Established 1914

Emergence of the State Constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar Naing-Ngan.

Sippaañ ca, to acquire skill in sciences; this is the way to auspiciousness.

Volume XI, Number 164 2nd Waxing of Thadingyut 1365 ME Saturday, 27 September, 2003

Four political objectives* Stability of the State, community peace

and tranquillity, prevalence of law andorder

* National reconsolidation* Emergence of a new enduring State

Constitution* Building of a new modern developed

nation in accord with the new StateConstitution

Four economic objectives* Development of agriculture as the base

and all-round development of othersectors of the economy as well

* Proper evolution of the market-orientedeconomic system

* Development of the economy invitingparticipation in terms of technical know-how and investments from sourcesinside the country and abroad

* The initiative to shape the nationaleconomy must be kept in the hands of theState and the national peoples

Four social objectives* Uplift of the morale and morality of

the entire nation* Uplift of national prestige and integrity

and preservation and safeguarding ofcultural heritage and national character

* Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit* Uplift of health, fitness and education

standards of the entire nation

YANGON, 26 Sept — A

mass rally, organized by the

Union Solidarity and Devel-

opment Association, was

held in support of the Prime

Minister’s clarifications on

were USDA central execu-

tive committee members,

officials of peace groups in

Kayah State, members of

USDAs in Kayah State,

Myanmar Maternal and

marched into the

Kandahaywun Park from

downtown of Loikaw and

took their designated places.

Similarly, Hsinphyushin

Column comprising mem-

bers of non-governmental or-

ganizations, farmers, work-

ers and local people led by

column leader Deputy Di-

rector of the Rural Areas and

National Races Develop-

ment Affairs Department of

Kayah State U Kyaw Min

together with flag bearers and

the band troupe marched into

the park from Naungya (A)

Ward. Likewise,

Alaungpaya Column com-

prising members of non-gov-

ernmental organizations,

farmers, workers and local

people led by column leader

Deputy Director of the Live-

stock Breeding and Veteri-

nary Department of Kayah

ship USDA Daw K Thi Myo

Myint and Executive of

Loikaw Township USDA

Daw Aye Aye Khaing acted

as masters of ceremonies.

On the occasion, the mas-

ter of ceremonies declared

that the mass rally was to

support the Prime Minister’s

speech on the political

roadmap of the State.

Next, U Sein Oo made a

speech on the occasion. He

said: The main objective of

today’s meeting is to table a

motion and hold discussions

on the national development,

the national political situa-

tion, and the seven stages

needed in building a modern

and developed nation on the

basis of the different phases

of the political programme

that are included in the ad-

dress delivered by Prime

Minister General Khin Nyunt

the seven policies and pro-

grammes of the State

(roadmap) in Loikaw, Kayah

State, on 23 September.

Present on the occasion

Child Welfare Association,

Myanmar National Working

Committee for Women’s

Affairs, Kayah State War

Veterans Organization, Red

Cross Society and Auxiliary

Fire Brigade, farmers, work-

ers and local people totalling

over 6,000.

Before the mass rally, the

Bayintnaung Column com-

prising members of non-gov-

ernmental organizations,

farmers, workers and local

people led by column leader

Deputy Director of Kayah

State Immigration and Na-

tional Registration Depart-

ment U Kyan Shwe with flag

bearers and the band troupe

State Dr L Tu Mein Goung

together with flag bearers and

the band troupe marched into

the part from No 3 entrance

and took their designated

places systematically.

At the rally, Pro-Rector

of the Loikaw University U

Sein Oo presided over the

mass rally together with Dr

Daw Mary Phaw of Kayah

State Peoples’ Hospital,

Deputy Director of the Kayah

State General Administra-

tion Department (Retd) U K

Kaw Yi Yo, U Kun Tun Tin,

a Pao national, and Secre-

tary of Kayah State USDA U

Kyaw Swe as members.

Member of Loikaw Town-

on 30 August 2003.

Concerning the develop-

ment of Myanmar, Prime

Minister General Khin Nyunt

said, “It can be seen that to-

day, due to the efforts of the

government based on the

strength and capabilities of

its own national resources

and the participation of the

entire people, the Union of

Myanmar is on the right path

to development. Moreover,

firm foundation and fruitful

results are being attained in

respect of favourable condi-

tions for national unity, in-

frastructures for national eco-

nomic progress, for national

development, for

social development, as well

as for technology.”

The nation is developing

in all aspects due to the co-

operative efforts of the Gov-

ernment and all the national

races.

(See page 16)

The mass rally in support of the seven-point roadmap of the State in progress. — MNA

Chairman of the mass rally Pro-Rector U Sein Oo makesa speech at the mass rally. — MNA

Pruhso Township USDA ex-ecutive Daw Naw He LayHtoo seconds the motion at the mass rally. — MNA

Dimawhso Township WCWAmember Daw Tin Tin Ohnseconds the motion at the

mass rally. — MNA

Kayah national U Po YaiAung Thein tables a motion at the mass rally. — MNA

Mass rally held in support of Prime Minister’sclarifications on seven-point roadmap

Most important factor in building a new, peaceful,modern, developed and democratic nation is emergence

of discipline-flourishing democratic system

2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

PERSPECTIVESSaturday, 27 September, 2003

As the Union of Myanmar is an agro-basedcountry, its national economic life will improveonly through systematic development of agri-culture. Therefore, the Government has beentrying to increase the production of the agricul-ture sector as one of its national objectives.

Myanmar has a lot of fertile vacant andvirgin land. However, in some regions, cropscannot be grown in all seasons due to insuffi-ciency of water for cultivation. Therefore, inaccordance with the guidance of Head of StateSenior General Than Shwe, water resources arebeing tapped with the use of modern technolo-gies. Moreover, dams and river water pumpingstations are being built wherever possible. Insome regions, multi-purpose dams are beingconstructed not only to irrigate farmlands butalso to generate electricity.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt andparty, on 21 September, went on an inspectiontour of Yenwe multi-purpose dam project site,Kunchaung hydroelectricity project site andPyu dam project site in Bago Division and helddiscussions with responsible personnel. ThePrime Minister said that land reclamation andcanal-digging work should now be done inadvance so that there will be enough cultivableland and all the agricultural work can be carriedout as soon as the dams are completed.

The above-mentioned projects and Khabaungmulti-purpose dam project are the ones that canbe relied not only for agriculture but also forelectricity supply. As these projects will be com-pleted one after another, all the necessary meas-ures for agricultural development should betaken in advance to make effective use of thedams immediatly on their completion.

The responsible personnel with agriculturalservices in townships, districts and states anddivisions should draw plans for cultivation ofcrops and disseminate agricultural methods.Local authorities, on their part, should organizethe farmers to grow according to the plans.

Bago Division is a region which is suitable foragriculture. Therefore, if the cultivation ofmonsoon and summer paddy as well as othermajor crops can be extended, it can become therice bowl of the nation.

Therefore, we would like to urge all thoseresponsible to reclaim more and more land sothat acreage of arable land can be extendedwhen new dams emerge.

Reclaim more land inresponse to emerging dams

YANGON, 26 Sept —

Led by Dr Daw Khin Win

Shwe, wife of Prime Minis-

ter General Khin Nyunt,

wives of the senior military

officers of the Ministry of

Defence,  Mrs Hasnah Bte

Jaafar, wife of Dean of the

Military Attaches Military

Attache of Malaysian De-

fence Adivsor Col Hj Harun

Bin Hitam, and wives of the

military attaches’ visited the

Shwedagon Pagoda this af-

ternoon. They were wel-

comed there by members of

Pagoda Board of the Pagoda

Trustees.

They went round the

pagoda clockwise, and mem-

ber of the pagoda Board of

Trustees U Khin Maung

Myint explained facts about

the gold replica of the

Shwedagon Pagoda and the

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party visit Shwedagon PagodaJade Buddha Image.

Dr Daw Khin Win

Shwe and party donated

K300,000 for all-round reno-

vation of the pagoda. The

members of Board of Trus-

tees accepted the donations

and presented a certificate

of honour to them. Next, Dr

Daw Khin Win Shwe and

party left from the pagoda

later in the afternoon.

MNA

Regional development tasks inspectedYANGON, 26 Sept —

Deputy Minister for Progressof Border Areas and NationalRaces and Development Af-fairs Brig-Gen Than Tuninspected the vocational train-ing school for women inKengtung, Shan State (East)Regional Development Su-pervisory Office and Train-ing School for Developmentof National Races Youths inBorder Areas in the town and

fulfilled the requirements on23 September. In the after-noon, he minister met thestaff of the Township Devel-opment Affair Committeeand gave necessary instruc-tions. The deputy ministeralso inspected a vocationaltraining school, offices of thedevelopment affair commit-tees in Mongphyat, Tarleyand Tachilek on 24 Septem-ber. — MNA

YANGON, 26 Sept —

The profit gained in selling

copies of the VCD

titled “The golden goals of

Champion Myanmar” was

donated to the trust funds of

Myanmar Football Federa-

tion at a ceremony held at

Tatmadaw Guest House on

Profit gained in selling VCDs donated to MFFInya Road here this after-

noon.

The VCD of the se-

lected Myanmar youths foot-

ball team that participated in

the first ASEAN U-18 foot-

ball tournament was jointly

presented by Myatkhinthit

Thukhuma Lwinpyin of the

Office of Military Intelli-

gence of the Ministry of De-

fence, the Ministry of Infor-

mation, the Ministry of

Sports and Myanmar Mo-

tion Picture picture Asiayon.

The ceremony was

attended by Minister for In-

formation Brig-Gen Kyaw

Hsan, Chairman of

Myanmar Olympic Commit-

tee Minister for Sports Brig-

Gen Thura Aye Myint,

Deputy Minister for Infor-

mation Brig-Gen Aung

Thein, heads and deputy

heads of the Office of the

MI, senior military officers,

officials of Myanmar Foot-

ball Federation and

Myanmar Motion Picturre

Asiayon, artistes and

wellwishers. Head of the

Office of MI Brig-Gen Than

Tun explained the purpose

of the donation.

Next, Information

Minister Brig-Gen KyawHsan and MMPA ChairmanU Sein Tin presented K 3.5million for the trust funds of

the MFF to Sports MinisterBrig-Gen Thura Aye Myintwho spoke words of thanks.

Later, those present

watched the VCD. MNA

YANGON, 26 Sept —

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 meet-

ing were finance ministers

from 184 member nations of

the IMF and the WB, gover-

nors, delegates, guests, and

representatives from NGOs.

The Myanmar delegation led

by Minister for Finance and

Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun

also attended the meeting. On

23 September, Maj-Gen Hla

Tun delivered an address to

the meeting. In his speech, he

said for the last 15 years

Myanmar has made consid-

erable economic progress re-

lying on its own resources.

Owing to the action of some

member nations of the IMF

taken based on political mat-

ters against the country,

Myanmar missed the oppor-

tunities necessary to develop

the socioeconomic life dur-

Myanmar delegation attends annual meeting of IMF and WBing the past 15 years. Never-

theless, Myanmar will com-

mit herself into the effort to

accelerate her development

pace. Of late, economic sanc-

tions were placed on

Myanmar, besides the sus-

pension of financial assist-

ance. At a time when the in-

ternational communities are

giving priority to the elimi-

nation of poverty, the

inposition of sanctions is to-

tally against the objectives of

the financial institutions. As

a member nation, Myanmar

objects these unfair and un-

reasonable sanctions, he said.

During its stay in

Dubai, the Myanmar delega-

tion led by Maj-Gen Hla Tun

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, Di-

rector-General of OPEC Fund

and cordially discussed mat-

ters related to mutual coop-

eration. Maj-Gen Hla Tun and

the Myanmar delegation also

attended the informal meet-

ing of ASEAN Finance Min-

isters. The Myanmar delega-

tion arrived back here by Thai

Airways yesterday evening.

They were welcomed back at

the airport by Minister for

National Planning and Eco-

nomic Development U Soe

Tha, Minister for Religious

Affairs Brig-Gen Thura

Myint Maung, Deputy Min-

ister for Finance and Rev-

enue Col Hla Thein Swe and

departmental heads, officials

concerned, and families of

the delegation.

Governor of the Cen-

tral Bank of Myanmar U

Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Direc-

tor-General of the Foreign

Economic Relations Depart-

ment Daw Than Nwe, Of-

ficer on Special Duty at the

Ministry of Finance and Rev-

enue Col Than Nyein, Direc-

tor of the CBM Daw Ohn Ma

Sein and Assistant Director

of the Ministry of Finance

and Revenue U Aung Myo

Win also arrived back here

together with Maj-Gen Hla

Tun. MNA

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Dean of Military Attaches Malaysian Defence Advisor Col HjHarun Bin Hitam's wife Mrs Hasnah Bte Jaafar and wives of the military

attaches of foreign embassies donate cash for the all-round renovation of theShwedagon Pagoda. — MNA

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and MMPA Chairman U Sein Tin present K 3.5million for MFF to Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint. — MNA

Minister Maj-Gen Hla Tun makes a speech at the 58thAnnual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and

the World Bank. — MNA

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 3

Only United Nations canguarantee legitimacy to Iraq

Following are excerpts from the address of GermanChancellor Gerhard Schroeder to the United NationsGeneral Assembly on 23 September, 2003.

The German Chancellor said: This year is a special one

for Germany’s work in the United Nations. History is both

a reminder and guide to us all. Thirty years ago, on Septem-

ber 18, 1973, the United Nations welcomed Germany back

into the fold of the family of nations. My predecessor,

Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt, paved the way for this

move. His standing as an antifascist inspired confidence.

His passionate commitment to internationalism went far

beyond the policy of detente in the East-West conflict.

We must act resolutely by pursuing an effective multilat-

eral strategy, wherever peace is threatened and human rights

are violated.

Our response must be to strengthen the role and

commitment of the United Nations in Iraq. Only the United

Nations can guarantee the legitimacy required to enable the

people of Iraq to speedily rebuild their country under an

independent, representative government. Germany stands

ready to support such a process: by providing humanitarian,

technical and economic assistance or also training Iraqi

security personnel.

There is no doubt that we have already made major strides

towards realizing our common goals enshrined in the Char-

ter. More countries than ever before now have democratic

governments. Our concerted efforts have enabled more

people than ever before to put poverty behind them.

But the gap between the world’s rich and poor has still not

been closed, the fight against hunger, injustice and oppres-

sion is still far from won. Eradicating poverty remains an

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Putin stresses United Nations clearly irreplaceable

���������������� ���� ��

imperative of our policy for peace and stability.

The new threats, which no country in the world can tackle

effectively on its own, make international cooperation more

vital than ever. They also mean new strategies are required.

That is why we need to review whether the instruments

available to the United Nations are appropriate to these new

challenges.

Within the United Nations we need to muster the strength

to launch overdue institutional reforms. My Government

fully supports the proposals made by the Secretary General.

We must agree how to ensure in future an even better

allocation of competencies, capacities and scarce resources.

I also share the view of the Secretary General that the

legitimacy of the Security Council depends on how far it is

representative of all nations and regions. The Council must

be reformed and enlarged to also include representatives of

the developing countries. For Germany, let me reiterate that

in the context of such a reform we are ready to assume

greater responsibility. The world of the 21st century offers

us, its inhabitants, ample scope to change it either for better

or for worse. Given the immense opportunities and the

formidable dangers ahead, we have no choice but to strive

for international partnership and to expand and strengthen

multi-lateralism. We will be able to make our world more

secure only if we also make it more equitable. It was for that

purpose, after all, that the international community created

the United Nations: that is its mandate.

Let us join together to make the United Nations stronger

still, so that it can fulfil its mandate to maintain international

peace and security and build a more equitable world.

Internet

Although the structure and functions of the UN were

formed in a fundamentally different international situation,

time has only confirmed their universal significance. The

UN’s instruments are not only in demand today. They, as life

itself shows, are simply irreplaceable in key situations.

The following, most important example directly proves

this. Despite all the sharp differences over ways to solve the

Iraqi crisis, in the final analysis, it is returning to the legal

field of the UN.

Russia’s position here is consistent and clear: only the

direct participation of the UN in the restoration of Iraq will

give its nation the opportunity to decide its future independ-

ently.

Iraq will only take a new and worthy place in the global

community through the active and practical assistance of the

UN in re-building its economy and civil society.

Internet

The Brazilian President said the tragedies of Iraq

and the Middle East will only be resolved in a multilateral

framework, especially with the UN playing a central role.

“We cannot evade our collective responsibilities. One can

win a war alone. But one cannot build a lasting peace without

everybody’s cooperation,” he pointed out.

President Lula da Silva of Brazil

Mahathir skeptical about democracy for Iraq UNITED NATIONS, 26 Sept — Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

predicted on Thursday that democracy in Iraq would either fail or lead to instabilityand insecurity for the Iraqi people.

BEIJING, 26 Sept — Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and

visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhil Kasyanov said

Wednesday, that the authority of the United Nations and

its security council should be consolidated.

The two heads of government made the remarks in a

joint communique issued after the eighth regular meeting

of the Chinese and Russian prime ministers, which ended

here Wednesday.

The two sides reiterated their wishes to further

strengthen the partnership in international affairs, in an

effort to build an international order based on justice and

democracy, strict adherence to the principles of interna-

tional rules and the aim and principles of the UN Charter,

common security, equal sovereignty and mutual respect.

China and Russia support the consolidation of the author-

ity of the United Nations and its security council., the two

heads of government said, emphasizing that dispute and

crises should be resolved through political and diplomatic

means.

They also agreed that efforts should be made to resume

the stability and state sovereignty of Iraq.

Internet

Chinese,

Russian

PMs call for

strengthened

UN authority

Maltese Prime Minister favours greater UN roleWhile addressing the 58th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New

York on Thursday, the Maltese Prime Minister Dr Eddie Fenech Adami urged for a

greater role of the UN in the reconstruction of Iraq.

On the question of Iraq in particular, he said it is critically important for the Security

Council to reach early agreement on the role the United Nations must play in the re-

establishment of order and legitimacy in that country.

We strongly urge all members of the Council, and in particular the permanent

members, to spare no effort in achieving this objective.

Internet

Iraq, now under US and British occu-

pation after the US-led invasion, may face

an uncomfortable choice between instabil-

ity and authoritarian government able to

impose law and order, he added.

“For Iraq to become suddenly a de-

mocracy I don’t think it will work... Even if

they become democratic, it is going to be a

very unstable situation.

So in some cases you may need authori-

tarian rule,” he told a news conference on

the sidelines of the annual UN General

Assembly session.

Mahathir opposed the US invasion of

Iraq and in his speech to the Assembly on

Thursday he said he detected a revival of

old-style imperialism of the kind practised

by the European powers, including in his

own country.

“We all carry the baggage of history.

But we would willingly leave it behind us if

it were not for the fact that history has a

nasty habit of repeating itself.

Today we are seeing the resurgence of

European imperialism,” he said.

“We are actually faced by the old physi-

cal occupation by foreign force. Puppet re-

gimes are installed,” he added.

Long an outspoken advocate of Third

World and Islamic causes against the poli-

cies of the United States and Britain, Mahathir

said Iraq was especially prone to instability

because of its ethnic diversity.

“All that people think about is whose

turn it is to become the government and this

is going to happen in Iraq.

They (the various groups) are not going

to accept with docility a government im-

posed upon them by others,” he said.

Under ousted President Saddam

Hussein, Iraqis could at least live in safety if

they did not offend the government, whereas

weak governments cannot ensure that, he

added.

“So the choice is between the devil and

the deep blue sea because you are not going

to get the kind of stability that you see in

some very well-developed democracies,” he

said.

The United States says it wants to

hand over power to a democratically elected

Iraqi government as soon as possible but has

resisted calls for a firm timetable.

In the meantime Iraqi guerillas are

attacking US forces.

MNA/Reuters

4 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

Annan orders UN cutbacksin Iraq staff

UNITEDN NATIONS, 26 Sept—Russia and many other countries demanded a greater UN role in postwar IraqThursday, but a new cutback in UN staff following two bombings highlighted the dilemma of trying to internation-alize Iraq’s reconstruction at a time of growing instability.

As the Security Council grappled with a new resolution

on Iraq, it was clear that countries large and small want the

United Nations to have a more prominent role — especially

in overseeing Iraq’s political transition — than the United

States has offered so far.

But if security is not improved, Secretary-General Kofi

Annan will not be able to allow the return, in significant

numbers, of international staff needed to oversee more than

the minimum humanitarian needs, and a larger UN role

possibly helping with a new constitution and elections

would be out of the question.

The next steps in Iraq were at the top of the agenda at

Annan’s annual lunch with the foreign ministers of the five

veto-wielding nations on the Security Council — the United

States, Russia, China, Britain and France — who have been

at odds over an expanded UN role and a timetable After-

ward, Secretary of State Colin Powell said the five perma-

nent council members are pleased with “some convergence

of views with respect to a new resolution.”

The United States wants a new UN mandate to get more

countries to contribute troops and money to rebuild Iraq.

Council diplomats said on condition of anonymity that

how much of a convergence there is will be seen in the

revised resolution that the United States is preparing to

circulate, possibly late next week.

Internet

US soldiers secure the area of a suicide car bombing near UN headquarters (background) on22 Sept, 2003 in Baghdad. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan ordered some international UNstaff members of withdraw from Iraq in view of the unstable security situation.—INTERNET

VIENNA , 26 Sept—The head of the UN nuclear watch-dog sharply criticized Washington’s planned researchinto a new type of small nuclear bomb, saying on Wednes-day it would send the wrong signal to states consideringatomic weapons.

IAEA chief slamsUS “mini nuke”

plans

“I had strong reserva-

tions, to say the least, when I

read that there are plans to

research small nukes,” In-

ternational Atomic Energy

Agency (IAEA) chief

Mohamed ElBaradei told US

National Public Radio.

“It really sends abso-

lutely the wrong message,

that we are not moving to-

wards disarmament, but that

we are reversing course,” he

said.

The administration of US

President George W. Bush

has said it is interested in

studying the so-called mini

nukes, but not in deploying

them.

The mini nukes would be

bombs with a yield of less

than five kilotons — less

than half the size of the bomb

the United States dropped

on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.

ElBaradei said that such

research would encourage

states with hidden ambitions

of developing atomic weap-

ons to go for it.

“It sends a message to all

the ‘wannabes’ that if you

really want to have security,

prestige, status — go for nu-

clear weapons, and that’s

clearly not the way we want

to go,” he said. After strong

lobbying by the United States

for action, the governing

board of the IAEA on Sep-

tember 12 set an October 31

deadline for Iran to prove it

is not secretly developing nu-

clear weapons as Washing-

ton alleges.

Under the 1968 Nuclear

Non-Proliferation Treaty

(NPT), the United States,

Britain, France, China and

Russia were allowed to keep

nuclear weapons, though

they agreed to negotiate in

good faith towards full

nuclear disarmament.

MNA/Reuters

WASHINGTON , 26 Sept—A lagging economy and per-sistent violence in Iraq have sent President George WBush’s approval ratings sliding, inspiring sharper at-tacks from Democrats who are growing more confidentabout their prospects in 2004.

The fall in Bush’s rating, to the lowest levels of his

presidency in some polls, has strengthened the hand and

outlook of Democrats heading into what potentially could

be an intensely competitive 2004 election campaign.

“It is not a pipe dream that we can win next year — it’s

for real,” said Joe Cari, a former finance chairman of the

Democratic National Committee who is uncommitted in the

party’s nomination battle between 10 candidates.

“This country is divided, and whoever wins this Demo-

cratic nomination is going to start with an electoral base that

will make the race very tough for Bush,” he said.

Democrats on the campaign trail and in Congress have

stepped up their criticism of the President in recent weeks amid

a slump in his ratings spurred by continued violence in Iraq

along with joblessness and economic uncertainty at home.

Congressional Democrats have attacked Bush’s request

for another 87 billion US dollars for Iraq as a sign of his poor

postwar planning, while the Democratic nomination battle

got a jolt of electricity from last week’s entry by retired four-

star general Wesley Clark.

“I think the American people increasingly are losing

confidence in this President, in his ability to deal with a

faltering economy, with his disastrous fiscal policy and now

with circumstances in Iraq,” Senate Democratic Leader

Tom Daschle of South Dakota said.

A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll earlier this week put

Bush’s approval rating at 50 per cent — down 10 points in

one month — and in a virtual tie with several leading

Democratic contenders, including Clark.— MNA/Reuters

US Democratssharpen attackson Bush for 2004

The ReseauVoltaire, aParis-basedfreedom ofexpressiongroup, haveprinted anddistributed a

pack ofplayingcards

depicting the’52 most

dangerousAmericanofficials’,

on 25September,

2003.INTERNET

“Only in this way can cities attract morecapital into the construction of municipal worksand then improve the cities’ investment envi-ronment.” According to Qiu, the Chinese Gov-ernment has abolished some restrictions andurged all Chinese local governments to createstable preferential policies for the use of waterand land, and other areas such as taxes, fordomestic and overseas investors.

MNA/Xinhua

Qiu Baoxing, Vice-Minister of Construc-tion, announced the plan at the opening cer-emony of China’s first national seminar forprivatization of municipal works in BeijingWednesday. Qiu said China will break mo-nopolies in the sector, which includes watersupply, gas supply, heating supply, sewagetreatment, and waste treatment.

Government policies will change to fa-vour private investors, said Qiu.

BEIJING , 26 Sept—China will completely open its municipal works to all domesticand overseas investors, and in the process the Chinese Government will graduallychange its role from a direct controller to a policy maker.

Chinese Government supportsopening municipal works

LONDON, 26 Sept—Mus-lims around the world haveturned against the UnitedStates because of its war onIraq, Malaysian PrimeMinister Mahathir Mo -hamad said on Wednesday.

He also rejected a sug-

gestion he might be the next

secretary-general of the Or-

ganization of the Islamic

Conference.

“I think they have done

the wrong thing. They have

aggravated matters,” the

outgoing leader of the pre-

dominantly Muslim coun-

try told the Financial Timesnewspaper in an interview,

referring to the United

States.

“There is a great deal

more anger today in the

Muslim world than after the

11th of September. After

the 11th of September there

was quite a lot of sympathy

for what happened to the

US, but now it’s all van-

ished,” he said referring to

the 2001 attacks on the

United States.

Mahathir, long a critic of

the US-led war on Iraq, is

due to step down later this

year and hand power to his

deputy, Abdullah Ahmad

Badawi.

He said he would not take

a role as a senior minister.

He also rejected a sugges-

tion he might be the next

secretary-general of the Or-

ganization of the Islamic

Conference.

“I don’t want to escape

from the frying pan into the

fire,” he said. “I’ve had

enough of boiling, cooking

in the last 23 years, and I’m

not going to involve myself

in that.”

MNA/Reuters

Mahathirsays Muslim

sympathyfor US has“vanished”

������������������� ��

�

� � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � � � � � �

� � � � � � �� � � � � � �� � � � � � �

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 5

Uighur students wear traditional constumes as they pose for a photo after practisingfolk dancing at the Number One Middles School in Korla, a central city in China’s

Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in September, 2003. — INTERENT

An Iraqi woman is consoled upon learning of herhuband's death following a bomb explosion at the al-Aike

Hotel in central Baghdad.—INTERNET

Annan urges world toensure successfuloutcome in Iraq

UNITED NATIONS , 26 Sept—United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday urged all nations to putaside their views on events surrounding the Iraq warand unite to make Iraq a stable and democratic nation“at peace with itself and with its neighbours”.

“Let me reaffirm the great importance I attach to a

successful outcome in Iraq. Whatever view each of us may

take of the events of recent months, it is vital for all of us that

the outcome is a stable and democratic Iraq, at peace with

itself and with its neighbours, and contributing to stability

in the region,” Annan told world leaders at the start of the

general debate of the 58th session of the UN General

Assembly.

The UN chief called on nations to take “the extra time

and patience” to reach a coherent and workable consensus

on Iraq.

“Subject to security considerations, the United Nations

system is prepared to play its full part in working for a

satisfactory outcome in Iraq, and to do so as part of an effort

by the whole international community,” Annan said.

MNA/Xinhua

Turkey startselectricitytransfer to Iraq

ANKARA, 26 Sept — Tur-

key on Tuesday started to

transfer electricity to Iraq

from the southeastern bor-

der town of Silopi, the

Anatolia news agency re-

ported.

Speaking at a ceremony

held on the occasion, Turk-

ish Minister of Energy and

Natural Resources Hilmi

Guler said Silopi would be a

free energy zone and it is

meaningful for a Turkish

firm to transfer electricity to

Iraq. The electricity pro-

vided to Iraq comes from the

TS-1 and TS-2 thermal

power plants of the Black

Sea Wholesale Electricity

Corp. — MNA/Xinhua

Crude oilpipeline to belaid in E Chinawith section onseabed

HANGZHOU, 26 Sept —

The China Petrochemical

Shareholding Company has

decided to invest 2.2 billion

yuan (265 million US dol-

lars) in building a 666-kilo-

metre crude oil pipeline in

east China, with a 53.5-kilo-

metre section on the seabed

of Hangzhou Bay.

The pipeline, which will

run northwards from Ningbo

City of Zhejiang Province

to Jiangsu Province, via

Shanghai, is expected to be

completed in April 2004. It

has been designed to trans-

port 40 million tons of crude

oil annually.

MNA/Xinhua

UNITED NATIONS, 26 Sept—The United Nations Security Council on Wednesdayurged all UN member states to help enhance the UN role in establishing justice and therule of law in post-conflict societies.

At a ministerial-level

meeting, the Council,

through a statement read by

its president, Jack Straw,

Secretary of State for For-

eign and Com-monwealth

Affairs of Britain, demon-

strated an abundant wealth

of expertise on the matter

within the UN system and in

the UN member states.

“Ministers considered

that it would be appropriate

to examine further how to

harness and direct this ex-

pertise,” said the statement.

It said: “The Council

welcomed in particular the

offer by the Secretary-Gen-

eral to provide a report which

could guide and inform fur-

ther consideration of these

matters.”

“The Council invites all

UN member states, and other

parts of the UN system with

relevant expertise, to con-

tribute to this process of re-

flection and analysis on these

matters, beginning with the

further meeting on this sub-

ject which will be convened

on September 30,” said the

statement.

UN Secretary-General

Kofi Annan, in his remarks

to the Ministerial Meeting

of the Security Council on

Justice and the Rule of Law:

the United Nations Role, ex-

pressed his hope for a new

commitment by the Council

to place the promotion of

justice and the rule of law at

the heart of its work in re-

building war-torn countries.

He said the United Na-

tions, through many complex

operations, had learned that

the rule of law was not a

luxury and that justice was

not a side issue. “We have

learned that the rule of law

delayed is lasting peace de-

nied, and that justice is a

handmaiden of true peace,”

he said.

He said a com-

prehensive approach to re-

establishing justice and

the rule of law in post-

conflict societies was still

needed. To do that, better

coordinat ion between

agencies was needed, he

said, as well as early, ad-

equate and coordinated

funding.

MNA/Xinhua

Bomb explodes atBaghdad hotel housing

NBC officesBAGHDAD , 26 Sept — A bomb exploded Thursday outside a hotel where NBC

(search)has its Baghdad offices, killing a guard, injuring a network soundman andshattering windows, Iraqi police said.

The bomb was placed

about three feet from the

outside wall of the al-Aike

Hotel (search) in a hut that

housed the hotel’s genera-

tor, police said.

Lt. Col. Salman Kareem

said the bomb killed a So-

mali guard in his sleep and

broke glass, but otherwise

did little damage to the ho-

tel, which is located in south-

central Baghdad. Television

footage showed damage to a

stairway with its railing.

NBC correspondent Jim

Avila said there were no

signs on the building indi-

cating NBC had quarters

there.

A dozen NBC staffers

were inside the building

when the explosion oc-

curred, and a Canadian

soundman, David Moodie,

was slightly injured by fly-

ing glass.—Internet

The latest sounding in

the Guardian newspaper

made grim reading for the

beleaguered Prime Minis-

ter as the inquiry into the

suicide of Dr David Kelly

wraps up.

Blair’s ratings have

slumped over the summer

so that now 61 per cent of

voters are unhappy with the

job he is doing.

His rating for trustwor-

thiness has fallen nine points

since July to just 30 per cent.

An overwhelming 70 per

cent say he is far too con-

cerned with public relations

and “spin doctoring”.

Throughout the last two

months, Blair’s administra-

tion has been put under a

harsh spotlight by a judicial

inquiry into the death of

Kelly, who was embroiled

in a bitter row between the

BBC and the government

over Britain’s case for war

against Iraq.

After taking 110 hours

of evidence and lifting the

lid on the once deeply hid-

den world of British intelli-

gence, Lord Hutton con-

cludes the inquiry on Thurs-

day.

His final report, a

“Sword of Damocles” hang-

ing over Blair, is not ex-

pected before November.

The BBC, which had

accused the government of

hyping the case for war

against Iraq, returned to the

attack on Wednesday.

A source in US Presi-

dent George W Bush’s Ad-

ministration quoted by the

BBC said no weapons of

mass destruction had been

found by the Iraq Survey

Group tasked with looking

forthem.

But Blair’s office was

quick to label the report as

“speculation about an un-

finished draft of an interim

report that has not even been

presented yet”.

That prompted sharp

criticism from the opposi-

tion Conservatives who had

backed Blair when he went

to war.

Foreign Affairs spokes-

man Michael Ancram said:

“If this BBC report is accu-

rate, this is another damag-

ing blow to the Prime Min-

ister’s credibility.

“He has repeatedly

used the Iraq Survey group

to stonewall criticism on

weapons of mass destruc-

tion.”

Little comfort could be

gleaned from across the At-

lantic. As Bush, Blair’s clos-

est ally, sought foreign lead-

ers’ money and troops to

help rebuild postwar Iraq, a

senior US official said

weapons inspectors would

report no proof Baghdad had

the banned arsenal used to

justify the invasion.

MNA/Reuters

L ONDON, 26 Sept— British trust in Prime Minister Tony Blair has plunged afterthe suicide of a weapons expert provoked the worst crisis of his six-year premier-ship, an opinion poll showed on Thursday.

Poll shows Blair’spopularity plummets

over Iraq inquiry

UN members urged to help enhanceUN role to promote justice

��������� �� ��� ������� �

6 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

AFP reports ambush leaves sevenUS soldiers wounded in Iraq

BAGHDAD , 26 Sept — Seven US soldiers were wounded when their convoy wasambushed today in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Agence France-Presse reported,citing a spokesman for their unit, the 101st Airborne Division.

One vehicle was destroyed and an-

other damaged when two bombs exploded

along a main road near the city’s telecom-

munications center, AFP cited Major Trey

Cate as saying. After the blasts, gunmen

shot at the convoy and fled when the sol-

diers returned fire, he said. Ten US soldiers

have been killed and 122 wounded in and

around Mosul since April 22, Cate told

AFP.

The blast in Mosul, at about 9:30 a.m.

Iraq time, came just after a bomb killed an

employee of a hotel in the center of the

capital, Baghdad, used by a team from the

US television network NBC. In the Mus-

lim holy city of Najaf, south of Baghdad,

two bombs were found outside the Imam

Ali mosque after a gunfight between

security guards and two people suspected

of planting the devices, AFP cited

unidentified officials as saying.

US President George W Bush wants

the international community to help the US-

led coalition bring security to Iraq and over-

see reconstruction after the overthrow of

Saddam Hussein’s regime in April. The Bush

administration said yesterday it may take

months to win United Nations approval for

sending more international forces and money

to Iraq.

On Thursday at dawn, a bomb exploded

at a Baghdad hotel housing journalists

from US television network NBC, killing a

Somali security guard. The bomb, left on

the pavement beside the hotel, shattered

windows and sent debris flying.

It was the third deadly bomb attack in

Baghdad since Monday, and comes ahead of

a report expected to lay open President Bush

to further criticism over his main justifica-

tion for launching a preemptive war without

the UN’s blessing and over the objections of

traditional allies France and Germany.

Internet

TIKRIT (Iraq), 26 Sept—US troops raided four wealthy homes in Saddam Hussein’shometown on Thursday in a bid to choke off financing of a string of attacks in northernIraq including sabotage efforts against a vital oil export pipeline.

In the pre-dawn raids,

two suspects described as

“mid-level financiers or

money men” were detained,

officers told reporters present

at the search-and-seizure

raids.

Two other suspects

were absent from their homes

when troops, backed by ar-

moured cars and helicopters

overhead, descended on the

four locations in the dead of

night in downtown Tikrit.

“Specifically the two

individuals detained are sus-

pected of association with

the financing and leadership

of the Fedayeen, of leading

and organizing the Fedayeen

in the Tikrit area,” Major

Bryan Luke of the 1st Bat-

talion, 22nd Regiment of the

4th Infantry Division said.

The Fedayeen are mili-

tia loyal to Saddam who have

been blamed for attacks on

US troops. The US military

said it had arrested another

financier on Wednesday.

The 27,000-strong di-

vision is responsible for se-

curity in three volatile prov-

inces north of Baghdad

which take in Tikrit, where

Saddam Hussein is suspected

of going to ground after US

troops advanced on Bagh-

dad in April, Iraq’s second

largest city Mosul and the oil

town of Kirkuk.

In a sign of stepped up

activity, the US military an-

nounced on Wednesday

troops killed nine Iraqi rebels

A South Korean protester in a mask of US President GeorgeW Bush (L) chains his colleague, representing a SouthKorean soldier, during a rally against the possible dispatchof South Korean troops to Iraq,in front of the US Embassyin Seoul, on 26 September, 2003. The United States hasasked South Korea for combat troops to help ease the burden of stabilizing post-war Iraq. — INTERNET

Chinapunishes

12,000polluting

enterprises BEIJING, 26 Sept—

About 12,000 Chinese en-

terprises have been punished

for discharging excessive

pollutants during a national

inspection, Pan Yue, vice-

president of the State Envi-

ronmental Protection Ad-

ministration announced here

Wednesday.

More than 6,800 of

these enterprises would be

shut down or have produc-

tion suspended for serious

violation of environmental

protection laws, said Pan.

During the inspections,

which started late June, the

administration together with

another five central govern-

ment departments inspected

150,000 enterprises, most of

them metallurgical and chemi-

cal plants.

The administration has

also published a list of enter-

prises that had caused seri-

ous environmental damage.

The national inspec-

tions had greatly curbed ex-

cessive discharges of pollut-

ants in some areas and re-

markably improved local

environments, Pan said.

MNA/Xinhua

US backed Iraqi leader’smurder, bombing

deepen woesBAGHDAD , 26 Sept—The murder of a US-backed Iraqi

leader, a bombing at a Baghdad hotel used by a US TVnetwork and an attack on US soldiers deepened Washing-ton’s troubles on Thursday as it tried to enlist the world’shelp to stabilize and rebuild Iraq.

US authorities an-

nounced Akila al-Hashemi,

one of three women on

Washington’s handpicked

Iraqi Governing Council,

died from wounds suffered

in an assassination attempt

five days ago. The council

announced three days of na-

tional mourning.

“Today the people of

Iraq have lost a courageous

champion and pioneer for

the cause of freedom and

democracy,” the US gover-

nor of Iraq, Paul Bremer,

said in a statement.

Eight soldiers were

wounded, three seriously, in

the attack on a convoy in the

north and one guard was

killed at the hotel.

Guerillas opposed to the

US-led occupation of Iraq

have targeted Westerners,

Iraqis cooperating with

Bremer’s administration, US

and British soldiers, as well

as attempted to sabotage the

sprawling infrastructure of

a country which holds the

second largest oil reserves in

the world.

Internet

US soldiers of the 101st Airborne division pass by destroyed Humvees after an explo-sion in Mosul, Iraq 400 kms (250 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, on 25 September,

2003. Seven American soldiers were wounded when two roadside bombs exploded astheir convoy passed at about 9 am on the western side of the city. — INTERNET

Clark, who joined the

2004 race last week, also said

he learned in November 2001

that the Bush Administra-

tion’s plan for invading Iraq

and ousting President

Saddam Hussein had been

part of a broader five-year

military campaign in seven

countries that Washington

accused of supporting ter-

rorism.

He believed that would

be a mistake, Clark wrote in

Winning Modern Wars. Iraq,Terrorism and the AmericanEmpire to be published by

Public Affairs next month.

Clark wrote that a sen-

ior military officer told him

on a visit to the Pentagon in

November 2001 that the US

was planning to go against

Iraq but there was more to it.

After Iraq, the plan called for

targeting Syria, Lebanon,

Libya, Iran, Somalia and Su-

dan.

“He said it with re-

proach — with disbelief, al-

most — at the breadth of the

vision,” Clark wrote. “I

moved the conversation

away, for this was not some-

thing I wanted to see moving

forward either.

“What a mistake! I re-

flected — as though the ter-

rorism were simply coming

from those states,” said Clark,

whose book is a military, dip-

lomatic and strategic analy-

sis rather than a personal ac-

count of his long military ca-

reer. Clark, a four-star Army

General, was Supreme Al-

lied Commander in Europe

from 1997 to 2000.

Clark, 58, said that

speculation during the sum-

mer, when he was still writ-

ing the book, that he might

participate in the 2004 elec-

tion against Republican Presi-

dent George W Bush “had no

bearing on my analysis”.

He argued in the book

that by pursuing Iraq, the US

war against the al-Qaeda glo-

bal network of Islamist mili-

tants blamed for the Septem-

ber 11 attacks was subordi-

nated.

Of the Iraq military cam-

paign, Clark wrote that the

“brilliancy of the tactics and

leadership” in the battlefield

“disguised fundamental flaws

in strategy”.

“Needless risks were

taken with the force struc-

ture; there was inadequate

planning for the postconflict

phase; and vital international

support was carelessly disre-

garded.

“It has thus far been a

perfect example of dominat-

ing an enemy force but fail-

ing to secure the victory.”

MNA/Reuters

In book, Clark seesUS errors in Iraq strategy NEW YORK, 26 Sept — The US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq was “a perfect

example” of military domination while failing to achieve victory, retired general andDemocratic presidential hopeful Wesley Clark wrote in a new book.

��� ����������� ����������� ������ �������

US troops raid fourwealthy homes in Tikrit

in a string of clashes around

Tikrit — the biggest 24-hour

casualty toll in Saddam’s

former stronghold for a

month.

Acting on tip-offs from

Iraqi informants and surveil-

lance from the air and

ground, US troops hope the

raids will break the back of

resistance to American oc-

cupation. — MNA/Reuters

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 7

Towards a Society for All AgesHla Tun (Twantay)

The United Nations designated the first of October as

the International Day for Older Persons in 1999. The Un-

ion of Myanmar has annually observed that day since

then.

The purpose of the observance of the International

Day for Older Persons is to elevate Myanmar’s adorable

tradition of caring for their elderly parents. Moreover, it

helps reflect the entire Myanmar people’s attitude to give

priority to welfare of older persons in accord with the

ways to auspiciousness.

A tradition firmly rooted in the Myanmar culture for

thousands of years is the family system in which grand-

parents, parents, children and grandchildren live together.

It can be regarded as an adorable custom to give seat to

their elderly parents in the front room. Myanmars fulfil

all the requirements of and take care of their parents. In

return, the old persons living in the same home together

with their children and grandchildren and sharing joys

and sorrows contribute towards welfare of the other fam-

ily members as much as they can. They are deeply de-

lighted to do so.

I would like to present how to observe the Interna-

tional Day for Older Persons in Myanmar.

Now, the ageing population in the world is growing

day by day. All the world’s people, therefore, ought to

pay more attention to the caring for the increasing number

of the aged.

Now, the world’s population is over 6,300 million,

and the life span of the people is longer than it was in the

past. As the world population consists of youths, adults

and elderly persons, the motto to mark the International

Day for Older Persons is designated as “Towards a Soci-

ety for All Ages”.

Myanmar, being a member of the United Nations,

always puts emphasis on the objectives and plans of the

UN. And Myanmar has laid down the following objec-

tives to observe the International Day for Older Persons

in conformity with the motto.

(a) to make the people become aware of the condi-

tions of older persons

(b) to make continued efforts for taking care of the

older persons in the years after 1999.

(c) to ensure participation of NGOs, journalists, pri-

vate organizations and youths in these tasks

Systematic measures are being taken for holding of

the ceremony to mark the International Day for Older

Persons in the nation on a grand scale. The Work Com-

mittee for Holding the Ceremony to Mark the Interna-

tional Day for Older Persons has been formed with Min-

ister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-

Gen Sein Htwa and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw

Myint as patrons and Director-General of the Social

Welfare Department U Sitt Myaing as chairman.

As preliminary measures for the ceremony, donations

of cash and medicines were made at the Hninzigon Home

for the Aged on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Bahan Town-

ship on 20 September.

Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa addressed the ceremony

and handed over K 100,000 and medicines to the

Hninzigon Home for the Aged through Chairman of the

Management Committee for the Home U Maung Tin.

This year, cash awards will be presented to the oldest

man and woman of respective states and divisions in the

nation. And Myanmar Writers and Journalists Associa-

tion, Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Music

Asiayon, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Artistes

and Artisans Asiayon and the Sports and Physical Educa-

tion Department will each donate K 50,000 and medi-

cines to every outstanding persons aged over 80. Besides,

respective officials will personally present K 100,000 each

and medicines to large homes for the aged and K 50,000

each and medicines to homes for the aged. They will

present the donations to 39 State-acknowledged homes

for the aged across the nation. Furthermore, rice and cash

assistance is being provided for 37 out of the homes for

the aged including the ones founded by social and reli-

gious organizations in the whole country.

The UN acknowledged that the average life span of

the people was 46 years in 1950, compared with 66 years

now. In the past, one in every ten people was an older

person, compared with one in every five people now. The

number of the ageing population is growing rapidly in the

developing countries. And persons aged 60 and above

make up seven per cent of the population of the South

East Asian nations in 2000 and it is estimated to reach up

to 13 per cent in 2025. According to the official esti-

mates, 6.8 per cent of Myanmar’s population (52.4 mil-

lion) are aged 60 and above in 2000, and 8.1 per cent in

2003 and it will increase reaching up to 12.1 per cent in

2025.

In accord with the teachings of our parents and grand-

parents, we Myanmars pay respects to our grandparents,

parents and teachers at the beginning and end of the

Buddhist lent and on Myanmar New Year Day. It is one

of Myanmar’s adorable traditions.

In conclusion, I would like to say the objectives and

plans for the International Day for Older Persons desig-

nated by the UN are in line with Myanmar’s customs and

traditions.

(Translation: MS)

* Oppose those relying on externalelements, acting as stooges, holdingnegative views

* Oppose those trying to jeopardizestability of the State and progress ofthe nation

* Oppose foreign nations interfering ininternal affairs of the State

* Crush all internal and externaldestructive elements as the commonenemy

People’s Desire

* Do not be frightenedwhenever intimidated

* Do not be bolsteredwhenever flattered

* Do not be softenedwhenever appeased

All this needs tobe known

* Saving one gallon of fuel per car per monthwill save the nation one US dollar

* Thus, a total of 455,822 cars in Myanmarcan save US$ 5.5 million in a year

* The amount, US $ 5.5 million, can build amajor bridge across Ayeyawady River

Efficient use of fuel

There are about 500,000 householdsusing electricity in Yangon. Thus, saving afour-foot fluorescent lamp every day by eachhousehold amounts to saving power that isequal to the capacity a 20-megawatt powerstation can supply.

Efficient use of electricity* Use daylight as the main source of light* Use the least possible amount of electricity

only if there is not enough natural light* Use the least possible amount of electricity

required in production and service enter-prises

* Preventing waste of electricity benefits theuser and others

— to vitalize patriotism and nationalism in all

citizens

— to preserve and safeguard Myanmar cultural

heritage

— to perpetuate genuine Myanmar music, dance

and traditional fine arts

— to preserve Myanmar national character

— to nurture spiritual development of the youths

— to prevent influence of alien cultures

The Objectives of the 11thMyanmar Traditional

Cultural Performing ArtsCompetitions

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � ���������� !"��#�$%&'()'$*+(,-�.'$/0�1�23"��#�$%&'()'$*+� �*45�6�23��"�-$�37�)0�89:��8'$4)/3�/;$�� �7"�45�.0 �<;"�8,7"'8/�'�/�!/��8=/384�23�)>>;'$?9:��45�@ABBCD�(,��E�0��-�F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E�0��-�F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E�0��-�F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E�0��-�F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E�0��-�F/�7�)0�'$/0�12�3"��#�$%&'()'$?+#AGHIHABBC+;0�'$?'$/0�12�3"��#�$%&'()'$?+#AGHIHABBC+;0�'$?'$/0�12�3"��#�$%&'()'$?+#AGHIHABBC+;0�'$?'$/0�12�3"��#�$%&'()'$?+#AGHIHABBC+;0�'$?'$/0�12�3"��#�$%&'()'$?+#AGHIHABBC+;0�'$?ABBCD�(,��E'7/0�� �F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E'7/0�� �F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E'7/0�� �F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E'7/0�� �F/�7�)0�ABBCD�(,��E'7/0�� �F/�7�)0�#JAHJBHABBC+;0�'$?(,-�.#JAHJBHABBC+;0�'$?(,-�.#JAHJBHABBC+;0�'$?(,-�.#JAHJBHABBC+;0�'$?(,-�.#JAHJBHABBC+;0�'$?(,-�.#AKHJBHABBC+;0�'$?#AKHJBHABBC+;0�'$?#AKHJBHABBC+;0�'$?#AKHJBHABBC+;0�'$?#AKHJBHABBC+;0�'$?

LMMNOPQRSTLMMNOPQRSTLMMNOPQRSTLMMNOPQRSTLMMNOPQRSTUVWXVYZ[\]X]_XYaWXbcde]XfYg]XbchYhXicgbUVWXVYZ[\]X]_XYaWXbcde]XfYg]XbchYhXicgbUVWXVYZ[\]X]_XYaWXbcde]XfYg]XbchYhXicgbUVWXVYZ[\]X]_XYaWXbcde]XfYg]XbchYhXicgbUVWXVYZ[\]X]_XYaWXbcde]XfYg]XbchYhXicgbQjklmnoTTOpqTQjklmnoTTOpqTQjklmnoTTOpqTQjklmnoTTOpqTQjklmnoTTOpqT

rstutvwxyzu{|x}~��~���u���u���v�u~��u�z�~�v���z~�xy�u���u����wv��u~��~w�~�v����v��ut���v�u��zuus|zu��x{���u�r���u�v�xy�u���wu���u~s�y~���u ��x��tu�{��u~�������x��tu��zvzut�{���u�rwv��u~�zvzut���u�zvs��v�r� r�  ¡���¢r��r�  ¡£x�¤wu{���u�rstutvz¥���u���¦��y~§|����u���~���wxyzu{|x}~sy{uzxy�u�¦�{�u��~���~��©�§�u~ª��~¤�u~�§�u~ª�x�w«v�u���~��©�§�u~�|v~zxy{���~���u~�zvzut�{���u�rwxyzu{|x}~���~��©��u���v�u��stu��v~�|v~z��z~�xy�u���u����wv��u~��~w�~�v���u£�u~�|v~���u�¦��{�~�{��u~��v�u��zu�z{���u�x~��vu¦{u{���u�¬ ­ ®® ­ ¯ ° ±² ³ ®® ´ µ² ¶ · ¸ ¹ · º » ¼ ® ½ ¾ ¿ ®® ¸ À Á ¯ ¼ ®® ·  à ® Ä ³ Å · Æ ¯ ì ­ ®® ­ ¯ ° ±² ³ ®® ´ µ² ¶ · ¸ ¹ · º » ¼ ® ½ ¾ ¿ ®® ¸ À Á ¯ ¼ ®® ·  à ® Ä ³ Å · Æ ¯ ì ­ ®® ­ ¯ ° ±² ³ ®® ´ µ² ¶ · ¸ ¹ · º » ¼ ® ½ ¾ ¿ ®® ¸ À Á ¯ ¼ ®® ·  à ® Ä ³ Å · Æ ¯ ì ­ ®® ­ ¯ ° ±² ³ ®® ´ µ² ¶ · ¸ ¹ · º » ¼ ® ½ ¾ ¿ ®® ¸ À Á ¯ ¼ ®® ·  à ® Ä ³ Å · Æ ¯ ì ­ ®® ­ ¯ ° ±² ³ ®® ´ µ² ¶ · ¸ ¹ · º » ¼ ® ½ ¾ ¿ ®® ¸ À Á ¯ ¼ ®® ·  à ® Ä ³ Å · Æ ¯ Ã

The delegation led byin charge of the external

affairs section ofMyanmar Hockey Federa-tion U Kyaw Naing whichwill be attending the 38thmeeting of Asia HockeyFederation to be held in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,being seen off at the

airport.MNA

8 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

Most important factor in …

(See page 9)

(f) Participation of theTatmadaw in the nationalpolitical leading role of thefuture State—have been laiddown.

The delegate groupswere formed, the panel ofchairmen were elected andthe papers were presented

on suggestions and discus-sion at the National Conven-tion which was being held inaccord with its objectives.However, in 1995, one of theabove-ground politicalforces, namely the NLD, de-cided to ignore the future ofthe country and placed theattitude and wishes of an in-dividual and the interests ofits own party above the na-tional cause, and left theNational Convention.

A peaceful, modernand developed nation mustbe built in the long-term in-terest of the State and thenational races. All mustfirmly keep in their heartsthe patriotism, the nationalspirit, the spirit of nationalsolidarity and Union Spiritfor perpetuation of the Un-ion.

The aim of the nationis for the emergence of apeaceful, modern and devel-oped nation and to strengthenthe national economy. Allthe intellectuals and techni-cians and the people of thenation will have to strive withtheir united strength, while

effectively utilizing the natu-ral resources, for buildingfirm infrastructures.

The future politicalprogramme to march towardsa modern and developed na-tion is our own programme.It is the programme to firmlymaterialize the discipline-flourishing democracy that

will glorify our history andstrengthen the national char-acteristics, without tarnish-ing the national prestige andintegrity of our people.

The seven stages ofthe future political pro-gramme is a correct policyand it is of our own. In con-clusion, I would like to urgethe entire nation and the peo-ple of Kayah State to striveenergetically and harmoni-ously in their respective sec-tors, with full Union Spirit,for successful realization ofthe seven stages of the na-tion-building task.

Kayah National U PoRai Aung Thein of Loikawtabled a motion calling foractive participation of theentire national people in thesuccessful realization of thepolitical roadmap of the Stateby doing their bit with UnionSpirit.

He said that stabilityof the State, development ofeconomic life of the State,national unity and perpetua-tion of the Union are interre-lated. Only after the nationalsolidarity is forged peace and

(from page 16)

tranquillity will prevail.Likewise, only when peaceand stability prevails will theinfrastructures for nationaldevelopment emerge,thereby contributing to de-velopment of economic lifeof the State.

That is why theTatmadaw government,since its assumption ofState’s duties, has given pri-ority to the nationalreconsolidation, communitypeace and prevalence of lawand order. Meanwhile, thenational projects at differentlevels have systematicallybeen laid down and imple-mented for the emergence ofeconomic, social and devel-opment infrastructures, theprerequisite for the emer-gence of a modern and de-veloped nation.

At a time when thegovernment, with the par-ticipation of the entire na-tional people, has been mak-ing all-out efforts for nationaldevelopment, the Union ofMyanmar has been on thecourse of development. The

national solidarity, develop-ment of the economic life ofthe State, technological de-velopment were broughtabout in the nation.

After the assumptionof the State duties, the mar-ket-oriented economic sys-tem that encourages the pri-vate sector was introducedand the national economicprojects that were being im-plemented were also changedto be in accord with the neweconomic policy. The gov-ernment has been buildingroads, bridges large andsmall, dams and reservoirs,universities and colleges,hospitals and dispensariesacross the nation while re-building economic infra-structures for national devel-opment.

Due to strenuous ef-forts exerted by the govern-ment day in, day out, theGDP of the nation, whichstood at only over (47000)million kyats in fiscal year1988-99, recovered from itsdecline and by the 1990-91fiscal year it reached (50260)

million kyats. In the three-year period from 1989-90 to1991-92, the GDP of the na-tion achieved an average an-nual growth rate of 5.9 per-cent. At the end of betweenShort Term Four-Year Plan1992-93 and 1995-96, theGDP of the nation grew byan average annual growthrate of 7.5 percent. And atthe end of the Second Five-Year Plan, the GDP of thenation grew by an averageannual growth rate of 8.5percent. During the 2002-2003 fiscal year i.e. the sec-ond year of the Plan, 11.1percent GDP growth wasachieved.

The Tatmadaw gov-ernment had to assume theState duties unavoidably on18 September 1988. It hadto restore peace and tran-quillity in the nation. In ad-dition, it is building theUnion into a peaceful mod-ern and developed nation inaccord with democracypractices. As peace and tran-quillity prevailed in the na-tion and the national soli-

darity could be fostered to acertain extent, the govern-ment took appropriate meas-ures for convening the Na-tional Convention in 1992.The National Conventionwas convened to discuss andsearch for basic principlesrequired for drafting a con-stitution to shape the futuredemocratic nation.

The political partiesand politicians had been al-lowed to take part in themeeting and express theirviews freely. Arrangementswere made to enable all po-litical forces to participatein the meeting. The NationalConvention was also con-vened for the emergence ofmodern and developed na-tion in accord with desiresof people from all walks oflife.

Without paying atten-tion to the future interest ofthe State the NLD party at-tempted to jeopardize theNational Convention. There-fore, the National Conven-tion was delayed halfway.

Those attending the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

Those attending the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

Those attending the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

Loikaw Township USDA member Daw Kathy Myo Myintacting as master of ceremonies and executive Daw Aye AyeKhaing as co-master of ceremonies at the mass rally. MNA

The future political programme to marchtowards a modern and developed nation is ourown programme. It is the programme to firmlymaterialize the discipline-flourishing democracythat will glorify our history and strengthen thenational characteristics, without tarnishing thenational prestige and integrity of our people.

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 9

(from page 8)The emergence of a new

enduring constitution is the

most important factor in

building the future nation.

Head of State Senior Gen-

eral Than Shwe has given

guidance, saying that what-

ever policy is practiced in

the nation a constitution is

required, and it must be the

enduring constitution that

could serve the interest of

the entire national people.

The seven future policies

and programmes are:

(1) Resumption of the Na-

tional Convention that

has been adjourned since

1996.

(2) After the successful hold-

ing of the National Con-

vention, step by step im-

plementation of the proc-

ess necessary for the

emergence of a genuine

and disciplined demo-

cratic system.

(3) Drafting of a new consti-

tution in accord with ba-

sic principles and detailed

basic principles laid down

by the National Conven-

tion.

(4) Adoption of the constitu-

tion through national ref-

erendum.

(5) Holding of free and fair

elections for Pyithu

Hluttaw (Legislative bod-

ies) according to new con-

stitution.

(6) Convening of Hluttaw

attended by Hluttaw

members in accord with

the new constitution.

(7) Building a modern, de-

veloped democratic na-

tion by the state leaders

elected by Hluttaw, and

the government and other

central organs formed by

the Hluttaw.

The political roadmap of

the State to continue to be

implemented for the emer-

gence of the modern devel-

oped democratic nation and

of a new enduring constitu-

tion in conformity with the

12 political, economic and

social objectives is crucial

for the State and the people.

In ensuring the emer-

gence of a new, modern, de-

veloped democratic nation,

the emergence of discipline-

flourishing democratic sys-

tem is of paramount impor-

tance. At the same time, the

emergence of a new endur-

ing constitution in line with

the 12 political, economic

and social objectives being

implemented in accord with

Our Three Main National

Causes—the National Policy

is very important. That is why

she enthusiastically tabled

the motion calling for active

participation of the entire

national people in the suc-

cessful realization of the po-

litical roadmap of the State

clarified by the Prime Min-

ister by doing their bit with

Union Spirit.

Executive Daw Naw He

Le Htoo of Pruhso Town-

ship USDA supported the

motion calling on the entire

people to take part in their

respective sectors actively

with full Union Spirit for

success of the seven future

political programmes tabled

by U Po Rai Aung Thein.

She said she was glad to

learn the economic, social

and political developments

achieved in the country from

the time of the assumption of

responsibilities by the

Tatmadaw government

which were included in the

first part of the address by

Prime Minister General Khin

Nyunt. In his address, the

government addressed dete-

riorating conditions and in-

troduced a market-oriented

economic system that en-

couraged the private sector

in the economy. In order to

achieve economic growth

based on modern industrial

production during the time

of our government, the gov-

ernment enhanced the capa-

bilities of the state-owned

large industrial enterprises

and also increased industrial

production on the whole.

Moreover, to increase the

industrial capabilities of the

regions and to be able to of-

fer more job opportunities,

the private sector had set up

(18) industrial zones and

additional extended indus-

trial zones in various States

and Divisions.

The number of state- and

private-owned factories in-

creased from over 27,000 in

1988 to 51,000 at present. At

the same time, new roads

and new bridges were built

for ensuring smooth and se-

cure transport and smooth

flow of commodities. New

airports, new ports and con-

tainer yards of international

level were also built. Uni-

versities and colleges were

built for promotion of na-

tional education and hospi-

tals were also built for pro-

motion of the health sector.

In the communication sec-

tor, there has been a dra-

matic increase in linkages

with the international tel-

ecommunication network by

using rapidly changing in-

formation and communica-

tion technology. In order to

develop information and

communication technology

Data Communication, e-

Mail, Internet and Intranet

facilities are being provided.

Development of Kayah

State compared with that of

1988, there were over

185,000 acres of cultivable

land and now cultivation

acreage increased up to

200,000. Before 1988, there

were Ngwetaung Dam and

Moebye Dam. Now

Dawtacha Dam and

Loinanpha Dam have been

built and irrigated areas are

over 36,000 acres.

In the transport and com-

munication sector, there were

396 miles of roads before

1988. Now there are 585

miles of roads and people

can travel easily. In the com-

Those in attendance at the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

Columns marching towards the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

Most important factor in …

Those in attendance at the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State. — MNA

The political roadmap of the State to continueto be implemented for the emergence of themodern developed democratic nation and of anew enduring constitution in conformity withthe 12 political, economic and social objec-tives is crucial for the State and the people.

munication sector, there were

14 telephone exchanges, post

offices and telegraph offices.

Now the number increased

up to 49 including 13 micro-

wave stations. Four 50-line

auto exchanges were in-

stalled in four villages under

rural region development

project.

It is found that progress

has been made in various

sectors in states and divi-

sions as well as border areas

like Kayah State. Emphasis

has been placed on develop-

ment of border areas under

the State Peace and Devel-

opment Council. Especially

in seven states and two divi-

sions tasks for development

of border areas are being

implemented. Development

momentum is high in Panwa

in Kachin State and Laukkai

and Mongla in Shan State.

She said she supported

the point to reconvene the

National Convention, the

first step of nation-building

tasks included in the address

of the Prime Minister.

The government allowed

formation of political parties

in 1988-89 for flourishing of

genuine democracy. In May

1990, a fair multi-party gen-

eral election was held. Rep-

resentatives agreed to con-

vene the National Conven-

tion in June 1992. With six

objectives the National Con-

vention was held on 9 Janu-

ary 1993. Political parties,

national races, workers,

peasants, intellectuals and in-

telligentsia, service person-

nel and other invited del-

egates totalling 702 started

discussions. However, plac-

ing emphasis on attitude of

an individual, NLD, an

above-ground political force,

walked out of the conven-

tion without caring the fu-

ture of the State. Thus the

National Convention was

temporarily adjourned.

Now national reconsoli-

dation is being built for emer-

gence of a modern devel-

oped nation. Everyone with

Union spirit who loves the

country should be well

(See page 10)

10 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

Most important factor in … In the health sector, newspecialist hospitals and gen-eral hospitals have been con-structed and upgraded.

Today, the Universitiesof Medicine are offering dif-ferent diploma courses,Masters Courses, Dr MedSc Courses and PhDCourses.

In Kayah State’s educa-tion sector, there were 333basic education schools in1988, and now there are 383schools with over 47,000students and 1,760 teachers.Altogether eight multimediateaching centres and eightelectronic learning centres

there were 16 rural healthcare centres in the past andnow the number has in-creased up to 19.

And there were four sta-tion hospitals in the past andnow the number has in-creased reaching up to 8.Besides, a nursing and mid-wifery training school wasopened in Loikaw.

Border areas develop-ment projects met with sig-nificant success.

The border areas laggedbehind in development dueto various reasons.

The government estab-lished the Ministry for

Consequently, the devel-opment of border areas havebeen on a per with that ofbig cities. During the pe-riod from 1989 to 2003, thegovernment has spent overK 45,000 million plus US$516 million on the develop-ment of border areas.

It reflects equitable de-velopment of all parts of thenation.

In his clarifications, thePrime Minister expressedhis belief that consolidationof national unity in the coun-try and emergence of eco-nomic foundations for re-gional development, to-

Ahlaung Phaya Column marching towards the mass rally. — MNA

The top priority is to be given to the seven futurepolicies, and the people should notice that theessence of the policies is emergence of a realdemocratic nation.

The afternoon session of the 10th Global Conference of Women Entrepreneursin progress. — MNA

tional economy on self-reli-ance.

In education sector,highly-qualified human re-sources are being nurturedand produced employingadvanced technologies forthe development of the na-tion.

Efforts are being madewith might and main for pro-motion of the nation’s edu-cation standard.

There were only over33,000 basic educationschools in 1988 and nowthere are over 40,000schools in 2003.

And there were over170,000 teachers in 1988and there are over 220,000teachers in 2003.

Thanks to the three “Rs”

courses, over 500,000 adultsare now literate.

The number of universi-ties and colleges was 32 in1988, compared with 154universities and collegesnow.

In 1988, the number ofdeans and faculty memberswere only over 5,600 andnow the number has in-creased reaching up to over16,600.

In 1988, the universitiesopened masters degreecourses as the highest level,in comparison with mastersdegrees on thesis, mastersdegrees, PhD degrees now.

(from page 9)aware of this fact. Every-body should be aware of thefact that the country was un-der the imperialists for over100 years and later she be-came independent. Inde-pendent Myanmar came intoexistence after sacrificingmany lives, blood andsweat.

Thus, a peaceful, mod-ern developed nation is tobe built upholding OurThree Main NationalCauses— non-disintegrationof the Union, non-disinte-gration of national solidar-ity and perpetuation of sov-ereignty, to enable Myanmarto stand tall among the na-tions of the world.

He seconded the motion

calling on the entire peopleto take part in their respec-tive sectors actively with fullUnion Spirit for success ofthe seven future politicalprogrammes tabled by U PoRai Aung Thein.

Member of DimawhsoTownship Working Com-mittee for Women’s AffairsDaw Tin Tin Ohn secondedthe motion tabled by U PoRai Aung Thein, calling onthe entire people to take partin their respective sectorsactively with full UnionSpirit for success of theseven future political pro-grammes tabled by U Po RaiAung Thein.

Member of DimawhsoTownship Working Com-mittee for Women’s AffairsDaw Tin Tin Ohn secondedthe motion tabled by U PoRai Aung Thein, saying thatPrime Minister GeneralKhin Nyunt, in his clarifi-cations on nation-buildingtasks, highlighted detailedfigures regardingMyanmar’s progress in thesectors of economy, sociallife, education and health.

Myanmar is enjoyingfruitful results through themight of national solidarity,Union Spirit and collectiveefforts for enhancing na-

the State Peace and Devel-opment Council Senior Gen-eral Than Shwe in which theHead of State said nationalraces live in the Union ofMyanmar and they are kithand kin based on Unionspirit although they have dif-ferent culture, customs, lan-guages and social style.

The 1947 constitutionwas abolished and the 1974constitution was annulled.At a time when Myanmar ismoving its democratic path,efforts are to be made todraft the constitution for theemergence of a new firmconstitution that is in har-mony with the Twelve Ob-jectives being implementedin accord with the nationalpolicy — Our Three MainNational Causes.

The top priority is to begiven to the seven futurepolicies, and the peopleshould notice that the es-sence of the policies is emer-gence of a real democraticnation.

In implementing theseven-step plan, the realdemocratic nation can bebuilt up by overcoming vari-ous hardships and difficul-ties through the might of thenational solidarity, UnionSpirit and patriotism.

In conclusion, she saidthat she resolutely secondedthe motion presented by UPo Rai Aung Thein.

Afterwards, the chair-man sought the approval ofthe mass rally regarding themotion for active participa-tion of the entire nationalpeople by doing their bit forthe successful implementa-tion of the seven future poli-cies and programmes tabledby U Po Rai Aung Thein.

The mass rally unani-mously approved the mo-tion, and the chairman con-firmed the motion.

The master of ceremo-nies announced the resolu-tions of the mass rally foractive participation of theentire national people bydoing their bit for success-ful implementation of theseven policies and pro-grammes.

The mass rally con-cluded by chanting the slo-gans.

MNA

have been opened. With aview to enabling the stu-dents in Kayah State to pur-sue higher education,Loikaw College was up-graded to Loikaw Univer-sity on 14 May 2003.

Moreover, a governmenttechnological college and acomputer college wereopened. In Kayah State,

Progress of Border Areasand National Races and De-velopment Affairs, resultingin development of the bor-der areas and raising the liv-ing standard of the nationalraces. So far, the border ar-eas development project hasbenefited 68 townships of18 regions in seven statesand seven divisions.

gether with the raising of thestandards of living of thepeople are basic foundationsof the democratic system.Braving various destructiveacts and sanctions, the gov-ernment has to strive foreconomic development si-multaneously for nationalsolidarity. The seven-pointroadmap will lead to a newdemocratic nation.

In a bid to build up apeaceful, modern and devel-oped democratic nation, themost important factor is theemergence of a disciplineddemocratic system that doesnot affect the historical tra-ditions of the Union of thenational races who havelived keeping eggs and nestinfact for thousands ofyears; that does not affectthe national prestige and in-tegrity and characteristics ofthe people and nation.

She quoted the messagesent on the occasion of the46th Union Day on 12 Feb-ruary 1993 by Chairman ofHsinbyushin Column marching towards the mass rally. — MNA

those who took part in thediscussion. In the evening,the MWEA hosted a dinnerin honour of those present onthe occasion at the SedonaHotel. The conference con-tinues tomorrow at the samevenue.— MNA

YANGON, 26 Sept—The10th Global Conference ofWomen Entrepreneurs spon-sored by the InternationalFederation of Women En-trepreneurs and MyanmarWomen Entrepreneurs As-sociation was held at theSedona Hotel on Kaba AyePagoda Road here this morn-ing.

Present on the occasionwere President of the Inter-national Federation ofWomen Entrepreneurs DrDewi Motik Pramono Msiof the Republic of Indonesiaand members, President ofMyanmar Women Entrepre-neurs Association Daw SeinSein, Founder and Adviserof MWEA Professor DawYi Yi Myint, and MWEA

members, members of theWork Committee for Organ-izing the Conference and theSub-Committees, the repre-sentatives from Myanmar,Indonesia, Malaysia, Aus-tralia, Japan, Pakistan, Ne-pal, the People’s Republic ofChina, Thailand, China(Taipei), India and ASEANSecretariat and guests.

President of the Interna-tional Federation of WomenEntrepreneurs Dr DewiMotik Pramona Msi presidedover the first session of theconference and made aspeech.

Head of Gender and De-velopment Section of Emerg-ing Social Tissue Division(UNESCAP) Mr Thelma SEKay (Thailand), Representa-

Companies Mr Serge Punand Vice-Chairperson forForeign Affairs in IWAPIMs Tia Tatyana SentaniSutara (Indonesia) discussedpaper on Global Vision, Lo-cal Strategies and Social En-trepreneurship from various

points of view.Resource persons replied

to queries raised by thosepresent and the second ses-sion came to a close.

After the ceremony,President of MWEA DawSein Sein presented gifts to

tive of ASEAN SecretariatDaw Moe Thu Za and Ex-ecutive Officer of the Gar-den Hope of Foundation MsChi Hui-Jung (Taipei) dis-cussed paper on Empower-ing Women’s Network forBusiness and Non-BusinessVentures from various pointsof view.

Resource persons repliedto queries raised by thosepresent and the first sessioncame to a close.

The second session of theconference continued in theafternoon, and it was pre-sided over by Vice-Presidentof NFWE Mrs NorazizahBorhan of Malaysia

Adviser of MWEA Pro-fessor Dr Daw Yi Yi Myint,Chairman of SPA Group of

International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs and Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association meets

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 11

Implementation of projects for socio-economicdevelopment of all regions in the country

Kayah State is situ-

ated in eastern

Myanmar and

bounded on the north

by Shan State, on the

east by Thailand and

on the south and west

by Kayin State. The

photo shows famous

Taungkwe Pagoda in

Loikaw, Kayah State.

The Government has been

laying down and implement-

ing plans for bringing about

all-round development in the

whole country. For extension

of agricultural tasks, dams and

reservoirs are being built

spending a large sum of

money. By opening the

Loinanpha Dam, agricultural

works can now be extended

further in Kayah State. The

dam will irrigate 2,150 acres

of land. It was built on

Tikellya Creek near

Loinanpha village, Dimawhso

Township, Kayah State and

was commissioned into serv-

ice on 6 March 2002.

The government is endeavouring for equitable development of all regions in the country. As a result, people living in different regions of the

nation are now witnessing significant progress in their respective regions. In Kayah State also, infrastructures for various sectors have been

built. The number of educational infrastructures have increased significantly compared with the period before 1988, The photo shows the

Government Computer College in Loikaw, capital of Kayah State.

12 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � � � � � �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`abS=IOB?[JF? c_O`JaIOB?[JF?^a_O`aIOB?[JF?dKJ?LD=HNKOF?KJ?PQJ?LRB?LS=B?JB?TFU>?eXPYZ?H@IB?[L\?H]FGB?HCF?fS=B?gGfF?COb?]gHJTZ?HcJGKS=F?dAUGHF]FGF?TDLRF?gSQ>hC\?iNfS=>hJF?AUGHNGHASASLF?jb?]gGF?gSQC\?[]ZkAQJlgF?]>hB?HcmXdNKOB?HLS=B?JB?n>L=>?FS=B?]fGB?gA\?@IJ?C\?[N@>B?LS=B?JB? n>L=>?FS=B?]fGB?LRF?gSQ]CG<=>?@AB?CDEFGHIA?HJF?PQB?[_O`abS=IOB?[JF?AUGHoLS=B?JB?CF?KA?HKS=H@ApB?[@TB?HFS=L\?HLS=B?JB?CF?KA?HF=Z?fD=H@>H]ZGF?TOB?[LqK?gF?]>hB?HcmXdNKOB?H]fGB?gOF?gA\?@IJ?>hC\?i<=>?@AB?CDEFGHIA?HJF?PQB?[ _O`abS=IOB?[JF?AUGHFS=LS=B?JB?Ar[FS=B?]fGB?CD=HJOr>hFLS=B?JB?TN@>B?gF?LqZ?]EFHPQB?[as?]EFHAUGHFS=>h]>H]fGB?gA\?@IJ?>hC@IB?[@>\?CtAUGHN]Z@IB?[CK?AQK?FGLNKOB?HLS=B?JB?AUGHgbtEFgZ?LS=N>?>h]EFGB?HNCS]>HN>?>hC\?i\qZ?EFGH]gHAuHTUv>?\qZ?EFGH]gHAuHTUv>?\qZ?EFGH]gHAuHTUv>?\qZ?EFGH]gHAuHTUv>?\qZ?EFGH]gHAuHTUv>?fF?COb?]gH\qZ?EFGHAYw`HJHxGZfF?COb?]gH\qZ?EFGHAYw`HJHxGZfF?COb?]gH\qZ?EFGHAYw`HJHxGZfF?COb?]gH\qZ?EFGHAYw`HJHxGZfF?COb?]gH\qZ?EFGHAYw`HJHxGZgZ?F=Z?nAS yigZ?F=Z?nAS yigZ?F=Z?nAS yigZ?F=Z?nAS yigZ?F=Z?nAS yigF?JOr WXXmT=PQJ? JF?KB?zGLW{gF?i

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV “GEE HONG” VOY NO (313)Consignees of cargo carried on MV “GEE HONG” Voy

No (313) are hereby notified that the vessel will be arriving

on 27-9-03 and cargo will be discharged into the premises

of M.I.T.T where it will lie at the consignee’s risk and

expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of the

Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily between 8 am to

11.20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm up to Claims Day now declared

as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the

Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S EAGLE CORPORATIONPhone: 256908/378316/376797

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV “MAS SUTRA” VOY NO (043)

Consignees of cargo carried on MV “MAS SUTRA”

Voy No (043) are hereby notified that the vessel will be

arriving on 27-9-03 and cargo will be discharged into the

premises of M.I.P. where it will lie at the consignee’s risk

and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of

the Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily between 8 am to

11.20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm up to Claims Day now declared

as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the

Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S AREMIER SPECTRUMPhone: 256908/378316/376797

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV “QING CHUN MEN” VOY NO (041)

Consignees of cargo carried on MV “QING CHUN

MEN” Voy No (041) are hereby notified that the vessel will

be arriving on 28-9-03 and cargo will be discharged into the

premises of A.W.P.T where it will lie at the consignee’s risk

and expenses and subject to the byelaws and conditions of

the Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily between 8 am to

11.20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm up to Claims Day now declared

as the third day after final discharge of cargo from the Vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admitted after the

Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S INTERASIA LINEPhone: 256908/378316/376797

Thai doctor finds wayto check drug use by hair

sampleBANGKOK , 26 Sept — A Thai doctor had been success-

ful in detecting traces of narcotics use from hair sam-ples, and the result of this way is more reliable than thosefrom urine tests, the Nation newspaper reported Wednes-day.

Internationalfreight

association toconvene in BaliJAKARTA, 26 Sept — The

International Federation of

Freight Forwarders Associa-

tion (FIATA) will hold its

World Congress from

September 29 to October 3

in Bali, the organizer said.

The congress titled “Role

of the Forwarders in the Lo-

gistics and Supply Chain”,

was expected to draw up to

1,000 participants from

across the world, the Indo-

nesian Forwarders Associa-

tion (INFA), the organizer,

was quoted on Wednesday

by The Jakarta Post re-

ported. The forum is meant

to support the government’s

programme of luring foreign

tourists back to Indonesia,

especially Bali.

MNA/Xinhua

At a meeting with Rus-

sian Prime Minister Mikhail

Kasyanov, who is here for an

official visit, Hu said in re-

cent years, China and Russia

had made full use of the co-

operative mechanisms be-

tween the two governments

and actively implemented the

important consensus reached

by their leaders.

Stronger and deeper stra-

tegic cooperation was the

common choice and com-

plied with the fundamental

interests of the two peoples,

which was conducive to re-

gional and world peace, sta-

bility and development, Hu

said. China would strictly

follow the China-Russia

treaty on good-neighbourly

friendship and cooperation

and other important docu-

ments, and join with Russia

to push forward the strategic

cooperative partnership.

Hu said economic and

trade cooperation was an im-

portant component of strate-

gic cooperation, which was

significant to boosting eco-

nomic growth and building

the foundations of good-

neighbourly friendship and

cooperation.

Hu urged the two sides to

balance interests and further

improve economic and trade

cooperation under the princi-

ple of mutual benefit and sup-

port so as to instill new power

to the strategic cooperative

partnership.

Kasyanov said he was

glad to see cooperation pro-

ceeding with important

achievements.

The Russian Prime Min-

ister, who led a high-level

delegation of officials from

Russian central and local gov-

ernments on the visit, said

governments and enterprises

of the two sides had held in-

depth discussions on further-

ing bilateral economic and

trade cooperation.

Russia hoped the two

sides could work together to

adjust trade structure and

increase investment so as

to uplift bilateral trade

volume.—MNA/Xinhua

BEIJING , 26 Sept — Chinese President Hu Jintao saidhere Wednesday deepening the China-Russia strategicpartnership of cooperation complies with the fundamen-tal interests of the two peoples.

Chinese Presidentmeets Russian PM

Associate Professor

Pongrak Sribanthitmongkol

of Chiang Mai Universi-

ty’s Faculty of Medicine an-

nounced this news, saying

even though Western re-

searchers had long been able

to check for drug use through

hair, but their researches

only focused on checks for

traces of heroin and mor-

phine use and now he could

check for traces of

methamphetamines.

He said hair tests al-

lowed authorities to detect

traces of drug use further

back than urine tests as

traces of the drug disap-

peared from urine after three

days, while drug traces

could be found in hair soon

after the drug was used and

remained as long as the user

did not have a haircut.

MNA/Xinhua

Russian PM pledgesto keep promise on oil

pipeline planBEIJING , 26 Sept — Russian Prime Minister Mikhail

Kasyanov said here Wednesday the Russian Governmentwould honour its commitments and abide by the agree-ment reached on the construction of the oil transmissionpipeline between Russia and China.

Kasyanov said at a joint

Press briefing after formal

talks with Chinese Premier

Wen Jiabao that the coopera-

tion in oil and natural gas was

a priority in economic coop-

eration, and the two sides ex-

changed views fully during

his visit.

He reiterated the commit-

ments Russia made in meet-

ing China’s needs of oil and

natural gas during the talks,

and the Russian side “will

live up to the commitments”.

The cooperation in oil and

natural gas area was being

implemented vigorously,

said the Russian Prime Min-

ister.

Russia and China reached

consensus in 2001 to build an

oil transmission pipeline from

Angarsk, near Lake Baikal in

eastern Siberia, to Daqing in

northeast China. Technical

assessments have been com-

pleted.

However, some Russian

oil companies put forward a

new plan late last year to pump

oil from Angarsk to the Rus-

sian Pacific port of Nahodka.

The Russian Government de-

cided last March in principle

to adopt a compromise plan,

comprising a main pipeline

from Angarsk to Nahodka and

a branch pipeline to Daqing.

Upon completion, the

pipeline will be able to annu-

ally transmit 50 million tons

of crude oil to Japan and

South Korea, and another 30

million tons to Daqing by

2010.

Kasyanov said the Rus-

sian side was still studying

the details of the project, in-

cluding the specific route and

plan, and would make a deci-

sion soon.

The original two plans

“did not give enough consid-

eration” to the protection of

the environment near Lake

Baikal, he said, and so the

plan had to be revised, which

would take three to four

months. —MNA/Xinhua

Illegal labour ringsmashed in GermanyBERLIN, 26 Sept — Po-

lice smashed an illegal la-

bour ring in northern Ger-

many on Wednesday.

Officials in the northern city

of Oldenburg said 10 per-

sons were arrested in the

mass swoop.

The chief suspect was a

37-year-old Turkish man

who was believed to have

headed the ring that smug-

gled workers from Romania

and Bulgaria to Germany to

be menial labour.

Some 300 police officers

raided 25 homes in three

towns near Oldenburg.

In Wednesday’s action,

police also took 31 suspected

illegal workers into custody.

Police said the illegal work-

ers were brought to Germany

on tourist visas and then

given low-wage jobs.

MNA/Xinhua

Drive with care

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

|}~������|����������}�}�

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 13

New Zealand’s Health Minister Annette

King signed Wednesday a contract on be-

half of the government with the Compre-

hensive Test-Ban Treaty Organization

(CTBTO) for the installation of a

radionuclide station in Nadi, Fiji.

New Zealand’s National Radiation Labo-

ratory (NRL) will build the one million NZ

dollars (about 580,000 US dollars) station,

part of a worldwide network of 321 moni-

toring stations designed to help enforce-

ment of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-

Ban Treaty.

NRL Director Jim Turnbull said in a state-

ment that “it continues to enhance New Zea-

land’s credibility in the international disarma-

ment arena”. The Nadi station will join three

other radionuclide stations operated by the

NRL in New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

The NRL is also in the final stages of

completing the installation of an infrasound

station on Chatham Island, according to

Turnbull.

The test ban treaty, signed by more than

160 countries, including New Zealand, is

intended to stop the proliferation of nuclear

weapons, and lead to disarmament.

However, the treaty can only be effec-

tively implemented, if there is a monitoring

system in place, Turnbull said.

“NRL’s involvement right from the be-

ginning has put New Zealand at the forefront

of implementing and enforcing the treaty,

which is an achievement all New Zealanders

can be proud of,” he said.

The National Radiation Laboratory, a

business unit of New Zealand Ministry of

Health, has operated a comprehensive ra-

dioactivity monitoring programme since

1957. — MNA/Xinhua

In speeches at the United

Nations this week, leaders of

Algeria, Indonesia, Pakistan

and Syria said they feared the

global battle against terror-

ism, the United States’ top

foreign policy priority, was

being used as an excuse to tar

the Palestinians’ desire for

an end to Israeli occupation.

Kuwait, meanwhile,

slammed a US campaign to

accuse its neighbour, Saudi

Arabia, of being involved in

terrorism.

“The war against terror-

ism must be fought compre-

hensively, on a global front,”

Pakistani President Pervez

Musharraf told the 191-na-

tion UN General Assembly

on Wednesday.

“It must not be hijacked by

those who seek to use it as an

excuse to suppress other peo-

ples, It must not be allowed to

engender a clash of civiliza-

tions — a clash between Is-

lam and the West,” he said.

The United States and its

ally Israel say Palestinian

violence is itself the problem

in the Israeli-Palestinian con-

flict. They argue Palestinian

militant groups must be shut

down before there can be

progress on a Middle East

peace plan.

But Musharraf disa-

greed. “The fate of the Pal-

estinian people is the prin-

cipal factor in determining

public and political percep-

tions in the entire Islamic

world. It is only progress

towards a just peace that

can marginalize the extrem-

ists,” he said.

Algerian President

Abdelaziz Bouteflika also

used this week’s high-level

assembly meeting to warn

against “the tendentious as-

sociation of terrorism with a

religion, a civilization or a

geographical area”.

MNA/Reuters

Shopping district in downtown Guangzhou, capital ofChina's southern Guangdong province, on 23 September,2003. Economic growth in Guangdong, China's manufac-turing epicentre and a barometer of national growth, islikely to hit a six-year high above 12 percent this year,Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua said—INTERNET

Bangladesh sets criteriafor shrimp export

DHAKA, 26 Sept — The Bangladeshi Government has

decided to maintain the exact standard of exportable shrimp

by setting up a set of criteria, reported the Financial ExpressThursday.

The decision was made by the Export Promotion Bureau

(EPB) recently in a bid to boost the export of the frozen

shrimp.

Under the decision, the exporters have been made

mandatory to test shrimp at the appointed chloramphenicol

laboratory before export.

The exporter, moreover, will have to collect their standard

control certificates from the Department of Fisheries Standard

Control (DFSC) with a declaration that the shrimp is free from

antibiotics.

Besides, before releasing shrimp from the farms, shrimp

farmers will also have to collect certificates from the DFSC

declaring that they do not use fish feed or fish meal which

carries antibiotics.

To ensure the hygienic environment in the shrimp farms,

all open latrines on the farms should be replaced with sanitary

latrines supplied by the Department of Public Health and

Engineering as soon as possible.

The farmers will enjoy duty-free facilities for importing

all types of shrimp testing kits in accordance with the decision.

The country earned 321.81 million US dollars from

exporting frozen foods in the fiscal 2002-2003 against a target

of 313.14 million dollars. The EPB has set an export target of

370 million dollars for the current fiscal 2003-2004.

MNA/Xinhua

Stone Age man dumped fish supperfor steak and vegetables

LONDON, 26 Sept — Stone Age man swapped a diet of fish for one of meat andvegetables as soon as the opportunity arose, according to researchers at BradfordUniversity in northern England.

“In Britain it happened

very quickly, in a genera-

tion or two,” team leader

Michael Richards told

Reuters. “We had expected

to find a gradual

switchover, but this was a

virtual dietary revolution.”

Richards’ team studied

dietary change during the

Neolithic period between

5,200 and 4,500 years ago,

using carbon isotopes to as-

sess how the rate of change

coincided with the emer-

gence of a domesticated life-

style from one based purely

on opportunistic hunting.

It published the results

in the science journal Na-

ture.

“Out went the marine

foods and instead we find a

wholesale switch to other

meats. We have found huge

quantities of cattle bones as

well as pigs in the settle-

ments from this period,”

Richards said.

And it wasn’t just the

inland dwellers who sud-

denly gave up fish in fa-

vour of meat and vegeta-

b les . Richards’ t eam

found an equally sharp

and rapid change in the

diets of even coastal in-

habitants.

“It was a complete di-

etary makeover. We have

no evidence that there were

suddenly no fish in the sea.

The people simply stopped

eating fish,” he said, add-

ing that there was no obvi-

ous explanation for the

sudden change other than

the desire for a change in

diet allied with a more

static lifestyle.

MNA/Reuters

Uganda to build hospitalsfor 56 districts

KAMPALA , 26 Sept— The Ugandan Government willbuild referral hospitals for all 56 districts in the EastAfrican country, reported The Monitor newspaper onWednesday.

British Air-waysto resumeflights toPakistan

LONDON, 26 Sept— Eu-

rope’s biggest airline, British

Airways Plc, said on Wednes-

day it would resume flights to

Pakistan in December for the

first time in two years, saying

the security situation there had

improved.

Flights had been sus-

pended in September 2001

because of security concerns

in the region. The suspension

followed devastating attacks

on US cities when hijacked

planes slammed into New

York and Washington, killing

around 3,000 people and lead-

ing to the outbreak of war in

Afghanistan.—MNA/Reuters

from about 500 US dollars

to about 7.5 US dollars a

month.

He added that even

that the price would soon

be waived so that all pa-

tients receive free AIDS

drugs.

About 150,000 Ugan-

dans have AIDS and ur-

gently need drugs. Of

these, only between 15,000

and 20,000 have access to

the drugs.

MNA/Xinhua

Minister of Health Jim

Muhwezi was quoted as

saying that the government

would build a referral hos-

pital for each district.

There are 56 districts in

Uganda.

Muhwezi said that all

sub-counties would soon

have AIDS testing cen-

tres.

On the prices of AIDS

drugs, the minister said the

government has reduced

the price of AIDS drugs

WHO pledges to do everythingin fight against HIV “AIDS”

NAIROBI , 26 Sept — A senior World Health Organi-zation (WHO) official said here Wednesday that theorganization has to do everything in the fight againstHIV/AIDS.

Director of HIV/AIDS of

the WHO Paulo Teixeira

made the remark at a joint

Press conference here to out-

line new strategies of HIV/

AIDS prevention, treatment

and care for Africa, home to

70 per cent of the 40 million

people infected with HIV/

AIDS in the world.

It is late in providing the

HIV/AIDS sufferers with

access to drugs, he said. The

United Nations has recently

launched two consecutive

reports on HIV/AIDS, wak-

ing the world up on the real-

ity of the pandemic in Africa.

The latest report, entitled

“Progress Report on the Glo-

bal Response to the HIV/

AIDS Epidemic, 2003”, is

the follow-up to the 2001 UN

General Assembly Special

Session on HIV/AIDS, warn-

ing UN member states that

the basic goals on HIV/

AIDS prevention and care

would never be met on the

continent unless efforts were

dramatically scaled up.

The other report, entitled

“Accelerating Action

Against AIDS in Africa”,

said that despite increased

political attention, Africa’s

AIDS fight remains only half

funded.

Meanwhile the WHO is

urging both governments

and international organiza-

tions to provide affordable

or free antiretroviral drugs

for the people living with

HIV/AIDS. It has set an am-

bitious goal to provide

antiretroviral treatment to

three million people living

with HIV/AIDS by 2005.

MNA/Xinhua

New Zealand to build nuclear testmonitoring station in Fiji

WELLINGTON , 26 Sept — New Zealand is to build a nuclear test monitoring stationin Fiji, according to official sources here Wednesday.

Islamic leaders urge US to stopganging up on Palestinians

UNITED NATIONS, 26 Sept — Islamic world leaders are urging Washington to stopganging up on Palestinians in the name of the war on terror, warning this could fuelMuslims’ perception that the campaign was targeting them.

��������� ��� ���� ���� ���� ����������������� ���������

14 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � �

SPORTS

Liverpool held in Ljubljanabut Owen sets scoring record

LJUBLJANA , 26 Sept— Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenian side Olimpijain the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie on Wednesday but England strikerMichael Owen set a record for the visitors.

69th minute for protesting too much after a

rough challenge by England midfielder

Steven Gerrard on Nedim Jusufbegovic.

Besirevic said of the result: “I am not

completely satisfied. It would have been

better if it had stayed 1-0, so we could have

hoped to have a chance in Liverpool.

“I told my players they have nothing to

lose. The pressure was all on the other side

and I must say they left their hearts on the

pitch.”

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier said:

“We didn’t take our chances but Olimpija

took the only one they had so they deserve

this result. The pitch did not allow us to play

a fluent game.”—MNA/Reuters

His 78th-minute equalizer was his 21st

in European competition, surpassing Ian

Rush who hit 20.

Owen headed home from close range

after he was set up by John Arne Riise who

crossed from the left.

Anton Zlogar had put the home side

ahead from close in on 65 minutes after a

strike by Nedim Jusufbegovic from the edge

of the box hit the post.

Olimpija, sixth in the Slovenian First

Division, defended stubbornly and allowed

Liverpool few scoring chances despite hav-

ing three defenders substituted for injuries

before halftime.

Coach Suad Besirevic was sent off in the

Spurs win 3-0 in first match since Hoddle sacking

Even without their usual strike partner-

ship of Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano,

both of whom started on the bench, Roma

easily controlled the opening half in which

Vardar failed to create a single shot on goal.

The Italian side took the lead in the 12th

minute when defender Traianos Dellas con-

nected with midfielder Gaetano

D’Agostino’s corner, looping a header into

the top right corner of Vardar keeper Gogo

Jovcev’s net.

Eight minutes later, they scored their

second. Dellas sent a long ball over the top of

the visitors’ defence to midfielder Daniele

De Rossi, who timed his run to perfection,

brought the ball down and chipped it over

Jovcev.

Roma’s dominance continued after the

break, Norwegian international striker John

Carew, a close-season signing from Valen-

cia, striking with a header in the 54th minute

and Marco Delvecchio sealing the result

with the last kick of the match.

It was the Italian club’s first home Euro-

pean win since they beat Barcelona in Feb-

ruary 2002 and leaves them with a seem-

ingly routine task in the second leg of the tie

on October 15.—MNA/Reuters

Puchov shock Barcelona with last minute goal TRNAVA (Slovakia), 26 Sept— Slovak club Puchov shocked Barcelona with a last

minute goal on Wednesday to grab a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Cup firstround tie.

The feisty Slovaks had several credible

attempts in a goalless first half, but Barce-

lona woke up after the break and four min-

utes into the second half Patrick Kluivert

slotted home a soft lob from Ronaldino.

Kluivert had had the ball in the net five

minutes before halftime only for the strike to

be disallowed because of a foul.

Leading 1-0, Barcelona played it safe, but

the strategy proved a mistake when in injury

time Puchov’s Mario Breska found Milan

Jambor, who drilled home the equalizer.

“It’s a beautiful feeling. I’m very proud of

the performance of my players,” said Puchov

trainer Stefan Zatko. “We played very in-

tensely. Unfortunately we couldn’t keep up

the tempo for the whole match, but it’s a good

starting point for the second leg.”

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said: “I

knew this would be a very difficult match...

we play a lot of these games and people say

‘oh they’re the favourites, they should score

a lot of goals,’ but it doesn’t always work that

way.” He added: “We did not perform as we

should have and Puchov performed very well.

We have to learn from this and move on.”

MNA/Reuters

LONDON, 26 Sept — Tottenham Hotspur

won 3-0 at first division Coventry City in

the League Cup on Wednesday in their first

match since they sacked manager Glenn

Hoddle.

Spurs strikers Frederic Kanoute and

Robbie Keane combined twice to score a

goal each in the opening 23 minutes of the

second round match at Highfield Road.

Substitute Rohan Ricketts increased the

lead in the 86th minute with a fine shot from

the edge of the box, his first goal for

Tottenham.5

Hoddle, who had been in charge at Spurs

since April 2001, was sacked on Sunday

following a 3-1 premier league defeat at

home to his former club Southampton on

Saturday.

Second division Swindon Town,

Hoddle’s first club as a manager, were on the

verge of a shock victory at Leeds United.

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson saved

the premier league side by coming upfield to

head a 90th-minute equalizer and send the

match into extra time.

Swindon were 2-0 up after 74 minutes

but Leeds pulled one back through Ireland

defender Ian Harte three minutes later and

the visitors then had keeper Bart Griemink

sent off two minutes from time for a second

bookable offence.

Brazilian striker Mario Jardel scored twice

for Bolton Wanderers in their 3-1 home win

over first division Walsall.—MNA/Reuters

Oliveira strike gives Valencia1-0 win over AIK

STOCKHOLM, 26 Sept — Valencia’s Brazilian striker Ricardo

Oliveira gave them a 1-0 win at AIK Stockholm in the first leg of

their UEFA Cup first round match on Wednesday.

Oliveira scored in the 65th minute after his strike partner Juan

Sanchez set him up inside the area for the only goal.

AIK had started the game more aggressively and outplayed

Valencia, who took few risks throughout the match, during the

opening spell.

Stefan Ishizaki came close to giving the home side the lead with

a close-range shot that Valencia goalkeeper Andres Palop kept out

with a spectacular save.

Oliveira had Valencia’s best chance of the opening period

when his effort was saved by Hakan Svensson in the 21st minute.

A minute before halftime AIK striker Daniel Hoch was left

unnmarked in the penalty area but failed to reach a long pass.

Valencia began to get on top after the break and pushed AIK

back into their own half, but they created few chances until

Oliveira popped up to score what proved to be the winner.

MNA/Reuters

Renate Lingor (L) and Linda Bresonik (R) of Germany double team Eriko Arakawa(C) of Japan during the Fifa Women’s World Cup at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

INTERNET

Dortmund gain edgewith 2-1 win in Vienna

VIENNA, 26 Sept—

Struggling Borussia Dort-

mund received a much-

needed boost of confidence

on Wednesday with a 2-1

win over Austrian champi-

ons Austria Vienna in the

first leg of their UEFA Cup

first round tie.

Otto Addo put the Ger-

man visitors ahead in 38th

minute only seconds after

asking to be substituted due

to an injury to his right knee.

Vladimir Janocko, voted

player of the year in the Aus-

trian first division, equalised

50 seconds later from a free

kick more than 30 metres

from the goal. MNA/Reuters

T

Roma prove too strong for Macedonia’s VardarROME , 26 Sept— AS Roma opened their UEFA Cup challenge with a 4-0 win on

Wednesday, outclassing Macedonian side Vardar at the Olympic Stadium.

To Cordoba: The pack rides during the 17th stage of the 58th Tour of Spain cyclingrace between Granada and Cordoba.—INTERNET

Genclerbirligi sink Blackburn3-1 in UEFA Cup

ANKARA, 26 Sept— Two goals from Genclerbirligi

striker Souleymane Youla helped the Turkish side to a

convincing 3-1 win over England’s Blackburn Rovers in the

first leg of their first round UEFA Cup match on Wednesday.

Security was high at the Ankara stadium but there were

no signs of trouble among the capacity crowd in a match seen

as a test ahead of next month’s potentially volatile Euro 2004

qualifying decider between England and Turkey.

Genclerbirligi looked more dangerous team in the first

half and finally scored in the 42nd minute when Australia’s

Josip Skoko fired a half-volley past Brad Friedel after the

keeper was stranded outside the area following his own

headed clearance. The home side extended their lead a

minute later when the 21-year-old Youla, joint top scorer in

the Turkish league this season, struck a fierce left-footed

shot past the helpless Friedel from just inside the pnealty

area. Blackburn got back into the match through midfielder

Brett Emerton, who slotted home from eight metres on 57

minutes after striker Andy Cole wriggled free inside the area

to set him up. —MNA/Reuters

LONDON, 26 Sept— Six Arsenal players

and two from champions Manchester United

have been charged with improper conduct

after a fracas in Sunday’s bad-tempered 0-0

draw at Old Trafford, the Football Associa-

tion (FA) said on Wednesday.

Arsenal, as a club, have been charged

with misconduct, while the individual

charges apply to Ashley Cole, Lauren, Jens

Lehmann, Ray Parlour, skipper Patrick Vieira

and Martin Keown.

MNA/Reuters

FA charge sixArsenal, twoUnited players

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 27 September, 2003 15

R 489 Published by the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar. Edited and printed at The New Light of Myanmar Press,No 22/30 Strand Road at 43rd Street, Yangon. Cable Newlight, PO Box No. 43, Telephones: Editors 296115, Manager 296864, Circulation 297093, Advertisement 296843,Accounts 296545, Administration 296161, Production 297032 (Office) /297028 (Press).

R 489 Published by the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar. Edited and printed at The New Light of Myanmar Press,No 22/30 Strand Road at 43rd Street, Yangon. Cable Newlight, PO Box No. 43, Telephones: Editors 296115, Manager 296864, Circulation 297093, Advertisement 296843,Accounts 296545, Administration 296161, Production 297032 (Office) /297028 (Press).

Correction

OBITUARY

Daw Nyunt NyuntAge 75

(Dorothy-Mrs Maung Maung Gyi)Daughter of (U Ba Tin A.T.M)-(Daw Khatun) of

Mawli Qr Sittway, wife of Capt (Col) Maung Maung Gyi,MN, Ambassador retd, mother of Capt Tin Gyi-ThidaLinn, (Mariner Enterprise Ltd), Daw Khin Sabai, StaffOfficer, MRTV-3, Capt Nyunt Gyi, Daw Nyunt NyuntHtway (Mariner Enterprises Ltd), grand mother of Kay ZinSoe, Moe Pwint Hpyu, Aung Lynn Myat Gyi, Thet HtooNyunt and Thaw Htoo Nyunt, expired at home at No 11(f)Maylikha Road, Mayangone, Yangon, at 9.35 am on 25thSeptember, 2003, and buried the same day at the YaywayMuslim Burial Grounds. Friends and relatives please takethis as the only intimation.

Bereaved Family

Kindly read the date ofHoney Cho Nwe Oo, daugh-ter of George Win Mg Ooand Theingi Lwin, as 20-9-1999 instead of 29-9-1999 inthe ad which appeared in yes-terday's paper.

Grandpa Dr ThanWin & grandma Daw KhinMa Ma

YANGON, 26 Sept —Member of the State Peaceand Development of Coun-cil Lt-Gen Maung Bo of theMinistry of Defence attendeda coordination meeting onregional rice sufficiency ofTaninthayi Division at theKyunyadana meeting hall ofMyeik District Peace and De-velopment Council Officeyesterday morning.

Present at the meet-ing were Taninthayi Divi-sion Peace and DevelopmentCouncil Chairman CoastalRegion Command Com-mander Brig-Gen OhnMyint, Deputy Minister forAgriculture and IrrigationBrig-Gen Khin Maung,Deputy Commander ColHone Ngaing, and oficials.

The commander, thedeputy minister and officialsreported on agriculturalundertakings and foodsufficiency.

In response to the re-ports, Lt-Gen Maung Bo saidMyanmar being an agro-based country, the Head ofState always gives guidanceon giving priority to agricul-tural development. The re-gional rice sufficiency willensure the rice sufficiencyof the country. Geographi-cally, Taninthayi Division isgood for the agricultural un-dertakings. Therefore, em-phasis should be placed onregional rice sufficiency. TheState is striving for the pro-duction of surplus rice, suf-ficiency of edible oil, boost-ing the production of exportpulses and beans, cotton and

Development activities inspected in Myeik region

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun formally open theBeautiful China Picture Exhibition at the National Museum. — NLM

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party pose for a documentary photo together with representatives at the 10th Global Conference of Women Entrepreneurs.(News on page 13) — MNA

Lt-Gen Maung Bo makes a speech at the coord meeting on regional rice sufficiency in Taninthayi Division. — MNA

Correction Please read Maj-Gen Lun

Maung in the Declaration

No 11/2003 featured on

page 1 of The New Light

of Myanmar issued on 24

September 2003. Error is

regretted.—Ed

industrial crops. As for thelocal rice sufficiency, vari-ous means including ex-tended cultivation, cultiva-tion of high yield and qualitystrains and double croppingare to be employed.

While emphasis isplaced on paddy, extendedcultivation of other cropsmust also be carried out.Correct and precise statisticson agriculture sector must becompiled and agriculturaltechnologies must also bedisseminated to farmers byresponsible officials. In con-clusion, he urged people ofTaninthayi Division to strive

for local rice sufficiency,production of surplus andexport meat and fish, andextended cultivation of oilpalm and rubber. After-wards, Lt-Gen Maung Boand party arrived at the seaprawn breeding camp ofGolden Myeik Co Ltd inShwepay Village ofSantawut Village-tract inMyeik Township by boat andinspected the production andbreeding of sea prawn.

Director U PhoKaung of the company ex-plained the livestock breed-ing tasks. The commanderand officials gave supple-

mentary reports. Lt-GenMaung Bo gave instructionson organising the local en-trepreneurs for the develop-ment of livestock breedingtasks.

Lt-Gen Maung Boand party also inspected thefish breeding ponds of NyeinChan Yay Co. He also vis-ited Myeik General Hospitaland comforted the patientsthere. At the midwifery train-ing school of the hospital ,the medical superintendentof the hospital reported toLt-Gen Maung Bo and partyon strength of medical staffand health care services. Lt-

Gen Maung Bo said that theState Peace and Develop-ment Council is striving toenable Myanmar to keepabreast of world nations, set-ting up plans for enlistingthe strength of healthy andfit national people.

He said that the gov-ernment, with national out-look, was providing healthcare services for the entirepeople. He also urged healthpersonnel, who were provid-ing medical services to thepeople in accord with thenational health policy, to dis-charge their responsibilitiesearnestly.

Director U KyaMaung of Taninthayi Ma-rine Product Co Ltd, Direc-tor U Hla Than of Pyay PhyoTun Co Ltd and Director UWin Bo of Htoo Htoo ToeCo Ltd donated K 500,000each to the training school.

Later, Lt-Gen MaungBo and party arrived at AungSwanah Pyi natural fertilizerfactory in Kanphya Ward,Myeik. After hearing reporton production process of thefactory, Lt-Gen Maung Bogave instructions on produc-tion of natural fertilizer ofhigh quality with the use oflocal raw materials. — MNA

YANGON, 26 Sept —Under the sponsorship of theChinese Embassy (Office ofthe Cultural Counsellor) inMyanmar, a “BeautifulChina” Picture Exhibitionwas opened at the Multipur-

“Beautiful China” Picture Exhibition openedister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, ChineseAmbassador to Myanmar MrLi Jinjun and officials, in-vited guests from foreignembassies in Myanmar,Myanmar foreign corre-spondents, the director-gen-eral of the Department ofCultural Institute and offi-cials. First, the ChineseAmbassador explained thepurpose of holding thePicture exhibition.

Next, Brig-Gen AungThein extended greetings.Later, Brig-Gen Aung Theinand Mr Li Jinjun formallyopened the exhibition. Af-terwards, those present onthe occasion viewed the pho-tos displayed at the exhibi-tion and saw the documen-tary film on Chinese devel-opment and pleasantness.The Picture exhibition willbe kept open from 10 am to 5pm till 3 October.

MNA

pose Room of the NationalMuseum on Pyay Road thismorning. Present on the oc-casion were departmentalheads, Deputy Minister forIndustry-2 Lt-Col KhinMaung Kyaw, Deputy Min-

2nd Waxing of Thadingyut, 1365 ME Saturday, 27 September, 2003TheTheTheTheThe

INSIDEPerspectives

Reclaim more land inresponse to emerging

damsPage 2

CIRCULATION

24,298

Foreign newsPages

3,4,5,6,12,14

Most important factor in …

Pro-rector U Sein Oo presides over the mass rally to support the seven-point roadmap of the State together withDr Daw May Yi Phaw, Assistant Director U Kay Kaw Yi Yo (Retd), Pa-O national U Khun Tun Tin and Kayah State

USDA Secretary U Kyaw Swe. — MNA

cal reforms were carried out

step by step for the transfor-

mation to a genuine multi-

party democracy system. Our

endeavours were not made

in a haphazard way but to

ensure the best possible fu-

ture after studying the weak-

nesses and strength of the

democracy system that had

been practised in the past as

well as to treat the historical

wounds that have not been

healed yet.”

Democracy can only

materialize after taking into

account the historical back-

ground and objective condi-

tions of the country con-

cerned. It is also a truth that

democratic practices differ

from one country to another.

There exist differences be-

tween the countries that prac-

tice democracy today and the

historical background, geo-

graphical conditions as well

as the culture and character

of the people of our country.

It is an undeniable fact

that because of these differ-

ences, we cannot directly

copy or import a democratic

system that is being prac-

tised abroad. Neither can

such a change be effected

overnight.

Now, I will present the

seven stages of the future

political programme in-

cluded in the third part of the

Prime Minister’s address.

The most important fac-

tor in building a new, peace-

ful, modern, developed and

democratic nation is the

emergence of a discipline-

flourishing democratic sys-

tem that does not affect the

historical traditions of the

Union of the national races

living in unison and harmony

for thousands of years; that

does not affect the national

prestige and integrity of our

people and nation; and that

does not affect the national

characteristics of our peo-

ple. Therefore, we will have

to continue to work for the

laying down and realization

of the seven steps (the

roadmap) in the political pro-

gramme for the emergence

of a new enduring State Con-

stitution and building of a

new modern developed

nation in accordance with

the national policy of Our

Three Main National Causes

as well as twelve political,

economic and social

objectives.

The seven stages of the

future political programme

are:

(1) - Reconvening of the

National Convention that

has been adjourned since

1996.

(2) - After the successful

holding of the National

Convention, step by step

implementation of the

process necessary for the

emergence of a genuine

and disciplined demo-

cratic system.

(3) - Drafting of a new

constitution in accord-

ance with basic princi-

ples and detailed basic

principles laid down by

the National Convention.

(4) - Adoption of the con-

stitution through national

referendum.

(5) - Holding of free and

fair elections for Pyithu

Hluttaws (Legislative

bodies) according to the

new constitution.

(6) - Convening of

Hluttaws attended by

Hluttaw members in ac-

cordance with the new

constitution.

(7) - Building a modern,

developed and demo-

cratic nation by the state

leaders elected by the

Hluttaw; and the govern-

ment and other central

organs formed by the

Hluttaw.

Efforts were initiated in

1992 for reconvening the

National Convention.

The six objectives of the

National Convention—

(a) Non-disintegration of

the Union

(b) Non-disintegration of

the national solidarity

(c) Perpetuation of the

national sovereignty

(d) Flourishing of a genu-

ine multi-party demo-

cratic system

(e) Further flourishing of

worldly values—jus-

tice, liberty and equality

in the nation

(See page 8)

Those in attendance chanting slogans at the mass rally. — MNA

Presiding chairman and members chanting slogans at the mass rally. — MNA

(from page 1)Now, I would like to

present a concise report on

the national development.

Efforts are being made for

emergence of human re-

sources in all fields of the

education sector, and that is

the national task. In order to

provide opportunities for

education, basic education

schools, universities and col-

leges have been opened

across the country. As a re-

sult, in 1988 the number of

basic education schools

stood over 33,000. However

in 2003, this has increased to

over 40,000 including branch

schools and affiliated

schools. With a view to pro-

viding the rural areas with

the opportunities to get basic

middle school education,

post-primary schools have

been opened in the country.

There were many illiter-

ate adults in our country be-

cause of the colonial legacy

and the weaknesses of the

succeeding periods. There-

fore, adult literacy classes

were organized throughout

the nation including the re-

mote border areas in order to

eradicate illiteracy. Thus, the

literacy rate increased from

78 percent to 92.2 percent.

With regard to higher

education, more universities

and colleges have been

opened in the 24 special de-

velopment zones established

in 14 States and Divisions

for human resources devel-

opment. Due to the opening

of new universities and col-

leges, the number of univer-

sities and colleges has in-

creased from 32 in 1988 to

154 at present. As the gov-

ernment has greatly ex-

panded post-graduate Mas-

ters and Doctorate Courses,

during the period between

2001 and 2003, over 9,000

students obtained the

Masters Degree and over 200

received their Doctorates.

With respect to the Techni-

cal Education Sector, there

are now four Universities of

Technology, two Universi-

ties of Computer Studies, one

Maritime University, one

Myanmar Aerospace Engi-

neering University, 26 Gov-

ernment Technological Col-

leges, 24 Government Com-

puter Colleges and nine Gov-

ernment Technical Institutes.

In endeavouring for the

development of the nation, it

is necessary for the people

not only to have higher stand-

ards of education, but also to

be healthy and strong. Thus,

the number of hospitals,

which are the basic require-

ment for the health sector,

has increased. In 1988, there

were only over 600 hospitals

including specialist hospi-

tals, in 2003, the number of

hospitals has reached over

750. Similarly, 84 local dis-

pensaries and over 1,400 ru-

ral health centres have been

established in all parts of the

country.

Now, I would like to

present the political sector

that is included in the second

part of the Prime Minister’s

address. In his address, the

Prime Minister said, “Politi-