A regular Press conference with local and foreign journalists took place at the Tatmadaw guest house on Inya Road here this morning. Present at the meeting were Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint and senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, departmental heads, officers of the Ministry of Information, Correspondent U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club Patron U Hla Htwe and President U Sao Kai Hpa, foreign correspondents, and guests. On the occasion, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, U Khin Maung Win and officials replied to the queries of journalists.

 In his replies, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said with respect to receiving Myanmar citizens working in Thailand illegally, the two governments are coordinating in view of maintaining mutual friendship; and the date to accept them has already been fixed; however, some of them are returning home before the scheduled date, and hence, a reception camp has been opened in Myawady beginning 5 February 2002. So far, over 800 Myanmar citizens have returned and medical check-up and cash assistance were provided to them; those who have come back have been sent back home safe and sound.

 Some Thai newspapers carried the news that some Myanmar families were killed in Thai border area. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the Thai Government to make an effective investigation into the issue as it is a criminal case, he said. He also disclosed that recently, some fake K 1,000 currency notes, which were smuggled into Myanmar through the border area where Kayin insurgents resided, were seized; action is being taken to expose those who are guilty; there is no need to worry as all of the fake currency notes have been seized; moreover, the rumour to the effect that the Government will circulate K 5,000 and K 10,000 currency notes is untrue; the rumour to the effect that some of the currency notes will be demonetized is also untrue; as it has been already announced time and again, the State Peace and Development Council Government will not demonetize currency notes in any way, he said.

 Next, Lt-Col Hla Min of the Ministry of Defence gave replies to queries concerning the annual report on international human right released on 4 March by the government of USA. Then, the regular Press conference came to an end. Afterwards, local and foreign journalists viewed the documentary photos on reception of Myanmar workers in Myawady who returned from Thailand.

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