(1) Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe receives Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit  Yongchaiyudh

YANGON, 23 July- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe received Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and goodwill delegation at the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building at  2 p.m. today.

Also present together with Senior General Than Shwe 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-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen. Tin Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Director of Supply and Transport Brig-Gen Than Htay, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Military Attache of Myanmar Embassy in Thailand Col Kyaw Han. The visiting Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha and senior officials, Ambassador of Thailand to Myan-mar Mr Oum Maolanon and Defence, Army and Air Attache of Thai Embassy Col Chaiwat Satondee.

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(2) Secretary-1 gives instructions on extension of news and TV programmes

YANGON, 23 July- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave  instructions on extension of news and other programmes of Myanma Radio and Television in the meeting  hall of MRTV this morning. Present on the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Director-General of MRTV and officials.

Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung reported to the Secretary-1 on installation of equipment for the extended news and other programmes of MRTV, progress in training of employees and the programmes already taped. Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay reported on measures taken  for extending news and other TV programmes and progress of work. Those present took part in the  discussions. Director of MRTV U Win Kyi explained the arrangements made for extension of news and TV programmes. The Secretary-1 gave instructions. Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the master control room and Studio (A), and gave instructions.

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(3) Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh arrives

YANGON, 23 July- At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen  Tin Hla, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and goodwill delegation arrived here by Royal Thai Army special flight at 10 am today to pay a visit to Myanmar.

The visiting Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and party were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Commandeer of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Director of Supply and Transport Brig-Gen. Than Htay, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and officials, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon, Defence, Army and Air Attache of Thai Embassy Col Chaiwat Satondee and embassy staff. Then, the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and party, together with Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Hla, left the airport by car for the State House. General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha and senior officials.
 
Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh visits Shwedagon Pagoda, Drug Elimination Museum

YANGON, 23 July- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh and goodwill delegation visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Street and Hantha-wady Street in Kamayut Township this evening.

Accompanied by Director of Supply and Transport Brig-Gen Than Htay, Military Attache of Myanmar Embassy in Thailand Col Kyaw Han, Defence, Army and Air Attache of Thai Embassy Col Chaiwat Satondee and embassy staff and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visiting Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and delegation arrived at the northern stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda at 3.45 p.m. They were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. Then, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and goodwill delegation arrived on the pagoda platform and washed the Buddha image at Sunday (North-East) Corner.

General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh paid homage and offered flowers, lights and joss sticks to the Buddha images at the prayer hall of the pagoda and signed in the visitors' book. Then, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh presented cash for the pagoda funds to Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees who presented the replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda to General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. Afterwards, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and party went round the pagoda clockwise and paid homage to Jade Buddha image at Ponnya-kusala Bahukara Tazaung.

The visiting Deputy Prime Minister and party went to the Drug Elimination Museum where they were welcomed by member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Chairman of Supervisory Committee for Work Groups Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and Secretary Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win. General Chavalit Yong- chaiyudh and party viewed the displays and exhibitions at the museum. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and Police Maj-Gen Soe Win conducted the General and party round the museum. Then, General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh signed in the visitors' book and left there in the evening.

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(4) 131 bridges opened from 1988 to date, cost about K 50.5 billion and over US $ 129 millions

Secretary-3 attends inauguration of Lamu Bridge in Taungup Township

YANGON, 23 July- A ceremony to inaugurate Lamu Bridge spanning Lamu Creek built in Taungup  Township, Rakhine State, by Bridge Construction Special Group-13 of the Ministry of Construction was held at the pandal near the bridge this morning. Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint addressed the ceremony and formally unveiled the stone plaque.

Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of  Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, ministers, deputy ministers, Brig-Gen Kyi Thein of Taungup Station, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, Chairman of Thandwe District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Than, Chairman of Taungup Township Peace and  Development Council U Than Htay Nyunt and departmental officials, the deputy superintending engineers of Bridge Construction Special Group-13 and employees, local people, teachers and students of 15 wards and village-tracts in Taungup Township, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, War Veteran Organization, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, traditional drum and dance troupes exceeding 16,000.

In his address, the Secretary-3 said that the government has placed emphasis on construction of roads and bridges, the basic requirements for development, in order to accelerate the rate of development of Rakhine State. Accordingly, Lamu Bridge, the 20th of its kind, can be opened in Rakhine State today. The construction and opening of roads and bridges one after another manifests the goodwill of the government towards the people residing in Rakhine State. The State Peace and Development Council has attended to the needs for development of all the regions of the Union. Priority has been given to the places which lagged behind in development and to the plans designed for development of these places. Transport plays a crucial role in developing a region. As much as transport is smooth and secure, commercial activities will flourish and production work will make progress. Thus, the economy of the region will improve. At the same time, education, health and social basics will also improve in all spheres. Economic and social development will lead to improvement of living standard of the people, and the Union spirit will flourish and national solidarity will become stronger and stronger.

This being the case, the government has been making strenuous efforts for the betterment of transport all over the Union. In accord with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, Sittway-Yangon Highway has been built. Over 200 miles of that highway lies in Rakhine State, and ten big bridges and over 800 small bridges have been constructed as well. Sittway-Yangon Highway, running through Ann Pass, the only exit of Rakhine State, joins Pathein-Monywa Highway built on the west bank of the Ayeyawady. People from Rakhine State can easily reach the eastern bank of the Ayeyawady through Anawrahta Bridge near Chauk. On completion of Magway-Minbu Bridge across the Ayeyawady, it will provide access to the eastern bank of the river. In addition, in the time of the State Peace and Development Council (the Tatmadaw Government), Nawade Bridge spanning the Ayeyawady serves as a link between Rakhine State and Bago, Yangon and Magway Divisions.

Taunggup-MaI-Ann Road and Taunggup-MaI-Sane-Kyaukphyu Road are being built with the aim of ensuring the access to Ann and Kyaukphyu respectively. Moreover, Taunggup-Gwa-Ngathaingchaung Road is being upgraded. In this way, measures are being taken to link the three exits of Rakhine State  Ann Pass, Taunggup Pass and Gwa-Ngathaingchaung Road. Gwa-Thandwe-Taunggup-Lamu-Ann Road, on which the bridge to be opened today lies, is not only a coastal road but also a ring road of Rakhine State. Therefore, previously there were 448 miles of roads in Rakhine State, and now the total length of roads have increased up to 883 miles. It is found that in the time of the Tatmadaw Government, the length of roads have increased by 435 miles. Rakhine State, being a coastal region, abounds in rivers, creeks and marshes. Therefore, it is difficult to find axes in building roads.

As a result, bridges, big or small, have been built at a cost of large sums of money. Yangon-Kyaukphyu Highway Project covers altogether 14 bridges including Taunggup-MaI Section. Out of 14, three bridges, namely Lamu Bridge, Hsapyin Bridge and Kaingshay Bridge have already been built. The six bridges in course of construction are MaI Creek Bridge, 940 feet long, Tanhlwe Creek Bridge, 600 feet long, Kyaukpaukgyi Bridge, 300 feet long, Sane Creek Bridge, 820 feet long, Lontawpauk Bridge, 1,260 feet long, and Minkyaung Creek Bridge, 1,900 feet long. The bridges located in Taunggup Township are Kaingshay Bridge, Tanhlwe Creek Bridge, Hsapyin Creek Bridge, Lamu Bridge and MaI Creek Bridge. Lamu Bridge which was opened today is situated on Taunggup-MaI section covered by Yangon-Kyaukphyu Highway Project.

It is an essential bridge in travelling from Taunggup to Kyaukphyu and from Taunggup to Ann. Moreover, as the bridge is linked with Gwa-Thandwe-Taunggup road which provides access to Ayeyawady Division, this condition accentuates its importance. As many bridges have been systematically built on highways in order to link these highways in Rakhine State, travelling can be made by land inside Rakhine State where waterways and airways had to be relied on previously, and between Rakhine State and other states and divisions. With the improvement of transport thus in Rakhine State, prospects for economic development become bright and favourable conditions which contribute greatly to regional development will emerge. Rakhine State is a region where agricultural and livestock breeding work is successful. In addition, it is a region where off-shore fishing, fish and prawn breeding and fisheries industry are thriving extensively.

Furthermore, Rakhine State is rich in wood, bamboo and minerals. Therefore, due to the improvement of transport, prospects for economic development will become brighter and brighter. Rakhine State is also endowed with ancient cultural heritage. As is known to all, in Rakhine State, there have existed ancient pagodas, stupas, religious buildings and cultural edifices for years countable by the thousand. In addition, as there are pleasant and clean resort beaches, tourism industry will thrive with the improvement of transport. Moreover, local people need to realize the goodwill of the government which has been spending large sums of money on building roads and bridges which contribute greatly to the improvement of living standard of local people and development of the region.

Then, they need to work hard for the development of economic undertakings. Lamu Bridge opened today, the already-built roads and bridges and the roads and bridges under construction in Rakhine State will bring about benefits for the national brethren residing in Rakhine State, and they are also good heritage which will leave good benefits for posterity. While enjoying the benefits, the people need to conscientiously safeguard and maintain roads and bridges in Rakhine State. In conclusion, the Secretary-3 said that as roads and bridges have emerged, all the regions in Rakhine State have become adjacent to each other. Therefore, all the national people born in the Union of Myanmar need to make efforts in unity for modernization and development of the Union and to strive to ensure that the Union stands for ever as long as the world exists. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Aung Htwe said that Sittway-Ann section of Yangon-Sittway Highway was opened on 5 February 2000. Small bridges on Yangon-Taunggup-Thandwe Highway have been built of concrete, and only about 20 miles out of 236-mile-1-furlong-long Yangon-Ngathaingchaung-Gwa-Thandwe Highway remain to be asphalted, and all the other sections are negotiable in all weathers.

Moreover, Kyaukphyu-MaI-Taunggup section of Yangon-Kyaukphyu Highway is being built, and out of bridges under construction on this section, Kaingshay Bridge was opened, and so was Lamu Bridge today. The government is fulfilling the needs for regional development without discriminating among states and divisions. Due to construction of roads and bridges in Rakhine State, the condition of health, economy and education of local people will surely improve. Local people need to safeguard and maintain roads and bridges which will contribute to the development of Rakhine State. At the same time, they need to carry out agricultural and livestock breeding work. Afterwards, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun said that from 1988 to date, 131 bridges, 180 feet long and above, including Lamu Bridge were opened. All these bridges cost about K 50.5 billion and over US $ 129 millions.

There are seven bridges in Kachin State, five in Kayin State, 11 in Bago Division, seven in Magway Division, two in Mon State, four in Mandalay Division, eight in Sagaing Division, four in Taninthayi Division, 20 in Rakhine State, seven in Shan State, 22 in Yangon Division and 33 in Ayeyawady Division. The minister quoted Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe as saying that transport plays a vital role in striving for development of the nation; only when there is easy transport, will economic and social development be achieved; roads and bridges are being built to ensure that there is no development gap among regions due to difficult access. In accord with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, the Ministry of Construction has been undertaking the tasks designed to ensure smooth and secure transport. In 1988, there were only 13,635 miles of roads in all.

There are now 17,873.6 miles of roads in all. Therefore, the increase in the total length of roads is 4,238.6 miles. Altogether 43 roads stretching 1,827 built after 1988 cost about 8 billion. Secretary of Taunggup Township USDA U Than Wai spoke words of thanks for the opening of Lamu Bridge. The Secretary-3 presented awards to Deputy Superintending Engineer of Lamu Bridge Project U Soe Myint on behalf of  the employees who took part in the project. The Secretary-3 and party took designated places, and at the auspicious time, Commander Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally opened  the bridge. Then, the Secretary-3 and party posed for documentary photos. Next, the Secretary-3 formally unveiled the stone plaque of the bridge.

Then, the Secretary-3 and party inspected the bridge and had a cordial meeting with those present at the ceremony. Lamu Bridge was built on Taunggup-MaI section of Taunggup-Kyaukphyu Road near Lamumaw Village. The Bridge is 500 feet long and has a motorway 10 feet and four inches wide. The clearance of the waterway under the bridge is 86 feet wide and eight feet high. The upper structure of the bridge is of bailey steel frame type. The lower structure of the bridge was built of reinforced concrete in order that it can be upgraded later into a concrete bridge. The bridge can support 20-ton loads. Lamu Bridge was built at a cost of K 195 million and US $ 0.209 million. After the ceremony, the Secretary-3 and party left Thandwe for Yangon by air.

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(5) Minister receives Thai Deputy Minister of Defence

YANGON, 23 July- Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun received Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapha and party at his office this evening. Present also were Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Director-General of Immigration and National Registration Department Col Maung Htay and officials.

Health Minister receives Thai Deputy Minister of Defence

YANGON, 23 July- Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Deputy Minister of Defence of  Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha and party at his office this evening. Present also were Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and officials of the ministry.

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(6) CPT Ministry holds Waso-robe offering ceremony

YANGON, 23 July- The Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs held its first Waso-robe offering ceremony at the Dhammayon of the Ministry on Arzarni Street, Bahan Township, at 6 am today. Present were Sayadaws, Minister for CPT Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and wife, officials and staff families. "Soon", Waso robes and offertories were offered to the Sayadaws. The minister presented K 100,000 for sundry needs of the Kyaungtaik. The Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

"Soon" offered to members of the Sangha

YANGON, 23 July- The Ministry of Transport offered "soon" to the Rector Sayadaw of the State Pariyatti  Sasana University (Yangon) and members of the Sangha at Moegok Soonsarsaung of the University here this morning. Present were Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and wife Daw San San Myint, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, departmental heads and their wives, officials and staff. Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vamdita administered the Five Precepts. Then, offertories were presented to the Sayadaws. The minister presented K 475,000 for "soon" of the members of the Sangha to the deputy minister. The Rector Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits. After the ceremony,  "soon" was offered to the members of the Sangha.

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(7) Waso-robe offering of Health Ministry held

YANGON, 23 July- The fourth Waso robes offering ceremony of the Ministry of Health was held at the Dhammayon of the ministry on Gyatawya Street, Bahan Township, this afternoon. Present were members of the Sangha led by Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein and wife Daw Yin Yin Myint, Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and wife Daw Tin Tin Mya, Deputy Minister Prof. Dr Kyaw Myint and wife Daw Nilar Thaw, departmental heads and staff family members. Magway Sayadaw administered the Five Precepts to the congregation and members of the Sangha recited the parittas. The ministers, the deputy ministers and their wives and departmental heads presented Waso robes and offertories to the members of the Sangha. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon, and the merits gained were shared and the ceremony came to a close.

Workshop on increased application of Information Technology in non-formal education held

YANGON, 23 June- Workshop on increased application of IT in non-formal education co-organized by the Ministry of Education and UNESCO Cultural Department for Asia and Pacific Region (ACCU), Japan was held at the meeting hall of the Literacy Division in Myanmar in the compound of Myanmar Education Research Bureau this morning. It was attended by Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards, advisers to the ministry U Than Oo and Dr Ye Aung, General Secretary of UNESCO National Commission Myanmar Rector of Institute of Education U Han Tin, Counsellor Mr Naoki Ito of Japanese Embassy here, representatives of UN agencies and NGOs, departmental heads and guests. The minister made a speech. Then, the workshop was held. The workshop will continue till 29 July.

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(8) USDA CEC member tours Mandalay Division

YANGON, 23 July- CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Aung Thaung met with USDA executives and organizers from village-tracts, Wards 1, 2 and 3 in TadaU yesterday morning at the office of TadaU Township USDA in Mandalay Division.

The CEC member then inspected the drilling of the test well at Kywekan Test Well No 1 in Ngazun Township, Myingyan District, and presented gifts to the staff. He next attended a USDA membership application presentation ceremony at the hall of the basic education high school in Ngazun Township and accepted 12,300 applications from five village-tracts and four wards in the same township. After attending to the needs, he urged the members to actively cooperate with Township USDA executives and organizers in working for regional development. Later, Chairman of the Working Committee for Myanma Industrial Development U Aung Thaung inspected water-spraying work done with the use of pump produced by U Mya Gyi and Brothers and Sisters, pumps, production of spare parts of pumps, and spoke of the need for innovation and distribution of pumps.

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(9)  Compilation of Gender Indicators Committee meets

YANGON, 23 July- A coordination meeting on Compilation of Gender Indicators Committee of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the Social Welfare Department on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon. Present were Advisers to the Compilation of Gender Indicators Committee Vice-Chairperson of MNWCWA Professor Daw May May Yi, committee member Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and others. Vice-Chairperson of MNWCWA Professor Daw May May Yi and Professor Daw Khin Aye Win made speeches.
 

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