( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to President of Republic of Azerbaijan

Yangon, 28 May - 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 Heyder A Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan which falls on 28 May 2002.

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( 2 ) Myanmar-China Bilateral Agreements Implementation Committee meets

Yangon, 27 May - Myanmar-China Bilateral Agreements Implementation Committee held its coordination meeting at Zeyathiri Beikman in Konmyinttha this evening with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said the meeting was to discuss the speedy implementation of Myanmar-China bilateral agreements. He said President of the People's Republic of China Mr Jiang Zemin, during his goodwill visit to Myanmar, held discussions with Head of State Senior General Than Shwe of the Union of Myanmar. The bilateral agreements which resulted from the discussions are being implemented.

Therefore, ministries concerned are to undertake the matters relating to the agreements with momentum, he said. He continued Myanmar and PRC exchanged visits for implementation of the agreements reached during President Mr Jiang Zemin's visit to Myanmar; discussions were held for implementation of bilateral agreements during the recent visit of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs to China.

The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs would report on the issue. Of the agreements between the leaders of the two countries, cooperation programmes which are mainly concerned with agriculture, human resources development, exploitation of resources and construction of infrastructures are to be implemented.

He said there are a lot of bilateral cooperation programmes to be undertaken in connection with human resource development, the sending of scholars for further studies, hydel power, oil and natural gas production and tourism sectors.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on the speedy implementation of bilateral agreements. Completion of the tasks being undertaken by the ministries concerned, successful implementation of the future tasks and requirements should be presented at the meeting.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win reported on discussions with PRC officials on cooperation in agriculture, electric power projects, paper and pulp production, oil and natural gas exploration and production and promotion of tourism during his visit to the PRC.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Minister for Communications, Posts and Tele-graphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint reported on matters relating to agriculture and industry under the bilateral agreements implementation, communications, transport by land and water, livestock breeding and fisheries, oil and natural gas production and hydel power projects and future tasks.

The Secretary-1 said it was learnt that President Mr Jiang Zemin gave instructions to the departments concerned for speedy implementation of bilateral agreements. This is why the delegations from the PRC arrived in Myanmar and they are carrying out the tasks.

He spoke of the need for the respective ministries to raise the momentum in implementing the bilateral agreements between the two leaders and to speedy implement the tasks on infrastructure construction sector of transport and communication and electric power production.

Tasks on agriculture, paper and pulp production, communication, industry and oil and natural gas production are to be undertaken in accord with the agreements, he said. He said the ministries concerned are to report on implementation of the tasks and discussions made with departments from the PRC. The meeting ended in the evening.

Another white elephant emerges in Rakhine State Secretary-1 inspects white elephant in Hlawga Wild Life Park

Yangon, 27 May - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected the white elephant with outstanding features which was caught near old Kainggyi Village, Alei Thankyaw Station, Maung-taw Township, Rakhine State, at the temporary elephant house in Hlawga Wild Life Park of the Ministry of Forestry this morning.

The Secretary-1, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Hlawga Wild Life Park in Mingaladon Township, Yangon North District, at 9.45 am.

The Secretary-1 inspected another white elephant found in Rakhine State. It has outstanding features and has become tame in a short time. Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone and officials reported on the sighting of the white elephant.

The Secretary-1 gave instructions and lauded the efforts of the heads of department and employees. It is learnt from the local security unit and the local intelligence unit that a white elephant was found in Buthidaung and Maungtaw Townships in Rakhine State and was wandering together with another eight elephants. During his tour of Rakhine State in December 2001, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt gave instructions on keeping an eye on it, giving information to the higher authorities and the elephant search team if it was surely a white elephant and taking measures to capture it as soon as possible.

The local intelligence unit confirmed on 12 December 2001 that a white elephant was found in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State, and asked authorities concerned to send an elephant finding team of Timber Extraction Division under Myanma Timber Enterprise. The Managing Director of Myanma Timber Enterprise reported the matter to the Ministry of Forestry.

Then, a white elephant finding plan was drawn up; an eight-member white elephant finding team led by

Assistant General Manager of Timber Extraction Division (Head Office) U Aye Kyaing was formed. The team left for Rakhine on 16 December 2001, and in cooperation with the elephant finding team in Rakhine State and members of the local security unit and the local intelligence unit, were based at Sinsweya Village, Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State.

The team combed the forests in search of the white elephant. On the basis of the information given by local people, the white elephant finding team moved to various camps in Buthidaung and Maungtaw Townships Sinsweya village, Thitaw village, Mawrawady village, Kainggyi village and Kinchaung village  along Mayyu mountain ranges in Rakhine State.

The team divided itself into groups, which searched the white elephant along Mayyu mountain ranges from 20 December 2001 to 25 January 2002. They had to find out whether the white elephant was among over 250 wild elephants which they found. On 25 January 2002, the combined team led by Assistant Manager (Timber Extraction) U Nyunt Wai found a white elephant with outstanding features among about 18 wild elephants near the left tributary of Kainggyi creek (map reference 84 D/5 M 434310) in Maungtaw Township, Rakhine State.

The team observed the movement of the elephant herd comprising the white elephant on 26 and 27 January 2002. At the same time, the site for taming the white elephant was selected and necessary preparations were made. At about 10 am on 28 January 2002, a herd of nine elephants including the white elephant was found; the team approached the elephant herd with three tame elephants of the Timber Extraction Division; the team tried to disperse the herd including the white elephant and get the elephants to move towards the plains.

When the team approached the elephant herd, the sun was gradually setting. At that time, there were

only four elephants including the white elephant in the herd; they were then on the plains. At about 5 pm on 28 January 2002, the team captured the white elephant by use of the syringe rifle at the right tributary of Kainggyi creek (map reference 84 D/5 M 405305) at about 5 pm on 28 January 2002.

Then, the white elephant was tied and given antidote; in the moonlight of the Fullmoon Day of Pyatho, it was carried together with the three tame elephants to Pakhetkyone Camp (temporary elephant training camp) near Kinchaung Village, Maungtaw Township; they arrived there at about 11 pm. At Pakhetkyone Camp for about one month from 29-1-2002 to 28-2-2002, the white elephant was trained to be tame and given treatment; when caught, it struggled very hard and got cuts and bruises because of rope; these cuts and bruises were systematically treated.

The white elephant was moved to the compound of the local intelligence unit in Buthidaung Township for the sake of security. The training programme continued and treatment was given for one month from 1-3-2002 to 30-3-2002 to such an extent that all the cuts and bruises totally healed. On 31-3-2002, the white elephant was carried together with a tamed elephant Shwe Toe Win from Buthidaung to Sittway in Rakhine State by z-craft Yay Kyant of Inland Water Transport.

On 1-4-2002, the white elephant was conveyed from Sittway to Yangon by z-craft Aung Yadana of Myanma Timber Enterprise, and arrived at Aungzeya Timber Jetty of Myanmar Timber Enterprise in Ahlon Township at 9 am on 5-4-2002. Then, it was conveyed to Hlawga Wild Life Park of the Forest Department by car and arrived there at about 10.35 am. The white elephant was kept at the temporary house and trained to be tame; it was also given medical attention to ensure that all the bruises and cuts healed. Now the white elephant is tame and its bruises and cuts have already healed.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected it this morning and gave instructions. The white elephant is about 25 years old; it is very calm and has outstanding features; it is 7 feet 2 inches high; the girth of its body is 10 feet 7 inches; its back is 7 feet 2 inches long; its tail with a turf of russet hair is 3 feet 8 inches. Its eyes are of pearl colour; its skin is light pink; when touched with water, the skin turns brighter pink. Its hair is white; the shape of its back is like Hnyet-pyaw-gaing, ie the back hangs down like the bough of a banana tree; its ears are very large and resembles a triangular brass gong; there are four toe-nails on each forefoot and hind foot; its hooves are pink; its trunk is long and reaches the ground; the edge of its eyelids is pink and it has white eyelash. It has a pair of tusks. As the combined team led by Assistant Manager U Aye Kyaing energetically searched for the white elephant for 36 days, the State gets another white elephant with outstanding features.

There have emerged two white elephants in the Union of Myanmar. The white elephant will be carried to the white elephant garden near Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township after seeking Ovada from the Sayadaws.

( 3 ) Transport Minister receives Korean Ambassador

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe received Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Myanmar Mr Lee Kyung-Woo at his office on the Merchant Street here at 10 am today. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint and U Pe Than, Director-General of Department of Civil Aviation U Win Maung and Managing Director of the Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay.

( 4 ) Minister inspects bridge construction works in Mandalay, Magway

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials from Public Works, arrived at Bagan-NyaungU yesterday morning.

There, the minister inspected the construction of NyaungU-Chauk-Magway Road section by car and gave instructions on repairs of clogged drains, landslides and erosion due to mountain torrent.

On arrival at the construction project of Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway), the minister and party heard reports on progress of bridge construction by Chief Engineer U Han Zaw at the briefing hall.

The minister gave instructions on timely completion of the fixing of iron frames, proper supervision in reinforced concrete works as it is important, systematic use of bridge construction materials and safety in the work site.

Later, the minister inspected the construction work being carried out at the site. The bridge is being built spanning the Ayeyawady River, and its main structure is 6,969 feet in length, and approach structure 2,020 feet in length, totalling 8,989 feet long. It has a 28-ft wide lane and a six-ft pedestrian on both sides of the bridge. The total weight that the bridge can withstand is 60 tons.

Tax-free market in Sangyoung Township inspected

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung visited the tax-free market at the corner of Kyundaw and Hanthawady Streets in Sangyoung Township this morning.

The minister inspected the sale of ceramic utensils and plates produced by the Ministry of Industry-1.

He also visited rice shops of Thiri Linhtein, Shwesakkya and the No 3 Military Region, vegetable shops of Indine Station, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the general administration department of Yangon North District, and meat and fish shops and inspected them.

At Konmyinttha tax-free market at eighth mile, the minister inspected the sale of the products of the Industry-1, the egg shop of the production department of Yangon City Development Committee, the edible oil shop of No 1 Military Region, rice shops of Myanmar Rice Dealers Association.

Next, the minister also went to No 1 Mayangon Textile Factory and inspected the weaving there. The minister also visited Winthuza Shop at eighth mile and inspected the sales of products of the ministry.

H&T Minister meets departmental officials

Yangon, 27 May - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met with the director-general, the managing director and personnel of the department and the service at Beverage Division here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is an economic organization of the State; the ministry must strive for development of the tourism industry in cooperation with other ministries concerned; ministries concerned and local authorities have coordinated to manage travelling of tourists at the entries in border areas; and preventive measures are to be taken against loss of State-owned properties.

Industry-2 holds work coord meeting 2002

Yangon, 27 May - A first four-monthly work coordination meeting 2002 of the Ministry of Industry-2 was held at the meeting hall of the ministry on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin spoke on the occasion.

Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin reported to the minister on tasks to be carried out in the 2002-2003 fiscal year, and Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw on matters related to distribution of production.

Next, Director-General U Khin Maung of the Directorate of Myanma Industrial Planning reported on productivity in the 2001-2002 fiscal year, and managing directors on tasks being undertaken to meet the production target for the second four months of 2002.

Later, the minister and deputy ministers presented 2002-2003 stipend for children of the ministry staff to officials. Afterwards, the meeting came to an end with concluding remarks by the minister.

MPT opens application courses

Yangon, 27 May - The opening ceremony of PC for Office Applications Course, Basic U/G Cable Course, Basic Transmission Course and Basic Maintenance Course was held at the Communications and Postal Training Centre, Myanma Posts and Telecommunications of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs this morning.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, the managing director of MPT, the director-general of Directorate of Telecommunications, the general manager of MPT and heads of departments, the principal of the training centre and course instructors.

The minister spoke on the occasion.

Altogether 40 trainees are attending the courses. At 10 am, the minister went to Toegyaunggalay Satellite Station compound and inspected the fuel warehouse of MPT, the car workshop and the site of car parking lot. Then, the minister inspected installation of machines for the communication satellite.

Cash donated to welfare committee for Myanmar student monks in India

Yangon, 27 May - The second donation for the welfare committee for Myanmar student monks in India was held at the Meeting hall of the Ministry of Religious Affairs this afternoon.

The Vice-Chairman Sayadaw administered the Five Precepts. Then, World Buddhist Missionary Thitagu Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajoti-kadhaja Maha Dhamma Kahtika Bahujana-hitadhara Bhaddanta „anissara gave an Ovadakatha.

The minister, the deputy minister, departmental heads and the wellwishers presented offertories provisions to the Sayadaws.

Today's donations included K 4,954,700 and 1,000 Indian Rupee by 92 wellwishers as well as US$ 1,000 by Thitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta „anissara, US$ 1,000 by Mahathonthara Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara, K 255,000 by Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and Daw Khin Mar Aye family, K 200,000 by Thiri Thudhamma Mani-jotadhara U Sein Hla Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Khin and family, K 200,000 by U San Maung-Daw Kyin Than and family and K 200,000 by U Aung Myo-Daw Aye Aye Khaing and family. The ceremony ended with three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu.

Energy Ministry offers soon to monks

Yangon, 27 May - The families of the Ministry of Energy offered soon to the Rector Sayadaw of the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon) and members of the Sangha at Mogok Soonsarsaung on Kaba Aye Hill this morning. Present were Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi and wife Daw Khin Mar Aye, Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung, directors-general, managing directors and their wives and departmental officials.

Rector Sayadaw Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Vannita invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. The minister and wife donated alms and 17 kinds of stationery to the Rector Sayadaw. The minister presented K 100,000 donated by the ministry to the fund of soon for the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha of the State Pariyatti Sasana University (Yangon). Then the families of the Ministry of Energy offered soon to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

( 5 ) Commander, Education Minister visit school enrolment day ceremonies

Yangon, 27 May - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Minister for Education U Than Aung, together with officials, attended the school enrolment day ceremonies and presented books and stationery to school children at No 30 Basic Education Primary School in Mingaladon Township and Tatgyigon Basic Education Middle School in Hmawby Township this morning.

Minister U Than Aung made a speech at No 30 BEPS, Mingaladon Township. Then, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister U Than Aung, the chairman of Yangon District (North) Peace and Development Council, the executive of Yangon Division Union Solidarity and Development Association and the director-general of the Education Planning and Training Department presented text books, exercise books, stationery and schoolbags to the students.

Then, wellwishers presented cash for the school and the school head spoke words of thanks. The commander, the minister and party inspected enrolment of students and gave necessary instructions. They also attended the school enrolment day ceremony of Tatgyigon BEMS in Hmawby Township and made donations there. Students accepted the donations and the school head spoke words of thanks. The minister and party also attended a similar ceremony held at Shansu BEPS in Hmawby Township and presented books and stationery to the students there. Due to the collective efforts of the commander, the departmental officials, social organizations and the public, the school enrolment is cent per cent successat schools in respective regions.

Bo tree water-pouring ceremony held in Mandalay

Yangon, 27 May - Devotees and pilgrims poured water at the Bo trees at the famous pagodas in Mandalay on the Fullmoon Day of Kason (Buddha Day). A ceremony to pour water at the Bo tree in Maha Muni Buddha Image in Mandalay was held yesterday.

Commander Brig-Gen Ye Myint paid obeisance to the Buddha Image and offered Shwethingan to the image. Yaydaw Sayadaw, the commander and officials paid obeisance to the image. The commander and wife and officials poured water at the Bo Tree. Aungdawmu Pagoda, Bawdigon, Sandamuni, Kuthodaw and Shwekyetyet Pagodas were crowded with devotees.

Commander, Minister inspect cooperative tasks in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 27 May - Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing and Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe arrived at the office of Thiha General Economic Cooperative Syndicate Ltd in Monywa on 25 May.

They inspected tasks of weaving, the oil mill and the ice factory under the Cooperative Syndicate Ltd.

Then, the commander and the minister met with officials of Chindwin Myodaw Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.

Next, they inspected tasks of Monywa Weaving Training High School. The commander and the minister saw over poultry farming tasks of Yanantthit Agriculture and General Economic Cooperative Ltd in Htanaungwin village.

On 26 May, the minister, together with Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Soe Myint and officials, met with officials of Monywa, Kalay, Mawlaik and Tamu District Cooperative Departments and cooperative societies at the city hall in Monywa and gave instructions on cooperative matters.

Officials reported on their respective sectors.

Then, the minister and party arrived in ChaungU Township and called on service personnel of Township Cooperative Department and officials.

In Myinmu, the minister and party inspected the shop of Phupwintwai Trading Cooperative Ltd and sheep breeding of Myinmu Township Cooperative Syndicate.

They then proceeded to Sagaing and viewed Fine Arts Salesroom and Workshop of Emporium Cooperative Syndicate-1. The minister and party met with staff officers and chairmen of Sagaing and Shwebo District Cooperative Departments and Cooperative Societies.

Greening of Inle Lake coordinated

Yangon, 27 May - A ceremony to put up a billboard to mark School Enrolment Week for 2002-2003 School Year was held at the end of Lammadaw Road in Nyaungshwe on 24 May.

Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council, Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint arrived at the Guest House in the Inle Lake where Secretary of Nyaungshwe Township U Tin Aung reported to him on greening work of Inle Lake, water condition in the lake and reclamation of fallow and virgin land.

District Chairman Lt-Col Ye Tun Sein gave a supplementary report.

The commander attended to the requirements. At 11 am, he attended a meeting of the supervisory committee for conservation of forest, water, land and animals in 20-mile area of Inle Lake held at the project office.

The chairmen of township project supervisory committees and officials reported to the commander on growing of trees according to project year and implementation of seven tasks. The meeting concluded with remarks by the commander.

Then, the commander inspected the meeting hall of Nyaungshwe Township Peace and Development Council Office and left instructions.

( 6 ) Secretariat Member meets Division, District, Township USDA executives in Mandalay

Yangon, 27 May - Member of Secretariat of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, accompanied by Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung and departmental heads, met executives and members of Mandalay Division, District and Township USDAs at Mahaaungmye Township USDA Office on 26 May.

Mandalay Division USDA Secretary U Tin Maung Oo and Mahaaungmye Township USDA Secretary U Than Tun Oo reported on development tasks being undertaken the association. The member of Secretariat explained tasks of the association and training courses and urged them to strive for emergence of a modern and developed nation.

Then, the member of Secretariat presented exercise books for trainees of the courses organized by Mahaaungmye USDA to Township USDA Secretary U Than Tun Oo.

Next, the member of Secretariat accepted USDA membership applications of the township. In the afternoon, the minister and party met service personnel of Mandalay Division Internal Revenue Department. Officials of the departments under the ministry reported on their respective sectors. The minister gave necessary instructions.