(1) Senior General Than Shwe inspects Thayet Cement Plant
YANGON, 19 Apr - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council-Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party, left BaganNyaungU for Pyay by helicopter this morning.
They were welcomed at Pyay Airport by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Tin Aye and officials, departmental officials, students and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party helicoptered to Thayet Cement Plant of Myanma Ceramics Industries in Thayet. Magway Division.
They were welcomed there by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and officials.
Later, Senior General Than Shwe inspected the operation and renovation of the plant and spare parts innovated and manufactured at the workshop of the plant.
In the assembly hall, the Senior General heard reports on the plans and targets of the plant by Minister U Aung Thaung and on the production process of cement by Plant Manager U Tin Aung.
Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi explained arrangements for natural gas supply.
Senior General Than Shwe gave instructions on systematic and regular maintenance of the plant.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo accompanying Senior General Than Shwe, together with Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw and officials, inspected Myanma traditional tourism central camp at Anauk Phwa Saw Village, NyaungU Township, yesterday afternoon.
U Khin Maung Maung in charge of the camp briefed the Secretary-2 on arrangements for making available horse-drawn coaches, Magan horse carts of Bagan Period, Myanma traditional ox-carts for long journey, Myanma traditional cultural shows and Myanma traditional delicacies with a view to attracting tourist interest.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions.
Afterwards, the Secretary-2 inspected Myanma traditional lacquerware course and production of edible oil by using traditional hand mills.
In meeting officials and villagers, the Secretary-2 heard reports on conditions of Anauk Phwa Saw Village and nearby villages and development work presented by Chairman of NyaungU District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo and Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Khin Maung Than.
and nearby villages and development work presented by Chairman of NyaungU District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khint Maung Oo and Chairman of Township- Peace and Development Council U Khin Maung Than.
Village authorities and elders reported on requirements of the village.
Then, the Secretary-2 and party proceeded to Bagan Railway Station, where Engineer of Myanma Railways U Win Ko reported on running of trains between Yangon and Mandalay, passenger and freight transport and income.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions.
Later, the Secretary-2 inspected the station and cordiality conversed with passengers.
In 1997-98, about 80,000 passengers traveled through Bagan Railway Station, and earnings amounted to over K 12 million, about K 800,000 and 1,323 US dollars from passengers, freight and tourists respectively.
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(2) French paleontologists discover fossilized remains at Pondaung region
YANGON, 19 Apr - The Pondaung Primate Fossil Exploration and Study Team made up of geologists of the Ministry of Education led by the Office of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence explored Pondaung region together with foreign experts at Bahin and Magyigan Villages in Myaing Township and Mogaung Village in Pale Township from 1 to 12 April.
The foreign experts group comprised Paleontologist Professor Jean Jacques Jacger of Universitie Montpellier and Dr Stephane Ducrocq and Dr Rosemarie Ducrocq of France, Dr Benammi Mouloud of Morocco and Dr Yao Wa Lak Chaimanee of Department of Mineral Resources of Thailand.
The four-member group led by Professor Jean Jacques Jacger arrived Yangon on 30 March.
They met leader of Pondaung Primate Fossil Exploration and Study Team Head of Department of the Office of Strategic Studies Col Than Tun, Professor Dr Tin Thein of Taunggyi University Geology Department and Lecturer Dr Aye Ko Aung of Dagon University Geology Department at Defence Services Guest House No 2 of the Ministry of Defence on 31 March.
After a video documentary presentation on exploration of fossils of Pondaung primates, the two teams held discussions.
The foreign experts studied the remains of the primates collected at the National Museum and exchanged views.
The combined team based their camps at Bahin and Magyigan Villages in Myaing Township and Mogaung Village in Pale Township and explored the neighbouring areas from 1 to 12 April and discovered bony plates of turtles, teeth of alligators, jaw fragments and teeth of ancestors of pig, mandibles and teeth of ancestors of rhinoceros, mandibles and teeth of rock goat, and mandibles and teeth of carnivores, mandibles and teeth of small mammals, fins of fishes and leaf fossils from the layers of soil.
The foreign experts used Ultra-Violet Rays (UVR) at night in their efforts to explore fossilized remains of the primates which were found easily after being touched by the UVR.
Their group returned to Yangon on 13 April and then thoroughly studied the fossils of the primates at the National Museum.
French paleontologists assessed the finds displayed at the National Museum may belong to higher anthropoid primate and to the Eocene, which is about 40 million years back, that they would be firm evidence to determine the origin of man and that further study need be made.
The French experts group left for home today.
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(3) Minister for Foreign Affairs arrives back from Bangladesh
YANGON, 19 Apr - Myanmar goodwill delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw arrived back here by air yesterday evening after a visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr Abdus Samad Azad.
The delegation was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr Jahangir Saadat, heads of department and officials of the ministry.
During the visit, Minister U Ohn Gyaw called on President Shahabuddin Ahmad and Prime Minister Sheik Hassina Wazed separately.
He held talks with the delegation led by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Abdus Samad Azad and party.
They discussed bilateral cooperation.
Minister U Ohn Gyaw also met Bangladesh businessmen yesterday morning and discussed economy, trade and investment.
A delegation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce will visit here soon for promotion of bilateral trade.
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(4) More delegates arrive to attend FAO Regional Conference for Asia and Pacific
YANGON, 19 Apr - Minister for Agriculture Mr Militoni of the Republic of Fiji and a member, Minister for Agriculture and Industry Mr Nyamsambuu of Mongolia and a member, Minister for Agriculture, Forest, Meat and Fish and Meteorology Mr Mafasolia Vaai Papu and a member, delegates from Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand; France, India, Japan, Laos, the US, Tonga, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, FAO South East Asia Regional Office and non-governmental organizations arrived here by air today to attend the 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.
A nine-member delegation led by Deputy Minister for Agriculture Mr Wan Baorui of the People's Republic of China, two delegates of Republic of Korea and delegates of Cambodia, Maldives, Malaysia and FAO and NGOs also arrived here this evening.
They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of 24th FAO Regional Conference Organizing Work Committee Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Chairman of Accommodation Subcommittee Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, FAO Resident Representative Dr Prem Nath and other officials.
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(5) Kin Creek Bridge to open soon in Rakhine State
YANGON, 19 Apr - Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Rakhine State Superintending Engineer U Soe Myint and officials inspected Kin Creek Bridge on Yangon-Sittway Road on 18 April.
The fourth completed bridge of nine bridges project will be opened soon.
The commander was briefed on preparations for the inauguration by Col Myo Win and officials.
The commander inspected progress of work between Minkyaung and Kin Creeks. He also inspected construction and driving of pile at Minkyaung Creek Bridge.
Senior Engineer U Myo Chit reported on progress of work and the commander gave instructions.
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(6) People crowd pagodas, recreational facilities
YANGON, 19 Apr - Monks and devout people from places far and near visited famous pagodas and monasteries here today.
They performed meritorious deeds offering flowers, water, lights and scented water to the pagodas in Yangon, Thanlyin and Kyauktan. They also donated cash towards the pagoda funds.
Processions of novitiation ceremonies could also be seen.
Holiday-makers also visited Yangon Zoological Gardens, the People's Park, Maha Bandoola Park, Bogyoke Aung San Park and amusement parks.
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(7) Minister for Culture tours Soemingyi and Sinbyushin Kyaungtaiks in Bagan
YANGON, 19 Apr - Minister for Culture U Win Sein, accompanied by Director-General of Archaeology Department U Nyunt Han, Director-General of Fine Arts Department U Tin Htoo and officials, visited Soemingyi 'Kyaungtaik in Myingaba Village in Bagan yesterday morning.
Director of Archaeology Department U Aung Kyaing briefed the minister on the rooms used by members of the Sangha, Gangakuditaik and platform of the Kyaungtaik and Assistant Director (Engineer) U Myo Nyunt on renovation.
Then, the minister gave instructions and inspected wall paintings of two temples near the Soemingyi Kyaung.
The minister next went to Sinbyushin Kyaungtaik, which was built by Sinbyutazishin Thihathu in 14th Century AD, Pinya Period.
Director U Aung Kyaing briefed the minister on the old Buddhist ordination hall, lake, Thera Kyaung Dhamma Thahla and adjoining buildings.
Minister U Win Sein gave suggestions on dredging of the lake and well and drawing a map of the Kyaungtaik for excavation and estimate cost for the renovation of the Kyaungtaik.
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(8) Minister for PBANRDA visits Maubin
YANGON, 19 Apr - Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, accompanied by departmental officials, toured Maubin yesterday.
The minister attended the second donation ceremony for gilding Shwephonemyint Pagoda in Maubin.
The donations were K 200,000 by the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, K 216,000 by the Development Committees of Ayeyawady Division, K 200,000 by U Than Hla, K 50,000 by Maubin Township Association, K 150,000 by Maubin District Peace and Development Council and K 51,130 by Maubin Motor Vehicle Asiayon, among others.
Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col J Han Shein and officials accepted the donations.
Later, soon was offered to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.
Minister Col Thein Nyunt and party inspected the monastery, schools and roads at Kyaungywa Village in Maubin Township.
At Maubin Township meeting hall, they held discussions with district, township, ward and village-tract authorities and fulfilled their requirements.
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(9) Nationalities cultural troupes leave for Ngapali
YANGON, 19 Apr - The study group comprising 66 members of national cultural troupes, currently on tour at the invitation of Chairman of Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt left No 502 Mingaladon Air Base for Ngapali Beach in Rakhine State by Tatmadaw flight this morning.
They were seen off by Director-General of Development of Border Areas and
National Races Department Lt-Col Wunna Maung Lwin and officials.