A time bomb exploded at seat Nos 17 and 18 in Myoma cinema in Mandalay on 21 May 1998, killing one person and wounding 11. A suspicious plastic package was found at the bicycle stand near G-complex west wing of Zegyo Market in Mandalay on 4 May 2001. It was found to be a time bomb. While authorities were trying to seal off the area and to defuse the bomb, it exploded. Thirty-four persons suffered cuts and bruises from the broken glasses. The authorities were able to reveal that it was the act of SURA.

On 18 October 1998, about ten SURA terrorists arrived at the huts of rock-grinding workers near Kyauktaung village at ninth mile post on Panglong-Leikha Road. They murdered six workers with knives and clubs and burnt down the huts. The SURA under the command of Ywet Sit has committed terrorist acts including wicked brutalities for 25 times including the above-mentioned incidents to this date, murdering 220 innocent people and injuring 140 others. When all these incidents were studied, it has become clear that the SURA was a group continuously committing terrorist acts.

Secondly, I would like to present atrocities of KNU terrorist insurgents. The KNU has been a terrorist organization that committed atrocities since armed struggle in 1948-49. They killed over 350 people of Phyu Township in 1949, attacked Yangon-Mawlamyine train in 1954 took 40 university student girls and some women and sent them to arms to the nationalist Chinese in exchange for arms, attacked Sabanet passenger boat plying between Shwegun-Hpa-an killing over 200 passengers and wounding 122, hijacked the plane in 1954, attacked Mingun Sayadaw's trip and Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda festival. Some of their acts were:

At 23.30 pm on 21 May 1996, KNU insurgents blew up a mine when No 2 Yangon-Mandalay-Down train arrived at mile post No 121/9 near Chaung Bridge in Phyu Township. Six coaches were derailed and destroyed, leaving nine people killed and seven wounded.

At 2.15 pm on 3 July 1996, a bomb exploded under the signboard in Maha Bandoola Park (on the side of Merchant Street) in front of the US Embassy.

About 6'' x 6'' area of the wall was destroyed. At 8.45 pm on 25 December 1996, a mine in the bushes near the right lion statue of eastern stairway of Kaba Aye Pagoda where Buddha's Tooth Relic was kept exploded. At about 10.30 pm, another time bomb exploded, killing five people and wounding 18 others.

  
Buddha's Tooth Relic at the Kaba Aye Pagoda and Hinngokepin sub-power station in Oktwin

At 8.45 pm on 28 February 1997, KNU terrorist group fired three M-72 rocket launchers at Hinngokepin sub-power station in Oktwin Township, Toungoo District. As a result, three transformers were destroyed.

On 23 February 1999, 14 personnel of Immigration Department left Phayathonzu for Thanbyuzayat after their duties. They were arrested at Khonkhan Village by KNU group. Ten service personnel were cruelly killed while four escaped.

At about 11.30 pm on 23 June 1999, KNU terrorist group-1 blew up mine and attacked light passenger bus coming from Kawtkareik to Myawady near Natyaykan with small arms. Eight passengers were killed and 19 were wounded.

On 6 March 2001, some 60 KNU terrorist insurgents entered Winphanon Dam in Mudon Township in Mon State and killed two service personnel and took an assistant director prisoner and destroyed staff guest house and two vehicles.

On 23 March 2001, some 25 KNU terrorist insurgents arrested 27 men who were making charcoal and cutting wood and killed 24 and three were wounded.

KNU terrorist insurgents have committed over 50 atrocious acts since January 1988, killing 100 innocent people and wounding 230. Evidently, KNU is an organization that committed terrorist acts.

SURA drug-trafficking group and KNU terrorist insurgents live in Yodaya near Myanmar-Yodaya border. They can buy arms and ammunition from the black market in Yodaya. They are able to survive with the provision of some arms from Yodaya. The 21 July issue of Bangkok Post and the Nation carried the news about the two vehicles which collided in an traffic accident at 147th kilometres on the highway in Lodburi Province. Arms secretly carried by car scattered on the ground. Machine-guns hidden in the roof of the vehicle were found. These arms were bought from Cambodia border. The arms were to be sold to ethnic insurgents at the border in Chiangmai Township.

Concerning the slanderous accusations, Col San Pwin said the news report on the revelations of Shan women, who were said to have been raped by Myanmar soldiers appeared in The Bangkok Post issued on 29 July. The news report said that 11 women who were alleged to be victims of rape sneaked into Yodaya to tell the story; that of the 11, they said one was raped by Myanmar soldiers in the previous month; and that the victims agreed to give an interview with the newspaper only if the newspaper with held their names and addresses.

The so-called two NGOs, the Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women's Action Network issued a report under the title " License to Rape " in May 2002, concerning the accusation, saying that the Myanmar soldiers molested Shan women. The report made a slanderous accusation saying that Myanmar soldiers raped 625 Shan women in Shan State during the period from 1996 to 2001; that there were 173 rape cases in which the youngest victim was said to be a five-year-old girl; that the soldiers also tortured their victims; twenty-five per cent of the rape victims were killed and their bodies shown to frighten the public; sixty-one per cent of the victims were subject to gang rape.

The fabrications issued by the report were featured in the Yodaya dailies and aired by the Yodaya TV channels. The Yodaya TV Channel-7 on 12 July broadcast a fabricated news report as a proof to the concoctions, saying that the rape victims who ran away to Yodaya were being warded at hospitals in Chiangmai and Weinhin township hospitals. The Shan Human Rights Foundation and the Shan Women's Action Network assuming the name of NGOs are just the elements of the SURA drug bandits.

Rape is a loathsome act in the Myanmar traditions and culture, custom, religion and society. The Tatmadaw is a disciplined force systematically formed with the sons and daughters of the national races. The Tatmadaw members are living in unity and discipline under the strict military codes of conduct and rules, serving the interests of the nation and the people at risk to their lives.

If they break the military laws action will be taken against them in accord with the military law as well as the civilian law. A culprit in a rape case will meet with severe punishment. The government is making full cooperation in solving the problems concerning the violation of human rights principles of the UN.

The international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the NGOs and the UNDCP are visiting Shan State during their official tours. Mr Pinyero, who presented the special UN report on human rights in 2001 had visited Shan State. If the report on the rape cases were real, these organizations would have heard about them. But these organization said nothing about the rape cases.

When the accusations are studied, it is so obvious the stories are like fictions. After the news on the rape of 625 Shan women in Shan State appeared, the Yodaya dailies were featuring the slanders, saying, the victims were undergoing treatment at the hospitals and the 11 victims came to Yodaya to tell their story as true events.

The persons who are really undergoing treatment at the hospital which is said to be treating the victims are the 12 SURA drug bandits who were wounded in the attacks of the Myanmar Tatmadaw at the battle at Pangangaw. A news information has already been issued that no Shan women is being hospitalized.

In reality, the SURA drug-trafficking terrorist insurgent group is an anti-government group always opposing the Myanmar government and creating fabrications in collusion with the Yodaya media. The Yodayas who have become deeply rooted with the spirit to hate Myanmars have been against Myanmar's developments throughout history. The Yodayas have abetted all the organizations and armed insurgents opposing Myanmar since they have come into being with the intention of hampering Myanmar's progress and stability. At present, the Yodayas are trying to cause racial dissension to cause disintegration of national solidarity. They are scheming to mislead the international community to have wrong impression on Myanmar. Creating fabrications is the usual act of the Yodayas.

  
Director-General Dr Tun Shin explains at the press conferecne.

Director-General of the Attorney-General's Office Dr Tun Shin explained the laws concerning the rape cases, saying that the Myanmars regarded the rape case as a loathsome act; that according to the law enacted since 1861, the minimum sentence for a rape case was ten years and the maximum was life sentence; that even the wife could file a law suit against her husband for having intercourse without her consent.

He also said that there were military laws and rules since 1959; that a Tatmadaw member was punishable by military law as well as by civilian law if he committed a crime; that as the Myanmar traditions and culture are totally against rape, the culprit would face severe action.

Concerning the border areas development undertakings, Director-General of Department for Progress of Border Areas and National Races Col Than Swe said since 1988, the government has launched development projects with added momentum in the areas where peace and stability have been restored. During the over 12-year period, the government spent K 25,000 million for the projects bringing significant progress to seven states and two divisions where border areas are located.

In roads and bridges sector, 2,683 miles and six furlongs of earth road, 1,434 miles and four furlongs of gravel road and 293 miles and four furlongs of tarred road totalling 4,411 miles and six furlongs of road were built. A total of 2,682 miles and five furlongs of existing roads were maintained and 16 suspension bridges and 40 major bridges and 636 small bridges were built.

In the education sector, 586 primary schools, 59 middle schools and 33 high schools were opened in border areas beginning 1989. There were 1,541 primary schoolchildren and 12 middle school students when the development tasks began. Now there are 55,018 primary schoolchildren, 23,084 middle school students and 3,992 high school students. In 1988, there were 1,553 students in border areas and now there are 82,094 students.

In the health sector, 50 hospitals, 74 dispensaries, 29 rural health centres and 42 sub-rural health centres were opened in border areas in 12 years. Similarly, 93 TV retransmission stations, 46 post offices, 35 telegraph offices and 80 telephone communication stations were opened.

Thirty one agricultural offices and 115 agricultural camps were opened for food sufficiency in the region and opium substitute crop cultivation. Cultivation of buckwheat and other opium substitute crops were carried out. Pilot cultivation of four acres of buckwheat started in Kokang region in 1997. Now the acreage increased up to 4,160. The government distributed 104 tons of seeds and 208 tons of fertilizers free of charge. The government spent K 18.8 million in reclamation of land and distribution of saplings for cultivation of 460 acres of perennial crops.

In carrying out the development tasks, the government spent K 25,000 million. Seventy five per cent of them were used in the regions related to cultivation of opium.

With the significant development in transport, education, health and other sectors, other economic opportunities emerged. The practice of relying on cultivation of poppy fell by 40 per cent.

Due to cooperation of regional organizations and local people achievements have been made in border area development tasks more than expected. Local national organizations and people in the past 12 years participated in construction of roads, schools, hospitals and bridges and implementation of urban projects. Expenditures on the tasks were over K 170,000 million.

Next, Joint Secretary of CCDAC Police Col Khan Aung clarified matters relating to anti-drug campaign. Anti-narcotic drug activities that are harmful to mankind are being launched with greater momentum as the national task. According to the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, three five-year plans are being implemented for eradication of narcotic drugs in 15 years. The Pandaingthit Plan which is added to the 15 year project is being undertaken beginning last April. Measures are being taken for cultivation of opium substitute crops in carrying out the narcotic drug eradication task.

In 2002 cultivation season, it was targeted to cultivate over 12,128 acres of opium substitute crops 1,889 acres in Shan State (South), 712 acres in Shan State (East), 9,325 acres in Shan State (North) and 202 acres in Kayah State. According to the data received recently, over 12,964 acres of opium substitute crops have been cultivated. Over 836 acres were cultivated more than the target. At the end of cultivation season, cultivation acreage will increase. Opium substitute crops are paddy, corn, maize, soy bean and pigeon peas. CCDAC also spent K 52.5 million in narcotic drug eradication tasks.

Recently, opium growers handed over poppy seeds and poppy bulbs to the government in Shan State (North), (East) and (South). The PeopleÕs Republic of China donated 300,000 Yuan and 10,000 kilos of crop seeds such as maize, soy bean, buckwheat, paddy, potato, beans and groundnuts. Experts gave lectures on cultivation techniques and control of pests. Altogether 50 trainees from Laukkai, Hsi-aw, Parsinkyaw, Naphan and Mantong have attended the lectures. Next, Minister U Tin Winn said Yodaya is trying to tarnish Myanmars dignity and creating misunderstanding in the world. However, their acts are illogical. It can be seen clearly. No matter how destructive insurgents and Yodaya holding the attitude of hatred towards Myanmar conspire against Myanmar, the journalists may notice the fact that peace and tranquillity has been restored in the country. The government is making endeavours for national development, unity among the people, restoration of peace and tranquillity and all-round development in political, economic and social sectors. Construction of roads and bridges has improved. Efforts are to be made for raising standard of the people with added momentum.

Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and
Head of Department Col Kyaw Thein replied to the queries raised by the journalists.