Myanmar-Thai Development Committee vows for mutual beneficial cooperation

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June—The 26th Myanmar-Thai Regional Border Committee Meeting hosted by Myanmar commenced in Taunggyi of eastern Myanmar Shan State, yesterday.

Present on the occasion were leader of Myanmar delegation Lt-Gen Thet Naing Win from Commander-in- Chief (Army)’s Office, deputy leader Lt-Gen Aung Than Htut and senior military officials, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Tin Win, Military Attaché Col Win Maung and responsible personnel, leader of the Thai delegation Commander of 3rd Army Area Lt-Gen Charnchainarong Dhanarun, members and Thai Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Pisanu Suvanajata.

The delegation leaders delivered addresses, followed by the first day secretarial meeting of the Myanmar- Thai Regional Border Committee. Secretary of Myanmar delegation Brig-Gen Aung Ye Win of Commander-in- Chief (Army)’s Office, Head of Thai-Myanmar Cooperation Department Maj-Gen Sumphan Srirajbuapan and members of Myanmar-Thai Regional Border Committee reviewed the records of the committee meetings, and discussed matters related to trust building, border affairs, Myanmar’s territorial waters, border demarcation, cooperation in anti-drug campaigns and cooperation within border areas.
The meeting on the second day, set the time and place for organizing the 27th committee meeting. The two delegation leaders signed the agreed minutes of the meeting. They also exchanged emblems of the two nations and the meeting ended with their speeches.—MNA

Riots occur in Maungtaw of Rakhine State, state curfew imposed

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June—The government is building the country to be a peaceful, modern and developed one in line with the democratic practices, while placing more emphasis on ensuring peace and stability and the rule of law.

At present, there occur unrests in western Myanmar Rakhine State that can harm peace and stability. As of this afternoon, rioters have destroyed houses, shops and guest houses and committed killings. Due to the violent acts and riots, Section (144) has been issued in Maungtaw and Buthidaung townships for ensuring peace and stability and prevalence of law and order.

At about 1pm, over 1,000 rioters destroyed roof of the penthouse of Kanbawza Bank and threw stones at United guest house and a house. At about 2 pm, they set fire to six shops in Thazin guest house and restaurants in the front of Thirimingalar Hall. After that, the fire spread to ward-4 and destroyed 15 houses. In addition, they also set fire to two houses in MyoU ward and Khayaymyaing village on Maungtaw-Alethankyaw motor road.
In the evening, about 20 rioters stormed Maungtaw People’s Hospital and disrupted people in the hospital and continued to destroy two houses in front of the hospital. The hospital staff and people had to fled.

Due to the attacks, Dr Khin Maung Lat, aged 63, and three people got injured. And a man,U Hla Maung, aged 65, died. During the violent attacks, local police battalion and police force tried to control the situation, putting out fires and safeguarding the security of local people.

Head of border area immigration inspection headquarters is also keeping close supervision on the case. Section-144 has been issued in Maungtaw and Buthidaung townships to control the situations and restore peace and stability as these riots can harm peace and stability and prevalence of law and order. — MNA

Maungtaw, Buthidaung in Rakhine State placed under curfew

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June— Maungtaw Township General Administration Department, signed by the Township Administrator, has imposed Curfew Order (1/2012) under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure in Maungtaw, Rakhine State today, as riots broke out in the town this afternoon disrupting the community peace and prevalence of law and order.

The order "Criminal Miscellaneous Case No.1/2012" is as follows:

“ 1. It is hereby announced for the public knowledge on 8 June, 2012. During riots in Maungtaw on 8 June, houses in wards in Maungtaw were set fire, people were beaten and houses were looted. I believe that gathering of five or more than five people at streets, roads, the main road, lanes, garden (or) public places which are built for the people in Maungtaw to live in peace can cause arson attacks, clashes and lootings again.

2. Therefore, curfew is imposed under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure and five or more than five people shall not gather at roads, streets, the main road, lanes, garden (or) mosques and public schools in municipal area of Maungtaw and not to go outside from 6 pm to 6 am.

3. This order shall take effect until any other order is issued.

4. I sealed and signed and issued this order on 8 June, 2012.”

Similarly, Buthidaung Township has been placed under curfew, as well.—MNA

All Myanmar Islam Association issues statement of its stance

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June —All Myanmar Islam Association today issued a statement of its stance on the situations happening in western Myanmar Rakhine State. It is as follows:-

“Republic of the Union of Myanmar All Myanmar Islam Association

No. 214 (Government’s Religious Cash Assistance Acceptance Committee Office), Bo Sun Pak Street, Pabedan Township, Yangon Ph: 388146, 253683, 252608, 241717, 241212, 296134

Statement of Stance 8 June, 2012

All Myanmar Islam Association issued a statement of its stance on the situations happening in Rakhine State as follows:-

(a) We condemn the terrorizing and destruction of lives and property of innocent people.

(b) We express deepest sympathy for the loss of lives of innocent people, destruction of public property and those dismayed.

(c) We especially favour the situation in which the public live peacefully within the framework of law.

(d) The Islams living across the nation need to live in accordance with the special request made by All Myanmar Islam Association.

(e) We have issued the statement of our stance that government organizations concerned are to take an effective and prompt action against any act that can harm stability of the State and the peaceful living of the people in accord with the law.

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June—All Myanmar Islam Association has issued a letter of request asking Islams to keep calm in line with Islamic teachings. It is as follows;

“Republic of the Union of Myanmar All Myanmar Islam Association

No. 214 (Government’s Religious Cash Assistance Acceptance Committee Office) Bo Sun Pak Street, Pabedan Township, Yangon Ph: 388146, 253683, 252608, 241717, 241212, 296134

Request to Islams

There have been different views among the people concerning the news reporting on the newspapers issued on 5 June, 2012.

With regard to this, All Myanmar Islam Association has issued a statement which it submitted to responsible organizations concerned seeking for peaceful resolution within the framework of law.

Thus, Islams are requested in all seriousness to live in tranquility in accordance with Islamic teachings, avoiding expression of wishes in groups.

They discussed on steps to be taken for exploration and production of copper and construction of copper refinery and enacting on Mines law, regulations, and investment procedures.— MNA

Production sharing contract over EP 5 inland block inked

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June — Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise of the Ministry of Energy, Istech Energy EP5 Pte Ltd registered in Singapore and national Smart Technical Services Limited signed a production sharing contract on inland oil block EP 5 at the ministry, here yesterday.

The contract was signed by Managing Director of MOGE U Aung Htoo, Managing Director of Istech Energy EP 5 Pte Ltd Mr Inder Singh and Managing Director of Smart Technical Services Limited Daw Yadana Su Hlaing at the presence of Union Minister for Energy U Than Htay, Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Union Minister for Industry U Soe Thein, Joint-Secretary of MIC Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin, Deputy Attorney-General U Tun Tun Oo.

Director of Istech Energy EP 5 Pte Ltd Mr Howardi Somai and General Manager of Smart Technical Services Limited Daw Mary Htoo were also present.

Ministry of Energy has invited tenders for 18 inland blocks and has accepted the offers of the international companies which are joint ventures with Myanmar companies as part of efforts for giving investment opportunities and technology to Myanmar companies. Out of the inland blocks, EP 5 (Inpin Tegyigon area) is the sixth block for the production sharing with the joint venture companies. — MNA

Union Minister U Win Tun meets RECOFTC, Mitsui officials

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June—Union Minister for Environmental Conservation and Forestry U Win Tun met Chairman of Thai-based (Regional Community Forestry Training Centre) RECOFTC’s Board of Trustees Mr Davids Cassells and party, here, this morning.

Their discussion focused on long-term cooperation in promoting skills of staff and local people for full participation of establishing local community-owned forests, and sending of trainees.

Likewise, the Union Minister met Managing Officer Mr Tanaka of Yangon-based Mitsui & Co., Ltd and party and discussed establishment of forest plantations and bamboo plantations in depleted forests. — MNA

Poverty reduction tasks meet with success

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June — With the collaborative efforts of the Sub-committee for boosting for livestock and fish and meat production and the Sub-committee for cooperatives works, tasks for reducing poverty in rural areas have met with success, said Union Minister for Cooperatives and for Livestock and Fisheries U Ohn Myint, yesterday.

During the work coordination meeting of the two committees yesterday, the Union Minister stressed the need for establishing micro credit schemes to lend money to villagers to support the capital of the villagers before public-owned micro credit schemes and village banks are formed. He also called on officials concerned for organizing people in rural areas to extend their livestock breeding including dairy farms to increase per capital income and extra income and to get jobs.

Afterwards, officials of the supporting committees for boosting the livestock breeding and meat and fish production reported on their tasks for rural areas development and poverty reduction.

Deputy Minister for Cooperatives U Than Tun and Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Khin Maung Aye discussed the reports of the supporting committees. The Union Minister called for conducting courses in townships as part of efforts for educating the working groups.—MNA

Mitsui Co., Ltd (Nay Pyi Taw) office opens

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June—Mitsui Co., Ltd (Nay Pyi Taw) office was opened here, yesterday evening, with an address by Union Minister for Commerce U Win Myint.

The occasion was attended by Union ministers, deputy ministers, Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Takashi Saito, officials from Mitsui Co., Ltd and local officials.

CEO and President Mr Iijima Masami of Mitsui Co., Ltd and Union Minister U Win Myint delivered speeches and resident representative Mr Masanari Nagai extended greetings. Dinner was hosted to the guests, in the evening. —MNA

Mercy Corps proposes to cooperate with Health Ministry

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June— Union Minister for Health Dr Pe Thet Khin received Country Director Mr Paolo Cerati of the US-based Mercy Corps and party, here yesterday morning.

The guests proposed to cooperate with the ministry in the expectant, infant and child health care services, nourishment promotion programme, potable water supply and environmental sanitation works, with signing of a MoU.

The Union Minister replied that the ministry was undertaking health care works in cooperation with social organization in the interests of the people, asking the guests to submit the detailed work plans to him after coordinating with the personnel concerned.— MNA

VOA to cooperate with City FM

YANGON, 8 June— Yangon Region Development Affairs Minister Yangon Mayor U Hla Myint cordially discussed cooperation between V.O.A and City FM with Director Mr David Ensor of Voice of America and party, yesterday morning.

It was also attended by Charge d’ Affaires ai Mr Michael E. Thurston of US Embassy, U Than Lwin Tun of V.O.A Myanmar Programme, Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyaw Soe, member U Nyi Nyi and head of Public Relations and Information Department U Hla Myint Swe.—MNA

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister concludes visit

YANGON, 8 June—The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Bob Carr laid a wreath at Commonwealth War Cemetery in Sangyoung Township, here, this morning.

They then left here in the evening.—MNA

SWRR Ministry to cooperate with UN Habitat and Pact Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW, 8 June— The Relief and Resettlement Department signed MoUs with the UN Habitat and Pact Myanmar which are cooperating with the department in risk reduction works, here yesterday morning. Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Deputy Minister U Phone Swe made an address at the occasion.

Director-General of the department U Soe Aung, Head of Agency Mr Srinivasa Popuri and Project Administrator Mr Thomas E Hensleigh of Pact Myanmar signed the MoUs, before the deputy minister.

Mission Director Mr Terry Myers of the USAID, Mr Popuri and Mr Hensleigh spoke words of thanks.—MNA

Myanmar victorious shooting team back from Malaysia

YANGON, 8 June—The victorious Myanmar shooting team led by President of Myanmar Shooting Federation U Htet Nyi arrived back here yesterday evening after taking part in the 36th SEA Shooting Championship 2012 held in Kuala Lumpur.

The Myanmar team secured two gold, three silver and three bronze medals. The two golds were in 50-m prone men’s event and 50-m prone men’s event. The three silvers were in the 50-m men’s free pistol event, 25-m sport women’s event, and in the 25-m sport women’s team event. The three bronzes were fetched in the 50-m free pistol men’s team event, the 50-m prone women team’s event, and in the 10-m air pistol men’s team event.—MNA