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Headlines

• State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Thailand
• Senior General Than Shwe meets industrialists in Mandalay Industrial Zone

Region

• Constant study required to catch up with rapidly advancing ICT Secretary-1 inspects MICT Park
• Tachilek District to be declared as drug free zone
• Hotel industry and telecommunication tasks inspected in Kachin State
• Victorious disabled athletes honoured
• Information Deputy Minister visits Book Fair

International Relations

• Foreign Affairs Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Thailand
• Culture Minister receives Israeli Ambassador
• F&R Minister receives guests
• India-Myanmar-Thailand Technical and Financial Task Force Meetings on Transport Linkages held
• Myanmar delegation leaves for Cambodia
• Chinese health delegation tours Yangon

Health

• World AIDS Day observed

Sport

• National Championship Karatedo Competition  to be held

Drug

• Heroin and stimulant tablets seized

SPOTLIGHT

• News
  

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Headlines

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Thailand

Yangon, 5 Dec - On the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej which falls on 5 December 2002, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, and to His Excellency Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Extended use of auto-run machinery and computer-guided equipment needed to improve quality of goods, standardize products
Senior General Than Shwe meets industrialists in Mandalay Industrial Zone

Yangon, 4 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe met with industrialists in Kanaung Hall in Mandalay Industrial Zone on 2 December.

After hearing the reports, Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying that it was his third visit to the zone. In Upper Myan-mar, Mandalay Industrial Zone is achieving marked development and producing large quantities of goods. It is required to build an industrial nation to enjoy modernization and progress. The 18 industrial zones have been established to increase the private sector participation in the industrial development drive.

All will have to make collective efforts for industrial development and emergence of an industrial nation. Use of auto-run machinery and computer-guided equipment should be extended to improve the quality of goods and to standardize the products. Only then will the products meet the international standard and the import-substitute industry emerge. Mandalay Industrial Zone can now produce machinery for cottage industries including soap factories. Efforts should be made to build medium-scale industries, and then to build large-scale industries.

Market research will have to be conducted to produce the most required machinery for the nation. Market research needs technology and capital, and the State will provide technical and financial assistance to the best of its ability. The private sector should also make cooperative efforts in the necessary fields. Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint also reported to the Senior General on establishment and growth rate of the zone, the number of industries which exceeds 1,000 at the zone, capital, farm industries, industries manufacturing machinery and parts, industries producing goods for the ministries, import-substitute industries, export industries, progress in realizing the guidance given by the Senior General during his visit to the zone and programmes to develop the zone.

Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected the industrial products of the zone which were displayed in the hall. Officials reported to them on finished-wood products, personal goods, tyre and tube, electrical appliances and machinery. They then viewed furniture, rattanware, winnowing machines and generators.

Afterwards, they inspected the cars assembled by the Myingyan Industrial Zone, Meiktila Industrial Zone and Mandalay Industrial Zone and demonstration of pumps.

Region

Constant study required to catch up with rapidly advancing ICT Secretary-1 inspects MICT Park

Yangon, 4 Dec - Chairman of Myanmar Computer Science Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt inspected the functions of MICT Park in Hline Township, Yangon, this evening.

Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 arrived at the park at 4 pm. Chairman of e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw explained functions and future programmes of his organization. Member of the board of directors of MICTDC U Thein Oo reported to the Secretary-1 on opening of foreign and local IT companies at the MICT Park, conducting of ICT courses, Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo on plans to install Internet at 100 basic education schools with the assistance of Bagan Cyber Tech and training programmes for teachers, members of the board of directors of MICTDC U Pyone Maung Maung and U Aung Zaw Myint on plans to hold the Myanmar ICT Week Exhibition including solfware solution booths to mark the anniversary of the MICT Park and Bagan Cyber Tech and progress in construction of the three three-story buildings and Col Tin Oo of the Ministry of Defence on V SAT services of Bagan Cyber Tech, network services with the ministries, iPSTAR services and e-mail and Internet services in Mandalay.

General Khin Nyunt said constant study is required to catch up with the rapidly advancing ICT, and efforts should be made to develop and disseminate the ICT. The Myanmar ICT Week Exhibition should be held on a grand scale with the aim of developing and disseminating the IT, showing the IT development and operations of the IT companies.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected the first batch of Internet course for teachers, operations of the IT companies at MICT Park Production Block building and construction of three three-storey buildings covered by the phase-2 of the MICT Project.

Tachilek District to be declared as drug free zone

Yangon, 4 Dec - Shan State (East) Work Committee for Drug Elimination Chairman member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Labour U Tin Winn of ward Peace and Development Councils at Aung Myat Hall in Tachilek on 30 November morning.

 Minister for Labour U Tin Winn said the Head of State has paid serious attention to drug elimination tasks for border areas, especially to measures for Tachilek District to become a drug free zone as it is the city in the Golden Triangle Region and lies at the border area. So, he visited there twice this month. He and his party also visited Wanhong, Mongyawng in Monghsat District and viewed growing of poppy-substitute crops in the region. He continued to say that although poppy is grown less in Tachilek District than others, drug trafficking in the district is much more than others. In October, altogether 5 million stimulant tablets and over 30 kilos of heroin were seized and this contributes to bringing discredit to the people living there. So, local residents are to keep an open eye on stimulant producers and traffickers.

Once they enter the district, action is to be taken against them so that they won't dare to enter the district. And this will gradually lead to less trade in the district. As ward Peace and Development Councils are fundamental bodies, they are to strive for becoming reliable ones. At the District Hospital in Tachilek, treatments are being offered to the drug addicts and arrangements are being made to set up a Rehabilitation Centre by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to carry out rehabilitation tasks.

An anti-narcotic association has been established in the district in August and it is heartening to see organizing tasks are being made actively. If collective efforts are made unitedly, Tachilek District will be declared a drug free zone soon, he stressed. Then, Brig-Gen Than Tun, Police Brig-Gen Tin Win and Dr Ba Thaung explained measures being taken for the district to become a drug free zone, future tasks and arrangements for rehabilitation tasks for the drug addicts. Afterwards, pamphlets and brochures on human trafficking were distributed. The minister and party proceeded to Wanpon Village in Monghpon (A) village-tract and met local people, members of Women's Affairs Working Committee and USDA and others at the village monastery.

In his address, the minister said due to the Greater Mekhong Project, trade flow in Mekhong River will increase. Although poppy is not grown in Monghpon (A) and (B) village-tracts including Wanpon, drug trade will be increased by using Mekhong river route. So, local people are needed to expose drug trafficking. Seizure of a large amount of drugs in Wanpon Jetty three or four months ago revealed that drug traffickers like the route. So, all are to actively take part in exposing drug cases, he added.

Then, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun explained the supporting measures for elimination of drugs in Shan State (East). On behalf of local people, U Nay Lin Tun pledged that they will actively strive for drug eradication in the region.

Afterwards, brochures, pamphlets, newspapers and journals were handed over to educate the local people. The minister and party, on their way back, inspected poppy-substitute crops plantations along the road. Member of the group Dr Ba Thaung gave educative lecture on drugs at Aung Myat Hall in Tachilek on 30 November evening.

Hotel industry and telecommunication tasks inspected in Kachin State

Yangon, 4 Dec - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw saw over the Friendship Hotel and the Grand Hotel, which is under construction, in Kachin State on 2 December and gave instructions.

The minister also inspected the conditions of natural environs along Ayeyawady river between Bhamo and Myitkyina for the development of tourism industry. The minister then went to Hsinbo Village on the west bank of Ayeyawady river between Bhamo and Myitkyina and there he inspected the installation of telephone exchange lines and cordless telephone lines for trunk calls and attended to the requirements. Next, Secretariat member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Brig-Gen Thein Zaw met with members of Hsinbo Village USDA in the village.

Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Tour Operators Association U Khin Zaw donated K 500,000 to the affiliated high school, which is under construction in Hsinbo village, and Managing Director of FISCA Co U Zaw Weik K 500,000 to the Station Hospital. In Talawgyi Village on the east bank of Ayeyawady river, the minister looked into the installation of the telephone exchange lines and cordless telephone lines and attended to the requirements.

Moreover, the minister met with members of USDA at the affiliated high school in the village. Member of the Patrons of the Central Panel of the USDA, Patron of Kachin State USDA, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe and USDA Secretariat member Brig-Gen Thein Zaw met with members of the USDAs of Myitkyina District and Putao District at the meeting hall of Myitkyina yesterday.

Later, Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe presented K 5 million for enhancing development skill and K 5 million for promotion of economic skill to the secretary of Kachin State USDA at Myitkyina City Hall. In Myitkyina, the minister inspected the auto exchange lines and gave instructions on extension of the number of the lines.

The minister also inspected the Swampara Hotel, and the Panswam Hotel. On arrival at Yangon International Airport, the minister saw over the building to be opened as the airport restaurant and gave instructions to officials of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services.

   Victorious disabled athletes honoured

Yangon, 4 Dec - The disabled athletes who participated in the 8th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled held in Busan, the Republic of Korea were honoured at Karaweik Palace yesterday.

Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and President of Myanmar Hockey Federation Brig-Gen Myo Myint spoke on the occasion. Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint presented K 100,000 each to the disabled athletes who won gold medals. The deputy minister, the Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, the president of Myanmar Hockey Federation and departmental officials presented K 50,000 each to 13 disabled athletes who won silver medals and nine men's volleyball players and K 30,000 each to four athletes who won bronze. The wellwishers presented cash and awards for the disabled athletes who brought honour to the nation and federation to President of Myanmar Disabled Athletes Federation Brig-Gen Aung Thein. President Brig-Gen Aung Thein thanked the wellwishers.

Myanmar Hockey Federation hosted dinner in honour of the disabled athletes. Myanmar disabled athletes won four gold, 13 silver and four bronze totaling 21 medals in the 8th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled.

Information Deputy Minister visits Book Fair

Yangon, 4 Dec - Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein visited the Book Fair opened to commemorate the 1364 ME Myanmar Sarsodaw Day in the compound of Sarpay Beikman Printing House near Hanthawady roundabout on Pyay Road here this evening.

The Book Fair drew the people from all walks of life, who cherish the literature. The sales of books from 57 bookshops amounted to 907,200 kyats today, the second day of the Book Fair. The Book Fair will be kept open daily till 9 December from 9 am to 5 pm.

International Relations

Foreign Affairs Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Thailand

Yangon, 5 Dec - On the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej which falls on 5 December 2002, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Culture Minister receives Israeli Ambassador

Yangon, 4 Dec - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung received Ambassador of Israel to the Union of Myanmar Mr Yaacov Avrahamy at his office at 2 pm today.

F&R Minister receives guests

Yangon, 4 Dec - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein received Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, Mr Nobuo Ikeuchi and party at his office this afternoon.

India-Myanmar-Thailand Technical and Financial Task Force Meetings on Transport Linkages held

Yangon, 4 Dec - The India-Myanmar-Thailand Technical and Financial Task Force Meetings on Transport Linkages were held at the Sedona Hotel from 3 to 4 December.

The Task Forces were established by the Ministerial Meeting on Transport Linkages between India, Myanmar and Thailand held in Yangon on 5-6 April 2002. Before the opening session of the Task Force Meetings, the leaders of Indian and Thai delegations paid a courtesy call on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung. The opening session was attended by delegates from India, Myanmar and Thailand. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, delivered an opening address.

The deputy minister stressed that this trilateral cooperation on transport network would not only promote trade, investment and tourism but also enhance contacts between the peoples of the three countries. It would also contribute to regional peace and stability. He expressed his conviction that the work of the two task forces would bring about the realization of the common vision. He also reiterated the political will of the Myanmar leadership to develop transport linkages among the three countries in order that trade and development would be enhanced. The leaders of the delegations of India and Thailand also made opening remarks.

The leader of the Indian delegation observed that the Ministerial Meeting had identified multi-model projects that would link the three countries by land and sea. It would enable the peoples to enhance interaction between them and strengthen trade ties among the three countries. The leader of the Thai delegation recalled that the idea of constructing transport linkages between Thailand, Myanmar and India was first discussed on the visit of Thai Foreign Minister Dr Surakiart Sathirathai to New Delhi in July 2001. The Thai Foreign Minister met with Indian External Affairs Minister Mr Jaswant Singh. The two foreign ministers agreed that trilateral cooperation between India, Myanmar and Thailand should be established to discuss infrastructure development and transport linkages.

Subsequently, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Win Aung provided the necessary impetus to the proposal by offering to host the meeting of the three foreign ministers in Yangon in April 2002. He noted that the Ministerial Meeting marked a historic milestone in the relationship of the three countries and stressed that the projects would enhance cooperation between South and Southeast Asia. On the other hand, the Financial Task Force discussed various aspects of financing the transport linkages project. The Financial Task Force Meeting agreed on the draft Terms of Reference which would be used as a guideline for further deliberation of the financing of this project.

The two task forces held meetings and laid down the future tasks which include holding of the Technical Task Force Meeting after conducting a physical/field survey in the first half of the February 2003, holding of the Financial Task Force Meeting on findings as early as possible, holding to Foreign Ministers level meeting and the first mid-term in 2003 before senior officials meeting. The next Task Force Meetings will be held in Thailand.

Myanmar delegation leaves for Cambodia

Yangon, 4 Dec - A Myanmar delegation led by Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Kesara left here by air this morning for Cambodia to attend the third World Buddhist Summit to be held there.

 Members comprising in the delegation are Principal of Thitagu World Buddhist University Honourable Professor of ITBMU Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja Mahadhammakathika Bahujanahitadhara Dr Ashin Nanissara, Departmental Head of ITBMU Dr Bhad-danta Adiccavamsa, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro-rector of ITBMU Dr Hla Pe and layperson U Kyaw Win.

Chinese health delegation tours Yangon

Yangon, 4 Dec - The Chinese delegation led by Chinese Health Minister Mr Zhang Wengkang, currently here to enhance mutual cooperation in health services between the Union of Myanmar and the People's Republic of China, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

The visiting Chinese minister offered flowers, water, lights and joss sticks to the Buddha images at the Kathapa Prayer Hall of the western archway of the pagoda, and signed in the visitors' book. He also made cash donation to the fund for all-round renovation of the pagoda. The pagoda board of trustees presented him the picture of Shwedagon Pagoda as a gift.

Next, the visiting Chinese minister and party went to the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Road and Hanthawady Road in Kamayut Township. Police Lt-Col Hse Maung, the in-charge of the museum conducted the delegation round the museum. The visiting Chinese minister also signed in the visitors' book. The delegation later arrived at the Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) in Dagon Township, where Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and officials welcomed them, and they cordially discussed matters related to enhancing the mutual cooperation in the health sector of the two countries.

At the meeting hall of the department, Deputy Director-General of MRD (Lower Myanmar) Dr Soe Thein explained the set-up, the goal and the task of the department. The deputy minister also made additional reports. The visiting Chinese minister also explained cooperation in health research of the two countries. The visiting Chinese minister and party went to diagnosis and vaccine research building, where they viewed the traditional medicinal plants, and giving treatment. On arrival at the Institute of Medicine-1, the visiting Chinese minister and party were welcomed by Deputy Minister Prof Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Director-General of Medical Science Department Dr Maung Maung Wint, Rector of the institute Professor Dr Myo Myint and members of the medical teaching boards.

At the meeting hall, Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Myo Myint explained the formation of the institute and the teaching methods of medical science to the visiting Chinese minister. At the Medical Resources Centre, the visiting Chinese minister viewed round the electronic library, the stack room, the reference room, the medical museum, the medical education centre and the medical information centre. The Chinese minister also visited Yangon General Hospital.

At the meeting hall there, Director-General of the Health Department Dr Wan Maung and Medical Superintendent Dr Aung Htut explained health care activities of the hospital. Later, they viewed round the renal unit, the intensive care unit and the X-ray room and left the hospital at 5.30 pm.

Health

World AIDS Day observed

Yangon, 4 Dec - Organized by Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association, a ceremony to mark the World AIDS Day was held at the meeting hall of the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Office here at 1 pm today.

First, Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay explained the purpose of holding the ceremony. Next, Assistant Director (HIV/AIDS) of the Department of Health Dr Hla Htut explained facts about he World AIDS Day. Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay presented prizes and to the winning townships in the one-act play contest held at the ceremonies hailing the World AIDS Day.

Head of Yangon Division Health Department Dr Cho Cho Than then presented certificates of honour to the townships which participated in the contest. Then, Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay presented gifts to Dr Hla Htut.

Sport

National Championship Karatedo Competition to be held

Yangon, 4 Dec - The National Championship Karatedo Competition 2002, organized by Myanmar Karatedo Federation and mainly sponsored by Bagan Cybertech Co Ltd, will be held at Aung San Stadium on 17 and 18 December.

48 kilos and under, 53 kilos and under, 60 kilos and under, 60 kilos and above and team-wise divisions will be included in the woman individual and team-wise Kata and Kumite events. 55 kilos and under, 60 kilos and under, 65 kilos and under, 70 kilos and under, 75 kilos and under, 75 kilos and above team-wise divisions will be included in the men's individual and team wise Kata and Kumite events.

Those wishing to participate in the competition may contact Myanmar Karatedo Federation at Aung San Stadium for more information.

Drug

Heroin and stimulant tablets seized

Yangon, 4 Dec - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched the house of Yi Aung of Christian Ward, Muse, on 19 November, and arrested Yi Aung, his wife Ma Ar Yon and heroin dealer Kyein Tet Chan together with 30 blocks of heroin weighing 11.7 kilos.

Action is being taken against Kyein Tet Chan, 36, son of U Kyein Kyay Shaung of Panlon Village, Muse Township, Yi Aung, 31, son of U Lauk Twan of Christian Ward, Muse, and Ar Yon, 35, daughter of U Lauk Pauk, under Section 15/19 (A)/20 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the Muse police station. Similarly, a combined team consisting members of local intelligence unit and Mandalay Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on a tip-off, searched the house of Ma Kawt (a) Ma Yi Myint of Ward-1, PyinOoLwin, on 26 October.

The team seized 5,600 stimulant tablets in her bed room. Action is being taken against Ma Kawt (a) Ma Yi Myint, 48, daughter of U Paw Tun, and her accomplices Ma Shauk Hwa, 40, daughter of U Lauk San of Naungkham Village, PyinOoLwin Township, and Ma Nan War War Tun, 41, daughter of U Aik Aee of Kywesekan Ward, Mandalay, under Section 15/19 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the PyinOoLwin police station.

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