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

Yangon, 2 Sept- On the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam which falls on 2 September 2001, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Tran Duc Luong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and to His Excellency Mr Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

up
___________________________

( 2 )  Secretary-1 to pay goodwill visit to Thailand

Yangon, 2 Sept- At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar will pay a goodwill visit to the Kingdom of Thailand in the near future.

Myanma Port Authority and Asia World Port Management Co sign contract to build No 3 Ahlon Wharf

Yangon, 1 Sept- Myanma Port Authority of the Ministry of Transport and Asia World Port Management Co Ltd signed a contract to construct No 3 Ahlon Wharf at the Sedona Hotel this morning. Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended it. Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, the managing director of Asia World Port Management Co Ltd and officials and guests.

Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe said that the Ministry of Transport is handling import and export cargo of departments and local and foreign companies with 13 bridges. In accord with one of the economic objectives of the State Peace and Development Council 'Development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investments from sources inside the country and abroad,' the ministry is handling cargo with 21 bridges including No 1 and 2 Ahlon Wharves built by Asia World Port Management Co Ltd, and one bridge of MIPL for oil palm and five bridges of MITT for containers in Thilawa region.

Altogether 8.859 million metric tonnes and 128,750 containers were handled in 1999-2000, and 10.548 million metric tonnes and 150,507 containers in 2000-2001. Asia World Port Management Co Ltd built No 2 Ahlon Wharf in 1996 and No 1 Ahlon Wharf in 1997, and both bridges were opened on 30 May 2001. As the Union of Myanmar is rich in agricultural and forest resources and has vast expanses of coastal regions, the mode of transport which costs the least is waterways. The Ministry of Transport is extending port work and developing ports. The ministry is planning to build No 3 Ahlon Wharf taking into account the prospects of development of waterways as a result of reduction of customs duty in the ASEAN region on the basis of the market economic system.

The nations with adjacent coastlines in the Asian region are building ports, big and small, to handle import and export cargo more efficiently. A 30-year plan is drawn up to develop Myanma ports in view of "globalization transport". Arrangements are being made to promote the quality of ports, to use computerized system for handling and storing liquid cargo, heavy cargo and dangerous cargo and to provide container services. No 3 Ahlon Wharf to be constructed is 852 feet long and 100 feet wide. On completion of the wharf, the total length of the wharves will be 2,014.5 feet. It will become a modern port where general cargo and containers can be handled efficiently.

The Ministry of Transport will provide assistance for Asia World Port Management Co Ltd within the framework of rules and regulations. Then, Managing Director of Asia World Port Management Co Ltd U Tun Myint Naing said that in building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, the government is encouraging the private sector, and as a company of the national entrepreneur, it has a chance of participating in building infrastructures. The present contract-signing ceremony for construction of No 3 Ahlon Wharf is the third one between Myanma Port Authority and the company of the national entrepreneur for construction of Ahlon Wharves.

As Ahlon Wharf Project aims at emergence of a modern port, the construction of No 3 Ahlon Wharf is included in the master plan. On completion of the project, four big ships or five medium-size ships can be loaded and unloaded at the same time. It can be said that in the time of the State Peace  and Development Council, it is the biggest modern port of a national entrepreneur-owned company. Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay and General Manager U Tin Soe and Managing Director U Tun Myint Naing and Director U Than Myint of Asia World Port Management Co Ltd signed the contract. Managing Director U Thein Htay and Managing Director U Tun Myint Naing exchanged documents. Col Lin Thaw of Myanma Investment Commission presented the permit of MIC to Managing Director U Tun Myint Naing. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 inspected the scale model of the wharf.

Tamway BEPS No 22 gets new building

Yangon, 1 Sep- A ceremony to open a new building of the Basic Education Primary School No 22 of Mittanyunt Ward was held at the school in Tamway Township, Yangon East District this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Councils, the headmistress and teachers, students, wellwishers, members of social organizations and guests. First, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Myint Thein and Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung formally opened the building. Then, a ceremony to mark the opening of the new building was held. Speaking on the occasion, Director-General U Arnt Kyaw of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development said that in Yangon, hut-to-apartment projects were first implemented in Tamwaylay Ward, Tamway Township. Development work of Mittanyunt Ward was also carried out. Once the ward did not have urban characteristics for the lack of drainage and good roads. Construction of roads and drains and installation of new electric power lines have been carried out.

Apartment buildings were constructed under the hut-to-apartment project in coordination with the owners of houses which were not in good condition. BEPS No 26 was constructed by Zaykaba Co and BEPS No 31 by Kaung Hein Construction Co. DHSHD has constructed a three-storey building of BEMS No 2 and handed it over to the Ministry of Education. Today, BEPS No 22 will be handed over. All the basic education schools in this area have got new buildings. The building to be handed over today is located on the plot of 0.422 acre. It is a reinforced concrete building, 134 feet long and 30 feet wide. The tasks included furnishing the school with furniture, building a fence, construction of the road leading to the school, a water tank and staff quarters and landscaping. The cost came to K 23.6395 million.

Deputy Minister Col Tin Tun of DHSHD handed over documents related to the building to Director-General U Tin Win of No 3 Basic Education Department. Later, the Head Mistress Daw Nwe Nwe accepted donations to the school fundsÑ K 200,000 by Director U Moe Kyaw Thu of Shwe Than Lwin Co, K 100,000 by U Maung Maung of Asia Express Co Ltd, K 100,000 by U Maung Maung of Shwe Kaba Construction Co, K 100,000 by contractor U Ni and Daw Khin Ma Yi and K 10,000 by contractor U Kyi Tun and Daw Myint Myint Wai. Then, the Secretary-1 met with teachers. He said No 22 BEPS has got the new magnificent building. The State had fulfilled the requirements for the peaceful pursuit of education for the students. He urged the teachers to nurture intelligent moral outstanding students. The teachers are to strive for successful implementation of objectives of education promotion programmes producing outstanding students, narrowing the gap of education between urban and rural areas and acquisition of international standard education, he added. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the school building.

( 3 )  Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Vietnam

Yangon, 2 Sept- On the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam which falls on 2 September 2001, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Nguyen Dy Nien, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Myanmar delegation arrives back from drug control meeting in China

Yangon, 1 Sept- The Myanmar delegation led by Chairman of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing arrived back here this evening after attending the ministerial level meeting on drug control of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand held in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. The delegation was welcomed back by Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, the directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ambassador of the PRC Mr Li Jinjun and embassy staff and families of the delegation. Head of Defence Services Intelligence Bureau of the Ministry of Defence Col Kyaw Thein, Director-General of Border Areas and National Races Development Department Col Than Shwe, Head of Drugs Elimination Unit of CCDAC Police Col Kham Aung also arrived back on the same flight.

( 4 )  Outstanding students honoured

Yangon, 1 Sept- Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yee and family held a ceremony to honour outstanding students at the Town Hall in Kyaukpadaung, Mandalay Division, yesterday. The CEC member presented prizes to Maung Tha Phone Kyaw, who passed the 2000-2001 matriculation examination with five distinctions and stood sixth in the entire Myanmar and 161 students with one to five distinctions. He attended the ceremony to present an automobile donated by his family and staff to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Nandavamsa of Talai Ywathit YwaU Kyaung-taik in Taungtha Township.

He then attended the ceremonies to honour outstanding students held at the hall of Basic Education High School in Talai Ward, Taungtha Township, and BEHS in Welaung. Under the patronage of CEC member U Aung Thaung and family and staff of the Ministry of Industry-1, wellwishers donated K 2.5 million to the fund for construction of new buildings of Welaung BEHS; U Win Myint and brothers and sisters in Myingyan K 1 million; Chairman of Myingyan District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Swe, Welaung BEHS Board of Trustees and Parent-Teacher Association K 500,000 each and Chairman of Taungtha Township Peace and Development Council U Aye Pe K 200,000. Later, the CEC member inspected construction of a new building of Welaung BEHS by Myanma General and Maintenance Industries of the Ministry of Industry-1 and construction of a new building of Kyaukka Village BEPS.

Holding of international trade fair on fish and meat sector coordinated

Yangon, 1 Sept- A coordination meeting on holding the international trade fair on the fish and meat sector of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries was held at the Fisheries Department this morning. Present were Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, heads of department, officials of Myanmar Acquaculture and Fisheries Federation and Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation and entrepreneurs. Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein reported on the holding of the international trade fair on the fish and meat sector. The director-general of the Livestock and Veterinary Department reported on preparations for booths of livestock breeding, production of feedstuff and veterinary medicines and the director of Fisheries Department on booths of production of marine products and fish breeding. The officials of MAFF and MLBF reported on participation of over 100 entrepreneurs in the trade fair. Deputy Minister U Aung Thein spoke on the occasion. The minister then gave instructions.

Minister attends opening ceremony of new NaungU-Magway bus line

Yangon, 1 Sept- A ceremony to open new NaungU-Magway bus line of NaungU-Mann Passenger Transportation Cooperatives Ltd was held at the highway bus terminal in NyaungU yesterday, attended by Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San. Buses of the cooperatives are regularly plying between NyaungU and Magway, Mandalay and Taunggyi. Then, the minister visited Htilominlo Temple. Later, he inspected weaving factory of Hsumon Yadana General Economic Cooperatives in Myingyan.

( 5 )  Press conference on stimulant tablet-producing place captured by members of local intelligence unit and Tatmadaw columns in Tachilek Township Machines and paraphernalia to produce 800,000 stimulant tablets exposed

Yangon, 1 Sept- A Press conference on stimulant tablet-producing place captured by members of the local intelligence unit and the Tatmadaw columns in East Monglin Village-tract in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East), was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this morning. Present were Minister at the Prime Minister's Office U Tin Winn, Deputy Chief of Defence Services Intelligence Bureau Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Director of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint, heads of departments of Defence Services Intelligence Bureau, President of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Hpa and correspondents. General Staff Officer (Grade II) Major Thaik Soe of Defence Services Intelligence Bureau acted as master of ceremonies.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win said a combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit, Tatmadaw columns and members of the anti-drug squad, acting on information, mopped up the stimulant tablet-producing place near Kyashipa Village in East Monglin Village-tract in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East), and Weinlan Village on 24 August. Alogether 26 persons were arrested with 25 assorted weapons, 717 rounds of ammunition, two communication sets, two machines for producing stimulant tablets and paraphernalia. There were preposterous accusations and false statements about production of stimulant tablets that only Wa nationals produced stimulant tablets and all stimulant tablets seized in Thailand came from Wa nationals.

According to the investigation, this event was not in the least concerned with Wa nationals. It was the work done by some local people with their own investment. In his clarifactions, General Staff Officer (Grade I) Lt-Col Min Lwin of Defence Services Intelligence Bureau said the combined team comprising mem- bers of local intelligence unit and regional Tatmadaw columns and member of Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, mopped up the drug refinery camp, about 500 yards east of Kyashipa Village with map reference (L-125150) in Monglin East Village Tract in Tachilek Township, Shan State (East) on 24 August. Sai Lon, 31, Tin Kwel, 42, Lon Tit, 47, Aik San Tip (a) Aik Sam Non, 46 and Aik Wone, 43, of Weinlan Village of Monglin East Village Tract in Tachilek Township, Aik Kel, 45, Shel Maw, 36, Li Ti, 25, Kya Le, 60, Kya Htaw, 25, Kya The, 35, Aik Law, 36, Kyaka, 60, Kya Pu, 25, Kya Pa, 27 and Aik Ya, 60 and MaungMaung (a) Law Pa, 36 of Maesai, Thailand and Ar Lo, 24 were arrested with two stimulant tablet-producing machines, 83.2 kilos of Amphetamine powder, 4 kilos of Ephedrine powder, 35 kilos of Caffine powder, 6 kilos of colouring powder, 3 bottles of 1-litre Phecodine, one mixer, 40 rivets with WY brand, 33 rivets without WY brand, white crystal and 6.9 kilos of powder, 30 stimulant tablets with WY brand, one 9 mm pistol, three M-22 automatic rifles, one .32 revolver, one M-24 automatic rifle, one M-16 automatic rifle, one long gun, two Thai-made short guns, one long gun, one long barrel, two .303 rifles, 10 magazines and 194 rounds of ammunition.

The team searched the house of Aik Nwe in Weinlan Village, Monglin East Village Tract in Tachilek Township and arrested Aik Nwe, Aik On, 40, Aik San, 45, Aik On, 45, Sai Shan, 24, Aik Phat, 35 and Sai Wun, 30, together with three M-22 automatic rifles, one M-16 automatic rifle, one gun, one Uzi, three 9mm pistols, one .38 pistol, two communication sets, two sniper telescopes, two shells, 11 magazines, 520 rounds of ammunition. Then, the combined team raided the room of Shan Chinese Arpha (a) Arma of No 1/45 Quarters, 1st Street, Mekhaung Ward, Tachilek, who produced stimulant tablets. The combined team seized 0.07 kg of heroin, 30 stimulant tablets bearing the letters WY, one Walter Pistol, one magazine and three bullets.

In the events mentioned above, altogether 26 persons were seized with 25 assorted arms, 717 rounds of ammunition, two communication sets, two machines for making stimulant tablets, one mixer, 83.2 kilos of Amphetamine powder, 35 kilos of caffeine powder, four kilos of Ephedrine, 0.07 kilo of heroin, 60 stimulant tablets, six kilos of orange colouring powder, three bottles of Codeine liquid, 6.9 kilos of chemical powder and other paraphernalia. After Aik Nwe of Weinlan Village, aged 27, and Arpha of Tachilek, aged 30, were interrogated, it was learnt that Aik Nwe, a native of Weinlan Village in Tachilek Township, had trafficked in narcotic drugs three times; he got acquainted with Kyee Min (on the run) of Tachilek and Arpha in September 2000; in June, they came to the house of Aik Nwe; they told him that they had a plan to produce stimulant tablets and asked him to find a place to be used for production of stimulant tablets and to take security measures; they assured him that on completion of the work, they would give him about 500,000 baht; at this, Aik Nwe agreed to their plan.

In the third week of June 2001, Aik Nwe met with Headman of Kyashipa Village Aik Kel and asked him to show a place for production of stimulant tablets near Kyashipa Village and told him that if the work could be done, assistance would be given; Headman Aik Kel searched for a place. In the last week of June 2001, Kyee Min living in Tachilek brought the machine for making stimulant tablets and chemicals to the house of Aik Nwe of Weinlan Village in his van in three or four batches. The group led by Headman of Kyashipa Village Aik Kel carried these things to the place where stimulant tablets were to be produced. To take security measures for that place, Aik Nwe illegally bought small arms from the side of Laos. Arpha, a native of Lwelan Village in Tangyan Township, lived in Tachilek. He and Kyee Min used drugs together.

Both took the lead in producing stimulant tablets. After discussing with Aik Nwe of Weinlan Village the matters related to the place for production of stimulant tablets and security matters, they bought two machines for production of stimulant tablets and necessary chemicals from Aik Chai living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in June 2001. At the end of June 2001, Aik Chai sent the things which Arpha bought to the house of Arpha living in Mekhaung Ward, Tachilek in two batches. All the things cost over 2.8 million baht. Kyee Min and Arpha bore these expenses. It was the first time that Arpha and Kyee Min arranged to produce stimulant tablets. They didn't know whether the quality of stimulant tablets were good or bad.

If the quality was good, they had to find buyers. So far, they haven't yet found buyers or chosen the place where the sale would be carried out and the route. They estimated that about 800,000 stimulant tablets could be produced out of already-mixed Amphetamine powder. The persons who played the main role in producing stimulant tablets are Shan-Chinese, Lahu and Akha. Investigation is going on to find out the main characters and those who took security measures for them. Action will be taken against them in accord with existing laws of Myanmar. Then, video documentary on the place where stimulant tablets were produced and seized drugs were shown. Afterwards, the officials replied to the queries raised by the journalists. After the Press conference, the journalists and those present viewed the maps and photos showing the place where stimulant tablets were produced, and seized stimulant tablets.

( 6 )  Commander's Shield Boxing Tourney ends

Yangon, 1 Sept- The final matches and the prize- presentation ceremony of the South-West Command Commander's Shield Boxing Tournament for Year 2001 were held at the Gymnasium of South-West Command on 30 August. It was attended by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tint Swe, senior military officers and their wives, commanding officers of battalions and regiments, officers and other ranks and families. After the final matches, prizes were presented to the winners. The commander presented the championship shield to the Pathein Zone (2) team.

Provisions donated to monasteries in Yangon

Yangon, 1 Sept- The families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers donated provisions and cash to Aungmye Yadana Sarthintaik, Aungpinle Sar-thintaik, Dhamma Theikpan Sarthintaik, Mingalar Theikdi Sarthintaik, Dhamma Deikhtan Sarthintaik and Shwe-taungmaw Sarthintaik in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon East District, at Maha Muni Dhammayon of Okkalapa Pagoda in the Township this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee (Shwe-kyin) Sayadaw Bhad-danta Narinda and members of the Sangha, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, local authorities, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, wellwishers and guests. The deputy minister, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Camp Commandant of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein and officials presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. Colonel General Staff (Army/Admin) Col Thein Htaik, Captain Naval Staff (Grade I) Cmdr Zaw Oo and Colonel General Staff (Air) (Grade I) Lt-Col Min Zaw presented offertories donated by the families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) to the monasteries through the Sayadaw.

The Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines, the Traditional Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health, USDAs, the Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd, Division, District, Township and Ward Peace and Development Councils, Township War Veterans Organization and wellwishers presented provisions and cash to the deputy minister, the Vice-Adjutant-General and the Camp Commandant. Col Thein Htaik supplicated on the purpose of the donation to the Sayadaw. The donations included 120 bags of rice, 47 viss of edible oil, 94 viss of gram, 450 viss of iodized salt, 45 bottles of fine salt, 390 boxes of different kinds of traditional medicines and K 734,170 for trust funds.

A similar ceremony for Aungchantha Sarthintaik, Sonloon Meditation Kyaung-taik and Aungthukha Sarthin-taik in Yankin Township, Yangon East District, was held at Aungchantha Sarthintaik this morning. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and senior military officers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha. Col Thein Htaik, Cmdr Zaw Oo (Navy) and Lt-Col Min Zaw presented offertories donated by the families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) to the Sayadaws. The donations included 67 bags of rice, 24 viss of edible oil, 250 viss of iodized salt, 46 viss of gram, 275 boxes of traditional medicines, 25 boxes of fine salt and K 719,000 for the trust funds of the monasteries. The wellwishers donated K 3,623,000 for construction of Aungthukha Beikman Sasana Yanthi Ordination Hall. Similarly, the families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwihsers donated provisions and cash to Ngahtatgyi Sarthintaik and Welbyan Sarthintaik in Bahan Township, Yangon West District, and Aungparahita Kyaung, Thayagon Kyaung, Sasana Hita Kyaung and Thaunggyi Kyaung in Hlaing-thaya Township, Yangon North District.

( 7 )  UMFCCI President meets officials of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of LPDR

Yangon, 1 Sept- A trade mission led by President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint met officials of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Lao People's Democratic Republic on 27 August. President of UMFCCI U Win Myint met Minister of Commerce of LPDR Mr Phoumg Thipphavone and discussed promotion of bilateral trade. U Win Myint also met Vice-Chairman of Lao National Mekong Committee Deputy Minister of Industry Mr Somboun Rasa Sombath and Director of Lao Foreign Investment Management Committee Dr Viravanh Khantanh.

Myanmar delegation leaves for ROK

Yangon, 1 Sept- Under the ASEAN-Korea Collaboration Programme, a Myanmar delegation led by U Aung Shwe Oo, reporter of Nippon Television (NTV) and member of Myanmar Correspondents Club, left here by air this morning to study in the Republic of Korea from 1 to 9 September. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by adviser of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Maung Maung Nyo and officials and their families.The delegation comprises Deputy Chief Editer U Thein Htut of the New Light of Myanmar, News and Periodicals Enterprise and Executive Editor of Myanma News Agency- (External) Daw Khin Aye Kyu.

Computer Arts Diploma Course ends

Yangon, 1 Sept- A ceremony to present certificates of Diploma Course on Computer Arts Level-2 for 2000-2001 Academic Year, organized by the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture, the Human Resources Development Centre, the University of Culture (Yangon) and Forever Group, was held in conjunction with fresher welcome for 2001-2002 Academic Year at the National Theatre today. Present were Director-General of FAD Chairman of HRDC U Kyaw Win, Deputy Director-General U Khin Maung Tin, Rector of University of Culture (Yangon) U Tin Soe, Rector of University of Culture (Mandalay) U San Win, faculties, Managing Director of Forever Group Daw Khin Khin Lay and others. Director-General U Kyaw Win extended greetings. Member of Board of Directors of Forever Group U Khin Maung Htay gave a speech. The officials presented certificates to the trainees and member U Khin Maung Htay prizes to practical exam prize winning trainee groups. A total of 245 trainees attended the 16-week course. Altogether 700 freshers attended the fresher welcome for 2001-2002 Academic Year.

( 8 )  26th Inter-State/Division Chess Tourney begins

Yangon, 1 Sept- The 26th Inter-State/Division Chess Tournament was opened at Aung San Gymnasium this afternoon. Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint addressed the ceremony. Yangon Division team which won the under-20 international chess tournament and Myanma traditional chess tournament and Mandalay Division team which won the international chess tournament and the championship shield handed over the shields to the minister. Altogether 11 teams of states and divisions will take part in the tournament, which will continue till 10 September.

Football matches of Myanmar in XXI Sea Games to be telecast live

Yangon, 1 Sept- The football matches in which Myanmar team will take part in XXI South-East Asia Games to be held in Malaysia will be telecast live on Myanma Radio and Television. The first half of Myanmar and Cambodia match will be telecast live at 7.10 pm on Monday. The second half will be broadcast after the news programme. The Myanmar and Laos match will be broadcast live on 5 September, Myanmar and Singapore on 7 September and Myanmar and Thailand on 10 September at 3.30 pm until the end of the matches. Detailed programmes for semi-final and final will be announced later.

Billboard erected to hail annual general meeting of USDA (2001)

Yangon, 1 Sept- A ceremony to hail the annual general meeting of Union Solidarity and Development Association was held in front of the Management Traning School of USDA Executives on Yangon-Pyay Road, Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, at 6.40 am today. It was attended by annual general meeting of USDA (2001) and Information Sub-Committee leader Myanma Motion Picture Association Director-General U Bo Kyi and members, Yangon Division USDA Secretary U Aye Myint and executives, Yangon North District USDA executives, members of Hmawby Township Peace and Development Council, executives of Hmawby, Hlegu, Mingaladon and Shwepyitha Township USDAs, members, departmental officials and department personnel, members of War Veterans Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Township Women Affairs Working Committee, Red Cross and Fire Brigade, teachers and students, drum troupe and dobat dance troupe of Fine Arts Department of Ministry of Culture, totalling 2800. Executive of Hmawby Township USDA Daw Aye Aye Maw read the agenda. Then, Chairman of Hmawby Township Peace and Development Council U Ye Hla and Secretary of Township USDA U Kyi Myint formally unveiled the billboard by the ribbon.

Sanitation carried out to hail annual general meeting of USDA

Yangon, 1 Sept- Hailing the annual meeting of Union Solidarity and Development Association, sanitation work was carried out at Children's Hospital this morning. It was organised by Yangon North District USDA. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minster for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint, Central Executive Committee Member of USDA Col Maung Pa, Director-General Dr Wan Maung of Health Planning Department and officials, Head U Myint Than of Environmental Conservation and Sanitation Department of Yangon City Development Committee and officials, Medical Superintendent Dr Mya Thein and nurses, Secretary U Aye Myint of Yangon Division USDA and executives, Secretary U Tin Win and executives of Yangon North District, Chairman U Oo Khaing of Dagon Township Peace and Development Council and secretaries, executives and members of townships in Yangon North District totalling 1,500. The members of USDA also made cash donations and blood donation at the hospital.