( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe's message on the occasion of 54th Anniversary Union Day

Yangon, 12 Feb - The following is a translation of the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the 54th Anniversary Union Day. Esteemed national brethren, On the auspicious occasion of the 54th Anniversary Union Day of the Union of Myanmar, I would like to extend my greetings to all the nationals residing in the Union, wishing you all bliss and auspiciousness. In Myanmar, national races such as Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Bamar, Mon, Rakhine and Shan have been living for years countable by the thousand. They have built Myanmar on self-reliance into the Union, an independent and sovereign State, where they share weal or woe alike and live in amity. From the dawn of history to date, Myanmar nationals, preserving Myanma culture which is of high standard, have inherited pride of their race, of their origin and of their State from generation to generation. They have persistently safeguarded the sovereignty of the Union with patriotism.

The past events of the Union of Myanmar bear witness to the fact that our nationals have lived with a sense of togetherness in the State, " keeping eggs and nest intact ", and that they have warded off every danger and attempt to break up the Union. It is evident in the history of anti-colonialist movement that while Myanmar nationals were bearing the brunt of unjust colonial rule for over 100 years, they opposed the colonialists for national liberation, picking up whatever weapons they could lay their hands on and resorting to various ways and means at their disposal. The colonialists attempted to prolong the enslavement of Myanmar by sowing discord in racial, social and administrative terms among Myanmar nationals with every intention of creating misunderstanding and suspicion.

Our Myanmar nationals, while fighting for the independence of the nation with anti-colonialist sentiment, Union Spirit and nationalism, managed to manifest national solidarity at the Panglong Conference which was held by the leaders of national races on 12 February 1947. As a result, Myanma independence was regained on 4 January 1948, and the nation has become an independent Union standing tall in the world. After independence, efforts should have been made with added momentum for the improvement of the living standard of the entire national people and the development of the State. Successive governments, however, did not achieve anything significant with respect to the development of the State as the nation had to suffer the consequences of the colonialists' divide and rule policy and their suppression and exploitation for over 40 years and there was no stability and peace and tranquillity in the nation.

In the time of our government, given the lessons taken from past events, the national policy non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty Ñ has been laid down, and national reconsolidation built on the basis of Union Spirit. In this regard, success has been achieved to a significant extent. Subsequently, plans are being drawn to introduce discipline-flourishing democracy compatible with Myanmar society. All-round efforts are being made to improve GDP by implementing short-term economic plans, thus modernizing and developing the nation. After implementation of the short-term four-year plan from 1992-93 to 1995-96 fiscal year, GDP growth rate increased up to 7.5% on average.

Then, a short-term five-year plan which runs from 1996-97 to 2000-2001 has been implemented, and after first four years, annual average growth rate was 7.2%. When the five-year plan is completed at the end of 2000-2001 fiscal year, the annual average growth rate will be at least over 8%. In this way, favourable conditions for the development of the State have been emerging, and if efforts are accelerated with the united strength of all the national races, a new, modern and developed nation, to which the national people aspire, can be built in the not-too-distant future. At the same time, serious attention is being given to achieving social goals such as uplift of health, fitness and standard of education and preservation and uplift of national culture. The success thus achieved in political, economic and social sectors can be ascribed to the concerted efforts exerted by the national people with Union Spirit under the leadership of the government and the strong national force. The entire national people are required to, with constant vigil, ward off dangers against the stability, peace and tranquillity and development of the State where Union Spirit is flowering and the national force is strong. I hereby emphatically urge all the nationals to, while striving for the further flourishing of Union Spirit and patriotism, to make concerted efforts for the realization of the objectives of the 54th Anniversary Union Day, 2001:

- For all the nationals to safeguard the national policy

- non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty;

- Perpetual flourishing of Union Spirit among the entire nationals;

- For all the nationals to strive in harmony and unison for the emergence of an enduring State Constitution leading to emergence of a new discipline-flourishing democratic nation;

- and for all the nationals to ward off with national solidarity the danger of destructionists from inside and outside the nation who are disturbing the stability, peace and development of the State.

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( 2 ) Secretary-2 inspects livestock breeding tasks

Yangon, 11 Feb - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected poultry farms and fish breeding in Mingala-don, Hmawby and Bago Townships today. The Secretary-2, accompanied by Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, inspected the poultry farms of the Production Division of Yangon City Development Committee in Mingaladon Township this morning. The Secretary-2 and party then inspected the raising of fowls for eggs and sanitation work.

They also inspected arrangements to extend poultry farming. In the briefing hall, Maj Tin Tun Win of Production Division reported on the raising of over 60,000 fowls for eggs. Htaukkyant Poultry Farm produces over 25,000 eggs a day, and they are sold at reasonable price at the markets including tax-free markets. Arrangements are being made to raise up to 100,000 fowls at Htaukkyant Poultry Farm. Deputy Minister U Aung Thein and officials made suggestions on poultry farming. The Secretary-2 said that as the number of the fowls at the farm has increased, attention is to be paid to keeping the fowls free from diseases, keeping veterinary medicines readily available and cleanliness and security of the poultry farm. A research section needs to be set up to systematically record the nature of fowls, the rate of egg production and death rate of fowls. In addition to livestock breeding, cultivation of kitchen, seasonal crops and perennial crops need to be done.

The Secretary-2 and party later inspected the fish breeding camp of No 11 LID at Ahtayu Ground in Hmawby Township at 12.30 pm. In the briefing hall, Commander of No 11 LID Brig-Gen Myint Swe reported on the digging of 24 two-acre fish ponds, six seven-acre fish ponds and one 15-acre fish pond at the fish breeding camp. Over 293,400 fishes are being bred at fish ponds. Deputy Minister U Aung Thein gave suggestions on the building of banks of fish ponds and the growing of vegetables and crops on these banks. The Secretary-2 gave instructions and inspected the fish ponds. Afterwards, the Secretary-2 and party went to Thayagon Fish Breeding Camp of Myanmar Pyitha Hay KN Company in Bago Township at the border of Yangon and Bago Divisions.

The Secretary-2 inspected the digging of fish ponds at the camp. Chairman of the Company U Tin Win reported on salient points of the camp. In the briefing hall, Chairman U Tin Win reported again on the building of fish ponds at places in Barlar, Ahtayu, Hsatalin, Thayagon and Yinsu permitted by Yangon and Bago Division Peace and Development Councils and the condition of fish breeding. Secretary of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Min reported on assistance being provided for Thayagon Fish Breeding Camp. The Secretary-2 gave instructions. The Secretary-2 inspected the digging of fish ponds at Hsatalin Ground by the side of No 2 Highway and at Yinsu by the side of Yangon-Bago Highway in Mingalardon Township by KN Company.

Secretary-2 attends donation ceremony at Hninzigon Home for the Aged

Yangon, 11 Feb- Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers offered rice, edible oil, salt and cash to Hninzigon Home for the Aged on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Bahan Township this morning. Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the ceremony.

Also present were Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, heads of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departments concerned, officials, local authorities, officials of the Hninzigon Home for the Aged Management Board, wellwishers and others.

The congregation took the Five Precepts from Chairman of Bahan Township Sangha Nayaka Committee (Wai-luwun) Presiding Nayaka of Thiri Mingala Yadana Beikman Monastery Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita Bhaddanta Iddhinananbhivamsa. The Secretary-2, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Minister U Aung Khin donated provisions to Sayadaws. Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and Officiating Colonel Air Staff (Mechanical) Lt-Col Ye Chit Pe presented rice donated by Tatmadaw families and wellwishers to Chairman of the Home Management Committee U Maung Tin. Today's donations for the Home for the Aged included five bags of rice and K 10,000 by YCDC, 10 bags of rice and K 3,000 by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, 10 bags of rice and K 10,000 by Yangon West District and Bahan Township Peace and Development Councils, 250 viss of iodized salt and 25 tubes of tooth paste by Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and Yangon Division Salt Millers Association, 75 bottles of traditional medicines and K 5,000 by Director-General Professor Dr Kyaw Myint Tun of Traditional Medicine Department and family, 10 viss of edible oil and K 2,000 by Myanmar Edible Oil Merchants and Dealers Association, two bags of rice and K 5,000 by Myanmar Rice Merchants and Brokerage Association, five bags of rice and K 10,000 by Myanmar Rice Millers Association, rice by Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, five bags of rice and K 20,000 each by Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Tin Win-Daw San Win of KN Co, Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt of BTB Co and Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Than Naing-Daw Kyi Kyi Swe of Thamada Robe Shop, two bags of rice by U Aung Mon-Daw Hla Hla Maw, two bags of rice by U Yan Naing-Daw Yi Yi Thein of Sayagyi Co, K 5,000 by Daw Mya Thein, K 30,070 by family of Sandi Traditional Medicine, two bags of rice and K 10,000 by U Tin Aung-Daw Hla Hla Ngwe of Win Yadana Transport Service, 420 bottles of traditional medicines by Hmancho U Hla Htay-Daw Tin Nwe Oo, 210 bottles of traditional medicines and K 10,000 by U Tun Shwe-Daw Thin Thin Swe of Tun Shwewa Traditional Medicine Clinic, K 10,000 by U Khin Maung Tun of Htet Lin Traditional Medicine Clinic, 10 bags of rice and K 30,000 by U Bo Gyi-Daw Than Than of Shwe Padetha Pyilonchantha Traditional Medicine Clinic, K 10,000 by Adviser to the Ministry of Culture Dr Pe Nyan-Daw Hla Kyi, K 10,000 by U Myo Aung-Daw Khin Yi Mon, K 5,000 by Director U Tin Khaing of General Administration Department-Daw Nu Khin and K 4,000 by Police Inspector Daw Khin Win Myint. On behalf of 206 older persons, U Shwe Win, 86, expressed thanks for donations.

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( 3 ) Union Flag conveyed from Hmawby to Yangon Division Sports Grounds

Yangon, 11 Feb-The Union Flag, which rested overnight on the stage of Myoma Sports Grounds, Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, was conveyed to Yangon Division Sports Grounds in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon East District, by the Union Flag relay teams this morning. A ceremony to convey the Union Flag from Myoma Sports Grounds, Hmawby Township, to Yangon Division Sports Grounds in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon East District, was held at the Myoma Sports Grounds in Hmawby.

It was attended by Secretary of Union Flag Conveying Sub-committee Head of Engineering Department (Building) of Yangon City Development Committee U Zaw Win, Joint-Secretary Deputy Head of Department Maj Khin Nyein and members, members of Yangon North District and Township Peace and Development Councils, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of War Veterans Organization and Maternal and Child Welfare Association, national races, members of Myanmar Police Force, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades and local people.

Those present at the ceremony saluted the Flag with the Guard of Honour of Phugyi Station while Phugyi Station band was playing the National Anthem. Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu took the Flag out of silver bowl on the stage at 6.50 am, and carried it flanked by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers, Union nationals and USDA members. He handed it over to Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyay. He planted it in the silver bowl on Union Boat at 6.57 am.

Then, the Flag was conveyed by Union Boat to South Okkalapa Township, Yangon East District, along Pyay-Yangon Road Townships. Along the route, the Flag was saluted and accorded a rousing welcome by over local people and Tatmadaw members of Hmawby and Mingaladon townships, Hmawby and Mingaladon Stations. When the Union Boat conveying the Flag arrived at the Saikpyoyay Bridge on No 3 Highway in North Okkalapa Township, border of Yangon North District and Yangon East District at Hmawby Township, thousands of people welcomed the flag and saluted it. Similarly, the flag was welcomed on it way along Thanthuma Road in South Okkalapa Township by over 80,000 local people in accompaniment of bands, dance troupes and ozi and dohbet troupes.

At 8.20 am, Lt-Col Aung Pyay took it out of the silver bowl and conveyed it flanked by Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and police officers and Union nationals at the corner of Thanthuma and Thissa Roads in South Okkalapa Township. Lt-Col Aung Pyay handed over the Flag to the Flag relay team led by South Okkalapa Township Peace and Development Council U Mya Aung. Flag relay teams relayed the Flag along Thissa and Thumingala Roads. Later, the Flag relay team led by Secretary of Yangon East District USDA U Tin Hlaing accepted the Flag at the entrance of Yangon Division Sports Grounds. U Tin Hlaing then handed over the Flag to Commissioner of District General Administration Department U Hla Soe and party. U Hla Soe handed it over to Lt-Col Aung Pyay again. At 8.55 am, Lt-Col Aung Pyay planted the Flag in the silver bowl on the stage of Yangon Division Sports Grounds.

Those present at the ceremony saluted the Flag together with Guard of Honour of Yangon Command and the public while the Defence Services (Navy) Band was playing the National Anthem. Shwewawin Myawady Anyeint troupe presented traditional dances and music to the audience. A total of 14 townships in the district opened showrooms and sold personal and household goods at the Sports Grounds and Yangon East District Information and Public Relations Department exhibited national, social and religious affairs documentary photos. Similarly, Public Relations and Information Department of YCDC organized presentation of the modern music bands and Myodaw Anyeint troupe on the stage in front of the City Hall of YCDC in this night.

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( 4 ) Contract to purchase girders for Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye) Construction Project signed

Yangon, 11 Feb-Public Works of the Ministry of Construction and China National Constructional and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Corporation of the People's Republic of China signed a contract to purchase girders for Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye) Construction Project at Public Works (Head Office) this morning. Present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing, Director-General of Construction Inspection Department U Soe Tint, Acting Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development Col Tin Tun, heads of departments, Chief Representative Ms Luo Yan of and China National Constructional and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Corporation, officials and guests. Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun delivered a speech. Chief Representative Ms Luo Yan spoke words of thanks. Managing Director U Nay Soe Naing and Chief Representative Ms Luo Yan of CAMC signed the contract. Chief Representative Ms Luo Yan presented K 600,000 for sports committee of Public Works to Managing Director U Nay Soe Naing.

Ministers inspect coop fish breeding ponds in Twantay

Yangon, 11 Feb-Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein and officials yesterday inspected cooperative fish breeding ponds in Htawku Village in Twantay Township. The minister and party met departmental officials, members of the board of directors of fish producers cooperative society and members at Manawthukha fresh water fish breeding and producers cooperative society office. Deputy Director of Yangon Division Cooperative Department U Sein Win reported on digging of fish breeding ponds, investments and data. Chairman of the board of directors of Manawthukha cooperative society and officials reported on fish breeding, investment, sale, technological requirements, market and loss and profit. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported on tasks being undertaken for local fish sufficiency and providing technology. Minister U Aung San gave instructions on self-reliance basis, extended breeding of fish for foreign market and export. Cooperative banks are making arrangements to loan money to fish breeding cooperative societies. Cooperative Department and Cooperative Export Import Enterprise discussed foreign markets and requirements.

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( 5 ) Minister inspects factories in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 11 Feb- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by officials, arrived at Sagaing Textile Factory in Ywathitgyi, Sagaing Division, yesterday morning. The minister inspected functions of the factory. Then, the minister inspected the Wheat Mill and Sagaing Garment Factory. At 11 am, the minister went to Spirulina production unit of Myanma Pharmaceutical Factory at Yekha Pond in Sagaing Township. The minister inspected production of new products with Spirulina contents. Thriving of Spirulina algae was found in 1984 in 200 acres of pond in Twintaung in Budalin Township, 125 acres of Yekha Pond in Sagaing Township, 75 acres of Taungpyauk Pond and 150 acres of Twinma Pond in Kani Township. The minister also inspected 93 kinds of herbal plantation at the Tropical Region Herbal Nursery of the factory.

Minister attends opening of rural road in Maubin

Yangon, 11 Feb-Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Director-General of Development Affairs Department Col Myo Myint and official attended inauguration of Lekine rural road in Maubin Township this morning. Present were Director of Ayeyawady Division Development Committee U Ohn Nyunt, Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing and members, departmental officials, USDA members and local people. Executive Officer U Kyi Win of Maubin Township Development Committee reported on work undertaken. Executive Officer U Kyi Win and Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Hla Than formally opened the gravel road built at a cost of K 500,000. The Lekine rural road is 3,000 feet long linking Yangon-Maubin Road. Director of Ayeyawady Division Development Committee U Ohn Nyunt and Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing formally opened 7,615 feet long Maubin-Pantaput gravel road. It was built at a cost of K 5.5 million including the public contribution of K 1.1 million. The minister inspected Pantaput-Khanaunghtaw Creek. He also met executives of district and township USDAs. He inspected multimedia teaching centre of Kyaungywa affiliated high school and eight-mile Thongwakyun ring road.

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( 6 ) Official leaves to attend ASEAN meeting

Yangon, 11 Feb-Director-General Dr Sein Tin of Central Statistical Organization of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development left here for Thailand by air this morning to attend the ASEAN Statistics Development Steering Committee Meeting sponsored by the United Nations Statistics Division to be held in Bangkok on 12 and 13 February 2001.

Officials leave for Bangkok

Yangon, 11 Feb-Executive Officer U Htay Aung of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Joint Secretary-1 U Aung Kyi Soe of Mandalay Division Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Executive U Win Naing of the Mandalay Division Chamber of Commerce and Industry left here this morning for Bangkok to attend international trade and investment course to be held from 12 to 24 February. They were seen off at the airport by President of UMFCCI U Win Myint, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and officials.

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( 7 ) Commander attends coord meeting of development committees in Kachin State

Yangon, 11 Feb-Kachin State Development Committee and Township Development Affairs Committees held the work coordination meeting at the Town Hall in Myitkyina on 7 February morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Secretary Lt-Col Myint Thein and members, district chairmen, departmental officials, chairmen from 18 townships, Director U Kan Hla of Kachin State Development Affairs Committee and officials. Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win gave a speech. Director U Kan Hla and officials discussed tasks being carried out in the Kachin State and future tasks. Then, the commander attended to their needs and gave the concluding remarks. On 8 February, the commander attended the ceremony to put back into service of four self-reliance roads in Ayezedi Ward to hail the 54th Anniversary Union Day. Deputy Director U Nyo Win of Myitkyina Township Development Affairs Committee reported on purpose of the road construction projects. The commander and officials opened the roads built at a cost of K 3,717,800 contributed by local people and K 2,968,400 by Kachin State and Township Development Affairs Committees. The commander then delivered a speech at the meeting of Kachin State/District/Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations. Afterwards, the commander presented K 20 million towards the funds of Kachin State USDA to Secretary U Ra Wan Jone.

Commander inspects development tasks in Pyapon and Maubin

Yangon, 11 Feb - Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, together with officials, inspected the health care services of Kyokadun Station People's Hospital and construction of a new building for the hospital in Pyapon Township on 9 February. Then, the commander met with executive officer and service personnel of Pyapon Township Development Affairs Department at its office. On 10 February morning, the commander also met with Chairman of Maubin District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing, Director of Division Development Affairs Department U Ohn Nyunt, executive officer and service personnel of Township Development Affairs Department and departmental officials at the office of Maubin Township Development Affairs Department. The commander also inspected construction of roads and cultivation of crops in Maubin District.

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