( 1 ) Secretary-l attends donation ceremony marking 64th birthday anniversary of Thitagu Sayadaw

Yangon, 3 March-The Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by the ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments, attended the opening multimedia teaching centre of the basic education high school in Thegon this morning.

Then, the Secretary-l and party went to Myatheindan Pagoda in Thegon. The Secretary-1 paid homage to Hsutaungpyi Buddha Image at Dhammayon in the precincts of the pagoda. The Secretary-1 made donations to the funds of the pagoda.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 paid homage to Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara. Next, the Secretary-1 and party attended the ceremony to donate cash to the funds for renovation of Myatheindan Pagoda, to share merits gained for the donation ceremony of the 64th Birthday Anniversary of Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara and to donate teaching aids to the basic education high school.

Also present were Ovadacariya Honorary Professor of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamajotikadha Maha Dhamma Kathika Bahujanahiitadhara Thabeikai Tawya Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ranisara and members of the Sangha, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, the ministers, the deputy ministers, members. wellwishers and local people.

The Secretary- 1 and party the congregation received the Five Precepts from Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanisara. The Thitagu Sayadaw presented the list of teaching aids donated to Thegon BEHS by the Sayadaw him self and disciples, to the Secretary-1 . The Secretary-1 offered alms to the Thitagu Sayadaw. The Secretary-1 also accepted the donations made to the funds for maintenance of teaching aids.

The donations included K 100,000. The Secretary-1 then accepted the donations to the funds for the renovation of Myatheindan Pagoda. Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nanissara delivered an Ovadakatha. The Thitagu Sayadaw also presented gifts to the Secretary-1. Then, the Thitagu Sayadaw delivered a sermon, and the congregation shared merits. The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.

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( 2 ) Thegon BEHS gets multimedia teaching centre

Yangon, 3 March-Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, left here for Thegon by helicopter this morning and arrived there at 9.45 am.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, Chairman of Bago Division (Western Branch) Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Phone Swe, members of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. The Secretary-1, together with Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, went to Thegon Basic Education High School. They were welcomed by the director general of No 1 Basic Education Department, officials, division, district and township education officers, teachers, members of the School Board of Trustees, the pompom dance troupe and students. A ceremony to open a multimedia teaching centre was held in front of the school.

Headmaster U Ohn Thwin and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Thein Lwin formally opened the centre. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of the centre. The Secretary-1 and party inspected computer application and e-mail, computer aided instruction, printed media (reading corner), display media, electronic media (language lab), electronic media (video system), art studio and domestic science rooms, and observed skill demonstration of students at respective rooms. The ceremony was attended by Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, the ministers,  Thegon BEHS gets multimedia the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Division Council (West) and members, members of Township Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, headmaster, teachers, members of School Board of Trustees, members of Thidagu missionary group and guests. The students presented their skill in music. Headmaster U Ohn Thwin reported on opening of the multimedia teaching centre and Chairman of School Board of Trustees on efforts for opening of the centre.

The Secretary-1 presented teaching video tape to Headmaster U Ohn Thwin. The Secretary-1 said the government has been implementing education promotion programme with the aim of uplift of national education in cooperation with the people. Multimedia teaching centre was opened in Thegon with the active cooperation of the people. He said success will surely be achieved if the government cooperates with the people. In an effort to serve the interests of the people in unity, Myanmar people possess significant dignity which is quite different from that of any people according to gene and spirit, he said. In Myanmar, active cooperation of the people is in the forefront in the government's every endeavour for national interests, he said. Thitagu Sayadaw Ashin „anisara established the multimedia teaching centre in his native township to nurture the new generation students for turning out future leaders, intellectuals and intelligentsia, he added. He cited that Thegon Township is place where well-known Thitagu missionary Sayadaw and other famous figures were born.

The Secretary-1 called for producing intellectuals and intelligentsia and brilliant ones on whom the State will rely with the use of the multimedia teaching centre. Next, the Secretary-1 presented K 100,000 for funds of the school and 100 sets of desks and chairs to the headmaster. The Secretary-1 had photo taken with teachers, members of School Board of Trustees and students. Thitagu Sayadaw presented seven IBM computer worth K 2,809,400, seven Philip TV sets, two air-conditioners, 18 reflection lamps, one AVR and one Sony TV and the Secretary-1 and wife Daw Khin Win Shwe a photo copier worth K 740,000 and one AVR. Wellwishers Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and wife Daw Moh Moh presented one Inject printer worth K 70,000, U Pyone Maung Maung and wife Daw Khin Thida Tun 36 interactive language lab, Saya Nyein, Saya Ni and U Thein Tun Pe of Yangon seven UPS batteries, seven AVRs and one printer, Lt-Col Soe Lwin and wife Daw Khin San Yin, U San Aung-Daw Aye Mya Kya Phyu and U Aung Thein-Daw Hla Win Kyi K 100,000 each, students K 80,000, Dr Kyaw Tin-Daw Myint Myint Sein, U Tin Ohn-Daw Khin Oo Hlaing K 50,000 each, factory manager U Aung Kyi K 31,920, School Board of Trustees K 40,500 and parents K 1,679,243.

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( 3 ) Press Conference on attack of SURA insurgents on Tatmadaw camp

Yangon, 3 March-A Press Conference on the recent attack of SURA opium trafficking insurgents on Lwe-dawkham camp of Tatmadaw in Tachilek Township, Shan State, was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road at 9 am today. It was attended by Deputy Chief of Office of Strategic Studies Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Director of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint, Head of Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Thein Swe, Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of Myanma Radio and Television, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise, advisers, chief editors of dailies, Chief Editor U Win Tin and editors of Myanma News Agency (Internal), Patron of Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win and member correspondents and officials of the Ministry of Defence.

General Staff Officer (Grade II) Maj Aung Zaw of Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence acted as master of ceremonies. General Staff Officer (Grade-I) Lt-Col San Pwint of Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence elaborated on the attack on Lwedawkham camp of Tatmadaw in Tachilek Township, Shan State, made by SURA opium trafficking insurgents. Some incidents of the attack were explained with the use of video. Those present put queries and Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and officials replied to their queries. The Press Conference came to an end at 9.45 am. After the Press Conference, the correspondents and the guests studied the map showing the attack of SURA insurgents.

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( 4 ) Cash donated to Tatmadaw members

Yangon, 3 March-The second ceremony to donate cash to Tatmadaw members who are performing their duties in remote border areas was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this morning. It was attended by Deputy Chief of the Office of the Strategic Studies Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Head of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Thein Swe, high-ranking military officers, well-wishers and guests. First, Gangawdaw U Myo Aung of Diamond Dragon Co, on behalf of well-wishers, explained the purpose of donation.

Then, Asia Wealth Bank donated K 3.2 million, U Kyu (Flour Mill) family, Light House Enterprise Ltd and OK Brothers Enterprise Ltd K 3 million, Diamond Dragon Co Ltd K 2 million, Loi Hein Co Ltd K 1 million and Thilawa International Co Ltd K 300,000. Maj-Gen Kyaw Win accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour.Those who were not able to attend the ceremony also made donations. They were K 3.1 million by U Tun Win and group, K 3 million by KLN Co Ltd and K 1 million by Kanbawza Bank Ltd. The total donation amounted to 16.6 million.

Foodstuff, gifts sent to forward areas

Yangon, 3 March-Well- wishers have presented local-made foodstuff and gifts to Tatmadawmen who, upholding Our Three Main National Causes non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty, and are discharging duty in far-flung forward areas of the State.

Of the local-made foodstuff and gifts, Head of Department of Office of Strategic Studies Col Than Tun and party sent the donations to the forward areas for the first time by Tatmadaw aircraft this morning. Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than and Deputy Chief of Office of Strategic Studies and Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win inspected the foodstuff and gifts at Mingaladon Air Force Base and gave necessary instructions boxes of Oishi fried potato bars, 10 boxes of candy and 12 boxes of tea salad, left here at 10.40 am and arrived in Kengtung at 12.15 noon. Col Than Tun and party were welcomed at Kengtung Airport by officers of Triangle Region Command. Then, Col Than Tun and party went to No 1 Military Hospital in Kengtung and handed over some of the foodstuff for warded Tatmadawmen. Commandant of the hospital Maj Myo Myit Aung and officer accepted the donations. Col Than Tun explained the purpose of the donations. The commandant and officials spoke words of thanks. Afterwards, Col Than Tun and party arrange to send the donations to Tatmadawmen from far-flung military areas.

Commander inspects development tasks in Htantabin Township

Yangon, 3 March- Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, accompanied by Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and division level departmental officials, inspected regional development tasks in Htantabin Township, Yangon North District, this evening.

At 3.30 pm, the commander arrived at the junction of Shwepyitha Bridge road and Htantabin short-cut road on Hlinethaya Bank and inspected completion of paving laetrile on the short-cut road. In the temporary briefing hall, Director U Soe Tint of Yangon Division Development Committee of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs reported on progress in paving of laetrile on Shwepyitha Bridge-Htantabin Road, supply of laetrile, construction of earthen road and long and   12-ft-wide bridges out of four on the road.

After hearing reports, the commander attended to the requirements. And the commander gave instructions on construction of Shwepyitha Bridge-Htantabin Road as quickly as possible, paving laetrile on the road and construction tasks of No 4 bridge to be completed on 10 March. Then, the commander and party inspected paving laetrile on Shwepyitha Bridge-Htantabin Road and earthen work. The commander inspected construction site of No 4 bridge and gave instructions on timely completion of the bridge. Shwepyitha Bridge-Htantabin Road, nine miles and two furlongs long, is over six miles shorter than the 16 miles long road from Htantabin-Thayaaye junction to Bayintnaung Bridge. Arrangements are being made for construction of Shwepyitha Bridge-Htantabin earthen Road to be completed on 10 March and opening of the road before 27 March. Then, the commander went to the end of Yangon Division area along Yangon-Nyaungdon Road and inspected thriving summer paddy fields on both sides of the road.

Tatmadaw columns continue practising drills

Yangon, 3 March-The 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade will be held on a grand scale at the Resistance park on U Wisara Road. Tatmadaw Columns practised drills at the Resistance Park from 6 am to 10 am today.

Under the leadership of Parade Commander Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min, Tatmadawmen of Anawrahta Column led by Col San Aye Hla, Kyansittha Column led by Col Sein Win, Bayintnaung Column led by Col Aye Myint Maung, Nawade Column led by Captain Aye Pe (Navy), Aungzeya Column led by Col Thein Hlaing, Hsinbyushin Column led by Col Myo Thant (Air), Bandoola Column led by Col Zaw Win Myint, Myawady Column led by Col Kyaw Htoo Lwin and Aung San Column led by Col Hla Ngwe participated in the drills. Chairman of Security Work Committee for Observance of the Armed Forces Day Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Commandant of Defence Services (Army) Officer Training School Brig-Gen Kyaw Thu, Tatmadaw officers and officials inspected the drills.

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( 5 ) Sayadaws arrive to attend Seventh Meeting of Fourth State Central Working Committee of the Sangha

Yangon, 3 March-Sayadaws from states and divisions arrived here by train, by car, by boat and by air to attend the Seventh Meeting of the Fourth State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and religious titles presentation ceremony, to be held at Maha Pathana Cave on Kaba Aye Hill on 8 March on a grand scale. Altogether 15 State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, forty-one member Sayadaws of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and two title recipient Sayadaws from Mandalay Division arrived here by train yesterday morning, four State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, 15 member Sayadaws of SCWCS, 18 title recipient Sayadaws and seven title recipient nuns from Sagaing Division by train this morning and one State Ovadacariya Sayadaw and eight member Sayadaws of SCWCS from Mon State by train this morning and were welcomed by Secretary of Reception and Accommodation Sub-committee for Holding the Meeting and presenting religious title Director of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U San Aung and members, Chairperson of Records and Information Sub-committee Director Daw Khin Nwe Han Kyi, Secretary Deputy Director U Than Win and officials and lay disciples at Yangon Station and accommodated at the hostels on the Hill. Similarly, six State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, 13 member Sayadaws of SCWCS and eight title recipient Sayadaws from Magway Division arrived by car this morning and one State Ovadacariya Sayadaw, seven members Sayadaws of SCWCS and one title recipient Sayadaw from Kayin State by car this afternoon.

They were welcomed and accommodated at the hostels by officials of the Sub-committee. Likewise, one State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, two member Sayadaws of SCWCS and three title recipient Sayadaws from Kayah State arrived by air this morning, two State Ovadacariya Sayadaws and five member Sayadaws of SCWCS from Taninthayi Division by air this morning and evening, six member Sayadaws of SCWCS and three title recipient Sayadaws from Rakhine State by air yesterday evening, one State Ovadacariya Saya-daw, six member Sayadaws of SCWCS and two title recipient Sayadaws from Shan State by air yesterday evening, one State Ovadacariya Sayadaw and two title recipient Sayadaws from Taninthayi Division by air this evening and one State Ovadacariya Sayadaw, three member Sayadaws of SCWCS and three title recipient Sayadaws from Shan State (South) by air this evening. The Sayadaws were welcomed at Yangon International Airport and accommodated at hostels on the Hill by Secretary of Records and Information Sub-committee Deputy Director of DPPS U Than Win and officials. Moreover, four State Ovadacariya Sayadaws and two member Sayadaws of SCWCS from Ayeyawady Division arrived by boat this morning and were welcomed at port and accommodated at the hostels on Kaba Aye Hill.

All-round renovation of Kyaikhtiyoe Pagoda under way

Yangon, 3 Mar- All-round renovation of Kyaik-htiyoe Pagoda is well under way under the patronage of Sayadaws of State Sanhga Maha Nayaka Committee. Chairman of Thaton District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Aung, Chairman Maj Aung Chit (Retd) of Pagoda Board of Trustees and members and technicians were supervising the work for systematic implementation of the project today. The pagoda platform was teeming with pilgrims. Technicians were systematically carrying out the tasks for hoisting of new Htidaw atop the pagoda. A team led by Lecturer U San Kyu of Yangon Technological University applied Sikalatex chemical waterproof paint donated by Aung Pyi Tan Co to the pagoda. Civil engineers and geologists of YTU also performed the tasks of measuring hardness and stress of the boulder with the use of Schmidt hammer. Floor tiles were being laid at the pagoda platform. Daw Saw Mya family (A-1 Sweet Co) of Mandalay donated a gold plate worth K 60,000, U Maung Hsaung-Daw Sein Pyu family, U Pan Aung-Daw Ohn May family, U Than Htay-Daw Saw May and Ko Tun Wai-Daw Hla Wai family a gold ring, an ear ring and a gold ear-plug, Daw Aye Aye Maw of No 28, 7th mile, U Lun Maung Street, Mayangon Township a wheel chair, U Kyaw Lwin-Daw Aye Sint family of Yangon two gold rings and Daw Tin Hlaing and Ma Win Win Swe family K 100,000 for new Htidaw. Maj Aung Chit (Retd) and officials accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors. The donations from 12 December to 2 March amounted to K 81,009,525.

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( 6 ) Minister inspects purchase depot and warehouses

Yangon, 3 March-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, together with Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials, arrived at Myoma purchase depot and warehouses in Taikkyi Township yesterday morning. At the briefing hall, Division Assistant Manager U Thein Aung and officials reported on purchase and storage of crops. The minister gave instructions on purchase of crops to exceed the target, transport of purchased crops to the warehouses in time and prevention measures against natural disasters, and inspected purchase of crops and the warehouses. They then proceeded to the crop purchasing depot in Kyaiksakaing Village. The minister left instructions on minimizing loss and wastage, purchase of crops, the signing of contracts for purchasing crops and measures for transporting crops to the warehouses, and inspected the storage of crops. The minister later fulfilled requirements.

Cash donated to U Hla Tun Cancer Hospice

Yangon, 3 March-The Women of ASEAN in Yangon (WAY) donated K 1.5 million to U Hla Tun Hospice (Cancer) Foundation at a ceremony held at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon. Present were wife of the director-general of Protocol Department Daw Saw Mya and officials, President of the Foundation Sayagyi U Hla Tun and officials, well-wisher Chairperson of WAY wife of the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam Datin Suzy Asmalee, member wives of Ambassadors of Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand and officials. Datin Suzy Asmalee explained the purpose of the donation and presented K 1.5 million to Sayagyi U Hla Tun, who briefed them on the history of the Foundation and expressed his thanks.

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( 7 ) Myanma Alin, Kyemon dailies published in Mandalay

Yangon, 3 March-With a view to enabling the public of states, divisions, districts, townships and villages in Upper Myanmar to read newspapers as early as possible, Kyemon and Myanma Alin dailies of News and Periodicals Enterprise are being printed and distributed at the sub-printing house of News and Periodicals Enterprise between 82nd and 93rd streets and 20th and 21st streets in Pale Ngweyaung Ward, Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay, beginning 1 March. The sub-printing house receives news and photos to print dailies with the use of modern communication technology and data broadcasting system. As the sub-printing house directly distributes Myanma Alin and Kyemon dailies to townships of Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions, Kachin State and Shan State (North) daily, newspaper agents in Mandalay need not go to Mandalay International Airport to collect newspapers. They can now collect newspapers at the sub-printing house of Kyemon and Myanma Alin dailies in Mandalay early in the morning. News-vendors sell Myanma Alin and Kyemon dailies at busy bus stops, markets and the railway station, and Mandalay city dwellers are seen buying newspapers with delight.

Coordination meeting AWB branches held

Yangon, 3 March-A coordination meeting of upper Myanmar bank branches of Asia Wealth Bank Ltd was held yesterday at the bank branch at 28th Street in Mandalay. Vice-Chairman of AWB Ltd U Aik Tun deli-vered a speech. Managing Director U Aung Zaw Naing and Deputy Managing Director U Thein Khaing discussed banking services.

The meeting continues till 4 March. Deposits of the people are over K 100,000 million and AWB dispersed about K 77,000 million to entrepreneurs. The bank donated K 550 million for religious, health and education matters. Annual revenues of the bank to the State have risen and revenues in 2000 was K 629 million. In 2001 it is expected to reach over K 900 million.

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( 8 ) Mayor inspects sea prawn breeding and cultivation of vegetables

Yangon, 3 March-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and officials inspected the sea prawn breeding project in Kyauktan Township and Maso Bridge agriculture and livestock breeding project in Dagon Myothit (South) this morning. Officials reported to him on prawn breeding work and the digging of ponds, and the mayor gave instructions. The mayor and party went to the site of Maso Bridge agriculture and livestock breeding project in Dagon Myothit (South). Officials reported on cultivation of vegetables in the green house. The mayor gave instructions on the sale of the products at tax-free markets and the opening of vegetable shops.

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