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(1) Secretary-1 welcomes back Minister U Ohn Gyaw on return from 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM)
YANGON, 30 July - Secretary-1 of the State ,Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt welcomed back Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw at Yangon International Airport this evening.
Minister U Ohn Gyaw arrived back here by air this evening after attending the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), 5th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) in Manila from 24 to 29 July at the invitation of the Chairman of the 31st ASEAN Standing Committee and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Mr Domingo L Saizon, Jr.
Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Deputy Ministers for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe and U Khin Maung Win, Ambassadors of Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia; Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Charge d' Affaires ai of Brunei and officials of the ministry also welcomed back U Ohn Gyaw.
On behalf of the Union of Myanmar, Minister U Ohn Gyaw signed the Second Protocol of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and Joint Declaration on Drug-Free ASEAN on 25 July.
Nine ASEAN Foreign Ministers including Minister U Ohn Gyaw were received by the President of the Republic of the Philippines Mr Joseph Ejercito Estrada at 10.45 am on 24 July.
The Myanmar delegation led by Minister U Ohn Gyaw attended the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on 24 and 25 July, the Fifth ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) on 27 July and the Post-Ministerial Conference on 28 and 29 July.
ASEAN Affairs Department Director-General U Aye Lwin and Deputy Director U Min Lwin attended Meeting 5/31 of ASEAN Standing Committee on 21 and 22 July.
Political Department Director-General U Nyunt Maung Shein and Minister Counsellor U Than Tun of the Myanmar Embassy in Manila attended the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 21 and 22 July.
During his stay in Manila, U Ohn Gyaw separately met with Foreign Secretary
of Philippines Mr Domingo L Saizon Jr, Foreign Minister of Australia Mr
Alexander Downer, Foreign Minister of New Zealand the Rt Hon Donald Charles
McKinnon, Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Mr Tang Jaixuan,
Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of the Republic of India Mr
Jaswant Singh and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international
issues.
U Ohn Gyaw briefed them on developments in Myanmar.
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(2) Myanmar to host First Asian Round Robin Archery Contest to gain advanced sports techniques, show her true situation
YANGON, 30 July - A meeting was held today at National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thingangyun Township for hosting the First Asian Round Robin Archery Contest in Myanmar with an address by Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung Minister for hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw, other officials and guests were also present.
Accompanied by officials, the Secretary-1 viewed documents of MAF displayed there. First round robin events of the contest will be held in Youths Sports Training Center in Thuwunna from 29 to 31 August.
Second round robin events will be held in Singapore from 3 to 6 September.
Member nations of AAF will take part.
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(3) Secretary-2 inspects progress in construction work of Aungzeya Bridge
YANGON, 30 July - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, accompanied by Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and officials, inspected progress in construction work of Aungzeya Bridge which will link Hlinethaya Township and Insein Township this evening.
On arrival at the construction site on the bank of Insein Township at 3 pm, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe and officials.
The Secretary-2 and party inspected progress of construction work of Aungzeya Bridge.
At the construction site, Superintending Engineer (Planning) U Khin Maung Aye and Senior Engineer U Tint Lwin briefed the Secretary-2 on progress of work and Deputy Minister U Tint Swe, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Ma Tu, Chairman of Insein Township Peace and Development Council U Khin Maung Kyaw and officials on construction of the bridge.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said the State Peace and Development Council is building the bridges throughout country for the progress of smooth transportation including Aungzeya Bridge.
He said that building the bridges not only in Yangon Division but also in other States and Divisions contribute much to the progress of smooth transportation.
The Secretary-2 spoke of the need to work for the ensure safety and convenience project workers and timely completion of the project, and to fulfil the requirements for the project.
In the project, 80 per cent of approach bridge, 20 per cent of main bridge and each 7-pier in Hlinethaya and in Insein Townships have been completed.
The Secretary-2 and party went to Naga Hlinegu Kalaywatawya Kyaung in Mayangon Township at 3:30 pm.
They were welcomed there by Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and officials.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo then paid homage to Presiding Sayadaw of Naga Hlinegu Kalaywatawya Kyaung member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dwipitakadhara Dwipitakakovida Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Jagayabhivamsa and supplicated on religious matters and monastic education.
Then, he attended to the needs of Naga Hlinegu Kalaywatawya Kyaung.
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(4) Daw Aung San Suu Kyi taken home for her own good
YANGON, 30 July - A news briefing was held at Tatmadaw Guest House 2 at 9 am today in connection with the authorities' requesting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was on her way to townships in Ayeyawady Division to organize political movement, not to go as undesirable problems might crop up there.
General Staff Officer (Grade I) of the Office of Strategic Studies Lt-Col Hla Min clarified the matters.
Present were officials of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council and local and foreign journalists. On the morning of 24 July 1998, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, together with CEC member U Hla Pe of the National League for Democracy, driver Nyunt Shwe and another driver Tun Myint, left by car on Yangon-Nyaungdon Pathein Road, headed for Ayeyawady Division. Security authorities stopped them at Anyasu Village in Htantabin Township at 10:40 am and told them that they could not proceed to Ayeyawady Division and requested them to return to Yangon. They did not comply to it, and stopped their car there, and rolled up the windows and stayed put. A police brigadier-general responsible for security went there with the same request, thrice on 24 July and thrice on 25 July, but Daw Aung San Suu Kyi stayed inside the car with the windows rolled up, without responding.
Similarly, another security officer went to her once on 26 July and twice on 27 July, and told her that she should not proceed to Ayeyawady Division and should return to Yangon, but she did not respond to the request and continued staying in the car. She obstinately said that if she was not allowed to proceed, she would stay put there, and helped herself to food and water she brought. Despite the security authorities' requests, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had her car driven at speed toward Nyaungdon twice, on 25 and 26 July, and the security unit had to prevent her from going father.
Meanwhile, U Tin Oo informed the embassies and the correspondents based here of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and group's traveling to Ayeyawady Division, and he also called the NLD CEC meeting and continuously issued bulletins in which he made false statements that sand-bags, barbed wire and bamboo blockage were laid at the place where Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and group were stopped and that they were surrounded by security forces. That way, he spread fabricated news at home and abroad. However, diplomats and correspondents went to the place and witnessed the situation realized that U Tin Oo's allegations and the NLD's information were false. But some big foreign countries blindly believed these fabrications and, at the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting then in session as well as through foreign media, contorted Myanmar's situation in various ways, began to criticize and pressure the government and tried to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs through their diplomats.
On 27 July, the NLD CEC requested that the family doctor he sent, worried about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's health. On humanitarian grounds, the authorities complied, once each on 28 July and on 29 July and at the doctor's request, the security unit supplied bottled water. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's two family doctors attended to medical needs of all those in the car from 11 am to 1 pm on 28 July. The authorities, on NLD's another request, permitted those two doctors to go there and give medical treatment. Of the two, lady doctor Dr Pyone Mo Ei had taken not only the necessary medicines but also some women's clothing and food hidden on her person. The authorities found that out and assuming that she brought them with unscrupulous intention, allowed only Dr Tin N; Win to give medical care. He gave treatment from noon to 2 pm, and at his request, the security group provided them, out of sympathy from the humanitarian point of view, with some ice and bottled water for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and others.
On 29 July, the NLD CEC members told the authorities that they wanted to bring Daw Aung San Suu Kyi home, explaining the situation to her in order to let her take a rest for health. Thus, Chairman U Aung Shwe, U Tin Oo, U Than Tun and Dr Tin Myo Win were permitted to go to her, and a Town Ace (7Ka-5611), with Htin Kyaw at the wheel, was brought along and kept ready while they were talking to her so that they could take her back if she wanted to return. As U Aung Shwe and group were not able to persuade her to return in spite of their discussions with her from 5:40 pm to 7:45 pm, they returned to Yangon. Though the security group on duty there met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and made several requests at 9:30 pm, they were not able to negotiate agreeably, and as she was stubbornly lying on the rear seat, a security man drove the car and brought her home. Then she was entrusted to the care of the family doctor and the NLD officials. At present, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is resting comfortably at her residence.
In their act, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy deliberately attempted to disparage the credibility of; and to criticize and pressure Myanmar government while the world's foreign minister were at the 31st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in the Philippines and timed it with the holding of university/college exams.
Should unrest occur, it would push the government into a strait, cause parents' misunderstanding of the government, cause disturbances like the four 8s and create instability, all timed toward a head. Scrutinizing the NLD officials' contacts and discussions with the embassies of some big countries and issuing declarations, and some big foreign countries' threats and interference in Myanmar's internal affairs, it is clear that they had properly synchronized it. It is also learnt that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had discussed and made necessary preparations with some diplomats of the embassies and the family doctor prior to the trip.
Though the government and authorities concerned prevented her from going further as they are responsible to stop house who want to disrupt stability of the State by any means, they had to send Daw Aung San Suu Kyi home to save her life on doctor's observation that if she prolonged her attempt that way, her health would be seriously affected.
It was clarified that the government had done what it should in order to let a favourable condition emerge in the country and out of humanitarian considerations.
After the clarification, Lt-Col Hla Min replied to questions.
The news briefing ended at 9:45 am.
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(5) MMCWA Vice-Chairperson lectures at management multiplier course for USDA executives
YANGON, 30 July - Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) Dr Khin Win Shwe and Secretary Dr Nyo Nyo lectured at Management Multiplier Course 6/98 for Executives of Bahan Township Union Solidarity and Development Association today.
Dr Khin Win Shwe lectured on Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs and its organizational setup, Dr Nyo Nyo on the aim of the association and its functions.
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(6) Bee-Keeping Cooperative Society holds annual general meeting
YANGON, 30 July - Bee-Keeping Cooperative Society of Bee-Keeping Division of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries held the annual general meeting for 1998-99 fiscal at the office of BKD in Mingaladon Township this morning.
It was attended by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Director of BKD U Maung Win and officials.
The minister and the director spoke on the occasion.
Officials of EC and auditors presented reports to the meeting at which new members of Board of Directors were elected.
The newly elected members of Board of Directors took their oath in the presence of the chairman.
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(7) Seminar on Evaluation of Alternative Health Care Financing begins
YANGON, 30 July - Seminar on Evaluation of Alternative Health Care Financing of the Ministry of Health opened this morning at the International Business Centre, addressed by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.
Provisional amount for national health expenditure of 1997-98 is K 2.97 billion, he said, adding the nation spent K 471.4 million in 1987-88. Individual health care expenditure for 1997-98 is K 64 UP from only K 12.23 in 1987-88, he said.
Although the government is increasing health expenditure it has not reached the satisfactory level yet due to rising of prices in medicines and medical equipment, he noted. It is difficult for the State to bear all the national health expenditures alone due to increase in breaking out of infectious and non-infectious diseases which is a problem in every developing nation, he said.
The nation has adopted the market-oriented economic system, encouraging local entrepreneurs, he said, adding their participation in the health sector is developing.
Health care, which is the basic social need for the people, should not depend solely on the private sector, he indicated, saying harmonious efforts between the government and the private sector is required.
With the leadership of the State, governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in cooperation with the public should effectively implement disease control and public health care projects, he stressed.
He spoke of the need to give suggestions for the success of cost-sharing health project, which is contributing income for national health care project, he said, adding proper arrangements should be made for the poor who are not able to reach the cost-sharing health system to enjoy proper health care.
Health personnel should never lose sight of the two objectives, which are to promote public health standard and to save people's lives, he said. Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister at Office of the Chairman of thc State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minster for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Dr Khin Win Shwe, President of Myanmar Red Cross Society Dr Hla Bu, departmental officials, members of NGOs, officials of WHO and UNDP, executives of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and Development Association and others were also present.
The meeting continues on 31 July.
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(8) Minister inspected industrial facilities in Yangon East District
YANGON, 30 July - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by managing directors and officials, inspected warehouses and sale division of the ministry in South Okkalapa Township this morning.
He oversaw storage and sale of products of the ministry there and gave instructions to place tyres in categories, store products in categories, regularly send them to Shwemyanmar salesrooms and to show various items of products at the salesrooms.
The minister then went to construction site of Electronic Apparatus Factory (Dagon) of Myanma Machine, Tools and Electrical Industries in Dagon Myothit (South) Township where he heard reports on the project presented by Managing Director of Myanma Industrial Construction Services U Ye Tun and Project Director U Win Myint.
General Manager U Aye Thin briefed the minister on relocation of battery workshop, plans for producing meters and electrical apparatuses, followed by a supplementary report presented by Managing Director Col Kyaw Win of Myanma Machine Tool and Electrical Industries.
The minister oversaw relocation of battery workshop and gave instructions to complete the work as targeted, to coordinate power supply with officials concerned and to renovate the building as required.
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(9) Minister for Industry-l receives foreign entrepreneurs
YANGON, 30 July - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Managing Director Mr David Chan and party of Cedar Manufacturing Co Ltd of Bangkok, Thailand, at his office at 2 pm today. Similarly he received General Manager Mr S Yamanokuchi and party of Mitsubishi Corporation based in Yangon of Japan at 2:30 pm today.
Present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun, directors-general and managing directors of the departments and industries under the ministry.
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(10) MIC Secretary receives President Director of PT Austindo Nusantara Java
YANGON, 30 July - Minister at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung received President Director Mr George S Tahija and party of PT Austindo Nusantara Jaya of Indonesia, together with Ambassador of Indonesia Mr A Poerwanto Lenggono, at the commission office at 4 pm today.
They discussed investment in mines.
Present were officials of Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration.