Information Sheet No-A. 0771(I)

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                         MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
                                                 YANGON

                                        Information   Sheet
                          No-A. 0771(I)       20th January 1999


(1)		Diplomatic Relations Established Between Union of Myanmar and Ukraine at
Ambassador Level

		The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the Press Communique on 20 January.
The Government of the Union of Myanmar and Ukraine, guided by the principles
enunciated in the Charter of the United Nations and being desirous to
establish relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation on the
basis of the principles of equality, non-interference in the internal affairs
of the others, respect for independence and territorial integrity, have
decided to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries at
Ambassadorial level on 19 January 1999.

(2)		Secretary-1 Receives Chairman of Japanese Association for International
Culture and Economy (JAICE)

		Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
received Chairman of the Japanese Association for International Culture and
Economy (JAICE) Mr. Taiji Hosono and party who called at Dagon Yeiktha, the
Ministry of Defence on 19 January.
 
(3)		National Seminar on Myanmar Health Development Commences

		A ceremony to open the National Seminar on Myanmar Health Development in the
21st Century was held at Kandawgyi Palace Hotel on 19 January. The Declaration
on Health Development in the South East Asia Region in the 21st Century was
adopted at the 15th Meeting of the Health Ministers of the Member Countries of
WHO South East Asia Region in Bangkok, Thailand, in August 1997. The
Declaration was subsequently endorsed by the Regional Committee for South East
Asia at 50th Session held in Thimphu, Bhutan, in September 1997. The principle
behind the Declaration on Health Development in the South East Asia Region in
the 21st Century is that the South East Asia Region is in transition,
political, socio-economic, environmental, technological, demographic and
epidemiological changes now taking place are posing unprecedented health
challenges in the region. The foremost challenges are:-
			
- closing the gaps and inequities in health in our societies;  
- creating conditions that promote health and self-reliance;
- ensuring basic health services to all especially the poor, women and other
vulnerable groups;
- upholding and enforcing health ethics;
- placing health at the centre of development. 

		Myanmar as one of the countries of the WHO South East Asia Region is ready
to meet the health challenges of the 21st century. The National Health
Committee has provided policy guidelines for the National Health Plan to
achieve "Health for All by the Year 2000." In so doing, government as well as
non-governmental organizations in the community have formed strong
partnerships and are working hand in hand to achieve these goals. A few
outstanding examples are the implementation of the first to fourth year
National Immunization Days in which nearly six million under-five children
were administered oral polio vaccine successfully within a day for two
successive rounds due to the untiring efforts of the staff of the Ministry of
Health, other related ministries and especially national NGOs with assistance
from the UN and international organizations. Another example is the Sasakawa
Health Prize which was awarded to Ayadaw Township for outstanding achievement
in Primary Health Care in 1986. This achievement was due to combined efforts
of the people under the collaborative leadership inter-sectorial cooperation
and collaboration between various sectors in the township level for the
implementation of primary health care activities. The objectives of this
seminar is:

		- to disseminate the "Declaration in Health Development in the South East
Asia Region in the  21st  Century" to policy makers and implementers for all
health and health related agencies;

		-  to link up past experiences and future visions of national health
development to Regional Health Declaration;

		-  to formulate the National Plan of Action on the implementation of the
Regional Health Declaration.

		This seminar will further strengthen the existing ties and forge strong
partnerships between the Ministry of Health, other Ministries, UN agencies and
national and international NGOs. Activities for health development of South-
East Asia region were explained with audio-visual aids. Deputy Minister for
Health, Honorary Regional Director of WHO Dr. Ko Ko, Director of South-East
Asia Regional Office of WHO , WHO Resident Representative and Director-General
of Health Planning Department took part in the discussions. The seminar will
continue on 20 January. 

(4)		Minister Meets UNFPA Country Director to Myanmar

		Minister for Immigration and Population met UNFPA Country Director to
Myanmar Dr. Shella Macrac who called at his office on 19 January.

(5)		Naga Traditional New Year Festival Held In Khamti

		Naga Traditional New Year Festival was held in Zingalain Khamti on 15
January. Minister for Culture and Deputy Minister for Science and Technology
delivered speeches. Chairman of Central Executive Committee for Naga
Traditional Culture U Htinn Kov and Patron of the Central Committee National
Convention delegate U Hla Maung presented gifts to the minister and the deputy
minister. The deputy minister presented 60 bags of salt and Officiating
Tactical Operations Commander 20 bags of rice to U Hla Maung.

(6)		Over 2,346 Acres of Poppy Fields Destroyed in Shan State

		Over 2,346.36 acres of poppy fields were destroyed in northern, southern and
eastern Shan State from 14 November 1998 to 30 December 1998 in the
government's efforts in eradicating narcotics with high momentum. Under the
leadership of Tatmadaw columns discharging regional security duties, members
of Defence Services Intelligence and Myanmar Police Force and local people
jointly destroyed 513.25 acres of poppy fields in Mongko Township, 237 acres
in Hsenwi Township, 88.25 acres in Kunlong Township, 20 acres in Kutkai
Township, 13.6 acres in Tangyang and 13 acres in  Hsipaw Township in North-
East Command area. The combined forces also destroyed 182.95 acres in Panlong
Township , 1,267.31  in Phekhon Township    and 11 acres in Mongton Township
in Eastern Command area. The Tatmadaw columns are destroying poppy fields in
remote areas.

(7)		Heroin Refinery Seized in Muse Township

		A Tatmadaw column acting on information seized a heroin refinery in Muse
Township, Shan State (North) on 3 January. The column also impounded three
huts, 23.28 kilos of heroin, 45 gallons of ascetic anhydride, 742 gallons of
ether, five packets of sodium chloride, 28 bags of quicklime and other
precursor chemicals and its paraphernalia, one 9 mm pistol and ammunition.		

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