Maliyan Bridge (Kachin State) on My

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject: Maliyan Bridge (Kachin State) on Myitkyina-Bhamo Road opened


YANGON, 15 Aug-A ceremony to inaugurate Maliyan Bridge (Kachin State) on 
Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Waingmaw Township, Kachin State, was held at the 
pandal near the bridge this morning, attended by Chairman of the Work 
Committee for, Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-l of 
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Efforts made by 
the Government and national brethren for the modernization and development of 
Kachin State, have been crowned with success, and such efforts could be made 
due to prevalence of peace and tranquility in Kachin State. 

As is known to all, in the course of the thousand-long history of the Union 
of Myanmar, Kachin national race and Shan national race have lived together 
with other Myanmar national brethren through thick and thin, and whenever 
there is alien aggression, all the national brethren cohesively join hands in 
the fight. 
Records show that from the ancient monarchical days to date, Kachin nationals 
have preserved their own culture and traditions in perpetuity, and they also 
have freedom of faith.


Bhamo is the pride of Kachin State as it has been a strategic region for 
foreign trade, foreign relations and national defence since ancient times.
 
At the time when Myanmar was kept in bondage, the unity of national brethren 
who have been living through weal or woe in the course of history countable 
by the thousand, collapsed due to divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists 
and their plot designed to sow discord, and then, evil legacy resulted. 
Therefore, the State Peace and Development Council, taking lessons from the 
bitter history, has given priority to efforts for national reconsolidation 
have met with  success and peace and tranquility prevails throughout the 
nation, systematic plans for the development of border areas and improvement 
of living conditions of the local people, which are the most basic 
prerequisite for further strengthening national solidarity, have been laid 
down and are being implemented. 


Specially, priority is being given to efforts for establishment of transport, 
education and health infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in striving 
for regional development and improvement of economic and social conditions of 
the people.


As efforts have been made for the development of transport foundations, 
social foundations for education and health and economic foundations for 
agriculture, livestock breeding and trade, regional development has been 
achieved in so short a time and living conditions of the local people have 
improved.


>From the funds of works for the progress of border areas and national races, 
over K 15,330 million has been spent till the end of July, l999; from the 
funds of other ministries, over K 8,650 million has been spent on works for 
the progress of border areas; out of K 15,330 million spent for the progress 
of border areas, over K 443 million has been spent for Kachin Special Region 
No 1 and 2; if that amount is added with expenses of other ministries, the 
total amount will come to over K 1,390 million. 

Moreover, such roads linking Kachin State and other states and divisions as 
Myitkyina-Shwebo Road, Bhamo-Mansi-Moemeik-Mandalay Road, 
Bhamo-Moemauk-Myitkyina Road and Myitkyina-Moegaung-Mandalay Road, have been 
built; Bhamo-Katha-Tagaung gurated recently, is on 
Bhamo-Moemauk-Waingmaw-Myitkyina-Sumprabum Road and spans Ayeyawady River; 
that bridge, 2,688 feet long, was built with steel truss 
andatacostofUS$5.9million and K 1,077.3 million.


On Bhamo-Myitkyina Road, four river-crossing bridges are being built; Maliyan 
Bridge, 320 feet long, is a reinforced concrete bailey bridge, and was built 
at a cost of US $ 0.15 million and K 70.3 million.


On 108-mile long Bhamo-Myitkyina Road, three bridges including a 300-foot 
long bailey-type Nanghsanyan Bridge if all these bridges are completed, there 
will be no need to cross the river by Z-craft, and people can travel by car. 

In conclusion, the Secretary-l urged all to strive for non-disintegration of 
the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of 
sovereignty with clear national outlook and national vigil, to continue to 
strive for further economic and social development with Union spirit with a 
view to ensuring the perpetuity of the already achieved peace and 
tranquility, to prevent with national vigil the danger of destructive 
elements taking orders from external elements and attempting to disrupt peace 
and national solidarity through various ways and means and to make all-out 
efforts for the further flourishing of nationalistic spirit, national 
solidarity and Union spirit among the national !brethren .


Afterwards, Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Minister for Construction Maj-Gen 
Saw Tun made speeches.


On behalf of local people, executive of Waingmaw Township Union Solidarity 
and Development Association U La Maung Jone Haung spoke words of thanks.


Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun presented a commemorative gift to 
the Secretary-1.


The Secretary-l also presented a gift to Deputy Superintending Engineer of 
Maliyan Bridge Project U Soe Thet. Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Minister 
Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened the bridge.


The Secretary-l and party, national race leader from Kachin State Special 
Region No1 U Za Khun Ting Ring and national race leader from Special Region 
No 2 U Zaw Mai freed pigeons of peace to mark the inauguration of the bridge.
 

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