Information Sheet No.B-1035

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject:    Information Sheet        No.B-1035 (I)

                           MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE  

                                           Information Sheet
                                
               No.B-1035 (I)                                  22nd August, 
1999

(1) Use of More Advanced Techniques, Machinery Needed in Moving Towards
Mechanized Farming

    Vice-chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, General
Maung Aye inspected agricultural undertakings of national entrepreneurs
in Ywangan, Heho and Nyaungshwe townships in Taunggyi District, Shan
State (South) on 20 August. The agricultural project of Shwethanlwin
Agriculture Co Ltd near Ywa-ngan Township, Chairman of the company 
reported on progress in land reclamation work, future plans, monsoon
crop cultivation in Ywangan region and arrangements to put land under
cold season crops. Of the 1324.79 acres the company has been permitted
to grow crops in the region, over 891 acres have been put under corn,
100 acres under paddy, 51 acres under soya bean, 89 acres under peyin
and six acres under pesinngon. The company has projected to reclaim
5000 acres in the region. At the farm project of Super One Co Ltd at
Heho village-tract in Kalaw Township, Taunggyi District, Managing
Director of the company reported on progress in crop cultivation,
future plans and requirements. The company will grow crops on 5,229
acres in Kalaw, Taunggyi and Nyaungshwe in Taunggyi District. It has
put 1194 acres under corn, pesinngon, paddy, niger, mustard, mango and
rubber. The company is taming more land to extend cultivation of cold
season crops and niger.
    At the farming project of Nilayoma Co Ltd at Taungbohgyi village-tract
in Nyaungshwe township, presented by Chairman of the company. The
company has cultivated 11050 acres of paddy and 623 acres of corn in
Taunggyi, Hopong, Yaksauk, Hsihseng, Kalaw and Nyaung- shwe townships.
General Maung Aye said, "Advanced techniques and equipment rather than
conventional methods should be utilized in agriculture works in moving
towards mechanized farming system. Modern agricultural techniques used
in neighbouring countries should be studied to be applied at their
projects; and research should be conducted to measure the quality of
the produce. Effective natural fertilizers should be used to increase
the yield; and EM Bokashi method will be used in producing natural
fertilizers."

(2)     Apartments of Mahamyaing Staff Quarters Project Handed Over to
Owners

    A ceremony to hand over apartments of Mahamyaing staff quarters
project constructed by Tawwin Family Co Ltd to owners was held at the
Planning Office in Ward 41 in Dagon Myothit (North) on 21 August.
Chairman of Tawwin Family Co Ltd  made a cash donation for education.
Mahamyaing staff quarters comprise 47 buildings with 1,390 apartments.

(3) Shwe Yadana Modern Cinema Opened

    A ceremony to open Shwe Yadana modern cinema was held at the cinema in
Dagon Myothit (North) on 21 August. The shows will begin at Shwe Yadana
new cinema on 27 August.



Government of Myanmar Calls for "Meaningful and Positive Contribution" 
>From Those Groups  At  Present Engaging In  Non-constructive  Acts

    The Government noted  with interest the aggressiveness of the
disinformation-campaign and attempt to create a civil unrest by the
anti-government organizations on their numerically obsessed date of
9.9.99. These organizations are in the process of waging a desperate
disinformation-campaign in attacking the government and in  spreading
false reports  on religious persecution, drug-trafficking, mass arrest
and also the internal repression of the so-called democratic forces by
the government.
    The Government together with the people of Myanmar has been  working 
hard  to develop  the nation and sincerely hopes  that these
organizations instead of draining their time and energy elsewhere will
have to decide in contributing  a positive and meaningful  way so that
they too can become a constructive force in helping  Myanmar along the
path to a strong and stable  democracy.
    Merely  engaging in  non-constructive  acts at a time all Myanmar
people are working hard to face the  challenges of rebuilding a new
nation, seems rather frivolous and will not only hamper its development
and but also delay its progress.
    The Government encourages all the anti-government forces to become
responsible members of the Myanmar community and to  engage as 
constructive  forces in helping  Myanmar along the  path to  a strong 
and stable  democracy.


    This office is presenting a Press Release No.11/99 dated 18 August,
1999 from Myanmar Embassy in Washington, D.C for your information.

Peace Negotiators Tortured To Death in Kayah State 
Government and People Condemn the Ruthless Act

    The government and people of Myanmar are deeply  saddened by the
vicious murders of peace negotiators Daw Phraemoe and U Hla Din on 31
July 1999 by terrorists of the Karenni  National Progressive Party
(KNPP) operating along the Myanmar-Thai border in Kayah state. While
such dastardly acts of terror are not  uncommon among lawless and
depraved groups, the latest incident must rank among the most vile as
it is a deliberate attempt by the KNPP to strike fear in the hearts of
Christians in Kayah state seeking reconciliation with the rest of the
country.
    Daw Phraemoe (56 years) and U Hla Din (57 years) were both good
Christians and patriots. They believed in living in weal and woe with
their brethren in a united Myanmar. They were honest and hard-working
and were well-respected by Christians and others alike in their
communities. They understood the pain of separation from the rest of
the nation and took it upon  themselves  to mediate between the
government and the  KNPP. They were fully aware of the immense dangers
they  faced. Yet as patriots they were convinced that it was time to
promote national  reconciliation to ensure a better  future for the
present generation and generations to come.  They put their lives on
line so that others may live and enjoy a better  future.
    The mediators did not die in vain. They showed  the way to peace. In 
July they succeeded in bringing back to the fold 100 members of the
KNPP. The prodigal sons exchanged their arms for peace and were 
received with open arms by the people. The  government made
arrangements for them to be able to join the mainstream of society. The
transition was a success but when the mediators  attempted to help 
more members of the  KNPP to return to their hearth and home, the KNPP
lured them to a rendezvous for talks and tortured them to death.
    It is indeed sad that the relentless efforts of the Myanmar Government
to establish peace and strengthen the fabric of national unity is
opposed by the remnants of the KNPP. The armed group has demonstrated
its true colours by toying with the future of the country. Now that its
Machiavellian nature has been exposed, those clamouring for dialogue
should have a better appreciation of the situation and direct their
appeals in the right direction. They might begin by withholding support
for any group that resorts to terrorism to achieve its political
objectives.

                               *********************