( 1 ) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shew receives Nepalese Minister of Foreign Affairs

Yangon, 16 Feb- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Chakra Prasad Bastola and party at the Credentials Hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building on Pyay Road at 10 am today.

Also present at the call were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in- Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director- General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department. The guests were accompanied by Charge d'Affaires ai of the Nepalese Embassy Mr Harishchandra Ghimire.

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( 2 ) 'Soon' offering ceremony for title recipient Sayadaws coordinated

Yangon, 16 Feb - A coordination meeting to offer soon to title recipient Sayadaws who will attend the religious title presentation ceremony 2001 was held at Tatmadaw Dhammayon on Arzarni Street this afternoon, attended by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Present also were ministers, the Yangon Mayor, the deputy ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and officials. Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin explained the invitation of Sayadaws and title recipient Sayadaw. Chairmen and officials of work committee and subcommittees reported to the meeting on their arrangements for 'soon' offering ceremony.

After hearing the reports, Secretary- 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe offeres soon to Sayadaws and religious title recipient Sayadaws at Tatmadaw Dhammayon every year, and this year also, 'soon' will be offered to Sayadaws at the Dhammayon. The Secretary-l urged all members of the work committee and sub-committees to make systematic efforts based on experiences of the previous year.

Secretary 1 hosts dinner in honour of Union Day delegates

Yangon, 16 Feb- Chairman of the Central Committee for the 54th ,Anniversary Union Day Secretary-1 of 'the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt hosted a dinner in honour of Union Day delegates, members of the traditional cultural  troupes and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association from states and divisions at Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thingangyun Township at 7 pm today.

Also present were Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, deputy ministers, senior Tatmadaw officers, members of the Central Committee and the Management Committee, national race leaders, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, delegates of Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon and Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and invited guests.

Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and guests, together with the Union pay delegates, enjoyed the dinner. Then, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt cordially greeted the national race leaders and the Union Day delegates and the members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. The artists of Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon and Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and the traditional cultural troupes presented entertainment programmes to the Union Day delegates.

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( 3 ) Secretary-2 receives Ambassador of China

Yangon, 16 Feb- Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo received Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Mr Liang Dong, who had completed his tour of duty, at the Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 8 am today. Also present at the call were Minister for National Planning and  Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department and officials.

Deputy Prime Minister receives Ambassador of Brazil

Yangon, 16 Feb- On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun received Ambassador of the Republic of Brazil to the Union of Myanmar Mr Arnaldo Carrilho, whose office was based in Bangkok and who had completed his tour of duty, at the Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this noon. Also present at the call was Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Commander tours Hmawby, Hlegu Townships

Yangon, 16 Feb- State Peace and Development Council Member Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than inspected agricultural and regional development tasks in Hmawby and Hlegu Townships, Yangon North District, this morning. The Commander visited Taingmyankyaw Poultry Farm at the vegetable and poultry farming special zone-l of Yangon Division at 10.45 am. He inspected the raising of 10,000 fowls for eggs by the battery cage system. Officials reported on production of over 5,000 eggs a day. He gave instructions on cultivation of vegetables around the chicken-run. Next, he inspected construction of Taingmyankyaw Poultry Farm. The farm owner reported on the work to be carried out The Commander gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements.

Afterwards, he inspected construction of poultry farm by Myanmar Shwetharaphu Co Ltd and left instructions. At the Hmawby Hsan Hill members of the special zone supervisory committee reported progress on construction of roads and drains, land reclamation, power supply and water supply. Speaking on the occasion, the Commander said that necessary tasks are being carried out after the special zone supervisory committee has been formed at the special vegetable production and poultry farming zone of Yangon Division, and it has been scheduled to complete all the tasks by the end of March.

He stressed the need for officials- concerned to systematically carry out and supervise the tasks and to report progress of work weekly, and added that permission to breed fish at natural ponds will be given if they are unsuitable for the growing of vegetables and the raising of poultry. Livestock breeding work is to be done during the open season in the special zones, he noted. Later, he inspected construction of greenhouses to be used for growing vegetables, the laying of laterite on streets, the putting up of lamp-posts, and fulfilled the needs. Then, he inspected construction of the 3S.5-mile road which li4ks East Kya- in Village in Hlegu Township and Zagagon Village in Taikkyi Township.

Minister inspects Dawbon, Theinbyu dockyards

Yangon, 16 Feb- Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, arrived at Dawbon Dockyard of Department of Marine Ad- ministration this morning.

In the office of the factory manager, Director-General U Soe Win reported on organizational set-up of the dockyard, training courses and financial matters. The minister gave necessary instructions.Then, the minister and party inspected repair of ships in the yard. Afterwards, the minister inspected the deck hands on-job training hall and the rescue vessel and rescue boat skill training hall. Next, the minister, the deputy minister and party proceeded to Theinbyu Dockyard of Mechanical Engineering Department of Myanmar Port Authority. In the briefing hall, Managing Director U Thein Htay of MPA reported on formation of the dockyard, repair of ships and financial matters and Deputy Central Manager U Myint Thaung on completion of ships built at the dockyard and tasks undertaken by the engineering department. The minister then inspected repair of Haigyi Ship and left necessary instructions.

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( 4 ) Minister meets foreign visitors

Yangon, 16 Feb-  Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone at his office this afternoon met Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr MD Abdul Jalil and party who attended The Third BIMST-EC Trade / Economic Ministerial Meeting here. The Bangladeshi minister was accompanied by Bangladeshi Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Ahmed Rahim. Similarly, the minister this afternoon met Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry of the Republic of India Mr SS Kapur and party who attended the same meeting at the same venue. The Indian minister was accompanied by Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Shyam Saran. Also present at the calls were Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Directors-General U Nyunt Aye and Col Ne Win and officials.

Minister meets Ambassador of Japan

Yangon, 16 Feb- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori at his office this afternoon. They discussed matters related to mutual cooperation. Also present at the call were Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Director-General U Kyi Shein of Budget Department.

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung receives Nepalese Minister

Yangon, 16 Feb-  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Chakra Prasad Bastola, who attended as observer in the Third BIMST-EC Trade/Economic Ministerial Meeting, called on Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung at his office at 2 pm today. They discussed maintaining friendly relations between the two countries and mutual cooperation. Also present at the call was Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win. In the evening, Minister U Win Aung hosted a dinner at Karaweik Palace in honour of the Nepalese minister and party. This morning, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal Mr Chakra Prasad Bastola and party visited Shwedagon Pagoda and Maha Wizaya Pagoda and made donations.

Law enforcement bodies and related departments meet

Yangon, 16 Feb- The first coordination meeting of the Attorney-General's Office, law enforcement bodies and related departments was held at the meeting hall of the Attorney-General's Office this morning, attended by Attorney-General U Tha Tun.

Present also were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Chair- man of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Deputy Chief Justice U Than Oo, Deputy Chief Justice U Khin Maung Latt (Mandalay) Deputy Attorney-General U Khin Maung Aye, Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, member of YCDC Col Tin Soe, directors-general of the Chief Justice's Office, the Attorney-General's Office and ministries, departmental officials and states and divisions law officers.

Attorney-General U Tha Tun delivered a speech. He said the Attorney- General's Office, law enforcement bodies and related departments including MPF, Bureau of Special Investigation, Immigration and National Registration, Development Affairs Department, Health Department and Prisons Department play a vital role to ensure success on the , sending of the cases to court and administration of justice. Then, officials of various departments and associations presented to the meeting on their term papers and the Social Welfare Department on the term paper in child criminal cases. Those present took part in the discussions.

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( 5 ) Mindhamma Hill packed with pilgrims

Yangon, 16 Feb - Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township, where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept, was crowded with pilgrims today. A total of 50 delegates of Pakokku Township Writers and Journalists Association, who will attend Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award Presentation Ceremony, together with officials, this morning visited the Hill and made cash donations to the fund of all-round construction of the Hill. The building of Gandha-kuti Kyaungdawgyi, in which the Image will be kept, continued. Wut associations recited religious verses from 7 am to 10 pm. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Information opened bookshops and sold different kinds of books there. Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central) also sold marble Buddha images, marble rosaries and marble rings. The donations received from 5 August to date amounted to K 143,547,936.

Joint Secretary Sayadaw Bhaddanta Candima leaves for India

Yangon, 16 Feb- A Buddhist mission led by Joint-Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Candima together with Bodh Gaya Myanmar Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Naninda left here for India by air this evening to carry out work for organizing India Pardesi Sangha Nayaka Committee and to attend Htidaw Hoisting ceremony and consecration ceremony of Kuthinayon Chanthagyi Pagoda.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro Rector (Admin) of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Dr Hla Pe, the officials of RAD and Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Chairman of Myanmar Bodh Gaya Kyaungdaw Board of Trustees Thiri Thudhamma Manjotadhara Shwebin Ngwebin U Than Tun and members and lay disciples. The mission comprises Joint-Secretary of the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Osadhabhivamsa, member Sayadaws Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kunalajoti and Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kitti and Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U San Lwin.

Under the leadership of Presiding Sayadaw of the Myanmar monastery Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Nanissara, the building of Maha Thukhandada Chanthagyi Pagoda, the replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, 108 feet high, has started since March 1998 in accordance with Myanmar architectural design in front of Kuthinayon Myanmar Monastery in Uttarpradesh State, India, where the Lord Buddha attained Nirvana. Now the construction work has been completed. The htidaw hoisting ceremony and the consecration and merit-sharing ceremony will be held on a grand scale on 20 February . The wellwishers led by Chairman of the Committee for Building the Pagoda U Aye and Secretary U Tint Swe also left for India on the same flight to share merits on behalf of wellwishers in Myanmar.

Upgraded Maha Myaing cinema launched

Yangon, 16 Feb- A ceremony to open upgraded Maha Myaing Cinema was held at the cinema in Thiri Street, Insein Township, this morning.

Present at the ceremony were Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Secretary of National Convention Convening Commission Work Committee U Aye Maung and Joint-Secretary U Thaung Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, departmental heads, distinguished guests, the chairman of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon and executives, the chairman of Myanmar Music Asiayon and.executives, officials of Saytaman Co Ltd and Excellent Creation Co Ltd and staff of the cinema.

Managing Director of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise U Bo Kyi, Managing Director of Saytaman Co Ltd U Zaw Tun Aung and Chairman of Excellent Creation Co Ltd U Wai Lwin formally opened the cinema. Then, Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung unveiled the signboard of the cinema. The ministers, the deputy ministers, departmental personnel and guests were reported on the progress of renovation of the cinema with the use of audio visual aids. Afterwards, they viewed round the cinema. Films are shown four times a day at the cinema.

Delegates to Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award Presentation Ceremony tour Yangon

Yangon, 16 Feb- The delegates who will attend the Pakokku U Ohn Pe Literary Award Presentation Ceremony, accompanied by officials, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and made cash donations this morning. On arrival there, they were welcomed and conducted round the pagoda by officials of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. Next, the delegates proceeded to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image kept on Mindhamma Hill where they were welcomed and briefed by Stone Sculptor U Taw Taw, Patron of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Shein Aung Bo and officials. They paid homage to the pagoda and made donations. Then, the delegates visited City Plantation and Resort of Yangon City Development Committee in Uto, Taikkyi Township, and they were welcomed there and briefed by officials on salient points of the resort and farming. The delegates then viewed the plantation and resort.

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( 6 ) Vientiane Mayor and party view agriculture, livestock breeding tasks in Uto-kya-in region

Yangon, 16 Feb-  Vientiane Mayor Mr Bounheuang Douang Phachanh and party, currently here at the invitation of Yangon City Mayor U Ko Lay, viewed agriculture and livestock breeding tasks in Uto-kya-in region in Taikkyi Township being undertaken by YCDC, this morning. They were welcomed by Yangon City Development Committee member Col Thaung Wai and officials. The guests were briefed on agriculture and livestock breeding tasks being undertaken in Uto-kya-in region, fish breeding, cultivation of kitchen crops, operating of 25-ton rice mill, oil mill and briquette factory. Next, the guests visited Kyontahmyin poultry farm and paddy fields in Kya-in region. Then, Col Thaung Wai and officials hosted a lunch at the Club House. Afterwards, the guests visited Ngwe Thawda Golf Course in Insein Township. In the evening, Mayor U Ko Lay hosted a dinner to them at Yangon City Hotel.

Malaysian Deputy Minister concludes visit

Yangon, 16Feb- Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Malaysia Dato Seri Haji Mohd Shariff Bin Haji Omar f d his wife, who were on a visit here to promote cooperation on sectors of fisheries and edible palm oil and other economic sectors between the two nations, left here for home by air this morning.

The visiting Malaysian Deputy Minister and party were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minster for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein and wife, Ambassador of Malaysia Dato Muhammad Bin Noh and wife and officials.

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( 7 ) Union Day Exhibition continues

Yangon, 16 Feb- The 54tn Anniversary Union Day Exhibition continued for the eighth day at Tatmadaw Convention Centre on U Wisara Road here today. Various exhibition booths such as those on the origin of man, traditions and cultures of national races, independence struggles, Union Spirit and Panglong Conference as well as those of various ministries were crowded with visitors at the Exhibition.

Bookshops of News and Periodicals Enterprise and Sarpay Beikman of the Ministray of Information and other private bookshops were opened there. The 56th Anniversary Union Day Exhibition Organizing Committee arranged a quiz and 50,000 kyats will he awarded to the winners.The students of No 11 No 16 and No 17 Basic Education Primary Schools in Sangyoung Township and visitors totalling 3,074 viewed the exhi6ition. The Union Day Exhibition will be kept open w 9 am to 5 pm daily till 18 February.

Second Meeting of the High Level  Task Force for Inter-Country Collaboration held

Yangon, 16 Feb- The Second Meeting of the High Level Task Force for Inter- Country Collaboration was held at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning. Present were high ranking officials of Myanmar, India Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, Nepal and Maldives. Director-General Dr Kyi Soe of Health Planning Department presided over the meeting and gave an opening speech. Also present were South- East Asian Regional Deputy Director Ms Poonam Khetrapal Singh of WHO and officials

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