Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives Thai military delegation

YANGON, 29 April — Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received the Thai delegation led by Lt-Gen Pichanmet Muangmanee of Thailand that arrived here to attend the 22nd Myanmar-Thai Border Committee Meeting, at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha, here, at 9.30 am today.

Also present at the call were member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Chief of Military Affairs Security Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Maung Myint, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint, Military Attaché Col Ko Ko Maung and senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence.

The Thai delegation was accompanied by Thai Ambassador Mr Suphot Dhirakaosal and Military Attaché Col Prissapa Suvanatat.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

PSLA serves as pioneer and example for other nationality groups to reach the correct way PSLA led by U Aik Mone unconditionally exchanges arms for peace

YANGON, 29 April — The Palaung State Liberation Army led by U Aik Mone, who had returned to the legal fold since 1991, unconditionally exchanged arms for peace at Mangton Sports Grounds in Mangton Township, Kyaukme District, Shan State (North), this morning.

It was attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental officials, members of USDA, MWAF, MCWA, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades and local people, totalling over 5,000.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of the PSLA U Aik Mone, Vice-Chairman U Nyi Lone, Joint-Secretary U Maing Ohn Khaing, Commanding Officers U Aik Hsam, U Han Thein, U Aung Pay and U Pan Si Ya and members totalling 843. U Phon Kyar Phu and party of Shan State (North) Special Region-1 Kokang Group, U Aung Myint and party of Wa Special Region-2, U Lwai Maung and party of Special Region-3 SSA Group, U Mahtu Naw and party of Special Region-5 KDA Group, U Zaw Gun and party of Kachin State Special Region-2 KIA Group were also present on the occasion. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt and Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presided over the ceremony. Mangton Township USDA members Ma Moe Moe Aung and Ma Nan Kwe acted as masters of ceremonies.

First, MC Ma Moe Moe Aung announced the start of the ceremony. The commander delivered an address, saying that the ceremony was auspicious not only for the brethren of Mangton region and Namhsan, but for the entire Shan State (North) and the entire Union, as it helps restore regional peace and stability, the basic requirement for national progress and prosperity. Regional peace and the rule of law are essential for development of the Union of Myanmar including the Namhsan and Mangton townships where the majority of population is Palaung. At present the consolidation of national unity is the main requirement. The national races have been living in amity and unity since yore. They also migrated to places where conditions were better, Myanmar had been under subjugation for over 100 years. The nation faced armed conflicts among the national races for nearly 40 years, as armed struggles broke out soon after the independence was regained in 1948. Thus, the nation with rich natural resources lagged behind in development. As the Tatmadaw Government is able to build trust between the armed groups and itself, 17 major armed groups and other smaller groups have returned to the legal fold. As the Government and the groups are jointly carrying out development undertakings, while strengthening the mutual trust between them, regional peace and stability can be restored and sound foundations for development laid. On behalf of the nation, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing welcomed the PSLA’s unconditional exchange of arms for peace, which will lead to restoration of the perpetual peace, the wish of the entire national people, and help develop and benefit the nation with greater acceleration.

He then quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying, “The ensuring of protection for the people to fully enjoy peace and security within the framework of law is the essential basic requirement to build a discipline-flourishing democratic nation.” He continued to say that by making the unconditional exchange of arms for peace, the PSLA will help the nation to reach the goal of everlasting peace, which is longed for by the people. Thus, the group led by U Aik Mone is now enjoying the warm embrace of the nation and the entire nationalities. U Aik Mone, Vice-Chairman U Nyi Lone, Joint Secretary U Maing Ohn Khaing, battalion commanders U Han Thein, U Aung Pe, U Pan Si Ya and U Aik Hsam and other PSLA members are like the pioneer and an example for other nationality groups to march to the correct way. Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing said as a gesture welcoming the firm resolve of PSLA led by U Aik Mone, basic needs such as food, clothes and accommodation will be provided to the group and priority will be given to the development of the region. In addition, he said, the State on its part will provide assistance for the improvement of education, health, economy and social affairs of the region.

He said the State and all national people cordially welcomed all the members of PSLA led by U Aik Mone, and they are urged to work in cooperation and unitedly for the development of the State by upholding ‘Our Three Main National Causes’, non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty, which have been often cited by the Head of State. Leader of the PSLA Chairman U Aik Mone and Vice-Chairman U Nyi Lone handed over their weapons to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein.

Next, Commanding Officers U Aik Hsam, U Han Thein, U Aung Pay and U Pan Si Ya of PSLA handed over their weapons to Lt-Gen Aung Htwe. The arms and ammunition were: 420 assorted arms including one 81-mm mortar, five 60-mm mortars, six 2" mortars, one BA-103, one 57-mm recoilless gun, one RPG launcher, one launcher made at Homein, one 7B launcher, two M-7 launchers, one M-72 launcher, one HK-33, eight M-79 launchers one MG-42 sub-machine gun, 10 M-23 China-made sub-machine guns, three .303 Bren guns, seven BA-64s, 17 BA-63s, nine BA-72s, one BA-94, two BA-52s, 37 carbines, 56 M-22s, 137 M-21s, 60 M-16s, seven M-14s, two 9mm pistols, one Browning pistol, two handle pistols, 33 M-20s, three .38 revolvers, one .225 gun, two revolvers, two mines, 18 grenades, 57 magazines, five walkie-talkies, 313 shells and grenades and 19,906 rounds of ammunition.

Leader of the PSLA U Aik Mone explained the purpose of the unconditional exchange of arms for peace and thanked the Government, the Tatmadaw and the people for their warm welcome in Myanmar and Palaung languages. (U Aik Mone’s speech is reported separately).

Joint-Secretary U Maing Ohn Khaing of PSLA explained the purpose of the unconditional exchange of arms for peace and spoke words of thanks. (U Maing Ohn Khaing’s speech is reported separately.)

Local Ta-aung Palaung national U Khun Pwint made a speech, welcoming U Aik Mone and party and expressing his feeling of happiness for achieving peace, stability and prospects of development in Mangton and Namhsan region in Myanmar and Palaung languages. (U Khun Pwint’s speech is reported separately.)

Ma Nan Mya Sein, a local national, gave a speech, welcoming U Aik Mone and party and expressing her feeling of happiness for achieving peace, stability and prospects of development in Mangton and Namhsan region in Myanmar and Palaung languages. (Ma Nan Mya Sein’s speech is reported separately.)

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein presented clothes and gifts provided by the State to PSLA leader Chairman U Aik Mone and Vice-Chairman U Nyi Lone.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave gifts to Commanding Officer U Aik Hsaung, U Han Thein of PSLA. Lt-Gen Aung Htwe also presented gifts to Commanding Officer U Aung Pay and U Pan Si Ya of PSLA. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing handed over 150 bags of rice, 100 viss of edible oil and 400 sets of uniforms to U Aik Mone and U Nyi Lone.

The ceremony ended successfully at 9.45 am.

After the ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, the ministers, the deputy ministers and senior military officers inspected arms and ammunition handed over by PSLA.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected clothes and gifts provided by the State and gifts by North-East Command for PSLA.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party cordially greeted U Aik Mone, party and members of PSLA.

At Mangton BEHS, the Secretary-1 and party met with U Aik Mone and party of PSLA and heard reports on requirements of transport, education, health, agriculture, livestock breeding and regional development matters.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for PBANRDA Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Immigration and Population and for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, USDA CEC member in-charge of Shan State (North) Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo reported on arrangements for providing assistance for regional development. The Commander gave a supplementary report.

The Secretary-1 fulfilled the requirements of Mangton region and explained arrangements of the Government for developing Mangton region.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage and donated alms to Mankant Sayadaw Bhaddanta Narada and Aungmingala Myole Monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Saddhammapiya. At the Township Hospital, Chairman of National Health Committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein inspected the dispensary and the operation theatre. Next, the Secretary-1 viewed the site for construction of the X-ray building and presented cash assistance to staff.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party flew back to Lashio in the afternoon.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/
 

Industry-1 Minister receives Chinese guests

YANGON,29 April—Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Vice President Mr Wang Bo of China Camc Engineering Co Ltd and party at 4.30 pm yesterday at the ministry.

Present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun and directors-general and managing directors of the departments and industries.

Source: "The New Light Of Myanmar", www.myanmar.com/nlm/

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