Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Command-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party visited the coal-fired power station project (Tikyit) being undertaken by the Ministry of Electric Power in Tikyit region, Pinlaung Township, Shan State. Minister for Electric Power reported on arrival of material for the project training given to employees to widen their scope of experience in the field of coal-fired power station tasks, and assistance being rendered by other ministries to the project. U Chit Khine, Chairman of Shan Yoma Naga Co Ltd, also presented reports on coal-mining work being carried out by the company to supply the project with coal.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye also inspected the construction work at the project. In a bid to satisfy the growing demand of electricity, the Ministry of Electric Power is implementing the coal-fired power station project (Tikyit), which will generate 120 Megawatts of electricity, using the coal mined from Tikyit region. At present, 55 per cent of the project have been completed.

Langhko Bridge, constructed by the bridge construction special group-9 of the Ministry of Construction at Dahseik village between Langkho and Mongpan on Namhsan-Mongnai-Tahsan motor road in Langkho Township, southern Shan State, was opened at the bridge on 11 September. 155 river/creek crossing bridges have been built on a national scale.

This Langkho Bridge will be the 159th bridge. The Langkho Bridge is 300 feet long with a 24-food-wide motorway, and is of concrete reinforced type, and serves as a major bridge on Mongnai-Langkho-Mongpan-Tahsan road linking the southern part an eastern part of Shan State.

Altogether 160 bridges including the present one were opened in various parts of the Union. On 11 September 2003, Langkho Bridge in southern Shan State was opened.

The bailey Nantmwe Bridge is on Tarlay-Parlyo-Kyainglat Road. There are 22 major roads linking eastern and western parts and 19 main roads linking southern and northern parts in Myanmar. People can witness and enjoy development of the country, traveling from one place to another smoothly and peacefully. The bridge opened today is of reinforced concrete type bailey one with 300 feet long and 12 feet wide motorway. Its clearance is 60 feet wide and 10 feet high. The one-way bridge can withstand 18 tons of load.

Kwinchaung Bridge in Kanyutkwin, Pyu Township, Toungoo District, Bago Division was opened on 21 September. Kwinchaung bridge is on Yangon-Mandalay High-way that is crucial for the State, adding that with a length of 300 feet, the bridge can bear 60 tons of loads. It is required to repair and upgrade the bridge as the number of vehicles that pass the highway daily increases up to over 5000.

Yangon-Mandalay Highway is crucial for commodity flow and public transport. To ensure better transport, the highway is being upgraded into the six-lane one by Shwe Than Lwin, Olympic, Kanbawza, Dagon International, Asia World and Yuzana companies. The seven companies are now engaging in the upgrading tasks with added momentum.

The Government is building the major bridges on the highway where as the private companies are renovating the small ones. Kwinchaung bridge is 161 ft of its kind built in the nation. It is a major bridge. The Ministry of Construction has been renovating old roads and bridges and building new roads and bridges. The Government has spent K 400 million on construction of Kwinchaung bridge and is making arrangements for construction of more bridges in Bago Division. Kwinchaung bridge started on 15 October, 2000 and completed on 22 August, 2003.

At the invitation of Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, a delegation led by Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy Admiral Madhvendra Singh (PVSM, AVSM, ADC), to pay a goodwill visit in Myanmar, arrived in Yangon on 4 September.

Members of the State Peace and Development Council, General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein and Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win attended the dinner hosted in honour of visiting Naval Staff of Indian Navy by the Commander-in-Chief (Navy)at the Karaweik Palace in Kandawgyi on 4 September.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Indian goodwill delegation led by Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy, Admiral Madhvendra Singh (PVSM, AVSM, ADC) at the Ministry of Defence in Yangon on 5 September.

The five-member Myanmar delegation led by the Minister for Commerce attended the Fifth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference held at Cancun in Mexico from 10 to 14 September. Altogether 3,813 delegates from 146 member nations, 38 observers and 76 international organizations attended the conference.

On the third day of the conference, 12 September, Myanmar Delegation Leader made a speech and pointed out the fact that the need for the least-developed countries to have market and special and specific chances in international trade system, to help them establish a force, to provide technological assistance and Myanmar’s stand on the new sector of the WTO and also said unjustified acts and economic sanctions of the developed member nation on economy of others breach the rules of the international trade system. He expressed his belief on the right of all countries to choose their own policy and to act according to it.

A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Health and party attended the 21st WHO’s Meeting of Health Ministers from South-east Asian Countries and the 56th WHO’s Meeting of Southeast Asian Regional Committee, held in New Dalhi, India.

The 21st WHO’s Meeting of Health Ministers was held in New Delhi on 8 September. At the opening ceremony, the Indian Foreign Minister, the Indian Health Minister, and the director of the Southeast Asian Region delivered addresses.

Deputy Minister Dr. Mya Oo made a speech and noted the fact that systematic measures are being taken for promoting the standard of public health care services after laying down plans. The 30-year plan for Myanma health goal is also under way. He continued that owing to these endeavors, success has been achieved with the development in health standard of the public. Although Myanmar managed to put an end to polio and leprosy, it is still under threat of malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS. He also added that by the time SARS, a new contagious disease of the 21st century, spread in some nations of the world, there was no occurrence in Myanmar on account of timely and systematic control. However, resolute steps are being taken for the SARS surveillance at airports and ports including border areas to deter it from entering the country. Necessary arrangements have been made for this issue in cooperation with the WHO, ASEAN countries and China. Efforts are under way to sign the international convention for control of smoking. Having been drawn up, the smoking control law will soon be enacted.

Myanmar will commit herself into the realization of "Millennium Development Goals" of the United Nations.

Myanmar delegation headed by Minister for Foreign Affairs left Yangon by air on 20 September for United States of America to attend the 58th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which convened on 16 September, 2003 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. During the general assembly, Minister has planned to attend the 27th Annual Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Group-77, Annual Meeting of the Foreign Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the Non-Aligned Movement, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Asia Cooperation Dialogue. The Foreign Minister also has numerous appointments with other Heads of Delegation to discuss matters of mutual interest. Moreover, he will also be making a statement on the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received Mr. Ali Alatas, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall in Yangon on 23 September.

The 58th Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank took place at the meeting hall of the Dubai International Convention Centre, in the United Arab Emirates from 20 to 24 September.

Present at the meeting were finance ministers from 184 member nations of the IMF and the WB, governors, delegates, guests, and representatives from NGOs. The Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Finance and Revenues attended the meeting. On 23 September, the Minister delivered an address to the meeting.

During its stay in Dubai, the Myanmar delegation met with Mr. Rapee Asumpinpong, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian member nations of the WB; Mr. Takeo Inokuchi, Chairman of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co Ltd; Mr. Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis, Malaysian Finance Minister; and Mr. Seyyid Abdulai, Director-General of OPEC Fund and discussed matters related to mutual cooperation. The Myanmar delegation also attended the informal meeting of ASEAN Finance Ministers. The Myanmar delegation arrived back Yangon on 25 September.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Force Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win received Chairman Mr. Pichai Rattanaphol of the Strategic Peace Committee Thai National Security Council, and party at the Ministry of Defence in Yangon on 27 September.

Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs arrived back in Yangon on 28 September after attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Signatory countries to the 1993 MoU on Drug Control held in Hanoi, Vietnam from 23 to 26 September, 2003.

At the meeting, the ministers of the respective countries discussed measures being taken nation wise for control of narcotic drugs. Discussing matters on control of narcotic drugs, the Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs of Myanmar pointed out the fact that Myanmar is making efforts for the elimination of narcotic drugs not only under own programmes but also in cooperation with neighboring countries, adding that Myanmar, in cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, has been striving for regional development and improvement of the living standard of national races and border areas in control of the illegal drugs production. The Government has laid down the 15-year narcotic drug elimination plan and is implementing it from 1999 to 2014. The New Destiny Project has been laid down and is being implemented since April 2002. In the process, seeds of poppy-substitute crops were distributed free of charge to farmers in the poppy growing region. The farmers in turn handed over poppy seeds and poppy bulbs to the authorities concerned out of their own volition. The poppy capsules were being destroyed and torched. As a result, there is a decrease in the poppy cultivation by 24 percent in 2003 when compared with that in 2002. Myanmar has been making strenuous efforts for realization of the 15-year narcotic drug elimination plan and will cooperate with the MoU countries. Before the ministerial meeting, the senior officials meetings were also held on 23 and 24 September.

A ceremony to sign contract on project for producing the diesel engines between the Myanma Automobile and Diesel Engines Industries of the Ministry of Industry-2 and XJ Group Corporation of Heinan Province of the People’s Republic of China was held at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 18 September. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win attended the ceremony.

Managing Director of Myanma Auto-mobile and Diesel Engines Industries and Vice President Mr. Gong Kai signed the contract. There is an investment of over US$ 112 million in the project. The factory of the project will produce diesel engines with the use of modern technology and machines for water crafts, vehicles and power plants.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar released an announcement, saying Myanmar entirely dismisses the US's allegation of failure to follow the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)

A business meeting between Korea Trade Mission of the Republic of Korea and Myanmar Entrepreneurs was held at the Traders Hotel in Yangon on 22 September.

Business entrepreneurs of five companies from Korea and 30 companies of Myanmar attended the meeting. They discussed matters related to the products such as Korean-make medical equipment, computers and accessories, consumer goods and musical instruments.

Mr. John Renni of the human trafficking prevention project, Australia, and Adviser Mr. Paul Holmes on 9 September called on Chairman of the Work Committee for Prevention against Human Trafficking Deputy Minister for Home Affairs at Myanmar Police Force Headquarters in Yangon and discussed cooperation in preventing human trafficking in Asia.

The United Myanmar Air jointly established by the Ministry of Transport and Myanma Airways opened ceremony its head office at the Summit Parkview Hotel in Yangon on 9 September.

Vice-Chairman of Myanmar International Freight Forwarders Association and Vocational Director left Yangon for Singapore on 3 September to attend AFFA Education and Training Programme on 5-6 September sponsored by AFFA at the Singapore Logistics Association.

A course of the Disaster Assessment and Response Team, jointly conducted by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and the International Committee of Red Cross was opened at the hall of the MRCS in Yangon on 8 September.

Executives of the red cross societies from seven states and divisions and leaders of brigades are attending the course, which lasts till 13 September.

A ceremony to drive the piles for extended building of Yangon International Airport under Civil Aviation Department was held at the pandal near construction site on 16 September. The 340 feet long and 140 feet wide lounge will be upgraded into the 800 feet long and 200 feet wide one. To meet the international standard, four boarding bridges will be installed at the airport, it is learnt.

The World Peace Day commemorative worshipping ceremony and giving the cows sanctuary by Hindus, organized by the Sanatan Dharma Swayamsevak Sangh (Headquarters), will be held at the hall of Sri Ram Krishna Temple, Botahtaung Township in Yangon from 9 am to noon on 20 September (Saturday).

Myanmar delegation led by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs left Yangon for China to attend the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Greater Mekong Regional Countries which will be held in Dali, the People’s Republic of China, on 19 September.

Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win handed over books donated by the Myanma Youth Association in the United States for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health at the Tatmadaw Guest House in Yangon on 17 September.

The books were sent by Myanmar Youth Association formed with Myanmar scholars, students, youths and their parents living in the US and American friends and relatives for development of education and health sectors in Myanmar. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented the books to Deputy Ministers for Education and Deputy Minister for Health. The association donated over 20,000 books in March and December in 2002 and in May and September in 2003.

Under the arrangement of the Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF) and the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) of Japan, the Programme on Fundamental IT for Myanmar will be conducted by Japanese course instructors for those who will sit for the Japan Information Technologies Engineer Examination (JITEE).

The six-week course will start in October at the Myanmar- Japan e-learning Center of MICT Park, for the development of IT in Myanmar.

Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs and Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs delegation met over 300 local people from Bago, Thanatpin, Kawa and Waw Township in Bago Division (East) at Thiri Hantha Hall in Bago on 20 September. They have toured various States and Divisions for cementing amicable friendship among the national brethren and development of women’s sector. They held discussions on prevention of violence against women and social, economic and health sectors with local residents.

A two-member delegation headed by Mr. Ali Alatas, special envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia and wife arrived in Yangon on 21 September.

The Nation Cup Golf qualifier for World Golf Tourney to be held in USA in November, 2003 was held at the Laguna National Golf and Country Cub in Singapore form 18 to 21 September. Kyi Hla Han and Aung Win of Myanmar took part in the tourney and stood first with 277 strokes, having the right to participate in the World Golf Tourney. Kyi Hla Han and Aung Win of Myanmar stood first with 66 strokes in the first day 18-hole event, 70 strokes in the second day event, 68 strokes in the third day event, and 73 strokes in the fourth day event totalling 277; India and the People’s Republic of China second with 282 strokes each and Hong Kong third with 284 strokes. Leading golfers from 16 countries participated in the tourney.

As part of hailing "International Day for Older Persons"’ which falls on 1 October, trust funds were raised and medicines were donated at a ceremony held at the Muslim Home for the Aged in Yangon on 23 September. The medicines and cash to the trust funds of the Home have been presented to the Secretary of Muslim Home for the Aged by Vice-Chairman of the work committee for observance of "International Day for Older Persons" Director of the Social Welfare Department.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe received Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Yangon on 25 September.

The Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand, called on Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Yangon on 25 September.

Muslim Free Hospital in Yangon has been receiving donations from well-wishers for its daily public health care services. Located at Kyauktada Township in Yangon, the hospital has been looking after the needy and the sick of all communities regardless of race, class or religion, for the past 66 years. The hospital requests the public to favor it with their donations during the Holy Ramadan.

A combined team acting on a tip-off, searched a taxi on 34th street between 73rd and 74th streets in Mandalay and discovered a total of 17 blocks of heroin weighing six kilos hidden in the back pact of two drug traffickers who were on board. In connection with the case, Police Station filed the two drug traffickers— Khin Maung Aye of Mandalay and Tun Naing of Lashio—under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

The Central Committee for Drug Abnuse Control held its special meeting No. 2/2003 in Yangon on 7 August, attended by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt. The Government laid down 15-year drug elimination plan in 1999 and has been implementing it. At present, it reached the last year of the first 5-year plan of the 15-year plan. The New Destiny Project has been laid down as part of the main 15-year plan in 2002-2003 fiscal year to successfully implement the drug elimination projects.

In poppy cultivation and drug production, only drug dealers made much of profits and became prosperous while the innocent farmers could not make ends meet. In destroying the poppy plantations under the New Destiny Project, seeds of poppy substitute crops were distributed to farmers free of charge on humanitarian grounds, land was reclaimed by the governmental departments, and provisions were given to farmers free of charge. Myanmar in cooperation with the U.S. and the UNODC conducted the opium yield survey. In the reports of those organizations, it was stated that there had been a substantial decrease in poppy yield year by year. Myanmar in cooperation with the U.S. conducted the opium yield survey in March 2003. In cooperation with the UNODC, Myanmar conducted ground survey on poppy cultivation from January to March 2003 in 50 townships in Shan State (South), Shan State (North) and Shan State (East) including six townships of Wa region. According to the ground survey, there were 81,400 hectares of poppy plantations in 2002 in Myanmar and there were 62,200 hectares of poppy plantations in 2003 with decrease of 24 per cent. The data were based on only 50 townships and the data of other townships were taken in average. In the previous year poppy cultivation season, the police commanders of two divisions and five states, district police commanders of 16 districts and township police commanders of 50 townships were assigned duties to prevent growing of poppy. The ASEAN member nations acknowledged the result of the ground survey on poppy cultivation. The meeting of the ECOSOC held at the UN Headquarters in April 2003 chose Myanmar as a U.N. drug commission member. Myanmar has the right to serve as the commission member for four years from 2004 to 2007. Thus, Myanmar will have the leading role in the management section of the U.N. drug elimination drive.Myanmar has been actively participating in drug elimination drive together with neighbouring countries. It has been exchanging information on drug and cooperating in drug elimination drive with the People's Republic of China. In cooperation with Thailand, Myanmar is making significant progress in implementing Yaungkha model village development tasks in Monghsat Township with the assistance of the former. Under Yaungkha model village development project, a primary school holding about 500 students and a 16 bed station hospital were constructed and the poppy-substitute farming has been meeting with success in the region.

CCDAC is paying emphasis on eradication of poppy cultivation in the country out of the five tasks of drug eradication -- eradication of producing drugs; eradication of consumption; prevention; cooperation of the public; and cooperation with international community. It is targeted to eradicate poppy cultivation in townships of the project areas -- 20 townships in Shan State (North), one in Shan State (South) and one in Shan State (East).

The Medical Treatment Committee has successfully given treatment to 117 drug addicts in Mongpyan, Mongpauk region of Wa Special Region-2. The Second Bi-regional Partners Meeting on Harm Reduction Among Injection Drug Users, organized by the Ministry of Health of the Union of Myanmar and the World Health Organization was held in Yangon attended by 60 representatives of eight countries and the WHO. In this period 749 drug addicts had been given treatment. The Rehabilitation Committee has conducted Supervisor Course on Drugs and HIV Prevention for Volunteers in Taunggyi and Yangon and 50 Drug Supervisors have completed the course. Similar courses have been opened in Kayin and Kayah States and Mandalay Division. Altogether 99 trainees have completed the courses. As regards stimulant tablets, Myanmar is somewhat like a trafficking centre.

The precursor chemicals arrived in the country from China, Thailand and India. Previously, only four countries have been cooperating in the tasks for control of precursor chemicals and this year India is cooperating in the task. After the ministerial meeting on drug control of China, India, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, held in July 2003 in Chiang Rai of Thailand, the Chiang Rai Declaration was issued. The declaration pledged to accelerate cooperation in controlling chemical precursors used in drug refinery; to accelerate cooperation in development, education, control, information exchange, giving medical treatment, rehabilitation and controlling the precursor chemicals; to make bilateral cooperation and create markets for opium-substitute products and seeking assistance of international community; to seek ways and means by experts of the five countries to effectively control the precursor chemicals; and to invite technologies and monetary assistance from the international community especially, the UN Drug and Crime Office.

The meeting of the National Health Committee (NHC) was held at the Ministry of Health in Yangon on 12 September with an address by Chairman of NHC Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

In his speech, the Prime Minister noted the fact that the government, based on the strength of own citizens, is making all-out efforts for producing more intellectuals and building the nation without depending on other countries. As health and education go together, harmonious efforts are being made to promote the education and health sectors for the emergence of a modern and developed nation. As the Government is making efforts to provide effective health care service to the public for their health and fitness, the health care services of Myanmar is on a par with that of nations in the region. This is gained through own wealth and materials based on self-reliance and thus it is necessary to gain full achievement as planned. Due to disunity among the national brethren and destructive act is more powerful than constructive act since the independence has been regained, Myanmar has lagged behind in development.

At the time, there were armed insurgencies and effective health care services could not be provided to the people living in remote border areas where there was no stability and the health sector of the border areas deteriorated gradually. In a bid to promote the health sector with great momentum, the present government, facing sanctions and difficulties, is trying to overcome many obstacles. The Government, based on own national force, is trying to provide more and effective health care services to the people. New hospitals, dispensaries and health care centres are being built in all parts of the country equally. Moreover, to be able to provide effective health care services to the people in hospital, systematic arrangements are being made to open specialist units in the hospitals and provide modern medical equipment.

As a result, the standard of health care services of Myanmar has improved significantly. With the implementation of the National Health Plan, complaints like polio and skin diseases which were controlled systematically and have been eliminated in Myanmar. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the fact that these diseases no longer pose danger to the public.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation reached an agreement on technological cooperation for sufficiency of edible oil in Myanmar. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry in Yangon on 12 September. On the occasion, Mr. Tang Zhengping, Resident Representative of the FAO and Director-General of the Agriculture Planning Department signed the contract and exchanged the documents.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in cooperation with the FAO and Monetary Funds Organization is making efforts to develop the research on edible oil crops. The project is coming into operation this month to take preparatory measures for the project assisted by the OPEC and staff training.

The Annual General Meeting of Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF), Myanmar Computer Scientists Association (MCSA), Myanmar Computer Industry Association (MCIA) and Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association (MCEA) was held at the MICT Park in Yangon on 13 September.

The MCF and the Computer Associations are conducting talks and seminars on propagation of ICT technology and staging exhibitions of ICT technology. In addition, mobile talks are being conducted and arrangements are being made for publishing books on ICT technology Resource Centre, where there are a wide range of publications of ICT technology, was opened at the MICT Park. For ensuring ICT human resource development, courses are being conducted at e-Learning Centre, trainees are being sent abroad for further studies and study tour. For ICT industry development, the National ICT awards have been chosen and presented and arrangements are being made for conducting seminars, inviting Myanmar ICT scientists and entrepreneurs abroad and for drawing the ICT Master Plan to ensure socio-economic development through ICT. At the training course, Myanmar engineers are to exchange experiences and knowledge with the use of software. Scholars from Asian technological institute will give lectures on the use of structure design software at the ten-day course that is being attended by 37 structure engineers.

Mandalay Trade Fair will be held on a grand scale at Manthiri Market in Mandalay from 26 to 30 September; Meikhtila Trade Fair, from 2 to 6 October at Kandawmingala hall and Mawlamyine Trade Fair, from 25 to 29 October at Myaingyadana market in Mawlamyine, Mon State. At the trade fairs, main sponsor is Cute Care Co Ltd and co-sponsor, Europe & Aisa Commercial Co Ltd. It will display various kinds of cosmetic, agricultural equipment and medicines, electrical and electronic gadgets, clothing and fashion items, different kinds of plastic materials, traditional medicines and pharmaceuticals, a variety of mechanical parts, construction materials and its related items and various kinds of foodstuff.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 18 September issued a press release in response to the wrong accusation of the United States that Myanmar failed to discharged its obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements. The following is the complete version of the press release;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs finds it appalling the US Government has once again claimed that Myanmar failed to meet its obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements. The US Government's claim is patently untrue. The Myanmar Government has exerted concerted and sustained efforts which has resulted in a dramatic reduction of poppy cultivation and opium production. Annual joint surveys of the Myanmar-United Nations Office of Drug Control (UNDOC) Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme show a downward trend as a result of the Government's successful pre-emptive measures.

In 2001, an estimated 105,000 hectares of poppy were cultivated with a potential production of 1,097 tons of opium. In 2002, the survey found as estimated cultivation of 77,700 hectares with a potential production of 828 tons-- a decline of 25 percent. Survey results of 2003 indicate a continued fall in both cultivated areas and opium production. Annual joint Myanmar-US opium yield surveys confirm the downward trend.

Myanmar is actively engaged in sub-regional cooperation with China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam with technical and financial assistance from UNODC. In addition, Myanmar is a member of the five-nation cooperation among China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and India. In the "Chiang Rai Declaration" issued on 24 July, 2003, the five nations pledged their active cooperative efforts to eliminate narcotic drugs.

Myanmar also has bilateral cooperation agreements with Bangladesh, the People's Republic of China, Laos, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. It acceded to the 1972 Protocol Amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 on 22 August, 2003. Myanmar has also been elected to serve on the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs beginning January, 2004.

All these efforts are bearing fruit. The UN International Narcotics Control Board has officially acknowledged the Myanmar Government's success and commitment to the eradication of poppy cultivation and illicit drug trafficking. These facts clearly demonstrate the resolve of the Myanmar Government to totally eliminate narcotic drugs. The drug menace is a global problem that can only be solved through international cooperation. No single country can surmount the challenge by itself. It is most regrettable that the United States turns a blind eye to the reality and continues to follow a path that is negative and in no way contributes to eliminating this scourge of humankind.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is perplexed to learn that the US government plans to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar for its alleged failure to comply with the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000. Myanmar dismisses the proposed measures. It is based on disinformation disseminated by forces hostile to the Government. The proposed action of the US government is unethical and contradicts international law. It also affronts the sovereignty and independence of states and Myanmar therefore totally rejects such unilateral measures.

Myanmar views trafficking in persons as a grave issue confronting humankind. Accordingly, it has been seriously tackling this issue through a comprehensive framework that includes national legislation, a national plan of action, high- level commitment, bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation. The National Plan of Action of 2002 contains strategies for prevention, prosecution, protection, repatriation, and re-integration, as well as provisions for assessment of domestic and cross-border trafficking, the setting up of a national task force, holding national workshops, training officials, rehabilitating victims of trafficking, and promoting the role of Non-Governmental Organizations and Inter Non-Governmental Organizations.

The Myanmar National Working Committee for Women’s Affairs and the Working Committee for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons are the principal bodies for addressing the problem. They are headed by the Deputy Ministers of the Ministries of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and Home Affairs, respectively. The bodies work in cooperation with government departments, agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and Inter Non-Governmental Organizations. The Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs (MNCWA) supervises the work of these two working committees.

A mobile team to combat trafficking in women and children formed in collaboration with the United Nations Inter-Agency Project (UNIAP) in Combating Human Trafficking in the Mekong Sub-region conducts on-site visits to States and Divisions in Myanmar to train mid-level government officials on strategies to combat trafficking. The MNCWA in collaboration with UNICEF, UNIAP and Save the Children (UK) organized a national seminar on trafficking in persons in May 2003 in Yangon. It focused on identifying root-causes, exchange of information, setting up of strategies, reviewing existing laws regarding trafficking in persons and promoting cooperation between the government agencies and international organizations.

In the period from 17 July 2002 to 16 July 2003, the Working Committee for Prevention Against Trafficking in Persons, exposed a total of 390 human traffickers in 206 cases of human trafficking, thereby saving one thousand and eight persons from the clutches of human traffickers. The Working Committee also gave educative talks to nearly eighty thousand persons and arranged for the safe return of over eleven thousand persons to their homes. Numerous video programmes have been aired on national TV to sensitize the general populace to the evils of human trafficking. Radio talk shows and school educative programmes are also employed as a mean of conveying to the people the gravity of the issue.

The Myanmar Minister for Foreign Affairs participated in Ministerial Meeting on Trafficking in Persons held in Bali, Indonesia in 2002. The Deputy Minister for Home Affairs attended the Ministerial Meeting in Bali in 2003. Myanmar is an active participant in the meetings of the two Ad-Hoc Experts’ Groups formed under the Bali Process. It has hosted a meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration, Attorneys-General and Police Chiefs.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand on Cooperation in the Employment of Workers has been in force since June 2003. This document is an effective instrument in dealing with trafficking problems. Myanmar nationals in foreign lands, including those in Thailand have been provided with a safe return to their homes in accordance with government’s guidelines of 18 February 2002. A receiving station at Myawaddy near the Thai border processes and welcomes the returnees systematically. Up to 30 April 2003, nearly ten thousand persons have returned via this receiving station.

At the request of the US side and in the spirit of cooperation, Senior Reporting Officer of the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Mr. Philip Linderman, was received in Myanmar in January 2003. He was provided with the opportunity to have separate meetings with senior officials from relevant Ministries and organizations. At a final combined session held at the Ministry of Home Affairs he was able to engage in an interactive discussion. Myanmar has acted in good faith, but it continues to be listed in Tier Three of the State Department’s unilateral classification of countries that are deemed to have failed to comply with the TVPA Act of the US Congress.

The Myanmar Government is striving diligently to build a better future for its citizens. It will continue to exert utmost efforts to combat trafficking in persons regardless of negative responses received from quarters, which always refuse to recognize commendable efforts of Myanmar.

Workshop on clarification of Order No.1/2003 on Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was opened at the Myanmar Medical Association (MMA) in Yangon on 19 September.

Minister for Health noted the fact that the workshop held today is to clarify the orders related to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the Order No.1/2003 on Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances issued by the Ministry of Health to get the officials concerned to systematically implement the orders right down to grassroots level after full realization of them. Arrangements have been made for representatives from the ministries, members of the state and division committee for drug abuse control, heads of state and division health departments, the medical superintendents of hospitals in Yangon, the psychiatrist, pharmacists numbering 120 to take part in the discussions.

The hill regions of Myanmar were in the habit of cultivating and consuming of opium due to evil legacy of colonialists. Heroin infiltrated in some cities in 1970s, jeopardizing the social and economic sectors. Stimulants abuse emerged round about 2000 and penetrated in the youth circle. The government started implementing the 15-year narcotic drug elimination plan in 1999-2000 fiscal year. Progress has now been made in the respective regions. To ensure more progress, it is required to effectively implement the order related to control of drugs and psychotropic substances. In exercise of the authorities granted under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law for 1993, the Ministry of Health issued 109 kinds of narcotic drugs and 41 kinds of psychotropic substances. Myanmar is a signatory to UN Conventions in 1961, 1971 and 1988.

This is why Myanmar needs to take measures in accord with provisions in the conventions. Keeping pace with the national development, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances needed for patients, on other hand, will have to be included in the imported drugs when a wide range of medicines were legally imported. The psychotropic substances were prescribed in three tables under the Order No.3/2002 in accord with the 1961 UN Conventions. As a result, the right to use the psychotropic substances for medical treatment in terms of weight, volume and ratio emerges in accord with rules and regulations.

Under these circumstances, the psychotropic substances can be used properly in accord with prescribed ratio in medical treatment. But it is required to pay serious attention to drug abuse that may be carried out by unscrupulous persons. Order No.1/2003 relating to control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances has prescribed rules and regulations on the proper use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in medical treatment as well as on control of drug abuse. That is why officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, medical specialists, dental surgeons, and veterinary surgeons are to thoroughly observe the prescribed rules and regulations and to strictly follow them.

Acting on information, searched the house of Kuan Hong Pang in Lashio, on 18 August. The authorities found there Kuan Hong Pang, Daw Khuan Mei Xian and Yan Xi Hai and seized 236,000 stimulant tablets bearing the letters WY hidden inside a barrel in the kitchen.

The Lashio No.1 Police Station has filed lawsuits against them and action is being taken against the drug pushers under Sections 15/19(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

The 15th Asia Championship Track & Field tournament is being held in Manila in the Philippines since 20 September.

In the 400 metres final (women) Yin Khan of Myanmar clocked 52.96 seconds and secured the gold medal. The People’s Republic of China and Kazakhstan won second and third prized respectively clocking 52.97 seconds and 53.19 seconds. In the 1000 metres final (men) Qatar won the first prized clocking 28 minutes and 46.64 seconds, Bahrain the second clocking 30 minutes and 04.13 seconds, the host Philippines the third clocking 30 minutes and 06.20 seconds and Aung Thiha of Myanmar the fourth clocking 30 minutes and 57.90 seconds.

The opening ceremony of the Tenth Global Conference of Women Entrepreneurs jointly organized by International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs and Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs' Association was held at the Sedona Hotel in Yangon on 26 September attended by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt. Also present at the ceremony were senior officials, members of Myanmar National Committee for Women Affairs and Myanmar National Working Committee Women Affairs, ambassadors of foreign missions in Myanmar, resident representatives of UN agencies, delegates of Myanmar, People's Republic of China, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and China (Taipei) and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat and guests. This conference is for the first time being held in Myanmar by International Federation of Women Affairs.

Myanmar women have enjoyed equal rights with men and have played a prominent role in all the fields including economic, education, health, social and cultural sectors.The women organizations in Myanmar are the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Associations (MWEA). The MWEA was formed in 1995 to bring together women entrepreneurs for enhancing their capabilities and advance the cause of Women in the country in the socioeconomic fields.

At the conference, Head of Gender and Development Section of Emerging Social Issue Division (UNESCAP) Mr. Thelma SE Kay (Thailand), Representative of ASEAN Secretariat Daw Moe Thu Za and Executive Officer of the Garden Hope of Foundation Ms. Chi Hui-Jung (Taipei) discussed paper on Empowering Women's Network for Business and Non-Business Ventures from various points of view.

Resource persons replied to queries raised by those present and the first session came to a close. The second session of the conference continued in the afternoon, and it was presided over by Vice-President of NFWE Mrs. Norazizah Borhan of Malaysia.

Adviser of MWEA Professor Dr. Daw Yi Yi Myint, Chairman of SPA Group of Companies Mr. Serge Pun and Vice-Chairperson for Foreign Affairs in IWAPI Ms. Tia Tatyana Sentani Sutara (Indonesia) discussed paper on Global Vision, local Strategies and Social Entrepreneurship from various points of view.

In the evening the MWEA hosted a dinner in honour of those present on the occasion at the same venue. The conference continues on 27 at the same venue.

The Business Tank, September 2003

The Ministry of Culture stipulated this kind of exhibition as its milestones and that it is the second time of its kind in Myanmar, as the first exhibition show was held in 1955. Here the unique collection of instruments consisting of rare musical instruments and varieties of instruments of ethnic groups in a one single place-Multipurpose Hall of National Museum, Yangon. Though the duration of the exhibition lasted only two weeks, starting from 9 August 2003 to 22 August 2003, it has attracted all walks of life. Holding this kind of exhibition is also incumbent of the Ministry of Culture for its commitment of reviving, preserving and dissemination of Myanmar cultural heritage.

The purposes of exhibition also reflect its uniqueness and highlight the stages of evolution in their process of making the instruments and playing it skillfully. One of the main purposes is to hail the forthcoming Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competition, a nationwide annual performance competition which has been started since 1991 and participated by many contestants.

Regarding to their long history and their devotedness to the Lord Buddha, Myanmars are the people who possess many forms of instruments and melody played by those instruments and endow with creativity in music. The origin of Myanmar musical instruments and its legacy can be judged by those little Pyu period figurines (circa-1st century A.D) and the instruments of early periods and their role in Myanmar cultural history are remarkable evidences.

Myanmar whose hearts are as soft as music and the melody they play with the grand musical instruments are also as rhythmic as songs from the heaven, there are many evidences of their love of music and how music work in their legends. One significant figure is of Law-ka-nat or celestial being who could settle the fight and anger between the two great animals: the flying Elephant and the King Lion, by playing his small timing bells and bring them to a peaceful existence.

The lay out of exhibition, to carry out its objective, has been planned to give scenarios of the development history of musical instruments and the main five kinds of instruments; Brass, String, Percussion, Wind and Clapper in their different styles used by different nationalities. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a set of Myanmar Orchestra, the grandeur of Myanmar and the music play by saing-waing (orchestra) is strength for every Myanmar.

Another display, which is a center of attraction is a collection of grand and splendid musical instruments of Myanmar people-because of its size and its rarity. This exhibition is also a kind of revitalization of old and rare musical instruments and with the accompaniment of the demonstration programme participated by the young and old generation are exuberant musical extravaganza. This is where young generation has a chance to view and listen to the music played by various instruments and some of which are not familiar to them. Altogether 200 items of different categories of musical instruments can be viewed. The display of grandeurs of nationalities is a good opportunity to share and have a taste of Myanmar music and Myanmar life.

The Business Tank,

In order to develop a country’s tourism industry and also to magnetize tourists, it largely depends on the factors such as –attraction, accessibility, accommodation and administration.

As for the first factor- attraction, Myanmar has many interesting places which are really attracting and appealing. For instance, Bagan and Nyaung Oo will draw tourist attraction with tremendous ancient heritage.

The history of Myanmar goes back more then two thousand years to the Pyu civilizations of Ta-gaung, Tha yay kittayar, Han Linn and Beik tha noe. As Buddhism flourished throughout the history, there are many religious buildings and its inspiration all over the country.

Different nationalities and their customs would also attract visitors. The 1760 mile long coastal line having several charming beaches also contributes the natural beauty of Myanmar.

Nowadays, transportation has become easier than ever due to the emergence of new bridges and new highways. For the convenience of the visitors, a new airline named United Airline is planning to launch its destinations including Yangon- Bangkok-Mandalay, Yangon-Singapore-Mandalay, Yangon-Kualalumpur-Mandalay and Singapore-Bangkok-Kualalumpur-Mandalay.

Air Myanmar and chartered flights are also on their way. Recently, flight schedules such as Yangon-Bangkok, Sydney, Brunei, Frankfurt, Paris and New Delhi are available occasionally depending on travellers’ demand.

New hotels, motels and inns are developed by the encouragement of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism and focus is made on quality control. The figures show (544) hotels comparised of (16,315) rooms, among which (24) of international standard hotels owned by foreign investors, are emerged up until the year 2003 in (44) towns and cities all over the country.

It is also projected to develop new holiday resorts at Ngapali beach in Rakhine state. Ten of private companies have already got government’s approval to undertake their respective projects and are trying to open the new resorts before December, 2004.

The development of tourism industry would lead to better relationship with other countries, so does more and more of people will be able to explore and experience Myanma culture and heritage. It would also strengthen mutual understanding in international relation.

In the light of promoting tourism industry, it is necessary to lay down proper rules and regulations, which would prevent side effects concerning social, cultural and environmental.

Both private and public sector should put their efforts harmonically to promote the industry and to increase national income. Surely, we can see that the prosperity of our country is in the hands of tourism industry.

Information Officer

Embassy of the Union of Myanmar

2300 S Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel. (202) 332-9044,

Fax. (202) 332-9046