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Headlines

• Senior General Than Shwe inspects Tamu-Kale-Kalewa Road, Myittha River Bridge (Kalewa) Project in  Sagaing Division 
• State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Finland  

Region

• Secretary-1 inspects extension of roads at  roundabouts in Yangon  
• Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe tour Mongphyat  and Tachilek Districts  
• Development activities inspected in Kengtung  Township 
• National Convention Convening Commission meets 
• Culture Minister inspects National Museum 
• Minister inspects Ahlon wharves 
• Minister for Information visits Book Fair 
• Code of Conduct, Extempore Talks Contests held at Yangon Command 
• Measures for ensuring success of agriculture and livestock breeding works co-ordinated 
• Track & Field Championship held 
• Military Attaches & families visit North-East Command area  

International Relations

• Secretary-1 receives Chinese Health Minister and  party  
• Foreign Affairs Minister U Win Aung sends message of felicitations to Finland  
• Myanmar delegation arrives back  
• Livestock & Fisheries Minister receives Ambassador  
• Ambassador U Nyunt Maung Shein accredited to Poland  

Health

• Health Minister receives guests  
• Chinese Health delegation tours Yangon  

Drug

• Drug traffickers sentenced

SPOTLIGHT

• News
  

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Headlines

Doctors urged to work with strong sense of responsibility and conviction while discharging duties for perpetuation of Union in the interest of national races
Senior General Than Shwe inspects Tamu-Kale-Kalewa Road, Myittha River Bridge (Kalewa) Project in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 5 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of De-fence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected Tamu-Kale-Kalewa Road and Myittha River Bridge (Kalewa) Project in Sagaing Division, on 3 December. On arrival at the town at 11.30 am.

On their way to Kalewa by car along the Kale-Kalewa section of the Tamu-Kale-Kalewa Road, the Senior General and party inspected the road condition, the surrounding areas and crop fields. At Myittha River Bridge (Kalewa) Project located near the entrance to Kalewa, they heard a report on salient points of the project and construction work presented by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun.

After giving guidance, the Senior General inspected the project and its surrounding areas. The bridge will link Kalewa, located at the end of Monywa-Ahlon-Yagyi-Myoma-Kalewa Road, and Shantat village on the other bank.

Construction works started after completion of the stake driving ceremony on 29 July 2002. The suspension bridge installed with steel frames will be supported by reinforced concrete piers. The 1,320-foot bridge will have the maximum load bearing capacity of 60 tons. The motorway on it will be 28 feet wide. It will be an important facility for Monywa-Kalewa-Tamu border trade road and to reach townships in Chin State via Kalewa and Kale.

The Senior General and party then inspected the development undertakings in Kalewa. Local people greeted them on both sides of the town streets.

The next morning, they visited the 200-bed hospital in Kale, and inspected the two-storey building under construction to house the operation theatre and the delivery room.

At the briefing hall they heard a report on the hospital presented by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein. The minister said it was established as a 25-bed facility in 1965; it was upgraded to a 50-bed hospital in 1991 and a 200-bed facility in 1998. Run by specialist physicians and equipped with advanced gear, the hospital is providing health care for the people of Kale Township and the surrounding areas and Haka and Tiddim regions in Chin State. Teams led by the specialist physicians of the hospital are making field tours to treat patients at the villages. He then explained the hospital extension project.

Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying that Kale region has been designated as a development zone as it has direct link with Chin State, Hkamti region and Tamu region. The State is making arrangements for economic, social, transport and health development of Kale region.

Kale Township People's Hospital has been upgraded to a 200-bed facility to provide cent per cent health care services for the people of Kale District and its surrounding areas. Doctors and health staff of the hospital are urged to show warmth and sympathy towards the patients and gave effective medical treatment to them.

As the first step, they will have to strive to reduce the occurrence rate of the diseases which are frequent in the region; and in the second stage, to totally eradicate the diseases. They should work with goodwill for the health and longevity of the people.

In carrying out the task to ensure public health and longevity through the three phases - education, control and treatment, they will have to effectively implement the school health education programmes, enabling the people to have knowledge on health education since their childhood days.

The State is implementing programmes with the aim of ensuring health and fitness of the people, looking into the requirements of all sectors to ensure a better future for the nation.

The doctors are also required to work with the strong sense of responsibility and conviction while discharging the duties for perpetuation of the Union in the interest of the national races.

They will have to work with the conviction as well as patriotism to raise the public health standard. The Senior General then conversed with Medical Superintendent Dr Tin Tun and specialist physicians.

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

Yangon, 6 Dec - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to Her Excellency Ms Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Finland which falls on 6 December 2002.

Region

Secretary-1 inspects extension of roads at roundabouts in Yangon

Yangon, 5 Dec - State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt looked into the extension of roads at roundabouts in the capital this morning.

General Khin Nyunt arrived at the construction site for extension of the road at the Hanthawady roundabout on Pyay Road. At the work site, the Secretary-1 was briefed by Vice Mayor Col Maung Pa and heads of department on earth work and tarring and digging of drainages for extension of the road at Hanthawady roundabout and the U Wisara roundabout, the Bahan roundabout and the Ayeyawun roundabout.

Afterwards, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw reported to the Secretary-1 on their respective tasks. After giving necessary instructions to officials, the Secretary-1 inspected extension tasks and proceeded to U Wisara roundabout. The vice-mayor reported to the General on construction tasks. After giving necessary instructions, the Secretary-1 inspected extension of roads.

Next, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt arrived at the construction site for extension of the road at Bahan roundabout on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. After hearing reports, the Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions and left there later in the morning.

Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe tour Mongphyat and Tachilek Districts

Yangon, 5 Dec - Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence arrived at Tachilek in Shan State (East) on 3 December morning.

Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Chairman Triangle Region Command Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw and officials welcomed them at Tachilek Airport.

They met with Tachilek and Mongphyat Districts departmental officials, members of War Veterans Organization, Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and working committee for women's affairs at Aung Myat Hall in Tachilek.The chairmen of Mongphyat and Tachilek Districts Peace and Development Councils reported on carrying out regional development tasks in their regions.

Then, Lt-Gen Soe Win made a speech. He said that success has been achieved by the government in the modernization of border areas. As the number of cultivable acerage has increased in Shan State (East), roads, bridges, schools, degree college, nursing schools are opened and border dispensaries and hospitals upgraded. The installation of telephone exchange post offices, telegraph offices, retransmission stations are also built. Regional development activities can be carried out only when there is prevalence of peace and stability in the region. Owing to the cooperative efforts of USDA, MCWA and NGOs and local people, parallel developments have been gained in rural and border areas.

Momentum has been added to the endeavours to curb the narcotic drugs with the cooperation of departmental staff and the people. Moreover, mass movements for HIV and AIDS have been launched as national concern. Therefore, it is necessary to strive in unity for restoring regional peace, law enforcement and implementation of all round development projects.

Then, Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe proceeded to Nagahnakaung Monastery in Tachilek. They paid homage to Nagahnakaung Sayadaw State Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Dhamma Thiri and presented offertories to the Sayadaw. They then inspected the construction of the Sangha Hospital and fulfilled the requirements.

Next, member of the panel of patrons of the USDA Lt-Gen Soe Win met with USDA members at the district USDA office in Tachilek. He urged the USDA members to participate actively in the regional development tasks.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, together with Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw, left Tachilek for Kengtung in the evening.

Lt-Gen Soe Win met with USDA members at the Shan State (East) USDA office and left necessary instructions.

Development activities inspected in Kengtung Township

Yangon, 5 Dec - Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence, inspected the mining of coal in Wankyan (Nanlap), Kengtung Township, yesterday morning.

Director-General of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Department gave a vast account of the exploration of the coal. Lt-Gen Aung Htwe gave instructions and attended to the requirements.

Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe met with local authorities, social organizations, and townselders at the hall of the development affairs department in Kengtung.

Commander Brig-Gen Khin Zaw reported on endeavours to develop the region.

Then, Lt-Gen Soe Win spoke on the occasion. He said at a time when the nation-building tasks are being carried out earnestly, the whole people unitedly and harmoniously join hands in doing these tasks under the leadership of the State. In the whole Shan State previously, there were 1,435,000 net cultivated acres of land. But at present, there are 1,905,000 acres of land with an increase of 47,000 acres of land. Moreover, per annum total cultivable acreage also increased from 1,613,009 acres to 2,424,852 acres. As for Shan State (East), the cultivable acres of land increased from 221,526 to 264,210 with an increase of 42,684 acres; and per annum total cultivable acreage, from 263,541 acres to 322,820 acres with an increase of 59,729 acres. The Government is giving encouragement to the industrial development, and the electric power, the basic requirement, is being generated.

There has been an increase in electricity supply from 500 megawatts to 1910 megawatts as the five hydel power stations - Mongla project, Nanlat Creek project, Hsilu project, Nanwot project and Monghsat-Maipan project in eastern Shan State. In the education sector, the number of schools increased from 354 to 559 in eastern Shan State. A nursing school was opened; Tachiled People's Hospital and Monghsat People's Hospital were upgraded; the hospitals of Mongtung, Mongkhat, Mongyan, Mongpyin, Mongphyat and Mongyawng were also upgraded to 25-bed ones; moreover, 20 border dispensaries and eight border hospitals were constructed and 24 specialists were employed. In the communication sector, 11 microwave stations, five auto-telephone stations, 24 rural telecommunication stations, 24 post offices, and 19 telegraph offices were extended.

As satellite communication stations were opened in Mongtung and Mongla, a similar station is under construction in Mongyawng. In the transport sector, a total of 793 miles was extended in road construction and a total of 605 miles repaired and upgraded. The returning of national races armed insurgent groups into the legal fold resulted in the equitable development in border areas. It is due to the prevalence of peace in the region.

After the ceremony, Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe went to the construction site of Shan State General Hospital (200-bed) and heard reports on progress in the construction work.

Lt-Gen Aung Htwe gave instructions on timely completion of the hospital, sinking of tube wells for sufficient water supply, and control of the spread of the disease in the operation theatre.

The hospital is being built at a cost of 685.7 million kyats and is of concrete reinforced type. Ninety nine percent of the construction work of the two-storey hospital has been completed.

In the afternoon, Lt-Gen Soe Win and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe arrived at the construction site of Kengtung City Hall, where officials reported on matters related to the construction.

Lt-Gen Aung Htwe then gave instructions and attended to the requirements. Kengtung City Hall, measuring 214 feet and 100 feet, is built on 2.08 acres of plot at a cost of 227.4 million kyats and ninety percent of the construction of the building has already completed.

  National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 5 Dec- The National Convention Convening Commission held its meeting at 10.30 am today.

Meeting Chairman Maj- Gen Sein Htwa gave a speech. At the meeting the National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on matters related to the convention. Those present also took part in the discussions.

Then, Meeting Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa gave necessary instructions and the meeting came to an end in the afternoon.

Culture Minister inspects National Museum

Yangon, 5 Dec - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, directors-general and officials of the Department of Cultural Institute, Archaeology Department and Fine Arts Department, inspected artifacts displayed at the booths of the National Museum on Pyay Roadin Dagon Township this morning.

The minister gave necessary instructions to officials. Then, the minister inspected the power control unit of the museum. Next, he gave instructions on use of power units and efficient use of electricity.

Minister inspects Ahlon wharves

Yangon, 5 Dec - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, arrived at Ahlon Wharf of Myanma Port Authority this morning.

At the briefing hall, Managing Director of MP A U Thein Htay and Managing Director U Tun Myint Naing of Asia World Co Ltd reported to the minister on the mooring of vessels at the Ahlon wharves, and progress in extended construction of No 3 wharf. After hearing the reports, the minister gave instructions. The deputy minister and officia1s conducted the minister round the wharf No 2.

At No 2 and 1 wharves, the minister and party inspected loading of teak logs and cargo containers onto foreign vessels with the use of modern cranes.

Minister for Information visits Book Fair

Yangon, 5 Dec - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan arrived at Book Fair to mark the 1364 ME Sarsodaw Day held by Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, at Sarpay Beikman campus near Hanthawady Roundabout on Pyay Road at 11 am today.

The minister was welcomed there by Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Holding the Book Fair Managing Director U Myint Thein of the Printing and Publishing Enterprise and officials. The minister viewed the bookstalls at the book fair on the third day. Over 8,000 bookworms, including monks, teachers, students and people visited the fair from 9 am to 5 pm today and bought various books on various fields worth K 1,398,000 at 57 bookstalls.

The Book Fair will be kept open till 9 December.

Code of Conduct, Extempore Talks Contests held at Yangon Command

Yangon, 5 Dec - The prize presentation ceremony for Yangon Command Military Code of Conduct and Extempore Talks Contests to mark the 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day was held at the hall of the command this evening, attended by Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

First, the contests were held. Then, No 4 Military Region Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint presented prizes to winners at the private and Cpl levels in the Yangon Command Military Code of Conduct and Extempore Talks Contest and Col Aung Win, prizes to winners at the WO level.

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe presented prizes to winners at the officer level in the contests.

Measures for ensuring success of agriculture and livestock breeding works co-ordinated

Yangon, 5 Dec - A meeting to co-ordinate measures for ensuring success of agriculture and livestock breeding works by ministries and national entrepreneurs at the Yangon Division Vegetable and Poultry Farming Special Zone near Nyaunghnapin Village in Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, was held at the meeting hall of Yangon Command this afternoon.

Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe attended the meeting and delivered an address. He urged officials of the Myanma Agriculture Service to disseminate farming techniques to the ministries and the entrepreneurs. He also urged special zone supervisory committee members to help the national entrepreneurs overcome difficulties. He also dealt with matters on supply of cultivation water and electricity as well as installation of telephone lines.

Then, Managing Director of MAS U Tun Than reported on dissemination of agriculture and livestock breeding techniques. Managing Director U Khin Maung Aye of the Livestock, Feedstuff and Dairy Products Enterprise reported on arrangements for distributing feedstuff and pedigrees. Managing Director of the Myanma Petroleum Products Enterprise Col Sein Tin Win reported on vegetable and poultry farming of the Ministry of Energy. Director U Kyaw Thein of the Irrigation Department submitted matters on supply of cultivation water to the special zone from Kalihtaw Dam and right canal of Ngamoyeik Dam. Director of the Development Affairs Department U Khin Latt reported on cultivation of crops and fish breeding ponds by the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races & Development Affairs.

Head of Yangon Division Fisheries Department U Khin Maung Win reported on fish breeding techniques. Chief Engineer of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise Dr San Oo reported measures taken for supply of electricity to the special zone. Deputy Chief Engineer of the Myanma Posts and telecommunications U Nyan Win reported on arrangements made for installing telephone lines.

The chairman and officials of the supervisory committee also reported on work progresses. Then, the commander attended to the needs and the meeting came to an end.

Track & Field Championship held

Yangon, 5 Dec-The 16th MPF Director-General's Championship Trophy Track & Field Tournament was held at Aung San Stadium this morning.

First, Director- General of MPF Police Brig- Gen Khin Yi made an opening address. After a11 the events, Col Tin Hlaing and his wife. and Po1ice Brig-Gen Khin Yi awarded championship shields (men) and (women) to Myanmar Police Force (HQ) team and other prizes to the winner athletes.

Military Attaches & families visit North-East Command area

Yangon, 5 Dec - The study group comprising Military Attaches and their families led by Dean of the Military Attachés Malaysian Defence Adviser Col Harun Bin Hitam and Head of Department Brig-Gen Thein Swe of the Office of Military Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence, left Yangon for North-East Command area in Shan State (North) by special flight on 3 December morning.

At Lashio Airport, they were welcomed by Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing and wife Daw Khin Thant Zin, senior military officers and their wives, departmental officials and national races. The study group visited Yaykantaung water supply station and paid homage to Yaykantaung Pagoda and Maha Muni Buddha Image. At Shweli Hotel in Lashio, Deputy Commander Col Hla Myint explained development of Shan State (North), narcotic drugs elimination and cultivation of opium-substitute crops and answered the queries. 

Then, the guests viewed documentary photos on tasks of narcotic drugs eradication in Shan State (North), tasks on drug elimination being carried out by the Government in cooperation with foreign countries, cooperation in drug eradication of Myanmar and the People's Republic of China, destruction of opium seeds and cultivation of opium-substitute crops. Then, the study group, together with the commander, took part in the friendly golf. Next, the wives of the military attaches toured Myoma Market in Lashio.

Afterwards, the group visited the Lashio Hot-spring Camp. In the evening, the commander and wife hosted a dinner in honour of the group at the hall of the command and presented gifts to them. On 4 December, the study group viewed tasks of the opium-substitute groundnut and Thitseint (belleric myrobalan) cultivation project, cultivation of maize and beekeeping in Lashio. In Muse, they visited Muse and Kyeigaung gate.

This morning, the guests viewed jewellery of Shwenandaw Travel Services in Muse. They then arrived at Border Trade Export/Import Inspection Gate in Muse 105th miles. An official briefed them on tasks of the gate.

Later, the group arrived back in Lashio Airport. They were welcomed back by the commander and wife, officials and national races. Then, the guests left Lashio by special flight and arrived back here at 5 pm.

International Relations

Secretary-1 receives Chinese Health Minister and party

Yangon, 5 Dec - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt received the health delegation led by Minister of Health Mr Zhang Wenkang of the People's Republic of China at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha at 9 am today. The Chinese delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Mr Li Jinjun.

Foreign Affairs Minister U Win Aung sends message of felicitations to Finland

Yangon, 6 Dec - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Erkki Tuomioja, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Finland which falls on 6 December.

Livestock & Fisheries Minister receives Ambassador

Yangon, 5 Dec - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein received Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr A B Manjoor Rahim at his office at 1 pm today.

Myanmar delegation arrives back

Yangon, 5 Dec - The Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, after visiting the Republic of Korea at the invitation of Minister of Science and Technology of Rok Dr Young Bok Chae to discuss matters related to cooperation in science and technology and promoting the investment between the two countries, arrived back here by air this evening.

Rector of University of Computer Studies (Yangon) Dr Paik Tin and Head of Biotechnology Department Prof Dr Zaw Lin also arrived' back on the same flight.

Ambassador U Nyunt Maung Shein accredited to Poland

Yangon, 5 Dec - The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar has appointed U Nyunt Maung Shein, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Federal Republic of Germany, concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Poland.

Health

Health Minister receives guests

Yangon, 5 Dec - Minister for Health Maj- Gen Ket Sein received Chairman of Japan Committee Vaccines for the World's Children (JCV) Mrs Hosokawa and party arriving here to observe the Eighth Year National lmmunization Days in Myanmar at his office at 4pmioday.

Similarly, the minister met with his Chinese Counterpart, Mr Zhang Weng Kang, and party at Karaweik Palace here at 6 pm today.

In the evening, the minister hosted a dinner in honour of the Chinese guests at the Karaweik Palace.

Chinese Health delegation tours Yangon

Yangon, 5 Dec - The visiting Chinese delegation led by Chinese Health Minister Mr Zhang Wenkang went to Yangon Traditional Medicine Hospital in Bahan Township this morning.

The visiting Minister and party viewed round the hospital and herbs plantations in the compound of the hospital.

Then, the delegation arrived at Myanma Gems Emporium on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road where they were conducted round by the officials. Later, Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Mya Oo hosted a lunch in honour of , the delegation at Sofitel Plaza.

Drug

Drug traffickers sentenced

Yangon, 5 Dec - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and local police force, acting on information, searched Ma Tin Tin Nyo's house at Aung Mingalar lane 2 in Thingangyungyi Village in Mingaladon Township and seized 65.38 grams of marijuana on 15 May 2002.

Action was taken against Ma Tin Tin Nyo, 38, daughter of U Ba Shwe under Sections 15/19 (A)/20 (A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Mingaladon police station. The Yangon North District Court, on 31 October, handed down 17 years' imprisonment on her under Section 19 (A) and 5 years' imprisonment under Section 15 to serve separately. Similarly, a combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Tamu Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on a tip-off, searched Cho Win near Boatkan Village and seized 408 grams of raw opium on 6 July 2002.

Action was taken against Cho Win, 45, son of U Pho Tin of Kinmonchone Village in Kale Township under Section 15/19 (A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Tamu police station. The Tamu District Court handed down 15 years' imprisonment on him under Section 19 (A) on 11 November.

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