Information Sheet No.B-1171 (I)

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

MYANMAR INFORMATION COMMITTEE
YANGON

Information  Sheet
 No.B-1171 (I)                           4th December,1999

(1) The 12th Governing Council Meeting of the Centre of Integrated Rural 
Development for Asia and the Pacific Held

    The 12th Governing Council Meeting of the Centre of Integrated Rural 
Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) was opened at the International 
Business Centre on 3 December. An opening address was given by Secretary-1 of 
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as follows, "This 
is the first time that the Governing Council Meeting is being held in 
Myanmar. The substantive session of the Governing Council meeting is arranged 
in Bagan, the 11th century capital of Myanmar's first dynasty. In all the 
Member countries of CIRDAP, the overwhelming majority of the population live 
in rural areas. The people in the
rural areas in many instances are also the most vulnerable segments of the 
societies. Poverty, low standard of living, lack of infrastructure, inadequate
economic and social facilities including education and health facilities, and 
insufficiency of opportunities for meaningful employment are some of the 
issues all
share. These issues must be tackled if the nations want to be developed. Even 
as each of the member nations tries to develop their own strategies, plans 
and measures to alleviate poverty and raise the quality of life of rural 
population, it is evident that the exchange of views and experiences would be 
of mutual benefit. By assisting the national actions of member states, 
promoting regional cooperation,
providing necessary services including research, training and information 
dissemination, CIRDAP has proved to be of great benefit to all." 
    "Believing in the aims, objectives, programmes and activities of the 
Organization, Myanmar became a Member of CIRDAP in 1995. Since that time, she 
has
participated in the activities of the Centre as much as possible. The 
population of the country is approaching 50 million and out of this, 75 
percent or nearly 38 million live in the rural areas. Therefore, development 
of the country can be achieved only with
the advancement in the daily lives of the rural inhabitants. It is Myanmar's 
aspiration to narrow the differences between the urban and the rural areas as 
much as possible. In this regard, an objective assessment of the last decade 
will show that the present Government has done more for the improvement of 
conditions in the countryside, particularly the remoter border regions of the 
country than at any
period in post-independence era. The underlying reason for the success of the 
programme is the return of peace and tranquillity to the nation. For more than
four decades, the nation had to face the problem of armed insurgency. 
Consequently, the previous Governments were unable to give the necessary
attention to remoter parts of the country. However, with the success of 
negotiations with armed groups, peace was restored to the country following 
the return
of 17 armed groups to the legal fold."  "Today, Myanmar enjoys unprecedented 
peace and
tranquillity, enabling the Government to engage in development activities in 
previously inaccessible areas. The Government's commitment to the cause is
further underlined by the establishment of a separate Government Ministry 
called the Ministry for the progress of the Border Areas and National Races 
and
Development Affairs devoted towards the development of far-flung regions. 
Since the issues involved are multi-faceted, we adopted an integrated 
programme in
trying to bring progress to these areas. One of the top priority tasks is to 
improve the basic infrastructure of the areas concerned as there cannot be 
economic and social advancement without adequate roads and communication 
network. In the last 10 years, more than 3,700 miles of roads as well as 101 
bridges including major ones across the main rivers of the nation were built, 
thus facilitating travel and commerce between regions that were once 
inaccessible. Similarly, telecommunication networks were also established in 
many regions for the first time. In numerous places, medical and health care 
facilities had been practically non-existent previously. But in
the time of the present Government, it was able to built 43 new hospitals, 79 
dispensaries and 43 rural health centres and the people in the border area are
now able to enjoy systematic health care for the first time. Similarly, there 
was previously a lack of education facilities. To provide the brethren with
education, 351 Primary, 46 middle and 14 high schools were constructed. 
Altogether, more than 17 billion Kyats have been spent for the improvement of 
the
standard of living and the quality of life of the people in the border areas 
in the last decade. The main occupation of the population in the rural areas
is agriculture, which is also the mainstay of our
economy. Therefore, the core of measures for uplifting
the income generation of the rural areas populace is
directed towards increasing agricultural production.
Consequently, the agricultural sector has made
tremendous strides in terms of expansion of cultivable
land, upgrading of agricultural techniques and
mechanization. As availability of water is the most
basic requirement for increased agricultural
production, 102 large, medium and small dams and
irrigation were constructed all over the county, thus
increasing the irrigated area by more that 1.49
million acres. As a result of these measures, the
people in the rural areas today enjoy favourable
conditions than any time in recent history with
greater income, higher employment figures, higher
standard of living and better quality of life. As a
member of ASEAN, Myanmar is committed to building a
socially cohesive and caring society as set out in
ASEAN Vision 2020. As such, together with other member
states, Myanmar fully supports building social safety
nets for the protection of the poor and most
vulnerable segments of the society."
    Chairman of the Governing Council of the Centre of
Integrated Rural Development for Asia and Pacific
Minister for Rural Development of India Mr. Sunder Lal
Patwa, Vice-Chairman of the Governing Council of
CIRDAP Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation and
Director-General of the Governing Council of CIRDAP
Dr. AVS Reddy gave speeches.

(2) International Day of Disabled Persons Observed

    The International Day of Disabled Persons was
observed at International Business Centre on 3
December. Beginning 1994, Myanmar observes the
International Day of Disabled Persons annually on a
grand-scale, selecting a motto for the Day every year
and holding skill contests such as singing, dancing,
tailoring, painting and wicker-work for the disabled.
The motto for this year is '' We are disabled but we
can show that we are able''. As the Social Welfare
Department is implementing rehabilitation programmes
so also the Health Department is opening
rehabilitation centres and lunching projects to wipe
out polio and goitre. Myanmar Disabled Sports
Federation is also nurturing many outstanding athletes
who bring honour to the nation. The Ministry of
Education is conducting special education programmes
for the disabled in helping them to get access to the
institutions of higher learning.  The formation of the
National Committee for Disabled Persons had already
been drafted. 

(3) Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Observes World AIDS Day

    World AIDS Day was observed with the sponsorship of
Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (MMCWA)
at the multi-purpose building of the association on 3
December. The HIV/AIDS control task is being
undertaken by the Ministry of Health with national
awareness. The Ministry of Health formed National AIDS
Control Committee and has been drawing and
implementing plans. Success has been achieved to some
extent in carrying out tasks such as taking preventive
measures against AIDS, prevention of spread of the
disease, taking care of disease-contracted persons
with loving-kindness, compassion and goodwill and
consulting work. Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare
Association, regarding the efforts for control of AIDS
as a national task, is participating in this task:
according to the set-up there are over 5,000
associations at various levels under MMCWA; plans for
control of AIDA have been laid down and implemented
effectively.

(4) Minister Meets President of Japan-Myanmar Association

    Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for
Sports met President of Japan-Myanmar Association 
Mr.Yasuhiro Watanabe and Professor of Sen Shuun
University Mr. Masahiro Maeda at the National Indoor
Stadium on 3 December. They discussed matters
pertaining to sports between the two countries.