87-04
(from THE WORKING PEOPLE'S DAILY--April 1987)
Vol.
I, No. 1, April, 1987.
Table of Contents
Diplomatic -- p. 1
Foreign Relations
-- p. 1
German Aid . . . .
. . . . 1
Chinese
Petroleum Visitor. 1
French Circus Troupe
. . . 2
P.M. Visits
W. German Rail Project . . 2
ADB Delegation . .
. . . . 2
Korean Soccer Team
. . . . 2
WFTU
Representative . . . 2
Government -- p. 3
Ne Win Abroad . . . . . . 3
Sein Lwin Visit . . . . . 3
San Yu on Pyithu Hluttaw . 3
Aye Ko on Pyithu Hluttaw . 4
Maung
Maung Kha Reports. .
5
Military -- p. 6
Pilots Graduate .
. . . . 6
Opium Poppy Eradicated . . 6
Insurgents
Surrender . . . 6
Cadets Graduate .
. . . . 6
BCP & KIA
Insurgents Lose. 6
Economic -- p. 7
Livestock
Statistics . . . 7
Rail-Truck Service
. . . . 7
GDP Rises . . . .
. . . . 7
Jute Prices Increased . . 7
Agricultural Statistics . 7
Livestock
Statistics . . . 7
Irrigation
Projects . . . 7
Cultural -- p. 8
Sarpay Beikman Prize . . . 8
Literacy in
Illiteracy Irradicated .
. 8
Thingyan . . . . . . . . . 8
Miscellaneous --
p. 8
Golfers Victorious
. . . . 8
Gambler Arrested .
. . . . 8
Report on
Hole-in-One . . .
. . . . 9
Riverboat Burns .
. . . . 9
Flash Floods . . .
. . . . 9
Marathoners Sweep Meet . . 9
U San Lin Dies . .
. . . . 9
---------
NOTE: Items have been selected in accord with their
probable interest to people outside
---------
DIPLOMATIC
April 7: Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Ohtaka
presented credentials to President U San Yu. (WPD 4/8)
April 8: South Korean Ambassador Byong
Hyun Kwon presented credentials. (WPD 4/9)
April 20: U Khin Maung Phyu,
Burmese Ambassador to
FOREIGN RELATIONS
German Aid
Mar. 31: West German Ambassador Dr. Walther Freiherr Von Marschall signed a
1986/87 Financial Cooperation Agreement with Deputy Minister for Planning &
Finance U Nyunt Maung. It provides for a Capital Assistance loan of DM 35
million (Ky 129 million) and
a financial grant of DM 2.3 million (Ky 8.5 million).
The loan will finance ongoing projects in energy and industry, locomotive spare
parts, and a supplementary contribution for a cooperative oil mill. The grant
will finance public health education under the Rural Water Supply Project. (WPD
4/1)
Chinese Petroleum Visitor
April 1: Chinese Minister for Petroleum Wang Tao and an
eight-man delegation arrived to study the Burmese oil in-dustry.
(WPD 4/2) - April 2: Met with Prime Minister and Cabinet Officers. (WPD 4/3) -
April 8: Departed. (WPD 4/9)
French Circus Troupe
April 2: French circus and gymnastic troupe led by M.
Dominique Toutlemonde, currently performing in
P.M. Visits
April 9: Prime Minister U Maung Maung
Kha left on a goodwill visit to Thailand at
invitation of Prime Minister General Prem Tinsulanonda, accompanied by Foreign Minister U Ye Goung, Industry (No. 1) Minister U Tint Swe, Major General Chit
Swe, and others; met by General Prem in Bangkok;
called on King of Thailand. Text of speeches by Prem and Maung Maung Kha given. Prem noted the
March 1986 visit to Burma of Princess Maha Chakri; his own visit in 1980; "inextricably
intertwined" security of two countries; Thailand's readiness "to be
supportive" and "promote in any way we can" good relations and
Burmese development; instability resulting from continued Vietnamese occupation
of Kampuchea and ASEAN's support of a political settlement. Maung Maung Kha stressed growing
Burma-Thai friendship and cooperation, and need for mutual economic
consultation and assistance. WPD editorial said that "On the path between
the homes of friends...grass does not grow," and hailed visit. (WPD 4/10)
- April 10: Laid wreath at
West German Rail Project
April 11:
April 17: Burmese trade delegation headed by Minister for
Trade U Khin Maung Gyi returned from
April 18: Director-General of Information and
Broadcasting U Kyaw Min and Director (Administration) of Information and
Broadcasting U Win Swe departed for
ADB Delegation
April 19: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Planning
and Finance Thura U Tun Tin
departed for an Asian Development Bank meeting in
Korean Soccer Team
April 27: A South Korean football (soccer) youth team
arrived. (WPD 4/28) - April 28: Was defeated 3-0 by Burma Football Federation
Youth selection. (WPD 4/29)
WFTU Representative
April 29: Alexei Davydov, head
of the Asian Regional Department of the World Federation of Trade Unions
(WFTU), met with leaders of the Workers' and Peasants' Asiayones
in Rangoon. (WPD 4/30)
April 11: Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt, Professor of History at
April 25: Appointments made, on probation: Col. Hlaing
Win (BC/8861), former Tactical Operation Comander, Northwest Command, to be Managing Director, Myanma Gems Corporation. Col. Zaw Min (BC/8581), formerly
No. 773 Tactical Operation Commander, No. 77 Light Infantry Division, to be
Director-General, Fire Services Department, Ministry of Home and Religious
Affairs. Confirmed after one year probation is Col. Than
Oo (BC/7866) as Judge Advocate General. (WPD 4/25)
GOVERNMENT
Ne Win Abroad
April 4: BSPP Chairman U Ne Win
left on a foreign tour, accompanied by his wife Daw Ni Ni
Myint, Defense Minister U Kyaw Htin, and Industry (2)
Minister U Maung Cho. He was seen off at the airport
by President U San Yu, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and United States
Charge d'Affaires William E. Spruce. [Note: Diplomats
at the sendoff, except for the Dean, are usually those from the countries to be
visited.] (WPD 4/4)
Sein Lwin
Visit
April 8: BSPP Joint General Secretary U Sein Lwin gave guidance to
San Yu on Pyithu Hluttaw
April 23: President and BSPP Vice President U San Yu
reported back to his
President San Yu reviewed the economic scene as follows:
Agriculture. 1986-87 target Ky 6,047 million;
provisional actual output Ky 5,866 million or 97%,
with 2.5% increase over previous year. State spent Ky
360 million in fertilizer subsidies, Ky 330 million
for agricultural research and education, Ky 560
million for dams and flood control, and Ky 76 million
in subsidizing mechanized plowing. Livestock and Fisheries.
The state subsidizes urea (fertilizer) at Ky 69.80 per 50-kilo bag of imported urea and Ky 15.50 per 25-kilo bag of domestic urea. Petroleum
prices, and air, rail, and water fares, have not been increased despite higher
costs. Exports. In l969-70 constant prices, exports
increased from Ky 807 million in 1985-86 to Ky 1,037 million in 1986-87, or 28.6%. Rice
exports increased from 520,000 to 750,000 metric tons; pulses from 89,000 to
110,000 metric tons; lead concentrates from 1,800 to 7,500 metric tons.
But in five years rice prices have fallen from $321 to $142 per ton; pulses
from $396 to $300; and lead concentrates from $720 to $431. Thus export income
failed to meet targets, and with import prices rising
The Fourth Session of the Pyithu Hluttaw approved the
Maritime Boundary Delimitation Agreement with
Rural water supplies: 332 tube wells were sunk in
1986-87, for a new total of 10,312 tube wells supplying 7 million people in
8,803 villages.
In response a question, BSPP General Secretary U Aye Ko (speaking for President San Yu) assured that rice
distribution systems were being improved. To a question asking how children
living in
Aye Ko
on Pyithu Hluttaw
April 25: BSPP General Secretary U Aye Ko reported back to his consituency
on the Third and Fourth Pyithu Hluttaw sessions. In addition to points and
statistics covered by President U San Yu (above) he noted the following: The
strengthened Gambling Law broadens definitions to include skill and luck,
allows all Council chairmen and secretaries to make arrests, and extends arrest
warrents from
Economic Targets for 1986-87 provide for a 5% increase in
GDP, 5.4% in agriculture, 5.8% in livestock and fisheries, 5% in forestry, 0.8%
in mining, and 11% in industry. Exports are targeted at Ky
3,322 million. Per capita net output to increase by 2.9%,
income by 2.3%, and consumption by 1.6%. Investment in the public-owned
sector is set at Ky 7,485 million, of which Ky 1,966 million in industry, Ky
1,315 million in transport and communications, Ky
1,006 million in electric power, and Ky 858 million
in agriculture. Total foreign exchange receipts for 1987-88 are budgeted at Ky 7,522 million and foreign exchange expenditures at 7,566
million, for a deficit of Ky 44 million. With exports
at Ky 3,322 million, imports will be Ky 4,843 million, of which Ky
3,481 million will be financed by foreign aid and Ky
1,362 million from State-owned foreign exchange.
Foreign visits included goodwill visits to
The 24th Gems Emporium realized Ky
45.16 million in gems, jade, pearls and jewellery.
In education, new basic education curricula were
introduced, and 280 primary and 95 middle and highschools
opened. Educational expenses were Ky 1,162 million,
up Ky 105 million [but cf. Maung Maung
Kha, below]. A planetarium was constructed [see
photo, WPD 4/28].
In health, 15 hospitals, 105 rural health centers, 12
maternity and child health centers, and 4 secondary health centers were opened.
8 school health teams were formed. 187 doctors and 1,099 nurses and other
health personnel were appointed. Expenditures on health were Ky 616 million in 1986-87. (WPD 4/26)
Maung Maung Kha
Reports
April 27: Prime Minister Maung Maung
Kha reported back to his constituents on the world of
the Third and Fourth Sessions of the Fourth Pyithu Hluttaw. In addition to
statistics, etc., cited by President U San Yu and General Secretary U Aye Ko he noted the following:
GDP includes 53.1% in production sector, 26.5% in
services sector, and 20.4% in trade sector. The international economic crisis continues.
So far
The budget has been revised; regular Ministerial
operating surplus has been revised downward from Ky
70 to Ky 30 million; while planned borrowing by State
economic organizations has been increased from Ky
3,257 to Ky 3,876 million, and by Development
Committees and Organizations from Ky 21 to Ky 58 millions, because of reduced export earnings.
However, expenditure in the education, health, and social sectors has been
increasing 12.4% annually from Ky 808 million in
1976-77 to Ky 2,606 million in l986-87.
In 1987-88 Budget, Ministerial and Departmental receipts
are Ky 7,400 million and
expenditures Ky 6,323 million (Ky
1,077 million surplus). Capital receipts are Ky 240 million and expenditures Ky
2,258 million (Ky 2,018 million deficit). Financial receipts
Ky 1,550 million and
expenditures Ky 505 million (Ky
1,045 million surplus). This leaves total surplus of Ky
105 million, but with Ky 100 million earmarked for a
reserve fund the surplus is Ky 5 million for
Ministerial and Departmental Operations.
For State Economic Organizations, current account
receipts are Ky 27,085
million and expenditures Ky 26,530 million (Ky 555 million surplus). The capital account has a deficit
of Ky 4,958 million and the financial account a
surplus of Ky 538 million, leaving a deficit of Ky 3,865 million to be borrowed from the bank.
For Developmental Committees and Organizations, receipts
are Ky 271 million and
expenditures Ky 225 million (surplus of Ky 46 million). The financial account has Ky 63 million receipts and Ky 7
million expenditures (surplus of Ky 56 million). The
capital account has expenditures of Ky 119 million,
so that Ky 17 million must be borrowed from the bank.
Rice paddy production was estimated at 729 million
baskets for l986-87, with a purchase target of 337 million baskets (200 million
by the state and 137 million by cooperative societies).
In education, 46,000 teachers were appointed in 1986-87.
State expenditures on education were Ky 1,267 in
l986-87, or more than the budgetted figure of Ky 1,162 million [cited by Aye Ko].
(WPD 4/28)
MILITARY
Pilots Graduate
April 4: Twelve pilots received wings after graduating
from the Defence Services (Air) pilot training course No. 48 at Meiktila. (WPD 4/4)
Opium Poppy Eradicated
April 5: During the 1986-87 poppy growing season, 22,630 acres of opium poppy were destroyed by aerial
spraying under Operation Taung Yan
Shin, and 17,595 acres were destroyed under Operation Nga
Ye Pan Phase 7, for a total of 40,225 acres. (Editorial, WPD 4/5)
Insurgents Surrender
April
Cadets Graduate
April 10: 28th Class of the
BCP and KIA Insurgents Lose
April 28: The Burma Army in December 1986-January 1987
attacked Burma Communist Party and Kachin Independence Army insurgents in the Hsihsiwantapang area and the Kyuhkok
(Pansai), Manhio, Kunhai, Namhkek and Sarmadaban areas of Muse and
ECONOMIC
Livestock Statistics
April 1: Net output for 1986-87 in the Livestock and
Fishery sector (provisional figures) was Ky 1,412.9
million compared with the planned Ky 1,488.7 million,
or 94.6%. Growth rate was 4.2% over last year. Meat production was 126.2
million vis in 1986-87, or
3.33 vis per capita. [Note: this assumes a population
of 37.9 million.] (WPD Editorial, 4/1)
Rail-Truck Service
April 1: Rail-truck service opened on the Thazi-Myingyan line "for the convenience of the travelling public." One rail-truck
in each direction per day, making all rail stops and charging the same fares as
trains. (WPD 4/1)
GDP Rises
April 4: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 3.7% in
1986-87, or more than population growth of 2%. Target for growth during Fifth
Four-Year Plan is 4.5%; target has been set for 5% increase in GDP for 1987-88.
(Editorial, WPD 4/4)
Jute Prices Increased
April 11: Jute Industries Corporation will buy special,
first, and second grade jute at considerably higher prices starting with the
1987-88 season, and is relaxing some specifications. (Editorial, WPD 4/11)
Agricultural Statistics
April 12:
Livestock Statistics
April 13: Burmese livestock include (1986): Cattle 9,7l8,000;
Irrigation Projects
April 17: Status of irrigation projects announced: Sedawgyi Dam begun 1976-77 with ADB loan, 99% completed by
1986-87, will irrigate 110,000 acres. Ngalaikchaung
Dam begun 1979-80 with ADB loan and completed in 1986-87, will irrigate 20,200
acres of land and 30,600 acres of cropland [sic]. Shwelay
Irrigation project begun 1981-82 with State funds and completed in 1986-87,
5,000 acres will be irrigated. Rakhine State Flood Prevention Project (2)
implemented in 1978-79 with State funds and completed in 1986-87, will protect
22,793 acres. Pyingyikyun Embankment Project
implemented in 1978-79 with State funds and completed in 1986-87, will protect
4,500 acres.
CULTURAL
Sarpay Beikman
Prize
April 1: 166 manuscripts (59 of them translations) have
been submitted for the 1986 Sarpay Beikman Manuscript Award. (WPD 4/2)
Literacy in
April 1: In Shan State, literacy work launched in Tachilek Township (WPD 4/3), and Langhko
Township (WPD 4/7) - April 3: in Mongnai Township
(WPD 4/8) - April 4: in Namhkam Township (WPD 4/7), Hsenwi Township (WPD 4/8), and Kengtung
Township (WPD 4/9) - April 5: in Hopang Township (WPD
4/12) - April 7: in Namtu Township (WPD 4/16) - April
8: in Pekhon Township (WPD 4/13) - April 9: in Pinlaung Township (WPD 4/14), and Hsipaw
Township (WPD 4/19)
Illiteracy Eradicated
April 8:
April 2: 27th Central Council meeting of the Burma Red
Cross Society held, presided by President U Kyi and Asst. Sec'y
Kyaw Soe. A progress report on the Burma-Sweden Supplementary Extension Project
was read. (WPD 4/3)
Thingyan
April 14-16: Thingyan (Burmese
New Year) festival was celebrated with traditional water throwing and dances,
and the traditional appeals for moderation, water conservation, and good order.
(WPD 4/14,15,16) Year 1349 B.E. began April 17.
MISCELLANEOUS
Golfers Victorious
April 1: Burmese golfers Myint
Thaung and Zaw Moe took most prizes, against 144 golfers, at the Mar. 26-29
Malaysian Amateur Open in
Gambler Arrested
April 6: Daw Hla Tin (54)
arrested as Che-hti gambler in
Report on
April 8: The annual Report to the Pyithu Hluttaw for
1987-88 (Burmese language version) went on sale at the Sarpay
Beikman Book Shop on
Hole-in-One
April 9: Dr. Ba Than Haq [Professor of Geology at
Riverboat Burns
April 11: A double decker
riverboat, Saw Thu Zar, caught fire near
Flash Floods
April 11: Flash floods on the
Marathoners Sweep Meet
April 19: Burmese runners made a clean sweep of the 1987
International Invitational Marathon in
U San Lin Dies
April 22: U San Lin, retired General Manager of the Union
Bank of
+++++++
Vol. I, No. 1, April, 1987.
Compiled monthly for the Burma Studies
Group by Hugh C. MacDougall,