NEWS & VIEWS FROM MYANMAR (r)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

NEWS & VIEWS
FROM MYANMAR

WEEKLY BRIEF FROM MOFA, YANGON. MYANMAR 

Vol.1	24 FEBRUARY 1999	No. 8

			


INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

1. Development projects in border areas



FOREIGN RELATIONS

2	Fourth International Heroin Conference opens	

	3. Commander-in Chief of Royal Thai Army visits Myanmar		
	4. Foreign Minister?s tour to four ASEAN nations


GENERAL NEWS

5. Myanmar women in economic activities
6. Promoting cultural cooperation



INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

Development projects in border areas

	Due to the split of national unity among national races and outbreak of armed
insurrection in the past, the regional people in the border areas of Myanmar
could not enjoy secure living, and it seemed as if it were a dream to go from
one place to another safely. These difficulties have been overcome witl1 unity
reconsolidated among the national brethren, and their regions have been
developing gradually.

	Great success in national re-consolidation has led to unprecedented peace and
stability in the entire country. In the time of the Tatmadaw government,
special attention has been paid to construction of roads and bridges in the
border areas, especially in areas which lagged behind in development due to
difficult access. New roads and bridges are being built with the conviction
that the transport sector is vital for national reconsolidation and socio-
economic development of the national races. Extension of many new roads,
railways, bridges and airports as well as upgrading the existing ones has
given a great impetus to rapid progress in all regions for the benefit of the
national brethren.

	As a step for the progress of the border areas, a new bridge was inaugurated
across Thanlwin River on 20 February, in addition to the three existing
bridges across the river. It is a 900 foot-long, 16.5 foot-wide bailey
suspension bridge, which can bear 36-ton of load. It lies on Mongpang-Mongtung
Road linking Shan State (South) with Shan State (East).

	The construction work of the bridge started on 1 April 1997 and ended on 20
January 1999 and cost US$ 1.108 million and K 250 million. Due to the
cooperation of the government, the people and Tatmadaw(the Armed Forces),
construction project has been completed within a short period.

	Recent opening of a new modern airport terminal in Tachilek was another boost
for the development of the Shan State. The new airport has a runway of 7,050
feet long and 100 feet wide and the extended area of 2,300 feet. The project
to build the airport started on 22 September 1997 and it was completed on 30
January 1999.

	Arrangements are also under way to enable local entrepreneurs of the State to
transform vacant, virgin and fallow lands into large-scale farms. Besides, a
hydel power plant project on Namtmehsai Creek in Tachilek is in progress.

	These endeavours should be maintained and strengthened for the sake of
continued development of the border areas and for the prosperity of the
national brethen residing there.
2

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Fourth International Heroin Conference opens

	The Fourth International Heroin Conference sponsored by International
Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) opened at the International Business
Centre in Yangon on 23 February 1999.

	The following are the excerpts from the opening speech by Director of
Interpol Mr. Paul Higdon:

Interpol which was conceived seventy-five years ago as a tecl1nical
organization for assisting the law enforcement authorities of the member
countries, today remains engaged in the collection, collation, analysis and
dissemination of criminal information to the member countries, scrupulously
avoiding any intervention in the political, religious, racial and military
affairs. With the passage of time it has gone from strong to stronger and
today enjoys the membership of 177 countries.

As recently as two decades ago, the drug abuse problem wl1ich, although on the
increase, was considered manageable. Today, there is not a single country in
the world which is not affected by drug trafficking and drug abuse. It is now
a global problem.

It is noted that organized criminal groups co-operate with each other not only
on a national level hut also on an international level. They are free to
employ all foul means to achieve their foul ends. This gives them a certain
advantage over the police officers. The international community should strive
to demolish all the walls hindering police operations.

There have been few conferences in Interpol?s history which have received the
media attention that this Conference has. The Union of Myanmar has been
repeatedly criticized for wanting to become a responsible international
partner in dealing with the very global problem of the illicit production and
trafficking of drugs. Even Interpol has been criticized for providing Myanmar,
an Interpol member country since 1954, a platform from which it could speak
out on the subject.

Several countries have exercised their right of autonomy and chosen not to
participate. They have stated clearly that their failure to participate was
due to objections over the political and human rights situation in this
country. This decision must be respected because it is a judgement that each
and every country must make on its own and based on its own values. However,
it is regrettable that a political 
situation which is viewed by many as a serious problem has held
hostage the universally recognized problem of drug abuse. It is felt that
there is more to gain through dialogue than through boycott.

In agreeing to host this meeting the Myanmar government is opening its doors
to the delegates and to the Press to be challenged.

The 4th International Heroin Conference will focus on specific topics of
concern to law enforcement agencies like heroin production and trafficking,
trafficking routes, criminal groups, payment systen1s, essential chemicals and
precursors, etc.

	Minister for Home Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, Col. Tin Hlaing also spoke
on the occasion. The following are salient points of his statement:

The Principal objective of this Conference is to facilitate the establishment
of enduring contacts among the law enforcement agencies and foster
considerable understanding of each other?s problems and difficulties which in
the long run, strengthens the will to cooperate against illicit drugs
trafficking both at the regional and international level.

It is unfortunate that the United States, Britain and some European countries
have chosen to boycott this important Conference. The international drug trade
is an urgent problem which needs to be addressed in a spirit of mutual
cooperation by the entire world community. As two of the largest markets for
heroin in the world, the United States and Britain bear a special
responsibility to work with the rest of the international community in every
way possible. Their huge markets fuel a global narcotics trade which threatens
to affect many countries in the developing world, including Myanmar.

 In recent years the global spread of drug abuse has become a major
international concern. Illicit drugs are a scourge whose threat can only be
overcome with international solidarity. Myanmar shares the view that concerted
effort is required at the national, regional and global level.

At the national level, Myanmar has adopted comprehensive plans to combat
illegal drugs in line with national priorities. The problem of drugs in
Myanmar is a pernicious legacy of its colonial past. The problem was further
aggravated after independence when the production of drugs and their
trafficking became linked with the internal insurgency problem. In the past,
the strategy had been to focus mainly on the destruction of poppy fields.
However, in 1988 a new approach was launched aiming at the social and economic
development of the national races in the border areas. The key concept in the
new approach is the al leviation of poverty by providing alternative income to
the local populace.

Myanmar?s political scenario unfolds that since 1989, 17 insurgent groups have
returned to the legal fold and unprecedented peace, law and order have
prevailed in the country. The State now has been able to set itself to the
task of alternative and integrated rural development programmes with the twin
strategy of designating d rug eradication and prevention activities as a
national duty and to gradually eliminate poppy cultivation by promoting the
standard of living of the national races.

The sincere efforts of the Government has resulted in remarkable achievements
and this instance may be illustrated with the establishment in April 1997 of
the first Opium Free Zone in Mong La in Special Region 4 in the Eastern Shan
State. As a further step, projects have been initiated for the Kokang and Wa
Regions in the Northern Shan State with the year 2000 and 2005 set
respectively as the target dates for the establishment of additional opium
free regions. At the same time, Myanmar has been cooperating with all her
neighbours to harmonize our actions. This is reflected in its active
cooperation in drug control activities with 5 countries in the subregion
namely, China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Furthermore, Myanmar
signed bilateral agreements with India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Russian
Federation, Laos and the Philippines to control drug trafficking. The full
commitment of Myanmar has been proven beyond doubt by its sacrifice of many
lives in its war on drugs and the resources it has spent to uplift the
economic and social standards of the national races in remote border areas
where poppy is grown.

During the period of September 1988 to end of 1998, the Government was able to
seize and destroy more than 4,125 kilos of heroin, over 28,358 kilos of opium,
over 26 million tablets of amphetamine type stimulants, 6,239 kilos of
ephedrine and over 56,832 gallons of precursor chemicals, burned down 98
heroin refining labs. Seized narcotic drugs have been put to torch in front of
the public 12 times in Yangon and 19 times in the border areas.

All the participants at the Conference will have the opportunity to witness
the 13th burning of seized d rugs on Thursday 25th February morning before
their departure for home.

The Union of Myanmar is determined to achieve the goal of total elimination of
poppy production in the entire nation within 15 years with available resources
of her own. Nevertheless, should there be assistance from the international
community, this goal will be achieved sooner rather than later.

Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai Army visits Myanmar

	At the invitation of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services,
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Commander-in-Chief of Royal Thai
Army General Surayud Chulanont and his wife Col. (WAC) Khunying Chitrawadec
and delegation arrived Yangon on 17 February.

	Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Senior-General Than Shwe received the Commander in Chief of
Royal Thai Army on the same day. The visiting Commander-in-Chief also met
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, Chief of the Office of
Strategic Studies and Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt. Gen. Khin
Nyunt at Dagon Yeiktha. In the evening General Maung Aye and wife hosted
dinner in honour of the guests.

	The next day they visited Defence Services Historical Museum and Hlaingthayar
Industrial Zone to witness the development of Industrial areas around Yangon.
Then they left Yangon for Heho by Myanmar air Force Special Aircraft. From
Heho to Nyaung Shwe Jetty they proceeded by cars and enjoyed the beautiful
scene of Inlay Lake by boats They paid homage to Phongdaw Oo Pagoda images
noted the sacred history of Buddha images with admiration. Before resting at
the Hill Top Guest House of Taunggyi, they viewed Inlay weaving industries and
traditional boat race.

	The next morning they visited traditional Taunggyi market on their way to
airport at Heho for the departure to Mandalay, the ancient capital of Konboung
Kingdom. In Mandalay, they visited Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace and observed
the style of living in olden days of Myanmar kings. Afterwards, they toured
Silk Weaving Factory and Tapestry Shop to appreciate the traditional art of
decorating. Then, before leaving for Bangkok by Royal Thai Army Special
Aircraft, they refuged at Mahamuni Buddha Image which Myanmar people believe
the living Image of Buddha.

Foreign Minister?s tour to Four ASEAN nations

	Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar visited Brunei
Darussalam, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand at the invitations of the
respective Foreign Ministers . During his two days? trip to Brunei, Foreign
Minister U Win Aung called on His Majesty King Sultan Haji Hassana Bolkiah and
met Foreign Minister Mohamed Bolkia on 17 February.

	Later, he flew to Indonesia and paid a courtesy call on President Dr. B.J
Habibie. In Jakarta he also met Secretary - General of ASEAN Mr. Rodolfo C.
Severino Jr. and discussed the current situations in ASEAN. He also exchanged
views with Indonesian Foreign Minister Mr. Ali Alatas.


	After one night stop in Indonesia, he proceeded to Singapore to call on Prime
Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign
Minister Professor Jayakumar on separate occasions. Before returning to Yangon
he completed his tour by visiting Thailand, Myanmar?s immediate neighbour.
There, he paid a courtesy call on His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and also
called on Prime Minster Mr. Chuan Leekpai .

	On 12 February Myanmar Foreign Minister, together with Thai Foreign Minister
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan went to Andaman Club in Thahtay Island from Ranong of
Thailand and discussed friendly relations between the two countries.

	During his trips, Myanmar Foreign Minister gave some of his precious time to
correspondents of Singapore Radio International, Reuters correspondent in
Singapore, Brunei TV, Indonesia TV and Thai TV.

GENERAL NEWS

Myanmar women in economic activities

	Myanmar women constitute more than half of the country?s population. The
Government has recognized the crucial role of women in society and hence, a
national institution namely the Myanmar National Committee for Women?s Affairs
was established on 3 July 1996. The activities related to the development of
women are now carried out in the country with added momentum under the
umbrella of a national committee for women.

	As an enhancement of women taking part in economic activities, a Seminar on
Micro Credit System and Women?s Banking jointly sponsored by Myanmar Women
Entrepreneurs Association and Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany opened at
Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon on 20 February.

	Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone said that the Seminar was held with the aim to
promote the advancement of women in Myanmar, especially in economic
activities.

The following are excerpts of the speech:

The Myanmar National Committee for Women?s Affairs has held lectures, seminars
and workshops to promote awareness of women?s development and to raise
entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities of its members as it is evident
that women?s economic endeavours can contribute substantially to the country?s
economy.

The Seminar specifically aims to promote women?s income generation and
development through micro credit provision at the grass-roots level and
improvement of access of business to formal credit and financial institutions
and special financial services.

One of the recommendations adopted at the First Myanmar Womon?s
Conference held inDecember last year was to open a Women?s Bank and
thus the present Seminar is held at a very appropriate time.

Promoting cultural cooperation

Myanmar and Japan have great cultural traditions and both have undergone
similar process in preservation and restoration programmes. In cultural
traditions, folk games of children are also included. The toys like kites and
tops are familiar to not only Myanmar and Japan but to all Asian countries.

	Japan Foundation has made endeavours in collecting Japanese kites and tops
and held exhibitions not only in Japan but in Myanmar and other Asian
countries with the aim to preserve and encourage the traditional handicrafts
and customs of Japan.

	In this regard, the Japanese Traditional Kites and Tops Exhibition was held
at the National Museum in Yangon on 19 February.

	In his opening address, Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Kazuo Asakai
pointed out that Myanmar and Japan enjoy cultural similarities in terms of
race, language and religion, and the two countries have maintained a long
history of cultural exchanges in various fields such as personal training, the
performing arts sector and cultural cooperation. He also stressed that the
Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation are stepping up their efforts to
promote cultural exchanges between Myanmar and Japan.

	Also speaking on the occasion, Minister for Culture U Win Sein noted that the
successful exhibition was the outcome of joint collaboration done under the
bilateral cultural exchange programme of Myanmar and Japan and spoke of the
traditions of playing with kites and tops in Japan and Myanmar.

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