INFORMATION SHEET N0.A-0621 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON
INFORMATION SHEET
N0.A-0621 (I) 24th September 1998 

(1)		Attitude of the Nationalities Peace Groups
		There have been reports that the majority of the public is worried about the
danger of deteriorating peace and  of  regional stability and peace being
undermined after  spreading of news that the four groups which had made peace
with the government supported the National League for Democracy's call for
convening of the Parliament. Hence, declaration of the peace groups will be
made public to be able to vividly learn the situation between the peace groups
and National League for Democracy and the true attitude of the peace groups.
Today, a translation of the declaration of the Eastern Shan State Special
Region No. 4 ( National Democracy Alliance Army) is stated as follows and the
declarations of other peace groups will also be made public.

Eastern Shan State Special Region (4)
Headquarters, Mongla
Date:  19 September 1998
		Declaration on the Attitude of the Eastern Shan State Special Region (4)
				     in connection with the Acts of the National League for Democracy
Rumours about the political situation are spreading in the country.  We are
worried about them.  We are particularly worried about the news that
Parliament will be called replacing the drafting of the constitution through
the Government's National Convention.  Hence, the declaration on the attitude
of the Eastern Shan State Special Region (4)   is as follows:

1.	National solidarity disintegrated in our country in the past due to armed
conflicts among the national races.  Considering that disintegration of
national solidarity could harm national independence and sovereignty,
successive governments tried to secure national reconsolidation employing all
possible means.  However, they did not realize the objective for various
reasons.  Now only, national solidarity has been established due to the
Tatmadaw Government's efforts.  Peace has also been restored.  As much as
peace has been restored progress is made in economy, transport and
communications and education in the border areas where different national
races reside.  Their standard of living has also improved.  The Tatmadaw
government and we, the national races, have not made peace easily.  We have
achieved it only after confronting hitches and overcoming numerous
difficulties.

2.	The National League for Democracy is reported to be organizing to convene
the Parliament.  This act can create misunderstanding between the Tatmadaw
Government and nationalities groups and undermine the peace which they have
achieved out of much difficulty.  Moreover, it can destabilize the nation and
then cause disintegration of the Union.  Our organization will not support in
any way the acts of that party.

3.	Our organization believes that the Tatmadaw Government has already
established national solidarity and at present it is heading for the
discipline flourishing democracy.  We also believe that in so doing it is
following the correct path.  So, our organization declares that it will
continue to cooperate only with the Tatmadaw Government.							
												
													Sai Lin
									 Military Local Administration Committee
									  Eastern Shan State Special Region (4)
											 Union of Myanmar

(2)		Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Arrives Back from  20th ASEAN
Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry Conference
		Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation arrived
back Yangon on 23 September after attending the 20th ASEAN Ministers of
Agriculture and Forestry Conference held from 17 to 18 September in Hanoi,
Vietnam.  During their stop-over in Bangkok on 16 September, the minister
visited Thalad Thai, the largest fruits and vegetables wholesale market in
Thailand.  The minister studied wholesale of fruits and vegetables, mechanical
sorting of fruits, wholesale shops in 200 acres of land and arrangements for
construction of cold storage.  On 17 September, the minister, Ambassador U
Khin Soe and members attended the conference at Hanoi Daewoo Hotel in Hanoi.
Production and sufficiency of food in ASEAN region, sale of agriculture, fish
and forest products of ASEAN at the world market, socio-economic development
based on agriculture in the region were discussed at the meeting.  The
delegation discussed exchange of technology and quality strains and
cooperation in economic enterprises of agriculture with officials led by
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Le Huy Ngo.  On 18
September, Minister Le Huy Ngo presented six news letters published by ASEAN
to ministers at the 20th AMAF.  A joint communique was released and then press
conference was held.  Myanmar delegation, accompanied by Ambassador  visited
Huabin Hydel Power Station built on Dar River, 75 kilometres west of Hanoi
where they were briefed on water supply, flood prevention measures and
generating of 1,320 megawatts.
		The same day the minister stopped over in Thailand.  Accompanied by Myanmar
Ambassador to Thailand, he visited pineapple plantations and farms at Huahin
region in Thailand at the invitation of Minister of Agriculture and
Cooperatives on the same day.  In the  evening, the minister discussed
planting of pineapple on commercial basis, establishment of pineapple juice
and fruit factory, investment and cooperation with Phetchaburi Governor and
entrepreneurs led by Chairman of BB Group.  The delegation studied agriculture
in Chonburi on 20 September and visited Metro Spinning Mill in Bangna on 21
September and discussed supply of cotton and long staple cotton, plantations
and establishment of such mills in Myanmar.  Minister met the Minister of
Agriculture and Cooperatives and discussed production of high quality paddy,
industrial crops, cotton and sugarcane, establishment of industrial finished
products factory, building of irrigation net works, cooperation in
availability of water, promotion of bilateral trade and goodwill relations.
Minister received FAO Representative for Asia and Pacific Region and Assistant
Director-General Dr. Prem Nath and Mr. Francis Rinville who will take up
duties as FAO Resident Representative in Myanmar and discussed extension of
projects being implemented in cooperation with FAO.
		The minister also discussed construction of sugarmill, irrigation and
purchase of machines to be used in reclamation of wetlands with members of
Executive Board led by Chairman Mr. Pridiyathorn Devakula of Exim Bank of
Thailand.  On 22 September, Minister visited Sutech Sugar Mill Workshop in
Kanchanaburi and sugar mill which can produce 13,000 tons a day.  The minister
and party visited Vita Food Co. and discussed cooperation in canning industry
and establishment of plantation of crops on commercial basis in Myanmar with
industrialists led by Chairman Mr. T Singh of Kanchanaburi Thai Industrialists
Association.  In the evening, the minister visited Chien Patana Textile Mill
in Rachaburi and  discussed purchase of long staple cotton and establishment
of the textile mill.

(3)		Myanmar-Thailand Border Trade Discussed
		A coordination meeting on Myanmar-Thailand border trade was held at Central
Maesot Hill Hotel in Maesot, Tak District, Thailand, on 22 September.  They
discussed border trade, tourism and investment. 

(4)		Myanmar Education Delegation Leaves for China
		A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Education left Yangon on 23
September by air to study educational activities in the People's Republic of
China from 23 to 30 September. 

(5)		MWJA Joint Secretary to Attend Book Fair in Hong Kong
		Joint Secretary Dr. Tin Tun Oo of Myanmar Writers and Journalists
Association left Yangon on 23 September by air for Hong Kong to attend a book
fair and seminar which will be held in Hong Kong from 24 to 27 September.

(6)		Need to Extend HIV/AIDS Control Seminars Stressed
		A seminar on HIV/AIDS control, co-sponsored by Ministry of Labour and
Ministry of Health, opened on 23 September at Labour Department.  HIV/AIDS
control and eradication is being conducted as a national task.  The State
Peace and Development Council has formed the National Health Committee to
promote the national health plan.  The Ministry of Labour formed Departmental
Supervisory Committee on HIV/AIDS Control Education Committee in 1995, holding
seminars, trainings and talks with the assistance of the Ministry of Health.

(7)		Myanmar Delegation Leaves for China
		A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy General Manager of Myanma Hotels and
Tourism Services of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism left Yangon by air on
22 September morning to attend Beijing International Culture Tourism Festival
'98 in Beijing, at the invitation of Beijing Tourism Administration of the
People's Republic of China.  The delegation includes 14 entrepreneurs of
private hotels and tours enterprises and five-member traditional dance troupe.
Tourism promotion, photo contest, stage shows and various restaurants will be
included in the festival.  Heads of tourism services, worldwide, entrepreneurs
and traditional dance troupes will attend it.

(8)		34 Myanmars Leave for Buddha Gaya (India)
		Thirty-four Myanmar pilgrims left Yangon by air for Buddha Gaya in India to
begin their religious visit.

(9)		Refresher Course on Traumatology & Orthopaedics 
		The Refresher Course on Traumatology & Orthopaedics, organized by
Orthopaedic Section of Myanmar Medical Association, will be held at MMA
building,In Yangon from 9 to 12 am on 10 October.  The doctors wishing to
attend the course may contact MMA, it is learnt.

OFFICE CALL IN YANGON ON 23 SEPTEMBER
		Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries received General Director Mr.
Wang Li Ping of China Huanong Fisheries Corporation and Beijing Bluewaters
Promotion Corporation and party at his office.
NLD Members Return Home At Close of Goodwill View-Exchanges
		Following several weeks of goodwill view-exchanges with the Government,
seven members of the National League for Democracy returned home earlier this
week.  The view-exchanges which focused on ensuring national peace and
stability in Myanmar were considered to be a success by everyone involved.
		The  seven  NLD  members,  Dr. Maung Maung  Kyaw,  U Ye Htut,  U  Tint
Lwin, U Than Kywe, U Soe Thein, U Soe Nyunt and U Hla Pe  returned home on
September 22 and 23.
		View - exchanges   between the Government and other NLD members are
continuing and are being held in a cordial  atmosphere in  Government  guest
houses.  All   of those  involved in view-exchanges are working together to
build a stable, multiparty democracy , and to preserve the prevailing peace
that Myanmar enjoys.  The Government expects more of the view-exchanges to
conclude in coming weeks, and for more of the NLD members to return home.

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