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(1) General Maung Aye urges conservation, perpetuation of famed Inlay Lake
YANGON, 4 Apr - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye yesterday met officials in Pinlon Hall of Eastern Command in Taunggyi and discussed conservation of Innlay Lake and its perpetuation.
General Maung Aye and party were briefed. on present condition of the Innlay Lake, construction of embankment and dams to retain silt, plantation and conservation of forest for greening of its environs and removal of hyacinth and weed by Assistant Director of Irrigation Department U Kyaw Kyaw Win.
Chairman of Supervisory Committee for Conservation and Perpetuation of Innlay Lake Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo reported on conservation of the lake with the formation of organizations including personnel of Forest Department and Irrigation Department.
Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo spoke of working at grassroots levels in cooperation with local residents.
Next, General Maung Aye gave instructions on effective and successful implementation of the Innlay Lake conservation and perpetuation project.
The three-year project which includes beautifying the lake, proper drainage, greening of its environs and silt prevention is 'being implemented by Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation and Forestry with the supervision of Shan State Peace and Development Council in accord with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe given in 1991.
The General, accompanied by Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, senior military officers and the ministers, went to Kalaw where they were welcomed by Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Saw Lin, Commandant of Command and General Staff College Brig-Gen Soe Tint and officials.
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(2) Secretary-l inspects renovation at Shwedagon Pagoda
YANGON, 4 Apr - Patron of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this morning inspected renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda and gave instructions.
Accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, the Secretary-1 arrived at the western stairway of the Pagoda at 10.15 am.
They were welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, members of Board of Trustees and officials.
The Secretary-1 inspected construction of two lion statues to be placed at the entrance to the western stairway and greening of its environs.
He proceeded to the pagoda platform and paid homage to the pagoda.
Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt then inspected renovation of the Sasanika buildings, reconstruction of northern stairway and construction of two lion statues to be placed at the entrance to the northern stairway.
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(3) Myanmar Women's Entrepreneurial Association making good headway in its endeavours
YANGON, 4 Apr - The Third Annual Meeting of Myanmar Women's Entrepreneurial Association for 1997-98 was held at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road this evening, with an address by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, departmental heads, patrons of MWEA, advisers, Chairperson of MWEA Daw Sein Sein, EC members and members, and special guests.
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(4) Single unit housing of River View Garden Housing Project handed over to YCDC
YANGON, 4 Apr - A ceremony to hand over single unit housing completed on the first phase of River View Garden Housing Project, jointly sponsored by Yangon City Development Committee and Olympic Co, was held at the complex this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present also were 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, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Labour Vice-Admiral Tin Aye Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, officials of the Office the State Peace and Development Council, heads of departments, the Secretary, committee members and heads of department of YCDC, Chairman of Olympic Co U Aik Tun and members of Board of Directors guests.
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(5) Requirement of construction materials for projects coordinated
YANGON, 4 Apr - A coordination meeting on requirement of construction materials for construction projects was held at the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) of the Ministry of Defence, attended by Secretary- I of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present also were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Energy U Tin Tun, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin, Director-General of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Pe Nyein, officials and heads of departments.
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(6) Minister visits construction sites of dams
YANGON, 4 Apr - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected dams already built, under construction and to be built in Magway and Mandalay Divisions.
On 1 April, the minister, together with Acting Director-General of the Irrigation Department U Myo Myint, arrived at Welaung Dam under construction in Taungtha Township, Mandalay Division.
The director of Construction Division 12 reported on construction of outlet conduit, spillway, main dam and canals.
The minister called for completion of construction work as scheduled, systematic water supply, durability of canals, and inspected the construction work.
Next, the minister visited Hsepauk Vineyard in Kyaukpadaung Township.
Afterwards, he proceeded to the work-site of Pin Creek Dam Project being implemented near Monkam Village about 18 miles to the southeast of Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Division.
He inspected earthwork and construction of spillway, outlet conduit and control tower.
Officials reported on tasks being carried out and experience gained from work-site.
Pin Creek Dam, 2,200 feet long and 106 feet high, with a 6.5-mile long canal can irrigate 8,360 acres.
Then, the minister proceeded to Hsaddan Dam soon to be inaugurated near Htanaungkwin Village, Myothit Township, Magway Division.
The minister, together with Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw, inspected the dam.
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(7) 14th Convocation of UDE continues
YANGON, 4 Apr - The 14th Convocation of the University of Distance Education. was held at Yangon. University Convocation Hall for the second day today.
Rector of UDE U Mehm Than Thaung conferred BA on 1,314 and BSc on 203.
The Convocation continues tomorrow.
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(8) Commander looks into agricultural undertakings
YANGON, 4 Apr - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, together with division-level departmental officials, inspected land reclamation, water supply for cultivation and preparations for laying laterite at Hleseik-Htantabin Road yesterday morning.
The commander and party inspected cultivation of teak saplings at the nursery in Htantabin Township, digging of one-mile long canal linking between Yoekhwa and Kyaunggon at the side of Thidaaye Road at the entrance of Htantabin.
Next, the commander and party observed harvesting of 11-acre sample plot of summer paddy owned by farmer U Tin Htwe.
Yangon Division Manager U Aung Kyin of Myanma Agriculture Service and farmer U Tin Htwe explained matters pertaining to per-acre-yield of Manawthukha paddy strain.
Then, the commander and party inspected digging of canal along Lamudangyi-Hleseik Road and construction of road.
Later, the commander met farmers and members of Union Solidarity and Development Association exceeding 2,000 from eight village-tracts, and elaborated on improvement of land for cultivation, water supply for cultivation, laying laterite at Hleseik-Htantabin Road and education, health and social matters.
Officials reported on work undertaken by respective departments, and those present also presented requirements.
In the afternoon, the commander and party met hospital staff and patients at the station hospital, Hleseik Village, Htantabin Township, and inspected the compound of the hospital.
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(9) Events continue at respective venues
YANGON, 4 Apr - The events of the VIII Student Sports Festival continued at respective venues today.
Volleyball
In women's, Yangon beat Ayeyawady 3-0, Chin beat Sagaing 3-1, Mandalay beat Magway 3-0 and Shan beat Rakhine 3-0.
In men's, Chin beat Kachin 3-0, Shan beat Ayeyawady 3-0, Mandalay beat Magway 3-2 and Yangon beat Sagaing 3-1.
Basketball
Today's winners in men's event were Chin State and Shan State and the winners in women's Chin State and Yangon Division.
Cycling
In 1,000-metre individual event, Khin Zaw of Mon State was first, Naing Naing of Shan State second and Thang Hon of Chin State third.
Tennis
In women' team event, Mon beat Kayah 3-0 and Chin defeated Kachin 3-0.
In men's, Chin beat Kachin 3-0, Kayin beat Kayah 2- I, Shan defeated Mandalay 2-I and Yangon beat Ayeyawady 2-1.
Chinlon
In Myanma traditional Chinlon event, Chin State was first with 702 points, Mandalay second with 597 points and Yangon third with 534 points.
Maung Nge of Mandalay Division won the best Chinlon player award.
Table-tennis
In the men's individual finals, Myo Myo of Ayeyawady Division was first, Su Thura Thein of Kayin State second and Zaw Phyo Min of Sagaing Division and Ngun Thong of Chin State third. Myo Myo won the best player award.
In the women's individual finals, Yin Maw Myint of Bago Division was first, Paung Ngai Zam of Chin State second and Su Su Hlaing of Bago Division and Swe Thet Hsai of Shan State third. Yin Maw Myint won the best player award.
Thaing
In Myanma traditional martial art contest, Chin State was first, Mandalay Division second and Yangon Division third. Maung Soe Lu Kyaw Ayeyawady Division and Ma Hnin Thida of Yangon Division won the best player awards.
Golf
In the finals, Shan State was first, Taninthayi Division second and Yangon Division third.
The best golfer award went to Ar Su of Shan State.
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(10) Traditional kite-flying Competition 9-11 April
YANGON, 4 April-a he Myanma Traditional Sports Federation Executive Committee held a meeting at its office in the Aung San Stadium yesterday to organize a Myanma Traditional Kite-flying Competition with the sponsorship of the Royal Lipo Energy Drink at the sports ground near the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium on 9, 10 and 11 April.
There will be two categories and altogether 212 will take part.
First prize for each category is the bowl and K 10,000, second prize the bowl and K 7,500 and third prize the bowl and K 5,000.
The competition begins at 3 pm on 9 April and prize distribution ceremony at 3 pm on 11 April.
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(11) Strengthening of health laboratory services stressed for health care promotion
YANGON, 4 April - The Seminar on Strengthening Performance of Health Laboratory Services was held at the Medical Officer Training School in Dagon Township today.
In his opening address, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein said the seminar is a follow-up activity of the Workshop on Enhancing Performance and Quality of Hospital Care which was conducted from 8 to 10 January 1998.
He said health laboratory services are crucial in surveillance, diagnosis and prognosis in curative and preventive medicine and public health care.
He stressed that it is essential to promote and strengthen the services of health laboratories so as to provide reliable service.
He spoke of the government's efforts to promote the health sector after laying down policies, to equate the standard and health care services of Yangon and Mandalay General Hospitals, to strengthen the setup of state/division and district hospitals and appoint specialists and to provide support to township and station hospitals so that they can carry out their services effectively.
Health laboratory services as well as blood supply and transfusion are vital, he said and emphasized the need for achieving safe and quality blood and transfusion all over the country.
He said the blood to be transfused must be free of HIV, hepatitis, malaria and VD viruses and it is essential to acquire quality blood.
Myanmar is striving to reach the goal "Health for All by the Year 2000" and primary health care is the key approach to materialization of this objective, he said, adding the quality of health care in hospitals must be enhanced in a way to strengthen the primary health care approach.
He said it is needed to promote human resources, financial resources, equipment and technology and organization and management to achieve success in any sector and called for development and strengthening of the medico legal services in states and divisions as well as in townships.
Also present were Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo, departmental heads, rectors, medical superintendents, participants and other officials.
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(12) Minister oversees loading of fertilizer, quality paddy strain, insecticide
YANGON, 4 April - Secretary of the Leading Committee for the Development of Taninthayi Division Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung arrived at Htidan Jetty this morning.
The minister inspected loading a second batch of fertilizer, quality paddy strain and insecticide onto mv Pyidawaye to be sent to Taninthayi Division.
He gave instructions.
The fertilizer, quality paddy strain and insecticide will be used in implementation of development work in Taninthayi Division.