( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe attends Kathina ceremony of families of Military Intelligence

 Yangon, 18 Nov -The families of Military Intelligence held the 12th Kathina robe offering ceremony at Tatmadaw Dhammayon on Arzarni Street this morning. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing attended the cere-mony and offered Kathina robes and alms to the Sayadaws.

Present on the occasion were State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, Vice-Chairmen of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Maha Aungmyaybonsan Kyaung-taik Sayadaw of Bahan Township Bhaddanta Paninndabhivamsa and Myole Kyaungtaik Sayadaw of Lashio Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhad-danta Kavindacara, member Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

 Also present were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Military Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, members of the State Peace and Deve-lopment Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), ministers, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of the Civil Ser-vice Selection and Training Board, the Mayor of Yangon, senior military officers, deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, heads of department, and officers, other ranks and families of the Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence and military intelligence units. The ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of namotassa. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa.

Then, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Kathina robes and alms to State Ovadacariya Maha Aungmyaybon-kyaw Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhad-danta Nayaka. Afterwards, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, and the congregation offered alms to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon, and Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation shared the merits gained for good deeds. Then, the ceremony came to an end. After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the congregation offered " soon " to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

( 2 )  Secretary-1 attends ceremony to mark Dipavali Day

Yangon, 18 Nov-A ceremony to mark Dipavali Day was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street in Dagon Township at 5 pm today, attended by Secretary-1 of the state Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the Auditor-General, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, officials of embassies of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Central Board (HQ) and executives, the Chairman of the Committee for Observing the Cere-mony and members, Hindus, representatives of various religious associations and guests.

 First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt opened the ceremony by lighting the oil lamps to mark the Dipavali. Then, Chairman of the Committee for Observing the Ceremony Dr D B Limbu extended greetings. Chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Central Board (HQ) Shri G S Sharma also spoke on the occasion. Later, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko made a speech. Vice-Chairman of Committee for Observing the Ceremony explained holding of the ceremony. General Secretary of All Myanmar Hindu Central Board (HQ) U Thein Tun read out the Dipavali message. Afterwards, Hindu traditional dances were presented. Then, Secretary of the Committee for Observing the Ceremony and Chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Youth Association U Kyaw Myint spoke words of thanks.

Work coordinated to construct white elephant-house

Yangon, 18 Nov - A coordination meeting on construction of a house for Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza White Elephant was held at the worksite office of the white elephant garden south of Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Science and Techno-logy U Nyi Hla Nge and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Ministry of Forestry, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and Yangon City Development Committee. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on formation of such necessary committees as the committee for construction of the white elephant-house and garden, the financial committee, the committee for taking care of the white elephant and the security and discipline enforcement committee. Then, a general round of discussions followed. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions, which brought the meeting to a close.

( 3 ) Sayadaws sprinkle Paritta water on white elephant

Yangon, 18 Nov -A ceremony to sprinkle paritta water on Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza White Elephant was held at the temporary shed in the white elephant garden south of Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township this morning.

 Present were Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Maha Aungmyaybonsan Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa and Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Withutayama Taikthit of Magway Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamajotika Bhad-danta Kumara, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Adviser to the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Director-General of the Forest Department U Shwe Kyaw and officials. The Vice-Chairman Saya-daw, the Secretary Sayadaw and members of the Sangha recited Parittas. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha led by the Vice-Chairman Sayadaw sprinkled Paritta water over the head of the white elephant. Then, the ceremony came to a close.

Fourth Communal Kathina of Ministry of Commerce held

Yangon, 18 Nov Ñ The fourth communal Kathina of the office of the Ministry of Commerce and Directorate of Trade was held at Ariyamandaing Sarthintaik on Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road in Mayangone Township, Yan-gon Division, at 9.30 am today. Present on the occasion were Presiding Sayadaw of Sasanamandaing Pali Tekka-tho Kyaungtaik State Vinayadhara Agga Maha Gandavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Sirinda and members of the Sangha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife Daw Aye Pyi Wai Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye and wife, Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win and wife, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung, officials, staff and families of the ministry. The congregation received the Five Precepts from Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silacara(Dhammacariya) of the Ariyamandaing Kyaung-taik.

The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited parittas. Then, the minister and wife, the deputy minister, officials and wellwishers offered Kathina robes and offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. Taikok Sayadaw U Pannaloka (Dhammacariya Vinaya Paliparagu) delivered a sermon. Afterwards, the minister and those present shared the merits gained. Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife presented K 402,000 donated by the ministry, for the construction of three-storey Sarthinsaung to Presiding Sayadaw Bhaddanta Silacara (Dhammacariya) of Ariyamandaing Sarthintaik. The minister and wellwishers offered " soon " to the members of the Sangha.

( 4 )    Building of roads and bridges reflect genuine goodwill of the government towards people of Rakhine State

Ma-i Creek Bridge, 23rd of its kind in Rakhine State, inaugurated

 Yangon, 18 Nov - Ma-i Creek Bridge linking Taungup Township of Thandwe District and An Township of Kyaukpyu District in Rakhine State and lying on Taungup-Ma-i Highway in Taungup Township was inaugurated this morning, with an address by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe. Also present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Brig-Gen Kyi Thein of Taungup Station, officials of the Ministry of Construction, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and social organizations, students and local people exceeding 25,000.

 The commander said that Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance that development of the nation depends on transport; only when transport conditions are good, will there be economic and social development; to narrow the gap of development resulting from difficulty in transport and to promote relationships among regions, roads and bridges are being built. In accord with the guidance of the Senior General, efforts are being made to build 80 highways all over the Union, and a large number of necessary bridges, big and small, are being built as well.

 The construction of roads and bridges brings about easy access to states and divisions which were previously difficult of access; if the transport conditions become smooth, national races will have more contacts with one another; they will understand one another more and more and the Union Spirit will become stronger. In the time of the State Peace and Development Council, altogether 134 bridges have been built and inaugurated in various states and divisions.

As Ma-i Creek Bridge, the 23rd of its kind in Rakhine State, will be opened today, there will be 135 bridges which have been successfully opened. The building of roads and bridges reflect the genuine goodwill of the government towards the people of Rakhine State. In accord with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, An-Sittway section of Yangon-Sittway Highway, 202 miles and 3 furlongs long, have been successfully built. Senior General Than Shwe himself formally opened Yangon-Sittway Highway in February 2000 and inspected Sittway-An-Minbu section by car.

In Rakhine State, Taungup-Ma-i-An Highway which provides access to An and Taungup-Ma-i-Sane-Kyaukpyu Highway which provides access to Kyaukpyu  are being built. In addition, the three exits of Rakhine State, An-Minbu Highway, Taungup-Pyay Highway and Gwa-Ngathaingchaung Highway, are being upgraded. Ma-i Creek Bridge is situated at the junction of Taungup-Ma-i-Tattaung-An Highway and Yangon-Kyaukpyu Highway, and it is an important bridge for the transport sector of Taungup, An, Yanbye and Kyaukpyu. Ma-i Creek Bridge takes up an important position and serves as a link between Sittway, Taungup and Thandwe in Rakhine State, Ayeyawady Division and Yangon Division.

Measures are being taken to implement the farsighted guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe: to build rural roads, to supply clean and pure water, to narrow the gap of education between rural and urban areas, and to send doctors and health employees right down to rural areas. The people of Rakhine State need to realize the goodwill of the government for spending a large amount of money on construction of roads and bridges with the aim of improving the social standard of local people and development of respective regions. They are required to work harder in extending sown acreage, cultivating cold season crops, breeding prawns and catching sea fish.

In this way, they are required to strive for the development of Rakhine State, and by extension, for the development of the State. In conclusion, the commander called for cooperation of the Tatmadaw and the people in striving for the emergence of a new, peaceful and prosperous nation in response to the goodwill of the government and urged all to uphold Our Three Main National Causes laid down by the State. Next, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun said that construction of Ma-i Creek Bridge began on 23-3-99. In accord with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, engineers and workers worked hard, and despite all the difficulties, the bridge has been successfully completed in 31 months' time.

 The bridge has been built with the aim of facilitating the flow of commodity among Yangon Division, Bago Division, Ayeyawady Division, Magway Division, Mandalay Division and the western part of Rakhine State. As Rakhine State can produce more and more fish and prawns year after year, roads and bridges are to be upgraded. Construction of a two-lane bridge will also contribute to construction of Kyaukkyipauk Bridge, 300 feet long, Sane Bridge, 720 feet long, Londawpauk Bridge, 1,260 feet long, and Minkyaung Creek Bridge, 2,140 feet long, on Ma-i-Kyaukpyu Highway. In addition, it will contribute to construction of new bridges Ñ Thanthamachay Bridge, 880 feet long, and Winpaik Bridge, 860 feet long. On completion of all the bridges, trucks and other vehicles will be able to drive along the route without difficulty and the flow of commodity will become smooth.

 Altogether 135 bridges have been opened, and they cost about K 51,770 million and over US $ 129 million. Twenty-three bridges have been built in Rakhine State, and they cost K 7,803.175 million and US $ 7.6815 million. The minister added that Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance that the three important tasks for the development of the State and uplift of Union Spirit are health, education and transport; only when states and divisions have access to one another, will there be economic, health, education and social development; in the light of the gap of development, roads and bridges are being built. In accord with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe, the Ministry of Construction is implementing the objective for ensuring the smooth and secure transport.

In 1988, there were only 13,635 miles of roads, and now there are 17,873.6 miles of roads, and there is an increase in the length of roads by 4,238.6 miles. After 1988, the cost for construction of 43 roads stretching 1,827 miles was about K 8,000 million. The government is building bridges and roads without taking any assistance from any nations. Using money from the sale of rice, paddy, timber and minerals, they have been built. Therefore, the people of Rakhine State are required to respond to the goodwill of the government by contributing to the production work of the State. Executive of Taungup Township USDA U Tun Wai, on behalf of local people, spoke words of thanks for construction of the bridge. Afterwards, the commander presented gifts to Deputy Superintending Engineer of Ma-i Creek Bridge Project U Tin Htut.

 Later, the commander, the minister and guests went to the top of the bridge on the bank of Taungup Township. The commander and the minister formally opened the bridge. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun formally unveiled the stone plaque of the bridge. Then, the commander, the minister, the deputy minister, officials and national people inspected the bridge. Ma-i Creek Bridge, built at a cost of K 712.9 million by the Ministry of Construction, is of reinforced concrete type. The bridge, 940 feet long and 30 feet wide, has a 24-foot-wide motor way and two 3-foot-wide pedestrian lanes.

( 5 ) Minister U Win Aung arrives back from UNGA

Yangon, 18 Nov - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung after attending the 56th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, arrived back in Yangon by air this evening. He was welcomed back at the airport by Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and heads of department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 During his stay in New York on 12 November at the signing ceremony at the UN Headquarters, Minister U Win Aung signed the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and deposited the instrument of accession to the International Convention for Suppression of Terrorist Bombings. Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung delivered a policy statement at the general debate of the UN General Assembly on 14 November. On the same day, he attended the Annual Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Non-Alignment Movement and made a statement.

 Minister U Win Aung, together with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Mr Lakshman Kadirgamar, co-chaired the Ministerial meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on 15 November and discussed matters relating to cooperation between ASEAN and SAARC. In the afternoon of 15 November, Minister U Win Aung called on the President of the UNGA and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Mr Hang Seung-Soo and exchanged views with him on the important issues addressed at the current session of the UNGA. He also called on United Nations Secretary-General Mr Kofi Annan and discussed matters of mutual interest. Minister U Win Aung also met with the Administrator of the UNDP Mr Malloch Brown and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba. On the morning of 16 November, Minister U Win Aung attended the Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77. Officer on Special Duty U Min Thein also arrived back together with the Minister.

Yangon, 18 Nov - The ceremony to present prizes to winners of the Traffic Rules Enforcement Educative Exhibition and Competitions was held at the first floor of Yankin Market at 3 pm today. Patron of Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee Minister for Home Afairs Col Tin Hlaing delivered the opening speech and presented prizes to the winners.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee Chairman Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Committee Vice-Chairman Joint-Secretary of YCDC U Kyi Win, Committee Secretary Military Provost Marshal Brig-Gen Saw Hla and Committee members, heads of department, judges of the competitions, prize-winners and guests.

Minister Col Tin Hlaing presented prizes to U Zaw Htay (Ko Zaw Htay - Culture) who stood first, Daw Mar Mar Myaing (Mar - Archaeology), who was second, Ma Aye Aye Han (Khin Aye Aye Han - Myawady TV) who was third and those who won consolation prizes in short-story competition. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Myint presented prizes to U Than Tun (Ko Ko - Kankawlay) who stood first, U Myo Htut (Myo Htut) who was second, U Than Swe (Danubyu Than Swe Thit) who was third and those who won consolation prizes in article competition.

 Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo presented prizes to Maung Thantaing Tun (Maung Myo Win Tun - Monywa) who stood first, U Bachi (Cartoon Bachi) who was second, U Khin Maung Lwin (Cartoon Kyaw Kyaw Lwin) who was third and those who won consolation prizes in professional level cartoon competition. He also presented prizes to Maung Ye Htut Aung of Teachers Training Middle School of Yankin Education College who stood first, Ma May Theint Tun Ni of BEHS-2 Kamayut who was second, Maung Thant Zin of BEHS-1 Latha who was third and those who won consolation prizes in high school level cartoon competition. Committee Secretary Military Provost Marshal Brig-Gen Saw Hla presented prizes to Zaw Win (Hnget-pyaw-thgee) who stood first, Maung Hla Han (Bachi Hla han) who was second, Maung Ye Htut Aung (Kyauktan) who was third and those who won consolation prizes in professional level poster competition.

 Committee Joint Secretary Traffic RulesEnforcement Supervisory Committee Vice-Chairman U Kyi Win presented prizes to Ma Aye Ei Soe San of BEHS-2 Latha who stood first, Ma Su Mon Thazin Aung of BEHS-2 Kamayut who was second, Ma Thinzar Lwin of BEHS-2 Latha who was third and those who won consolation prizes in high school level poster competition. Deputy Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win presented prizes to the Yangon Division Road Transport which stood first, Taninthayi Division (Dawei) Road Transport which was second, YCDC Public Relations and Information Department which was third and those departments which won consolation prizes in photo competition. Committee member Director-General of Road Transport U Hla Thaung Myint presented prizes to judges.

U Myo Thant Thant (Maung Hsu Shin) representing the judges of short story competition, Director (News) of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun ( Hla Tun (Twantay) representing the judges of article competition, Cartoonist Shwe Mintha representing the judges of cartoon competition, Bachi U San Toe representing the judges of poster competition and Myanmar Photographers Association Chairman U Thiha Thein Nyan representing the judges of photo competition accepted the prizes. Afterwards, the Director-General of Road Transport U Hla Thaung Myint donated a computer for MPF Wireless Unit and Traffic Police Division to Police Lt-Col Aung Naing, who presented certificate of honour.

 FISCA Group donated K 100,000 and Bagan Security Services Co Ltd security equipment to the Yangon Division Wireless Unit and Traffic Police Division. Then, Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win presented gifts to advisers to the Traffic Rules Enforcement Exhibition of WUTP and then the ceremony came to an end. The Exhibition Compititions opened for final day on the first floor of Yankin Market from 9 am to 5 pm. The officers of military provost marshal, staff of Road Transportation Department and MPF and Bureau of Special Investitagation, drivers and conductors of all bus lines control committee, students, monks and others totaling 9726, viewed the exhibition.

To mark the successful completition of the exhibition, the FISCA Group hosted dinner at Adorn's Kitchen in The Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residences. It was attended by Patron of Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee Minister for Home Afairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Traffic Rules Enforcement Supervisory Committee Chairman Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and committee members, heads of department, judges of the competitions, MPF Wireless Unit and Traffic Police Division, Road Transport Administration Department, officials of YCDC, maging director U Zaw Weik, general manager U Zaw Win and officials of FISCA Group, director Maj Myint Aung (Retd) and officials of Bagan Security Services Co Ltd and guests.