Region    

Yangon, 2 April - Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence met with departmental personnel, soldiers of the regional battalions and units, and families in Monghsat on 30 March.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said the citizens must be faithful to the State, and also the departmental personnel are required to be loyal to the State and are responsible to their respective departments because the people see their action to be that of the State. Thus, the government employees will have to work with goodwill in accord with the rules and laws. Only then, will the people have trust in the government and will take part in the national development endeavours.

The nation is made up of all the national races; and the Union, with all the ethnic races of the nation. As the service personnel, Tatmadaw members and the public are included in the Union, they should have conviction that they are responsible for discharging the duties of the State. With this conviction, they will have to work with goodwill and loyalty. Without the participation of the public, the State's noble endeavours will never achieve success. At present, there are false accusations against the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw is a disciplined institution always abiding by the law. Any law violator will meet with severe punishment. The Tatmadaw never allows any of its members to go against the discipline and law. The slanders are being launched with the intention of breaking up the unity between the Tatmadaw and the people. All these accusations must be rebutted. All will have to strive with goodwill and loyalty for further advancement of the nation, while trying to maintain the peace, stability and development the nation has achieved so far.

Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Khin Zaw, Vice-Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Htin Aung Kyaw and others were also present. Accompanied by the commander and military officers, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe inspected Monghsat. At Wanhon Model Farm of the Loihsan Hsaw region opium substitute crop project, they heard a report on the process of the project, covering the task to enable the former poppy farmers to earn their living.

U Kyauk Kwe-an of the Shan State East Special Region 2 thanked the Head of State and the government for their farsightedness and magnanimity. He said the region will strive its best for progress, security and the rule of law, explaining the long-term plan to free the region from opium and extend opium substitute crop cultivation.

After inspecting the tea plantations at the farm, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and party went to Tachilek.

In meeting with soldiers of the Tachilek Station in Tachilek, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann urged them to strive to possess the five basic skills. Next, they met with departmental personnel.

They then inspected the border checkpoint, and proceeded to Kyainglat town in Tachilek Township. At the meeting with departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross Bridges and Fire Brigade and local people, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said the government staff should make efforts for further development of Kyainglat region. They will have to organize the local people to take part in the regional development undertakings. Lt-Gen Aung Htwe said the government staff are required to work in the interest of the local people with goodwill. They then inspected the small-scale dynamos use in the town.

In Mongyawng, they met with Tatmadaw members, government staff and members of social organizations.

On arrival at Mongla in Shan State East Special Region 4, they were welcomed by Chairman of the Special Region 4 Administrative Body U Hsan Pe and party.

Later, they heard a report on the regional development undertakings of the body, economic development projects and future programmes.Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann said he has witnessed the regional development in Mongla region which has already declared as the opium free zone to the world. Thus, the fine traditions of the region must be maintained and developed. The region is achieving progress thanks to the goodwill of the Head of State. Continued efforts are required for ensuring regional security, the rule of law, territorial integrity and development.