(1) More railroads, roads being built in Shan State (South) for regional progress General Maung Aye discusses transport and economy in Taunggyi 

YANGON, 1 July - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and party attended a meeting to coordinate the Taunggyi-Namhsan Railroad Project at Eastern Command Headquarters on 29 June.

Speaking at the meeting, General Maung Aye said the government is striving to develop the land, water  and air transport which is the main sector for progress of economic and social sectors of the states and  divisions. The motor roads as well as railroads have been built in Shan State since the present government  has taken over the State's duties, Shwenyaung-Lawksawk Railroad, Aungban-Pinlong-Loikaw Railroad,  Shwe-nyaung-Taunggyi Railroad, Taunggyi-Banyin Railroad, Banyin-Hsaikkhaung Railroad and Namhsan-Mongnai railroad have been built. Coordinations should be made on the construction of the  remaining Hsaikkhaung-Ponchaung-Namhsan Railroad.

Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin reported to the  meeting on finding the axis of the 48-mile-long Hsaikkhaung-Ponchaung section and 55-mile-long Pon-chaung-Namhsan section of the Taunggyi-Namhsan Railroad Project, earth works and requirements with the help of maps and charts.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun presented arrangements to provide assistance to the project, joined in by Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Maung Bo. In giving suggestions, General Maung Aye spoke of the need to strive for timely completion of the Hsaikkhaung-Ponchaung-Namhsan Railroad. Taunggyi-Banyin-Hsaikkhaung section of the Taunggyi-Namhsan Railroad Project has already been opened.

The103-mile-long Hsaikkhaung-Ponchaung-Namhsan Railroad will be built for regional development. At 3 p.m., the General and party met with Shan State level officials, chairmen and members of Taunggyi  District and Township Peace and Development Councils, district and township level officials and service  personnel at Thanlwin Hall of the Command. Minister for National Planning and Economic Development  U Soe Tha reported to the meeting on the progress of the State's economy in fiscal 2000-2001, economic  development of southern Shan State and the targets of the fiscal 2001-2002, the first year of the third five-year national economic plan. Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo explained accomplishments to exceed the economic targets of Shan (South) in fiscal 2000-2001, arrangements for successful implementation of the projects of fiscal 2001-2002 and progress in monsoon paddy cultivation.

General Maung Aye said they come there to inspect the assignment of duties and to look into the requirements. The government has been laying down and implementing the short-term national economic plans for national economic growth. Due to the ardent participation of the government employees and the people, the targets of the first four-year national economic plan which began in 1992-93 had been over fulfilled.

The Second Short-Term Five-Year Plan was implemented from 1996-97 to 2000-2001 based on the First Four-Year Plan that gained achievements. During the Second Short-Term Five-Year Plan, economic performance exceeded the targets. He said the two short-term plans were successfully implemented exceeding the targets due to the active participation of the service personnel and the people.

The government acknowledged their endeavours, he added. Beginning from 2001-2002 the Third Short-Term Five- Year Plan is now being carried out. Duties were assigned to the states and divisions and ministries concerned after discussing the annual targets of the economic plan, he said. Economic growth rates laid down by central are the objectives of the plan that can be achieved, he said. The General urged officials to implement the Third Short-Term Five- Year Plan successfully based on the achievements of the two previous plans, to cooperate among departments and to make field trips to grassroots levels.

He said efforts are to be made for sector-wise boosting production and export in implementing the plans. He also said efforts are also to be made to fall down the cost and to supervise waste of time and materials. He said duties have been assigned for boosting production of regional products and for sufficiency of rice, kitchen crops and fish and meat in the states and divisions including Shan State (South) without relying on other regions.

He spoke of the need for the Shan State (South) to stand on its own feet and to make efforts for sufficiency of rice, edible oil, vegetables and fish and meat. He said departments and the Tatmadaw members have to undertake the tasks for sufficiency of crops and fish and meat without fail.

He also spoke on collecting taxes in the region. Human resources are much needed for national development and national development cannot be done without educated persons. That is why the government is fulfilling the requirements in the education sector in the states and divisions for human resources development.

Arrangements have been made for learning advanced arts and science technology in the respective regions and requirements are being provided for development of health and social sectors, he added. He urged the states and divisions to make efforts for development. General Maung Aye cordially met  departmental officials and service personnel. CEC members of USDA Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone, U Soe Tha, U  Thaung and Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw met Secretary of Shan State USDA and executives, secretaries of Taunggyi and Loilem Districts and Taunggyi, Nyaungshwe, Kalaw and Hopong Township USDAs,  executives and organizers at Thanlwin Hall in the evening.

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(2) Exercise books and pencils presented to basic and monastic education schools in four townships 

A ceremony to present exercise books and pencils to basic education primary schools and monastic education schools under the arrangement of Myanmar Education Committee was held at Kanaung Hall of  Hlinethaya Industrial City this afternoon, attended by Chairman of MEC Secretary-1 of the State Peace  and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers U Myo Nyunt and Brig-Gen.  Soe Win Maung, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,  heads of departments, chairmen of Yangon North District and Hlinethaya, Shwepyitha, Insein and  Thakayta Township Peace and Development Councils and members, school heads of basic education  schools, members of the school boards of trustees, officials of monastic education schools, members of the  Union Solidarity and Development Association, teachers, students and officials.

The Secretary-1 said the government is implementing education promotion programmes and launching a  campaign designed to ensure that all school-age children go to school. Humanitarian associations such as  Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs  and Myanmar Red Cross Society are also providing assistance to the campaign. Wellwishers also  presented provisions individually or in groups, he said.

Exercise books and pencils were presented to 31 schools 21 basic education schools and 10 monastic  education schools from Shwepyi-tha, Hlinethaya, Insein and Thakayta Townships with the contribution of  wellwishers, he said. He believed that such provision is not a perfect one but it will be useful for the students to some extent. He said the teachers are to distribute the exercise books and pencils to the students. He urged teachers and parents to make efforts for successful implementation of educational  objectives of the State in cooperation with regional authorities.

The Secretary-1, Minister U Than Aung, the deputy ministers and the vice-mayor presented the exercise  books and pencils to representatives of basic education schools and monastic education schools. Headmaster U Tin Win of No 18 Basic Education School in Hlinethaya Township thanked the donors.  The Secretary-1 met the school heads, members of the school boards of trustees and students

Altogether 5,000 dozens of exercise books and 2,000 dozens of pencils were donated to 31 basic education and monastic education schools in four townships.

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(3) Secretary-3 meets members of War Veterans Supervisory Committees 

YANGON, 1 July- Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen. Win Myint who  accompanied Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief  of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye met with personnel concerned of  Shan State (South), Taunggyi District and Taunggyi, Yaksawk, Hopong, Kalaw and Nyaungshwe  Township War Veterans Supervisory Committees at Thanlwin Hall of Eastern Command Headquarters  yesterday afternoon.

The Secretary-3 explained the tasks being implemented by MWVO Central Organizing Committee. Present together with the Secretary-3 were Vice-Chairman of MWVO Central Organizing Committee  Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Central Executive Committee members Minister for Science  and Technology U Thaung and Director-General of Information and Public Relations Department U Chit  Naing. Central Executive Committee member of Union Solidarity and Development Association Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone met with secretaries and executives of Shan State (South), Taunggyi District and Township  USDAs at Shan State (South) USDA Office in Taunggyi at 8.30 p.m. yesterday.

Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone also held discussions with staff of departments under the  Ministry of Commerce at Shan (South) Manager's Office of the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading at  9.30 p.m. the same day. The minister urged them to strictly observe the rules and regulations, to  implement staff welfare programmes and to conduct farming. During the inspection of the rice warehouses, he spoke of the need to store the bags of rice systematically.

Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein inspected repair and construction of buildings in the compound of  Tuberculosis Hospital in Taunggyi and school health department and maternal and child health  departments. The minister stressed the need to plant trees in the compound. Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw inspected the auto-exchange stations in Taunggyi.

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(4) Ambassador U Kyaw Myint accredited to Chile

YANGON, 2 July-The Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Union of Myanmar has  appointed U Kyaw Myint, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the  Federal Republic of Brazil, concurrently as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of  Myanmar to the Republic of Chile.

Export-oriented interior decoration booth opened  

YANGON, 1 July-Hailing the International Day of Cooperatives, the Good Living Interior Cooperative Export Earning Practice booth of Htoo Char General Services and Trading Ltd was opened at 259/263, corner of Bogyoke Street and 39th Street here this morning. Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, the directors-general and managing directors and officials of the Ministry of Cooperatives, members of Board of Directors of Htoo Char General Services and Trading Cooperative Ltd, staff, students and guests attended the ceremony.

Minister U Aung San pressed the button to open the signboard of the booth. Then, Director-General of the  Cooperatives Department Col Soe Win and Chairman of the cooperative limited U Thein Lwin formally  opened the booth. Afterwards, the ministers, the deputy minister, officials and guests viewed the modern  furniture displayed in the booth. The designs have been created with the help of the computers by the  skilled designers.

Door to door decoration services for residences, hotels, flats, restaurants, showrooms and offices are  offered, and counselling services and computer designing services for modern furniture are also offered.  International standard furniture are on sale by delivery system at the booth opened from 9 am to 5 p.m.  daily.

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(5)   Kyauktan sea prawn breeding station inspected 

YANGON, 1 July-Chairman of the Committee for Extended Meat/Fish Breeding and Production Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen. Tin Ngwe, Vice-Chairman Minister for Livestock and Fisheries  Brig-Gen. Maung Maung Thein, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay and officials inspected Kyauktan sea prawn breeding station near Kayet Village, Kyauktan Township, here, being undertaken by YCDC this afternoon.

They were welcomed there by YCDC Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win, Head of Production Department U Than  Sein and respective heads, Additional-Head Maj. Tin Pe and officials of the station, and were conducted  round the station. Then, instructions on selling of prawns at correct prices according to the sizes and  seeking ways for direct marketing of sea prawns were given to responsible persons.

Afterwards, they inspected sea prawn breeding ponds, the catching of prawns in pond No A-4, growth of  prawns in pond No A-5 and hatching and nursery of shrimp fry. At the briefing hall, they heard a report  by Director of Fisheries Department U Min Thein on the breeding of sea prawns of private companies and  YCDC in Kyauktan sea prawn breeding zone and plans to get benefits in the long run. Next, they left  instructions on tasks to be implemented for promotion of breeding and production of sea prawns, and  attended to the needs.

Commander inspects agriculture and livestock breeding work in Mingaladon

YANGON, 1 July-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, together  with Commander of No 2 Military Region Col Tin Oo Lwin and high-ranking officers of the command,  inspected agriculture and livestock breeding work of local regiment in Mingaladon Township, Yangon  North District, this morning and fulfilled the requirements. The commander arrived at the local regiment  where he was reported by officiating commander of the regiment Maj. Zaw Tun on plans under way for  cultivation of monsoon paddy, growing of vegetables and livestock breeding work being carried out.

Then, the commander gave instructions on tasks to be implemented in four methods, cultivation at all vacant land, planting of perennial trees such as neem trees, tamarind trees, toddy palms and shady trees  and daily sale of vegetables at tax-free markets. Afterwards, he inspected regiment-owned and company- owned vegetable patches and joint-venture vegetable patches and left instructions on constant cultivation.  He next inspected breeding of broilers, layers and fish and urged the officials to implement the tasks in accordance with the plans, and left the regiment in the afternoon.

The regiment will cultivate 100 acres of monsoon paddy and 100 acres of summer paddy. It has grown  vegetables in 15 acres of land and planted perennial trees in 35 acres of land. A total of 6,430 layers,  27,200 broilers, 600 ducks, 15 cows, 85 goats, 30 pigs and fish are being raised at the regiment. It produces 4,200 eggs and 100 viss of chicken daily. Its farm produce is sent to the tax-free market on  Pantra Street, Dagon Township, and other markets every day.

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(6) Commander offers Soon to Sayadaws

YANGON, 1 July-Chairman of the Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of the  Central Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, together with Secretary Lt-Col Aung Min and officials, attended the  ceremony to offer " soon " to the members of the Sangha held at Sasana Beikman in Pyu Township, Bago  Division on 29 June.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee  Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannavamsa. After supplicating religious affairs to the Sayadaw, the commander and  officials presented offertories to the Sayadawary worth K 1.2 m by the chairman of Lepyingyi Village  Peace and Development Council.

The officials and donors offered 200 bags of rice, 100 viss of oil and K 7.5 m for the members of the  Sangha from 15 monasteries in the town. Then, Htoo Company donated K 1,500,000 for construction of  Kanyutkwin Dhammayon, and K 600,000 for new building of the Home for the Aged. The commander  accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors.

Then, sharing of merit followed. The commander also attended the ceremony to erect the first post of self-reliance K 4 m worth No 1 BEHS, Pyu. He then inspected the construction site of Pyu Bridge and  delivered a speech at the ceremony to hand over educational and religious buildings held at the hall of the  township Development Affairs Department.

The commander and officials accepted six new school buildings handed over by Division Assistant Education Officer (Admin) U Ba Ba, 60 renovated schools by Chairman of the township Peace and Development Council U Aung Khin and a self-reliance dispense public, Chairman of School Board of  Trustees U Soe Naing presented K 1.7 million for new school building, Township Health Officer Dr  Maung Maung Min Thein K 200,000, and Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Aung  Khin two light fire engines and equipment to the officials. After speaking words of thanks, the  commander inspected construction of Zayat Khin water gate in Kyauktaga Township and left instructions  there.
 
Minister inspects ships in Monywa 

YANGON, 1 July-Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Managing Director of  the Inland Water Transport U Tun Aung Myint and officials, inspected production of concrete posts of  Manpyain Co. in Sagaing Industrial Zone and transport of the posts to the market yesterday. Then, the  minister met with the departmental personnel at the office of District Peace and Development Council in  Monywa and left instructions. He inspected the ships of Inland Water Transport in Yongyi Ward in  Monywa, and departmental officials reported on mooring at Monywa Jetty and loading. After that, the  minister urged the officials concerned to keep a check on emergency safety system and engine before  departure of ships and cleanliness of the jetty for the convenience of the passengers. Later the minister  fulfilled their needs.

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(7) Commander inspects dam project 

YANGON, 1 July - Chairman of the Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of the  South-East Command Brig-Gen. Myint Swe inspected the chosen site to build a dam on Kadaik Creek,  Kadaik Village-tract in Paung Township on 28 June. Officials reported to the commander on the current  of the creek and other points of the project. Accompanied by officials, the commander attended the  ceremony to open Thuwunna Guest House in the compound of the Thaton District Peace and  Development Council Office in Thaton Township.

Cash assistance presented to war veterans in Mandalay Division

YANGON, 1 July- A ceremony to present cash assistance to war veterans who are 75 years and above,  disabled war veterans and war veterans' children who are outstanding in education was held at the  National Theatre in Aung Myaythazan Township, Mandalay, this morning. Mandalay Division Peace and  Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint attended the  ceremony and delivered an address.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Commander of the Command Brig-Gen. Nay Win, Tactical  Operation Commanders Col Tun Kyi and Col Thein Hlaing, Myanmar War Veterans Organization  Central Organizing Committee members, Mandalay Division WVO Supervisory Committee Chairman  Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Secretary Lt-Col Tin Ohn and members, Mandalay City Development Committee Secretary Lt-Col Maung Pu and members, township WVO organizing committee chairmen in Mandalay Division, Mandalay Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association  Supervisory Committee Patron Dr Tin Lin Myint and members of panel of patrons, Union Solidarity and  Development Association members, Auxiliary Fire Brigade members, outstanding students, invited guests  and others.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint chaired the meeting and MWVO Central organizing Committee members Minister for Science & Technology U Thaung and Mandalay City Development Committee  Chairman Mayor Brig-Gen. Yan Thein were on the panel of chairmen. First, Commander Maj-Gen Ye  Myint delivered an address. Next, Minister U Thaung and Mayor Brig-Gen. Yan Thein presented cash  assistance to Township WVO Organizing Committee chairmen. Then, Mandalay Division WVO  Supervisory Committee Chairman Lt-Col Tin Ohn, Mandalay City Development Committee Secretary Lt- Col Maung Pu presented cash assistance to outstanding students who are children of the war veterans in  Mandalay Division. Afterwards, the ceremony came to an end with concluding remarks by Commander  Maj-Gen Ye Myint.

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(8)  Myanmar trainees arrive back

YANGON, 1 July-A ten-member group of Myanmar trainees led by Assistant Director U Soe Myint  (News and Outdoor Shooting) of Myanma Radio and Television arrived back here by air on 30 June. They  attended a television refresher course for a month at the Beijing Broadcasting Institute (BBI) and the  China Central Television (CCTV) in Bejing under the programme to promote cooperation in television  broadcasting sector between China and Myanmar. They were welcomed back at the Yangon International  Airport by Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of Myanma Radio and Television, officials and family  members of the trainees.

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(9)  Myanmar beat China at friendly Sepak Takraw tournament 

YANGON, 1 July-The Myanmar Tentatively Selected Women's team beat the Chinese Selected Women's  team at the second friendly Sepak Takraw match held at Thuwunna Stadium-1 this afternoon.

Among the spectators were Chairman of the Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen.  Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen. Aye Myint Kyu, Deputy Minister  for Industry-2 Brig-Gen. Aung Thein Lin, Vice Chairman of MOC Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen.  Maung Maung Nyo, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and patrons of the Myanmar Women's Sports Federation  and officials and embassy staff from the Embassy of China and invited guests. The Myanmar team beat  the Chinese team 2-1.

The third match will be held at the same stadium at 3 p.m. on 3 July.

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