Entire national people to do their bit in unison to achieve national goal USDA members are to actively take part in the drive for success of seven-point Road Map

YANGON, 7 Nov — The following is a translation of the speech delivered by Patron of Union Solidarity and Development Association Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe at the Annual General Meeting of USDA held on 7 November 2005:

Firstly, I would like to extend greetings to all the members including you on the occasion of the 12th founding anniversary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

The national goal of our nation is to build a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation with flourishing discipline. This lofty goal is the concern of the entire national people and this must be unanimously accepted by every citizen who loves the motherland.
In this regard, the entire national people have to do their bit in unison so as to achieve the national goal.

The Union Solidarity and Development Association was established as a national force with the aim of organizing the entire people to participate with might and main in the process of building a new nation.

The Association has to remain forever as a national force that is one with the people. In the period of 12 years, the Association has gained a wide range of experiences and knowledge about organizational measures and cooperation in the tasks for community peace and national development.

The Association has gained maturity and cohesion with the improvement of its members in quality and quantity.

The five objectives of the Association always flourish as they are national objectives upholding national interests.

Now, youth members are playing an active role in the implementation of such sound and correct objectives, so the Association will certainly have a brighter future.

Since its birth, different levels of the Association have been formed and organizational measures and public welfare service carried out, while constantly nurturing its youth members to sharpen their physical and intellectual abilities. Today, the membership of the Association has reached more than 22.8 million.

In the period of 12 years, the Association has conducetd a broad range of courses such as course on Myanmar Affairs and International Studies, advanced management course for executives, and international relations course. Of them, courses at central level have trained over 20,000 members and those at state and division level, nearly 10 million.

Thanks to the courses, the member trainees will realize the value of the Union, solidarity, peace and sovereignty, and they will be able to value the Myanmar society fully.

As much as youth members have been equipped with the conceptions on political, economic, organizational and management outlooks, preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character you have possessed a sense of national duty all the more.

Such a fine sense of national duty is indeed the noble spirit that each and every citizen is to be imbued. Only the citizens possessing a fine sense of national duty, and physical and mental qualities can defend and safeguard the State. And they will be able to contribute to the emergence of a discipline-flourishing peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation.

The government has laid down and is implementing the seven-point Road Map stage by stage while making relentless efforts day in, day out for the emergence of a peaceful, modern developed and democratic nation. Therefore, the USDA members are to actively take part in the drive for success of the seven-point Road Map by doing their bit.

Stability of the State, strong national economic life and development of human resources are imperative for building a nation. A peaceful modern developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation can be established only through political, economic, social and defence might.

In building up a modern and developed nation, the State, the people and the Tatmadaw are to exert integrated and well-coordinated efforts.

In this regard, the USDA on its part, is to organize the people to enthusiastically take part in it.

Since its assumption of the responsibilities of the State, the Tatmadaw government has been giving priority to peace and stability and national solidarity, while laying down and is implementing projects for development of all the sectors. The discord and dissension among national races, which emerged due to evil legacy of colonialists, led to lack of peace and stability in the nation. The nation lagged behind in development in the absence of peace and stability.

The government is building national solidarity out of goodwill under correct national policy. Hence, altogether 17 national race armed groups have returned to the legal fold and are now joining hands with the government and local people in national development tasks.
Out of members of the armed groups who exchanged arms for peace some have unconditionally exchanged their arms for peace.

There was no significant progress in ensuring national solidarity and bringing about peace and stability progress although successive governments made efforts. But unprecedented progress has been made in all aspects only now. With peace and tranquillity, national development tasks can be carried out all the more.

The 24 special development zones projects, development of border areas and rural development tasks have been laid down and are being implemented to bring about equitable development in all parts of the nation. At the same time, tasks for development of agriculture as the base and all-round development of other sectors of the economy as well are being carried out.

In the agricultural sector, 179 dams and reservoirs large and small, 771 rural irrigation facilities and 293 river water pumping projects were built for agriculture purpose. Moreover, extended reclamation of virgin and fallow land and applying quality strains and advanced agriculture techniques have resulted in significant increase in the yield of crops. Crops cultivation capacity has increased to over 152 per cent.

In the power sector, 5863 megawatts will be generated upon completion of 20 projects that are being implemented, up from 687 megawatts in the past. With the full use of electric power supply, measures are being taken for industrial development. There are now 792 state-run factories and about 80,000 private factories and workshops in the nation, up from 624 state-owned ones and 35,000 private ones in 1988.

As for the transport sector, over 36,500 miles of road and 1100 miles of railroad have been extended in conjunction with the construction of 208 bridges by national engineers. People can now enjoy smooth and better transport as the number of airports with 5000-foot and above runways reached 38 from 21. And the 25 airfields where jet aircraft can land have been upgraded.

In the education sector, there are 40,525 basic education schools as new 6,778 schools have been opened in the nation. A total of 5545 post-primary schools, non-existent in the past, are among them. The number of basic education students has increased from 5.2 million to 7.7 million. There are now 156 universities and colleges nationwide, up from 32, with more than 700,000 students learning there. With the opportunities of learning education in hand, literacy rate has jumped to 94 per cent from 79 and many post- graduates and graduates emerged in the country.

As regards the health sector, with the construction of 189 new hospitals, the number reached 820. Besides, 149 hospitals were upgraded. A total of 16 universities such as Institute of Medicine, Dental Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Institute of Paramedical Science, Institute of Nursing, University of Primary Health and University of Traditional Medicine were opened. To catch up with the increasing number of hospitals, more doctors and nurses have been appointed and more medicines and medical equipment are being provided. With the improvement of health care, life expectancy of national people has increased.

To improve the living standards of rural people who represent more than 70 percent of the nation’s population is of utmost importance. That is why rural development works is being done with added momentum by laying down five rural development tasks.
The association is actively participating in building village-to-village roads and village-to-town roads and digging small dams and lakes and sinking tube-wells. Over 40,000 villages in the nation have been provided with drinking water. It also contributes to the renovation and construction of schools, provides cash assistance for school-age children and donates exercise books and text books. Members of the association have done their best to take measures for sanitation and immunization for rural health. They have donated blood and rendered help to needy patients.

As the basic economy of rural people is agriculture, members of the association are cooperating with departmental officials in agricultural and livestock breeding tasks with the aid of modern methods using quality strains and mixed-cropping. Model vegetable patches and model livestock breeding methods were demonstrated to the public. With the boosting of agriculture and livestock breeding, the economy of rural people will surely improve.

Alongside the rural development work is the task for rural power supply on a manageable scale. And that will add to the improvement of rural health, education, agriculture and basic industry. For rural power supply, technical methods such as hydro-electric, bio-gas power, paddy husk-fired power, wind power and solar power are being employed in place of petroleum. That is why members of the association are urged to disseminate those methods to different parts of their regions.

Today is the knowledge age so the entire Myanmar society should be a constant learning one. Only then, can the people build a modern developed country to keep abreast of other nations. It has been known to you all that the State is undertaking long- and short-term projects for national education. Self-reliant village libraries are being opened one after another to help enhance the knowledge of rural people, the majority of the nation’s population.

It is necessary to nurture rural leaders equipped with good leadership for the development of rural regions. Measures for the development of education are taken for producing and nurturing the knowledgeable and qualified rural leadership. Only when such rural leaders are being nurtured, will they be able to carry out development tasks with their own initiatives. Therefore, you the members of the association are required to go down to the grass-root level for rural progress.

Since yore, the Union of Myanmar has been a nation with various national races residing in the country together in unity and amity. Throughout the history, all national races have had mutual sympathy and understanding, loving-kindness and relationships between each other. True patriotism means national people are to have Union Spirit no matter which part of the country they live in. The Union Spirit, the fundamental of Our Three Main National Causes, is the all-important thing to be maintained perpetually by all national races.

In paying emphasis on ensuring non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of national sovereignty, Union Spirit needs to flourish forever.

This year, the Union Solidarity and Development Association held work coordination meetings on implementing State objectives, mass rallies to hail and honour the Union Day and National Convention and mass rallies on guarding against the dangers of internal and external destructive elements through the united strength of the people. Those mass rallies unveiled the attitudes and wishes of the people. They echoed with people’s chanting of slogans — to safeguard national interest, to build up the State and to crush all those attempting to harm Our Three Main National Causes.

People’s strong desires are indeed an ideal vehicle for shaping a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic country.

I have learnt that youth members of the association from states and divisions actively took part in the study exchange programmes and experience-sharing programmes in May this year. At the youth mass meeting and youth seminar held in Bagan archaeological region, USDA youth members unanimously announced the following five oaths:

- We shall uphold Our Three Main National Causes as a national duty.

- We shall strive our utmost for the building of a peaceful, modern and developed State with firm resolve.

- We shall always safeguard our State and people in our lifetime.

- We shall organize the people to inculcate Union Spirit into them.

- We shall strive for the emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic State.

It is found that all members of the association are discussing and implementing future work programmes by holding USDA annual general meetings. This year also sees the association discussing various sectors by laying down seven objectives. That is why all the members are urged to adopt future work programmes for the next year and actively participate in nation-building tasks in accord with the objectives of the association.

I would like to draw a conclusion that as good citizens who serve the national duty, you all are actively to do more in the interests of the State and the people upholding Our Three Main National Causes. You all are to maintain and safeguard national consolidation and peace and stability of the State with true Union Spirit. You all are to lend yourselves to the success of the State’s seven-point Road Map and emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation.

Senior General Than Shwe hosts dinner in honour of USDA AGM delegates and outstanding youths

YANGON, 7 Nov — Patron of Union Solidarity and Development Association Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe hosted dinner in honour of delegates to the USDA Annual General Meeting and outstanding youths at Zeyathiri Beikman here this evening.

Senior General Than Shwe arrived at the venue of the dinner at 6.45 pm, and greeted secretaries of state and division USDAs, regional coordinators of the USDA headquarters, delegates to the AGM, students who stood first to ten in the whole nation in the matriculation examination, students of states and divisions who passed the matriculation examination with distinctions, students who won gold medals in Asian level sports events, outstanding Red Cross members, outstanding members of auxiliary fire brigades, winners in Armed Forces Day extempore talks competitions, contestants who won at least five gold medals in Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, artistes, vocalists, chairmen of social and economic organizations and officials who were welcoming him.

Also present at the dinner were members of the Panel of USDA Patrons Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice Senior General Maung Aye, Member of SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister General Soe Win, Secretary-1 of SPDC Lt-Gen Thein Sein, the SPDC members, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the chairman of Yangon Division PDC commander of Yangon Command, ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the auditor-general, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the secretary-general, the joint secretary-general, secretariat members and central executive committee members of USDA, members of National Convention Convening Commission, senior military officers, deputy ministers, directors-general of SPDC Office, President Office, Government Office, and Pyithu Hluttaw Office, heads of departments and enterprises, the chairmen and members of Central Committee to Hold the AGM and subcommittees, secretaries of state and division USDAs, regional coordinators, organizers, delegates to the AGM, outstanding youths, outstanding students, media persons, chairmen of social and economic organizations and officials, artistes, vocalists and guests.

Before the dinner, artistes of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and Myanmar Music Asiayon sang songs to the accompaniment of Myanma Radio modern music band, and during and after the dinner, artistes of Fine Arts Department of Ministry of Culture staged dance programmes.

Patron of USDA Senior General Than Shwe addresses AGM of USDA (2005)

YANGON, 7 Nov — Patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address at the fourth day of annual general meeting of USDA (2005) held at the Pyidaungsu hall of the USDA central training school in Hmawby Township this morning.

Also present on the occasion were members of the central panel of patrons Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Prime Minister General Soe Win, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command, the ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the auditor-general, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, USDA CEC members, members of the National Convention Convening Commission, senior military officers, the deputy ministers, the directors-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the President’s Office, the Government’s Office and the Pyithu Hluttaw Office, the rector of Central Institute of Civil Service (Lower Myanmar), directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, chairmen of central committee for USDA annual general meeting (2005) and various sub-committees and members, journalists, chairmen and delegates of Myanmar War Veterans Organization, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Myanmar Women’s Affairs Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Women’s Sports Federation, Myanmar Women’s Entrepreneurs Association, Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon, Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon, Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs, the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association, Myanmar Hoteliers Association and Myanmar Fisheries Federation, secretaries of State and Division USDAs, delegates of State, Division, District and Township USDAs, outstanding youths for 2005 and guests.

Executive Daw Moe Moe Khaing of Bago Township USDA acted as master of ceremonies and Executive Daw Myat Hsu Mon of Dimawhso Township USDA as joint master of ceremonies.

The master of ceremonies announced the agenda for the fourth day.

Patron of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address. (Reported separately).

Secretary-General of USDA U Htay Oo presented prizes to outstanding students who stood first to tenth with science combination in the 2005 matriculation examination.

Outstanding students included Maung Zin Oo Maung of No 1 Basic Education High School, Dagon Township who was not only first in the entire Myanmar but in Yangon Division; Maung Shine Zaw Aung of Institute of Education Practising School, Kamayut Township who was not only first in the entire Myanmar but first in Yangon Division; Ma Phyo Phyo May of No 2 BEHS, Kamayut Township who was second in the entire Myanmar; Ma Thanda Lin of No 2 BEHS, Pabedan Township and Maung Khine Lin of No 5 BEHS, Botahtaung Township who were third in the entire Myanmar; Ma Sanda Cho of No 8 BEHS, Mawlamyine who was not only fourth in the entire Myanmar but first in Mon State; Ma The Mo Mo Myint Oo of No 4 BEHS, Aungmyethazan Township and Maung Aung Myint Lwin of No 11 BEHS, Aungmyethazan Township who were not only fourth in the entire Myanmar but first in Mandalay Division; Maung Aung Myo Min of No 2 BEHS, Lanmadaw Township who was fourth in the entire Myanmar; Maung Aung Ko Ko of N 14 BEHS, Chanayethazan Township who was fifth in the entire Myanmar; Ma Yuzana Maung of No 16 BEHS, Mandalay, Ma May Paing Zin and Ma Aye Mon Oo of Yangon Institute of Education Practising School, Kamayut Township, Ma K Thi Lwin of No 2 BEHS, Lamadaw Township and Maung Aung Phone Myint of No 5 BEHS, Tamway Township who were sixth in the entire Myanmar; Maung Thet Zin Maung of No 1 BEHS, Thayawady who not only seventh in the entire Myanmar but first in Bago Division (West); Ma Nwe Mon Ei of No 8 BEHS, Mawlamyine, Maung Htin Kyaw of No 16 BEHS, Mandalay, Maung Kaung Myat Min Soe and Ma Khin Thin Su of Yangon Institute of Education Practising School, Kamayut Township, Ma Thet Hta of No 5 BEHS, Bohtataung Township and Maung Zeya Lin of No 1 BEHS, Dagon Township who were seventh in the entire Myanmar; Ma Mya Myitzu of No 8 BEHS, Mawlamyine, who was eighth in the entire Myanmar; Ma Thet Phu Win of No 4 BEHS, Toungoo who was not only ninth in the entire Myanmar but first in Bago Division (East); Maung Ye Zarni of No 16 BEHS, Mandalay, Maung Myo Thura Kyaw of No 1 BEHS, Insein, Ma Ngu Waso of No 2 BEHS, Lanmadaw, Ma Khin Thu Thu Kyaw of No 2 BEHS, Latha; Ma Hsu Yi Mon of No 1 BEHS, Dagon Township and Ma Thet Wai Phyo of No 2 BEHS, Bahan Township who were ninth in the entire Myanmar; Maung Thaung Htaik Hsaung of No 1 BEHS, Pyay, Maung Aung Phyo San of No 3 BEHS, PyinOoLwin, Ma Shwe May Kyaw of No 1 BEHS, Insein Township, Maung Thet Paing Soe Zaw of No 5 BEHS, Kamayut Township, Ma Su Hlaing Hnin and Ma Khin Moh Moh Win of No 2 BEHS, Latha and Ma Hnin Hay Mar and Ma Ei Shwe Zin Mon of No 1 BEHS, Dagon Township who were tenth in the entire Myanmar.

Next, Secretary-General of USDA U Htay Oo presented prizes to outstanding students who stood first to ten with arts combination in the 2005 matriculation examination.

Outstanding students included Ma Thanda Aung of No 4 BEHS Myaungmya Township who was not only first in the entire Myanmar but first in Ayeyawady Division; Ma Hnin Wai Hlaing of No 1 BEHS, Kyonpyaw who was second in the entire Myanmar; Maung Soe Wai Kyaw of No 1 BEHS, Mawlamyinegyun who was third in the entire Myanmar; Maung Soe Thu of BEHS, Bogale who was fourth in the entire Myanmar; Maung Teza Win of No 1 BEHS, South Okkalapa Township who was fifth not only in the entire Myanmar but first in Yangon Division; Maung Thet Aung Nyein of Shwemyintin BEHS, Pathein who was sixth in the entire Myanmar; Ma Nang Rosie Win of Kyonpyaw BEHS who was seventh in the entire Myanmar; Ma Mon Maing of Mogaung who was not only eighth in the entire Myanmar but first in Kachin State, Maung Htin Lin Oo of Einmegyi BEHS who was ninth in the entire Myanmar, Ma Nan Yin Yin Tun of Wegyi Village BEHS, Kayin State who was not only tenth in the entire Myanmar but first in Kayin State and Maung Sai Win Win Tun of Katha BEHS, Homalin Township who was not only tenth in the entire Myanmar but first in Sagaing Division.

Next, Secretary-General U Htay Oo presented prizes to the outstanding students who stood of science combination in 2005 matriculation examination.

Outstanding students included Maung Malut Saing Aung of No 3 Basic Education High School of Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, Maung Pyi Phyo Kyaw of No 1 BEHS of Loikaw, Kayah State, Ma Khine Lwin Mon of No 1 BEHS of Hpa-an, Kayin State, Maung Bwe Lyan Hsan of No 2 BEHS of Haka, Chin State, Maung Htain Lin Aung of No 1 BEHS of Shwebo, Sagaing Division, Maung Phyo Kyaw and Maung Kaung Myat of No 3 BEHS of Monywa, Sagaing Division, Ma Aye Yu Yu Mon of No 1 BEHS of Myeik, Taninthayi Division, Ma Aye Mya Tun of No 1 BEHS of Taungdwingyi, Magway Division, Maung Myat Zaw Hein of No 2 BEHS of Sittway, Rakhine Division, Maung Ye Min Hein of No 4 BEHS of Taunggyi, Shan State (South), Maung Hein Win Phyo of No 1 BEHS of Lashio, Shan State (North), Maung Htoo Htoo Zaw of No 1 BEHS of Kengtung, Shan State (East) and Maung Pyi Phyo Min of No 1 BEHS of MaU Bin, Ayeyawady Division.

He presented prizes to the outstanding students who stood first with arts combination in State and Division in 2005 matriculation examination.

Outstanding students included Maung Aung Naing Win of Loikaw, Kayah State, Maung Htan Hsaung Paung of No 1 BEHS of Tiddim, Chin State, Ma Kyin Yu of No 1 BEHS of Myeik, Taninthayi Division, Saw Dollar Nan Soe Hein of Sitkwin BEHS of Minhla and Maung Thet Paing Oo of No 5 BEHS of Pyay Township, Bago Division (West), Ma Hta Hta Lwin of Ma Dauk BEHS, Bago Division (East), Ma Aye Myint Win of Kyaukchet Affiliated BEHS of Sinbaungwe Township, Magway Division, Ma Swe Zin Htay of Ngan Myar Gyi BEHS of Ngazun Township, Magway Division, Maung Nyo Win of Taung Zun BEHS, Mon State, Maung Min Min Aung of No 5 BEHS of Taunggyi, Shan State (South), Maung Win Zaw of No 6 BEHS of Lashio, Shan State (North) and Ma Zarchi Min of Mongsat BEHS, Shan State (East).

Secretary-General U Htay Oo presented prizes to the students who are gold medalists in Asian level Sports Meets.

They are Sai Pyisone Hein, Ma Chit Su Yi, Maung Soe Win Thein, Maung Khant Swe Thet, Maung Wai Phyo Aung, Ma Naw Al Say Htee, Maung Pyi Phyo Oo and Maung Hla Aye Htwe. The secretary-general presented prizes to outstanding Red Cross Members for 2005. They are Maung Win Naing Shein of Shwegu Township, Kachin State and Ma Zin Mar Kyaw of Myebon Township, Rakhine State.

Secretary-General U Htay Oo also awarded U Maung Maung Aye of Sagaing Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Daw Khin San Lwin of Thaketa Township Auxiliary Fire Brigade for their outsanding performance in 2005 and Maung Myat Thura of Bago Division (East) who stood first in Extempore Talks organized by USDA to hail the 60th Armed Forces Day.

Afterwards, U Htay Oo awarded the outstanding students who won five gold medals and above at Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions. They are Maung Pyai Phyo Maw, eight gold medalist, of No 1 BEHS, Mandalay, Maung Than Myat Soe, seven gold medalist, of University of Culture (Yangon), Maung Aung, six gold medalist, of No 2 BEHS, Thaketa, five gold medalists Maung Aung Kyi Soe of Myitkyina University, Maung Myo Thiha Kyaw (a) Paing Paing of Education College, Mandalay, Maung Zeya Min of University of Culture, Ma Eint Thura of No 2 BEHS, Kamayut Township, Ma Su Yi Ko Ko of No 1 BEHS, Dagon Township, Ma Thae Myat Soe of University of Culture (Yangon) and Maung Thet Lwin Aung Tun of No 1 BEHS, Thanlyin.

Afterwards, morning session of the meeting adjourned and Senior General Than Shwe cordially greeted representatives of state/division/district/township USDAs.