Questions and answers at the Press Conference 4/2006

YANGON, 27 April—The Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council held its press conference 4/2006 at City Hall in Kengtung, Shan State (East), yesterday morning.

Officials from the News and Periodicals Enterprise, the president and members of the Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, members of editorial divisions of local journals and magazines, and correspondents from the Newspaper and TV Division from Thailand covered the news.

At the press meet, local and foreign journalists and officials from local magazines and journals raised questions regarding the clarification and other matters. Officials concerned, those from SSA-S Ywet Sit group who returned to the legal fold, and villagers from the villages that were burnt down by SSA-S Ywet Sit group replied to the queries. Their clarifications were as follows:

U Myat Khaing (Good News and Great News Journal)

I have learnt that the special announcement NLD issued on 21 April said that the people were in poverty, and poppy growing and production was uncontrollable. So, I would like to know what the government is doing now including the tasks for the development of border areas including the regions on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River, raising the social life of the people and poppy-substitute crops projects for elimination of narcotic drugs. Can these tasks be said to be effective? Another question is that the minister said that the government is taking measures for enhancing the intellectual power of the people and the development of human resources for the emergence of a democratic nation. I would like to know the previous situations in the education sector of Shan State (East) and what are changes in its education sector.

Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt

Regarding the first question, I would like to present the undertakings for the development of border areas, and the fruitful results of development of the regions on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River have enjoyed.

The border areas development projects have been implemented with increased efforts and have come to fruition since the Tatmadaw assumed State duties. The social and economic sectors of local people in border areas have made considerable progress more than expected if compared with those before the projects.

As a matter of fact, Myanmar’s border areas lagged behind in development due to geographical barriers and poor transport. To make circumstances worse, the areas suffered multi-coloured insurgency for more than four decades. So, the magnitude of backwardness of rural areas was very huge.

Since its assumption of State responsibilities, the Tatmadaw Government has given priority to national reconsolidation. As a result, Kokang Region returned to the legal fold on 31 March 1989, and “Wa Region” national race insurgent group, on 9 May.

So, the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races chaired by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe was formed on 25 May 1989 and the development project was launched.

In implementing the policies the Central Committee laid down, the Work Committee chaired by the Secretary-1 has undertaken the projects, enlisting the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs separately established for the development of border areas, 11 regional work committees chaired by chairmen of respective states and divisions, and 18 subcommittees chaired by deputy ministers of respective ministries. Therefore, the projects have yielded remarkable results.

In the process, a major aim was set up to put an end to narcotic drugs, evil legacy the colonialists intentionally left in border areas. One of the five major aims enumerated in Border Areas Development Law (1993) is to eradicate poppy growing and production by establishing business enterprises in border areas.

That is why the Tatmadaw Government has been constructing social economic infrastructures such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, agricultural farms, livestock farms, TV retransmission stations and communication systems since 1989 to create social and economic opportunities for local people in the border areas. From 1989 to date, the government has spent more than 81,837 million kyats from the State funds, and 79.5 per cent of the investments has gone to the regions where poppy is grown mainly. In 1999, ten years after the start of the Border Areas Development Project, the 15-year Narcotic Drugs Elimination Plan was launched, and then success has been achieved successively.

For instance, Mongla Region was declared as poppy free zone in 1997, and it has never relapsed into poppy growing, and so has Kokang Region since 2003. That shows that ex-poppy growers have been able to earn their living by means of other businesses.

Similarly, Wa Region was also declared as narcotic drugs free zone on 26 July, 2005 and poppy cultivation has been banned since then. The previous poppy growing season did not see at all the growing of poppy in the region.

In the drive for the development of the border areas, the government has given priority to road and bridge projects in compliance with the guidance of the Head of State. From 1989 to date, in border areas, 3,181 miles of earth roads, 1,995 miles of gravel roads and 351 miles of tarred roads have been constructed, 3,295 miles of old roads reconstructed, and 51 above-100-foot bridges, 725 under-100-foot bridges, and 26 suspension bridges, constructed.

Regarding the education sector, from 1989 to date, the government has opened 1,034 schools. It is amazing the number of students in border areas has increased sharply to 170,920 from just more than 1,000 in 1988.

Concerning the health sector, it has established 79 hospitals, 105 dispensaries, 58 rural health care centres and 140 sub-rural health care centres.

It has established 108 TV retransmission stations in border areas, and so the progress has enhanced the knowledge of local people.

With regard to the agriculture and livestock breeding sector, it has opened 31 agricultural offices, 117 agricultural farms, 11 tractor stations, and 41 livestock breeding and veterinary camps. So, there have been plantations of suitable crops, poppy-substitute crops fields and agriculture and livestock farms. The fields where poppy was grown have become fields of paddy and corn. The cultivation of paddy and corn has been extended to fulfil basic needs of local people, and perennial crops and raw industrial crops are cultivated to create long-term job opportunities and raise income. Apart from the agriculture and livestock farms established by the government, local national people are running large crop plantations that create long-term job opportunities and raise income. Panhsan, Mongmao and Namtit in Wa Region have seen rubber farms along with finished rubber products factories. Wulon tea produced in Mongmao Region is high in quality and gets high price in foreign market, and so plans are under way to extend growing such species of tea. The tea farms in Kokang Region thrives again and local farmers are earning high income through sugarcane cultivation.

Orange and lychee Wa national people grow in Wanhone and Namtit have a stronghold in the market. Mango and lychee cultivated in poppy-substitute crop plantations in Mongma in Mongla Region have had their market.

Thriving 20,000 acres of rubber and over 40,000 acres of orange, tea and lychee grown by local farmers in Kokang, Wa and Mongla regions on the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River have indicated sustainable progress of the poppy eradication campaign.

Therefore, it is vivid that the border areas development project the Head of State supervises has been an engine for peace and stability of the nation, social and economic development of local people in the border areas, the narcotic drugs eradication plan and the programme for reducing cultivation of poppy.

Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt: He explained development of the education sector in the whole country. He said that not only the Ministry of Education but also other ministries concerned are implementing short-term and long-term plans for development of the education sector. The Ministry of Education has been carrying out development tasks of the basic education sector since 1998 and the higher education sector since 1996. In so doing, tasks of region-wise human resources development were undertaken in line with short-term and long-term plans. In the basic education sector, opening of new schools, upgrading of school buildings, enrolment of school going age children and opening of post-primary schools were included in the plans. At the same time, ministries concerned performed opening and upgrading new universities and colleges and created an ICT arena through Intranet and Internet systems in the higher and basic education sectors.

There were 338 schools in 1988 in Shan State (East), and now there are 594 schools. Hence, the number of schools rose by 256. Likewise, strength of teachers in the basic education sector were 858 in Shan State (East) in 1988. At present, 2,573 teachers have been appointed there. So far, over 1,700 teachers have increased. Though a total of 28,605 students attended the schools in Shan State (East) in 1988, now 76,625 students are attending the schools. The number of students in Shan State (East) has increased from 28,605 in 1988 to 76625 up to now. Out of basic education schools in Shan State (East), 33 schools have been facilitated with multimedia classrooms.
Enrolment rate of school going age children reached 51 per cent in 1988. Now, today’s school going age enrolment rate increased to 95.98 per cent. Therefore, the remarkable enrolment had risen up to 44 per cent. Though adult literacy rate was 32 per cent in 1988, it is 49 per cent at present. Hence, there is 17 per cent adult literacy rate increase. In reviewing the facts and figures, success of the education sector can be witnessed in Shan State (East).

With regard to the higher education sector, there was no university and college in Shan State in 1988. At present, the state has been equipped with two degree colleges of the Ministry of Education and one of the Ministry of Science and Technology. In the entire nation, there were 33,747 basic education schools in 1988, compared with 40,525 at present. Hence, the growth in the number of schools is over 6,000. Likewise, today’s strength of teachers is 240,000: it is 70,000 more than 170,000 teachers in 1988. There are 7.8 million basic education students at present. It is 2.5 million more than 5.2 million students in 1988. Nowadays, 156 universities are opened in the entire nation. However, the nation had 32 universities in 1988. Therefore, 124 universities had risen. Nowadays, the Government has designated 24 special development zones in all states and divisions for carrying out equitable development tasks. Therefore, progress can be witnessed in the basic and higher education sectors. U Aung Khine (Yonkyihmu News Journal): I would like to ask two questions. The first— Is it true that Ywe Sit group committed to violent behaviour towards Pa-O race? The second— Is it true that someone who was a novice joined with SSA (South)?

U Kyaw (Chairman of Naungtae Village-Tract PDC): Ywet Sit group came to oppress our national Pa-O. Both Pa-O and Shan races were residing in our village. But Ywet Sit group released an order to burn all the houses in Pa-O village and not to do in Shan village during the clashes. There were two villages of Pa-O and five of Shan in our area. Whenever they burnt the villages, they told us to return to Thaton. If not, they would drive us away from there. I had been living in the hills since my childhood and both my parents were also dead on that hill. I turned over 60 now. They wanted me to return to Thaton and I had never been there. That was racial discrimination towards me. I am a Pa-O national Buddhist.

Aik In (He exchanged arms for peace from SSA-S Ywet Sit Group): I am Aik In and live in Nannwe village, Mongpa village-tract, Kengtung. As a novice, I was attending school at the same time. At the age of 15, I went to Thailand and over one year later I was arrested by Thai police. They disrobed me and sent me to Ywet Sit group after I was told that I would be sent back to Myanmar. I attended a six-month military course and then two months later I came to surrender arms in Mongphyat.

Dr Tin Tun Oo (Pyi Myanmar Journal): NLD released a special announcement on 21st April and it said that Myanmar faced difficulties in preventing and fighting AIDS, Malaria, TB and Bird Flu and that I would like to know how Myanmar world is solving these health problems.

Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo: The first thing I want to tell was that accusations made by NLD and foreign news agencies towards efforts of the Ministry of Health were not new ones. They were constantly making the public misunderstand about the endeavors of the State. National Health Committee was dealing with the health problems in our country. The commmittee was steered by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein. Our health minister joining hands with other related ministries laid down health policies and have been implementing them. Other ministries, private departments, Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade, War Veterans Organization, doctors, nurses as well as WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA and NGOs participated in solving these health problems. Regarding HIV/AIDS, Myanmar laid down National Aid Program (NAP) and was performing it in combination with above organizations. According to data collected by UN Expanded Theme Group during 2003-2004 and Technical World Theme Committee during 2005 September, HIV cases dropped to nearly half if compared with 1990 in the statement and sharply late 2000. It was because of stability in the State showed in the another statement. But it still needs to fight this disease. Condoms for safe sex were being distributed to young groups, high risk behaviour groups, drug groups (Target Population) in 154 townships. The distribution of condoms amounted to 35 million. This amount was three times more than the previous. The use of condoms was up 76 per cent in 2005 from 49 per cent in 2003. With the leadership of CCDAC, the Ministry of Health was carrying out HIV prevention and treatment services the whole country and moreover, specialists cured HIV patients in 26 major treatment centres as well as minor clinics. CCDAC, UNODC, social organizations including the Ministry of Health were successfully taking measures on harm reduction in 16 out of designated 20 townships. The next thing was that prevention of HIV infection from mother to child (PMCT) was carried out in 68 townships and 17 hospitals. Arrangement would be made for extension of HIV prevention and treatment in next five years. In connection with the treatment, it was initiated in 2000. UN Agency, local NGOs and international NGOs plus the Ministry of Health were treating 1000 HIV patients. They would extend up to 10,000 during 2005-2006. The public lacked HIV knowledge. Now salient points of HIV knowledge were aired on TV and moreover printed media also expressed these for the public to be aware. With the help of UNICEF, school health tasks and HIV preventive measures were being taken among school youths for healthy lifestyle by the ministry, national NGOs and international NGOs. A national level HIV exhibition was held for the first time in Yangon Division during November, 2003 and for the second time in Mandalay Division during October, 2004. Therefore, NLD’s accusations were ridiculous and far from objective reality.

Malaria cases dropped to 11.1 in every 1000 people during 2004 if compared with 24.3 in 1990. Malaria death cases were down to 3.7 per cent in every 100000 people during 2004 compared with 12.6 during 1990. Educative talks on the disease were given to the public. Moreover, treated masquito- nets, and medicines were distributed in rural areas.

DOTS medicines were distributed and free treatment was given throughout the country.There were enough medicines for two years in the country.WHO showed Myanmar was successful with 80 per cent performance in treatment. Diagnosis rates were 81 per cent in 2004 from 32 per cent in 1994 and that exceeded designated target. So this accusation was not true.

Bird flu occurred in neighbouring Asian countries in early 2004. Since that time, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries planned a programme of Human Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response. H5N1 broke out in 13 townships in Sagaing and Mandalay Divisions at the beginning of 2006 March. The ministries and local authorities took necessary measures and could well control over this disease in the first week of 2006 April. There were no causalities in this disease. These were real facts according to data collected by UN Expanded Theme Group during 2003-2004 and Technical World Theme Committee during 2005 September.

U Myo Min Min of Shwe Mandalay Journal asked: I know that there are some Lahu nationals among those who surrendered and returned to the legal fold. What I would like to know is whether there is racial discrimination in SSA-S led by Ywet Sit and how they became members of the insurgent group.

On behalf of Lahu nationals, Ko Shay La said : I was born in Myanmar but grew up in Thailand. I was forcibly recruited by SSA-S, forced to attend the military training and assigned to Battalion 815 of Brigade 811. We returned to the legal fold because they discriminated against us as well as other national races. The top positions were occupied by Shan nationals and the highest rank given to other national races was the post of platoon commander. We had to have extortion money collected. When they captured one or two smugglers together with some stimulant tablets called ‘yaba’, they added their own to the seized tablets to make the seizure seem larger. Then they took a photograph of tablets. I don’t know why. No longer tolerant towards what they did, we fled to Thailand, hid the arms on farmland and lived there, doing work that came our way. Hearing that the Tatmadaw Government always welcomed those who returned to the legal fold, we contacted people’s militia leader U Pi Ngaw to do so.

Ko Mar Ku, also a Lahu national who was forced into SSA-S, said : I was recruited against my will. They promised to pay me 100 baht a month but they did not. They discriminated against us. We wanted to die rather than stay on with them. Therefore, we fled to Thailand. We brought the arms back from a deserted farm only after we had returned to the legal fold.

U Hein Latt of Popular Journal asked : I often hear Myanmar accused of being unable to prevent human trafficking. Therefore, I would like to ask two questions. The first question is what measures the government is taking for prevention of human trafficking and the second question is about rehabilitation of drug addicts.

In his reply to these questions, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe said : Regarding human trafficking, we took action against traffickers according to the existing law at first. It was before the promulgation of human trafficking law. Human trafficking law was enacted on 13 September, 2005. Since 2002, action has been taken against 1421 people in 703 cases. This shows that we are really serious and taking effective steps about the prevention of human trafficking. We are preventing human trafficking on our own as well as in cooperation with other nations in Mekong Region, namely, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Myanmar hosted minister-level meetings of the six nations in the region in October, 2004. This indicates that we are offering full cooperation to the regional endeavour to curb on human trafficking. A national seminar was held from 28 February to 1 March, 2006, and responsible personnel from Myanmar Police Force, the Office of Attorney-General and the Supreme Court participated in it. Moreover, such NGOs as Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association are holding educative talks among the grass roots. Turning a blind eye to our constant efforts to fight human trafficking amounts to an insult to the integrity of our nation and people.

Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint answered in brief the question of how to comfort and prevent the victims. The victims suffered from social troubles abroad, were looked after by Social Welfare and Resettlement Department with the ways of social welfare giving the consultation, training and the additional services to them.

The SWRR Ministry accepted the victims systematically from Myanmar embassies abroad and in other ways and they were temporarily accommo- dated at the women’s vocational training schools under the ministry and had them undergone medical check-up. Then, the case study on their biographies was compiled.

Arrangements were made to send them back home only after giving the training and the educative lectures on the salient points of the human trafficking and getting used to their social surroundings again.

In doing so, there are mental and vo-cational training. Men- tally, the Social Welfare Department, the Health Department, the Educa- tion Department, the Department of Myanmar Education Research Bureau, the Religious Affairs Department, the Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department, Yangon University (Psychology Department) and the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation are providing training to them.

Concerning the vocational training schools, the tailoring and knitting courses are given to them for making own living. Besides, the basic requirements for social and economic assistance were fulfilled appropria- tely in order to make their living after going back. After all, they were sent to their respective parents systematically. Moreover, through the cooperation of local authorities, the MWAF, departments concerned, the Social Welfare Department and other international or- ganizations such as UNIAP, World Vision Myanmar, Save the Children UK, the efforts are also being made not to be the victims of human trafficking again.

Regarding the second question of drug addicts and activities for rehabilitation, the Ministry of Health gave medical treatment to them in order that they stop narcotic drugs absolutely. Later, the rehabilitation tasks were being carried out opening the camps for rehabi-litation based on the hospitals and the Social Welfare Department. On the other hand, under the leadership of the CCDAC, the rehabilita- tion camp for the youths was also opened and measures on the com- munity base rehabili- tation are being taken.

To gain physical progress, the vocational training courses were given to them for earning their own living. For their mental progress, the measures were taken for rehabilitation after consultations with them individually and in group. Besides, they were trained for their rela- xation by enabling them to enjoy the songs and TV and video.
Persuading them with the preaching of Sayadaws and elder persons, the opportunities are also created to describe their past experi- ences and feelings through the discussions with families. Moreover, the lecture on the disadvantages of using narcotic drugs were given. Next, after care services are being provided with the assis- tance of volunteers and the drug abuse super- visory committee.

U Zan Zan of Morning Post said that in the clarification of the Information Minister, SSA-S of Ywet Sit set fire to a Pa-O village on 26 March 2005, killed the villagers and left them homeless. So, he would like to know why they set fire to the village.

Some of the diplomats had contacts with NLD headquarters and gave guidance to them. What would be the government attitude towards this?

U Kyaw of Hti Ta Khu village of Maw Mun village-tract said that I live in Hti Ta Khu village in Hopone Township. A total of 98 houses and the schools including 32 houses of Hti Ta Khu, 14 of Ban Mong village, 14 of Maun Lut and 38 of Naung Tae village were damaged by fire. The SSA had set fire on our village three times.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that I had made clarifications on the announcements of NLD. The NLD is dedicated to the wrong commitment through incorrect policy such as confrontation, defiance of authority, utter devastation, blocking the nation and relying on the external elements. And their western masters go and see them, and are also giving instructions. Their incorrect com- mitment and policy are a big loss to the State and the people. So, the people do not support the NLD. Some party members of NLD resigned as party members and have kept resigning from the party as yet. In addition, the NLD party had the chances to have a talk with the government.

The National Convention was held in 1993. The NLD party was invited to make political discussions in the National Convention. The party attended the NC from 1993 to 1995. And then the party walked out the NC in 1995. However, the party was invited again to attend the National Convention held in 2004. They said they would attend the National Convention but they, of course, did not attend the National Convention.

Now, the National Convention, the first phase of Seven-Step Road Map is being held. A total of 1000 delegates from eight groups including national race armed groups are attending the NC. As a matter of fact, it is more politically extensive than the discussion with a handful group. Due to those reasons, the government has no reason to talk with the NLD.

U Ko Ko of Yumiyuri Shinbum said officials said that the government has no plans to hold a dialogue with the NLD concerning the party’s special announcements issued on 12 February and 21 April. The minister also explained the NLD’s connections with foreign organizations. Recently the government also announced the three organizations including the NLD (LA) as terrorist groups. Has the government any plans to take further actions against the NLD?

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said I have already explained that the NLD has been continuously following the wrong policy of defiance of authority, confrontation, utter devastation, sanctions, and relying on aliens that never benefits the nation. NLD has connections with expatriate groups, terrorists and destructive groups. The government has firm evidence to declare the NLD unlawful. But the government assessing the situation from all view points and exercising tolerance and patience and farsightedness still permits the NLD to stand as a legal political party.