( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of Japan

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( 2 ) State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman General Maung Aye receives Master General of Ordnance (MGO) of Army Headquarters of Republic of India

Yangon, 16 Sept - Vice-Chainman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye received visiting Lt-Gen SJS Saighal, Master General of Ordnance (MOO) of Anny Headquarters of the Republic of India, and party at Zeyathiri Beikman in Konmyinttha at 8.30 am today.

( 3 ) Maj- Gen Khin Maung Than attends opening of new digital electronic auto telephone exchange in Toungoo

Yangon, 16 Sept - State Peace and Development Council member Maj- Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence left here by air this morning to attend the opening ceremony of new digital electronic auto telephone exchange of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications in Toungoo of Bago Division.

Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than attended the opening ceremony of the new digital electronic auto telephone exchange of Myanma , Posts and Telecommunications in Toungoo.

First, the commander and the minister formally opened the exchange. Then, Maj-Gen K:hin Maung Than and patty visited the exchange. Next, the opening ceremony of the exchange was held at the hall of Toungoo District Peace and Development Council Office. At the ceremony, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than delivered an address. He said that 16 September 2002 is an auspicious day as a new digital electronic auto- exchange was opened and used in Toungoo, Bago Division. In the past, there was a Crossbar auto-exchange with 1,300 lines. As a result, local calls can be made directly, but overseas calls can only be made through an operator.

Nowadays, local calls as well as overseas calls can be made directly as over 4,000 lines have been installed by means of China-made S-12 digital electronic auto-exchange system. Altogether US $ 1.383 mil- lion and K 105.647 million has been spent on installation of a new digital electronic auto-exchange in Toungoo. The project has been implemented by exchanging old Crossbar exchange for new S-12 digital exchange and extension of lines. The project has been launched in Yangon, Mandalay and Pyay in addition to Taungoo.

The present Yangon-Toungoo-Mandalay microwave link is Analogue System and arrangements are being made to upgrade it for modern digital microwave link in the very near future. On completion, it will contribute much towards information and communication technology (ICT) in addition to telephone calls.

 The present day is called the knowledge age, for science and technology has been changing rapidly. To promote information and communication technology in Myanmar, ICT Park was set up in Yangon on 21 January 2002 and arrangements are being made to establish a similar ICT Park in Mandalay. Myanma Posts and Telecommunications has been granting permits to the Government bodies, departments and companies to use Domains out of Top Level Domain (mm) of Myanmar. Besides, installation of E-mail and Internet is being launched with the use of telephone lines and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) and altogether 77 Internet lines and 5,339 Internet E-mail lines are being used. To ensure better communications in Toungoo, Bago Division, a new digital electronic auto-exchange was opened by MPT.

With better communications in Taungoo, socio-economic life of the local people and administrative functions will improve. The Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs has opened new electronic auto-exchanges in Monghsat and Mongphat, Shan State (East) with a view to ensuring better communications in border areas. Likewise, new electronic auto-exchanges were installed in Ngapali (Shewwachaing) and An, Rakhine State. In addition, new digital electronic auto-exchanges were installed and opened in Khayan, Yangon Division, and in Ayethaya Industrial Zone and Nyaungshwe, Shan State (South).

New auto-exchanges are being used in Ye, Pyapon and Hsipaw. A total of 125 auto-exchanges, 515 manual exchanges and over 400,000 telephone lines have been installed and are being used nationwide. Arrangements are being made for better communications. New auto-exchanges are being installed in Monywa Industrial Zone, Sagaing Division and in Panglong, Shan State (South) and arrangements are being made to install new auto-exchanges in Katha and Shwegu. Extension of auto-exchange lines is being launched in Myitkyina, Bamo, Taunggyi, Bago and Dawei. As far as microwave link is concerned, Manaung-Taungup link has been installed and is being used. Work is under way for installation of Moppalin-Kyaikhto link and Yangon-Kawhmu-Kongyangon link, Pathein-Myaungmya-Kyonmangay-Mawlamyinegyun-Bogale-Pyapon-Dedaye link. Optical Fiber communication system is being built between Yangon and Mandalay in addition to microwave link and it will soon be opened and operational, he noted.

He said overseas calls can be made easily as satellite communications and Asia-Europe underwater cable system are used in overseas communications sector. Modern communications systems such as CDMA and GSM telephone systems are installed in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing, Mogok and Kyaukse. Efforts are being made for development in various parts of the country including border areas in building a peaceful, modern developed nation. In doing so, development of communications sector plays an important role in development of economic, social and management affairs of a region. Plans for development of communications systems and services are being implemented. Arrangements are being made for rapid development in rural regions and for narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas in accord with the guidance of the Head of State.

Myanma Posts and Telecommunications is undertaking rural communication development project step by step in the regions where there is no communication link. In 2001-2002 fiscal year, rural communication development project (First Phase) was implemented. Telephone lines have been installed in 55 villages in states and divisions including Myinsu Village in Oktwin Township, Kyaikpadaik Village in Thanatpin Township, Natywa in Htantabin Township and Thongwa Village in DaikU Township in Bago Division (East). In second phase, arrangements are under way for installation of rural telephone line in 200 villages in states and divisions including seven villages in Bago Division (East) in 2002-2003 fiscal year. For public convenience in the telephone service, altogether 1,956 telephones were installed in public call offices in busy and important places in Yangon and 575 telephones in Mandalay.

Information services have been available at Telecom Message Service Centre (104) since mid-June. According to the system, information can be sent to various parts of the country. New services such as call waiting, call forward, 3 ways call and calling line identification are also available at the request of the users. Myanma Posts and Telecommunications has been providing facilities for postal service, telegraphs and telephone services for the people and the departments. MPT is making efforts to win public confidence in communications services and is fulfilling requirements on communications. He thanked officials of Bago Division Peace and Development Council, local authorities and MPT personnel for rendering assistance to installation of a new digital electronic auto exchange in Toungoo.

Then, Commander Brig-Gen Aung Min and Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw gave speeches. Afterwards, Toungoo Township USDA Executive U Tin Soe spoke words of thanks. The minister presented certificates of honour to workers who participated in the construction of the exchange to Assistant Engineer Daw Le Hnin Zin. Next, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected Toungoo General Hospital and Special out-patient Unit where they were welcomed by Medical Superintendent Dr Myint Myint Than, officials and staff.

At the meeting hall, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than met with the medical superintendent, doctors and nurses and gave instructions on health care services. Medical Superintendent Dr Myint Myint Than reported on tasks of Toungoo General Hospital and the specialist out-patient ward. The commander gave a supplementary report. Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected medical wards of the hospital.

Next, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected development of Toungoo by car and left there by air for Yangon.

( 4 ) Minister receives Malaysian guest

Yangon, 16 Sept - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Mr Hishamuddin Koh of Malaysian Herb Society at his office this afternoon.

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Minister receives Ambassador of South Africa

Yangon, 16 Sept - Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint received Bangkok-based Ambassador of South Africa to Myanmar Mrs Buyisiwe M Pheto currently visiting here at his office this afternoon.

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Labour Minister arrives back from Indonesia

Yangon, 16, Sept - Minister for Labour U Tin Winn arrived back here by air at 3 pm this evening after attending the Annual meeting of US-ASEAN Business Council held in Bali, Indonesia.

( 5 ) Minister arrives back from Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers

Yangon, 16 Sept - Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairmen's Office Brig-Gen Abel, after attending the 34th Meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers and other related meetings in Brunei from 11 to 15 September, arrived back here by air this evening.

The 34th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and other related meetings were held at the International Convention Centre. The Myanmar delegation led by the minister attended the 5th ASEAN Investment Areas Council (AIA Council) Meeting on 11 September morning and the 16th ASEAN Free Trade Areas (AFTA Council) Meeting, in the afternoon the same day. On 12 September morning, the minister and party attended the opening ceremony of the 34th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting.

After the ceremony, the ASEAN economic ministers and the general secretary of the ASEAN paid courtesy calls on the Sultan of Brunei. Then, Myanmar delegation attended the 34th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. In the evening, the Myanmar delegation together with delegations of other countries attended a dinner hosted by the minister of Industrial and Basic Resource. On 13 September morning, the Myanmar delegation attended a coordination meeting between the ASEAN economic ministers and the minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the People's Republic of China and also a coordination meeting between the ASEAN economic ministers and the minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan in the afternoon the same day.

In the evening, the minister of the host country gave a dinner, which the Myanmar delegation attended, in honour of the ASEAN economic ministers and the ministers of China and Japan. Seventh coordination meeting between the ASEAN economic ministers and trade ministers of Australia and New Zealand took place in the morning of 14 September. After the meeting, the ministers signed the ministerial level declaration which includes close-cooperation among the ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand.

In the afternoon, the Myanmar delegation attended the 5th coordination meeting between the ASEAN economic ministers and the ministers of China, Japan and Korea. In the morning of 15 September, the Myanmar delegation attended the first meeting between the ASEAN economic ministers and the Indian trade minister. As there were many kinds of meetings, the ministers held a press conference and a press release was issued after each meeting.

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MNWCWA and work Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons meet

Yangon, 16 Sept-For development of Myanmar women, a coordination meeting between the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs headed by the deputy minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and Work Committee for Prevention Trafficking in Persons headed by the deputy minister for Home Affairs under the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the office of the minister for SWRR on Naga Cave Pagoda Road in Mayangon Township here this afternoon.

work committee members, sub-committee leaders, members of Work Committee for Prevention Against Trafficking in Persons. Myanmar National Women's Affairs Committee Chairman Minister Maj- Gen Sein Htwa made an opening speech.

He said the Work Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons led by Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig- Gen Thura Myint Maung and the legal affairs and consultation group under the MNWAC were founded as guided by Patron of the MNWAC Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt in meeting with MNWAC members at Zeya Thiri Beikman on 17 July. The present meeting was the first meeting of the two committees to discuss development tasks for women's , sector at different levels implemented in Shan State, Mon State and Kayin State, he said. Then, Work Committee for Preventing of Trafficking in Persons Chairman Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung explained tasks being carried out. Secretary of MNWAC Iand MNWCWA Director- General U Sit Myaing reported tasks being implemented.

Afterwards, the leader of education sub- committee, the leader of health sub-committee, the leader of the sub-committee on the violence against women and rehabilitation, the leader of the economic affairs sub-committee, the leader of the culture sub- committee, the leader of the information sub-committee, the leader of the international communications sub- committee, the leader of the environmental conservation sub-committee, the leader of the girls and adult sub- committee and the leader of the legal affairs and consultation sub-committee re- ported tasks being implemented. Then, a general round of discussions followed and decisions were made.

The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by Chairman Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa.

( 6 ) Minister inspects roads and bridges in Ayeyawady and Bago Divisions

Yangon, 16 Sept - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, inspected Pathein-Monywa road from Batye-Oakshitpin section up to Shwe Chaung Bridge (Oakshitpin-Mindon section) on 14 September. The minister and party heard a report on maintenance of road sections during the rainy season and future tasks in the open season presented by engineers in charge. The minister gave instructions on matters relating to maintenance of roads and drainage system.

Then, the minister arrived at the Shwe Chaung bridge construction project undertaken by Special bridge group-13 and heard a report by engineer in charge on completion of two approach structures, the installation of bole piers and future tasks. The minister gave instructions on use of construction materials of high quality.

Next, the minister and party left Batye on 15 September and arrived Pyintha Workshop of Public Works. Deputy Chief engineer U Thaung Nyunt (Mechanical) and officials explained the tasks being carried out in the workshop and the minister gave necessary instructions.

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Minister meets trainees of CITC

Yangon, 16 Sept - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, met with the trainees of the courses on general administration and leadership (Officer), deputy station-master, engine driver, signal and junior engineer at Aung San hall of the Central Institute of Transport and Communications in Meiktila on 14 September and explained matters related to the current incidents and measures for smooth' and secure transport with the aid of charts and video.

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Minister inspects training of selected Myanmar athletes

Yangon, 16 Sept - Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint viewed the training of selected Myanmar weight-lifters, archers, sepak takraw athletes and boxers including Boxer Kyaw Swa Aung and other new generation athletes for the XIV SEA games at the respective training camps in Aung San Stadium, Kyaikkasan Grounds and Youth Training Centre this morning.

Then, the minister heard reports on arrangements and timetables of the training presented by coaches and gave instructions on observance of sports rules and enhancing the prestige of the nation by gaining success in the competitions. The minister also attended to the needs.