCDC) with 70 each and Win Zaw Oo, Myint Thaung (KM Golf Centre), Lashio Champion Soe Kyaw Naing (Wilson) with 71 each in the professional golfers level. In men's amateur level, Zaw Zaw Latt was at the first place with 69 strokes while Aye Ko, Myat Htut and Kyaw Kyaw shared the second place with 72 each. With the aim of improving the Myanmar golf standard, Air Mandalay as official airline, Sedona Hotel (Mandalay) as official hotel, Grand Royal Special Reserve Whisky, Wilson, KM Golf Centre, AWB Bank, Loi-Hein (Alpine) Purified Drinking Water and Canon (ACCEL International Co Ltd) also sponsored the tour which was organized by Han Event Management.
The 18-hole second round of the tour continues tomorrow at the same venue.
(9) 243 drug cases exposed in August
Yangon, 3 Oct - The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 243 drug-related cases in August 2002.
Seizure made by them were 87.6967 kilos of opium in 37 cases, 16.5473 kilos of heroin in 86 cases, 13 kilos of morphine in one case, 8.7328 kilos of opium oil in five cases, 5.0614 kilos of low grade opium in 11 cases, 7.4375 kilos of marijuana in 14 cases, 49.639 liters of Phensedyl in three cases, 450,552 stimulant tablets in 32 cases, 10.5 kilos of Ephedrine, four kilos of stimulant powder, 8.608 kilos of Speciosa in three cases, one bottle of diazepam injection in one case, 347,540 diazepam tablets in one case, 36 litres of Acetic Anhydride, 100 litres of chemical liquid, 30 cases for failure to register and 19 other cases. Seizure made by battalions and units were 48.5358 kilos of opium in three cases, 4.771 kilos of heroin in two cases, 13 kilos of morphine in one case and 40 stimulant tablets in two cases.
Seizure made by MPF were 39.1609 kilos of opium in 34 cases, 11.7763 kilos of heroin in 84 cases, 8.7328 kilos of opium oil in five cases, 5.0614 kilos of low grade opium in 11 cases, 7.4375 kilos of marijuana in 14 cases, 49.639 litres of Phensedyl in three cases, 450,512 stimulant tablets in 30 cases, 10.5 kilos of Ephedrine, 4 kilos of stimulant powder, 8.608 kilos of Speciosa in three cases, one bottle of diazepam injection in one case, 347,540 diazepam tablets in one case, 36 litres of Acetic Anhydride, 100 litres of chemical liquid, 30 cases for failure to register and 19 other cases.
Action was taken against altogether 361 persons- 304 men and 57 women- in 243 cases in August 2002.
On 17 August, a combined drug abuse control team, acting on information, searched Win Shin (a) Ar Shin at New Century Guest House in Ward-2, Kutkai, and found 41,800 stimulant tablets bearing WY letters on him. Action is being taken against him by Kutkai Police Station.
On 19 August, a combined drug abuse control team stopped a white Hilux car with number plates Sa/6036, enroute from Hopong to Taunggyi, driven by Pe Chay (a) Te Ta Khan at the check-point at the entrance to Taunggyi. The authorities arrested Tin Thein (a) Chi Chein, who hire the car, together with 20 packages of heroin weighing 6.6 kilos. Action is being taken against him by Taunggyi No-1 Police Station.
On 26 August, a drug abuse control team searched the house of Ma Shauk San of Nakha Village, Kutkai Township, and arrested her for possessing 16 packages of raw opium weighing 35 kilos. Action is being taken against her by Kyukok Police Station.
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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