YANGON, 28 August— The following is the clarification made by Director-General of Myanamr Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi at the Press Conference No 6/2005 of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council.

At this Press Conference today, I will present clarifications in two portions. The first part is on matters relating to conspiracies of terrorist destructive elements to destabilize the country and to create unrest and the arrests and seizures. The second part will deal with exposing of those involved in the Yangon bomb blasts.

In the first part, I will explain matters on how fugitive Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai who is the general secretary of NCUB (National Council of Union of Burma) and FTUB (Federation of Trade Unions — Burma), organized above-ground hardcores from service personnel and other strata via Thein Win who is in charge of the local news network of the so-called NDD (Network for Democracy and Development) terrorist group based in Maesot. Maung Maung mobilized them by giving attractive monetary assistance to destabilize the country and create unrest. I will explain matters on exposing of their conspiracies in July 2005.

I will clarify how above-ground hardcore UGs were provided with satellite phones to get in touch with contacts all over the world and how they were trained systematically by NDD Thein Win with assistance from Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai. The UGs were to collect all sorts of news including those on peasants, workers as well as natural disasters and to exaggerate them with intent to destabilize the country and create unrest.

As known to you journalists, the anti-government groups based in foreign countries with financial assistance and instigations of some pessimists and some big western countries ignored the prevalence of peace and tranquillity and the Tatmadaw Government’s endeavours in laying down good foundations for bringing about discipline-flourishing democracy. The anti-government groups are constantly attempting to wreck the National Convention and create crises and problems in order that the existing Government would face public unrest similar to that in 1988.

Of the terrorist destructive groups, I will first explain about the FTUB. It was formed in 1991 with seven members including Hla Oo as chairman, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai as general secretary and Zaw Win Aung as assistant general secretary. FTUB opened offices in Chiangmai, Mae Hong Son and Maesot in a neighbouring country as well as in Washington, Sydney and Tokyo. Shouting labour affairs loudly, that group has all along been making attempts to create unrest within the country.

FTUB collected news on peasants, workers and others from Myanmar as much as possible and submitted these matters to ILO and trade unions in western countries for obtaining financial assistance. With these funds, the group has mobilized and utilized some Myanmar citizens in a neighbouring country and stealthily committing destructive acts and UG programmes to create unrest. With a view to launching more terrorist destructive acts within the country and obtaining more financial assistance from abroad, FTUB general secretary Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai tried for FTUB to become a member of NCUB. At the seventh NCUB conference held at a border area in the neighbouring country from 3 to 8 May 2004, he was elected as general secretary of NCUB.

Actually, NCUB comprises nine armed insurgent groups, 26 anti-government groups abroad, expatriate Hluttaw representatives union, NLD (Liberated Area), etc which are organized to launch anti-government movements in various ways. For Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai to become general secretary of NCUB, a big western nation spent huge amount of funds, it is learnt. It was aimed at enabling Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai to become general secretary of not only FTUB but also NCUB to have influence over anti-government groups abroad. Inasmuch as Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai becomes strong, the masters controlling him from behind can manipulate the elements as they wish.

As mentioned above, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai who is general secretary of FTUB and NCUB obtained financial assistance secretly as well as openly from some big western nations make contacts with three service personnel, two former service personnel and three civilians in Myanmar through NDD Thein Win and called them to meet him in Maesot in December 2003. They were given training on collecting news,how to instigate the masses of peasants and workers as well as on UG system and political defiance. Two foreigners who were connected with ILO and western trade unions also provided training to them, it is exposed. Go-between Thein Win examined the hardcores on anti-government concepts, hunting news and ways of making contacts. When satisfied, Thein Win sent them back into Myanmar giving them monetary assistance of hundreds of thousands of kyats. The hardcores were later provided with monetary assistance regularly through the contacts.

In this connection, I would like to explain matters relating to Thein Win of NDD based in Maesot, Thailand. He is a native of Bago and after the 1988 incidents he took part in the Bago NLD as a youth leader. For attempting to create disturbances in Bago he was sentenced to 4 years’ jail term in 1990. After serving the prison term in 1995, he fled to a neighbouring country and joined ABSDF (All Burma Students Democratic Front).

In 1998 Thein Win joined the People’s Power 21st century (PP-21) led by expatriate Sein Win and Moe Thee Zun. The PP-21 was formed with financial assistance from PD Burma group of a big nation to create unrest all over Myanmar in 1999. Thein Win who was in charge of blasting bombs sent a 4-man team led by Soe Thiha (alias) Thura Kyaw Zin and comprising Ye Kyaw Swa, Naing Naing and Min Min (alias) Kyaw Kyaw to explode bombs near Maha Bandoola Park in front of Yangon City Hall at the crowded Independence Day celebrations on 4 January 2000. That team placed a time bomb near Maha Bandoola Park but the security members found and cleared it in time. Thus the innocent public escaped from the danger of bomb blast. Soe Thiha and his team narrowly got away. That team came back into Myanmar for the second time in April in the same year. Our security members captured them on 1 April.

Further investi-gations led to the arrest of Aung Hlaing Win (alias) Aung Thiha (alias) Tartee and Naing Lin Aung (alias) Tun Tun (alias) Saw Tun Oo together with explosives in Myawady and Kyondo on 10-4-2000. It was reported in the newspapers of 16-4-2000 issue. It is exposed that the three culprits were controlled by Thein Win.

The NDD (Network for Democracy and Development) was formed in 2003 in Chiangmai with U Kyaw Kyaw as chairman and Dr Naing Aung as chairman of board of directors for attempting to destabilize the country and create unrest by collecting and spreading exaggerated news of the country.

As NDD’s local news network in-charge Thein Win, a native of Bago, he provided Bago natives Wai Lin, Than Oo (alias) Ko Ye, Myint Lwin and Win Myint with training on gathering news, UG activities, monetary assistance and illegal satellite phones. The illegal satellite phones were installed in Bago in 2003 for the hardcores to make international contacts.

Wai Lin, Than Oo (alias) Ko Ye, Myint Lwin and Win Myint collected unfounded news and sent exaggerations through satellite phones so as to earn their livelihood. Moreover, they confessed that they made interviews with BBC and spread exaggerated news many times. The satellite phone and related items sent from Thein Win to Wai Lin was hidden in a well at the back of his house by his younger sister Khin Myo Nwe. It was exposed by security members on 28-6-2005. From the confessions of Wai Lin, it was learnt that another satellite phone was kept by lawyer Hla Myint (alias) Hla Myint Than. Hla Myint Than was arrested on 4-7-2005. He confessed that the satellite phone sent by Myint Thein from Maesot was given to Myakantha tea-shop owner Win Myint. It was also learnt that Win Myint had another satellite phone sent by Thein Win through Ko Ye (alias) Than Oo. The phones were seized from the house of Win Myint’s mother-in-law Daw Thaung on 4-7-2005 and unearthed in the compound of Daw Thaung on 6-7-2005.

The three seized satellite phones revealed that Wai Lin’s phone (No 2008182) called six times to NDD Thein Win’s phone (No 095-669208) of Maesot. Win Myint’s phone (No 2005924) made six calls to Thein Win’s phone of Maesot. Hla Myint Than’s phone (number is being scrutinized) contacted Maesot eight calls. These facts were learnt from memory of those phones. Contact lists of these phones were put on display on boards for journalists to see.

It was found that NDD Thein Win forwarded information received from hardcores inside the country through satellite phones, to ILO, FTUB, etc and obtained monetary assistance. Later Thein Win received assistance mainly from Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai to carry out destructive acts. He mobilized more local hardcores and provided them with money in hundreds of thousands. He had many UG hardcores in the country. The security personnel have exposed them by interrogating the seized culprits.

I would like to explain about Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai who is general secretary of FTUB and NCUB and he provided monetary assistance prodigally via NDD Thein Win to hardcore informers within the country. Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai is a fugitive as actions were taken against him under section 6 (1) of the Law Protecting Public Property. He fled to a neighbouring country, joined hands with Da-nya-ta Than Lwin and launched terrorist acts. Later he attempted to assassinate State Leaders and blast bombs at foreign embassies and important places in Yangon. In 1997 security personnel exposed in time the transport of explosives into the country. In that case, the one who controlled it was Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and he was declared as a fugitive. It was clarified at the previous press conferences.

From the confessions of Wai Lin and Myint Lwin of Bago and Thein Lwin Oo of Shwe Paukkan and bank employee Aye Thi Khaing, the security staff have learnt that fugitive Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai rented a room on fourth floor of Phontip Hotel. He hanged on the wall the construction projects of the Government, maps, data and charts of factories, mills, dams, reservoirs built by the Government. It is learnt from the testimonies of the four men that he was plotting to destroy these projects.

Aboveground hardcore U Myint Lwin, age 77, son of U Bo Nyi of No 734, Yangon-Mandalay highway, Kyunthaya ward, Bago, was arrested on 2-7-2005 in Bago and he confessed that he was abetted by Thein Lwin Oo of Shwe Paukkan Myothit. He and seven others comprising his son Aung Myint Thein who was former employee of Industry-1; daughter-in-law Ma Aye Chan who was former teacher; his son’s friend Ye Myint of No 1 leather factory; Thein Lwin Oo’s niece assistant accountant-4 Aye Thi Khaing of Myanma Economic Bank (branch-2); Thein Lwin Oo’s niece Daw Yin Kyi who was a junior assistant teacher of Shwephala village, Pantanaw Township, Ayeyawady Division; Tin Tin Swe of Kyaiklatt and her younger brother Kyaw Than Naing went to Maesot to meet NDD Thein Win in December 2003. In Maesot Tin Tin Swe made phone contact with NDD Thein Win. After two days, they were taken to a hotel. That hotel was Phontip Hotel of Maesot and in a room on fourth floor they were introduced to Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai, U Aung Moe who was said to be Pathein representative-elect, an unknown Westerner and an unknown Pole who had lost one of his legs. On the wall of the hotel room, maps, charts and data of the State projects were hanged and they witnessed the destructive terrorist plots. They were also given training on world’s labour disputes, employer-employee issues and mass organizational course for three days at the hotel. Other persons also confessed so.

As regards the monetary assistance, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and Thein Win gave training on collecting local news to them and sent U Myint Lwin to Yangon giving him K 50,000. When he arrived back in Yangon he learnt that their trip to Maesot had been known to the authorities. He then went again to Maesot for the second time on 6-1-2004 and put up at Thein Win’s house for about 15 days. Later he received K 150,000 from Thein Win and returned to Yangon. After that Thein Win sent K 50,000 and K 40,000 to him via hardcore Wai Lin. Similarly, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and Thein Win called eight hardcores to Maesot in December 2003 and gave training on how to incite unrest. On their return home, K 50,000 was given to Myint Lwin, K 200,000 each to Aung Myint Thein and Ye Myint, K 400,000 each to service personnel Aye Thi Khaing and Daw Yin Kyi, and K 200,000 to Ma Aye Chan. The confessions of the hardcores on destructive plots of FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and NDD Thein Win are displayed on the boards for the journalists to view.

Of the eight persons who went Maesot to meet Pyithit Nyunt Wai, six persons except Tin Tin Swe and her younger brother Kyaw Than Naing have been arrested. Their confessions led to the arrests of four more persons namely supervisor Wai Lin (alias) Aung Aung of Mazin industrial producers cooperative society; Win Myint and Hla Myint Than of Bago and Thein Lwin Oo (alias) Than Nyunt of North Okkalapa Township. Hence, altogether ten persons have been arrested. How these UG hardcores contacted FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and NDD Thein Win are displayed on the boards for journalists to view.

FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai controlled NDD Thein Win and obtained fabricated news within Myanmar and made complaints to ILO to the liking of ILO itself and cohorts. The ILO made lop-sided and unjust accusations against Myanmar and put pressure on her. FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and NDD Thein Win colluded to deceive international communities by spreading fabricated news, to destabilize the State and to endanger the lives and properties of the people.

At the same time NDD Thein Win was a member of ABSDF and PP-21 and he had attended the training course on blasting bombs. The confessions of hardcore Wai Lin who was arrested on 28-6-2005 revealed that NDD thein Win obtained explosives from ABSDF and various insurgent groups and hid them in the ground of his house in Maesot. Moreover, terrorist Tin Moe who assembled explosives and bombs for planting mines near Yangon Central Railway Station on 26-6-2004 was an intimate follower of Thein Win. Tin Moe is now living in Thein Win’s house in Maesot. Wai Lin also confessed that he had seen explosives and related items in the handbag of Tin Moe and Tin Moe showed them to him. Wai Lin also found Naing Lin, who staged anti-government demonstration in front of an embassy of a western nation in Yangon and ran into the embassy, staying at NDD Thein Win’s house. Thus, it is obvious that Thein Win kept explosives in his possession, gave shelter to terrorists and trained them. Thein Win is also providing shelter to expatriates who broke the law and absconded. It can vividly be seen that NDD Thein Win and his master FTUB and NCUB general secretary Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai have been masterminding the terrorist destructive acts committed in Myanmar.

Expatriate Sein Win and fugitive Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai by using the names of NCGUB, NCUB and FTUB are making themselves popular among international communities. They have fabricated and spread news in the international communities to misunderstand Myanmar. They are also destabilising the country, creating unrest and blasting bombs to endanger innocent people. As already known to journalists, they have been committing such destructive acts for a long time.

To recount the past incidents, FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai has been abetting Myo Aung Thant and others since 1995 to commit anti-government and destructive acts. He also contacted NCGUB expatriate Sein Win based in Washington DC. The NCGUB sent a satellite phone to Myo Aung Thant in Yangon through Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai. With that satellite phone, Myo Aung Thant and group sent out fabricated news. On 3-5-1997, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai contacted Myo Aung Thant through that satellite phone and asked him to choose targets for blasting bombs and to meet him in Ranong. In Ranong, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai gave Myo Aung Thant plans to assassinate State Leaders and to blast bombs at foreign embassies, power grids and telephone lines in Yangon. He provided training to Myo Aung Thant on how to handle explosives and he gave explosives to the latter. Those explosives were hidden at the base of an electric rice-cooker and brought into Yangon via Kawthoung. But our security personnel exposed their plot in time. These facts were clarified at the press conference held on 27-6-1997. Documentary photos of those arrested, seized satellite phones and explosives are displayed on the boards for journalists to view.

NCGUB expatriate Sein Win and FTUB and NCUB Maung Maung (alias ) Pyithit Nyunt Wai did not give up their evil schemes. They have continued with their evil scheme and now ten UG hardcores were exposed and arrested.

Now I will deal with collusion among terrorist destructive elements as regards Yangon bomb blasts in the second part.

It has been known to all that terrorists inhumanely blasted bombs at Yangon Trade centre in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, Dagon Centre in Sangyoung Township and Junction-8 in Mayangon Township in Yangon on 7-5-2005. At that time 11 innocent persons were killed and 162 persons wounded. According to the latest data, 12 more persons died. Thus, altogether 23 persons were killed up to 27-8-2005. Of those who were wounded, only two persons are still im hospital. Our security staff have exposed that the three bomb blasts in Yangon were masterminded by Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai with monetary assistance from a big nation. According to information received from a source, it is learnt that Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai with monetary assistance from a western organization committed the bomb blasts and he would continue to commit such acts with accelerated momentum. Regarding for financial assistance, the latest trick was an attempt to acquire compensations from UNOCAL Co. Two NGOs filed a suit against the company for using forced labour. The first one was International Labours Rights led by FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and assisted by lawyer Mr Terry Coffings Worth. The second one was Earth Rights International led by Kayin couple Blacksays. These two groups asked for US$ 200 million from the company. At last, the company agreed to pay compensation of US$ 60 million. Thus, FTUB and Blacksay groups would get US$ 30 million each. With these funds, FTUB Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai wanted to accelerate anti-government activities. But no agreement was reached with the Kayin group. So, Maung Maung could not draw his share.

He is now seeking ways and means to draw these funds with the support of a big nation. Regarding the bomb blasts in Yangon, Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai with monetary assistance from foreign countries obtained through various means, linked up secret plans of NCGUB expatriate Sein Win. He selected nine persons from VBSW (Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors) and sent them into Myanmar to blast bombs in collusion with internal hardcores. Joining hands with some ABSDF members and some NDD members, they infiltrated into the country and colluded with internal UG hardcores.

As an evidence, we examined a video documentary recorded up to a few minutes prior to the bomb blast at Yangon Trade Centre in Mingala Taungnyunt Township where Thai Trade Fair was being held. It was found that ABSDF members Zaw Win Lwin, Ko Pauk, other two members of ABSDF and Aung Min of NDD were near the entertainment stage. All of them were members of ABSDF and NDD terrorist groups. It was comfirmed by former members of ABSDF and NDD and their acquaintances. Moreover, our security units’ records showed that those recorded in that video were the persons who attended terrorist training course on explosives at the border of a neighbouring country. Documentary photos of those members of ABSDF and NDD terrorist groups are displayed on the boards for journalists to view.

VBSW which has been committing terrorist acts audaciously has always been used to blasting of bombs. The group has declared that it carried out the bomb blast at Zawgyi House Restaurant near Bogyoke Market in Yangon on 20-12-2004. Consequently, the bomb blast at Shwe Mann Thu highway bus terminal compound in South Okkalapa Township on 17-3-2005 and the bomb blast at Panorama Hotel on Pansodan Street in Yangon on 13-5-2005 were committed by VBSW. That group itself admitted in DVB (Democratic Voice of Burma)’s website on 23-5-2005 that it exploded the bombs. They officially declared that they would continue to explode bombs in Yangon and Mandalay cities in order to stop the National Convention. Soon the bomb blasts occurred and our journalists can see who were the culprits.

According to confessions of seized culprits of Yangon bomb blasts, information of local and foreign sources and confessions of terrorists themselves as mentioned above, the Yangon bomb blasts were committed by VBSW under the control of Maung Maung (alias) Pyithit Nyunt Wai and with his monetary assistance. ABSDF terrorists and NDD mercenary terrorists rendered help to VBSW to blast the bombs.

According to further information, about ten days after the three bomb blasts in Yangon, an anti-government group based at the border area held a meeting and condemned three members of VBSW who exploded the bombs and escaped to a big western nation. The vice-chairman and executive committee members sent an e-mail condemning the bomb blasts committed by the three members of VBSW. It was recounted by a member of the group who attended that meeting. Although we have exposed the culprits of Yangon bomb blasts, there are still many measures to be taken. Hence, remaining persons by name and further details are to be kept secret till appropriate time.

Now you are clear that NCGUB, FTUB and ABSDF are terrorist groups which have been constantly committing terrorist acts to harm lives and properties of innocent people so as to destablilize the country and create unrest.

I am going to brief on the loss of Replica of Buddha’s Tooth Relic at the Tooth Relic Pagoda on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township, Yangon Division, and matters related to exposing it. As is known to you journalists, Replica of Buddha Tooth Relic together with golden circular tray with a stem and miniature golden temple kept at the pagoda was lost at 4.30 am on 14 August 2005.

The case was that U Tin Nyunt, aged 56, who is a security guard of the pagoda, while on his inspection duty on the platform of the pagoda, saw a suspicious-looking person who was standing and holding a red plastic bag at the top of the stairway at the north-west archway (Gondaw No 7). U Tin Nyunt ordered the person to step down and at the same time he screamed for help from other security members. The person forced his way down to the platform and ran away through the stairway. He got through the bypass of the pagoda before leaping over the brick wall. And he made his way to the residential ward along the road in north-west wood. Even though U Tin Nyunt and some security members gave hot pursuit, the person managed to escape under cover of darkness. When making inspection, it was learnt that Replica Tooth Relic together with golden tray and miniature golden temple kept at the chamber of the pagoda was lost.

Once the incident was heard, the respective security members were making all-out efforts day in, day out in all aspects to recover the lost tooth replica in a short period of time. The Myanmar Police Force formed a central supervisory committee at the headquarters and made contact round the clock with those who were practically on duty to exchange information and make coordination. A special squad led by the Head of Crime Investigation Department was formed in order to make close supervision. A thorough search was made at all the border check-points across States and Divisions. Moreover, those who are engaged in gold and jewellery business were informed of the incident and requested to come forward with information.

Each and every clue including litter left at the scene were collected and experts from CID tried to expose the case with patience. In other words, necessary police measures on crime were fully taken. Some fingerprints and footprints at the scene, a (0.3029) wire and a small saw believed to be used by the thief, some bank notes, a small key, a pair of rubber slippers and a plastic bottle with half full which seemed to be mixed water and alcohol left along the road on which the person made escape were seized. It is obvious that the person committed the crime skilfully.

At a time when information on the incident was being collected the length and breadth of States and Divisions, an owner of gold shop in Lewe, Mandalay Division, informed the Lewe Police Station at 9.30 am on 18-8-2005 that a suspicious person came to sell gold. The information led to the arrest of the person who smelt gold, the rickshaw-man of Pyinmana who brought the person and an owner of gold shop in Pyinmana who bought the gold. Further information led to the seizure of some gold at a gold shop in Tounggu to which the person sold gold worth K 4.6 million.

Upon further investigation, all the lost items including Tooth Relic were seized from Tounggu, Mandalay and Lewe Townships.

A combined team comprising members of CID and Mandalay MPF laying in waiting managed to arrest the thief — fugitive Than Win Naing while he was stealthily entering the house of his parents and relatives near the Mandalay University at 1.15 am on 20-8-2005.

Than Win Naing, aged 25, was born of U Nyunt Han and Daw Aye May in Sakhanma village, Natmauk Township, Magway Division. He is the second son out of six siblings. He with no formal education earned his livelihood by carrying out farming works, climbing toddy palms and doing handy jobs. He has one daughter.

The last trip of Than Win Naing from his native village Sakhanma to Yangon was in the last week of June 2005 in search of a job. He stayed at No 283 on 3rd Nawaday lane, Mayangon for about 15 days and at a house selling bricks, sand and gravel at the 9th Mile for about one month. On 12 August 2005, he studied in detail about the entrance and exit of the pagoda before committing the crime alone.

Here, the security members have advised and asked the people to get their guests staying overnight registered and to report on the strangers in respective wards and streets. However, some people did not comply with the advice. Such vagabond person stayed for months at a house and his stay was not reported. It was the beginning of the security lapse.

Although security personnel failed to carry out their duty fully due to lack of cooperation of some ignorant persons, the theft was exposed within 5 or 6 days and all the stolen objects were recovered together with Replica Tooth Relic because of duty-conscious citizems.