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(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends message of congratulations to President of Republic of India
Yangon, 25 July - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent
a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr APJ Abdul Kalam,
President of the Republic of India, on the assumption of the high
office of the President of the Republic of India on 25 July 2002.
(2) Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend Waso robes offering ceremony of Tatmadaw members and families of (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Yangon, 24 July - The Tatmadaw members and families of (Army, Navy and Air Force) offered Waso robes to Buddhist monks of Five Nikaya Pitaka Thonbon Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South) here at 9.30 am today at the sarthintaik, attended by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing.
Adviser at the State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung acted as master of ceremonies. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa, on behalf of the Patron of the sarthintaik the Chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, administered the Nine Precepts.
Sayadaws recited parittas. Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented Waso robes and offertories to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa. General Maung Aye and Daw Mya Mya San, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, and Daw Khin Than Nwe presented Waso robes and offertories to Sayadaws. Members of the State Peace and Development Council, ministers and senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence presented Waso robes and offertories to Sayadaws.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kesara delivered a sermon. The congregation shared the merits gained.
Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party offered "soon" to the Sayadaws. They also presented provisions to the members of the Sangha of the sarthintaik.
The Tatmadaw members and families presented Waso robes
and offertories to 500 members of the Sangha of the Koehsaung Monastery
in Myingyan, the New Pakokku Monastery and the sarthintaik under the administration
of the Chairman Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.
(3) Secretary-1 attends Waso robes offering ceremony at Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Gandhayon Kyaungtaik
Yangon, 24 July - The ceremony to offer Waso robes to the members of the Sangha was held at Kaba Aye Tipitaka Maha Ghandhayon Kyaungtaik here at 2 pm today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation
of Namo Tassa. Then, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Rajindabhivamsa administered the
Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. Afterwards, Secretary-1
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, ministers and deputy ministers offered Waso robes and offertories
to the Sayadaws. Later, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara delivered a
sermon and the ceremony came to a close with three-time recitation of Buddha
Sasanam Ciram Titthatu.
(4) Maj-Gen Thein Sein attends Waso robes offering ceremony
Yangon, 24 July - The Camp Commandant's Office of Ministry of Defence held the Waso robes offering ceremony to mark the Dhammacakka Day at Anawrahta Hall in Konmyinttha here this morning and Member of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win offered Waso robes to the members of the Sangha at the ceremony.
First, the ceremony was opened with three-time recitation
of Namo Tassa and the congregation received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw
of Sangyaung Monastery Bhaddanta Vicithasara. Then, the members of Sangha
recited the parittas. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Thein Sein and wife, Brig-Gen Hla
Aung Thein and wife, and officials offered Waso robes and offertories to
11 members of the Sangha of Sangyaung Monastery in Mayangon Township. Then,
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pandicca delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits
gained.
(5) Devotees perform meritorious deeds on Waso Fullmoon Day
Yangon, 24 July - Pagodas in Yangon such as Shwedagon, Sule, Bota-htaung, Maha Wizaya, Tooth Relic, Kyaikkasan, Maelamu, Okkalapa, Shwe Phone Pwint, Taya Shittaung, Zina Manaung, Ngahtatgyi, Chaukhtatgyi and Koe-htatgyi were teeming with devotees today, the Fullmoon Day of Waso, the Dhammacakka Day.
At the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Waso robes offering and Precepts receiving ceremony took place at the ancient Buddha images prayer hall this morning. Pagoda Ovadacariya Shwe Hintha Tawya Thirimanta Sankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhad-danta Rajindabhivamsa administered the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited parittas. Members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and wellwishers presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha. Then, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.
Altogether over 600 trainees of the 20th Basic Buddhism Culture Course led by course instructor of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Agga Maha Sad-dhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Panasami (Magadi-Thazi), held the Dham-macakka Day at Maha Pasana Cave on Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye Hill this morning. The trainees offered Waso flowers, water and lights to the Buddha. Wellwishers presented offertories to the Sayadaw. Then, those present paid homage to the Sayadaw. The trainees gave talks on the Dhammacakka Day and recited religious verses and poems in Myanmar and Pali.
A ceremony to present Waso robes to Ovadacariya Sayadaws of Kyaikkasan Hsandawshin Pagoda in Thingangyun Township, Yangon East District, and to seek Ovada was held at the western stairway of the pagoda. Ovadacariya of the Pagoda Chairman of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee (Shwekyin) Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Siri Dhamma Agga Maha Pan-dita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Bhad-danta Gandhamabhivamsa and Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimala gave Ovada Kathas. Officials presented Waso robes and offertories to members of the Sangha.
Then, " soon " was offered to members of the Sangha. Under the organization of the Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye Pagoda Board of Trustees, the ceremony to observe Dhammacakka Day and to offer Waso robes was held at the office of the pagoda board of trustees this afternoon.
Members of Wut associations collectively recited Dhammacakka Sutta and Anatta Lakkhana Sutta. Then, Waso robes were offered to members of the Sangha. Devotees offered fruits at dawn and lights at night to the Botahtaung Kyaik-day-up Hsindawshin Pagoda. Beginning at 12.30 pm today, the Fullmoon of Waso, sermons were delivered by Sayadaws at the Port Workers Dhammayon on the platform of the Pagoda.
Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandawin Kyaung of Dagon Myothit (East) Township Tipitakadhara Dhammabandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vayamindabhivamsa and State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Member Mandalay Aung Myay Thazan Township Visokdhayon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Gandavasaka Pandita Bhaddanta Marnitasiribhivamsa delivered sermons.
Likewise, the Maelamu Pagoda in North Okkalapa Township
was thronged with pilgrims. Devotees offered Waso flowers and lights to the
pagoda and Waso robes to members of the Sangha. Under the aegis of the board
of trustees of Sule Pagoda, devotees offered alms, flowers and lights to the
pagoda which was thronged with pilgrims all the day long. The Buddhists performed
meritorious deeds in various ways on the fullmoon day of Waso,
today.
(6) Waso robes offering ceremonies held at ministries, departments
Yangon, 24 July - The ministries, departments, and social and religious associations held Waso robes offering ceremonies to mark the Dhammacakka Day, at the respective venues here today. Under the patronage of Minister for Education U Than Aung and wife Daw Win Shwe, the 14th Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Education was held at the ministry Dhammayon in Bahan Township here this afternoon.
Shwebo Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa administered the Five Precepts. Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt and officials offered Waso robes and provisions to the Sayadaws. Then, the Shwebo Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. Similarly, the Ministry of Science and Technology held the Waso robes offering ceremony at the hall of the ministry this morning.
Present were Presiding Nayaka of Thingangyun Maha Thuwunna Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddantannanissara and members of the Sangha, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung and wife Daw May Kyi Sein, Deputy Minister Dr Chan Nyein and wife, officials and staff. Sayadaw Bhaddanta „anissara administered the Five Precepts. Then, the minister and wife, the deputy minister and wife and officials offered Waso robes to the Sayadaws. Likewise, the Special Investigation Department of Myanmar Police Force held the 48th Waso robes offering ceremony which falls on Dhammauakka Day at Aungthabye Ye Yeiktha in Mayangon Township this morning.
At the ceremony, dawn " soon ", Waso robes and provisions were offered to Sayadaw Ashin Kundalabhivamsa of Thadhammayanthi Monastery in Mayangon Township and 20 members of the Sangha. Under the auspices of Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi, the Ministry of Industry-1 held the fifth Waso robes offering ceremony at Kyaukkon Kyaunggyi Monastery in Kyaukkon, Yankin Township, this morning. The minister and wife, deputy ministers and officials offered " soon " to the Sayadaws.
At 2 pm, the Waso robes offering ceremony was held at the
training hall of the Ministry of Industry-1. The congregation took the Five
Precepts from the Sayadaw of Kyaukkongyi Monastery U Vissarada. Then, Minister
U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi offered Waso robes and offertories
to the members of the Sangha. Afterwards, the members of the Sangha recited
Parittas. Then, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing merits.
Wellwishers of Kyauktada, Pabedan, Latha donate Waso robes to Sayadaws
Yangon, 24 July - The communal Waso robes offering ceremony of wellwishers from Kyauktada, Pabedan and Latha Townships was held at the Dhammayon of Maha Theindawgyi Pariyatti Monastery in Pabedan Township this afternoon, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.
First, the commander offered flowers, lights and water and paid homage to the Buddha images in the Maha Theindawgyi. Then, Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein reported on history of the Maha Theindawgyi and all-round renovation tasks. The commander inspected all-round renovation of the monastery and gave necessary instructions to the officials.
Next, the Waso robes offering ceremony was opened with
three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Vice-Chairman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silavamsa
administered the Eight Precepts and members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta.
Afterwards, the commander, the deputy minister and wellwishers offered Waso
robes and provisions to the Sayadaws. The Vice-Chairman Sayadaw delivered
a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained. Then, the ceremony
came to an end with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanamiram
Titthatu.
(7) Construction Minister inspects Wakema Bridge Project
Yangon, 24 July - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun inspected Wakema Bridge Project in Wakema, Ayeyawady Division, yesterday. Accompanied by Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials of Public Works, the minister inspected progress in installation of the steel frames at the bridge on Htawkanwet bank.
This morning, the minister heard a report on progress in implementing the project and the progress of work presented by Deputy Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Hse. The minister said as it is a facility being built with steel frames, the engineers are required to closely supervise the installation, welding and flooring tasks to meet the required standard. They should check all the finished parts.
All will have to take necessary measures to prevent occupational hazards, and make all-out efforts for early completion of the bridge, he said. Necessary equipment will be provided in time. The 3,020 feet long bridge will have a 24-foot wide motorway flanked by four-foot wide pedestrian lanes. The approach structures will be of the reinforced type, and the bridge will be a suspension facility. Its load-bearing capacity will be 36 tons.
The steel frame installation task has almost completed at present. The staff of Public Works are striving in shifts day and night for its early completion. The minister then inspected Lanthamaing Bridge Project on Wakema-Kyonmange road. At the briefing hall, the minister heard a report on the piling work to build the two approach structures and four piers and work and equipment requirements presented by Deputy Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Hse.
The minister said the type of Lanthamaing Bridge is
different from those of other bridges. It is important for the piers
to meet the quality standard. Necessary equipment will be provided
in time for its early completion. Engineers are required to pay special
attention to the building of the two piers. The 220-foot bridge
will have a 23-foot motorway. The bridge will be supported by reinforced
concrete piers. Of the five spans, four will be of the reinforced
concrete structures. Its load-bearing capacity will be 36 tons.
Yangon, 24 July - Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, together with Managing Director of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi, Deputy Director-General of the Information and Public Relations Department U Aung Hsan and officials, arrived at the TV Retransmission Station in Minhla, Thayawady District, Bago Division (West), yesterday afternoon. Then, the minister inspected the station and gave necessary instructions.
The minister went to the IPRD office in Minhla Township, where he was welcomed by Officiating Tactical Operations Commander of No 66 Light Infantry Division Lt-Col Htwe Hla, Staff Officer of the Thayawady District IPRD U Maung Maung Aye and officials. The minister inspected the office and gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs. Later, the minister proceeded to the parlour of the local battalion and presented 300 dozens of exercise books for Minhla Basic Education High School, Sein Kantlant Village Affiliated BEHS, Thayettapin Village BEMS and basic education schools in the local battalions through respective principals.
He spent for the night in Minhla. The ceremony to share merits for the Dhammayon and to offer Waso robes was held at the local battalion in Minhla this morning, attended by Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and wife Daw Khin Khin Lay. Also present were Minhla Seiktathukha Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dhamma Piya and members of the Sangha, Commander of No 66 LID Col Aung Tun and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Tactical Operations Commander Col Hla Aye, Lt-Col Htwe Hla, Managing Director U Bo Kyi, Deputy Director-General U Aung Hsan, Chief Engineer of Myanma Radio and Television U Tin Wan, officials, Officiating Commanding Officer Major Nyan Soe, officers and other ranks and their families. Members of the Sangha consecrated the Buddha images, which are to be kept at the Dhammayon.
Next, Seiktathukha Kyaung Sayadaw administered
the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. The minister
and wife and senior military officers presented Waso robes and offertories
to members of the Sangha. Seiktathukha Kyaung Sayadaw delivered a sermon,
followed by sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, " soon " was offered
to members of the Sangha. The Dhammayon of the local battalion was constructed
at a cost of K 2.875 million. The minister inspected the Thayawady District
IPRD office and arrived back here in the evening.
(9) Home Affairs Minister meets staff families
Yangon, 24 July - Minister
for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, accompanied by officials, from 20 to 23
July, inspected the units and departments under the ministry in the townships
in Bago, Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions, the model farm of Yamethin District
Police Force, and farms and construction of buildings in No 1 Police Training
Depot, Yamethin, and Central Police Training Unit, PyinOoLwin.
The minister also met with members and staff families of the units
and departments. At the meeting, the minister gave instructions and
attended to the needs of the staff families.
UN envoy Razali due to visit next month
THE United
Nations special envoy to Myanmar, Mr Razali Ismail, is expected in
Yangon next month for his eighth visit since being appointed to the
post in April 2000. Mr Leon de Riedmatten, the Yangon representative
of Swiss-based non-government organisation, the Centre for Humanitarian
Dialogue, said the UN envoy was due to begin a five-day visit on August
2. Mr de Riedmatten is assisting Mr Razali, a Malaysian diplomat whose
efforts to broker a political settlement resulted in the government
and the National League for Democracy’s Daw Aung San Suu Kyi beginning
a dialogue on national reconciliation 21 months ago. The UN envoy’s
itinerary includes meetings with Secretary 1 of the State Peace and
Development Council, Lt Gen Khin Nyunt, and Foreign Minister U Win Aung,
as well as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the NLD, Mr de
Riedmatten said. Diplomats have credited Mr Razali with the success
achieved so far in the national reconciliation process, which began
in October 2000. The process has also resulted in the release of 283
political detainees and the re-opening of several NLD offices throughout
the country. In another development, the Agence France Presse
news agency reported from Kuala Lumpur last Tuesday that Malaysian
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad planned to visit Yangon next month.
The report, which quoted a Myanmar diplomatic source in the Malaysian
capital, gave no date for the visit but said it was likely in mid-August.
MYANMAR, even since-the Bandung Conference [in Indonesia in 1955], has faithfully adhered to the Five Principles of Co-existence in her relations with other nations and most particularly with her neighbouring countries. It has never been the aggressor in any problem that has arisen with its neighbours, and each time some border incident arose whether it was with Bangladesh or Thailand it always made assiduous efforts to resolve them through dialogue and negotiations. It has never lacked courtesy and consideration in its relations with nations near or far. Yet this courtesy has not been reciprocated by some nations, including of course our next-door neighbour, Thailand, particularly in recent times. Yet as former Myanmar ambassador to Thailand U Pe Khin (1953-56) stated in his article The Problem Neighbour - A Review "... no two neighbours anywhere in the world have closer ethnic, cultural and religious affinities than between Thailand and Myanmar."
A few of the far-seeing leaders of Thailand have no doubt made efforts to maintain friendly relations between the two countries, but it seems their views have not prevailed over the Thai media, some high-ranking officials of the Thai military and a few so-called liberal politicians.
To quote his Excellency U Pe Khin again, these people have "kept the anti-Myanmar feeling smouldering" throughout the years. They have kept on flogging a dead horse to provoke and foster bad feelings in their people against Myanmar. Myanmar and the Myanmar people of today have never nursed any grudges and have always extended a friendly hand and always welcomed the goodwill shown by some of the Thai leaders and the Thai people in general.
But in the case of the Thai media, no one can deny that it has never lost an opportunity to vilify our country, our Government and our leaders and for good measure try to create internal instability within our country with their rumours and fabrications even in times when relations were supposedly good.
For instance, we officially changed the name of our country imposed on us by the British imperialists – ‘Burma’ – to its proper historical name, ‘Myanmar’. Yet the Thai media have never had the respect or courtesy to refer to our country by its proper official name. They have deliberately chosen to use the anglicized name of Burma for our country and Burmese for our people; never Yangon for our capital but Rangoon.
Thailand was also previously known as Siam worldwide. But since it changed its name from Siam to Thailand no Myanmar newspapers has ever used the old name of Siam. They of course recognize changes of names of other countries such as when India changed the name of some of her cities such as Bombay to Mumbai for instance. We have always been at the receiving and of the Thai media’s insults and monstrous lies for years. We have been forbearing and long-suffering (but some of our media people have now come to the end of their tether. So, the sad state of affairs is that the media of both sides have begun to hurl and exchange recriminations about the past.
But there are also other incidents.
The leaders of the two countries wishing not only to maintain but also enhance friendly ties encouraged the formation of two corresponding NGOs in both countries; The Myanmar-Thai Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association in Myanmar and its counterpart the Thai-Myanmar Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association. This was first proposed by Thailand and after some deliberation Myanmar accepted the Thai initiative. This led to exchange of friendly visits by members of both associations. When the Myanmar representatives visited Thailand the counterpart association members could not have been more friendly and hospitable, including some serving Air, Naval and Army personnel. Yet, at a reception given by the Teachers’ Training Institute in Chiang Mai, the large poster welcoming the Myanmar guests in bold letters declared –"Welcome to members of the Burma-Thai Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association." This was indeed a deliberate insult, but apart from pointing out the "mistake" and asking that it be corrected the Myanmar representatives politely refrained from any angry verbal reprisals even though their hosts had been less than polite. The Myanmar visitors even explained patiently when asked "why this change of name?", that the country had always been known as ‘Myanmar’ to its people and that only the term ‘Myanmar’ was inclusive of all the national races.
As stated earlier, Myanmar has been long suffering and forgiving and forbearing. But now that the Myanmar media has begun to retaliate in their own coin the Thais cannot take it. They are beginning to hurt and howl. What they want is a one-way attack on Myanmar sensitivities and sensibilities. They do not take into account the fact that Myanmar has suffered in development and progress due to their harbouring of Myanmar insurgents bent on destroying the Union of Myanmar with all kinds of violence and, worst of all, their drug producing and trafficking activities. Moreover some of our simple rural folks who cross the border to work in Thailand are generally mistreated and misused. They do not stop to consider, nor do they have the slightest compunction over how much they have banned the Myanmar people. So, who is the instigator of the current state of affairs? Where are we heading? Saner heads in Thailand should think about it.
As far as the Myanmar people are concerned, our leaders have been restrained and even handed in their responses. And lest the Thai hotheads are not aware, let me say this in conclusion:
The Myanmar people in general live in accordance with the tenets of Myanmar Buddhist culture. The spirit of generosity and benevolence characterize the Myanmar personality. The spirit of compassion towards all beings is an integral part of the Myanmar personality, and forbearance and forgiveness are considered moral virtues. We have a sense of propriety and decency. But it would not be wrong to say that the Myanmar people value honour and integrity more than life itself. There is a Myanmar proverb that says, "A true royal lion will not stoop to eat grass even if it is starving."
So what is clear is that we shall
never, ever, let our national honour and integrity be compromised. We
are a patient people, tolerant and long-suffering but we are also a
proud race that has the courage and fortitude to face and overcome life’s
adversities whatever they may be.
Armed groups are terrorising the population
Government dismisses claims by
rebel groups
THE government
last week dismissed claims by groups linked to the rebel Shan United
Revolutionary Army which had accused the Myanmar army of atrocities
against ethnic minorities. A government statement said the claims
by two Thai-based Shan groups amounted to a smear campaign. The groups,
the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Womens’ Action Network,
had accused the army of using rape as a weapon to keep ethnic minorities
under control. The statement released late last Friday said the claim
was designed to discredit the government and tarnish its image, "especially
when government-led anti-terrororist and anti-drug campaigns are picking
up momentum". The Washington Post newspaper reported last week
that the US State Department had contacted the government to request
it to launch an investigation into the claims. The newspaper said the
claims had attracted attention among members of Congress. The government
statement said the US House of Representatives had been misled by the
two Shan organisations. "It is regretful to learn that certain members
of the US House of Representatives have fallen prey to or been duped
by two Shan organisations," said the statement. Describing the organisations
as armed terrorist groups, the statement said it was not surprising
that they were involved in a smear campaign against the government.
"But it is more surprising to come to realise that certain people can
totally fall into traps these groups have laid out, by accepting such
allegations as truth and reacting in a knee-jerking fashion," the statement
said. It said ethnic minorities in Myanmar are "living peacefully and
enjoying their human rights", while the armed groups who refused the
government’s peace offers are "terrorising the population living in
the certain areas. "These armed groups have not only rejected the
offer of peace terms but shifted in tactics towards fabrication of news
and falsified information in order to mobilise political support from
foreign governments. "International organisations and foreign governments
should be aware of this possibility before drawing any conclusions, especially
on news emanating from such sources." The statement also said the West’s
current stance on terrorists groups in Myanamr would give further encouragements
to them to carry out their "nefarious" acts. "It is regretful to realise
that some terrorist groups in Southeast Asia, especially those from
Myanmar, are given unlimited rights to carry out their nefarious acts
while their words are transformed into holy truth".
US$1b in narcotics goes up in smoke
NARCOTICS
valued by the government at more than US$1 billion were destroyed
by fire in a ceremony held in Yangon last Wednesday to mark the International
Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The ceremony, organised
by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control, took place during
an early morning downpour at the Drug Elimination Museum in Kamayut
Township. The destruction of the drugs was witnessed by Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Home
Affairs Minister, Col Tin Hlaing, Foreign Affairs Minister, U Win
Aung, diplomats and United Nations officials, including those from
the global body’s Drug Control Program. Foreign journalists were also
invited to the event, the 16th of its kind since 1990. Most of the
drugs were destroyed in an incinerator. They included 3027 kilograms
of opium, 240kg of heroin, 434kg of marijuana, about 35 million methamphetamine
tablets, four million ephedrine tablets and 2865kg of powdered ephedrine.
Hundreds of bottles of illegally imported cough syrup containing
amphetamine were crushed by steam-rollers during the event. All
of the drugs were seized by Myanmar law enforcement authorities during
the past year. Government officials highlighted the country’s achievements
in combating illicit drugs by relying largely on its own resources.
Deputy Police Chief Pol Brig Gen Zaw Win said in a speech ahead of
the torching of the drugs that they had a street value in the United
States of $1.078 billion. Pol Brig Gen Zaw Win said the destruction
of the drugs highlighted the successes being achieved by the government
in combating drugs. He said opium production had declined by 40 per
cent during the past decade. Pol Brig Gen Zaw Win also said that
the government was able to block the cultivation of about 80,000 acres
of opium poppy under its ‘Project Hell Flower’ scheme, launched last
May. It enables farmers to exchange opium seeds for those of other
cash crops, such as rice, maize and wheat. A government official said
the scheme had so far resulted in the collection of opium seeds which
could have been used to produce more than $3 billion worth of opium
and its derivative, heroin. The seeds were destroyed by fire in Shan
State last month. Pol Brig Gen Zaw Win said money laundering laws
enacted by the government last month would also help to curb the activities
of drug traffickers.
Economic growth put at 10.5 pc
MYANMAR achieved an economic growth rate of 10.5 per cent in the fiscal year to the end of last March, the Minister for National Planning and Economic Development, U Soe Tha, said in Yangon last Tuesday. The minister was delivering the opening speech at a three-day seminar on statistics. U Soe Tha said the high growth rate was the result of opening up the economy and adopting a market-oriented system to raise the economic and social conditions of the people. He said planned economic development periods introduced in the 1992 fiscal year had also contributed to high growth rates. An annual growth rate of 7.5 per cent was achieved in the four years ending in 1996. In the five years to 2001 the growth rate was 8.5 per cent. U Soe Tha said statistical information was gleaned from censuses and surveys by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), and is an agency of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development. A participant at the seminar, U Saung Tin, the director (computers) at the CSO, told Myanmar Times that statistics were crucial for setting policies and decision-making. U Saung Tin said that as Myanmar was a developing country, its ability to collect large amounts of raw data was affected by financial constraints. "That’s why we use sampling techniques," he said. The seminar, organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in collaboration with the CSO, was held under a bilateral cooperation program which is helping Myanmar to improve the gathering and analysis of statistical information. About 45 officials from various ministries attended the seminar. U Saung Tin said the CSO and JICA were expected to cooperate more closely in future. "Arrangements are also well under way to develop a computer network connecting the departments under the ministry, a project in which the CSO as a fully-computerised institution is taking a leading role," he said. "Within a couple of years our ministry will be prepared for potential applications of e-government in Myanmar," U Saung Tin said.
