( 1 ) General Maung Aye confers with Thai Prime Minister Thai Prime Minister hosts dinner in honor of Myanmar goodwill delegation

Yangon, 25 April - Visiting Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar General Maung Aye called on Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra at the Ivory Room of the State House in Bang-kok, Thailand, at 4.30 pm local time on 23 April.

Before the discussions, General Maung Aye and the Thai Prime Minister posed for a documentary photo.

They then had cordial discussions. Also present on the occasion together with General Maung Aye was Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and the Thai Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai.

Afterwards, Myanmar goodwill delegation led by the General and the Thai Prime Minister and party held a meeting at the Blue Room of the State House at 5.30 pm.

At the meeting, the General was accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Maj-Gen Soe Win, Minister for National Planing and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Myo Myint and departmental heads and the Thai Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Home Affairs Police Capt Purachai Piumsombun, Minister of Commerce Mr Adisai Bodharamik, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon and high-ranking officials.

They discussed matters related to tourism industry, fisheries, agriculture, livestock breeding, promotion of economic cooperation, ensuring smooth transport between the two nations, co-operation in eradication of drugs between the two nations and labor affairs.

The Myanmar goodwill delegation headed by General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San attended a dinner given in their honor by Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra at Santi Maitri building of the State House at night.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and wife Daw Khin Lay Thet, member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife Daw San Yon, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, the ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand and wife, the military attach of Myanmar to Thailand, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defence General Chavalid Youngchaiyude, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai and wife, Minister of Finance Mr Somkid Jatusripitak, Minister of Home Affairs Police Captain Purachai Piumsombun and wife, Minister of Commerce Ardisai Bodharamik, Minister of Health Mrs Sudarat Keyuraphan, Deputy Minister of Defense Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapha, the Thai ambassador to Myanmar and wife and high-ranking officials.

On arrival at the State House at 8.15 pm, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San were welcomed by Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra.

Before the dinner, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and the Myanmar goodwill delegation and Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and party had a cordial meeting. Then, the Thai Prime Minister hosted the dinner for General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San and members of the Myanmar goodwill delegation. During the dinner, music entertainment programmers were presented.

After the dinner, Thai traditional dances were presented. After the dinner, Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and General Maung Aye proposed a toast together with those present at the dinner. Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra presented a gift to General Maung Aye.

General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San presented a basket of flowers to the traditional dance troupe. Then, General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San cordially greeted those present at the dinner and left for the Penninsular Hotel in a motorcade.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai paid a courtesy call on General Maung Aye at the guest room on the 37th floor of the Penninsular Hotel in Bangkok at 2.30 pm on 23 April. Also present together with General Maung Aye were members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Maj-Gen Soe Win, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Myo Myint, Military Attach Lt-Col Ko Ko Maung, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet.

The Thai Foreign Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Tej Bunnag, directors-general and officials. They discussed matters related to the further strengthening of ties of friendship and cooperation of mutual interest.

Daw Mya Mya San, wife of General Maung Aye, Daw Khin Lay Thet, wife of Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of Maj-Gen Soe Win, Daw San Yon, wife of Minister U Win Aung, Dr Daw Tin Moe Aye, wife of the Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand, Daw Khin Win Kyaw, wife of the Myanmar Military AttachŽ to Thailand, Mrs Viparanee Maolanon, wife of the Thai Ambassador to Myanmar and officials visited the Grand Palace in Bangkok at 2 pm on 23 April.

They paid homage to the Emerald Buddha Image in the compound of the Grand Palace.

Daw Mya Mya San made cash donations and signed in the visitors' book.

Then, they visited Vimanmek, the old residence of King Rama V.

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( 2 ) Myanmar and China stepping up efforts to take drug control measures Chinese heroin traffickers exposed and handed over to China

Yangon, 25 April -  The Government is combating narcotic drugs as a national duty, especially taking drug abuse control measures along the border. The Myanmar-China information exchange programmd is achieving considerable success. On 5 April 2002, 354.15 kilograms of heroin were seized in Gwandaung Province, China..................     Full Story

( 3 ) Industry-1 Minister receives Ambassador

Yangon, 25 April - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Ambassador of Israel to Myanmar Mr Yaacov Avrahamy at the ministry this evening. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and directors-general and managing directors of the departments and industries under the ministry.

( 4 ) Maj-Gen Maung Bo looks into construction of Kyweku-Kyaukphya Bridge

Yangon, 25 April - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defense, accompanied by Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Tin Latt and departmental officials, inspected making of concrete beams and installation of steel trusses to Kyaukphya River Kyweku-Kyaukphya Bridge on 22 April afternoon.

Superintending Engineer U Ba Wan reported on work being carried out. Maj-Gen Maung Bo gave instructions on timely completion, meeting the set standard and ensuring worksite safety and attended to the needs. The 3,612 feet long and 28 feet high bridge has a 1,500-foot approach bridge and its main bridge is 640 metres long. It is located on Dawei-Myeik-Kawthoung Road near Kyweku Village in Myeik Township.

( 5 ) Minister inspects construction of Thabbyinnu Stupa

Yangon, 23 April - Chairman of the Leading Committee for Construction of Thabbyinnu Stupa Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe this morning arrived at the Thabbyinnu Stupa construction site and inspected progress of Myanmar artistic works and Buddha images, which will be kept in 60 feet high Gandhakuti. The officials concerned reported on progress of work.

The minister then inspected arrangements for laying concrete for construction of the ceiling of the pagoda being built on the 108 feet high level of the stupa, and fulfilled the requirements. Altogether 70 per cent of construction of the ceiling has been complete. On completion the pagoda will beÊ203 feet and six inches high.

Cash donated to MWJA

Yangon, 25 April - Hailing the third Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association Conference, a ceremony to present cash donations to MWJA was held at the Sarpay Beikman Building on Pyay Road this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Ministers for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein and U Thein Sein, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry, MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung), Vice-Chairmen U Tin Kha (Tekkatho Tin Kha), U Than Maung (Than Maung) and U Myint Thein (Myint Thein-Maubin), Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay), Joint-Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) and central executive committee members and donors.

Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) acted as master of ceremonies. The minister made an address. Then, on behalf of the donors, Saya U San Tin Aung (Shwebo) explained the purpose of the donations. Later, Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) accepted K 2 million donated by Saya U San Tin Aung (Shwebo), K 900,000 by U Kyaw Nyunt Yee-Daw Wah Wah Kyaw, K 700,000 by Saya U Mya Thein (Moe Htwet Myint-Myitwakyun-paw) Myinmoekhit Tathaung General Services Co Ltd, K 50,000 by U Kyaw Hsan (Thu Khi Aung) and K 10,000 by Daw Khin Khin Sein (Yuwady Khin Sein Hlaing). Expressing words of thanks by the chairman brought the ceremony to a close.

Work Efficiency Course for administrative officers opened

Yangon, 23 April - Work Efficiency Training Course No 2 for district/township level officers of General Administration Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs was opened at the GAD's Training School on Saya San Street in Bahan Township here this morning with an address by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.

Also present were Deputy Minster for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, the directors-general of departments under the ministry, the Deputy Director-General Police Brig-Gen of Myanmar Police Force, the deputy directors-general, the directors, course instructors, guests and trainees. In his address, Minister Col Tin Hlaing said that the aims of the course are to bring about the administrative personnel who are efficient in leadership and administration in implementing the objectives and policies of the State, to practically implement those objectives and policies in accord with the existing rules and regulations as well as in conformity with the change of economic, political, administrative and social conditions, and to become a strong administrative body on which future administrative machinery could rely.

The trainee officers are to successfully implement the objectives of the State after realizing the change of their country's economic, political, administrative and social conditions, he said. He stressed the need for trainee officers to study the lectures of the course for practical use, to implement the national and regional development tasks in accord with political, economic and social objectives laid down by the State, and to try to become a good administrator/organizer on whom the State and the people can rely. The three-month course is being attended by 40 district/township level trainee officers.

Fire brigade member's code of conduct contest held

Yangon, 25 April -  The central level fire brigade member's code of conduct contest of the Fire Services Department under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement was held at the Central Fire Services Training School this morning.

 Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win, the director-general and officers of the Fire Services Department inspected the contest . A total of 53 officers and other ranks from the head office and state/division central fire services training schools took part in the contest , which comprises three categories. The prizes will be presented to those who stand first, second and third in the respective divisions on 5 May, the 56th Anniversary Fire Services Day.

( 6 ) Dams in Myingyan District inspected

Yangon, 25 April - Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Chairman of Myingyan District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Swe and officials, inspected Taung-pinle and Myaukpinle dams in Kanchaw Village, Myingyan Township, on 24 April.

In the briefing hall of Myaukpinle dam, the commander heard reports on storage of water, work done for cultivation of cotton and sesame and irrigation systems by officials of the Irrigation Department and gave necessary instructions. Then, the commander proceeded to the project site of Phoungadaw dam in Ngazun Township and heard reports on construction of the main earth embankment, the spillway and the sluice gate, and arrangements being made for water supply on completion of the dam and inspected the site.

The dam with a 60-foot-high and 2,850-foot-long earth embankment and a storage capacity of 7,900 acre-feet, will be able to irrigate 2,000 acres of land in Magyikyat, Tharkyin and Thagyangone Villages in the township.