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(1) Yangon City development, crime prevention and traffic rules enforcement discussed
YANGON, 5 Jan - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended a coordination meeting to discuss Yangon City development, crime prevention and traffic rules enforcement at the City Hall at 2 pm today.
It was also attended by Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Min Thein, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments and guests.
Officer on Special Duty Lt-Col Than Tint of the State Peace and Development Council Office was master of ceremonies.
The Secretary-2 said departments concerned were invited to the meeting to assist the Myanmar Police Force and Traffic Police in their discharge of duties to enable residents of the capital to live in peace, prevent crimes and ensure road safety in the light of growing traffic. He noted that cooperative efforts of the departments concerned will be more effective in the drive in view of material and financial constraints.
He called for sustained efforts to see that city residents earn their living with peace of mind and security as Yangon has become a modern city.
Next, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and MPF Director-General Police Maj-Gen Soe Win explained the arrangements and requirements of the project.
The ministers and officials concerned then discussed assistance to be provided by them for the project.
The Secretary-2 gave remarks on the discussions and fulfilled the requirements.
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(2) Efficient application of new paddy purchase system, cultivation of summer paddy coordinated
YANGON, 5 Jan - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended a coordination meeting on efficient paddy purchase through the new system and summer paddy cultivation project at the Ministry of Commerce this afternoon.
Also present were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint, Deputy Ministers for Energy U Tin Tun, Deputy Ministers for Commerce Commodore Myo Tint and Col Kyaw Shwe, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads.
Lt-Gen Tin Oo said that during his recent tour of Ayeyawady Division, he found out that the new paddy purchase system which is more compatible with the market economy was being applied. As the tender system had not been applied for years, it seemed new to the rice millers, merchants and farmers, he noted.
He said the government is seeing to successful application of the new paddy purchase system that will he beneficial to both farmers and private entrepreneurs and that will also help boost paddy output, all have to fulfil the requirements.
He also spoke of the need to fulfil the needs of farmers in time to enable them to grow summer paddy. Minister Maj-Gen Kyaw Than also spoke about the tasks for the new paddy, purchase system and future programmes.
The deputy ministers and departmental heads put forward suggestions on the smooth undertaking of the tasks for applying the new paddy purchase system and programmes to provide assistance ministry-wise to farmers for cultivation of monsoon paddy.
The meeting ended with the Secretary-2's concluding remarks.
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(3) Soft drinks and ice factories inspected
YANGON, 5 Jan - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Col Than Zin and officials inspected Dagon Soft Drinks and Ice Factory on U Wisara Road in Sangyoung Township this morning.
The minister reviewed the report by officials and fulfilled the requirements.
He then inspected production process of Fantasy using modern machines, production of soft drink, ice and bottled water and extension of the factory.
The minister and party went to Diamond Soft Drinks and Ice Factory on Wardan Road in Lanmadaw Township.
The minister gave instructions on boosting production distribution and adjoining market and inspected production process.
The minister and party proceeded to the construction site of Myanma Industrial Port in Ahlon Township which will be undertaken by Myanma Ceramics Industries and Cho Ye Co.
The minister then inspected models and the sites for new factory and wharf.
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(4) YCDC personnel urged to also rely on strength of Tatmadaw members, USDA
YANGON 5 Jan - The closing ceremony of Management Course No 7/97 for personnel of Yangon City Development Committee was held at the YCDC Training School in Mingala Taungnyunt Township and Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay delivered an address.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Information U Thein Sein, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint Secretary U Kyi Win and members, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, departmental personnel, trainees and officials.
In his address, U Ko Lay urged the YCDC personnel to apply their newly-gained knowledge in the practical field. He also called on them to discharge their assigned duties most effectively after realizing the political, economic and social objectives and the four points in the People's Desire. He spoke of the need for them to also rely on the strength of the Tatmadaw members and Union Solidarity and Development Association.
The Mayor then presented certificates to the course graduates through the company commander and prizes to outstanding trainees. Gifts were also presented to the instructors.
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(5) Minister explains new paddy purchase system
YANGON, 5 Jan - Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, accompanied by Deputy Ministers Commodore Myo Tint and Col Kyaw Shwe and officials, met departmental personnel, rice dealers and farmers in Nyaunglebin yesterday morning.
He explained to them the new paddy purchase system of fiscal 1997-98, saying the respective agencies will buy paddy at agreed prices.
Tender system will be introduced for the development of rice market and competition of traders and rice millers, he noted. Centres will be opened to buy paddy, he said.
Arrangements are under way to ensure the benefit of farmers in selling paddy at agreed prices, he said.
Priority will be given to the stability of domestic market in exporting rice, he said, adding individuals will be not permitted to export rice.
He urged officials, rice traders, rice millers and farmers to harmoniously strive for the flourishing of rice market.
The minister and party inspected a 100-ton capacity rice mill and bran oil mill.
Officials briefed them on the history of the mills and its production capacity.
Maj-Gen Kyaw Than urged them strive to boost production, to apply award and punishment system, to have observe discipline, to conduct welfare programmes for employees and to beautify the compound.
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(6) Minister inspects livestock, fishery development projects in Rakhine State
YANGON, 5 Jan - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein arrived in Rakhine State on 2 January on an inspection tour of livestock and fishery development projects there.
He first saw Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe at the Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Office and discussed livestock and fishery matters.
The minister next visited the 200-ton Cold Storage and 10-ton Ice Factory of the Joint Venture Corporation Ltd No 6 in Sittway. He was briefed on the functions of the factory by Chairman of the JVC Ltd No 6 U Khin Maung Aye. He later inspected processing of fish and prawn.
The minister and party also visited the 20-ton cold storage and ice factory of Myanmar-Garmin Co and inspected fish and prawn processing.
They proceeded to Rakhine State Fisheries Department and met the personnel there and discussed livestock and fishery development and staff welfare.
They next visited the larvae and prawn breeding stations under construction at Yaychanbyin Village. They also inspected feedstuff production and the poultry and pig farm.
On 3 January, they visited the prawn breeding station of the Rakhine Trading Co at Panzinmaw and Hsabyinchay Villages in Rathedaung Township. They were briefed on the advanced methods applied at the station and progress of work.
At night, they met executives of the Township Union Solidarity and Development Association and departmental personnel at Meru Yeiktha in Maungtaw and told them about changing conditions in political, economic and social fields.
Yesterday morning, the minister and party visited the 20-ton ice factory of Myanmar-Bangladesh Joint Venture Co Ltd and the Entry/Exit Gate No 1 to Bangladesh.
This morning the minister visited the construction site of Lawkananda Pagoda in Sittway and donated cash.
He later inspected the site for prawn breeding in Anauk Sanpya Ward.
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(7) Golden Jubilee Independence Day Commemorative Exhibition continues
YANGON, 5 Jan - The Golden Jubilee Independence Day Commemorative Exhibition opened at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road for the third day today.
It drew many people including members of the Sangha, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and basic education pupils.
The maps of Myanmar's jade mines and raw jade, and scale models of structures in Mandalay Palace were displayed near the entrance to the exhibition, and housing projects of Yangon on the left side.
Moreover, scale models of locomotives, coaches and railroads of Myanma Railways, dams and projects of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the scale model of Shwebon Yadana Royal Palace sculptured by Tampawady U Win Maung are also displayed.
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(8) Stimulant tablets seized in Tachilek
YANGON, 5 Jan - A combined team comprising Tachilek District Police Commander, regional intelligence unit, Tachilek anti-drug squad and members of Tachilek Police Station searched the houses in Maihope Village in Tachilek Township on 9 December.
They found 20 packets of stimulant containing 40,000 tablets in the house of Aik Pyan.
Legal action is being taken against Aik Pyan, 48, son of U Nwe Bond of Maihoke Village according to law.
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(9) Over 3 kilos of raw opium seized in Nawnghkio
YANGON, 5 Jan - A combined team of Lashio Township anti-drug squad assigned at Nawnghkio area and Customs personnel seized 3.1785 kilos of raw opium at Nawnghkio on 2 December.
They searched a bus which was traveling from Lashio to Mandalay at Nawnghkio Checkpoint and seized the raw opium from passenger Ma Htu Nan, 28, daughter of U Yaw Hsai, Namon Village, Muse Township.
Legal action is being taken against her.
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(10) US $ 5,000 presented for International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University
YANGON, 5 Jan - Under the patronage of Komatsu Chiko Sama, Jakkoin Temple, Kyoto, Japan, well-wisher U Maw Maw Daw Shwe Zin Oo (Koike Corporation) presented US $ 5,000 for construction of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University near Tooth Relic Pagoda in Dhammapala Hill, Mayangon Township at the Office of the Minister for Religious Affairs this afternoon.
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted the donation and presented certificate of honour to the donor.
Present were Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Deputy Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint and Head of Office, U Maung Maung Myint.
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(11) "Israel-Archaeology from the Air" open to public 6-20 January
YANGON, 5 Jan - Members of the Libraries, Museums and Exhibitions Supervisory Committee this morning inspected the "Israel-Archaeology from the Air" photo exhibition at the National Museum on Pyay Road. The photo exhibition is to be held in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary Independence Day of Israel.
The Ambassador of Israel and Mrs Gad Nathan greeted the Supervisory Committee members and explained about the exhibition.
Archaeological findings in Israel have long been a source of interest and fascination the world over. The subject attracts wide coverage both locally and in the international media. Archaeology from the Air, an exciting photographic exhibit composed of aerial shots of Israel from original, unique angles, sheds new light on this important field of study. From thousands of years the historical sites have remained unchanged. To the viewer, they change constantly in the varying light of each hour at sunrise, at sunset, in the continual interplay of light and shadow.
The exhibition presents aerial photographs of various archaeological sites throughout Israel.
Only such photographs can encompass in a single frame the entire scope of the archaeological finds, and combine the natural and manmade landscape into a single whole.
This different and surprising angle often reveals details and meanings hidden from view on the ground, and provides a unique perspective, both for the archaeologist and the layman.
Duby Tal and Moni Haramati, former Israel Air Force pilots, work as an aerial photography team in the company they established-Albatross. The work of Duby Tal, a landscape and nature photographer, has appeared in various magazines, both in Israel and abroad. Moni Haramati pilots of the Robinson helicopter from which these photographs were taken.
The photographs in the exhibition are taken from their third book, "Skyline-Archaeology", published in 1994. They previously published "Skyline-Israel From Above" and "Skyline-Jerusalem from Above".
The Exhibition "Israel- Archaeology from the Air" was produced by the Public Affairs Division of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Cultural Institute U Kyaw Win presented the permit for opening the exhibition.
The photo exhibition will be open to public from 10 am to 4 pm daily beginning tomorrow till 20 January.
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