( 1 ) General Maung Aye pays home to pagodas in Kengtung

Yangon, 10 Jan-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and officials paid homage to Khaymarahta Byadeiktawpay Standing Buddha image on Swamsat Hill in Kengtung yesterday evening. Then, General Maung Aye presented cash to members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees for the image. General Maung Aye and party signed in the visitors' book.

General Maung Aye and party inspected construction of cultural museum near the image. They proceeded to Maha Myatmuni pagoda and paid homage to the pagoda. General Maung Aye then presented cash toward the pagoda funds to members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and they signed in the visitors' book.

Afterwards, General Maung Aye and party paid obeisance to Datswamlwe Pagoda which is also called Ancient Historical Mula Kaba Aye Paeoda in Kengtung. The General and party paid obeisance and offered alms to Wanhsaing Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Khema Dhammo at Aryonkhan Tazaung of the pagoda.

General Maung Aye and party paid obeisance to Sayadaws from ten sarthintaiks and kyaungtaiks at Sasana Beikmandawgyi in Kengtung this morning.

General Maung Aye and party received the Five Precepts from member of Shan State Central Working Committee of the Sangha (Shwekyin) Sayadaw Presiding Sayadaw of Dhammo Daya Pariyatti Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Arjeya. Then, General Maung Aye and party presented offertories to the Sayadaws. General Maung Aye and party arrived back here this evening.

up
___________________________

( 2 ) General Maung Aye meets departmental personnel of Shan State (East) and Kengtung District and Township

Yangon, 10 Jan-Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye met departmental personnel of Shan State (East) and Kengtung District and Township at Triangle Region Command Headquarters in Kengtung Township at 8.40 am today.

Also present at the meeting were Secretary-3  Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein ministers, heads of the State Peace and Development Council Office and the respective departments,members of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council, division-level officials of the state, departmental personnel of Kengtung District and Township and secretaries and executives of Shan State (East) and Kengtung District and Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations.

First, ministers, who accompanied the General, held a preliminary meeting with departmental personnel of Shan State (East) and Kengtung District and Township before General Maung Aye's arrival at the Command.

Secretary of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Soe reported to the ministers on the area and population of Shan State East, land use, land reclamation and crop cultivation, putting of land under monsoon and summer paddy, efforts being made to ensure regional food sufficiency and paddy purchase.

Minister for National Planning and Economic  Development U Soe Tha explained Shan State (East)'s  efforts to exceed the targets,  saying successful implementation of the coming short-term five-year plan from 200l-2002 to 2005-2006 will lead to progress of the region and further improvement of the social life of the regional people. Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone discussed trade matters and export promotion.

Minister for Progress of  Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt briefed the meeting on progress in implementing the ministry's plans to develop - Shan State (East) including Monhtaw and Monhta regions.

Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein reported to the meeting on building of a new 200-bed hospital in Kengtung, a nurses training school and upgrading of township hospitals in Monghsat and Mongphyat to district-level facilities.

Minister for Construction Maj- Gen Saw Tun spoke of road and bridge projects being implemented in various states and divisions for smooth transport, and road projects such as Tachilek- Kengtung Road and Mongpyin- Takaw Road projects for development of Shan State ( East).

General Maung Aye said the present year is the final year of the five-year short-term plan which started from 1996-97, and objectives of.the plan are realized and targets overfilled every year. He noted that by the end of the five- years plan objectives for the entire plan will materialize with gradual progress in national economy.

In implementing projects for national economic development, stability of the State is essential, and only when there is progress in national economy, will the State be peaceful and stable.

He attributed the success in the government's endeavours for stability and peace of the State and development of national economy to implementation. of tasks in accord with the economic objectives adopted in consonance with the situations in the country as well as to harmonious cooperation of the government, employees and local people.

In order to cater to the food, clothing and shelter needs of the people, aims are set not only for adequate supply of food for the present 51 million population but also for meeting the demand of the nation's future population of 100 million.

The General spoke of the need for states and divisions to strive for cultivation and production of paddy to meet the demand of each state or division as well as for production of the staple crop in surplus. He added that the states and divisions also have to make innovations and engage themselves in establishment of vegetable farms, poultry, swine and fish breeding stations so that food is surplus in their respective regions.

The government, he said, will continue to strive for industrialization based on the agriculture, which is as firm as a cliff for Myanmar, on self-reliance, and all need to exert efforts for successful implementation of the new five-year short-term plan that is going to start from April 2001.

He underscored the need for all to discharge their duties efficiently, without working perfunctorily, for national development, for the departments to collect duties and taxes properly for national income and to avoid corruption, for both the State owned and private-owned sectors of the region to boost production of export items and import substitute items and to extend cultivation of paddy, beans and corn, the crops which have markets, and other appropriate crops on any vacant land. Myanmar has a lot of job opportunities, and the nationalities in border areas should be organized to work with nationalistic morale for development of their areas and uplift of their socio-economic life.

Success was achieved in the previous four-year economic plan and the present five-year-plan due to cooperation of the ministries, local authorities, departmental personnel and local people, he said and urged all to continue striving for the success of the new five-year short-term plan starting from 2001-2002 and cooperate in their respective role for strengthening of national political and economic capabilities, and upholding of Our Three Main National Causes.

Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein explained the efforts for implementation of the projects in Shan State (East), the project under implementation and programmes for the success of the forthcoming five-year short-term plan.

Afterwards, General Maung Aye cordially met with Shan State (East), district and township level departmental officials. Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Soe Tha and Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone held a meeting with Shan State (East), Kengtung District and Township departmental officials in the meeting hall of the Triangle Region Command on 8 January and discussed plans for implementation of projects covered by the forthcoming five-year shortterm economic plan.

up

_________________________

( 3 ) General Maung Aye meets Tatmadawmen and families of  families of Kengtung Station

YANGON, 10 Jan- Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army ) General Maung Aye met Tatmadawmen and their families of Kengtung Station at Pyinyeinaye Hall of the Triangle Region Command this morning.

Present also were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs and Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of the Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thin Sein, senior Tatmadaw officers and Tatmadawmen and their families.

Before the meeting between General Maung Aye and Tatmadawmen, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint gave neces sary instructions to Tatmadawmen. Then, General Maung Aye arrived at Pyinyeinaye Hall and gave instruction to Tatmadawmen. Afterwards, General Maung Aye cordially met with Tatmad,awmen and their families.

up
__________________________

( 4 ) Chief of Staff (Army) attends Armed Forces Day Military Band Competition

YANGON, 10 Jan- The 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Tenth Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition continued at the People's Square this morning.

Before the competition, the band comprising school boys and girls of No 2 Ba sic Education High School of Kamayut Township demonstrated skills singing military and marching songs.

Then, Chairman of Leading Committee for Observance of the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Patron of Organizing Committee for Tenth Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Military Band Competition Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented prizes to leader of the band Maung Ye Thiha Kyaw.

Afterwards, bands rep- resenting Southern Command, North-East Command, No 44 Light Infantry Division, No 99 LID and Western Command took part in the competition.

Also present were Chair- man of the Organizing Committee of the Military Band Competition Vice-Adjutant- General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, high-ranking military officers, members of Board of Judges, guests, families of Tatmadawmen, teachers and students.

Secretary 2 visits Pyapon District nursery festival

YANGON, 10 Jan-Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt- Gen Tin Oo, accompanied by Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt- Gen Tin Ngwe, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Soe Thein, Chief of Staff Air  Maj-Gen Myint Swe, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments, left here this morning for Pyapon by helicopter and arrived there at 8.30 am.

The Secretary-2 and party went to Pyapon District nursery festival at the sports grounds of No 1 Basic Education High School where they were welcomed by Pyapon District Manager of Myanma Agriculture Service U Aye Thein, Township Assistant Manager of MAS U Than Tun and service personnel.

The Secretary-2 and party viewed vegetable and fruits nurseries, the shop selling agricultural equipment, Ami-doh- myo-thu and Mway-ein-thu plantations, mushroom, orchid and herbal plantations and departmental booths. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported on extended poultry farming for local and foreign markets, extended breeding and production of fish and prawn, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun on economic sector in cooperation with the government and local people for emergence of a peaceful, modern developed nation and Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan on RIR poultry farming and production of beans.

The Secretary-2 gave instructions on national development, boosting production of agricultural and fish and meat sectors and working hard for regional development. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann also visited nursery festival. The Secretary-2 then toured Pyapon. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint met officials at Pyapon Township People's Hospital.

up
__________________________

( 5 ) Carving of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image 90 per cent completed

YANGON, 10 Jan-Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image kept on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township, Yangon Division, was packed with members of thc Sangha and people today.

All-round construction work of the Hill including construction of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi in which the Image is-to be kept, is under way. The project is being undertaken by Special Construction Group-2 of Public Works. Likewise, decoration work is being carried out by Stone Sculptor U Taw Taw and sons while Myanmar artistic work is being done by Myanmar Handicraft Technician U Ohn Tin and group.

A religious verses recitation by wut associations look place from 7 am to 10 pm. Books on religion Loka Niti, general knowledge and creative writing are on sale at bookshops of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Information. Donations for the project as of today have amounted to K 124,943,031.

Mayor inspects Htaukkyant Poultry Farm

Yangon, 10 Jan- Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and officials inspected Htaukkyant Poultry Farm being undertaken by YCDC in Mingaladon Township this afternoon. Mayor U Ko Lay and party arrived at the Farm at 3.40 pm, and Head of Production Work Group of YCDC Maj Tin Pe and officials conducted the mayor round the farm. The mayor gave instructions to the officials on increasing the number of hens up to 130,000 and distribution of poultry to private livestock breeding entrepreneurs. Then, the mayor fulfilled the requirements of work.

up

__________________________

( 6 ) Second meeting of Leading Committee on statistics of land use

Yangon, 10 Jan-The second meeting of Leading Committee on statistics of land use was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein and members, members of the Work Committee, departmental officials of Ministries of Agriculture and Irrigation, Forestry, Livestock and Fisheries and Home Affairs.

Chairman of Leading Committee Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin spoke on the occasion. Chairman of Work Committee Director-General of Settlement and Land Records Department U Win Kyi reported on collection of data on fallow and vacant lands and cultivated land statistics. Minister U Aung Phone reported on forest reserves and scrutiny of lands.

Director-General of Forest Department Dr Kyaw Tint, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, Deputy Director-General of General Administration Department U Maung Win reported on matters relating to the lands. The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin.

Visitors crowed Independence Day Exhibition

YANGON, 10 Jan--The Independence Day Exhibition sponsored by the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Sub-committee continued at Tatmadaw Convention Centre on U Wisara Road in Dagon Township today. Altogether 4,90 people including tourists visited the exhibition today.

K 21,950 worth books were sold by bookshops of Information and Public Relations Department, News and Periodicals Enterprise and Sarpay Beikman at the exhibition today.

up

___________________________

( 7 ) Minister inspects work of Myanma Port Authority

Yangon, 10 Jan - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe together with Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than arrived at the Combined Office of Myanma Port Authority at Wadan Jetty this morning.

Managing Director of MPA U Thein Htay and Managing Director of Inland Water Transport U Tun Aung Myint reported to the minister on greening of the port, cultivation and livestock breeding work and erosion of bank of Ywathit Creek. Deputy Minister U Pe Than presented a supplementary report.

Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe gave suggestions. Then, the minister and party inspected poultry farms of MPA. Managing Director U Thein Htay and officials conducted the minister round the farms. Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and party also inspected construction of staff welfare shops of the Ministry of Transport on Bayintnaung Road and gave instructions to officials. Then, the minister and party inspected life boat and rescue boat training building for trainees of Institute of Marine Technology. Principal of the institute U Win Thein explained facts about the building. The minister attended to their needs and left there in the afternoon.

Minister receives Yunnan delegation

Yangon, 10 Jan- Minister for Education U Than Aung received a 13-member delegation of Yannan Xinhua General Printing Industrial Co Ltd of Yunnan Province of The People's Republic of China at his office at 3 pm today. Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, directors-general and officials. The delegation led by Joint Secretary-General of the Government of Yunnan Province Mr Song Yulin and General Manager of Yannan Xinhua General Printing Industrial Co Ltd Mr Xiao Yuan will study the printing of school textbook of Ministry of Education in Myanmar.

up

___________________________

___________________________