(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends message of felicitations to Belgium

YANGON, 21 July - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council  of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium, on  the occasion of the National Day which falls on 21 July 2001.

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(2) Buddha Sasana preserved, safeguarded, propagated by monks, kings, governments and people for  2,545 years till now

YANGON, 20 July -  The second plenary meeting of the 47-member Fifth State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee was held in Wizaya Mingala Dhamma Thabin Hall at Kaba Aye here this morning.

Present at the meeting were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotika Bhaddanta Sobhita and member Sayadaws,  Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Thura Aung Ko, Adviser at the  State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the Religious Affairs  Department Dr Myo Myint, and officials of the RAD and Department for Promotion and Propagation of  the Sasana. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sobhita of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee chaired the  meeting and Joint Secretary Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Tejaniya acted as master of  ceremonies. Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha  Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara read the Ovada of the Sayadaw  Bhaddanta Sobhita, stating that the Chairman Sayadaw wished all the members of the Sangha to work for  the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Buddha Sasana with peace of mind.

The Buddhist monks should not miss the golden opportunity to accelerate their efforts for purification,  perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana are the prospects of the Sasana is bright in the nation at  present. Brilliant persons emerge in the nation during the times it was governed by good kings. At present  the government and the qualified persons (the people) are striving together to restore peace and stability  and for all-round progress of the Union of Myanmar as well as for the purification, perpetuation and  propagation of the Sasana. The people will revere the Sayadaws of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka  Committee and give support to their religious work only when they are totally clean from the impurities  and sins. The government, the monks and the people should make greater efforts without fail to continue  to strive for the purification, perpetuation and propagation of the Sasana. Minister U Aung Khin  supplicated on religious matters, saying that the members of the Sangha have studied the Pariyatti Sasana,  the Paripatti Sasana and the Pativedha Sasana of the Buddha Sasana throughout the successive eras. The  Buddha advised the members of the Sangha to preserve, promote and propagate the three Sasanas.

Thus, the Buddha Sasana has been preserved and safeguarded by the members of the Sangha for 2,545  years till now. The laypersons have provided the necessities for the Buddhist monks in support of their  religious task. The kings and the governments of the successive eras have also safeguarded the Sasana. As  the religious bodies at different levels have been formed since 21 years ago in 1980, the members of the  committees are now skilled in performing their tasks in accord with the basic principles and rules and  regulations of the Sangha, Viniyas, Nayaka treatises and religious directives.

The meetings of the alternate sub-bodies and the 47-member State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee have  been making assessments of and giving supervision to the tasks to continuously keep them on the correct  path. The respective Sangha committees have been striving with greater momentum for purification,  perpetuation and promotion of the Sasana. Due to the close supervision of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka  Committee, the Patiyatti Sasana, the Paripatti Sasana and the Pariveda Sasana are flourishing in the  nation. Sayadaws read the reports and the accomplishments in implementing the objectives of the previous  meeting of the second sub-body of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee. The first day meeting  ended in the evening. U Tin Wun (Mahasi), Daw Hla Kyin and family of 212, U Wizara Road, Bahan  Township, offered "soon" to the Sayadaws who attended the meeting.
 
Waso robes offering ceremony held

YANGON, 20 July-  With the patronage of Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min and wife Daw Aye Aye, the 49th Waso robes-offering ceremony was held at Mararijaya Yanmyoaung Dhammayon  of Ayeyawady Naval Regional Command Headquarters at 5.30 am today. The ceremony was attended by  members of the Sangha led by Sayadaw of Mingala Singyan Kyaungtaik Professor at Abhidhama  Department of State Pariyatti Sasana University Agga Maha Ganthavacakapandita Bhaddanta Gandha- malabhivamsa, Rear-Admiral Kyi Min and wife, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein and wife,  senior naval officers and their wives and family members. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Gandhamalabhivamsa  administered the Five Precepts. Officials offered Waso robes and offertories to 18 members of the Sangha.  Then the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained and the ceremony came to a  close.

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(3) Public Health Nursing Course concludes

YANGON, 20 July- Public Health Nursing Course for level-1 Township Nurses co-sponsored by the  Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization concluded at the training hall of the Institute of  Nursing (Yangon) on Bogyoke Aung San Street this morning.

It was attended by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Professor Dr Mya Oo, Resident  Representative Dr Agostino Borra of WHO, directors-general, rectors deputy directors-general of Health  Department, professors, Chairman Dr Ko Ko of Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, directors,  township health officers and trainees. First, Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein delivered a speech. He said; the  first Public Health Nursing Course for township nurses level-1 co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and  WHO was opened at the Institute of Nursing. The government is making efforts for promotion of public  health and health care work as a national duty. Development of a country and health standard depends on  basic health of individuals. Public Health Nursing Project plays an important role in placing emphasis on  primary health care of the people in national health plan.

The government is rendering assistance for uplifting quality of nurses who play an important role in public health care work, to be able to study advanced nursing courses. Lectures on nursing and advanced  nursing techniques are being given to Township nurses level-1. The nurses were made to systematically  survey major requirement for public health. Moreover, they were trained theoretically and practically to be  able to tackle priority health problems of the individuals. The training also included courses on nursing  management, supervision, leadership and public relations. In conclusion, he urged the trainees to effectively carry out tasks of public health with the use of knowledge gained in the training when they arrived at the places where they were assigned duties.

He also urged them to speed up momentum of public health care work and to disseminate the nursing  techniques they have studied. Then, the minister presented prizes to the first prize winner Daw Naw Phaw  Lay Lay (Toungoo), the second prize winner Daw Khin Nyein (Ayeyawady Division) and the third prize  winner U Thaung (Ayeyawady Division). Afterwards, Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo and Resident  Representative Dr Agostino Borra of WHO presented certificates to the trainees from States and  Divisions. Then, Rector of the Institute of Nursing (Yangon) Professor Dr May Win Aung Khin  accepted  an air-conditioner donated by the trainees for the institute and expressed thanks. Later, on behalf of the  trainees Daw Myint Myint Than (Latha) spoke words of thanks. Then, the ceremony came to an end.  Next, the minister, officials and trainees posed for photographs. Altogether 50 trainees from States and  Divisions attended the three-month course.
 
Records and Archives Maintenance Course and Library Skill Basic Course conclude

YANGON, 20 July-  The concluding ceremony of Records and Archives Maintenance Course No 1 and Library Skill Basic Course No 1 sponsored by the Centre for Ancient Myanmar Manuscripts (Palm-leaf inscription, Parabaik, Stone inscriptions) of National Human Resources Development of the Ministry of  Education, at the corner of 54th Street and Merchant Street this morning. Present were Minister for  Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers for Education Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt,  the directors-general and chairmen, rectors, pro-rectors, principals, the librarian of the Universities  Central Library, the directors and trainees.

Minister U Than Aung made a speech on the occasion. Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin presented certificates to the  trainees. Altogether 30 trainees attended the Records and Archives Maintenance Course No 1 and 37  trainees attended the Library Skill Basic Course No 1. The Library Skill Basic Course No 1 is level-1  course. The level-2 and the level-3 courses will be opened. The Library Diploma will be conferred on the  trainees who have completed the level-3 course.

Moe Industrial Manufacturing and General Trading Co-op formed

YANGON, 20 July- A ceremony to form Moe Industrial Manufacturing and General Trading Cooperatives Ltd of Lanmadaw Township was held at the meeting hall of Ministry of Cooperatives on  Bogyoke Aung San Road this afternoon. It was attended by Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San,  Director-General Col Soe Win of Cooperatives Department, Director-General U Sein Than of Cottage  Industries Department, Managing Director Daw Khin Swe Soe of Cooperatives Exports and Imports  Enterprise, officials of Yangon Division and Lamadaw Township Cooperatives Departments, guests and  members. First, the chairman made a speech, followed by announcement of the list of members, resolution  to form the cooperatives, confirmation of rules and election of board of directors and auditors. Later, new  Chairman of BOD elected U Kyu Khin spoke. The cooperatives will perform tasks of construction of  water-craft, maintenance of slide way for water-craft, construction of warehouses and factories.

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(4) Commerce Minister meets entrepreneurs

YANGON, 20 July-  Chairman of the Panel of Patrons of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers  of Commerce and Industry Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone met the entrepreneurs and gave  instructions on import and export at the meeting hall of UMFCCI this afternoon. Also present on the  occasion were Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, President of UMFCCI U Win  Myint, the Chairman of Myanmar Beans Dealers Association, the Chairman of Myanmar Sesamum  Dealers Association, officials of UMFCCI and entrepreneurs. The minister gave a speech on import and  export and those present raised queries which were answered by the minister.

Minister U Saw Tun receives UNHCR Director

YANGON, 20 July-  Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun received Asia and Pacific  Region Director Mr Jean Marie Fakhouri of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)  at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Maung Aung, Director-General of Immigration and National Registration Department Col Maung Htay, officials concerned and  Resident Representative of UNHCR in Yangon Mr Rajiv Kapur.

Minister for Mines receives Ambassador of Lao PDR

YANGON, 20 July- Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint received Ambassador of Lao People's  Democratic Republic to the Union of Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham at his office at 4 p.m. today. Also  present at the call were Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein and officials.

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(5) Opening of Stone plaque of Botahtaung Kyaik-day-up HsandawU Pagoda held

YANGON, 20 July- A ceremony to open stone plaque to mark successful completion of offering gold  plates and gold foils and shwethingan to Botahtaung Kyaik-day-up HsandawU Pagoda in Yangon was  held in conjunction with sharing of merits at the pagoda in Seikkan Township, Yangon West District, this  morning.

It was attended by 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, Deputy  Commander Brig-Gen. Hsan Hsint, Commander of No 4 Military Region Commandant of Defence  Services Records Office Brig-Gen. Myo Myint, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development  Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and members, departmental officials, local authorities, Chairman of Working  Committee for Organizing the Ceremony Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development  Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and committee members, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees,  secretaries and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, executives of Township  Maternal and Child Welfare Association, members of Wut Associations, students, Red Cross, wellwishers and guests.

Head of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department U San Thin Hlaing acted as master of the ceremonies. At the auspicious time, Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein, Chairman of Seikkan Township Peace  and Development Council U Maung Maung Kyi and member of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Aung  Hsu formally opened the ceremony. Then, the commander formally unveiled the stone plaque. Afterwards,  merits sharing ceremony followed at the NanU Tazaung of the pagoda. Present were Ovadacariya  Sayadaws of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, chairman Sayadaws of township  Sangha Nayaka Committees in Yangon West District, the commander and officials, the Pagoda Board  trustees, wellwishers and guests. Assistant Director of Myanma Radio and Television Daw Than Than  Win acted as master of ceremonies.

The congregation received the Nine Precepts from member of the State Central Working Committee of the  Sangha Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Sayadaw of Phayaphyu Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta  Narindabhivamsa. Members of the Sangha recited the parittas. Next, the commander supplicated on the  religious affairs. Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than supplicated on religious matters saying that at  present all are making strenuous efforts day and night for development and modernization of the nation in  every sector. A large number of ancient pagodas and religious edifices in the nation have been repaired,  renovated and rebuilt and many more new structure have been built to help perpetuate and propagate the  Buddha Sasana.

The history has it that a Buddha's hair relic conveyed to Myanmar by the two merchants, Taphussa and  Ballika, was enshrined in the pagoda. Another hair relic was enshrined in the pagoda by King Sirimasoka  Tissa Dham-masiharaja of Thaton. The Myanmar kings of the successive eras such as King Bogasena,  King Tabinshwehti, King Min Ye Htut, King Bayint-naung, King Anawrahta, King Hsinbyushin and  King Bagyidaw had renovated the pagoda. The pagoda was named 'Botahtaung' in 1203 Myanmar Era.  The pagoda was destroyed by bombs in the World War II in 1305 ME and was rebuilt by 29 wellwishers  including Sir U Thwin and Dr Thein Maung in 1308 ME.

The present height of the pagoda is 132 feet and seven inches. At present, the pagoda and its religious  buildings have been renovated with the public donations under the leadership of the government and the  close supervision of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. Gilding of the pagoda and its circling cetis and installation of a new lightening conductor were completed on 4 January this year. Over K 48 million was  donated for the project. The commander, officials and the Pagoda Board trustees presented offertories to  the members of the Sangha. Agga Maha Pandita Tipitakadhara Dhamma-bhandagarika Bhaddanta  Sirindabhivamsa Yaw Saya-daw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. After the  ceremony, the commander performed the rituals of golden and silver showers. Later, the deputy  commander and officials, the Pagoda Board trustees and wellwishers offered 'soon' to the members of the  Sangha.
 
Commander meets police commanders of Shan State (North)

YANGON, 20 July-  Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of  North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo met police commanders of Shan State  (North) at the meeting hall of North-East Command on 18 July morning. Present were police commander  of Shan State (North) Police Force, Joint-police commander of Shan State (North) Police Force Police Col  Thein Han, police commanders, district police commanders of Lashio, Kyaukme, Kunlong, Laukkai and  Muse Districts, Township police commanders and officials. Commander Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung  Myint Oo made a speech on the occasion. The police members are to carry out their assigned tasks such as  ensuring community peace and the rule of law, decrease in criminal cases and eradication of drugs, he said. Officials reported to the commander on their work. Then, the Commander attended to their needs.

Greening of watershed areas in Monywa District inspected

Yangon 20 July- Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Chairman North-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, together with departmental officials, inspected planting trees for greening  of watershed areas of Kyaukka Shwemyintin Hill in Monywa District on 16 July. Director of Sagaing  Division Arid Zone Greening Department U Myint Sein reported on planting of trees and tasks to be  implemented for the greening project. The commander attended to the needs. The area of Kyaukka  Shwemyintin Hill watershed area Reserve Forest is 17,920 acres. Of them, 4,240 acres of trees have been  planted. A total of 2,251 acres were being protected by the public and 3,500 acres by the Arid Zone Greening Department, and greening tasks are being undertaken.

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(6) Commander inspects agricultural work and drainage canal

YANGON, 20 July- Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of  Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by officials, inspected harvesting and threshing of  Shwethweyin summer paddy field of farmer U Win Ko in Shindaw- gon Village in Patheingyi Township  on 19 July morning. The Commander and party also inspected soil preparations for cultivation of  monsoon paddy and cultivation of Manaw Thukha paddy in Daw Kyin Myaing's field in Yaykyi village  tract. The Commander gave necessary instructions to officials. Then, the Commander inspected the  drainage canal of Mandalay Industrial Zone and preparations for construction of the sluice gate at the  canal near the 67th street in Ward 10, Pyigyitagun Township and gave instructions to officials.

Commander's shield Chess Tourney opened

YANGON, 20 July- A ceremony to open the second Triangle Region Command Commander's shield  Chess Tournament was held at the sports hall of the command on 16 July. It was attended by Commander  of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Staff Officers from the command, commanders of  battalions and units under Kengtung Station and guests. The commander formally opened the tournament,  and together with the officials, viewed the matches. A total of eight teams are taking part in the  tournament.
 
Construction of Hanthawady International Airport in progress

YANGON, 20 July- Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, accompanied by departmental officials, arrived at the construction site of Hanthawady International Airport in Bago Township on 17 July morning. At the briefing hall, the Project Director U Ohn Myint and officials reported to the commander on their work and future  programmes. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye gave suggestions to officials and inspected work site.  The Commander then inspected construction of delivery room of Oktha Myothit Maternal and Child  Welfare Association, construction of Bhatagathala two-storey Soonsar Kyaung-saung at Bago Myoma  Sarthintaik and construction of Phyu Bridge in Phyu Township. The Commander gave necessary  instructions to officials.

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(7) Chinese Land and Resources Minister concludes visit

YANGON, 20 July-  Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan of the People's Republic of China  and party currently here at the invitation of Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint, visited Yangon-Thanlyin bridge and Maha Bandoola bridge this morning. The visiting minister and party then left here  by air for home in the afternoon. The visiting minister and party, accompanied by officials of the Ministry  of Mines and officials of the Embassy of People's Republic of China, arrived at Yangon-Thanlyin Bridge  at 8.30 am. They were welcomed by Deputy General Manager (Civil) of Myanma Railways U Myint  Maung Htwe, Senior Engineer (Bridge) U Myo Win and officials.

The Chinese delegation posed for documentary photo together with Myanmar officials. Then, the guests  then visited Maha Bandoola bridge where they were welcomed by Senior Engineer of Ministry of  Construction U Myo Lwin and officials who explained facts about the bridge. Minister of Land and  Resources Mr Tianfengshan and party left here by air this afternoon. They were seen off at Yangon  International Airport by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint  Thein, the directors-general and the managing directors and officials of the ministry, PRC Ambassador  Mr Li Jinjun and officials.

Taikkyi Township USDA annual meeting held

YANGON, 20 July- The annual meeting of Taikkyi Township Union Solidarity and Development Association in Yangon Division was held this morning, with an address by member of USDA Secretariat  U Ko Lay. Also present were USDA CEC members Brig-Gen. Kyaw Hsan, Brig-Gen. Thein Aung and  Col Thaik Tun, Secretary of Yangon Division USDA U Aye Myint and executives, departmental officials  and members of Taikkyi Township USDA. Secretariat member U Ko Lay spoke on the occasion. CEC  member Brig-Gen. Thein Aung presented gifts to winner of Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing  Arts Competition Central Level (Classical Song event) Maung Sai Kyaw Thu Htet, first prize winner of  new generation Civil Aviation Course (Yangon) Maung Si Thu Aung and course instructors of summer  cultural course through the school head of Township Basic Education High School. Then, eight  wellwishers presented cash for the annual meeting to CEC members Brig-Gen. Kyaw Hsan and Col Thaik  Tun who presented certificates of honour to them. Afterwards, the annual meeting was held.

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(8) WTO valuation agreement workshop concludes

YANGON, 20 July- The concluding ceremony of WTO valuation agreement workshop sponsored by  Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Customs Department was  held at the meeting hall of UMFCCI on Merchant Street this morning. Director-General of Customs  Department Lt-Col Khin Maung Lin and President of UMFCCI U Win Myint spoke on the occasion. On  behalf of the trainees, U Myat Thin Aung spoke words of thanks. Then, the UMFCCI President and  officials presented certificates to the trainees.

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(9)  ASEAN prize winning photos to be displayed

YANGON, 19 July- The prize winning photos of the ASEAN Photo Contest, sponsored by the Ministry of  Information from November 2000 to May 2001, will be on display from 9 am to 5 p.m. at the Yangon City  Hall from 27 to 31 July. About 200 photos will be displayed there. Admission is free.

Exhibition and talks on patriotism vitalization opens

YANGON, 20 July-  Books, Photos and Wall Poster Exhibition and talks on patriotism vitalization was opened at Yangon South District Information and Public Relations Department in Thanlyin this morning. Present on the occasion were Deputy Director-General of IPRD U Aung Hsan, Secretary of Yangon South  District Peace and Development Council Maj. Myo Thant, officials and guests. U Aung Hsan and Maj.  Myo Thant formally opened the exhibition. Then, talks on patriotism vitalization was held. IPRD District  staff officer U Win Kyi explained the purpose of the exhibition. Staff Officer Daw Hla Hla of Kayan  Township gave talks on patriotism vitalization. The exhibition will be opened up to 25 July. Similar  exhibitions will be held at Township offices of IPRD in Yangon South District.

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