NAY PYI TAW, 27 Oct—Mon Peace Group handed over arms and ammunition to the State in Mawlamyine yesterday. Maj-Gen Thet Naing Win of the Ministry of Defence gave away cash and kind to Mon Peace Group in person.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Tun Nay Lin, Chairman of Kayin State PDC Brig-Gen Zaw Min, senior military officials, departmental personnel, members of social organizations, members of Mon Peace Group, locals and responsible persons.

First, Leader U Naing Shaung of Mon Peace Group explained purposes of handover of arms and ammunition to the State, saying that he was a Mon national as well as a member of New Mon State Party; that he had been a member of New Mon State Party for ages and also participated in peace talks held between the Government and the party; that he began to notice Our Three Main National Causes aired on television after he had neturned to the legal fold;that he began to realize that the peace made by the Government upholding Our Three Main National Causes is necessary for the people; that he absolutely believed that all the national people residing in the Union should uphold Our Three Main National Causes, namely, Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of National Solidarity and Perpetuity of Sovereignty and is also vital for national reconsolidation.

He went on to say that the Government undertook regional development tasks after the ceasefire; that the Government had introduced transformation schemes for their national brethren so as to enjoy eternal peace; that however, New Mon State Party objected to the schemes; that nevertheless he and other members realized the goodwill of the Government and would strive for stability and prosperity of the region hand in hand with local people according to transformation schemes.

He continued to say that he and all the other members of Group decided to hand over arms and ammunition to the Government so as to cast votes in the election as they believed that the upcoming general election was aimed for development of the nation and was held in accord with aspiration of the people for democracy; that he and his comrades and their families would cast vote in the election together with the people; that he was deeply grateful to the Government and the people for their warm welcome and kind assistance; that he decided to hand over arms and ammunitions in response to benevolence of the Government and loving-kindness of the people; that they wished to live as a dutiful citizen.

He then requested the State and the people to keep on giving them a helpful hand and he vowed to be loyal to the nation as a dutiful citizen.

Next, Mon national Daw Mi Ohnmar, and Daw Mya Than welcomed them in Mon and Myanmar Languages respectively.

They first welcomed Mon Peace Group saying it is good to see Mon Peace Group decided to live in the bosom of the State and the people at a time when a modern developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation is being built through the unity of the State, local and the Tatmadaw.

Due to genuine goodwill of the Government and warm welcome of the people, 17 major terrorist groups and many small groups exchanged arms for peace during the period from 1988 to 1990 and are undertaking border area development tasks in collaboration with the Government, the people and the Tatmadaw. Technological Univercountry University of Computer Studies, Mawlamyine University, Education College and 350-bed hospital have been founded in Mon State in order that that locals can enjoy health service and youths can pursue higher education in their own region.

In basic education sector, the number of basic education schools has increased from 1205 in 1988 to 1361. Mon State has won the best pass rate in matriculation exam the whole country two times successively in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 academic years. Mon State is blessed with fertile soil, water sources and vast areas of arable lands, so agriculture and farming is successful in the state.

Regarding the transport sector, from 1988 to date, the state has seen 315 miles of railroads, 753 miles of roads and 16 above 180 feet long bridges. So, the commodity flow is getting swift and the socioeconomic status of local people is getting high. In addition, the government managed to build Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine) in Mon State that was only in the wildest dream of local people. As a result, the transport of Mon State has been on a par with that in other regions, which is undeniable.

In the communication sector, the state has got 64 post offices, 19 telegraph offices, 35 auto exchange offices and nine microwave stations along with 11 hydropower plants and 17 State-run factories from 1988 to date. In addition, 1198 libraries have been opened to broaden the horizons of local people.

However, neocolonialists and local axe-handles who cannot bear the harmonious cooperation of the government, the people and the Tatmadaw are resorting to various means to break up national unity. So, the people have to remain vigilant against such schemes.

Anti-government groups take strongholds in border areas to disrupt nation-building tasks, so Mon State encountered heavy losses. Accordingly, security and peace are necessary along the border line. Development of Mon State totally depends on the people. Only if peace and stability has been restored, will it be possible to serve national interest.

Free and fair elections will be held in the near future. Elections, the fifth step of the State’s seven-step Road Map, will take place on 7 November 2010 to build a discipline-flourishing developed nation. Of the members and their families led by U Naing Shaung, those who have turned 18 years will have the right to vote. The ceremony is held as soon as possible in order that they will enjoy the voting right.

In conclusion, she said that on behalf of residents of Mon State, she thanked U Naing Shaung and party and urged them to work with a sense of Union Spirit hand in hand with the government, the people and the Tatmadaw in carrying out nationbuilding tasks.

U Naing Shaung handed over the arms and ammunition and accesso ries to the commander.

Maj-Gen Thet Naing Win presented rice, edible oil, household utensils and cash assistance to the members through U Naing Shaung. Maj-Gen Thet Naing Win, the commander and party posed for documentary photos with the members and their families. Cultural troupes entertained the attendees.