( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Cuba

Yangon, 1 Jan-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 Dr Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Liberation Day of the Republic of Cuba which falls on 1 January 2001.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir to visit Myanmar

Yangon, 1 Jan-At the invitation of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar His Excellency Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing, the Prime Minister of Malaysia His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah Haji Mohamad Ali will pay a working visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

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( 2 ) Message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe in honour of the day on which e-Education is introduced in the Union of Myanmar (1st January 2001)

In order to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation, it is necessary to undertake the Highly Qualified Human Resource Development programmes with might and main and on an extensive scale. It is also necessary to widely introduce the Regional Human Resource Development programme in every part of the country. It is also important to maintain the human resource development that has been achieved.

To be able to do so, Myanmar society will have to create a learning society which is in constant pursuit of education. The present era being the Knowledge Age, sustained efforts need to be exerted to meet its challenges. Every citizen should have access to the pursuit of education irrespective of his or her age, level of experience and qualification, and wherever he or she may be. By overcoming the limitations of location and time, e-Education will fully provide the people with the opportunity to pursue education with the use of Information and Communication Technology. It is the period that e-Education is accepted as being the mainstream of international education.

The education sector is a human resource development undertaking which invariably goes along with the national character and as such the Government has been implementing the Special Four-Year Plan for the Promotion of National Education in all seriousness. At present it has entered the third four-month period of the first year of implementation. I am delighted and honoured that the Electronic Data Broadcasting System is launched today for the education sector of Myanmar within such a short period.

The inauguration of this network constitutes the opening of the portals to the most special, significant and brilliant future of the Myanmar education sector as well as ushering in the e-Education system. It is believed that with the use of the network which has resulted in the dawn of a new age for the education sector, the education system will advance all the more. It may also be regarded as the creation of a proper teaching and learning environment. In view of the prospects for better and more effective learning programmes for students, I honour the successful establishment of the Electronic Data Broadcasting System which is one of the tasks of the Special Four-Year Plan for the Promotion of National Education.

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( 3 ) Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of State Peace and Development Council, attends School Family Day concert

Yangon, 31 Dec-Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, attended School Family Day musical concert held for the third day at National Theatre on Myomakyaung Road, here, this afternoon.

Also present were Daw Mya Mya San, wife of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Daw Khin Cho Oo, wife of Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards under the Ministry, officials, teachers, students and their parents. There, variety dances of students of basic education schools, songs and dances of old students who are vocalists and film stars, dramas, marionette shows and dobat dances were presented to the audience.

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( 4 ) Ministry of Defence comes first in State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Trophy Golf Tournament

Yangon, 31 Dec- A ceremony to open the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Trophy Golf Tournament was held at Ayethaya Golf Course in Taunggyi at 6.15 am yesterday, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo, ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers, officials and golfers of the ministries.

The Ministry of Defence stood first, the Ministry of Home Affairs second and the Ministry of Construction third in the team handicap event. In the team scratch event, the Ministry of Defence was first, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs second and the Ministry of Forestry third. Then, the Secretary-1, the Secretary-3 and officials presented prizes to the winners.

Secretary-1 inspects regional development in Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe Township

YANGON, 31 Dec- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the soft opening of Ayethayar Golf Course Eden Group Co Lld in Taunggyi on 30 December.

Also present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo, minister, deputy ministers, heads of departments, members of State, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, officials of Eden Group Co Ltd and guests. Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin formally opened the golf course.

The Secretary-l unveiled the stone plaque of the  golf course. The Secretary-l inspected hostels at the golf course.

The Secretary-1 and party, accompanied by Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo, went to Phaungdawpyan Jetty in Nyaungshwe where they were welcomed by district and township level officials, members of the Union Solidarity nd Development Association nd members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to agricultural farm in Nangthe Village in Innlay region where they were welcomed by officials of departments and Ruby Dragon Trading Co Ltd.

Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo reported on objectives of reclamation of 500 acres of vegetable plantation in Nangthe Village, implementation of work, plantation of crops and tasks to be undertaken.

Chairman of Taunggyi District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Tun Sein reported on conservation of Innlay Lake and implementation. Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave a supplement report. The Secretary-1 said plans are under way for long-term existence of Innlay Lake and its pleasantness given by nature after formation of supervisory committees with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. According to the study, Innlay Lake is gradually silting up. Natural lake with high value will disappear unless there is maintenance for it, he said.

Moreover, he said, economic infrastructure based on the lake will be destroyed and there may occur many losses to national development.

He spoke of the need to carry out the tasks including long-term existence of Innlay Lake and conservation of the lake for success in cooperation with departments concerned. There will be some difficulties in reclamation of 500 acres of vegetable plantations and efforts are to be made for realization of the objectives, he said. The Secretary-l and party inspected vegetable and orchid plantations and reclamation of plantations on floating islands in Nangthe Village.

The Secretary-l and party went to PhaungdawU Pagoda in Innlay. They were welcomed by State, District and Township level officials, USDA members, MCWA and members of Pagoda Board of Trustees.

First, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt offered flowers, lights and water at the PhaungdawU Pagoda. Later, the Secretary-l and party offered gold foils to the sacred Buddha images and I made cash donations towards the pagoda funds.

Chairman of the Board of  Trustees U Hla Kyaw presented the replicas of the Buddha images as Dhamma gifts to the Secretary-l.

The Secretary-l and party proceeded to the ancient historic Alodawpauk Pagoda in Innlay where they were welcomed by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of the Maternal and Child Welfare Association, members of the Board of Trustees, Pa-O nationals, Inthus and Inthas.

The Secretary-1 and party offered flowers, lights and incense to the pagoda, and later presented offertories to Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vilasabhivamsa of Nyaungshwe Sasana Vepulla Shwegu Pariyatti Sarthintaik and members of the Sangha.

Afterwards. Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Vilasabhivamsa and other Sayadaws delivered an Ovada on renovation of the ancient historic Alodawpauk Pagoda

The Secretary-l and party next visited Shwe Kyunmyaw Hotel and later inspected the Agro Forestry Training School opened by the Ministry of Forestry and an NGO Karamosia group of Japan in Taungpogyi Village in Nyaungshwe Township.

At the Agro-Forestry Training School, the Secretary-l said the projects being undertaken by the training school will bring benefits to the farmers and spoke of the need for extensive cooperation of respective department.

The Secretary-l and party next inspected the agriculture and livestock farms jointly run by Shan State Peace and Development Council and the Ministry of Home Affairs. After hearing reports on the activities and inspection the functions of the farms, the Secretary-1 gave suggestions.

In the evening, the Secretary-1, together with the Secretary-3 and other members, visited Cual Muni Lawka Chantha pagoda in Taunggyi. The Secretary-1 paid obeisance at the pagoda signed the visitors book and made cash donations. The Secretary-1 and party stopped for the night in Taunggyi.

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( 5 ) Secretary-2 attends coordination meeting on tourism

Yangon, 31 Dec- A coordination meeting on promotion of tourism industry in Myanmar was held at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Transport at 2 pm today, with an address by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Also present on the occasion were Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, department heads and guests. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-2 said that all responsible personnel are making efforts for promotion of tourism industry in the country. He added that suggestions and proposals on obtaining visa and connection of passenger transport between international and local airlines. Then, the Secretary-2 said that after these suggestions have been scrutinized, measures are to be taken to further develop tourism industry of the country.

Afterwards, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win reported that as tourism service is a business which can earn a lot of foreign exchange, all ministries are to cooperate development of the tourism service, and the government will make arrangements for cooperation of the tourism industry together with neighbouring countries.

Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu reported on kinds and number of tourists who visited Myanmar, condition of cooperation between the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and other ministries and connection with foreign countries including international travelling agencies. Those who present at the meeting took part in the discussions. After hearing reports, the Secretary-2 gave necessary instructions and the ceremony came to a close.

Second annual meeting of Myanmar Fisheries Federation held

Yangon, 31 Dec-The second annual meeting of Myanmar Fisheries Federation was held at Yuzana Plaza in Mingala Taungnyunt Township this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Also present were Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Soe Thein, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments, the president of the Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry, executives of Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, delegates of states and divisions, entrepreneurs and guests.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Minister U Aung Thein. The Secretary-2 said Myanmar Fisheries Federation was formed in 1998 and it gained experience during its three-year term. According to the report, seven state/division fisheries federations, 26 district fisheries federations and one township fisheries federation have been formed. It is necessary to establish an organization with essence and in form only, he said.

He said over 1,300 members of the federation are few, compared to broadness of the volume of fisheries industry and urged them to make efforts for consolidation of the federation in both quality and quantity. He stressed the need to undertake fish and prawn breeding with man's power in spite of plenty of marine resources in the country, adding that the government has been giving encouragement to private entrepreneurs after laying down the three-year plan for production of fish and prawn. He said MFF is to give impetus to the progress of fresh and sea water fisheries and breeding based on the plan. In order to be an important economic sector, all-out efforts are to be made for progress of fish and prawn sector which has potentials for development, he added.

The Secretary-2 spoke on compiling of region-wise records for production and market, collection of correct data, importance of MFF and making endeavours to become a federation that has equal status in relation with those of other nations. He also stressed the importance of the role of MFF for development of Myanma fisheries. Ministers Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan reported on extended production and breeding of fish and prawn, export of marine products, programmes in cooperation with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and existence of the MFF. Director-General of Asia and the Pacific regions All-round Rural Development Centre of FAO Dr Mya Maung and Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Soe Thein also spoke on the occasion. An exhibition on promotion of export of marine products was held at the plaza. It was also attended by the Secretary-2, ministers, deputy ministers, heads of departments, MFF officials, entrepreneurs and guests. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and Chairman of MFF U Htay Myint formally opened the exhibition. The Secretary-2 and party inspected the booths at the exhibition.

Altogether 23 booths of Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, fish and prawn breeding, production of fisheries equipment and distribution of marine products are on display at the exhibition. The exhibition which opens daily from 9 am to 5 pm till 2 January 2001. Admission is free.

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( 6 ) e-Education system launched in Myanmar

Yangon, 31 Dec - The Ministry of Education of the Government of the Union of Myanmar, in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, has put Electronic Data Broadcasting System into motion as of today. The Ministry of Education is implementing the Special Four-Year Plan for the Promotion of Education, which will run from 2000-2001 to 2003-2004 fiscal year.

The objectives of the special four-year plan are to promote the efficiency of basic education schools with the aim of nurturing and turning out stalwart sons and daughters of the nation who acquire well-rounded education, to generate teaching and learning opportunities with the use of modern information technologies, to further promote the quality of teachers, to seek ways and means to enable every citizen to acquire basic education, and to bring about education of international standard by facing challenges of Knowledge Age and creating Learning Society.

The present time is the third four-month period covered by the first-year period of the plan. In both the basic education sector and the higher education sector, annual working programmes have been laid down and implemented to reform curricula in order to ensure that the level of national education is on a par with that of international education, to extend the programme of teaching coordinated subjects, to use the continuous assessment system in accord with the international system, to launch Lifelong Learning and Continuing Education programmes, to cooperate with international universities, to carry out advanced research programmes, to put information technology into practical use, to establish Mount, to introduce Electronic Data Broadcasting System via satellite, to advance libraries and to establish Open Education System. Multimedia teaching centres are being opened at basic education schools.

At universities, degree colleges and colleges, IT Learning Centres, Electronic Resource Centres, Computer Training Centres, Multimedia Resource Centres and Language Labs are being opened, and modern methods and equipment provided. Multimedia classrooms have been opened at universities, degree colleges and colleges; the networked computer system has been set up and modern information technology used.

The Ministry of Education has opened Electronic Learning Centres all over the nation, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Information, is building a new learning society with the  use of Electronic Data Broadcasting System.

Altogether 203 learning centres have been opened in all states and divisions covering from the northern-most township Putao to the southern-most township Kawthoung and from the eastern-most township Tachilek to the western-most township Sittway 10 in Kachin State, one in Kayah State, four in Kayin State, four in Chin State, 17 in Sagaing Division, 8 in Taninthayi Division, 12 in Bago Division (East), 12 in Bago Division (west), 15 in Magway Division, 27 in Mandalay Division, 10 in Mon State, six in Rakhine State, 44 in Yangon Division, seven in Shan State (South), two in Shan State (East), five in Shan State (North) and 19 in Ayeyawady Division. Lectures, academic subjects and technological subjects can be easily learnt through servers kept at these learning centres, television and satellite.

It is learnt that if one cannot learn lectures while they are on air, one can learn them whenever one likes. It is also learnt that arrangements are being made to open learning centres in every townships next year. With the building and use of Electronic Data Broadcasting System, e-Education system has been successfully integrated into Myanmar education system.

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( 7 ) Vice-Governor of Hunan Province concludes visit

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