News and Views From Myanmar Vol.1, (r)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: News and Views From Myanmar Vol.1   No.11  17 March 1999

                         News and Views From Myanmar
               Weekly Brief From MOFA, Yangon, Myanmar

                          Vol.1   No.11  17 March 1999
                                       (Part 1)

CONTENTS
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INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

1, Development of agriculture as a base
2. Progress in Kokang region

FOREIGN RELATIONS

3.Visit of YPO delegation
4.Foreign Minister?s tour to ASEAN
5. The Seventeenth Meeting of Myanmar - Thailand RBC

GENERAL NEWS

6. Workshop on ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme

INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

1. Development of agriculture as a base
  	
	The Union of Myanmar is an agro-based country. Myanmar?s economy mainly
depends on agriculture. Water plays a vital role for the development of
agriculture.

	Obtaining sufficient water is a major issue in arid central regions of the
country. In this regard, dams and reservoirs are needed not only in those arid
regions but in Lower Myanmar where there is abundant supply of rain water.
That?s is why the combined force of the State, the people and the Tatmadaw
(Armed Forces) is today making earnest efforts in building dams and
reservoirs.

	In order to obtain sufficient water, the following six means are being
applied in the country:
	(1) Construction of new dams and reservoirs;
	(2) Storage of water flowing from watershed areas;
	(3) Renovation of existing dams and reservoirs;
	(4) Damming of creeks and rivers where they are in spate;
	(5) Pumping water from rivers and creeks; and
	(6) Utilization of underground water.
	
	As regards irrigation works, altogether 93 new dams and reservoirs have been
built during the time of the present Government.

	Recently, a new dam by the name of Bawni was successfully inaugurated as the
94th irrigation facility in Bago Division. The Dam is located near Bawni new
village about 9 miles west of milepost 76/6 of Yangon-Mandalay highway. It was
built by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation .

	The construction of the dam began on 1 January 1995. It is an earthen dam,
built across the Bawni Creek. It watershed area is 25 square miles. The main
dam is 85 feet in height and 815 feet long. Its two branches are 60 feet and
27 feet high and 1100 feet and 3800 feet long respectively. Its inundated area
is 1400 acres. The water storage capacity when full to the brim is 39,500

acre-feet and its minimum storage capacity is 2,500 acre-feet. The
spillway is
150 feet wide and 300 feet long. Its conduit pipe is 6 feet by 4 feet with 286
feet in length. The main canal is 8 miles long and branch canals are totally
39 miles long. The catchment  area of the Bawni Dam is 6,000 acres. The
project began in 1995-96 and was completed in 1998-99. In Bago Division,
altogether 20 irrigation projects have been completed since 1998.

	The new dam will surely contribute towards regional development, rice self
sufficiency in the region and greening projects of the region. While new dams,
reservoirs and irrigation facilities are built throughout the country, the
existing ones are also being renovated. The Sedawgyi canal system renovation
project in Mandalay Division and Flood prevention and dams reinforcing project
in Ayeyawady Division among others are being implemented by the State spending
millions of kyats. The entire regional people are obliged to make earnest
efforts for perpetuity of the dam as well as for boosting production in
agriculture sector.

2. Progress in Kokang region

	The ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of peace in Shan State (North)
Special Region 1 (Kokang) was observed in Laukkai in the region on 11 March
1999. 

	Peace and stability has been restored in the region for ten years since
Kokang nationals separated from Burma Communist Party and returned to the
legal fold in 1989, paving the way for achieving significant progress in the
production and development sectors in the entire area with the assistance of
the State Peace and Development Council.

	The first nationalities group that returned to the legal fold was Kokang
nationalities group that separated from BCP and made peace in March 1989.
Other nationalities groups such as Wa, Shan, Kachin, Palaung, Pa-O, Mon and
Rakhine nationalities group followed suit one after another, and as a result,
he entire Union is peaceful now.

	The government has utilized over 10.4 billions kyats for the 18 regions of
the nationalities groups during the 10 years starting from 198 and over 350
million Kyats for Shan State (North) Special Region 1. 


In this area, road, bridge, earth road, gravel road and asphalt road projects
have been implemented on 270 miles, roads maintained and repaired on 378 miles
and six bridges, four hospitals and 12 clinics, one high school, three middle
schools and 39 primary schools built.

As a matter fact, it is the government?s endeavours with magnanimity and
goodwill which have ended all fighting in the region, leading to restoration
of peace and stability and freeing local people who were in the sea of
troubles in the past from the evil consequences of armed struggles.

During the past 10 years, the regional administrative committee and local
people have won significant progress in the respective economic and
development sectors with the encouragement and amity of the government. The
government and Kokang national leaders while implementing development projects
with high momentum for local people are also making efforts to totally
eliminate cultivation of poppy and production of opium in the region so as to

be able to declare Shan State (North) Special Region 1 (Kokang) as another
Opium Free Zone in Myanmar.

It is a heartening sign that people of the Kokang region and the government
are collectively striving with added momentum to further develop the socio-
economic advancement in peace and stability that has been achieved within a
ten year period like other nationalities of the entire country.



3. Visit of YPO delegation

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
received on 13 March 1999, members of the United States-based Young
President?s Organization who were currently in the country. Members of YPO Dr.
Kenneth Wang, Managing Director of Sterling Products Ltd, and Dr. Dennis Sun,
Chairman and Managing Director of the China-Hong Kong Photo Products Holdings
Ltd, explained facts about the organization.

The Secretary-1 extended a cordial welcome to the members of the Young
Presidents? Organization (YPO) recalling the visit of the YPO to Myanmar last
year. He explained to the members of the YPO about the political, economic and
social developments in Myanmar, including its challenges and prospects.

The following are the salient points of his explanation:

People in Myanmar believe in the axiom ?Seeing is believing? and it is hoped
that during the short stay in Myanmar, members of the YPO will be able to
judge for themselves the objective conditions in Myanmar. It is hoped that
visits of people like the members of the YPO will help promote better
understanding of the true situation of Myanmar and thus dispel the false
images of the country.

	Myanmar is a country composed of 135 different ethnic or national races who
have lived together in unity through times of weal and woe for centuries.
However, the divide and rule policy practised during the time of colonial rule
resulted in disunity, mistrust and suspicion among the national races.
Consequently, this led to the emergence of armed strife in Myanmar since the
very first days of her regaining of independence from the British in 1948.

	For more than forty years the country was racked by the problem of armed
insurrection by various groups. Instead of concentrating on the development of
the nation, the successive governments had to devote their energy and
resources on the problem of armed insurgency. The nation did not achieve
economic advancement in keeping with its potential and the people became more
and more disgruntled with the economic conditions in the country.

	The climax was the events of 1988. What started out as demonstrations against
the previous government later turned into chaos and anarchy. There was a
complete breakdown of the government machinery, law and order as well as the
transportation network. Many innocent people were killed. Wanton destruction
of offices and factories as well as indiscriminate looting of public and
private properties resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Furthermore, insurgent groups, particularly the Burma Communist Party, tried
to take advantage of the situation by launching massive military offensives.


	In view of these circumstances, the Tatmadaw (the Armed Forces) was
compelled
to assume responsibilities since there was the real danger of the nation
disintegrating through chaos and anarchy in the country. The State Law and
Order Restoration Council was established on 18th September, 1988. The first
task of the Council was to bring back conditions of peace and tranquillity,
law and order to the nation. It was able to successfully achieve this
objective. Today, peace, stability, tranquillity, law and order prevail all
over the country. In Myanmar peace is also synonymous with unity and national
reconsolidation. After assuming responsibility, the Government committed
itself to bring back conditions of peace to the nation and national
reconsolidation. Starting from 1989, the Government invited the various armed
groups to return to the legal fold and work for the benefit of the national
races and the entire nation. The Government entered into negotiations with the
armed groups on the basis of goodwill and good faith and in the spirit of
mutual accommodation for the larger interest of the country. The talks were
delicate, complicated and called for great patience and tact. The Government?s
efforts were finally rewarded and seventeen groups have already returned to
the legal fold and are working together with government for peace and progress
of the country and its entire people. Today, only one group, the KNU, at the
Myanmar-Thai border is left. It is believed that the endeavours of the
Government for national reconsolidation will be duly rewarded and the
remaining group will also join hands with the State in near future.

	In the economic field, a market-oriented economy was adopted in place of the
centrally planned economy. One of the most important changes introduced in the
economy is the support and encouragement given to the private sector. Although
practically nonexistent before 1988, the private sector now occupies 76 per
cent of the GDP as compared to 22 per cent for the state sector and 2 per cent
for the co- operative sector. It also accounts for 75 per cent of export
earnings. Foreign investments from abroad have also been invited as part of
the development     ?strategy. As of 31 January 1999, there are (312) foreign
investment projects amounting to US $ (7.1) billion. The most popular sector
is Oil and Gas with investment totaling US $ (2.3) billion followed by
Manufacturing with US $ (1.4) billion and Real Estate with US $ (997) million.
Myanmar achieved an average 7.5 per cent CDP growth during the 1992-93 to
1995-96 Four Year Plan period compared to the original target of 5.1 percent.
A Short Term Five Year (1996-97 to 2000-2001) development plan is presently
being implemented. The Five Year Plan envisages CDP growth at an annual
average rate of 6 per cent. It is confident that by the end of the current
Plan period Myanmar will be on the path of economic take-off.

	Myanmar today is enjoying unprecedented peace and tranquillity as well as
dynamic economic development. Since the State Law and Order Restoration
Council could be said to have fulfilled its primary objectives, it was

dissolved and replaced by the State Peace and Development Council on 15
November 1997. Additionally, the Government of the Union of Myanmar was also
reconstituted with younger generation members to provide more dynamism in the
endeavours to achieve a multi-party democratic system and for the emergence of
a modern developed state.

	The attention of the international community has focused on Myanmar in the
three issues, namely democracy, human rights and anti-narcotics endeavours. As
regards the issue of democracy, it should be stated categorically that
although the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) assumed responsibilities in order to
prevent the nation from disintegration, it has no intention whatever to hold
on to power for a long time. The nation is now in the process of drafting a
new constitution. The National Convention to draft the guidelines for the
constitution has completed more than 50 percent of its work and once the
constitution is promulgated, the Armed Forces will definitely transfer power
to the constitutional government that will lead the country in the future.

	It is the intention of the Government to build a democratic society in the
nation. The democracy system Myanmar is trying to build is a democratic system
based on peace and unity with rule of law and order as well as discipline
combining individual rights and community responsibilities corresponding to
the country?s particular situation as well as to the aspirations of all the
national races. It will be one founded on the universal principles of justice,
liberty and equality.

	One of the misperceptions about Myanmar is its human rights situation. If one
is to believe some of the allegations found in the western media, the picture
would be rather sombre. However, as it will be witnessed at first hand, the
actual situation is very different from the one described in the news reports.
The people are happily engaged in their daily lives without repression,
without fear and anxiety. It is to be stated explicitly that allegations about
human rights violations in Myanmar are completely groundless.

	Myanmar is still a developing country. Like all developing nations, the first
priority is to meet the human needs of all the citizens namely food security,
decent clothing and adequate housing. In other words, Myanmar is endeavouring
its best to meet the most fundamental human rights of the people.

	With regards to the issue of narcotic drugs, the Myanmar. Government is fully
committed to combat the scourge of narcotic drugs. This has been undertaken as
a national responsibility as well as an international duty to rid the world of
this menace to the entire mankind. The issue of narcotics is a multifaceted
one demanding multidimensional approach. After 1988, Myanmar added a new phase
in its national anti-narcotic measures. Previously, the emphasis was on
enforcement measures. But now the Government is also placing emphasis on
poverty alleviation and awareness enhancement in its efforts to eradicate
poppy Cultivation.

	A comprehensive programme for the development of the border areas and
national races was launched. These areas were the initial source of poppy

cultivation in the colonial times and until recently, were under the
domination of armed insurgent groups. A new Ministry - the Ministry for
Progress of the Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs - was
set up to carry out extensive development activities in the border areas. The
government has made a sustained effort to improve the infrastructure. It has
also introduced poverty alleviation measures to eliminate poppy cultivation,
by providing alternative livelihood through cash crop substitution and
livestock breeding, spending over (10) billion Kyats out of its own resources.
Due to the efforts of the Government, former opium cultivators are now
cooperating with the Government in its anti-narcotics measures. One concrete
and significant result is the declaration of Mong - La area in the Eastern
Shan State as a ?Drug-Free Area ? in May 1997.

	Myanmar is also coordinating its national efforts with those of its
neighbours. The Myanmar government has signed Memorandums of Understanding for
narcotics suppression with all its neighbours i.e., China, Thailand, Laos,
Bangladesh and India. This sub-regional co-operation is carried out with the
support of the UNDCP.

	Myanmar also participates actively in the international efforts to eliminate
the menace of drugs and is cooperating with the United Nations and the
international community. The Fourth International Heroin Conference recently
held in Yangon under the auspices of the Interpol was a great success in terms
of commitment to fight against drugs. Regrettably, the United States and EU
countries did not attend the meeting for reasons that have nothing to do with
this menace to mankind.

	Myanmar will never waiver in combating this threat to the world. A 15 Year
Plan for the eradication of drugs from Myanmar has been laid down and it is
fully confident that with or without outside help and assistance, Myanmar will
be able to achieve this goal. However, should the international community
assist Myanmar, this goal will surely be reached sooner rather than later.

	Myanmar aims to maintain friendly ties with all countries in the world,
particularly with the neighbouring nations. Myanmar is now a member of ASEAN
and hopes to participate more, extensively in the activities of the regional
and global community.

	It is natural that being a developing nation, Myanmar wishes to have good
relations with the advanced nations like the United States and other western
countries. Traditionally, the relations with these nations have been marked by
friendship and goodwill. It is thus believed that the current state of affairs
is temporary and is the result of misunderstanding and misperceptions.

4. Foreign Minister?s tour to ASEAN

Myanmar Foreign Minister visited Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand in
February. This time, Minister U Win Aung has been on the tour to the Republic
of the Philippines, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People?s
Democratic Republic from 14 to 24 March.?

	While in Laos, the Foreign Minister will also attend the Fourth Meeting of
the Myanmar-Lao joint commission for bilateral Cooperation.


The basic foundation of Myanmar Foreign Policy is to maintain friendly ties
with all countries of the world, particularly with the neighbouring nations.
Myanmar?s joining of ASEAN in 1997 is a significant step in its foreign
relations. Based in its solid relations within ASEAN, Myanmar looks forwards
to participating more extensively in the activities of the regional and global
community.

5. The Seventeenth Meeting of Myanmar-Thailand RBC

A 30 member delegation led by Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen.
Thein Sein left Yangon by special Tatmadaw aircraft on 15 march to attend the
Seventeenth Meeting of Myanmar-Thailand Regional Border Committee.

Myanmar and Thailand are two neighbouring countries which have the same
religion, cultural traditions and life style. Of the stretches of the border
between Myanmar and her neighbours, Myanmar and Thailand share the long border
of 1310 miles. Between the two countries there are Joint Commission led by
Foreign Ministers; Joint Border Committee led by Deputy Foreign Ministers
(JBC); and Regional Border Committee led by Regional Commanders (RBC).

Whenever the two countries face difficulties in bilateral relations in
political, economic, social, religious and security sectors, both sides try to
maintain concrete good neighbourly relations through discussions. Exchange of
visits and bilateral talks are historic events which led to strengthening of
the existing friendly relations.

GENERAL NEWS

6. Workshop on ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme

The Workshop on ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme (AICO) co- sponsored by
Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Singapore-based German
company Hanns Sedial Foundation was held at Hotel Equatorial, Yangoon on 16
March 1999.

AICO programme is to improve industries in ASEAN region through cooperation of
companies based in member countries of ASEAN.

At the workshop, Executive Director Mr. Noodin Azhari of ASEAN Secretariat in
Jakarta, Indonesia presented the paper on Introduction to the AICO, Director
Mr. Dhawatchai Tangsanga of Ministry of Industry of Thailand on Thailand?s
experience in implementation of AICO Scheme and UMCCI Vice-Chairman U Tin Aye
on AICO Scheme in Myanmar.
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