Information Committee of State Peace and Development Council holds press conference 7/2006

Yangon, 2 Nov— The Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council held the press conference 7/2006 at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Information on Theinbyu Street, here, this morning.

Present at the press conference were Chairman of the Information Committee Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi, members of the Information Committee, departmental heads, responsible personnel of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association and media persons, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, President U Sao Kai Hpa and members, those in-charge of local journals and magazines and guests.

First, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan made preliminary clarifications on internal affairs and progress of the National Convention. He said Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council has held regular press conferece and special press conference since December, 2004, to inform the people of facts worth knowing.

Perss conferences were held in Shan State (North), Shan State (East), Shan State (South), Bago Division, Kayin State and Mon State in conjuction with study tours in the areas. Press Conferences on the National Convention were held on 8 and 9 October.

First, the minister briefed all those present on progress of the National Convention at today's press conference. In accordance with the Seven-Step Road Map laid down for building the peaceful, modern and developed nation, the National Convention was reconvened in May, 2004, and the 4th convention began on 10 October 2006. A total of 1,081 delegates from eight delegate groups including delegate group of political parties are participating in the constitutional talks. The delegate group of political parties comprises eight parties.

Delegates of Kokang Democratic Party which did not attend the previous convention on health and economic grounds are also participating in the on-going constitutional talks.

As the convention delegates wished to hold the Plenery Session of the National Convention, it was held on 10 October. At the plenery session, all delegates denounced the act of the United States to pressure UN to place Myanmar on the UNSC's agenda accusing Myanmar of posing a threat to regional stability and security. The plenery session approved that the accusation of the US was false and goundless.

The Chairman of the National Convention Convening Work Committee clarified the detailed basic principles for legislative functions of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw, for legislation of the Region or State Hluttaw for the Chapter “Citizenship, Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens”, for “the Role of the Tatmadaw” for drafting the constitution, Alternate panel of chairmen of the plenery session of the NC sought the approvals for seperate suggestions of the delegate groups and and steps were taken to lay down the detailed basic principles in accordance with the rules and regulations. The detailed basic principles were reported through the official media.

Chairman of the NCCWC clarified the detailed basic principles for the Chapter “Election”, for the Chapter “Provision on State of Emergency”, for the Chapter “Political Parties” on 30 and 31 October at the convention so that the delegates can discuss the detailed basic pirnciples. Therefore, it is clear for the journalists to assess the progress of the National Convention.

The heavy rain caused floods in many parts of the country this rainy season. The floods damaged transportation facilities, fields and villages in low-lying areas. Due to the efforts of local authorities in the flooded regions, the transportation is now in good condition. Similarly, local authorities evacuated flood victims and gave reliefs to them in cooperation with Tatmadaw men and members of social organizations. News of the environmental disaster was reported through the media. As the flood totally receded, steps to resettle the victims have been taken in the flooded areas.

As residents in the low-lying areas were warned to be on alert for the flood in time and preventive measurse and relief activities were carried out, the residents did not suffer as much losses as flood victims in other countries.

Similarly, the heavy rain flooded over 2,000 acres of paddy fields in Sagaing Division, over 13,000 acres in Mandalay Division and over 17,000 acres in Ayeyawady Division. However, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and authorities concerned had taken steps in the wake of the flood to ensure the paddy fields against loss or damage. They also provided paddy strains, fertilizer, pesticides and agricultural machinery to farmers. Besides, UN agencies also provided assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. Therefore, thanks to the cooperative efforts of local authorities, local people and social organizations, the natural disaster did not cause heavy loss or damage for the flooded areas.

MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi made clarification on matters related to the death of Thet Win Aung who was serving terms at Mandalay Prison due to committing the existing laws.

(The clarification of MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi is reported separately.)

Next, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan made clarification on the internal affairs.

(The clarification of Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan is reported separately.)

Afterwards, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi, Managing Director U Ohn Than of the Myanma Agriculture Service and Director-General U Khin Maung Lay of the Directorate of Trade replied to the questions raised by local and foreign journalists.

The journalists viewed photos showing those who attended at various occasions for political gains marked by Min Ko Naing and group under the name of ‘88' generation students, documentary photos on atrocities at Abu Ghraib Prison being controlled by the US that blows its own trumpet as it is a democratic nation granting human rights, other documentary photos on visits of local NGOs to jails and assistance willingly provided for health care service, foods and social requirements, bomb explosions committed by ABSDF terrorist group, external destructive elements and insurgents from 2002 to 2006, documentary photos on health care services given to Thet Win Aung, son of U Win Maung, at the jail from 2004 to 2006, photos on the autopsy report for the body of Thet Win Aung, son of U Win Maung, the connection between the ‘88' general students and external destructive elements, cash assistance from abroad to the ‘88' generation students, some declarations of anti-government terrorist groups and documentary photos.