The opening ceremony of the newly-built Maubin University Main Building for human resources development implemented by Higher Education Department Lower Myanmar was held at the University in Maubin, ayeyarwaddy Division on 18 July. For development of Maubin region, the splendid Maubin Government Technological College was opened and upgraded. The Maubin Hospital was also upgraded and will soon be opened. Those facilities will contribute much to uplifting education and health standard of the national people and students of Maubin region.

To bring about equitable development in the Ayeyawady Division the Government has designated Pathein and Hinthada regions and Maubin regions in Ayeyawady Division special development zones and development projects are being implemented in the regions. As the division is teeming with creeks and rivers the government has spent a large sum of money on building river-crossing and creek-crossing bridges. A total of 39 bridges including Bo Myat Tun bridge, the longest one in Myanmar have been built in the division. With the emergence of a network of bridges there are over 1300 miles of roads in the division in comparison with only 440 miles of roads in the past. To uplift the agricultural sector of the division the government built seven sluice gates and dams in the most required regions. Those irrigation facilities contribute to extending of farmland and double and multiple cropping. In the economic sector the wetlands have been turned into farmlands and breeding of fish and prawn is being introduced on a wider scale in the wetlands with the financial strength of national entrepreneurs. In addition, the international level resorts and modern hotels have emerged of Ngwe Hsaung beach and Chaungtha beach in the division and the facilities will help develop tourism industry.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt and party on 27 July attended the stake-driving ceremony and the cornerstone-lying ceremony of Bagan Nanmyint Tower in Bagan Ancient Cultural Region in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Division.

Nanmyint Tower will be 138 ft in width and 198 ft in height with the conference hall, the meeting hall, the souvenir shop, pubs and viewpoints. It is being constructed with the use modern techniques. They also visited the construction site of Myanma Aerospace Engineering University (MAEU) Project in Meiktila. Pro-Rector of MAEU reported on academic and management matters.

The Secretary-1 gave guidance and inspected completion of the main building, the electrical engineering circuit analysis lab, the applied electrical engineering lab, library & resource centre, the flight simulator room, recreation rooms, classrooms and drawing room and completion of buildings of the project. Secretary-1 attended to the needs and inspected the machine tools & design, the electrical power engineering and the civil engineering workshops.

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, on the occasion of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt which falls on 23 July 2003.

The visiting delegation led by Colonel Chusak Meksuwan of Thai Command and General Staff College called on Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training at the Guest House of the Ministry of Defence on 16 July. The visiting delegation also visited the National Defence College, the National Museum and the Drug Elimination Museum in Yangon on the same day.

The first meeting of Myanmar-India joint trade committee commenced on 15 July with addresses of Commerce Minister of Myanmar and Minister of Commerce and Industry of India Mr. Arun Jaitley in Yangon. At the meeting, the two sides led by Director-General U Nyunt Aye of the Directorate of Trade and Mr.. Vinay Bansal, leader of Indian delegation, discussed in detail matters on reviewing of bilateral trade, investment sector, boosting of border trade, banking services, items of import and export goods, cooperation in agricultural sector, holding of expo and sending of trade delegations between the two. Myanmar Commerce Minister and Mr. Arun Jaitley signed the agreement later. The Indian delegation headed by Mr. Arun Jaitley, accompanied by Indian Ambassador Mr. Rajiv Kumar Bhatia, called on Brig-Gen Abel, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office, and Foreign Affairs Minister respectively.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung accepted the credentials of Mr. Charles Petrie, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme and Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System’s Operational Activities for Development in the Union of Myanmar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 26.

Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received Defence & Army Attaché of the United States of America to the Union of Myanmar Col Michael A Norton at the Zeyathiri beikman in Yangon on 28 July.

Similarly, Vice-Senior General also received Defence Attaché of the Republic of Korea to the Union of Myanmar Col Yoon Han-Hong, who had completed his tour of duty, and his successor Col. Shim Jae Koo at the same venue on separate occasion.

The Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs attended the Five-Nation narcotic Drug Elimination Meeting together with China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in Chaing Rai, Thailand, from 22 to 24 July. The senior officials meeting was held on 22 and 23 July and the ministerial meeting on 24 July. After the meeting, Chiang Rai Declaration was issued. The Chiang Rai Declaration pledged that the five nations will cooperate to accelerate drug elimination. In doing so, emphasis is to be placed on control of chemical precursors used in drug refinery, transitional cooperation and creation of markets for opium-substitute products and invitation of international community.

Headed by Dr. Shinn, a 33 member delegation of Onnuri Medical Service Mission of the Republic of Korea including Korean traditional medical practitioners gave treatment to the dental as well as cleft and palate patients at the People’ s Hospital in Hlainethaya Township, Yangon on 14 July and on 15 July. Township health officer, doctors and specialist of the hospitals under the Health Department also participate in the treatment. The patients who received treatment in two days were 11554.

The Course in Diplomacy for Officers No. 5/2003 conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concluded at the Ministry on 17 July. A total of 39 trainees from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Rail Transportation, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Office of the Attoney-General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the 23-week course from 11 February to 14 July.

A combined team comprising, acting on a tip-off, on 19 June searched Ma Darshilu at Shanwai street in Paukkon Ward, Bhamo, Kachin State and discovered 35.01 grams of heroin concealed in soap box in her bag. Action has been taken against Ma Darshilu of Mongkaung Village, Mansi Township, under Section 19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Bhamo Police Station.

The Myanma Airways under the Ministry of Transport is running more flights in 2003. Now, Yangon-Magway-Yangon flight is being run by F-27 on Mondays, and Yangon-Magway-Mandalay-Kale-Mandalay-Magway-Yangon flight by F-28 on Thursdays. Starting from 3 August, Sunday, it will launch Mandalay-Homalin-Mandalay flight by F-27 on Sundays and Thursdays.

Hailing 36th Anniversary of ASEAN Day which falls on 8 August 2003, the ASEAN Food Fair, to be organized by Myanmar ASEAN Women’s Friendship Association, will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 2 August. Members of the panel of Patrons of the Association, the wife of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and party, the Philippine Ambassador and wives of ASEAN Ambassadors will sell traditional foods of the respective countries in the ASEAN Food Fair. Anyone can visit the fair free of charge.

The Ninth Working Group Meeting on the West-East Economic Corridor Development, co- organized by the Ministry of Rail Transportation and AMEICC (AEM-METIEconomic and Industrial Cooperation Committee) will be held at the Traders Hotel in Yangon on 11 and 12 August. Representatives of ASEAN Secretariat, ADB, METI, UNIDO, UNESCAP, FAO, Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Singapore, Thailand and Myanmar will attend the meeting.

The planning/Training Meeting on Elimination of Avoidable Childhood Blindness in South-East Asia Region, organized by the WHO and the Ministry of Health, commenced at Traders Hotel in Yangon on 15 July. It was attended by meeting chairman Deputy Minister for Health Dr. Mya Oo, officials of departments under the ministry, heads of respective foreign embassies to Myanmar, officials of resident representatives office WHO, medical superintendents, physicians and guest. The deputy minister made an address on the occasion. In his address he said that Myanmar has been participating in many global and regional activities to improve the health status of people. We are all aware of the immense amount of disability and loss in productivity caused by blindness. Loss of sight can lead to economic devastation, poverty and often result in premature deaths. Through sharing of experience and open and friendly discussion, we can reach consensus about a regional strategy for elimination of avoidable childhood blindness, which can be applicable to all of the member countries. Next, WHO resident representative Dr. Agostino Borra delivered a speech. The meeting coutinues until 18 July.

The 56th Anniversary Arzani Day was observed at the Arzani Mausoleum on 19 July. On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Chairman of the 56th Anniversary Arzani Day Observance Committee Minister for Culture, attended the ceremony, saluting the State flag, laying wreaths at the tombs of national leader Bogyoke Aung San and his fallen comrades, paying tribute to them and dispensing metta.

Minister for Culture together with Chief Justice, Attorney-General, Auditor-General laid wreaths at the tombs, after which all those present saluted the State Flag. Later, families of the Arzanis laid wreaths at the respective tombs. U Aung San Oo, eldest son of Bogyoke Aung San, and wife Daw Le Le Nwe Thein laid a wreath at Bogyoke Aung San's tomb and paid tribute to him, and dispensed metta.

Then families of other Arzanis laid wreaths at the respective tombs and dispensed metta. Diplomats of foreign missions and resident representatives of UN agencies in Yangon also laid wreaths at the tombs of Arzanis and paid tribute to them.

Two Thai culprits, Mr. Suchart Julaprom, 32, and Mr. Pirom Jarasmanachote, 35, were handed over to Assistant Commissioner Police Maj-Gen Aswin Kwanmuang of Central Investigation Bureau of Thai Royal Police Force in Tachilek on 18 July.

The culprits were mainly involved in the incident in which Mr. Supakid Pankeav, the Thai representative-elect in Karnjanaburi District, was shot dead on 28 June 2003. To escape the arrest, they sneaked into Tachilek in Myanmar via Ponhton ferry at Maesai Creek. According to the information given by the Thai Royal Police Force in Maesai, Thailand, a combined team arrested the culprits in Mekhaung Ward in Tachilek on 15 July.

Myanmar is in cooperation with ASEAN countries, as well as with the regional and sub-regional countries in transnational crime control.

A clarification on e-Government of e-National Task Force was held at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park in Yangon on 20 July, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Computer Science Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt. In his speech, General Khin Nyunt said that the ceremony was held to clarify the salient points of e-Government needed to be known to officials of the ministries concerned, the heads of department, the departments and organizations that taught IT science and the industrialists who are engaged in IT science, the present conditions on e-Government in Myanmar and future work programmes, and assistance to be provided by IT industrialists. The IT science is now making progress with added momentum in the international spheres, and a piece of information could be sent to various parts of the world in keeping up with the times. With the advancement in science and technology, the world has become a global village.

It can be said that Myanmar is in its infancy in IT development. But it is obvious that Myanmar youths acquired a good command of IT science in no time since they are highly qualified. Myanmar IT scientist youths who pursued IT science in developed countries are now efficiently using the IT science with the use of It equipment in Myanmar. With the active participation of IT industrialists and IT scientists and support of the Government, the IT infrastructures like international level MICT Park and Bagan Telepost have emerged and IT science has flourished in Myanmar in a short time. The advanced IT infrastructures have emerged and IT science has flourished in Myanmar due to the efforts of Myanmar scientist youths with high calibre and entrepreneurs and the emergence of highly qualified technicians. In the software sector, there are now many companies which cooperate with their counterparts at home and abroad. Under the circumstances, efforts are to be made for the emergence of e-Government to enable the nation to stand shoulder to shoulder with the global nations. Myanmar IT companies have created the IT programmes that can effectively be used in government departments, economic, education, health sectors and banking services.

The Myanma Pearl Enterprise(MPE) under the Ministry of Mines will put on sale its pearls in local currency through sealed tender system and competitive bidding at Pearls Emporium and Design Competition, which will take place at the ministry in Yangon, from 26 to 28 July. The pearls on display at the exhibition on 18 July were oversaw by officials from MPE.

The purposes of the exhibition are: to promote the sale of Myanma pearls; for the citizens to wear pearl ornaments; to produce pearl ornaments in modern and attractive designs; and to develop and modernize Myanma handicraft. The MPE has undertaken the pearls marketing since 1992. In the past, pearls were sold only in emporiums and even national gem merchants had no access to the emporiums. Since the 33th Myanma Gems Emporium in 1996, national entrepreneurs have began to attend the gems emporiums.

At this exhibition, 95 lots of pearls will be sole at the floor price of K 193,550,000. Pearl lots worth less than K 2.5 million each will put on sale through sealed tender system, and those worth more than K 2.5 million each through competitive bidding. Pearl lots will be on display at the exhibition from 10 am to 4 pm on 26 and 27 July. Sealed tenders will be opened and announced at 10 am on 28 July, followed by the pearl sales through competitive bidding. Arrangements have been made to present prizes to best buyers and awards for the best pearl designs. Pearl is included in nine gems and it is generally accepted that, when worn, it not only makes the wearer smart but also gives health, youth, wealth, and happy married life. ( Source- The article appeared in The New Light of Myanmar on 22 July, 2003 written by Myint Lwin)

The government plans to spend more than K 220 million to renovate buildings in Yangon where the Fourth World Buddhist Summit will be held in December next year. The renovation work will be carried out at the main venue of the summit, the Maharpasana Cave, in the Kaba Aye Pagoda compound on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road.

Other buildings in the compound will be renovated, as well as those at three other sites in Yangon where gatherings associated with the summit will be held.The pro-rector of Yangon’s International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, Dr Hla Pe, said the summit will be co-hosted by the Myanmar Government and one of the biggest Buddhist organisations in Japan, the Nembutsu sect. "The Nembutsu sect will pay transportation costs for overseas participants attending the summit" Dr. Hla Pe, told Myanmar Times last week. Dr. Hla Pe said about 3000 representatives of Buddhist organisations from throughout the world are expected to attend the summit, including about 2000 from Japan. (Source- The Myanmar Times- Volume 9, No.175- July 21-27, 2003)

A combined team, acting on information, searched a vehicle, which left Phaunghsai, on the road in Ward 5, Monkoe, Shan State (North) on 12 July and arrested passengers Ma Mar Lu, Ma Khun Nan, Ma Gyo Hsay, Ma Tein Lauk, Ma Khun Nan, Ma Gyo Hsay, Ma Tein Lauk and Ma Khun Nan of Monkoe township together with 11.2 kilos of opium.

On 13 July, the combined team, acting on information, searched a house in Monkoe township and seized Daw Shant Shi Chan and Rongchun Hwa of Kholong Village, Lujian Township, Paukshan District, Yunnan Province, with 650 stimulant tablets, 201 grams of opium and 156 grams of heroin. In addition, another combined team stopped the bus which left Falam, at 8th Mile Check-point, Kale township, on 13 July and seized Za Thwal Lal of Letpanchaung Village, Kale Township, with 33.203 grams of heroin. Action is being taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

A combined team acting on information that there was a house in Namtwayhaw Village, Namkhait Village-tract, Hsenwi Township, Shan State (North) and paraphernalia was stored there, raided the house on 20 July. The authorities arrested five culprits and seized 5.6 kilos of heroin, 10.28 kilos of opium, 681.9 litres of Chloroform, 681.9 litres of ether, 120 pyis of poppy seeds, one .30 carbine and one hand-made gun from the house of Lihway. After questioning the culprits and obtaining their confession, the authorities also raided another refinery and seized 409.14 litres of chloroform and 22.73 litres of loizol. Action is being taken against the culprits under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

A combined team acting on information, searched the house of Thein Htay Oo (a) Thein Myint Oo in Hlinethaya Township in Yangon on 21 May 2002. The authorities discovered 42 grams of heroin kept in a soap box from the kitchen and arrested him together with his wife Ma Hla Kyi. The Hlinethaya Police Station filed lawsuits against Thein Htay Oo (a) Thein Myint Oo of Lewe Township and his wife Ma Hla Kyi under the Sections 15/19 (A) 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. Later, the case was handed over to the Yangon North District Court. On 29 May 2003, the court sentenced 25-year imprisonment on Thein Htay Oo under Section 19 (A) and 20-year imprisonment on Ma Hla Kyi under Section 19 (A).

The field study group led by Member of Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs(MNCWA) and Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs went to Kyaukse, Meiktila and Patheingyi in Mandalay Division and carried out tasks for strengthening of national unity and development of the women’s sector from 23 to 25 July.

The Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs went right down to states and border areas for carrying out tasks of the women’s sector and fulfilled requirements of the regions. During their tour, the field trip group held frank and cordial talks with those present and gave advice and suggestions about their difficulties and problems and attended to the needs. The MNCWA in cooperation with the Committee for Prevention Against Trafficking in Persons had been taking effective measures for prevention of violence and grievances against women. The MNCWA had made success in participation in the tasks to expose human traffickers.

The opening of Myanmar International Freight Forwarders’ Association (MIFFA) was held at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 28 July, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

In accelerating the economic transactions with international community, the extension and modernization of international ports and airports, all of which are practical transport infrastructures, have resulted in the smooth flow of commodities more than previous years. In the aviation sector, the Yangon International Airport was refurbished at the time of the present Government and is still under renovation. Moreover, the new Mandalay International Airport was constructed. Therefore, the tourism industries prosper and the functions of freight transport industries quicken.

Better services are being provided as modern techniques and equipment are installed at the buildings of the two international airports. In water transport sector, modern international ports, jetties, modern weigh measurement systems and equipment, and international-level container yards are now mushrooming. In road transport sector, Asia Highway as well as international highway passing through Myanmar and linking to neighbouring countries is under phase-by-phase construction and promises a brighter prospect of accelerated development in the road transportation. The emergence of the MIFFA that will ensure systematic development in the international freight-forwarding sector coincided with the time when the national development and business transactions are in favourable conditions. And it will also help raise the status of the national economic life of the entire people.

Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs (MNCWA) Patron State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt met with members of the MNCWA and gave guidance at the Ministry of Defence in Yangon on 30 July.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-1 pointed out the fact that MNCWA are making field tours of various regions in all the states and divisions and had a discussions with local women. They are launching organizational and educational campaigns on a successful and broad scale. The MNCWA at central level is also taking accelerated measures to provide young women with correct outlooks by broadcasting educational teleplays and publishing educational books. These educational and organizational measures are of great help for development of political, economic and social sectors of the State on the correct national path. It also contributes much to the strengthening of the national consolidation. These measures are very effective and efficient. The excursion team of the MNCWA at first made field trips to Shan State, Mon State and Kayin State and gave educational talks to women there. They also went on excursion to 10 townships in Chin State, Bago Division (West), and Mandalay Division.

Young women, especially innocent and simple nationals residing in border areas are prone to persuasion. Unscrupulous persons, after observing the situation of young women, tend to lure them politically or economically or socially for seeking their own interests. Mostly, these people persuade young women into thinking highly of foreign countries and smuggle them abroad. At a time when some big nations, on the pretext of democracy and human rights, have imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar to bring about unemployment and recession, it is more likely that unscrupulous persons, capitalizing on the situation, will try to breed social and moral decay into young women. Trying to push the people of a nation into deep poverty like this is abuse of human rights. If we look at the international situation, it can be easily seen that these big powers, saying that the other nations are violating human rights and lacking democracy, are committing human rights abuse and interfering in the latter’s internal affairs.

However, there are many instances of human rights abuse in these nations also. As national characteristics such as courtesy, humanitarianism and willingness to help others, irrespective of race and religion, have been flourishing in our country, we can say that Myanmar people enjoy human rights fully. In a situation where dishonest persons, emboldened by the nation’s economic recession and unemployment problems, can make use of young women for their selfish interests, it is necessary for the MNCWA to raise the momentum of the work of developing the women sector and educating and organizing young women. Myanmar women are polite, morally upright and value their customs and traditions. It is the most effective way for Myanmar women to educate and organize one another in their attempt to maintain their genuine characteristics. It can be said that the dissemination of knowledge and education and frank and honest discussions of the MNCWA is a powerful tonic for young Myanmar women. We should also notice that the opposites such as white and black, good and bad, and constructive and destructive forces always go together.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs also noted the fact that during the period from 17 July 2002, on which Working Committee for Prevention Against Trafficking in Persons was formed, to 16 July 2003, enthusiastic participation of related organizations and harmonious efforts of working committees for prevention against trafficking in persons at different levels, a total of 390 human traffickers in 206 cases of human trafficking were exposed, saving 1,008 persons from the danger of the human traffickers. The working committee gave educative talks to 77,421 persons and could send back 11,113 persons to their homes.

The Union of Myanmar and Australia held talks on the MoU on the fight against human trafficking in Asia and Myanmar has sent her draft of MoU to the government of Australia through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is learnt that the Australian government will reply to the draft in August 2003. After receiving the reply, Myanmar will take more measures in conformity with procedures.

A combine team, acting on the information that drug dealing would be made in the house of Gwan Yaw of Washaung Village, Waingmaw Township, on 19 July raided the house and arrested Gwan Yaw and Daw Kaw Naw (a) Daw Kaw Yaung together with 2.531 kilos of morphine.

Likewise, combined team on a tip-off, inspected a passenger van at the Polan checkpoint near the entrance to Bago on 21 July and caught Jack Kuma of Kyauktada Township, 1.5 kilos of marijuana were found on him. On the same day, when the combined team acting on a tip-off searched the house of Yan San Liu in Swansaw ward, Manwein village, Muse Township and Jiao Tequin, Tongjia Sai village, Lonlin Township, China, apprehended in the act of dealing drugs together with 1.4 kilos of heroin.

Similarly, Combine team, acting on a tip-off, on 25 June searched the house of Kyaw Lin Swe of Dagon (North) Township in Yangon and seized 85.99 kilos of marijuana and arrested Aung Htay (a) Waso and Kyaw Kyaw Naing who were in the house.

The police stations concerned are taking action against the drug traffickers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

Myanmar Information Committee

Information Sheet

N0. C- 2700 (I/L)

18th July, 2003

Sanctions Used As Weapons of Mass Destruction

Sanctions, by definition, shut down interaction and stop flow of ideas. They also impede economic growth and deprive the people of job opportunities. Sanctions, especially targetted at the developing countries, directly hurt health care and education.

Sanctions, in short, are imposed on target countries by the rich and powerful nations mainly with the intention to create havoc and bring hardship on the mass population of the people who need work to live and require basic human needs to survive.

One Asian diplomat drew an analogy between sanctions and WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). "Both weapons are indeed intended to hurt the mass population of those target countries".

* * * * *

The Straits Times, 25th July, 2003

WIN AUNG

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR

MYANMAR is a peace-loving nation. The people of Myanmar love peace. They would like to see their country peaceful and developed, standing tall among the nations of the world.

The majority of people of Myanmar are Buddhists. Buddhism inculcates loving kindness, compassion and sympathetic joy for all beings - celestial beings, humans and animals large and small.

They lead simple lives and are content with whatever they have. They seek happiness. From childhood, they are taught to behave properly and to respect elders. They are also imbued with a sense of compassion for those who are less fortunate, the poor and the helpless.

They lived in a peaceful and bountiful land until the West discovered them and annexed their land to the British Empire. They became a victim of their own success and their country’s strategic location.

In 2001, then President Jiang Zemin of China came to Myanmar on a state visit. The president, on seeing pictures of the Myanmar king and queen being taken away as prisoners by British troops during his tour of the newly restored Mandalay Palace, turned to me and asked: ‘Foreign Minister, why did the British annex your country?’

I gave him a straightforward answer: ‘Mr President, the British did so because they wanted to open a trade route from India to China through Myanmar.’

We lived under British rule for more than a century.

During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Myanmar. Why?

The answer: To cut off the supply route from India to China through Myanmar. We lived under Japanese rule for about four years.

When World War II ended, the Cold War began. Myanmar became the bone of contention for the big powers because it was strategically located between the two most populous nations of the world, India and China.

Insurgencies in the country were instigated from abroad. They were armed, trained and directed from overseas. National unity was threatened and the Union faced total disintegration.

During the present government’s time, it has been able to solve problems amicably and peacefully. Seventeen armed groups signed peace agreements with the government. They are not tiny bands. One group is 40,000 strong.

The international media conveniently ignores this important fact and chooses to highlight the activities of remaining insurgent groups. The questionable behaviour of these terrorists is accorded more attention.

Myanmar today faces many challenges - restoring law and order, building national unity, alleviating poverty, restructuring the economy, working on the national reconciliation process and writing a new constitution.

Talk is cheap. Action is not.

It is one thing to criticise and adopt sanctions. It is quite another to ensure that 52 million people are well-fed, well-clothed and well-sheltered.

The enrolment in the universities today exceeds 770,000. It contrasts with the 130,000 students enrolled a decade ago. This speaks volumes for the work that has been done to promote education in the country.

Myanmar has tried to come out of the self-imposed isolation of the previous socialist government. It is trying to solve outstanding political problems. The problem involving Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is but one of many. If there exists sincere goodwill on all sides, the problems of the country can be satisfactorily resolved. It needs two to tango.

Putting all the blame on the government alone is not fair.

Threats and imposition of sanctions are counter-productive. Sanctions are blunt weapons. They do more harm than good. For many years now, all forms of development assistance have been denied Myanmar by international finance institutions.

Myanmar receives the least amount of official development assistance among the developing countries. This is clearly reflected in the statistical reports published by the United Nations.

Myanmar has developed relying solely on its own resources.

It does not pose any threat to regional or international peace and stability.

It does not possess any weapons of mass destruction.

It has never supported international terrorism. It never will. In fact, it has been a target of terrorism.

All those who have visited Myanmar can attest that the people of Myanmar are the most peaceful.

Why push Myanmar back into the shell from which it has emerged?

The more popular product of this region is Bamboo hats which is one of the main economic outputs and very outstanding. People of all strata use the bamboo hat in that region. And from the time of the very beginning to the time you get the product and the time you put on sale, there are different and many stages of production.

When you are making a bamboo hat, you have to use only the Bambusa Burmanica which is especially used for splitting into strips. You cannot use any time of bamboo. You can get these types of bamboo only at natural bamboo sites growing beside Gwa-Ngathainggyaung road 20 miles from Ngathainggyaung. These types of bamboo were chopped from those natural bamboo sites and sold.

The bomboo were cut off at the nodes singularly or the whole of it comprising four or five joints. The bamboo were sliced and stripped into very thin strips and woven into hats. For the edges you have to use a very very small size of bamboo as small as the size of pins which is called Gway Tan. From those types of bamboo, hats are being made for all weather and for long lasting. Not only that, decorative hats called world star are also produced in the same manner.

These types of hats are being produced in two types according to your liking and there are many designs namely Hnapya Kat, Ngapyinkyaw, Taunghlaykha, Ngathittone, Mayakhoe, Khuhnit, thoneyaungchai, Charlie etc. There are two types for each of the brand. For rough wear and for casual wear. For rough type bamboo hats, ordinary splicing into thing strips can be woven into bamboo hats but for refined type you have to do the filigree work to the bamboos to become more refined and thus decorative work can be done to have more refined and delicate type of bamboo hat.

 When a bamboo hat is complete, it has to be dried to be free of water vapor otherwise fungus will appear on the hats in no time and after drying it or baked rather, it is bound to last long.Gwesway hats are in demand not only in Ngathainggyaung and its environs but it is demand in Bogalay, Kyailat, Myaungmya, Pyapone, Daydaye, Mawgyun, and Yudaw etc and thus bamboo hats are being sold and distributed to customers by land and by waterway. For gwaysway hats, not only wearing it, you can use them as covers for Ngaapi pots and dried fish pots.

The selling price for these bamboo hats is from 100 kyats to 500 kyats. Sale of bamboo hats is twice in a year, once in early monsoon, which is in May and June and another in October and November and in that time bamboo hats are sold in bulks. During Monsoon, as farmers are in the fields and because of rains, sale of bamboo is rather scarce and therefore fished bamboo hat stocks diminished and therefore, the hats had to be stored. Those hats stored during the raining season were sold during October and November to various townships and districts extensively.

Like Gwaysway bamboo hats there is another popular type called World Star which are being sold as export. World Stars are no very popular in Ngathainggyaung itself but it is very popular in other districts and towns. There are two types of World Star I.e. the rugged type and very smooth and delicate type. The designs varies like cowboy, Za Pauk, double layer, ladies wear 4tc. No matter, how the design varies, the basic is the same in weaving the gwaysway and world star.

But the world star type is woven in a single layer with neat and decorative edges which make the hats more attractive! The cowboy design in world star bamboo hats are mainly for men. Cowboy type of world star bamboo hats are of western designs well liked by all male young and old. The designs are so modern and because of its neatness and because it is broad and wide as well as with flipping edges, it quite unique. World Star is widely sold in cities and towns like Yangon, Bago, Mohnyin, Monywa, Kyaikhto and Thaton.

Foreigners adore these types of hats and plans are being made for future exports of these types of bamboo hats. The prices of these world star bamboo hats ranges from 200 kyats to 1000 kyats. Its comes in a package of about 300 hats in a basket. The sale of these hats increased in the Myanmar months of Thadingyut, Tasaungmone, Natawmonths and the sale again increased in the months of Pyatho, Tapodwe and Tabaung. World Stars are not widely produced like gwaysway bamboo hats but the sales stretches to various townships in the country. You can get world stars throughout the trips to Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda and to Bagan and in fact during the water festival, Thingyan, it is worn as decorative hats which is the pride of Ngathainggyaung township.

Ngathainggyaung’s bamboo hat industry is successful economic endeavor. With investments big or small, these bamboo hats can be produced extensively. There are about 15 entrepreneurs who had invested over Kyats 50 lakhs in making the gwaysway bomboo hats and there are 5 entrepreneurs who had invested around 10 million kyats to produce the world star bamboo hats. About 50% of families in Ngathainggyaung are doing this business as home economic endeavor.

Not only in weaving the bamboo hats but raw materials and things needed for making these hats like splicing the bamboo etc packaging etc. have become the main home industry for the natives of Ngathainggyaung and thus we can call this town the bamboo hat town even. Bamboo are being used not only for making hats but there are many needy ways in which bamboos are being used like for making furniture or for fencing the garden and thus depriving of these bamboo trees should be prevented for long lasting endeavor and that should be noted by each and everyone.

Since it could be a foreign currency earner, efforts are being made to make more neater and more better quality bamboo hats for exports and thus the country’s foreign exchange would increase. Resultedly, this could become a foreign income earning project which our country would welcome!

The visitors who completed their tours at Bagan and Mandalay often drop by Pwin Oo Lwin in order to experience the changing climate and vistas.

Pwin Oo Lwin is also kno wn as the "City of Blossom" for its beautiful flowers. With a great deal of beautiful flowers and the birds including remarkable swans, the National Kandawgyi Park largely reflects the image of Pyin Oo Lwin as the "City of Blossom".

The waterfalls, the caves and the old colonial buildings are the other features that make Pyin Oo Lwin more beautiful and attractive to visitors.

Until the beginning the 19th Century, Pwin Oo Lwin was only a small hamlet named Pyin Oo inhabited by Shan Danu nationals engaged in farming and petty trade.

 In 1850, U Maung Maung Dwe, the official from Amarapura capital and U Kham Oo, a village headman, came to Pyin Oo on duty. Noticing the extraordinary beauty of Pyin Oo, they added "Lwin" and afterwards, it was widely known as "Pyin Oo Lwin".

In 1886, the Fifth Bengal Infantry led by the British colonel H. O May stationed there and thereby the town was widely known as "May Myo". Later, Mr. D.M. Smeaton, an I.C.S had an idea to build a town of English model on the site of May Myo.

When the railway between Mandalay and May Myo was completed, May Myo became the transit of trade between Shan State and Mandalay Division. Since May Myo was transformed into a summer resort, the town was full of English characters.

Office buildings, post office, telegraph office, railway station, governor’s house, etc. were built in the typical English style.

When Myanmar gained independence in 1948, the resumption of Myanmar characters was apparent.

While maintaining its old houses and buildings in original characters, the new surroundings sprouted at the core of Pwin Oo Lwin. Pagodas such as Nyan Taw Paya, Zina Man Aung Zedi, Aung Myey Bontha Pagoda, Kat Kyaw Zedi, Maha Bodi Pagoda, Maha Muni Buddha Bronze Image, Kantgaw Tihthaung Buddha Images, Maha Anthtoo Kanthar Pagoda and Peik Chin Hmyaung Caves; monsatries such as Khan Lei Kyanug, Withuda-yon kyaung, Yatanar Man Aung Kyaung and Zayan nunnery; institutes like the Defense Service Academy, Defense Services Engineering Institute, Base Defense Services Hospital, schools and training centers of Education, Forestry and Sericulture have portrayed the town with true image of a Myanmar town.

The original name Pyin Oo Lwin embraced its place under a notification dated 17 November 1989 of the government. Grand celebration was held in Pyin Oo Lwin from 30th April through 5th May 1996, to commemorate the centenary of the town (1896-1996).

Unquestionably, Pwin Oo Lwin is one of the tourist attractions up country. It awaits all nature-lovers to make them refresh with its breath-taking beauty.