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News and Views From Myanmar (Vol .1



Subject: News and Views From Myanmar (Vol .1      No.31)

News and Views From Myanmar (Vol .1      No.31)
-----------------------------------------------------


INTERNAL  DEVELOPMENTS
-----------------------------------
1.   Ministry of Foreign Affairs begins Course in Diplomacy
2.   Special Refresher Course No. 36 for Basic Education Teachers Concludes
3.   The Narcotics Press Conference in response to fabricated news published 
by the Thai Media

FOREIGN RELATIONS
--------------------------
4.   Seameo Regional Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies established 
in Myanmar

GENERAL NEWS
--------------------
5.   U Linn Myaing appointed Ambassador to France
6.   Myanmar Trade Fair '99 to be held in Bangkok
7.   IDD system installed with new payment rates in F.E.C/U.S. $

----------------------------------------------------



INTERNAL  DEVELOPMENTS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs begins Course in Diplomacy

    The opening ceremony of the Course in Diplomacy organized by the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs was held at Wunzin Minyaza Hall of the Ministry on 9 
August 1999, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and 
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

    In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said: this is indeed a most auspicious 
event since it is the first time that such a course is being held in the 52 
year history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

-   from the time of regaining of its independence, Myanmar has laid down a 
foreign policy reflecting its national interests and has a glorious tradition 
of participating extensively in international activities. Subsequently, 
Myanmar's policy of positive neutrality, correct and consistent stand on 
international issues and adherence to universally accepted norms of 
inter-state relations have won the respect of the international community.

-   one basic principle of Myanmar's independent and active foreign policy is 
to develop friendly relations with all nations of the world, particularly 
with the neighbouring countries. In accordnce with the Five Principles of 
Peaceful Co-existence, Myanmar has consistently adhered to the principles of 
respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-interference in the 
internal affairs of other nations, equality and mutual benefit in its 
relations with other nations. Due to the good-neighbourly policy, cordial 
ties between Myanmar and its neighbours continue to strengthen with the 
passage of time. Moreover, these sentiments of goodwill are further 
strengthened by growing economic co-operation and trade relations. Indeed, 
the volume of trade, including border trade, with Thailand, Laos, China, 
India and Bangladesh now amounts to billions of dollars. We are therefore 
convinced that the relations between our country and its neighbours will be 
strengthened in the future, as well.

-   Myanmar became a full member of ASEAN in 1997. Countries holding negative 
views against Myanmar tried very hard using various methods to prevent 
Myanmar from joining ASEAN but due to the solidarity and understanding of 
Southeast Asian countries, all their endeavours proved  futile. Myanmar's 
membership in ASEAN represents a major step in the country's international 
relations as well as the belief that the future of Myanmar and ASEAN cannot 
be separated. It was done with the conviction that while Membership in the 
Association could on the one hand accelerate Myanmar's development, on the 
other hand, Myanmar could also contribute towards regional peace and 
prosperity. In this short period of two years, Myanmar has successfully 
fulfilled its obligations as a Member State and integrated smoothly into the 
mainstream of regional activities. Our country's participation in regional 
activities for peace, stability and prosperity will surely continue to grow 
in the coming days.

-   geographically, Myanmar forms the land bridge linking South Asia and 
Southeast Asia. Therefore, Myanmar's entry into the economic co-operation 
organization linking Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand 
called BIMST-EC in December 1997 can be regarded as timely and appropriate. 
We are happy to note that within a short period of little more than two 
years, BIMST-EC has begun to function smoothly. Our country's active 
participation has been greatly appreciated and we are determined to enhance 
co-operation especially in the energy sector where Myanmar is the lead 
co-ordinator country.

-   despite Myanmar's systematic steps taken for the emergence of democracy 
in the nation, some Western countries are putting pressure politically, 
economically and socially. We believe that these actions are a result of lack 
of comprehension of the actual situation in Myanmar and the challenges it 
faces; their biased and  prejudiced thinking formed by ideas from sources or 
people trying to oppose the government. Both Myanmar and pressuring Western 
groups have the same aim: the emergence of democracy in Myanmar. The 
differences are only in the tactics and measures to realize this aim. It will 
be in the best interest for the country if they lay down their premonitory 
ideas and prejudices, and adopt a pragmatic attitude.

-   next year, we will be entering a new century, the 21st Century,. In view 
of our national priorities and the situation prevailing in the world, 
Myanmar's international activities are bound to increase dramatically.Only 
with the emergence of qualified diplomats with the right outlook and advanced 
thinking can Myanmar's foreign relations be able to flourish. Such being the 
case, it is extremely important for the trainees to be equipped with strong 
nationalism and ardent union spirit, which are indeed essential in every 
Myanmar citizen. It is with this aim in view that the course in diplomacy is 
being introduced.

2.   Special Refresher Course No. 36 for Basic Education Teachers Concludes

    The Special Refresher Course No. 36 for Basic Education Teachers 
concluded with an address by the Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee 
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt. Gen Khin Nyunt.

    He said that when endeavours are being made in all sectors with 
significant and profound national aims and objectives to enable the country 
to keep abreast with other nations, national education promotion programmes 
are vital for the realization of those aims; in the world today the education 
system is changing with developments in information technology; the increased 
quantities of intellectuals and intelligentsia could help boost the 
development of the nation; therefore, looking forward to the future, the 
government is implementing plans so that international language and modern 
technology know-hows will flourish in the education system of Myanmar. In 
accordance with those plans, the first phase  - subject-base teaching system 
was changed to student-base teaching system resulting students are not only 
free from stress of extreme learning but also they are trained and taught to 
serve the country and their community in best possible ways  -  was 
successfully accomplished.

    Now, accelerated by the success of the first phase, the second phase of 
the education promotion system is underway concentrating in cooperation of 
board of trustees and the people, encouraging reinforcement diploma courses 
for qualified teachers, and facilitating use of mordern IT.

    Recently, with help from the foreign broadcasting stations, "the (9-9-99) 
unrest'' was constantly urged and propagated - a plot to create an upheavel 
like the 1988 disturbances  to  make the people frightened and destroy the 
peace and tranquility of the nation.

    Today, the international situation shows that some powerful countries are 
interfering, in the internal affairs of those resisting their influence, with 
human rights and democracy as pretextes.

    It is most imperative that nations like Myanmar should always adhere to 
the Union spirit and national solidarity, and it is indeed a national duty to 
prevent the danger from destructive elements for the perpetuation of the 
Union.

3.   The Narcotics Press Conference in response to fabricated news published 
by the Thai Media
    
    Successive governments in Myanmar waged war against narcotics drugs even 
at the loss of many human lives. However, due to its peculiar nature 
involving high profits, the stakes are too high and the problems too 
difficult to handle single-handedly. Nonetheless, the Tatmadaw government has 
shouldered all possible measures in every aspect to eradicate narcotics drugs 
from the land. It is obvious in extending the olive branch to armed groups, 
introducing opium-substitute crops to the local farmers, developing the 
border areas where drug trafficking thrives on plus cooperation with 
international organizations and neighbouring countries.

    The programme covered by two strategies for narcotic drugs control is 
drawn with the aim to designate narcotics drugs eradication and prevention as 
a national responsibility with added momentum, and to gradually eliminate 
poppy cultivation by raising the standard of living of national races in the 
border areas. In the year 2000, the first phase of the 15 - year narcotic 
drugs eradication plan will come into force in 22 townships including Shan 
and Wa States.

    However, the Thai newspapers - the Bangkok Times, The Nation, Thai Rat 
and a weekly journal  - in July carried fabricated reports giving the 
impression of pertaining to quotations from Thai officials, that the Myanmar 
government looked the other way while the nationalities armed groups were 
engaging in drug trafficking, that the Myanmar government troops were 
directly involved in smuggling of drugs out of the country to the border 
areas and that cooperation with Myanmar in the elimination of drugs could not 
be made.

    In the light of those falsified reports, a Press Conference was held in 
Yangon on 6 August. Responsible officials took the stand and answered 
questions by journalists regarding Myanmar's narcotic drugs policies, 
projects and tasks, and nationalities groups' activities.

    As nationalities armed groups have returned to the legal fold and are 
rendering co-operation in implementing the tasks, the Tatmadaw is able give 
more attention to eradicating narcotics.

    Opium substitute crop cultivation is the best possible means to set up 
opium free zones in Shan State North. Cultivation of buckwheat with the help 
of the Japanese agricultural organization is gaining cent per cent success in 
Tashetan, Kokang region  - 10,000 acres of buckwheat will be cultivated in 
Shan State North. The Japanese government under the Aid for Increased Food 
Production (2KR) programme provided 800 million Yen to Myanmar in 1998. 
Myanmar Anti-Narcotics Association (MANA) and Border Development Association, 
which are NGOs, are also participating in the projects.

    As the Myanmar government and the people are making collective efforts in 
eradicating heroin production and trafficking, drug traffickers are turning 
to stimulants.It is obvious that the armed groups active in the Thai-border 
are existing on narcotics and are related to the drug business.

    The articles in Thai newspapers indicates that although Myanmar has 
strived to wipe out the narcotics problem out of the country with all its 
might; there are still groups of people - the pessimists - looking at those 
tasks with jaundiced eyes find it hard to accept.
    
    The Press Conference on the same subject was held for the Military 
Attaches from foreign countries residing in Myanmar on 10 August.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

4.   Seameo Regional Centre for Historical and Cultural Studies established 
in Myanmar

    The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional 
Centre for History and Tradition was established in Myanmar.

    The people of Southeast Asia have had close contacts throughout their 
long history and share many cultural traditions and literary heritage. 
In-depth research needs to be carried out to highlight these facets of their 
shared heritage, tradition and destiny and to record the history of 
individual Southeast Asian Countries as well as that of the region which 
consists of as a close unit of cooperating countries. Such being the case, 
SEAMEO wills to promote cooperation in education, science and culture in the 
Southeast Asian region for human resource development of the region. SEAMEO 
has declared that its mission is- " to promote cooperation among its member 
and associate member Countries through its Regional Centres/ Projects with 
professional leadership role in training, research and development, 
information dissemination and other relevant activities in order to assist 
the member countries to develop expertise and excellence in education, 
science and culture for the promotion of an enlightened and productive 
citizenry in their respective countries and for furthering the quality of 
life of all the peoples of the region."

    SEMEO has no centre as yet in the Southeast Asian Region. In order to 
contribute to the further realization of the avowed mission of SEAMEO, 
Myanmar, as one of the newest member countries, has offered to take on the 
responsibility of establishing a new regional centre, the Regional Centre for 
History and Tradition (SAMEO CHAT) in Myanmar based on the principles 
established by SEAMEO.

GENERAL NEWS

5.   U Linn Myaing appointed Ambassador to France

    The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council has appointed     
U Linn Myaing as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of 
Myanmar to the Republic of France.

6.   Myanmar Trade Fair '99 to be held in Bangkok

    Myanmar Trade Fair '99 will be held in Bangkok from 11 - 14 August. The 
Fair was jointly organized by the Co-operatives Department and TTF (Yangon) 
Co. Ltd. Nine co-operatives and fifteen companies will participate by 
displaying products of gems, rattan, furniture, gold and silver tapestries, 
electrical goods, silk and soft drinks.

7.   IDD system installed with new payment rates in F.E.C/U.S. $

    By August 1999, all oversea calls must be paid in U.S. $/F.E.C., the new 
rate being 50% of the current payment rate. Oversea call charges are as below-

    Sr. No. Country US $ per min
    1.  Thailand    1.40
    2.  Malaysia    1.75
    3.  Singapore   1.75
    4.  Hong Kong   1.75
    5.  Pakistan    1.75
    6.  India   1.90
    7.  Nepal   2.25
    8.  China   2.25
    9.  Japan   2.70
    10. Korea   2.90
    11. Indonesia   2.90
    12. Philippines 2.90
    13. Sri Lanka   3.20
    14. United Kingdom  3.20
    15. France  3.20
    16. Germany 3.20
    17. Australia   3.20
    18. Brunei  1.75
    19. Asia (Vietnam, Macao, Taiwan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Mongolia)   2.70
    20. Europe & Middle East    3.20
    21. Americas & Africa   4.50

    Still, there remains some telephones whose exchange board could not 
facilitate the IDD system -they are to make distant calls via operators. 
Those numbers are as follows:-

    Sr. No.     Telephone numbers
    1.  Yangon  220000 - 229999
    2.  Mandalay    280000 - 289999290000 - 299999524000 - 527799565000 - 
566000660000 - 66899921000 -23999
    3.  Mawlamyaing 21000 - 23999
    4.  Pathein 21000 - 22999
    5.  Sittway 21000 - 22499
    6.  Pyay    21000 - 22999
    7.  Taunggu 21000 - 21999
    8.  Magwe   21000 - 22999
    9.  Meikhtila   21000 - 22999
    10. Moenyin 300001 - 300250
    11. Hopin   31101 - 31601
    12. Lashao  21000 - 21999
    13. Muse    21000 - 21999
    14. Kyukok (Pansai) 2100 - 2999
    15. Namkham 2100 - 2999
    16. Tachileik   21000 - 21999
    17. Kawthaung   21000 - 21999



    

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