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

 Yangon, 12 Dec - On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Kenya, which falls on 12 December 2001, 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 Excellency Mr Daniel Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya.

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( 2 ) Secretary-1 inspects perpetual all-round renovation tasks of Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon, 11 Dec - Patron of the Leading Committee for Perpetual All-round Renovation of the Shwe-dagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected perpetual all-round renovation tasks of the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

Accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 arrived at the pagoda at 7.30 am, and they were welcomed there by member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, the ministers, the deputy ministers, departmental heads, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials.

The Secretary-1 offered flowers and lights, and paid reverence to the Buddha images in the eastern prayer hall of the pagoda. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 inspected offering gold plates to the pagoda and renovation of religious buildings on the pagoda platform. After giving necessary instructions to the officials concerned, the Secretary-1 left the pagoda later in the morning.

( 3 ) Rural water supply project being implemented to erase difficulties, anxieties and bring about socio-economic progress Wellwishers donate over K 4.8m to help implement rural water supply project earlier

Yangon, 11 Dec-The first cash donation for water supply tasks in rural areas being implemented by Development Affairs Department of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs was held at hall of Development Affairs Department on Strand Road in Thanlyetsun in Botahtaung Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Present were Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, the ministers, the Yangon Mayor, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, wellwishers and guests. Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on measures undertaken to install water supply in rural areas.

 He said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on implementation of five water supply tasks in rural areas ensuring smooth transport in rural areas, water supply in those areas, uplifting the education for rural people, promoting health care services for rural people and economic deve-lopment of rural areas.

 The ministry is undertaking the tasks of ensuring smooth transport and water supply in rural areas, he said. He said the ministry has drawn the 10-year water supply project in rural areas. According to the survey conducted in 1999-2000 fiscal year, altogether 8,042 villages are in need of pure drinking water in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway Divisions.

Another 14,567 villages also need pure drinking water in other states and divisions including border areas, he said. Drinking water supply project for the above-mentioned villages was implemented in 2000-2001 fiscal year with the assistance of local authorities at different levels. The development committees undertook the water supply tasks in 1,761 villages at a cost of K 258.16 million, he said.

He said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a contract to provide drilling machines worth 624 million yen and other mate-rials for water supply in villages in Shan State (North). He explained about sinking of 17 artesian wells in Bagan-NyaungOo region by Bridge Asia Japan (BAJ) and providing 12,011 hand-driven pumps and waterpipes beginning 1997 by UNICEF. Utopia Japan Inc & Silver Wave Co presented US$ 10,000 for villages in upper Myanmar to the Secretary-1 and water supply tasks are being undertaken in five villages in Magway and Natmauk Townships in Magway Division with the use of the donation. The minister said artesian wells are to be sunk according to the wishes of the wellwishers and thanked the donors.

Maj-Gen Soe Win of the Ministry of Defence presented K 250,000 each donated by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Service Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and family and Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and family to the Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the donors.

 The Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presented K 250,000. Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein presented K 3 million donated by senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, K 7 million by Agga Mah Thiri Thudhamma Theingi title recipient Daw Se, Chairman U Aik Tun of Olympic Co Ltd and Asia Wealth Bank K 5 million and Kachin State Soecial Region-1 K 500,000, KNU peace group (Phayagon village) K 250,000 to the Secretary-1.

Maj-Gen Soe Win accepted K 3.5 million donated by Chairman U Thein Tun of Tun Foundation Bank Ltd and MGS Beverages Co Ltd, K 2.5 million by U Tun Myint Naing of Asia World Co Ltd, K 1 million by Shan State (North) Wa peace group special region-2, K 500,000 by Kachin State special region-2 and K 250,000 Kayah State pecial region-3.

Maj-Gen Thein Sein accepted K 2.5 million by Brig-Gen Sein Lay and Daw Than Than Lay, K 1.25 million by Shan State (South) PaO special region-6 and Rubby Dragon Co and K 1 million by Shan State(East) special region-4, Lwin and Swan Motor Co Ltd and KAF Equipment and Trade Co Ltd.

 The ministers and the Yangon Mayor accepted K 1 million by outstanding performance in social field (second class) Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Thein Win-Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Ni (Shwethanlwin Co Ltd) K 500,000 each by New Mon State Party Peace Group, Shan State (North) special region-5, Kachin peace group, U Paw Hein-Daw Khin Myo Win(Myanmar Plastics), U Thein Han of Myanmar Pipes and Accessories Co Ltd (Tokyo Pipes), U Sein Wan, U Hla Myuint-Daw Yin Mya and Palaung peace group (Kyaukme), K 250,000 each by Kayah State special region-2 and Progressive Buddhist Kayin National Peace Group, K 500,000 each by Chairman U Maung Maung of Asia Express Co Ltd and Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Tin Win-Daw San San Win of KN Co Ltd, K 250,000 each by Dr Naing Oo of Fair Trade Co Ltd, U Thein Shwe of Lapyaewun Co Ltd, Minister for Labour U Tin Win, U Tin Tun Naing of Kindred Alliance Co Ltd, U Zaw Weik and party of Fisca Security and Communication, U Khin Maung Lat (Tongta Co Ltd), U Zaw Win of (Zaw Tun air compressor), U Zaw Naing of Inter Graph Trading, U Mya Han of Fortune International Co Ltd, U Maung Maung Myint of Myan Naing Myint Co Ltd, U Maung Maung of Shwe Kabar Construction Co Ltd, U Win Naing of Pyaezone Win Naing Co Ltd, U Ngwe Zaw of Energy Car Servicing, Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt of BTB, U Thet Lin of IZTM Construction Co Ltd, U Sein Oo of Sein Enterprise, U Maung Cho-Daw Khin Ohn Cho and U Nan Aung-Daw Win Myint. On behalf of wellwishers, Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Se and Chairman U Aik Tun reported on purpose of the donation.

 Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt expressed great pleasure for the meritorious donation of over K 40 million made by the wellwishers towards the funds for provision of water supply to rural areas under the sponsorship of the Ministry of PBANRDA. According to the data, it is required to supply adequate amount of drinking water, which meet the health standard, to over 22,000 rural areas in the dry zones, Mandalay Division, Sagaing Division and Magway Division, and other states and division including the border regions of the nation.

 The project is being implemented under the leadership of the State; the adequate water supply system has reached nearly 3,000 villages at present; the water supply will be provided to the remaining villages. Due to less rainfall and trees in the dry regions, Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway Divisions, resulting from certain reasons, the people of these regions are facing water shortages because of the dry weather and uncertain rain.

They are facing not only the difficulties in getting enough volume of irrigation water but also experiencing scarcity in drinking water. In some areas, people are suffering from various kinds of diseases due to lack of hygiene as they have to spend nearly the whole day to fetch just a bail of water. Thus, the people of these areas wants water, and not gold. The rural water supply project will erase of the daily difficulties and anxieties to get water and lead to socio-economic progress. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance on the five tasks to develop rural health, education, transport and economy including the rural water supply.

At present the government is striving to materialize the guidance. The State is applying various means to implement dam projects, pumped-water projects and underground water projects to supply adequate amount of irrigation water in rural areas. The people of the areas where the projects have been implemented are getting water for irrigation and drinking and enjoying socio-economic progress.

 At present, the dry Anya region is regenerated with trees, and the climate of the region has been tamed as the Nine Districts Greening Project has been implemented with ardent efforts by the government and the people in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. The regional people are practically enjoying the fruits of the project.

The Head of State has also given guidance to pave a way for the people to participate in the rural water supply project as their cooperation will lead to earlier completion of the project and bringing in results sooner, rather than taking all the responsibilities by the government alone. The first donation ceremony was held for earlier completion of the project in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.

 The Secretary-, on behalf of the State, thanked the wellwishers, wishing them happiness and auspiciousness. After cordially greeting the wellwishers, the Secretary-1 inspected the water jet, materials required to sink a 2-inch rube-well with a dept between 200 and 400 feet and a 4-inch tube-well with a dept of 200 feet. The wellwishers including Chairman of Kanbawza Bank Ltd U Aung Ko Win and Vice-Chairperson Thiha Thudhamma Theingi, Thiri Thudhamma Theingi, Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Nang Than Htwe (recipient of the medal of the Excellent Performance in Social Field-First Class) and family who presented K 7.5 million to sink 30 tube-wells, donated K 48,750,000 at the ceremony.

( 4 ) Thai delegation concludes visit

 Yangon, 11 Dec - Chairman of the Thai Tourism Authority and Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Somsak Thepsutin and party left here for home by air yesterday evening after visiting Yangon, Bago, Bagan-NyaungU, Mandalay and PyinOoLwin for four days from 7 to 10 December.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and officials of the Royal Thai Embassy, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of the Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, Managing Director U Kyi Tun of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and officials.

 The visiting minister and party paid obeisance to the Maha Arnthtu Kantha Pagoda in PyinOoLwin and visited Kandawgyi National Gardens on 9 December morning. In the afternoon, they also visited Mandalay Maha Myatmuni Image and Mandalay Hill. On 10 December morning, the minister and party visited Myanansankyaw Golden Palace, Kuthodaw Pagoda and Shwenandaw Kyaung and studied such Myanmar arts and craft as stone sculpture and Lunyagyaw gold tapestry. The Thai guests visited Myanmar to promote Myanmar-Thai tourism services.

Minister receives Ambassadors

 Yangon, 11 Dec- Minister for Labour U Tin Winn received Ambassador of Australia Mr Trevor David Wilson at his office at 10 am today and Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori at 11.30 am. They cordially discussed labour affairs. Also present at the calls were Director-General U Soe Nyunt of Labour Department and officials.

Minister receives PRC dance troupe

Yangon, 11 Dec- The 31-member dance troupe led by Mr Bai Yaguang and five leading artistes from Heilongjiang Province, the People's Republic of China, accompanied by Cultural Attach' of the PRC Embassy in Yangon Mrs Ren Xiuzhi, called on Minister for Culture U Tin Winn at the minister's office at 3.30 pm today. Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and officials were also present on the occasion.

( 5 ) Chinese dance troupe presents entertainment programme

 Yangon, 11 Dec- The dance troupe led by Mr Bai Yaguang of Heilongjiang Province of the People's Republic of China, currently here under the cultural exchange programme between Myanmar and PRC, presented entertainment at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street at 7 pm today.

 Present on the occasion were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Culture U Tin Winn, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, departmental heads, Ambassadors and officials of embassies in Yangon and guests.

 The stilts walking dance, music, gymnastics, singing of Myanmar songs and dances, playing of the lute, rural dances of PRC, magic show, playing of the flute and skill demonstration of skate were presented. After the entertainment programme, Minister for Culture U Tin Winn and Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun presented the flower basket to the dance troupe. The dance troupe will present entertainment programme at the theatre on 13 and 14 December at 7 pm.

GDP Computation Course opens

Yangon, 11 Dec - Course No 6/2001 on Computation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), conducted by the Planning Department under the Ministry of National Planning & Economic Development, was opened at the training hall of the department at 11.30 am today, with an address by Minister for National Planning & Economic Development U Soe Tha. Present on the occasion were Director-General of Planning Department Daw Than Nwe, directors-general of departments and organizations under the ministry, officials, guests and 43 trainees. The course will last till 19 December.

Diploma course on Library and Management opened

Yangon, 11 Dec - A ceremony to open Diploma course on Library and Management No 1 was held at the Ancient Myanmar Manuscript Department at the corner of 54th Street and Merchant Street in Botahtaung Township this morning, with an address by Minister for Education U Than Aung. Also present were Deputy Ministers for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, the directors-general of departments and enterprises, the chairmen, deputy directors-general, directors, rectors, pro-rectors, principals, librarian of Universities Central Library and trainees. Minister U Than Aung said that the opening of the course is to promote the skills of staff working in libraries of universities, degree colleges and colleges under higher education departments and to assist establishment of e-Library. The diploma course is the first ever one of higher education department, and altogether 30 trainees are attending the course.

( 6 )  Organizing Committee for 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Nation-building Endeavours Exhibition meets

Yangon, 11 Dec- The Organizing Committee for the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Nation-building Endeavours Exhibition held the first coordination meeting at the hall of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this afternoon. Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Organizing Committee Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, committee members deputy ministers of respective ministries and officials. At the meeting, Chairman Minister U Tin Winn said that it is necessary to hold the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Nation-building Endeavours Exhibition on a grander scale than the previous year's exhibition and he invited suggestions to display the booths of respective ministries in accord with the 12 objectives of the State. Then, the deputy ministers and officials reported on participation of their ministries' booths at the exhibition. Secretary of the committee Director of DSMHRI Col Ye Htut reported on general matters. Afterwards, Minister U Tin Winn gave necessary instructions. Later, Chairman Minister U Tin Winn and members viewed the booths at the exhibition.

Cash donated to MMCWA

Yangon, 11 Dec - A ceremony to donate cash to the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association by the Macau Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association was held at the meeting hall of MMCWA at the corner of Parami Road and Thanthuma Road in South Okkalapa Township, here at 11 am today. It was attended by Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and CEC members and wellwishers. Ms Lam Hong Leng, group leader of the youth of Macao Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association, explained the purpose of the donation.

After that, the Macau Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association presented US $ 1,500 to Vice-Chairperson of the Association Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, who presented a certificate of honour to the wellwisher. Then, Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe explained notable facts about the association and spoke words of thanks. The wellwisher party visited the Early Childhood Development Centre and Domestic Science Training School, which are run by the association. The Macau Myanmar Overseas Chinese Association comprising 16 members arrived in Myanmar on 8 December and visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Kaba Aye Pagoda in Yangon Division and famous pagodas in Thanlyin, Kyauktan and Bago.

Minister inspects construction of roads, bridges

Yangon, 11 Dec - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and staff from Public Works, inspected Yangon-Magway road yesterday morning. The Yangon Division Superintending Engineer and the Yangon North District Superintending Engineer reported on maintenance of the road section in Yangon Division, and the Bago Division Superintending Engineer on maintenance of the road in Bago Division. The minister gave instructions and fulfilled the requirements. The minister arrived at the construction site of Aye-yawady Bridge (Magway) at 4 pm and heard the reports on construction tasks by No 88 Light Infantry Division Commander Col Ohn Myint and project engineers at the briefing hall of the site. The minister gave instructions on systematic use of machinery, measures for worksite safety and installation of iron frames. After attending to the needs, he inspected the site. The bridge is being built to link Mingala Street in Magway and Phaya-koesugon in Htaukshabin Village, Minbu. It is 8,989-ft long including approach bridges. The motorway is 28-ft wide and each walkway on both sides is 6-ft wide. The bridge can withstand 60-ton loads.