11/3/98 JAPAN'S MOFA PRESS RELEASE

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JAPAN'S FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS RELEASE ON AIRPORT LOAN
SOURCE( http://www2.nttca.com:8010/infomofa/press/release/yangon.html)
THE HOME PAGE OF MOFA, JAPAN.
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The Limited Emergency Measure
for Yangon International Airport Extension Project

March 11, 1998</p>

<li>The Government of Japan has decided to disburse a yen loan of approximately 2,500 million yen for the Yangon International Airport Extension Project. Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, notified Mr. Soe Win, Ambassador 
of Myanmar to Japan, of the decision on March 11 (Wed.) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo.<p>

Since the coup in Myanmar in 1988, Japan has suspended disbursement of the loan for this project, for which the Government of Japan had committed itself, in 1984 and 1986, to extend a loan of up to 27,170,000,000 yen.<p>

<li>The decision is based on the safety aspect of the airport. The disbursement is therefore strictly limited to an emergency measure to maintain the safety of the airport such as repair of bumps and cracks on the runway and the improvement of the Lightin
g system and control facilities. It will not lead to full resumption of the initial project which included the extension of the runway, nor to a new ODA loan to Myanmar.<p>

<li>When giving notice of the decision, Mr. Koumura stated that Japan is far from satisfied with the present situation in Myanmar and that Myanmar should democratize and improve the human rights situation, emphasizing the importance of meaningful dialogue
 between the Government of Myanmar and the National League for Democracy. He also made a request for improvement in the issuing of visas to Japanese nationals.<p>
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