The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 27 December, 2001)(1/2)
Okkar66126
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1. Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe attended and addressed the opening ceremony
of USDA Myanmar Affairs and International Studies
Course No 4
2. Secretary-1 attends Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali
Nmai Zup-Myitkyina Majoi Festival
3. Secretary-1 attends dinner to mark Wunpawng Ninggawn
Hkumra Manau Festival and X'mas Festival, inspects
development tasks in Myitkyina
4. Minister receives PRC delegation
5. Minister attends instructional meeting of 30-year
long-term programme
6. Thai University Affairs Minister arrives
7. Prize-presentation ceremony held
8. Traditional Medicine and Medical Equipment Exhibition continues
9. Co-ord meeting on gender indicators and statistics
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( 1 ) Long-term and medium-term power projects under way to meet power demand
of growing industries, other sectors Firmness of economic infrastructures main
requirement for flourishing and development of national economy
National consolidation and peace and stability essential strength for national
development
Yangon, 26 Dec - Patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe attended and addressed the opening
ceremony of USDA Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Course No 4, USDA
Executives Management Course No 23 and International Relations Course No 7 at
the Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, at 9 am
today.
Also present were Patron of USDA Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, members of the State Peace and
Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief
(Air), ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General,
members of the Panel of Patrons of USDA, CEC members of USDA, deputy ministers,
senior military officers, directors-general and managing directors of
departments and enterprises, distinguished guests, course in-charge Lt-Col Sein
Win and course supervisors, and trainees.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior General Than Shwe said: Today Myanmar Affairs
and International Studies Course No 4, USDA Executives Management Course No 23
and International Relations Course No 7 were opened simultaneously for the
first time after the completion of the Eighth Annual General Meeting of the
USDA. The prescribed subjects will be taught at the respective courses which
opened today. In addition to conducting the courses which contribute to further
consolidating of the national strength, vitalizing of patriotism and Union
Spirit and preservation of the national characters, it has also opened
technical and vocational education courses.
As it is required for the citizens to thoroughly know the national and
international affairs, the Myanmar Affairs and International Studies Courses
have been conducted continuously. USDA members and the people have the duty to
take part in the respective sectors to realize the goals of the nation; thus,
they should strive to study the multi-sectors and to uplift the national
strength. In building an all-round developed nation, they should know in detail
the profoundness and the scope of the Myanmar and international affairs. Here,
I would like to elaborate on the developments achieved during the period of
over a decade.
During the decade, the government relentlessly strove to restore national
consolidation and peace and stability in the nation; to develop economic
infrastructures; to promote the economic strength; to develop the human
resources of the nation; to uplift the social sector; and to extend the
regional and international cooperation. The tasks have been conducted in line
with the State's political, economic and social objectives. The objectives are
the tactics laid down in accord with the objective conditions of the nation;
and emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation is the strategic goal
of the State. The basic tasks I have mentioned above should be implemented
without fail to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation.
The tasks to bring about national consolidation and to ensure peace and
stability are related to each other. In other words, the tasks are the nation's
requirement desired by the people since many years ago. Negotiations for peace
have been initiated in the nation to end the armed conflicts which the people
had faced for many years. The State had striven with patience and upheld " Our
Three Main National Causes " Ñ non-disintegration of the Union;
non-disintegration of national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty Ñ
which is the national policy laid down by the State, to end the armed
conflicts.
After achieving mutual understanding, the 17 armed groups in the jungles have
returned to the legal fold and are now serving the national interests. National
consolidation and peace and stability are essential strength for national
development Emergence of the economic infrastructures in the entire nation with
greater momentum is an achievement resulting from this strength.
The government has been laying down and implementing the priority tasks for
progress of the nation's economic infrastructures. As is known to all, firmness
of economic infrastructures is the main requirement for flourishing and
development of the national economy. Of the many requirements of the economic
infrastructures, the State has given priority to making investments in the
agricultural sector.
The current economic system of Myanmar is mainly based on agriculture; the
agricultural sector, on which over 70 percent of the nation's population are
relying, is also based on the rural areas. Till now, development of the
nation's other economic sectors depends on the growing strength of agriculture.
A significant number of dams has been built in the nation within a short period
in order to further strengthen the agricultural sector. A total of 128 dams
have been built in the whole nation with greater acceleration within a period
of over ten years. River pumped-water projects have also been extended. There
is significant increase in the use of land and water resources resulting from
the implementation of the irrigation projects.
At present, there are 4.9 million irrigated acres up from 2.52 million acres in
1988-89. The government is making efforts for progress of the agricultural
infrastructure, and at the same time it is striving for development of the
transport infrastructure which is the main requirement for socio-economic
progress of the citizens. Transport development has contributed not only to
further improvement of trade and production, but also to development of the
socio-economy and mutual relations of the national people. A network of motor
roads and railroads which were built under the strategic plans have become the
Union highways.
At the same time ports have been upgraded and new airports extended. Major
river-crossing bridges have been built at all necessary places to set up a
transport system linking all the regions of the nation. At a time when efforts
are being made to develop the agriculture and transport infrastructures, power
supply projects have been implemented to increase the ratio of the industrial
sector in the national economic growth. Twenty-six power projects have been
implemented during the period of over ten years; and large-scale power projects
are also being implemented at present.
The Yeywa Hydel Power Project, which will generate 780 megawatts of power, the
280-megawatt-capacity Bilin Hydel Power Project, and the 280-megawatt-capacity
Paunglaung Hydel Power Project are included in the large-scale power projects.
The government is also building the gas-fired and coal-burn power stations in
the nation. Power demand of the extending industries, other sectors and the
social sector will be fulfilled when the long-term and medium-term power
projects are completed. Economic infrastructure development directly
contributes to progress of the economic power.
At the time when the task to build the infrastructures is gaining momentum, the
first short-term four-year national economic plan and the second five-year
short-term national economic plan had been implemented with the participation
of all available forces of the nation. Due to the public participation, the
targets of the respective sectors of the plans were exceeded. Because to the
results of the national economic plans, Myanmar is steering towards development
and reached the stage of changing the economic pattern.
At present, the third five-year short-term national economic plan from
2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is being implemented for continued progress of the
national economy. The aims of the plans are: to extend agro-based industries;
to develop the power sector in accord with the growing demand of the industrial
sector; to extend the agricultural and livestock breeding sectors to ensure
domestic sufficiency and to boost exports; to develop other sectors; to extend
health and education tasks and to develop the rural areas for progress of human
resources. After the ceremony, the Senior General cordially greeted the
trainees, and had the lunch together with them, and then left the Central
Public Relations Unit.
Excerpts from Senior General's guidance
* USDA members and the people have the duty to take part in the respective
sectors to realize the goals of the nation.
* The State's political, economic and social objectives are the tactics laid
down in accord with the objective conditions of the nation.
* Negotiations for peace have been initiated in the nation to end the armed
conflicts which the people had faced for many years.
* Of the many requirements of the economic infrastructures, the State has
given priority to making investments in the agricultural sector. The current
economic system of Myanmar is mainly based on agriculture.
* A total of 128 dams have been built in the whole nation with greater
acceleration during the period of over ten years.
* Transport development has contributed not only to further improvement of
trade and production, but also to development of the socio-economy and
relations of the national people.
* At a time when efforts are being made to develop the agriculture and
transport infrastructures, power supply projects have been implemented to
increase the ratio of the industrial sector in the national economic growth.
* Twenty-six power projects have been implemented during the period of over ten
years, and large-scale power projects are also being implemented at present.
* Economic infrastructure development directly contributes to progress of the
economic power.
* At a time when the task to build the infrastructures is gaining momentum,
the first short-term four-year national economic plan and the second five-year
short-term national economic plan had been implemented with the participation
of all available forces of the nation.
* At present, the third five-year short-term national economic plan from
2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is being implemented for continued progress of the
national economy.
___________________________
( 2 ) Grand and auspicious Manau festival reflects richness and high standard
of Kachin culture, pride of preserving and protecting traditions and culture
Secretary-1 attends Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina
Majoi Festival
Yangon, 26 Jan- The Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina
Majoi Festival was held at Sitapu Manau Grounds in Myitkyina, Kachin State, at
9 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present on the occasion were members of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, the
ministers, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander
Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the Chief of Staff (Air),
the deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace
and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of state, district
and township Peace and Development Councils, reverends, officials of Christian
Church, national race leader U Za Khun Ting Ring of Kachin State Special
Region-1 and members, national race leader U La Mon Tu Jaing of Kachin State
Special Region-2 and members, peace negotiators, the chairman of Organzing the
Manau Festival and members, members of Central Committee for Kachin Traditional
Culture, representatives of national race organizations, Kachin nationals and
guests.
Daw Zon Nyau, Daw Ar Bu and Daw Hsaung Nam acted as masters of ceremonies and
announced the opening of the Manau Festival. First, Rev Naw Din asked for
blessings. Then, Wunpawng Ning-gawn Cultural Troupe and Kachin vocalists sang
the song "History bears witness". Next, Central Committee for Kachin
Traditional Culture Chairman Sutdu Yup Zau Hkawng extended greetings.
He said: This is the auspicious time, for the New Year is approaching, and the
10th anniversary of the restoration of peace in Kachin State due to the
goodwill of the leaders of the State and the farsightedness of Kachin national
race leaders. In the history of the Kachin people, the first grandest Manau
festival was held in Ningran Hkang region, it is learnt. The Manau festival
held at that time as a token of parting was a Kumran Manau festival. After the
festival, the Kachin national races migrated where conditions were favourable.
Today's festival, the Hkumra Manau festival is held to mark the reunion of
family members who settled down at different places. Meeting one another at a
rendezvous one day is a duty and desire of the Kachin people. With the
assistance of the State and close supervision of Kachin State Peace and
Development Council, our desire is fulifilled today. Today's Hkumra Manau
festival is the sign of peace of Kachin State. Reunion is the result of peace.
We can happily take part in the festival because Kachin State is peaceful and
pleasant.
Delegates of the Kachin races and cultural associations from different regions
will arrive the Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau festival starting from today. On
meeting together, cultural matters of the whole Kachin race will be discussed,
and future plans such as safeguarding, preservation and promoting of almost
vanished cultural heritage and customs, construction of cultural buildings, and
cooperation for the all-round development of culture will be laid down.
Future plans should be carried out in accordance with the second of the Four
Social Objectives of the State Peace and Development Council, " Uplift of
national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural
heritage and national character.' Here I'd like to quote the speech of
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt made
at the N'Lung n nan new harvest festival held at 2 December 2001.
The Secretary-1 said "As national races such as the Kachin, the Kayah, the
Kayin, the Chin, the Bamar, the Mon, the Rakhine and the Shan have been
residing in the Union for thousands of years, they
cannot be separated. The term " Kachin national " will be meaningless if one of
such races as the Jingphaw, the Maru, the Rawang, the Lisu, the Lachik and the
Azi are excluded from Kachin national.
In the same way, the interests of the Union will be harmed if one of the races
the Kachin, the Kayah, the Kayin, the Chin, the Bamar, the Mon, the Rakhine or
the Shan is lost. Therefore, the solidarity and concerted efforts of all the
national races are of paramount importance for progress of the Union."
Discussing cultural matters and laying down future plans should be carried out
upholding this counsel. Kachin cultural funfairs, exhibitions and competitions
will be included in the eight-day festival. Although Manau festival is the
festival of the Kachin people, all brethren living in the Union and friends are
hoped to take part in it happily.
This is why the adjective "Ninggawn" is added to the festival. All are invited
to participate in the festival with peace of mind. Then, the Secretary-1
delivered an address. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 expressed
pleasure and happiness to see a gathering of national people including the
ethnic Kachin brethren at the Manau festival, which is the glorious traditional
festival of the people of Kachin stock.
He said it is the greatest and the most splendid festival of the ethnic Kachin
people reflecting their history, religion, beliefs and traditions and culture.
The Manau or the Majoi festival, in which all the ethnic races of the Kachin
stock take part, is held at their region with the essence of prosperity,
health, economy of the children, establish of new settlement and the symbol of
the victory over the enemies and as a cultural festival.
As the Manau festivals are held only during the significant time which is
worthy of the respective Manau festival, they are magnificent. The different
Manau festivals have their own style and tradition of choosing the Manau
ground, erecting the Manau pole, decorating of the Manau pole and creating the
Manau dances; as the festivals are fully endowed with the different and
profound essence, they still stand as the symbol of the Kachin traditions and
culture till now.
Moreover, holding of the grand and splendid Manau festival reflects the
richness and the high standard of the Kachin culture, the pride of preserving
and protecting the good traditions and culture for a long period with strong
national spirit and the strength of the people.
In addition, holding of the grand festival by all the ethnic Kachins of the
remote areas of the state, the ethnic Kachin races living in various parts of
the Union, the national races being able to reside in Kachin State with
sincerity and unity is the result of peace and stability on the state. It has
been long since the auspicious Manau festivals could not be held.
The Tatmadaw government with the firm determination to restore the fine
traditions and the national solidarity, which had been preserved throughout the
past history, was able to strive together with the Kachin national leaders for
prevalence of peace and stability in Kachin State; due to the efforts, mutual
trust, respect and understanding are flourishing beyond all limits of
measurement and peace and stability is prevailing in the state; hence all the
Kachin races are now able to unitedly and joyfully take part in the festival.
The festival can be held on a grand scale as the government on its part is
endeavouring with sincerity and goodwill to perpetuate the propagation of
national solidarity and the Union Spirit for eternal existence of the Union
which is home to over 100 ethnic races. Priority should be given to restoration
and safeguarding of the flourishing national characters of every single ethnic
race such as preservation of the traditions and culture, religion and history
and the will to perpetuate the race.
Despite the different traditions and culture that are flourishing among the
national brethren including Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and
Shan in accord with the regions they are living in they have also acknowledged
and respected each others' traditions and culture.
Moreover, the race called Myanmar, the collective term for all the ethnic
races, and its national characters are firmly existing in the nation. In other
words, only when all the ethnic Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine
and Shan races which are called the Myanmar race, preserve and protect their
significant and cherishable traditions and culture, will the national character
of the Union or the Myanmar race and its traditions and culture exist forever.
Thus, the State is undertaking the task to restore and promote the traditions
and culture of all the ethnic races of the nation. By so doing, the national
people will be able to cherish and respect each other's traditions and culture
more, contributing towards further cementing the understanding and amity among
the national races.
The government has been giving priority to flourishing of the belief that all
the national races are of the descendants of the same ancestor and to restore
and promote the traditions and culture of the Myanmar race. The government has
given encouragement to preservation of traditional customs of Kachin nationals.
The grand Manau ground is the most significant example of the government's
encouragement, he said.
He said the government provided assistance for construction of the grand Manau
ground in accord with Kachin traditional customs with the use of modern
techniques. Now All Kachin nationals are participating in Manau festival in the
Manau ground together with other national races in the Union. He said during
the early history of Kachin nationals, they set out to explore new settlement
after holding the Kwanyang Manau festival.
From that time on, Kachin national groups such as Jingphaw, Maru, Rawang,
Lashi, Azi and Lisu came into existence. These six national groups met again at
the auspicious Manau festival. It was a very good point to strengthen unity of
the Kachin State and the Union, he said. Seeking greener pastures, the national
races of the Union settled down in the respective regions. But they are
brethren.
Only when all the national races live unitedly, sharing weal and woe and
through thick and thin, will the Union stand tall in the nations of the world,
he said. He also said that historically national races are inseparable because
they came from the same womb. Only when national solidarity and the Union
Spirit can be built, can national forces resist external instigations and
driving the wedge between the national people.
The government will strive for raising the socio-economic life of all national
races including Kachin nationals hand in hand with the national races for
prosperity and development of the Union. He urged the national races to
collectively strive with the Union spirit for perpetuation of national unity,
peace and development in the Union.
In conclusion, he wished auspiciousness and benefits of the Manau festival to
overwhelm the Kachin State and then the entire Union; strengthening of peace
and national solidarity in accord with the essence of Manau Festival and
safeguarding of already-achieved stability, unity, loving kindness and progress
forever. Next, Kachin Traditional Culture troupe members presented variety
dances and the Kachin national band presented skill demonstration. Then,
Chairman of the Central Committee for Kachin Traditional Culture Sutdu Yup Zau
Hkawng presented a traditional sword and the shoulder bag decorated with small
silver gongs to the Secretary-1.
Then, the Secretary-1 unveiled the stone inscriptions of the Myitkyina Majoi.
Afterwards, members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Ye Myint
and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for Hotels and
Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development
Council Commander Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Rev Dr Saboi Jum, peace negotiator
U Khun Myat, national race leader U Za Khun Ting Ring of Kachin State Special
Region-1, national race leader U La Mon Tu Jaing of Kachin State Special
Region-2, Central Committee for Kachin Traditional Culture Chairman Sutdu Yup
Zau Hkawng and leaders of six Kachin national races formally opened the
Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau. Fire works were set by Gawng Dang and
percussion lock firearms and Manau drums, gongs and musical instruments were
played.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party, national race leaders and guests together with
the leading group of Manau dance troupe and the cultural troupe enjoyed
Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau. Next, the Secretary-1 and party left the Manau
ground and arrived at Myitkyina Majoi Hall.
Afterwards, the opening ceremony of the Myitkyina Majoi Hall followed. Leaders
of six Kachin national races formally opened the hall. After the opening
ceremony, the violin troupe presented songs. Secretary of Myitkyina Zone
Baptist Christian Federation Rev U Sam Sun asked for blessings for the lunch of
Hting Nu Ding Shawn Lu Sha.
The Secretary-1 and party, national race leaders and guests had the lunch.
During the lunch, the cultural troupe members presented traditional dances and
songs. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 presented the flower baskets and cash awards
to Wunpawng Ninggawn cultural troupe, Kachin traditional dance troupe,
Myitkyina University cultural troupe, Kachin handkerchief dance troupe, Kachin
traditional martial arts troupe and the Kachin national band.
After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party viewed clothing and
personal goods, documentary photos and paintings displayed at the cultural
booths of Kachin national races in the exhibition at the Manau ground. The
Wunpawng Ninggawn Hkumra Manau Mali Nmai Zup-Myitkyina Majoi Festival will be
held up to 2 January 2002 and will include the opening of Manau sports grounds,
the prize presentation for outstanding winners in education, social affairs and
religious affairs, the cultural entertainment, the traditional cultural
exhibition, the trade fair and the fun fair. Various competitions of Kachin
traditional cultural sports events and international sports events will be held
at the Manau sports grounds.
___________________________
to be continued ...
Saya Saw
news:d5a8c2548f4d6fbf469...@mygate.mailgate.org...
> I agree that by and large western media has "freedom of expression" unimaginable to
> Myanmar Media so far
> Yes Newlight of Myanmar convey full of shit no doubt about it.
>
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