Questions raised by local and foreign mediamen and clarification
made by officials concerned at press conference (6/2005) of
Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council

YANGON, 28 Aug — Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council held a press conference No (6/2005) at the meeting hall of the ministry on Theinbyu Road here this morning.

Present on the occasion were officials concerned of Myanmar Writers and Journalists, media persons, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, Chairman U Sao Kai Hpa and reporters and editorial staff of local magazines and journals.

Foreign correspondents raised questions in connection with clarification made by Chairman of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo and Director General Brig-Gen Khin Yi of Myanmar Police Force and the following are questions and answers:

U Hla Htway of Antara News Agency said that timely announcement of news about Senior General Than Shwe was better for the people. However, he said, the price of an egg went up from K 50 to K 75. Consumer goods had gone up about 50 per cent because of rumours. Likewise prices of gold and US$ dollar leapt. It hurt the people. Next, he said that Myanmar War Veterans Organization and Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, the auxiliary forces of the State and the Tatmadaw demanded Myanmar to withdraw from ILO and he asked the government’s plans.

Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that the first question was that the committee would make clarification in time and earlier than now in future as to BBC’s lopsided accusations. The second was that the Government was joining hands with international organizations including ILO and UN organization. In doing so, the Government had two purposes. The first one was that it was making close contacts with the international organizations to serve families’ duties because it was a member country of the family of nations. The second point was that the Government’s cooperation depended on mutual interests. With these purposes, the Government was carrying out cooperative measures as a member country of ILO. As it was known to all, ILO was putting pressure on Myanmar to get it into trouble based on false information fed by FTUB destructionist Maung Maung. As a result, the Government and its people were suffering losses. Therefore, NGOs including millions of people were demanding Myanmar to quit ILO. The government on its part replied officiallly to ILO clarifying that it is performing tasks according to law concerning labour affairs in contrast with what ILO thought. So, ILO would have realized the losses and sufferings as expressed by MWO and MWAF as well as the government’s correct performance of its duties. The government expects ILO would do its duty correctly again. Then, it would be a blessing for all concerned, the minister said.

Dr U Zaw Than of Sankei Shimbun said that a rumour was sperading about fake 1000 notes. As it spread, it hit high price of goods and foreign exchange rate.

Home Minister Maj-Gen Maung Oo replied that there were four cases as to fake 1000 notes. The first case occurred in Singaing. Bhandanta Eindasara (a) Naing Win of Shwe Wawin monastery visited U Myint Lwin of Thapyaykon village of Singaing and showed him two small-sized fake K 1000 banknotes and changed one note with about K 400 or K 500 . When exposing this case, fake 503 notes of K 1000 were seized 8 July, 2005. 834 out of fake 924 notes of K 1000 were seized for the first time. The second case was in Yangon. A number of fake 260 notes of K 1000 were seized from Aung Zaw Tun (alias) Esa, 28, who was putting up Northern Star guest house, West Ward of Thakayta Township on 24 July, 2005. The third case was that fake 5 notes of K 1000 were seized from Ma Thandar living in Zeyathukha Street, Zekon Village in Shwepyitha Township on 29 July, 2005. When inquiries were made, she got these from Min Thwe (a) Aung Kyaw Oo (a) Rahman. Raman was seized on 6 August, 2005. Another fake 25 notes of K 1000 together with computer, printer and its 20 accessories were again seized. The final case started in Myawady. A number of big-sized 4720 fake notes of K 1000 were seized from three Thai nationals with three hand phones, one 100 baht note and document. This was to hatch a plot for the State and its people economically.

Information Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that he would like to add on the counterfeit note and high price of consumer goods. He said the Government managed to expose the cases. So, there was nothing to worry about the notes. Arrests and seizures have all been made. National traders should not raise price of goods though BBC announced false information on Myanmar.

U Aung Shwe Oo of Nippon TV said the reporting of matters related to police power and duty being carried out in the nation was complete and transparent. He said it was such a pleasure to learn that the chairman of the Information Committee recognized the cooperative efforts of the public. This means that the capabilities of the MPF have improved. However, some still believe that the police force, if there arises a case, arrest the person, get him into the car, send for a witness and detain those involved in the case. He said he thinks that the case like this is usually operative at the lower level of the police force. So, the more the police force are well aware and take care of this the more success they will achieve in discharging their duties. He continued to say that there was a case in which a person living in South Oakkala brought about 20 young women from Chin State persuading them to work in Singapore. He made contact with an agent, who, however, dared not to accept the job when he learned that issues of human trafficking were in very common in the dailies at that time. Out of them, a young woman inquired about renting a house. When she moved to the rented house, she and all other girls were arrested. They were detained for one month or two. Naturally, men are afraid of being arrested, and what’s more they fear being sent to jail. But, in the above-mentioned case, a certain person was supposed to be a witness but arrested. U Aung Shwe Oo said the case should not be like this and the person should be a witness right from stant. If there is less and less of cases like this, the dignity of the police force will improve.

MPF Director General Brig-Gen Khin Yi replied that he thanked U Aung Shwe Oo for giving his advice on matters related to the MPF. The MPF is striving its utmost to become an efficient and reliable force at present or in future. With its motto, the MPF at various levels is now reforming its tasks after the formation of the management and reform committee. He said as had mentioned at the previous press conference, members of the MPF are performing duties in accord with the system of ‘community policing’. Nowadays, every case is being dealt with according to the law, he said. Brig-Gen Khin Yi said all cases are being examined and heard in conformity with the law. So, if there is any that is against the law, the people can report to the MPF and the police force will be ready to review it.

U Ko Ko of Yomiuri Shimbun raised two questions. As to the first question, he said that the clarifications of the director-general of the Myanmar Police Force and the minister for Home Affairs were inclusive of the sending of exaggerated news through satellite phones by NDD Thein Win and 10 UGs, and involvement of NDD Thein Win, fugitive Sein Win of NCGUB, and Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai in the bomb blasts that broke out in Yangon. He said he would like to know whether there is any link between the 10 UGs and bomb blasts. He said each and every press conference was immediately followed by the denials issued by the accused groups. He said he would like to know what will be the response if expatriate Sein Win, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and NDD Thein Win deny that they are responsible for the bomb attacks. Regarding the second question, he said Myanmar Universal Bank was terminated two or three weeks ago and he would like to know why action was taken against the Myanmar Universal Bank. So, the savers now feel uncertain about the situations of other private banks. He said if there were any programmes in connection with other banks. Brig-Gen Khin Yee replied to the first question, saying that of the 14 aboveground terrorists that committed destructive acts with the use of cash assistance provided by NCGUB and FTUB to cause unrest and public demonstrations, 10 terrorists have been arrested so far. These 10 insurgents belong to the groups that were formed by NCGUB and FTUB with the intention of creating mass demonstrations. The occurrence of May-7 bomb explosions was under the arrangements of NCGUB, FTUB, and NDD. The connections between these 10 terrorists and Vigorous group were under investigation. If there are any denials of the government’s accusations against the bomb blasts and acts to cause public demonstrations, the government will present firm evidences of the official confessions of the 10 terrorists arrested. Some culprits that involved in the perpetration of May-7 bomb blasts have been arrested. And there are also some sources of the government. So, there have been strong evidences that can confirm the clarifications.

Minister Maj-Gen Maung Oo in response to the second question said that the termination of the bank was because of its violation of banking rule and action to be taken against it under anti-money laundering law. The government has nothing to do with other private banks. He said he was sure to say so because he was the chairman of the central body formed by the State to deal with cases on money laundering. Other private banks are being run within the frame of banking rules and regulations.

Nwe Nwe Aye of the Myanmar Times asked if the property and money of MUB were confiscated and if the ministries concerned would be moved to Pyinmana in October next year or not.

Home Affair minister said that concerning money deposited in MUB accounts, 3 million is being issued one time and there is no limitation on withdrawing money deposited in private banks but inspection is being made.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that the government did so in order not to lose the money owned by the public. All need to be carefree on it. There is no official instruction to us on the matter of moving ministries to Pyinmana.

U Myat Soe of Leyasipwa News Journal said that the two ministers’ clarifications had made him clear of K-1000 banknotes. There should be comparison on differences between authentic note and counterfeit one of the K-1000 banknotes.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan replied that the counterfeit banknotes and the places at which they were made and seized were displayed on boards to enable the public to view them.

Daw Hsint Hsint Aung of Nippon Television said that it is a great pleasure to clearly know the news on health of the Head of State and she would like to know where he is at home or abroad.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that the Head of State who serves the duties of the State round the clock, is at the defence office with very good health. Thanks for your concern about the health of the Head of State. However, the people should realize the nature of foreign media that never state the truth. Therefore, I would like to stress the need for those from the media world to be con vinced of the ulterior motives of the foreign media.