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YANGON, 25 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye graced inauguration of the Shwenyaung-Yaksauk-Kyaukgu-Taungkham-Kangyi-Nawnghkio motor road linking Shan State (south) and (north) yesterday.
The inauguration of the Nawnghkio-Kangyi-Yaksauk section of the Shwenyaung-Yaksauk- Kyaukgu-Taungkham-Kangyi-Nawnghkio motor road took place at the pandal near Kangyi Village in Nawnghkio Township yesterday morning. The section of the road was built by the North-East Command.
Also present were Chairman of the Supervisory Central Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, ministers and members of the State Peace and Development Council heads of department, members of Shan State Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, Tatmadaw members and their families, teachers and students, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, the bugle band, pompon troupe and local people.
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(2) General Maung Aye inspects gem mining in Mogok Township
YANGON, 25 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye supervised work at gem mining stations in Mogok Township yesterday.
Accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, senior military officers of. Army, Navy and Air and ministers, the General attended opening ceremony of Yaksauk-Kyaukgu-Nawnghkio Road at Kyauksone village, Yaksauk Township, Shan State, yesterday.
The General and party then helicoptered to Ohndanhnamadawlay Gem Mining Station in Mogok Township, Mandalay Division.
On arrival at the station, there were welcomed by Tactical Operations Commander Col Tun Kyi and officials.
Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Col Soe Myint briefed them on progress of work at the station.
General Maung Aye gave counsel and later, inspected samples of gems and mining work.
The General and party inspected gem mining at Yadana Kadekada Mining Station at Kyaukpyathat village in the township.
Mining Engineer U Hoke Kyi of the station explained mining and production of gems.
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(3) Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Members of House of Representatives of Japan
YANGON, 25 Feb - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Member of House of Representatives of Japan and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Kabun Muto and Members of House of Representatives Mr Kazunori Tanaka, Mr Shunichi Yamaguchi and Mr Koya Nishikawa and his secretary Mr Norifumi Matsumoto at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 4 pm today.
Present also were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe and Director-General U Khin Maung Win of the Political Department.
The delegation was accompanied by Ambassador of Japan Mr Yoichi Yamaguchi.
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(4) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Ambassador of Japan
YANGON, 25 Feb - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Ambassador of Japan Mr Yoichi Yamaguchi, who has completed his tour of duty, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 8.30 am today.
Present also were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe and Director-General U Khin Maung Win of Political Department.
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(5) Secretary-1 looks into upgrading and renovation of Karaweik
YANGON, 25 Feb - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this afternoon inspected upgrading and renovation of Karaweik and held talks with responsible personnel.
On arrival at the Karaweik accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 was welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, departmental heads and officials.
In the Dekkhina Room later, he was briefed on arrangements for upgrading and renovation of the Karaweik and making the environs green and pleasant by Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and officials. The Secretary-1 called for preservation of Myanma arts and crafts and attracting visitors.
He then inspected the arrangements for upgrading and renovation of the Karaweik.
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(6) MIC Chairman receives former Chairman of Interdigital Communication Corporation
YANGON, 25 Feb - Deputy Prime Minister Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received former Chairman of Interdigital Communication Corporation of USA Mr William J Hilsman and party at his office at 10.30 am today.
Present also were officials of the Government's Office and Myanmar Investment Commission's Office.
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(7) Expert team conducting research on ancient objects unearthed in Budalin Township
YANGON, 25 Feb - A team of experts comprising those of the Archaeology Department of the Ministry of Culture, Archaeology Department and Anthropology Department of Yangon University led by the Office of the Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence is conducting research on the archaeological objects unearthed from a site near Nyaunggan Village in Budalin Township, Sagaing Division.
Some archeological objects such as beads, stone bangles, bronze weapons etc were unearthed from a field about one mile south-west of Nyaunggan Village in Budalin Township during the land preparations. The site was an ancient cemetery. Local people first reported to the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council about the find. Experts of the Archaeology Department and departments of the Yangon University led by the Office of Strategic Studies were then assigned to conduct a combined research. Preliminary excavation was carried out by employees led by Deputy Director of Archaeology Department in Mandalay and members of the Defence Services Intelligence Unit with the help of local people beginning 30 January 1998.
At the site reported to be an ancient cemetery, 400 feet by 200 feet area was designated for excavation. A total of 17 sections each measuring 15 feet by 15 feet was excavated. In the process, the team unearthed 12 complete skeletons of human beings, 11 damaged skeletons, bronze weapons such as bronze axe, bronze arrow head and bronze spear head, beads and urns in different sizes and designs along with the remains of animals. About 500 feet to the north of the cemetery, the team excavated an ancient wall. It went on excavating along and inside the wall. The team then found a mound measuring about 400 feet long and 350 feet wide encircled by a wall. The wall resembles that of an ancient palace wall and it was about six feet thick and built with large ancient bricks. There was no sign of buildings within the area except broken pieces of earthen pots. The local people are said to believe the place to be an ancient city.
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(8) Minister for Culture gives counsel to trainees of Buddhism Course (High level) in Sagaing
YANGON, 25 Feb - Member of the Secretariat of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Culture U Win Sein yesterday gave counsel to trainees of Buddhism Course (High level) organized by Sagaing Division USDA.
The minister said there are less adverse conditions in our country due to the teachings of Buddha and people believe their karma.
He said conducting such course prevents alien culture and helps them instil religious culture and it means preservation of national culture. The minister urged them to distribute the lectures among their village, ward and township.
The ten-day course is being attended by 52 trainees in Sagaing, 33 in Monywa and 21 in Kalay.
The minister went to Maha Waiyanbontha Bagaya Kyaungdawgyi in Amarapura.
Director U Tin Soe of Archaeology Department reported on history of Kyaungdaw, second destruction by fire and maintenance work.
The minister inspected ancient palm leaves and Buddha images. He then gave instructions on preservation of ancient cultural heritage.
The Kyaungdaw was destroyed by fire in 1228 ME for the second time under King Mindon. The foundation of Kyaungdaw, 350 feet long and 165 feet wide, was laid by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt on 10 February 1993 with the guidance of the high-ranking officials.
The Kyaungdaw with four halls was rebuilt at a cost of K 64.952 million according to its original style.
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(9) Minister for F&R to attend Second ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting
YANGON, 25 Feb - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein left here by air this morning for Indonesia to attend the Second ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting to be held in Jakarta from 26 to 28 February.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, officials of embassies of Singapore and Indonesia, heads of departments under the ministry, officials and families.
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(10) Minister for Cooperatives receives Member of House of Representative of Japan
YANGON, 25 Feb - Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San received a Japanese delegation led by Member of House of Representative and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Kabun Muto at his office at 2 pm today.
They discussed better prospects for Myanma economic development, economic and technological assistance for Myanmar, increasing investments in Myanmar and economic cooperation.
Present also were Deputy Director-General U Than Aung of the Cooperatives Department, Managing Director Daw Khin Swe Soe of the Cooperatives Export and Import Enterprise and Head of Office U Hla Kyu.
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(11) Kayaks and canoes presented to Myanmar Rowing Federation
YANGON, 25 Feb - A ceremony to hand kayaks and canoes to Myanmar Rowing Federation was held at the office of the federation this afternoon.
It was attended by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw, Adviser to the Ministry of Sports Col Ngo Ciin Pau, MRF President U Sein Tun and Secretary Dr Than Toe, Development Director of International Canoe Federation Mr Csaba Szanto and officials.
Mr Csaba Szanto handed document related to the kayaks including two sports-type kayaks worth US $ 2,000 to MRF through the minister.
After the ceremony, the minister attended a meeting on extension of swimming clubs at Myanmar Swimming Federation in Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium.
Also present were OSD Col Thaung Htaik and Col Ngo Ciin Pau, officials of SPED, President of MSF Lt-Col Kyaw Tin H1a and officials.
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(12) Winner students in ASEAN Poster Contest honoured
YANGON, 25 Feb - A ceremony to honour students who won second and special awards in the 30th ASEAN Founding Anniversary Commemorative Poster Contest was held at gallery of Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon in Bogyoke Market this afternoon.
Present also were Advisers to the Ministry of Information U Kyaw San and U Myint Kywe, Chairman of Kyauktan Township Peace and Development Council U Lu Maw, patrons of Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon (Central) U Han Tin, U Khin Maung, U Min Naing, U Nyan Shein, U Shein Tun and U Tin Win, Chairman of the Asiayon U Thaung Han and executives, prize winner students, concerned heads of schools, officials of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture.
U Han Tin, U Nyan Shein and U Thaung Han spoke on the occasion.
Secretary of the Asiayon U Thant Zin (Baji Tin Hla Tun) recounted his experience of access to the Poster Contest in Jakarta.
U Han Tin presented ASEAN Cultural Prize to Maung Aye Maung Maung who won second prize (US $ 1,500) in the contest.
Chairman U Thaung Han and patrons presented prizes of honour winners of special prize (US $ 250).
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