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YANGON, 7 Jan - Chairman of the Work Committee for the Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt left here by Tatmadaw flight on 5 January morning for Kengtung in Shan State.
He was accompanied by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments and officials.
At the Kengtung Airport, the Secretary-1, ministers and party were welcomed by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of the Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, military and civilian officers, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and local people.
They went to the site of the Kengtung Airfield Construction Project where they heard reports on the progress of work by Maj-Gen Thein Sein and Superintending Engineer U Thaung Htay of Public Works.
The Secretary-1 then inspected extension of the airport runway.
The present runway of the Kengtung Airport is 4,700 feet long and 10 feet wide. It is paved with a 12 inch layer.
The runway extension project is to be implemented in three stages without affecting the use of the airport by aircraft. It will be extended to 6,000 feet with the width of 75 feet in the first stage, then to 8,000 feet with the width of 150 feet in the second stage, and finally to 12,000 feet with the width of 150 feet.
The Secretary-1, ministers and party, accompanied by Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, proceeded to Khaymarwara Bridge across Wamtapin Creek in Kengtung Township. They were greeted by members of the State, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel, USDA members, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross members, Chairman of Shan State (East) Special Region 4 U Sai Lin and national race leaders and local people.
The Khaymarwara Bridge inauguration ceremonies took place at the archway of the bridge and the pandal.
Also present on the occasion were Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments, members of the State, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel, USDA members, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross members, Chairman U Sai Lin and members who are national race leaders of the Special Region 4 in the Shan State (East) Special Region 4.
First, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Maj-Gen Thein Sein and U Sai Lin formally opened the Khaymarwara Bridge.
The Secretary-1, ministers and party then strolled along the bridge and inspected it.
The inauguration ceremony was then held in the pandal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-1 said the present year coincides with the Golden Jubilee Independence Day which was celebrated throughout the country.
He noted the day was marked with the inauguration of the Khaymarwara Bridge linking Kengtung and Mongla and as such it was an auspicious occasion for the entire Union, Kengtung region and local residents.
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(2) Enshrinement ceremony of Shwedagon Pagoda in Tachilek
YANGON, 7 Jan - A ceremony to enshrine Buddha images and religious objects in the middle reliquary of Shwedagon Pagoda in Tachilek was held this morning.
Present to pay respects to Sayadaws led by State Ovadacariya, Tachilek Nagahnakaung Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Dhammasiri and Mongphong Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanasamvara were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, officials of State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, local authorities, departmental personnel, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association and Red Cross, donors and local people.
Padana Nayaka of Maha Myatmuni Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannasami administered the Five Precepts.
Paritta flowers, water, sand and threads were presented to Sayadaws.
Sayadaws recited parittas and suttas.
Then, lay persons scattered paritta water, flowers and sand on the pagoda compound and tied paritta thread around it.
The Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to Sayadaws.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannasami delivered a sermon.
The congregation shared the merits gained.
The Secretary-1 conveyed the silver Bo Tree, the commander, ministers and deputy ministers conveyed silver Ceti, Buddha images, relics and other religious objects to be enshrined in the-pagoda.
At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 enshrined the silver Bo Tree.
The commander, ministers and party enshrined other holy objects.
The Secretary-1 and party showered confetti.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nyanasamvara presented donations to the pagoda.
Local people offered soon to Sayadaws.
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(3) Minister for Hotels and Tourism leaves for Philippines
YANGON, 7 Jan - A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin left here this evening by air to attend 7th ASEAN NTOS Meeting (ASEAN Tourism Fair '98) and Ministerial Level Signing Ceremony in Cebu, the Philippines, from 8 to 12 January.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs Sonia Cataumber Brady, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, officials and relatives.
Members of delegation were Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism and General Manager U Htay Aung of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Service.
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(4) Boosting oil, gas, fertilizer production stressed
YANGON, 7 Jan - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi supervised functions at Kyaukkhwet Oil Field, Myaing Township, Pakokku District, on 5 January.
At a meeting hall there, he heard a report on progress in oil and natural gas drilling and production at Kyaukkhwet-Letpando-Ayadaw fields presented by Managing Director of Myanma Oi1 and Gas Enterprise U Kyaw Nyein and officials.
Accompanied by Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning Department, Managing Director Col Kyaw Shein of Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise, Managing Director U Kyaw Nyein and officials, he oversaw drilling and production at No 2 and No 21 oil wells.
At Letpando Oil Field, the minister and party looked into the requirements in drilling and production at No 14 Well and production at a small-scale refinery.
They also attended to the needs at a natural gas-powered station near Kamma Sanpya village, Pakokku Township.
At No 2 Fertilizer Factory (Kyunchaung), they heard a report on production capacity presented by an official.
The minister urged employees to strive to boost quality and production of fertilizer for the success of agriculture, to take safety and fire prevention measures and to fulfill employees' welfare.
During their visit to Mann Oil Field the next day, Mr Bryan Logan of Baker Huges Solution Company briefed them on efforts to boost production at existing and new oil wells, Mr Bill Foster of Geco Ptakla Company on 3D seismic survey and Field General Manager U Kyaw Naing on production at existing and new wells.
They attended to the needs in drilling No 523 Well and functions at a workshop manufacturing related machines and parts for oil drilling and production.
In Minbu Township, they inspected a liquefied natural gas plant where officials reported on production capacity.
They also inspected No 187 Well.
In the afternoon, they visited a group of factories of MPE at Thanbayagan in Minhla Township, Magway Division, where officials briefed them on progress in production.
Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi gave suggestions.
They inspected control room of Thanbayagan Refinery and an oil tanker jetty.
The minister also attended to the needs at the main distribution station of MPE.
At Sale Fertilizer Factory, they looked into the requirements in boosting production and in taking effective safety and fire preventive measures.
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(5) Myanmar-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival opens
YANGON, 7 Jan - Opening ceremony of Myamnar-Japan Cultural Exchange Festival was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street this afternoon.
Present were Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Ambassador of Japan Mr Yoichi Yamaguchi, heads of departments, Managing Director Takahashi Hideo of Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd (Club Tourism), Chairman of Sai Travel Service (Myanmar) Mr Inaba Tsugimasa, foreign correspondents and guests.
Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin said Myanmar is a country of race, religion and long cultural tradition and tourists enjoy her plenty of snow-capped mountains, beaches and resorts.
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(6) Sports Staff Officers Refresher Course 1/97 concludes
YANGON, 7 Jan - The concluding ceremony of Sports Staff Officers Refresher Course No 1/97 was held at the Sports and Physical Education Institute at 1 pm today.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Secretary of MOC Director-General Col Hla Myint Kyaw of the sports and Physical Education Department, Adviser Col Ngo Ciin Pau, Principal U Kyaw Soe Myint of the Sports and Physical Education Institute, officials, course instructors, presidents of sports federations, guests and trainees.
The minister spoke and presented certificates to individual trainees.
Altogether 47 trainees of States and Divisions attended the course.
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(7) Philippine delegation arrives on study tour
YANGON, 7 Jan - At the invitation of the Union Solidarity and Development Association a 22-member delegation led by Deputy Governor Ms Maria Josefina M Dela Cruz of Province of Bulacan of the Philippines arrived here yesterday on a study tour.
The delegation was welcomed at the airport by CEC member of USDA U Than Shwe, officials of USDA Headquarters, Secretary of Yangon Division USDA and EC members.
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