MOA on Rural Industries
Development Programme signed
 |
 |
YANGON,
10 Feb – A study group comprising heads of diplomatic missions and officials of
embassies, departmental officials and local and foreign correspondents led by
Director (International Relations) of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse
Control Police Col Khan Aung left for Muse on 7 February morning to observe the
implementation of the programme of reducing illicit drug use in the highlands of
East Asia at six villages in Muse District, Shan State (North), and Bhamo
District, Kachin State.
The programme is being implemented by the Central
Committee for Drug Abuse Control and United Nations Drug Control Programme. At
the community centre of Nantkat Village in Muse District, Police Col Khan Aung
said that UNDCP and China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, signatories
of regional narcotic drug control agreements, signed the programme of reducing
illicit drug use in the highlands of East Asia in 1996, and the programme has
been implemented since June 1997 with the use of $ 1,52 million provided by
Britain and United Nations Development Programme. During the period of the
programme, Japan also made contributions to the cause.
CCDAC and UNDCP have been carrying out the programme
simultaneously at Manwaingyi Village, Mongkhat Village, Myothit Village and
Lweje Village in Bhamo District, Kachin State, and at Nantkat Village and
Swansaw Village in Muse District, Shan State (North).
The programme will come to an end in June, Year 2000.
CCDAC and UNDCP, in cooperation with experts made assessment of the programme
recently, and it is learnt that success has been achieved by 80%.
Similar programmes will be implemented in other
villages with the contributions of donor nations.
Field officer of the programme U Thein Win reported on
social, economic, health and educational development as a result of community
based activities before and after the implementation of the programme at Nantkat
and Swansaw Villages and treatment of drug addicts.
Then, the study group toured Nantkat Village and
observed the progress of the programme, the village water supply project being
implemented with the assistance of Japan and construction of the primary school.
In the afternoon, the study group went to Swansaw (Shan)
Village and Swansaw (Palaung) Village, and met with members of Village Peace and
Development Council and villagers.
The study group included the ambassador of Italy, the
ambassador of Singapore, heads of embassies of France, Britain, the USA, Japan
and Australia, officials of CCDAC, UNDCP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Health
Department, Education Department, Information and Public Relations Department
and Social Welfare Department and local and foreign correspondents totalling 28,
who arrived back here by air this afternoon.
__________________________________