YANGON, 20 July – Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Andres Pastrana Arango, President of the Republic of Colombia, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Colombia which falls on 20 July 1999.
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(2) 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day observed in Yangon
YANGON, 19 July – The 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day (1999) was observed at the Arzani Mausoleum at 8 am today.
On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Chairman of the 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day Observance Committee Minister for Culture U Win Sein attended the ceremony, saluted the State Flag, laid wreaths at the tombs of the late national leader Bogyoke Aung San and his fallen colleagues and dispensed metta.
Chairman of the 52nd Anniversary Arzani Day Observance Committee Minister for Culture U Win Sein arrived at the Mausoleum at 8 am, and was welcomed by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt.
Then, Minister U Win Sein, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun and Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye took the respective places.
All those present saluted the State Flag. Minister U Win Sein, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun and Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, on behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, laid wreaths at the tombs and paid tribute to the Arzanis.
At that time, the State Hag was lowered to half mast. The Guard of Honour of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) also saluted the fallen leaders.
This was followed by dispensing of metta and two minutes of silence in memory of the Arzanis.
Afterwards, Minister U Win Sein, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye and Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt left the Mausoleum.
Later, the families of the Arzanis laid wreaths at the respective tombs.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Bogyoke Aung San, laid a flower basket. On behalf of U Aung San Oo, the eldest son of Bogyoke Aung San, and wife Daw Lei Lei Nwe Thein, U Nan Nwe and family laid the wreath and shared merits.
Next, the families of other Arzanis laid wreaths at the respective tombs and shared merits.
Representatives of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar War Veterans Organization, non-governmental organizations, diplomats and heads of UN agencies also laid wreaths.
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(3) K 104m three-storey building inaugurated at Yangon Institute of Education Practising School
YANGON, 19 July – A new three-storey building was inaugurated at the Yangon Institute of Education Practising School today.
Before the ceremony commenced, students entertained the guests with songs and dances.
In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the day was auspicious in the history of the education sector for being able to open a three-storey building of the Yangon Institute of Education Practising School.
He said the new three-story building of the school emerged due to the contributions and cooperation of the school board of trustees, parents and teachers with the leadership of the government.
Emergence of a splendid three-storey building within seven months thanks to the endeavours of the School Board of Trustees, parents and teachers goes into the annals of the education history, he said.
He noted that the government is implementing the educational promotion programmes all over the country to nurture student youths to become reliable nation-building intelligentsia and intellectuals, and success is being achieved more than expected because of cooperation of the school boards of trustees, parents and teachers.
He said while the government is implementing the plans to nurture student youths to become patriotic and to enable them to cherish and preserve national culture, and possess Union spirit and civics, efforts are being made for modernization of the education system, opening multi-media classrooms in schools.
He expressed thanks to the School Board of Trustees, parents, teachers and well-wishers for emergence of the three-storey building constructed at a cost of K 104 million and called for continued efforts for the success of the educational promotion programmes.
Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Tin Maung Win spoke about the efforts for construction of the building and the board's future plans.
Chairman of Yuzana Construction Co U Htay Myint presented the related documents to U Tin Maung Win who in turn presented the documents to Rector of Yangon Institute of Education U Han Tin.
U Htay Myint donated K 800,000 to the school.
Rector U Han Tin presented commemorative gifts to Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Minister for Education U Than Aung.
The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the plaque on the construction of the building.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party went round in the 39-room three-storey building.
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(4) Htidaw hoisted atop Tavatimsa Pagoda in Mingaladon Shwenatha Village
YANGON, 19 July – A Shwehtidaw hoisting and consecration ceremony of Tavatimsa Pagoda built with the patronage of Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Nadara was held at Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Kyaungtaik in Shwenatha Village, Mingaladon Township, Yangon Division, this morning.
The congregation received the Five Precepts from Maha Bodhi Tahtaung Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Nadara.
Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family, and Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and family presented the seinphudaw, the hngetmyatnadaw and tiers of the htidaw to the Sayadaws to be consecrated.
The seinphudaw, the hngetmyatnadaw and tiers of the htidaw were later conveyed round on the pagoda platform, after which the enshrinement ceremony took place.
At the auspicious time, the seinphudaw, the hngetmyatnadaw and tiers of the htidaw were conveyed atop the pagoda by the cable carriage.
The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha performed the consecration and recited parittas.
Afterwards, Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family, Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and family, and officials presented offertories to the Sayadaws.
Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa Dwipitakadhara Naga Hlainggu Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits for the pious deeds done.
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(5) Minister inspects production of Nyaungdon Test Well No 2
YANGON, 19 July – Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi arrived at Nyaungdon Test Well No 2, Ayeyawady Division, on 18 July, where the minister was welcomed by officials of-Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise.
At the briefing hall, Chief Engineer (Drilling) U Myint Thein reported on matters relating to the Test Well.
The minister gave instructions on distribution of natural gas by pipeline as soon as possible and drilling the Nyaungdon Test Well No 3 during August. He then inspected progress of natural gas production at the Test Well No 2.
Minister Brig-Gen Lun Thi presented K 500,000 as bonus to workers of the Test Well No 2.
Drilling of the Test Well No 2 began in mid-May 1999. It now produces four million cubic feet of natural gas and 80 condensate barrels per day. The natural gas is being sent by pipeline from Nyaungdon to Yangon beginning 4 pm on 19 July.
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(6) Minister for Foreign Affairs arrives back
YANGON, 19 July – Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung arrived back here by air this evening after paying visits to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to Bangladesh at the invitation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
The minister was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Bangladeshi Embassy Mr Muhame mad Azizul Hague and Charge d'Affaires ai of the Sri Lankan Embassy Mrs WAT Gunatillake and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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(7) Minister inspects Thayet Cement Plant
YANGON, 19 July – Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by officials, arrived at Thayet Cement Plant in Magway Division yesterday afternoon.
The minister met Deputy Factory Manager Mr Wang of Pengfei Group and engineers and officials who are repairing No 1 kiln, vacuum cleaner and grinding machines of the plant.
The minister gave necessary instructions.
Deputy Factory Manager Mr Wang and officials reported on repair works.
Minister U Aung Thaung inspected machines and spare parts for No 2 Kiln to be repaired by Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, storage of machinery and asbestos.
In the evening, the minister hosted dinner in honour of the Chinese engineers of the Pengfei Group and presented a fruit basket to them.
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(8) Shan State (East) MCWASC presents cash assistance to poor students of Kengtung
YANGON, 19 July – Under the leadership of Shan State (East) Maternal and Child Welfare Association Supervisory Committee, a ceremony to present cash assistance to poor students was held at the City Hall of Kengtung on 13 July.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein and wife Patron of the Shan State (East) Maternal and Child Welfare Association Supervisory Committee Daw Khin Khin Win, staff officers of the command headquarters, the secretary of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council, chairmen of district and township Peace and Development Councils, commanding officers and commanders of regiments and units, MCWA members, teachers and students.
The commander made a speech.
Township MCWA Chairperson Daw Nan Hsai Li explained the purpose of the presentation of cash assistance.
Then, the commander, wife and officials accepted K 100,000 donated each by U Tun. Aung and U Naw Aung and other donations.
Afterwards, the commander and wife presented cash assistance, school uniforms and stationery worth K 709,445 to 572 students from 16 schools in Kengtung.
Patron Daw Khin Khin Win handed over ultrasound machines for maternity units of Kengtung and Tachilek Township MCWAs provided by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central) to chairpersons of respective associations.
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(9) Sagaing Division MCWA holds coordination meeting for 1999-2000
YANGON, 19 July – A coordination meeting on future programmes for 1999-2000 of Township Maternal and Child Welfare Associations in Sagaing Division was held at Sagaing Division MCWA Office on 15 July.
The commander and the patron gave speeches.
The chairperson of Division MCWASC explained future tasks of the associations.
The Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council presented K 1 million to Division MCWASC.
The Division MCWASC also presented K 10,000 each and cookery books to township associations.
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(10) Commander inspects agricultural works in Mogoung Township
YANGON, 19 July – Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, accompanied by responsible officials, met with farmers of Nanmana and Pinbaw Villages in Nanmana Village, Mogoung Township on 12 July.
In meeting with the farmers, the commander spoke of the need to carry out agricultural works in the region with added momentum, to boost per acre yield, to increase acres of paddy fields, to make double and multiple cropping of monsoon and summer paddy, kachin crops and edible oil crops and to focus and make concerted efforts in agriculture.
Officials of Kachin State Agricultural Produce Trading disbursed loans for 19992000 and officials of Township Agriculture Services distributed fertilizer and pesticides to farmers.
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(11) 42 members resign from Yenangyaung Township NLD
YANGON, 19 July – Forty-two members resigned from National League for Democracy of Yenangyaung Township, Magway Division.
Forty-two members of Yenangyaung. Township NLD, Magway Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Yenangyaung Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission and the party concerned on 16 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(12) Magway Division Chairman inspects township development works
YANGON, 19 July – Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw, accompanied by officials, arrived at Farm Machinery Factory of the Ministry of Industry-2 in Minhla on 14 July.
He inspected production, sanitation works and security of the factory.
He then paid obeisance to the remain of Yadana Kankyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sujata and made donation for the final rite ceremony.
The Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council inspected building Myoma Market and cleaning and greening works of Minhla Township.
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(13) Works coordinated to build NaungU-Letpanchaypaw-Myingyan Road
YANGON, 19 July – A coordination meeting on building NyaungU-Letpanchaypaw-Myingyan Road in Mandalay Division was held at Bagan on 16 July morning.
The commander elaborated on benefits which will accrue from completion of the road, arrangements to be carried out in building the road and departmental cooperation.
Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo reported on the budget and progress of work in building
the road, condition of gravel supply and use of fuel oil, Superintending
Engineer U Saw Sein Tun Aung on the axis of the road going round the airport in
NyaungU Township, machinery and condition of gravel supply and Director U Tin
Aung on arrangements for building Myingyan-NyaungU Road.