12 August 2011— The following is the translation of the questions and answers at Press Conference (1/2011) held by Spokespersons and Information Team today.

Q: U Aung Hla Tun (Reuters)

We are very grateful for being invited to attend the press conference. We welcome the formation of Spokespersons and Information Team. On behalf of all media persons, if it is possible, I would like to request you to have a contact person in each department so that there can be better and swifter contacts among the media. Then, we will be able to contact by phone in emergency cases.

We have learned that plans are under way to make currency reforms and that contact is being made with IMF. So what is the scenario of FEC? How do you withdraw from it?

Another thing is that it is heartening to see that the journalism policy has been relaxed. But this is for scrutiny after publication and publication after scrutiny.

So we would also like blogs and websites to be relaxed.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Ministry of Information)

We thank you all, too. Our team, in other words, the government, and the media persons, the fourth pillar, cannot be separable. We are the ones who have to work in the interest of the nation and the people. I would like to say that we are grateful to all media persons for their harmonious cooperation. For ensuring swift flow of contacts among the media, I will coordinate matters to have a contact person each in the ministries, including our ministry.

A: U Than Nyein (Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar)

As exchange rate is an important tool in the State monetary policy, we will pay serious attention to this issue. We will cooperate with IMF ensuring that there is no negative impact on the interests of the nation and the people as well as on daily socio-economic life. If there is exchange rate unification, the withdrawal of FEC will be included automatically. If FEC is withdrawn, the citizens with FECs in hand will get back US dollars or kyats equivalent to those FECs at prevailing exchange rate. Measures will be taken in order that they have no loss at all.

Q: Dr Zaw Than (Sankei Shimbun News Agency)

I would like to know to what extent Daw Aung San Suu Kyi can get involved and cooperate in the government’s efforts for national reconsolidation, and political, social and economic sectors.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Ministry of Information)

As you all know, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi disclosed on 28 July that she is ready to participate as much earnestly as in peace processes. The government is doing its best to achieve peace in accord with the constitution. For ceasefire of armed clashes between the Tatmadaw and KIO/KIA, the state government has been assigned duties to have direct contacts and negotiate. Moreover, the people from Kachin State who want peace, eminent persons and NGOs are working together to express their desires and for peace. It can be said that all the people are willing to cooperate in the ceasefire and peace issues. As for economic, social and education affairs, the President himself has said that the State always welcomes cooperation in agreeable issues and all measures taken within constitutional framework. So anyone can participate in economic and social affairs.

Q: U Tin Maung Aye (Asahi Shimbun News Agency)

I would like the State to take measures for swifter flow of news and information. As to the issue of KIO/ KIA, to what extent can the State act patiently in that regard?

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Ministry of Information)

Regarding the first point, we will take measures. This is why the President has asked us to form Spokespersons and Information Team. We will release news and information as quickly as possible.

Regarding the second question, the government is against war and bloodshed, and is in favour of peace. We do not accept any situations that can break up the stability and peace and national unity. Therefore, as I have explained, we are showing great patience in that case. However, we have to make all necessary measures for security of the public, transport, and projects for national development. We will continue to handle with such cases with great care.

Q: U Kyaw Swa Min (Flower News Journal)

We are glad to know that pension rates have been increased. I would like to know how much expenditure the government has to spend to increase pension rates, and from which budget the government will spend this expenditure.

And there was good news in the speech Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann delivered at the hluttaw session yesterday. That is: local and foreign media will be granted permission to cover news. I would like to know from which media you will invite to the sessions.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Information Ministry)

We will make arrangements to make sure that representatives from both foreign news agencies and local journals and magazines can cover the news at the forthcoming hluttaw sessions.

A: Deputy Minister U Win Than (Finance and Revenue)

The government needs to spend 226.393 more billion kyats to increase pension rates of retired State service personnel. In that regard, expenditures of Union ministries and Union level bodies in Table (2)/ (4) of 2011 State Budget Law are spent with the permission of the Union government.

Q: U Myat Khaing (Snapshot Journal and Monitor Journal)

I would like to know if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi represented the National League for Democracy at her meeting with U Aung Kyi today. Another question is: we have heard that members of the Union government sacrifice some parts of their salaries. I would like to know if there is any plan to enact a law in that regard.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Information Ministry)

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi demanded several times to meet the Union Minister for Home Affairs. In response to her demands, we are arranging meetings between her and U Aung Kyi in compliance with the guideline of the President that we should set aside the cases on which we have different views, and we should work together in the cases on which we have same views in the interest of the nation.

A: Deputy Minister U Win Than (Finance and Revenue Ministry)

The service personnel in the Union level bodies are still enjoying the salary rates and privileges prescribed in the time of Tatmadaw government, instead of the salary rates and privileges prescribed in accordance with the Law of Salaries, Allowances and Insignias for Union Level Officials. Section 30 of this law says Union government shall have power to enact ordinances and directives as necessary regarding the salaries, allowances and insignias therein. Therefore, we adjusted the salary rates of Union level officials, Region and State level officials, chairmen of Self-administered Division and Zones and members of executive committees, and the chairman and members of Nay Pyi

Taw Council in accordance with Section 30 of this law. So, we do not need to enact separate laws in that case.

Q: U Thant Kyaw Zin (Yangon Times Journal)

I am very happy with this national level press conference. Yangon Region government is holding press conferences in Yangon. I would like to know if there is any plan to hold press conferences in other States and Regions.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Information Ministry)

Maybe, other Region and State governments will hold press conferences on their own to let the media know what they should know about the Regions and States.

Q: U Po Naing Lin (Popular Journal)

Now, many places such as Okkan and Thonze are flooded, and the disaster destroyed some farmlands. What sorts of assistance will the government provide in that regard?

A: Deputy Minister U Ohn Than (Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation)

Regarding floods, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation will store paddy seeds in advance and will provide any assistance necessary including paddy seeds to farmers so that they can grow paddy again when the water falls. Likewise, Irrigation Department, in accord with the guidance of the President, will measure the flooded fields and take such necessary measures as construction of drains and sluice gates when the monsoon ends to prevent the floods coming years. The Vice-President has done so on his tour of Kayin State.

Q: U Lin Ko (Myanmar Post Global)

Regarding armed conflicts in Kachin State, they said they fight because of Myitsone Dam Project. And also, there have been criticisms that the project is harmful to Ayeyawady River and its environs. So, I’d like to know if there is any research like environment impact assessment on it.

A: Director-General U Kyee Soe (Hydropower Planning Department)

As to your question, correct and complete reports have been described in articles in newspapers issued on 9 and 10 August, 2011. And concerning EIA and SIA, we have researched into its impact on upper Ayeyawady and we are researching down to the Delta Region in lower Ayeyawady.

Q: U Myo Aung (Current Affairs Magazine)

Export tax has been decreased from ten percent to seven percent. But, there have been street news that there won’t be export tax sooner. So would you mind explaining about it? Secondly, I’d like to know whether there would be pay rise for governmental staff as pensions rates have been increased for pensioners.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Ministry of Information)

Because of a consecutive decline in value of US dollar, the President and heads have decided to decrease the tax on trade from original eight percent to five percent for fearing that it may affect production industries of the nation.

There is a situation that the State President himself will make assessment to carry out further necessary requirements. As far as a matter to increase payment for present government employees is concerned, the governments are parents of its all citizens in every country. Parents are obliged to provide well-being of their children. If possible, we want to raise the payment for everyone. Now, pension rates have been increased to cover over 800,000 pensioners. But, the State has to make plans to some extent to do so. The State has to spend a large amount of money yearly.

Moreover, as to agricultural loan, although K 20,000 was disbursed per acre in the past, it is now doubled to K 40,000 per acre. The State increased agricultural loan for total sown acreage of 20 million by K 20,000 each. The sum of money can be calculated. So, perhaps it will be difficult to fulfill all wants at the same time.

Q: Zeya Myat Khaing (Monitor News Journal)

KIA said current situation occurs because of Myitsone dam. It is heard that ceasefire is still under negotiation. So, I would like to know whether the State will continue construction of Myitsone dam or not. Next, the State is disbursing small loans to alleviate poverty. I would like to know further plans on poverty alleviation.

A: Union Minister U Kyaw Hsan (Ministry of Information)

By taking account of national interest, it is needed to pay serious attention to continuation of Myitsone dam project or not. We must not believe one-sided words lopsidedly in thinking and working. KIO and other groups are now saying this and that about the project. There are many views and opinions. The government will never get its people into trouble and never spoil the Ayeyawady River. I would like you to think about the situations reasonably. In the interest of the country, the government with goodwill will take approach to matters deliberately.

For rural development and poverty alleviation, micro-finance tasks are now on the go. All are in need to cooperate with each other. Only if all work in concert, will the country develop.

There are six areas which would be carried out by the rural socio-economic development subcommittee that I have to lead. We have already drawn the Action Plan to carry out the six areas extensively and nation-wide. We have set the realistic action plan.

We will implement the action plan in cooperation with 10 forces, including the State, local people, well-wishers, foundations, organizations, INGOs, UN agencies, etc. Therefore, all should do assist in implementing the plan. To achieve success, the only State can do it. All the people are to help the implementing the plan on their own responsibility. Therefore, I’d like to urge the people, persons from the literary world and media personnel to help implementing the plan.

Q : Dr. Tin Aung Shwe (The Kanaung Journal)

When NGOs apply for registration, they mention that they want to found the organizations for working for religion, social affairs, economy, education, etc. So, please let me know the registration policy for founding NGOs.

A : Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Kyaw Zan Myint

The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken responsibilities for founding NGOs. There are 221 NGOs which registered at the ministry. The central committee for scrutinizing and supervising organizations have been set up to scrutinize the NGOs. The Union Minister for Home Affairs is the chairman of the central committee. Chairman or secretary of an organization is to apply for founding his organization at respective township General Administration Department. The department is to report the application to district level GAD. The district-level GAD is to report the application to the respective State or Region GAD. With the recommendation of the respective regional government, the application is to be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Then, the central committee of the ministry scrutinizes the application.