News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.2

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: News and Views from Myanmar ( Vol.2 , No.1 )

News and Views from Myanmar

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      Vol.2                         7 January 2000                     No.1
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Sr. No.             CONTENTS                       

    INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
1.  52nd Anniversary Independence Day observed            
2.  Kissapanadi Bridge in Rakhine inaugurated           

    FOREIGN RELATIONS
3.  Further strengthening friendly bilateral relations          
4.  Promotion of bilateral friendship and cooperation           

    GENERAL NEWS
5.  Hailing Twenty-first Century                        
6.  New Year reception hosted                       

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INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS

52nd Anniversary Independence Day observed 

    The Year 2000 52nd Anniversary Independence Day was observed in all  the 
States and Divisions of the Union of Myanmar on 4 January 2000. In Yangon 
City, the Flag-hoisting Ceremony was held at the People's Square on Pyay Road 
attended by over 15,700 people. The ceremony was held in accord with the four 
national objectives laid down for the occasion: for all the national people 
to collectively defend and safeguard the national independence and 
sovereignty for their perpetuation; for all the national people to be united 
to ensure non-disintegration of the Union and non-disintegration of national 
solidarity; for all the national people to strive for the emergence of an 
enduring  Constitution; and for all the national people to implement the task 
to build a new modern and developed nation.

    The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General 
Than Shwe sent a message on the occasion. In his message, he urged all the 
national people to take on greater responsibility unitedly and energetically, 
keeping in mind that the discharging of this historically assigned duty 
hinges on the dynamic Union Spirit, patriotism, national pride of all  our 
national people, and with the spirit of sacrificing lives in safeguarding 
independence and sovereignty of the motherland in order that national  
independence that was regained would not be lost again.

    He pointed out that the national people are cohesively and unitedly 
participating in practically implementing projects and special projects, in 
building river-crossing bridges in each state and division, in improving 
means of transport, in making preparations for discipline-flourishing 
democracy; and in striving for the improvement of social skill such as 
national culture, national arts, national education and national health with 
a view to ensuring the development of agriculture and production work, which 
reflect the already achieved stability and peace and tranquillity of the 
State and economic, food, clothing and shelter conditions of national people. 

Kissapanadi Bridge in Rakhine inaugurated

     In hailing the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, a ceremony to 
inaugurate Kissapanadi Bridge across Kissapanadi River built by Bridge 
Construction Project Special Group-4 of Public Works was held near the bridge 
in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, on 2 January 2000. 

    Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chairman of the State Peace and 
Development Council General Maung Aye said that the Government is building 
the nation into a peaceful, modern and developed nation; the Government has 
placed emphasis on the betterment of the transport, for the economic 
development will be achieved as transport is good, and the friendly ties of 
national races will be come stronger.

    The Vice-Chairman pointed out that due to Rakhine Yoma, Rakhine State had 
no access to other States and Divisions; as there are many rivers and creeks 
in Rakhine State the main mode of transport is waterways; the construction of 
motor roads was so difficult that they could not be built even in the dream. 
With a view to overcoming these difficulties, Yangon-Sittway Highway Project 
has been implemented as a special project beginning in 1996; things which 
were like dreams and imagination have come true. Roads are being built 
systematically; if all the projects are completed, transport routes linking 
cities and towns will emerge as a network; between Rakhine State and other 
States and Divisions, travelling will be smoother and quicker and trading 
will be brisk and with the rapid progress of transport, Rakhine state will 
develop for sure.

    The Government is striving for the betterment of transport with a view to 
ensuring the harmonious development of all the states and divisions and 
border areas; bridges across Ayeyawady River, Chindwin River and Thanlwin 
River are being built, and small and medium-size bridges are also being built 
wherever necessary. As the betterment of transport is the basic requirement 
for development of States and Divisions, a large sum of money is being used 
in building the bridges; the Government is implementing these projects out of 
goodwill  in the hope of achieving the development of states and divisions as 
well as border areas at the same time. 

    Kissapanadi Bridge is the ninth among ten bridges lying on Ann-Sittway 
Section of Yangon-Sittway Highway. The bridge was built with steel frames and 
reinforced  concrete floor  and it can withstand 60 ton loads. The 2,512 
foot-bridge has a six foot-wide pedestrian way on both sides of the 28 
foot-wide motorway. The passage under it is 203 ft wide with a clearance of 
50 ft. The construction of the bridge began on 27 November 1996. It costs 
2.02 million US dollars and K. 2,095.8 million.
    
FOREIGN RELATIONS

Further strengthening friendly bilateral relations 

    As basic concepts of foreign relations, Myanmar has steadfastly 
maintained friendly relations with all countries of the world in general and 
neighbouring countries in particular. These relations has been enhanced by 
exchanges of goodwill visits including visits of high level officials. The 
friendly bilateral relations between Myanmar and Lao People's Democratic 
Republic has been further strengthened by recent goodwill visit by 
Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt.-Gen. Tin Oo to Lao 
PDR. 

    During his visit, the Secretary-2 paid courtesy calls on President Mr. 
Khamtay Siphandone and Prime Minister Mr. Sisavat Keobounphanh. Both leaders 
expressed their satisfaction in seeing the further developments based on 
mutual understanding and goodwill in the cordial relations between the two 
nations. The Secretary-2 also met Deputy Prime Minister Lt.-Gen. Choummaly 
Sayasone and cordially discussed the progress of national development 
endeavours of both nations, efforts for  further strengthening the existing 
friendly bilateral relations which has fine historical records and 
cooperation in the global and regional peace, stability and development 
tasks. 

    Likewise, members of the delegations Minister for Agriculture and 
Irrigation, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for 
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and 
Minister for Religious Affairs met their counterparts and held cordial 
discussions on trade and technical cooperation, bilateral religious 
relations, promotion of bilateral anti-drug activities of the two nations and 
exchanges of visits of entrepreneurs among others.

Promotion of bilateral friendship and cooperation 

    At the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Tang Jiaxuan of 
the People's Republic of China , Minister For Foreign Affairs U Win Aung paid 
a goodwill visit to the People's Republic of China, from 21 to 29 December 
1999.

    During his visit, Foreign Minister U Win Aung paid courtesy calls on 
Vice-President of the People's Republic of China Mr. Hu Jingtao and Vice 
Premier of the State Council Mr. Wu Bangguo. The Minister met and discussed 
with Foreign Minister Mr. Tang Jiaxuan, Minister for Agriculture Mr Qin 
Yaobang and Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Mr 
Chen Xea Hua matters of mutual interest concerning promotion of bilateral 
friendship and cooperation, enhancement of cooperation in the areas of 
economic, investment, science and technology. 

    The Myanmar delegation also visited Shanghai Pudong Economic Zone and 
Shenzhen Industrial Zone and held discussions with officials concerned of the 
 Shanghai and Shenzhen People's Governments.

    On his way to the People's Republic of China, Minister U Win Aung  
stopped over at Kunming and had discussions with Mr. Li Jiating, Governor of 
Yunnan Province. On his return, the Minister stopped over at Hong Kong and 
held discussions with Governor Mr. Tung Chee Hwa of the Hong Kong Special 
Administrative Region on matters relating to development of tourism and 
economic cooperation, and on the possibility of increasing foreign investment 
in Myanmar.

GENERAL NEWS

Hailing Twenty-first Century

    The mass meeting hailing the 21st Century was held at the foot of 
Shwezigon Pagoda, Bagan ancient culture region, Mandalay Division on 1 
January 2000. Representatives of the people from all over the country 
approved six resolutions: to continue to regard Our Three Main National 
Causes as a national duty; to steadfastly implement objectives laid down for 
political, economic and social development; to protect our nation and 
citizens; to build a peaceful and stable nation having high standard of 
living; to strive for development of human resources of the State; and to 
strive for the flourishing  and propagating of Union spirit in the State.

    The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General 
Than Shwe sent a message to the mass meeting, in which he stated that the 
land mass where Myanmar Naing-Ngan was to emerge did exist millions of years 
ago, and scholars have already ascertained that the primates who would evolve 
into human beings lived in the land that would become Myanmar Naing-Ngan more 
than 40 million years ago and that they were the earliest primates ever.

     Historical evidence will prove that Myanmar  has a long history and has 
been able to remain as a strong nation. It has also been discovered that 
basic civilization and traditions flourished. Although the country was 
enslaved by the British colonialists in Konbaung Period, the mass of the 
people who refused to be enslaved waged war against the colonialists, won 
back sovereignty and independence and handed them down to posterity. It is 
the duty of the citizens to preserve and safeguard the heritage handed down 
by the ancestors throughout history. 

New Year reception hosted

    Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife hosted a New Year 
reception for the Heads of Missions  and their wives at the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs on the evening of 3 January 2000.

    Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win and wife, departmental heads, 
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Myanmar Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic 
Republic Mr. Ly Bounkham and wife and Heads of Diplomatic Missions and their 
wives were present on the occasion where Minister U Win Aung gave a speech. 
Then, Ambassador Mr. Ly Bounkham spoke words of thanks.


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