THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
(Monday, 2 November 1998)
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  1. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend 45th Kathina robes offering ceremony of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaungtaik
  2. Masses of Taninthayi Division declare it is time to drive Suu Kyi out of the country and to punish NLD group betraying the State and the people
  3. General Maung Aye inspects construction of Tachilek Airport
  4. Exhibition'98 To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit opens
  5. Attitude of political parties
  6. Over K 5.9 million for all-round renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda
  7. Families of the Defence Services and well-wishers donated dry rations and alms to four Pariyatti Sarthintaiks and one Nunnery in Shwepyitha Township
  8. Kathina robes offered to Sayadaws on behalf of King of Thailand
  9. Exhibition '98 To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit to be held through November
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(1) Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attend 45th Kathina robes offering ceremony of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaungtaik

YANGON, 1 Nov - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the 45th Kathina robes offering ceremony of Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaungtaik, sponsored by Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, at the Kyaungtaik in Mayangon Township this morning.

Also present were State Ovadacariya Myatheindan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Sobana, member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaungtaik Dwipidhakadhara Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa and members of the Sangha, Secretary-l of the State-Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife, Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife, members of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyunt Thein ant Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Chairman of Civil Services Selection and Training Board U Maung Maung Gyi, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, heads of department of the Ministry for PBANRDA, officials and staff families.

Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung emceed the ceremony.

Myatheindan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Sobana administered the Five Precepts.

Then, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Kathina robes and alms to Bhaddanta Sobana.

Then, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and others presented Kathina robes and offertories to the Sangha.

Members of the Sangha recited the Parittas.

Naga Hlainggu Kalaywatawya Kyaungtaik Dwipidhakadhara Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing performed the traditional showering of gold and silver.

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(2) Masses of Taninthayi Division declare it is time to drive Suu Kyi out of the country and to punish NLD group betraying the State and the people

YANGON, 1 Nov - Over 23,000 people from various strata of life from Taninthayi Division expressed their genuine desire at a mass meeting held at Shwewei Thiri Square in Dawei Township this morning.

Present were members of Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Taninthayi Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Taninthayi Division Union Solidarity and Development Association, Fisheries Entrepreneurs Association, Writers and Journalists Association, Medical Association, Nurses Association, War Veterans Organization, Trawler Owners Association, Merchants Association, Industrial Entrepreneurs Association, Artists and Artisan Asiayon, Thabin Asiayon, Vehicles Association, Freight Handling Committee, Rubber Entrepreneurs Association, Slow Moving Vehicles Association, Rice Mill Entrepreneurs Association, Timber Merchants Association, Motorcycle Association, Cold Storage Entrepreneurs Association, Livestock Entrepreneurs Association, 25 groups of various strata of life and people of Yebyu, Launglon and Thayetchaung Townships.

The meeting unanimously passed two motions calling for safeguarding and maintaining economic development and ensuring food, clothing and shelter needs of the people and maintaining and safeguarding the stability of the State which has already been achieved.

Rubber Entrepreneurs Association U Tun Naing of Dawei Township chaired it with Gold-shop owner U Tun Shwe of Dawei Township, member of Oil-Palm Entrepreneurs Association U Than Sein as members of the Panel of Chairmen.

Member of Dawei Traditional Cultural Association Daw Htay Htay Thit was emcee and member of Dawei Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Tin Tin Maw joint emcee.

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(3) General Maung Aye inspects construction of Tachilek Airport

YANGON, 1 Nov - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the State Peace and Development Council -in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Kyaw Than Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Vice-quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister for Irrigation and Population U Maung Aung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council-Office, heads of departments, left here for Tachilek yesterday morning.

General Maung Aye, the Secretary-2 and members were welcomed at Tachilek Airport by members of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo and departmental officials.

Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein reported on construction of airport terminal, runway and apron and general progress of work.

Managing Director of Myanmar Mayflower Trading Ltd U Kyaw Win reported on development of Tachilek Airport and progress of work.

General Maung Aye then gave instructions.

The General and party inspected the airport terminal and extension of the runway of the 300 foot-long and 80 foot-wide reinforced concrete type.

Ministers Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, U Soe Tha and Maj-Gen Kyaw Than met departmental officials of district and townships at Aung Myat Hall and discussed the work for agricultural development projects and trade.

Minister Col Thin Nyunt discussed organizational matters, management and training courses with EC members of District and Township USDA in the evening.

He also met personnel of Township Development Committee.

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(4) Exhibition'98 "To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit" opens

YANGON, 1 Nov - Opening ceremony of Exhibition'98 "To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit" was held at the Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road this morning, attended by Patron of Exhibition To Revitalize And Poster Patriotic Spirit Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The exhibition is held with the objectives: to promote dynamism of patriotic spirit and national pride, to strengthen the spirit of preserving traditions of origin, lineage and national character, to contribute towards correct way of thinking and firm lofty concept and to enable young generation to learn true historical events.

Present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyunt Thein and Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chairman of the Exhibition Leading Committee Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon Mayor, the Deputy Ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, members of the Exhibition Leading Committee, members of the Sub-committee, heads of departments, the Ambassadors, resident representatives and officials of UN Agencies, officials of nongovernmental organizations, local and foreign newsmen, officials of Thabin, Motion Picture, Music and Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayons, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, nationalities, artistes, teachers, students, personnel of the Ministry of Information and guests.

U Hla Win and Daw Ling Maung Pang of Myanma Radio and Television acted as Mcs.

Next, the Secretary-l formally opened the exhibition.

The Secretary-l, the ministers and guests viewed the showrooms on pre and post-independence periods, contemporary period showrooms, ministries showrooms, computer rooms and central showroom.

The exhibition is open to public from 9 am to 5 pm daily till 30 November. It includes patriotic cartoons by the late cartoonist U Ba Gyan to present day cartoonists, presentations on national subjugation after taking away of King Thibaw by imperialists in 1885 by Thabin artistes, patriotic songs and scenes, excerpts of well-known anti-imperialists and national struggle films and historical documents.

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(5) Attitude of political parties

Twenty national race groups which made peace with the government have already issued declarations on their attitude in connection with the call of the National League for Democracy to convene the Hluttaw.

Similarly political parties legally in existence are issuing declarations on their respective attitudes in connection with the call of the National League for Democracy to convene the Hluttaw and they will be made public.

Today, a translation of the declaration on the attitude of Union Kayin League released on 28-10-98 is stated as follows:

 
Attitude of Union Kayin League on current situation in the Union of Myanmar
 
Union Kayin League
No 1, Saw Tay Lane, U Loonee Street
Lower Kyimyindine
Kyimyindine Township, Yangon
28-10-98

1. The Union Kayin League has already laid down the motto calling for peace and development and it believes that national races residing in the Union of Myanmar should play a role in building the nation for the emergence of a stable, peaceful, modern and developed nation.

2. Attempts of the National League for Democracy (NLD) to convene the Hluttaw, formation of the Hluttaw representative committee etc. run counter to traditions and laws; they even amount to undermining the four political objectives of the government. For,

            (1)    one will not become a Hluttaw member just because one is a representative-elect; one
                    can become a member of the Hluttaw only after taking oath of office;

            (2)    Hluttaw can be convened only when there is the government that is responsible to the
                    Hluttaw;

            (3)    Hluttaw can not be convened legally in the absence of a ruling government in Myanmar
                    which is responsible to the Hluttaw.

3. It will be in accordance with law to complete the constitution drafting through the National Convention process and then follow the constitution thus approved.

4. The Union Kayin League protests at the acts of the National League for Democracy (NLD) such as attempts to convene the Hluttaw and formation of the Hluttaw representative committee since they are matters of uncertainty.

5. The party also protests at the acts of the National League for Democracy (NLD) which} run counter to the four political objectives, four economic objectives and foul social objectives being implemented by the ruling Tatmadaw government. It will cooperate with the Tatmadaw government's establishment of a genuine democratic nation through the National Convention process.
 

Sd.
U Mahn Tin Aung Than
Chairman
Union Kayin League
Yangon

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(6) Over K 5.9 million for all-round renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda

YANGON, 1 Nov - The 40th cash donation ceremony for all-round renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda was held at Pyataik Tazaung on the platform of the Pagoda this afternoon, attended by 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.

Present also were Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Chairman of Work Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, leading committee members, members of Board of Trustees and well-wishers.

Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented K 100,000, donated by Office of Strategic Studies and Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence, to Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung.

In all, 152 well-wishers presented K 5,957,815 which were accepted by Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Aye and Deputy Commander Col Hsan Hsint.

Today's donations included K 1 million donated by U Kyaw San, K 374,000 by U Maung Hlaing-Daw Aye Mya of Dalla Township, K 360,000 by Dr Aye Maung Than, U Tin Maung Aye and family, K 108,000 by U Kyaw Din-Daw Aye Kyi and family of Tamway, K 100,000 each by Daw Ahmar and family of Mingala Taungnyunt, U Kyi Tun-Daw Than Than Tin of Thuwunna, U Win Aung-Daw Win Win May of Kyauktada Township and U Thein Myint-Daw Than Than of Mingaladon Township and other well-wishers.

Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, deputy ministers and the deputy commander presented certificates of honour to them.

Phetpinai Sarthintaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Gandamabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt then inspected the maintenance work on Htidaw.

Then, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and technicians paid homage to the Htidaw and inspected arrangements for maintenance of the Htidaw.

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(7) Families of the Defence Services and well-wishers donated dry rations and alms to four Pariyatti Sarthintaiks and one Nunnery in Shwepyitha Township

YANGON, 1 Nov - Families of the Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and well-wishers donated dry rations and alms to four Pariyatti Sarthintaiks and one Nunnery in Shwepyitha Township in Yangon North District this morning.

The Pariyatti Sarthintaiks are Shwepyitha Pariyatti Sarthintaik, Aung San Tawya Pariyatti Sarthintaik, Shwepyiaye Pariyatti Sarthintaik, Dhamma Thukha Sarthintaik and Aungthawda Nunnery in Shwepyitha Township.

The dry rations and alms donation ceremony held at Shwepyitha Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Shwepyitha Township was also attended by Padana Nayaka Sayadaws and nuns, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Tatmadaw officers, OSD to Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tin and heads of department, chairmen and -members of District and Shwepyitha Township Peace and Development Councils, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association and well-wishers.

Nuns and dignitaries received the Eighth Precepts from Shwepyitha Pariyatti Sarthintaik Nayaka Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotika.

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(8) Kathina robes offered to Sayadaws on behalf of King of Thailand

YANGON, 1 Nov - The fourth Kathina robes offering ceremony of the King of Thailand took place at Moegok Soonsar-kyaung of the State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon), Kaba Aye, this morning.

Present on the occasion were member Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, lecturer Sayadaws of the Tekkatho, 500 members of the Sangha, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyunt Swe, Thai Ambassador Mr Pensak Chalarak and embassy staff and families, officials of the Sri Lankan Embassy, those of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a court official of Royal Palace, offered robes to the Buddha image.

The Thai Ambassador also supplicated on offering of Kathina robes.

Kathina robes and alms were then offered to the Sayadaws and 500 members of the Sangha.

The Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and officials accepted 10,000 baht donated by the King of Thailand, 200,000 baht by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US $ 3,800 donated for the fourth Kathina robes offering by the King of Thailand, K 312,035 and 110 FECs donated by Thai nationals residing in Yangon to the State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon).

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(9) Exhibition '98 To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit to be held through November

YANGON, 1 Nov - The Exhibition '98 To Revitalize And Foster Patriotic Spirit will be held in Tatmadaw Hall on U Wisara Road from 9 am to 5 pm daily from 1 to 30 November in accord with the objectives-to promote dynamism of patriotic spirit and national pride, to strengthen the spirit of preserving traditions of origin, lineage and national character, to contribute towards correct way of thinking and firm lofty concept and to enable young generation to learn true historical events.

Admission is free of charge.

The exhibition includes Pre-Independence Period Booth, Post-Independence Period Booth, Contemporary Period Booth, Booths of Ministries, Computer rooms and the central showroom.
 

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To view with photos, please browse at - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/