( 1 ) General Maung Aye inspects construction of Mahatejadipati Pagoda and regional development tasks in Shan State (South)

Yangon, 12 May - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye left Bahtoo Station, Yaksauk Township, by helicopter and arrived at Mongpan at 8.30 am yesterday.

The General was accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, the ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departments.

On arrival at Mongpang, the General and party were welcomed by Director of Supply and Transport of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Htay, Brig-Gen Tha Aye of Mongpan Station, senior military officers, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Nyan Tun Aung and officials.

In the briefing hall of Mahatejadipati Pagoda Construction Project, Brig-Gen Than Htay reported to the General and party on construction of Mahatejadipati Pagoda as of December 2000 on Yadana Hill about 1 mile and 6 furlongs to the west of Mongpang, facts about the pagoda and construction work to be completed by December this year.

The General gave instructions and inspected the scale model of the pagoda.

Then, the General and party inspected construction of the wall of the 108 feet high pagoda, the stairways, the archways, the upper terrace and the cave of the pagoda.

The General and party proceeded to Kyaingtaung region, Monai Township by helicopter. They were welcomed there by Col Tin Yee of Kyaingtaung region, senior military officers, members of Shan State Peace and Development Council, Commissioner of Shan State General Administration Department U Ye Naing Aung, departmental officials and local people.

The General and party inspected Kyaingtaung Station Hospital and spoke words of encouragement to the patients.

The General and party inspected the sites chosen for construction work for the development of Kyaingtaung region.

Later, the General and party went to Tonghong Pariyatti Sarthintaik. They paid respects and offered alms to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Socinna and Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

Next, the General and party inspected construction of Mongpan-Kyaingtaung motor road and gave instructions.

The General and party arrived at Taunggyi in the afternoon. They were welcomed by Deputy Commander of Eastern command Col Myint Aung, Command Staff Colonel Col Win Hlaing, senior military officers and departmental officials.

Member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Soe Win and Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee of Myanma War Veterans Organization member of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, together with member of the USDA Secretariat U Thaung and members of the USDA Central Executive Committee Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, met with secretaries of Shan State (South), Taunggyi District and Taunggyi Township USDAs, executives, organizers and members, chairmen and members of the supervisory committees of Shan State (South) and Taunggyi District War Veterans Organizations and the chairman and members of the organizing committee of Taunggyi Township War Veterans Organization at the office of Shan State (South) USDA in the evening.

Secretary of Shan State (South) USDA U Nyan Lin and Secretary of the Supervisory Committee of Shan State (South) War Veterans Organization Commander of Shan State Police Force Police Col Thura Tin Hla reported on activities of the association and the organization.

Maj-Gen Soe Win, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone spoke on the occasion.

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( 2 ) Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than discusses development of Thandaunggyi in Kayin State, Bago Division

Yangon, 12 May - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence and Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Aung Min arrived at Thandaung in Kayin State yesterday.

They were welcomed by military and civilian officials. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected repairs of old uphill and downhill roads and double-carriage ways and construction of new roads with the use of machinery in Thandaunggyi which will become a hill station. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than then gave instructions. Deputy Superintending Engineer U Myint Aung of Public Works reported on repairs of the uphill road and extension of the downhill road. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min and Division Superintending Engineer U Kyaw Lwin gave supplementary reports.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on the condition of the roads, construction of the roads according to the set standards, durability of the retaining wall and proper drainage. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party met with departmental officials of Thandaung Township and gave instructions on extended cultivation of cardamom plant, cinchona, coffee, pepper and tea. The new Thandaunggyi road is 12 miles long and 18 feet wide. Thandaunggyi hill station which is 4,040 feet above the sea level lies 27 miles east of Toungoo.

Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than met with officials of Division, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials and members of social organizations at the meeting hall of Southern Command in Toungoo and discussed regional development. Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min reported on cultivation of summer and monsoon paddy and cold season crops, purchase of paddy and cultivation of oil crops. Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than spoke at length on the governments endeavors for national development, regional development in Bago Division, making efforts for exceeding the targets  in production and services sectors including agricultural and meat and fish sectors in coordination with regional authorities, seeking ways and means for boosting double cropping and yield and efforts for livestock breeding.

Emphasis must be placed on implementation of five rural development tasks, he said. Efforts are to be made for possessing the characteristics of a city, prevalence of law and order and peace and tranquility in the region and regional development, he added. 

( 3 ) Work coord meeting of Transport Ministry continues

Yangon, 12 May - The first four-monthly work coordination meeting for 2002 of the Ministry of Transport continued for the second day at the meeting hall of the ministry this morning.

It was attended by Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, rectors and principals of universities and training schools and directors-general, managing directors, deputy directors-general, general managers of departments and enterprises under the ministry, those in charge of respective regions and guests.

The deputy ministers reviewed the reports presented by responsible officials. Then, the meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the minister.

( 4 ) Commander inspects construction of Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye)

Yangon, 12 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, members and division level departmental officials, toured Kawhmu and Kungyangon Townships, Yangon South District, yesterday morning and inspected regional development matters.

The Commander and party arrived at the construction project site of Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye), across Ayeyawady River, linking Ingapu village in Kungyangon Township and Dedaye Township of Ayeyawady Division. They were welcomed there by Deputy Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Win and officials of the project. In the briefing hall there, Deputy Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Win reported to the commander on progress of construction work and tasks to be undertaken. The commander gave instructions on timely completion of the construction work meeting the set standards and measures to be taken for worksite safety, and attended to their needs.

Then, Yangon South District Senior Engineer U Kyi Hlaing of Public Works reported on maintenance tasks being undertaken on Kanbe-Pyawbwelay-Dalla Road, Twantay-Kawhmu-Kungyangon Road, Kung-yangon-Dadeye Road and Dalla-Thakhut-Letkhokkon Road. Chairman of Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Hlaing gave a supplementary report on maintenance tasks for roads and bridges in the district. The commander gave necessary instructions and fulfilled the requirements. Next, the commander inspected construction of Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye) and installation of steel beams. Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye), 4,080 feet long, has a 28 feet wide motor-way and three feet wide pedestrian lanes on both sides. The clearance of the bridge will be 390 feet wide and 36 feet high.

The bridge is of reinforced concrete piles and RDC bolt piles. The lower structure of the bridge is of reinforced concrete and the upper structure is of steel beam type. On completion of the bridge, local people will easily access to Dedaye Township of Ayeyawady Division from Kungyangon Township of Yangon Division. Afterwards, the Commander and party saw over Kungyangon-Letkhokkon Road by car and inspected repair of the road near Kawdun village. Then, the Commander and party proceeded to Letkhokkon Beach Hotel. At the briefing hall there, the Commander met with township level departmental officials, local people and livestock breeding entrepreneurs. He explained regional development tasks to be carried out for smooth transportation and breeding of fish and sea prawn in the region.

Next, sea prawn breeders reported on success achieved in sea prawn breeding tasks and requirements and the local people on needs of regional development. The Commander attended to their needs. The Commander then inspected repaving of Dalla-Letkhokkon Road near Danok village. He gave instructions on work and left in the afternoon.

Commander visits tax-free markets

Yangon, 12 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe this morning visited tax-free markets here and inspected business activities. First, at 7 am, the commander arrived at the tax-free market on Pantra Road in Dagon Township where he was welcomed by Commander of No 3 Military Region Col Yan Naing Oo and officials.

The commander then inspected the sale of goods at vegetable shops, fish, meat and egg shops, edible oil shops, rice shops and grocery shops and gave necessary instructions to the officials. Next, the commander and party went to the tax-free market at the corner of Hanthawady Street and Kyundaw Street.

Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and officials welcomed them. At the market, the commander and party inspected vegetable shops of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Yangon City Development Committee, battalions and units under Yangon Command, departments and growers, the chicken, egg and milk shop of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, meat, fish and egg shops of the YCDC, Yangon Command, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd and Ngwepinle Livestock Breeding, sea fish shops of companies, the fresh water fish shop of Kyimyindine Baho Sanpya Market, meat and fish shops of breeders, edible oil shops of UMEHL, rice shops of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Myanmar Rice Dealers Association.

The commander fulfilled the requirements and gave instructions to the officials. The commander and party proceeded to Konmyitha tax-free market and inspected vegetable shops, fish, meat and egg shops of entrepreneurs, edible oil shops of UMEHL and rice shops of MRDA. Then they arrived at Nawadei tax-free market on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and inspected sale of goods at the shops.

The commander and party arrived at Yankin tax-free market on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road next to the office of the Ministry of Industry-2 where Commander of No 2 Military Region Col Tin Oo Lwin and officials welcomed them. The commander and party inspected vegetable, fish, meat and egg shops of entrepreneurs, edible oil shops of UMEHL, rice shops of MRDA, the soap and textile shop of the Ministry of Industry-1, and cordially met with the sellers and buyers. On arrival at Tamway tax-free market, Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Aung Pyi and officials welcomed the commander.

He inspected greens shops of the ministries, departments and growers, sea food shops of UMEHL and companies, meat, fish and egg shops of entrepreneurs, edible oil shops of UMEHL, rice shops and consumer goods shops of the Ministry of Industry-1. To enable the public to buy consumer goods at reasonable prices, six tax-free markets are kept open in Yangon daily.

Tourist guide course concludes

Yangon, 12 May - Concluding ceremony of tourist guide course, jointly organized by Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Mon State Maternal and Child Welfare Association, was held at Yamanya Hall of Mon State Peace and Development Council Office in Mawlamyine on 10 May.

It was attended by Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Myo Hla and senior military officers, Secretary of Mon State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Maw Maw and departmental heads, Patron of Supervisory Committee of Mon State Maternal and Child Welfare Association wife of the commander Daw Than Than Nwe and members, officials of H&T Ministry, members of the Committee for women's Affairs, social organizations and trainees.

First, the commander made an address. Managing Director of Ministry of Hotels and Tourism U Kyi Tun explained matters related to the course. Then, Daw Than Than Nwe spoke words of thanks and presented gifts to the course instructors. Principal of the course U Ohn Kyaw accepted the gifts. Next, U Ohn Kyaw presented certificates to the trainees. A total of 57 trainees attended the course from 1 April to 10 May.

( 5 ) Commander attends opening of Talawgyi Station Hospital in Myitkyina

Yangon, 12 May -  A ceremony to open Talawgyi Station Hospital was held at the hospital in Myitkyina on 9 May morning.

 Present were Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Patron of Kachin State Supervisory Committee for Maternal and Child Welfare Association wife of the commander Daw Tin Tin Nwe, senior military officers of the command headquarters, members of Kachin State Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, representatives of UNDP, well-wishers and local people. Head of Kachin State Health Department Dr Joseph and Talawgyi Village Peace and Development Council Chairman U San Tun formally opened the hospital. The commander and guests visited the hospital.

Then, the commander gave a speech. UNDP Representative U Thein Hsu reported on cooperation in construction of the hospital and Construction Committee Chairman U San Tun on completion of the tasks. Next, Chairman U San Tun handed over documents related to the hospital to Dr Joseph. UNDP Representative U Thein Hsu donated the lens to be used at the hospital. Organizer of Talawgyi Village USDA Daw Nang Tin Tin Hla spoke words of thanks.

The hospital was built at a cost of K 16.5 million donated by local people including K 7 million by UNDP. Next, the commander attended the meeting on regional development tasks to be undertaken in villages of Talawgyi village-tract. Afterwards, the commander presented K 300,000 for supply of drinking water at the hospital and K 200,000 for repair of Nantkwin Creek Bridge in Talawgyi village to officials.

Religious title recipient Sayadaws honoured in Shwebo

Yangon, 12 May - A ceremony to honour religious title recipient Sayadaws and nuns was held at Pakhan Kyaungtaik in Shwebo on 7 May. It was attended by members of the Sangha and nuns, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Northwest Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing, departmental officials, members of social organizations and guests.

Member of the State Sangha Omaha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of Pakhan Kyaungtaik Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa delivered a sermon. Then, the commander supplicated on religious affairs. Afterwards, the commander and officials presented offertories to six religious title recipient Sayadaws and a nun in Shwebo District. Then, the commander accepted K 10 million for construction of a Sangha Hospital in Shwebo and K 10 million for Sagaing Division Abbots Training School donated by well-wishers.

It was followed by sharing of merits gained. On 8 May, the commander attended the opening ceremony of tube well in Sesonegon village in Shwebo township.

Commander attends coord meeting on rural development

Yangon, 12 May - Coordination meeting on implementation of highland cultivation and rural development of Rakhine State was held at the meeting hall of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council on 10 May morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Brig-Gen Maung Oo, Vice-Chairman Brig-Gen Phone Swe and departmental officials. Chairmen of District Peace and Development Councils in Rakhine State reported on implementation of highland cultivation and rural development work.

Then, the commander urged those present to make concerted efforts for the regional development, to organize the peasants for the successful implementation of highland cultivation and to extend livestock breeding and agriculture work and fulfilled the requirements .

( 6 ) CPA and DA certificates presented

Yangon, 12 May -  A ceremony to present Certified Public Accountant certificates of Myanmar Accountancy Council and Diploma in Accounting certificates was held at the training hall of the Auditor-General's Office in Ahlon township here this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Myanmar Accountancy Council Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Vice-Chairman U Khin Win and members, Chairperson of Accountancy Training and Course Supervisory Committee Director-General of the Auditor-General's Office Daw Thin Thin and committee members, directors of the Auditor-General's Office, course lecturers, CPAs who taught practical work, well-wishers and trainees. First, Brig-Gen Tin Aye delivered a speech. Then, the chairman of Myanmar Accountancy Council and officials presented prizes to outstanding trainees.

Later, officials of Myanmar Accountancy Council presented certificates to 127 trainees who passed the CPA (Part II) examination and 313 trainees who passed the DA (Part II) examination.