( 1 ) Secretary-1 inspects regional development tasks in Shan State (North)

Yangon, 7 Sept - State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Border Areas and National Races Development Implementation Work Committee Chairman Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, left Yangon by Tatmadaw aircraft on 6 September morning and arrived in Lashio of northern Shan State at 10.30 am.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Chairman North-East Command Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, local authorities, departmental personnel, USDA members and local people. The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Shweli Yeiktha and inspected the sample of Sin Shweli coffee seeds displayed in front of the parlour of the Shweli Yeiktha. The Sin Shweli coffee plantation can bear 1,914 to 2,233 kilos of coffee seeds per acre and altogether 100,000 coffee trees will be grown in northern Shan State, it is arranged.

Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing reported on the work progress of constructing the 138-mile Lashio-Tangyan-Maikong-Mongaw-Mongshu road section. So far, 87 miles of it have been tarred, 5 miles graveled, and 46 miles built as hardened road. Of the 79-mile Lashio-Mongyai-Namlaung road section, 58 miles and 6 furlongs have been tarred, 20 miles and 2 furlongs graveled. The commander also reported matters on exploration of coal deposit, experimental mining, the quality and volume of coal ore and research works of Manpan, Monma and Harput regions in Tangyan Township. He also reported on the cultivation of Shweli paddy grains in 25,900 acres on experimental scale for local self-sufficiency of rice. It is estimated that the paddy grain will yield over 170 baskets of paddy per acre. Arrangements are under way to extend the cultivated acreage of the grain to 100,000 acres. He also dealt with mining of garnets and other balas rubies in Shweli gem land. Matters on construction of a new market named Shwe Gangaw in Lashio were also reported.

Next, Professor of Chemistry Department of Lashio Degree College Dr Daw Myint Myint Sein explained matters on process of Uria fertilizer production from coal. Then, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe explained matters on the road upgrading project of northern and southern Shan State in accordance with the guidance given by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Under the project, altogether 576 miles of roads will be upgraded into all- season tar roads. It covers 140-mile Hsipaw-Manli-Tonlaw-Pankaytu-Mongkai-Leikha-Loilen section, 134-mile Kholan-Wanhsin-Mongnaung-Mongshu-Tangyan section, 111-mile Phasi Junction-Kenglun-Namlaung-Mongyai-Lashio section, 46-mile Leikha-Mongnaung section, 44-mile Pankaytu-Kehsi-Kenglun section, and 101-mile Tangyan-Sawnkye-Hsipaw section.

The Secretary-1 attended to the needs and fulfilled the requirements for prompt commencement of the project. Next, the Secretary-1 and party together with Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing left Lashio by car and arrived Hsenwi in the afternoon. They were welcomed there by Col Soe Oo of Hsenwi Station, local authorities, departmental personnel, members of USDA and social organizations and local populace. Next, the Secretary-1 met with local authorities, departmental personnel, members of USDA and social organizations and townselders at Hsenwi Station Hall. First, Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Ye Kyaw Khaing reported on background history, location, area, climate, number of households, population and crop cultivation of the township. He also reported on transport, education, health and social conditions of the township. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing made a supplementary report. Township Education Office Daw Nan Mya Lon reported on construction of Hsenwi high school annex. The Secretary-1 fulfilled requirements as regards installation of extended telephone communications, opening of Namsalat station hospital, construction of TV retransmission station, supply of a fire engine and construction of a new bridge across Namtu creek at the entrance to Hsenwi. In giving necessary instructions, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said that Hsenwi town has a good historical tradition and serves as a vital link for border entrance towns such as Muse, Chinshwehaw, Laukkai and Konkyan. Historically and geographically, the town has a great potential for achieving development. In the past, it had not developed as it should, due to the lack of regional tranquillity. Over a hundred national races have been living together unitedly in the Union for years countable by the thousand. During the reign of Myanmar monarchs, Hsipaw and Hsenwi regions had constant relations with Mandalay and there emerged many respectable persons with ardent Union Spirit from those regions. Due to divide-and-rule policy of the colonialists, discord was sown among the national brethren and there emerged armed insurgencies which led to lagging behind in regional development. Nowadays, national unity is flourishing and the nation has attained peace and tranquillity and is leading towards development. In such good circumstances, the national peoples are not to accept racial instigation and they must strive to further strengthen the national unity, the Secretary-1 said. He went on to say that in the 14 States and Divisions of the Union, various national races are residing in harmony. In Hsenwi township, more than 10 national races are living together in harmony. In every part of the Union, the national races are living together in harmony in all parts of the nation as small unions. To ensure equitable and harmonized development in all parts of the Union and all the national races, the border areas development projects, the 24 special regions development projects and rural development projects are being implemented throughout the country. He spoke of the need for local people to take part in the projects for regional development at a time when the government is rendering necessary assistance.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the regional people to strive for further flourishing of Union Spirit and to actively and collectively participate in endeavoring for development of the Union including their respective regions under the leadership of the Government.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Hsenwi BEHS. They were welcomed by Township Education Officer Daw Nan Mya Lon, school trustees, Headmaster U Tun Shin, teachers, students, national race dance troupes and band troupes.

A ceremony to present teaching and learning aids was held at the hall of the school. First, Myanmar Education Committee Chairman Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt delivered an address. He said that under the education promotion programmes, emphasis was placed on facilitating all the schools in the country with multimedia teaching and learning aids. So far, due to the active cooperation of the public, almost all the high schools in the Union have been equipped with multimedia teaching centres. At the Hsenwi high school, multimedia teaching centre has been set up. The teaching and learning aids are now provided with a view to fully facilitating it fully. He continued to say that in building up the nation into a modern and developed one, the promotion of education standard of the entire people is important. At the same time, nurturing and bringing out human resources of international standard is equally important. The Government has been making efforts for narrowing down the gap of education standards in rural and urban areas. And also to bring out intellectuals and intelligentsia, the Government is setting up multimedia classrooms with electronic equipment. By using the electronic equipment effectively and most beneficially, the teachers and students are to strive for materializing the Government's educational goals. He also urged local authorities, departmental personnel, social organizations and public to continue to render assistance.

Next, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented a computer set, a TV set, a video player, teaching and learning aid video tapes, 1,532 dozens of exercise books, 255 dozens of pencils purchased with funds donated to the Myanmar Education Committee Chairman, to Hsenwi high school. Township Education Officers Daw Nan Mya Lon accepted them and spoke words of thanks. The Secretary-1 and party then inspected round the electronic media language lab, printed media, electronic media (audio visual video system), projected media, computer aided instruction room and computer skill room.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party visited the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image in Hsenwi. Pagoda trustees welcomed them. The Secretary-1 and party paid homage to the Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image and offered gold foils to it. They also made cash donations.

Later, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Chairman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Arcinna and members of the Sangha and presented offertories to them. Next, the Secretary-1 and party went to Bumiphassa Mudra Buddha Image built by Mong Phon Sayadaw and disciples. The Secretary-1 paid homage to the Buddha Image and made cash donation. He also met with pilgrims at the prayer hall there. He also donated cash and kind for Gandakutitaik and monastery there. The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Maha Kambawza monastery and paid homage to Seng Kyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Narinda and members of the Sangha. He also donated offertories to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

Later, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to poppy-substitute maize plantation and bee keeping station of North-East Command. At the briefing hall there, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the pedigree buds of Sin Shweli maize. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing reported on cultivation of poppy substitute maize in 250 acres of the Command in last monsoon, distribution of maize seeds for 20,000 acres of maize plantations, cultivation of maize in 312 acres this year, keeping of 300 beehives and increasing them to 1,000 hives as well as aims and objectives of the beekeeping station. Officials concerned also reported on work progress. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions. Next, the Secretary-1 and party inspected round the bee-keeping station and cultivation of Sin Shweli maize.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to highland cultivation reclamation project site of the North-East Command located 5 miles away from Lashio. They inspected cultivation of Thitseint trees (Terminalia Belerica) there. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing reported reclamation of 300 acres for highland cultivation and arrangements to put them under Thitseint and groundnut.

Then, Assistant Director of the Forest Department U Myint Thein reported on salient points about Thitseint trees, arrangement being made for planting 1 million Thitseint saplings and conditions to produce edible Thitseint oil. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence gave a supplementary report. After that, the Secretary-1 and party saw over the reclamation of 300 acres of land. They also inspected the thriving 50-acre model plot of Hsinshweli strain high yield monsoon paddy being undertaken by the Customs Department at Eastern Humon Village-tract in Lashio.

Next, the Secretary-1 met with local authorities, departmental personnel, members of USDA and social organizations and townselders at the town hall in Lashio.

Secretary-1 said he and the ministers, the deputy ministers and departmental officials came to Lashio to fulfil requirements for regional development in Shan State (North).

This afternoon, regional requirements were fulfilled in Hsenwi, he said. As the Union of Myanmar is the Union where over 100 national races reside, they have been living in unity for years countable by the thousand.

Under the colonialist imperialists for over one hundred years national sovereignty was lost and people were suppressed by the imperialists. Myanmar people suffered from the effects of divide-and-rule policy, the worst suppression of the imperialists for forty years after regaining her independence. Despite regaining her independence, national unity broke up. There was instability in the country due to armed insurgency and the region lagged behind in development, he said.

He said the people were subjected to the effects of disintegration of national solidarity. As is known to all, the people of northern and eastern Shan State suffered most.

Therefore, only when there is national solidarity and peace and stability in the country can efforts be made for development. With this attitude, the government invited armed groups and built national solidarity first, he said.

He said with the national solidarity and stability in the region, rapid development has been made in far-flung areas of the border area. Now education and health sectors including transport and border trade have improved. Lashio region has also developed year after year, he stressed.

In education sector, degree colleges, government technological colleges and computer colleges were opened. The 200-bed specialist hospital was also opened. Special arrangements are being made for regional development after designating Lashio, Taunggyi and Kengtung as the development special regions in northern, southern and eastern Shan State, he stressed. Based on Panglong region, the heart of the Union where the Union, the Union Spirit and the spirit of national solidarity were conceived, Loilem district was designated as a development special region in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. Development tasks are now under way. These are the good results of genuine goodwill of the Head of State towards the national people.

The Secretary-1 said recently Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on upgrading of roads in Shan State for ensuring better transport in the townships in northern, southern and eastern Shan State, Now the tasks are under way.

With prevalence of peace and tranquillity, tasks for national development can be undertaken, economy and living standard of national people will improve.

At a time when there was no peace and stability and national solidarity in our country, neighbouring countries that implemented peace and development tasks developed rapidly.

At a time when peace and tranquillity prevails in the nation, it was witnessed that the destructive elements are driving a wedge among the national brethren.

Some foreign countries which could not bear to see the development of Myanmar are constantly attempting to hinder and destroy peace and tranquillity of the nation. They are manufacturing concocted and false news on account of democracy, human rights, forced labour and narcotic drugs.

Nowadays, the destructive elements are changing their tactics and driving a wedge among the national brethren. The Government has been making all-out efforts day in, day out with genuine goodwill for development of the nation and the people despite hindrance and difficulty and the people are to strive together with the Government in successful implementation of the project. Realising the fact that the internal and external elements are resorting to various ways and means to drive a wedge among the national brethren and make fabricated and false news in their attempts to break up the Union, home to various national races, all are to forge and strengthen the national solidarity.

Placing in the fore Our Three Main National Causes non disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of the national solidarity and perpetuation of the sovereignty as a national policy, all the national people are to strive together with the Government in successful implementation of the tasks to ensure boosting the living standard of the national people and bringing about equitable development in every nook and cranny of the nation, narrowing development gap among the national brethren and strengthening the national economy.

Thus, the local authorities, heads of department, social organizations and townselders are to lead and organize the national people to be imbued with nationalism and Union Spirit and to enable them to place in the fore Our Three Main National Causes and are to take measures in unity for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 cordially greeted those present. The Secretary-1 and party arrived at Shweli Yeiktha in Lashio and spent the night there.

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( 2 ) Tatmadaw families, wellwishers donate cash and kind to Sarthintaiks in Yangon West and East Districts

Yangon, 7 Sept - A ceremony to donate rice, edible oil, salt, medicines, grams and cash to 10 Sarthintaiks in Mayangon Township, Yangon West District, by families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and wellwishers was held at Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik in Wayalek-2 Street, Mayangon Township, here this afternoon.

It was attended by Tipitaka Maha Ganthayon Kyaungtaik Presiding Sayadaw Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Abhi Dhamma Pali Paragu Bhaddanta Sumangala Lankara (PhD), presiding Sayadaws of the Sarthintaiks and members of the Sangha, Member of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein of the Ministry of Defence, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Htin Aung Kyaw, senior officers of the Ministry of Defence, departmental heads, members of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein, chairmen and members of Mayangon Township and ward Peace and Development Councils, members of USDA, township Women's Affairs Committee, MCWA, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and wellwishers.

First, the ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa and the congregation received the Five Precepts from the Sayadaw of Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik. Next, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Tin and the senior military officers presented offertories to the presiding Sayadaws.

Then, on behalf of families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Commander of Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters Commodore Paw Tun and Colonel General Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw presented rice, edible oil and grams to the Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw on the presiding Sayadaws' behalf.

Afterwards, rice and edible oil donated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yangon City Development Committee, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon West District and Mayangon Township Peace and Development Councils; 1,550 viss of iodized salt and 155 boxes of soft salt donated by Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines and Yangon Division Salt Dealers' Association; 400 bottles of traditional medicines donated by Traditional Medicine Department; rice donated by Myanmar and Yangon Division Fisheries Federations and Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association; 15 bags of rice by U Nyein-Daw Ohn Kyin family; 10 bags of rice, 30 viss of edible oil and 4 bags of grams by Shwe Than Lwin Co; 10 bags of rice by U Win Swe-Daw Min Thwe Nu family; 5 bags of rice and 10 viss of edible oil by Director-General of Bureau of Special Investigation U Tun Hla Aung-Daw Nu May family; 3 bags of rice and 5 viss of edible oil by Deputy Director-General U Myint Tun-Daw Hay Mar Myint family; 5 bags of rice by Gantgawyeiktha Restaurant family; one bag of rice, 20 bottles of Chinese traditional medicines and 10 packets of durian jam by Dagon U Tin Win family; one bag of rice each by Director U Tin Tun-Daw Kyin Myint family, Director U Lwin Oo-Daw Yi Yi Lay family, Deputy Director U Ngwe Tun-Daw Kyu Kyu family, Deputy Director U Thein Han-Daw Phyu Phyu Win family and Assistant Director U Kyin Hok-Daw Hnin Hnin Aye family of the BSI; and traditional medicines by Hman Cho Medical House, Htat Lin Medical House, Tun Shwe Wah Medical House, Kyaw Traditional Medicine Production, Kethipan Medical House and Pyi Lonechantha Medical House were offered to the Tipitaka Maha Gandayon Kyaungtaik Sayadaw. Then, the ceremony to donate cash followed.

The donations were K 100,000 each by families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd; K 1 million by U Maung Maung Kha Swe-Daw Aye Aye Soe family; K 200,000 each by Ayar Myay Ltd, Bayinnaug Brokerage families; K 100,000 each by Myanmarpyithaheit KN Co, BTB Co, Thamada Thingantaik, Kyaw Traditional Medicine Production, wellwishers of wards-1, 2,3, 5, 7 and 10 in Mayangon Township, Gantgawyeiktha Restaurant, Thitsar Pankhin, U Nay Win-Daw Khin Saw Kyu family of Bogyoke Market and Daw Myint Myint Than family; K 100,090 by Sandi traditional medicines family. A total of K 4,442,943 were donated by 73 wellwishers today.

Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Tin, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Vice Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Htin Aung Kyaw, Tatmadaw officers and departmental heads accepted cash donations on the Sarthintaiks' behalf. Colonel General Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw explained the purpose of the donation, and Director-General of the Department for Propagation and Promotion of the Sasana U Sann Lwin supplicated on religious matters.

Presiding Sayadaw of Tipitika Mahagandayon Kyaungtaik Tipitikadhaja Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhamma Pali Paragu Bhanddanta Sumangalalan-kara (PhD) delivered a sermon followed by sharing the merit gained. Then, the ceremony came to a close. Today's donations were 471 bags of rice, 202 viss of edible oil, 434 viss of grams, 1,550 viss of iodized salt, 155 tubes of toothpaste, 2,058 bottles of assorted traditional medicines, 10 packages of durian jam and K 4,442,943.

A similar ceremony to donate rice and cash to Sagaing Sarthintaik, Dhammamaydani, Yadana Gonye, Amadadali, Visuddarama, Dhammaparla Phaya Thonzu and Kyaikkasan Veiluwunn Sarthintaik in Thingangyun Township, Yangon (East) District, was held at Sagaing Sarthintaik at 4 pm today, attended by Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein. First, member of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Sagaing Sarthintaik Agga Maha Pandita Dhammananda administered the Five Precepts.

Then, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Tin and senior officers of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) presented offertories to the sayadaws. On behalf of the families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Commander of Naval Dockyard Command Headquarters Commodore Paw Tun and Colonel General Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Then, officials and wellwishers presented rice, edible oil, salt, medicine and grams, donated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yangon City Development Committee, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon (East) District and Township Peace and Development Councils, Myanmar Rice Wholesalers Association and wholesale centre, OK Rice Trading, Myanmar and Yangon Division Fisheries Federation, the Indigenous Medicine Department, Htetlin Medical House, Tun Shwewa Medical House, Kyaw Traditional Medicine Industry, Kathipan Medical House, Pyilon-chantha Medical House, people of Yangonthit Ward, Ka Ward, Nga/Ka Ward and Za/South Ward, Thitsa Pankhin film & video production, people of Sanpya, Sa/Ka and Nanwingon wards, township MCWA, U Win Tin and family, Dagon Myanmar International Co, and the edible oil merchants in the township, to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

Then, Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) family and the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Ltd donated K 80,000 each, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council K 24,000, Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading K 2.1 million, Ayeyar Myay Co K 1.45 million, Myanmar Pyi Thar Hay KN Co, BTB Co, Kyaw traditional medicine, U Thein Lwin and Daw San Ohn family K 100,000 each, U Tin Hlaing and family K 150,000, Thamada Thingantaik, Myint Myat Agricultural Enterprise and Sun Myanmar International Co K 40,000 each, Myanmar and Yangon Division Fisheries Federations, Tun Shwe Wa medical house, Daw Hla Hla of Lanmadaw Township, U Maung Maung Kywe-Daw Molly Tin and U Khin Maung Shwe-Daw Tin Yi families K 30,000 each, Htet Lin medical house, Kathipan medical house, Yangonthit Ward and Ka Ward K 20,000 each, Yan Aung Ward K 15,000, Dagon Myanmar International Co K 11,900, Sayagyi Co, U Tun Aung-Daw May May Shein, U Ba Aye-Daw Aye Nu, Nga/Ka, Sanpya, Sa/Ka, Za/South Wards, township USDA, Dhana Hlaing Co, Thuwunna (25) Ward, Nanwingon Ward and U Kyi Lwin family K 10,000 each, township Immigration and National Registration Department and Kamayut furniture factory K 5,000 each, to the adjutant-general, the deputy minister and senior military officers for the trust fund for "soon".

Then, Colonel General Staff (Air) Col Zin Yaw supplicated on purpose of the donations. Later, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing the merit gained. Today's donations were: 384 bags of rice, 199 viss of edible oil, 1,150 viss of iodized salt, 115 tubes of tooth- paste, 1,573 bottles of assorted traditional medicine, 229 viss of gram and K 1,291,900.

( 3 ) Myanmar National Committee for Women Affairs, Thanbyuzayat Township WCWA hold coord meeting

Yangon, 7 Sept - Member of the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs and the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs leader of the field study group Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, accompanied by wife of the Commander of South-East Command Daw Than Than Nwe, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Myo Hla, member of MNWCWA and officials, arrived in Thanbyuzayat, Mawlamyine District, on 5 September.

At 9 am, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe attended the coordination meeting of MNWCWA and Thanbyuzayat Township WCWA at Township Peace and Development Council Office.

Also present were Col Khin Maung Si and Maj Lu Aye of the local military station, officials of ICRC, USDA, members of Thanbyuzayat and Ye Township WCWAs, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, nurses, teachers, students and local Mon national races totalling 350.

Secretary of MNCWA and MNWCWA Director-General U Sit Myaing of Social Welfare Department introduced members of MNWCWA to those present.

Then, deputy leader of the field study group member of MNCWA and Vice-Chairperson of MNWCWA Professor Dr Daw May May Yi explained new organizational set-up of MNWCWA at the different levels and tasks being carried out in connection with prevention of the human trafficking.

Then, leader of the education group Professor Daw Khin Aye Win and leader of the health group Dr Moe Moe Aye explained matters related to their sectors.

Next, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe explained the field trip of the group to Thanbyuzayat Township and prevention of violence against women and of the illegal trafficking in women and children.

Afterwards, leader of the economic affairs group Daw Sein Sein, leader of the culture group Daw Thein Thein Nyunt, leader of the information group Daw Mya Mya, leader of the international relations group Professor Daw Yi Yi Myint on behalf of the leader of the environmental conservation, leader of the girls and adult group Daw Khin Myo Myint and leader of the legal studies and consultation group Daw Aye Aye Kyi explained matters related to their sectors.

Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presented medicines donated by MMCWA to Chairperson of Thanbyuzayat Township MCWA Daw Htay Khin, medicines donated by the Ministry of Health to Dr Min Tin Htay and exercise books and pencils donated by MNWCWA to Headmaster U Khin Maung Oo of Thanbyuzayat Basic Education High School No 1, on behalf of the Township Education Officer.

After the meeting, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party cordially greeted those present and Mon national races and viewed the documentary photos on movements of the Thanbyuzayat Township WCWA.

Next, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party paid homage to Kyaikzei Pagoda in Theingon Village ofx Kamawat Station, Mudon Township, where they were welcomed by Mon national damsels at the stairway of the pagoda.

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party offered flowers, lights and incense sticks to the Buddha images at the prayer hall and signed in the visitors' book. Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe donated cash to the funds of the pagoda.

Next, provisions donated by MNWCWA were offered to Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Sayadaw Bhaddanta Indaka of Lawimanhtaw Monastery in Theingon Village, Kamawat Station.

 In the afternoon, they attended the coordination meeting of MNCWA and ward and village-tract WCWAs in Kamawat Station of Mudon Township at Kyaikzei Dhammayon in Theingon Village. Also present were members of the Township Peace and Development Council, departmental personnel, ICRC, USDA, members of WCWA of 23 villages in Kamawat Station, members of MCWA, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades, Mon national races and townselders totalling 500.

First, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe extended greetings that they arrived wards and villages to undertake promotion of national solidarity and development of the tasks of women's sector and clarified matters on the prevention of violence against women and of the trafficking in women and children.

Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presented exercise books and stationery donated by MNCWA for basic education primary schools in Kamawat Village-tract in Mudon Township and medicines donated by the Ministry of Health to the headmistress of Sein Taung Village No 2 BEPS and Dr Wunna of Makawet Station Hospital.

Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party held a discussion with those present.

Next, Dr Daw Khin Win Shew and party arrived in Mudon and attended a meeting between MNCWA and Mudon Township Work Committee for Women Affaris.

Also present on the occasion were members of Township Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, members of International Red Cross Committee and War Veterans Organization, members of Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Fire Brigade, nurses and Mon national women.

First, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe made a speech. She said that violence against women is a hindrance to development and peaceful life of the women. Thus, research on violence against women and data collection were being conducted. Trafficking in women and children, human smuggling and marrying to foreigners play a key role in violence against women sector. Human smugglers are enticing local women, men and children into making more money in foreign countries.

As a result, local women, men and children were being smuggled and sent to foreign countries. Some of them have been saved because of duty- conscious persons and the others have become victims of the human smugglers, she noted. When they arrived in foreign countries, they were subject to torture and their dreams faded away.

This being so, human smugglers and those who are engaging in trafficking in women and children were exposed and tough action is being taken against them. Officials of the Women's Affairs and Maternal and Child Welfare Association were conducting educative talks to women of the states and divisions nationwide so as to save them from falling victim to human smugglers, she said and urged the parents and teachers to take part in the education talks.

Afterwards, Vice-Chairperson of MNCWA and MNWCWA Professor Dr Daw May May Yi explained about the formation of MNCWA at different levels and work being carried out by the Working Committee.

Then, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presented medicines donated by MMCWA to the secretary of Mudon Township MCWA, medicines donated by the Ministry of Health to Township Medical Officer Dr Maung Maung Sein and exercise books and stationery donated by MNWCWA to Township Education Officer U Saw Kwe Htoo and the ceremony came to an end.

After the ceremony, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe cordially greeted those present and left the meeting hall. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party arrived at South-East Command in the evening.

( 4 ) Language lab furniture and computers donated to Sagaing BEHS-1

Yangon, 7 Sept - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe donated 16 sets of language lab furniture and two IBM computer sets to No 1 Basic Education High School in Sagaing at a ceremony held at Athinkhaya Hall of the school on 5 September.

The minister handed over documents related to the furniture and two IBM computer sets to Headmaster U Nyunt Shwe. Then, the headmaster spoke words of thanks and the minister explained the purpose of donation.