Information Sheet N0.A-0720(I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                            MYANMAR INFORMATION SHEET COMMITTEE
					                        YANGON

Information Sheet    N0.A-0720(I)                          7th December 1998 	


(1)		First Myanmar Women's Conference Held by National Committee for Women's
Affairs
	
		A ceremony to open First Myanmar Women's Conference sponsored by Myanmar
National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the International Business
Centre on Pyay Road on 6 December. In his address, the Secretary-1` of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt stated that,  except
Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association which exists in accord with its
own law, all Myanmar women associations could be mobilized under the
leadership of Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs; and it is
encouraging to see that they are implementing work programmes  of MNCWA and
cooperating with momentum in striving for the interest of the State.  Myanmar
National Committee for Women's Affairs,  representing the entire mass of
Myanmar women, is having a leading part in carrying out the national
activities and it is also carrying out activities related to the mass of
Myanmar women in connection with the activities of international women's
affairs.  At present,  six tasks based on the resolutions adopted at the
fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing were laid down and are being
implemented in accord with the conditions in the country, Myanmar cultural
tradition and Myanmar historical tradition.
  
		In the activities on women's affairs, emphasis is placed on efforts to
enable women to enjoy status equal to men and on promoting the development of
the life of women.  For Myanmar women, they have already enjoyed the status
equal to men since time immemorial before demands have been made for women's
rights, so they do not need to further demand rights, and they are in a
position to lay emphasis on promotion of the development of the women.  The
government formed the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs in 1996
with the State officials and the representatives of social organizations and
women's associations to provide effective supervision in the tasks for women's
development.  The Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs designated
"Myanmar Women's Day" to truly represent the entire mass of Myanmar women, and
it is a landmark in the history of Myanmar women's development.  The first
national level Women's Conference was organized with noble aims  to develop
the life of Myanmar women, to make collaborated efforts for normal flourishing
of women's rights, for women to preserve and promote national culture with
nationalist spirit, and for the entire mass of the women to strive in
respective roles in building the nation, he said. 

(2)		Minister Leaves for Indonesia to Attend ASEAN Meeting on Rural
Development  and Poverty Eradication

		Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development
Affairs left Yangon by air on 6 December to attend the Informal Meeting of
ASEAN  Ministers on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication to be held 7 and
8 December in Indonesia. 

(3)		Naga Group Exchanges Arms for Peace

		Armed groups in jungle, realizing the government's genuine goodwill and
correct moves exchanged arms for peace individually or in groups. On 20
November, two men and three family members led by commanding officer John (a)
Ram Hsaung of Naga group (NNC) Battalion 2 exchanged arms for peace.
Provisions were made for them.

(4)		Sayadaw Sila Nandabhivamsa Arrives from America

		Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sila Nandabhivamsa from the United States
arrived Yangon on 5 December to serve as Rector of International Theravada
Buddhist Missionary University which is to be opened on 9 December. 

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