"Nay Pyi Taw, 26 May — Authorities are monitoring the Karen National Union and other ethnic armed groups and cooperating with them in accordance with an agreement between the government and the armed groups, Deputy Minister at the President Office U Aung Thein told the Amyotha Hluttaw session on Tuesday The deputy minister gave the explanation in response to a question from a representative on whether authorities have a plan to monitor activities of the KNU, which is cooperating with the government for peace, in their areas. Authorities will raise objections over activities that contravene conditions of the peace deal, the three main national causes of the Tatmadaw, and the rule of law and security, according to the deputy minister. In addition, the deputy minister said authorities are helping KNU troops by establishing farms for their resettlement. Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Maw Tha Htwe, in response to a question on increasing the budget for the Shweli (3) Hydro Power Project, said the ministry is discussing low-interest loans for the project from international financial institutions including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, since the government budget cannot accommodate the K150 billion needed for the project every year. The deputy minister also added that road and bridges are also being reinforced to transport large machinery for the project. In response to a question about eucalypt cultivation, Deputy Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry U Aye Myint Maung said eucalypt is economically beneficial, as it can be turned into plywood within five years and can be used for firewood, charcoal and other needs. The deputy minister pointed out that the tree can contribute to greening projects as it grows quickly and can be cultivated on unfertile land, adding that advantages and disadvantages of the tree will be disseminated through the media and talks."