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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Sri Lanka
YANGON, 4 Feb - On the occasion of the anniversary of the National Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, which falls on 4 February 1998, His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to Her Excellency Mrs Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
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(2) Deputy Prime Minister receives Ambassador of Thailand
YANGON, 3 Feb - On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Ambassador of Thailand Mr Poksak Nilubol who has completed his tour of duty at his office at 3 pm today.
Present together with the Deputy Prime Minister were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department and Director-General U Khin Maung Win of Political Department.
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(3) Over 41,709 acres of poppy fields destroyed in Shan State
YANGON, 3 Feb - A total of 16,149.443 acres of poppy fields were destroyed in Shan State (South) and Shan State (North) from 16 December 1997 to 22 January 1998.
Led by Tatmadaw columns discharging security duties in the areas, departmental personnel, regional people and members of Myanmar Police Force destroyed 14 735 353 acres in Hsenwi, Kutkai, Hopang, Kunlong and Tanyang townships and Laukkai and Mongko regions in North-East Command area during the period.
They also destroyed 1,41409 acres in Panglong, Phekhon, Mognai, Namhsan, Langkho, Mongpang, Laikha, Mongkai, Konhein and Monghsu in Eastern Command area.
Tatmadaw columns destroyed 25,560.224 acres of poppy fields from 6 November 1997 to 5 January 1998. The columns have destroyed 41,709.667 acres of poppy fields up to 22 January 1998.
The combined forces led by Tatmadaw columns are destroying poppy fields in Shan State with greater momentum.
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(4) Minister for Health receives GM of Total Myanmar Exploration and Production (Yangon Branch)
YANGON, 3 Feb - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received General Manager Mr Michael Vallard and Mr H Madeo of Total Myanmar Exploration and Production (Yangon Branch) at his office at 10 am today.
They cordially discussed prevention of malaria disease in Kanbauk region along Yadana gas pipeline, conducting research and providing health care in cooperation with Ministry of Health, Total Myanmar, World Health Organization and French experts.
Present also were Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo, Resident Representative of WHO Dr Klaus Wagner and officials of the Ministry of Health.
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(5) Minister for Foreign Affairs receives PRC Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs
YANGON, 3 Feb - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw received goodwill delegation led by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Mr Tang Jiaxuan at his office this morning.
Present also were Director-General U Khin Maung Win of Political Department, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong and officials of the ministry.
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(6) Coordination meeting of Ministry of Rail Transportation
YANGON, 3 Feb - Coordination meeting 1/98 of the Ministry of Rail Transportation was held at the ministry yesterday.
Present were Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin, advisers, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, Head of Office, General Managers of Myanma Railways, Division Officers and officials.
In his address, the Minister said service personnel are to accept guidance of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council as work guidance adding that the ministry runs its railways service for transporting passengers and goods.
He spoke of increase of income, proper use of locomotives, maintenance of bridges and railroads, making field trips to grassroots level, proper use of funds and welfare.
The meeting continued today.
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(7) 43rd Inter-State/Division Football Tournament 1998 begins
YANGON, 3 Feb - The opening ceremony of the 43rd Inter-State/Division Football Tournament 1998 was held at Aung San Stadium at 3 pm today.
Present were Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Director-General Col Hla Myint Kyaw of Sports and Physical Education Department, Officer on Special Duty Col Thaung Htaik, officials of Myanmar Football Federation, football teams of States and Divisions and spectators.
First, previous year's champion Kayin State team presented the championship shield to Chairman of MOC Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win who formally opened the tournament.
The minister and officials attended the opening match between Yangon and Magway.
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(8) Tawwin Travel Co Ltd wins 1998 International Award for Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry
YANGON, 3 Jan - Tawwin Travel Company Ltd of Myanmar won the 1998 International Award for Tourist, Hotel and Catering Industry of Spain.
The award was jointly presented by Trade Leaders Club founded by businessmen from 120 nations and Mercado Mundial, the 35year-old economic media magazine of Spain, after scrutinizing travel companies all over the world.
Managing Director Daw Rita Myint and Director U Tin Win of Tawwin arrived back here from Spain yesterday after attending the award presenting ceremony in Madrid.
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is making endeavours for promotion of hotel and tourism industry of the country with the cooperation of private entrepreneurs.
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(9) Deputy Minister inspects land reclamation project in Nyaungdonkyun
YANGON, 3 Jan - Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint inspected implementation of land reclamation project in Nyaungdonkyun yesterday morning.
Officials of Irrigation Department briefed him on Nyaungdonkyun land reclamation work included in Lower Myanmar Land Reclamation Project.
The deputy minister also met members of Agriculture Supervisory Committees of Nyaungdon and Maubin Townships at the office of Lower Myanmar Land Reclamation Project near Sarmalauk village in Nyaungdon Township and discussed with them work being done and work to be done for Nyaungdonkyun land reclamation project.
He then inspected cultivation of summer paddy there and Wadaw regulating dam being constructed by Irrigation Department in Maubin Township.
As Khanaunggyi in which Wadaw regulating dam is being constructed is a flood-prone area, crops plantations there are occasionally inundated and destroyed by tide.
The regulating dam with six sluice gates is to irrigate paddy plantations in the south of Nyaungdonkyun in summer and to control water which flows into the fields in the early and post days of monsoon season.
The deputy minister also inspected Taput Tanaunggyi Sluice Gate, one of 11 sluice gates in the area.
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(10) Agreement on mutual exemption of visas between Myanmar and PRC signed
YANGON, 3 Feb - The Signing Ceremony of Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visas between the Government of the Union of Myanmar and the Government of the People's Republic of China for Holders of Diplomatic, Official/Service Passports was held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Agreement was signed by Deputy Minister U Nyunt Swe for the Government of the Union of Myanmar and Chinese Vice-Minister Mr Tang Jiaxuan for the Government of the People's Republic of China. It was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong, members of the Chinese delegation and staff of Embassy of the people's Republic of China.
In the afternoon, the delegation visited the National Museum.
Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Mr Tang Jiaxuan and party left by air this afternoon. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, responsible officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong and staff of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.
The Chinese Vice-Minister and party visited Taunggyi, Heho and Inle.
During their visit to Taunggyi, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Command Brig-Gen Myint Thein hosted dinner in honour of the delegation.
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(11) MCCI signs agreement on establishment of Economic Cooperation Committee with Japanese counterpart
YANGON, 3 Feb - The Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement on the establishment of an Economic Cooperation Committee at the former's office on Bo Sun Pat Street in Pabedan Township this morning.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of MCCI U Khin Maung Yi and Executive Committee members, Special Representative of the Japan CCI Chairman Mr Tomoo Takahara and party.
First, U Khin Maung Yi delivered an introductory speech. The agreement was then signed for the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Committee between MCCI an JCCI.
Mr Takahara spoke words of thanks.
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(12) Minister oversees Aungzeya Bridge Project in Insein
YANGON, 3 Feb - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and officials of Public Works, this morning visited the site of the Aungzeya Bridge Project in Insein Township. They were greeted by Superintending Engineer (Project) U Khin Maung Aye and officials.
They later inspected preparations for construction of an approach road on Insein bank and building of a concrete pier.
Afterwards, the Superintending Engineer briefed them on progress in concrete laying in pier caps and shafts and the plan to put up the mid-river pier.
The minister then said needed machinery was imported as much as possible in order that bridge construction projects may be implemented simultaneously throughout the country. He spoke of the need for proper maintenance and efficient use of the machinery. He also called for measures against occupational hazards and fires.
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