*********************************************************************
_____________________
(1) Cornerstone of Sixth Buddhist Synod Mawgun Museum laid
YANGON, 10 Jan - A ceremony to lay cornerstone of the Sixth Buddhist Synod Mawgun Museum was held at the plot in front of Maha Pasana Cave in Thiri Mingala Kaba Aye Hill this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Statues of eminent Sangha Nayaka Sayadaws who sponsored the Sixth Buddhist Synod and Sangha Meetings of All Ganas and historical religious items will be on display at the museum.
Present were Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Labour Vice-Admiral Tin Aye, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chairman of Yangon City Development Council Mayor U Ko Lay, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department U Arnt Maung, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Managing Director of Technical Services U Ye Tun and officials.
The Secretary-1, the ministers and the mayor inspected the scale model of the museum and Myanmar handicraft designed to be displayed at the museum.
At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 laid the gem casket and stone inscription.
Next, the Secretary-1 and the ministers laid the foundation at the respective places and showered scented water over the foundation.
The Secretary-1, the ministers and the mayor showered confetti to mark the success of the ceremony.
__________________
(2) MEC Chairman attends Seminar on Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History
YANGON, 10 Jan - Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the Seminar on Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History at International Business Centre on Pyay Road at 10 am today.
It is sponsored by the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, and the Universities Historical Research Centre.
Present also were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, heads of departments, representative of Japan Foundation, Director of the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Director of the Universities Historical Research Centre, historians of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, India, Japan, France, Germany, Britain and United States of America, resource persons, members of Myanma History Commission, rectors, professors faculty members of Universities and guests.
Professor (Retired) of History Department and member of Myanma History Commission Dr Than Tun presented a research paper - from Mrauk-U and Sittway: the Development of Trade City in Western Myanmar and Mr Jacques P Leider- Elephants, Slaves, Rubies: Arakan-a Place in the Trade Network of the Bay of Bengal.
Then, the Secretary-1 cordially met historians.
_________________________
(3) Myanmar Education Committee Chairman inspects primary
schools in Insein
Township
YANGON, 10 Jan - Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected Basic Education Primary Schools No 7, 6 and 40 in Insein Township this afternoon.
The Secretary-1, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council, on arrival at No 7 BEPS in Sawbwagyigon Ward, was welcomed by Minister for Education U Than Aung, Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee Col Myint Aung, Director-General of Basic Education Department U Bo Win, heads of departments, members of District, Township and Ward Peace and Development Councils, officials of BED, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Headmistress Daw Ohn Kyaing and teachers and pupils.
The headmistress reported on number of pupils and teachers, academic matters, pass rate, welfare, renovation and requirements. The Secretary-1 fulfilled the requirements and inspected the classrooms.
He went to No 6 BEPS in Nathagon Ward and No 40 BEPS in Ywama East Ward.
Headmaster U Soe Win and Headmistress Daw Aye Kyi Myint reported on number of pupils and teachers, academic matters, pass rate, welfare, renovation and requirements.
Minister U Than Aung gave supplementary report.
In meeting with school heads, members of PTA and officials, the Secretary-1 said new school buildings would be constructed by Wa Wa Win Construction Co Ltd.
He spoke of teaching their pupils to be outstanding, clever ones with good morale, observing discipline, practicing good habits, training them to be imbued with the sense of preservation of national culture, the Union spirit and patriotism and nurturing them to be good and able children.
__________________
(4) Seminar on Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History opens
YANGON, 10 Jan - Seminar on Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History jointly organized by Universities Historical Research Centre and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok opened at the International Business Centre this morning, with an address by Minister for Education U Than Aung.
Present also were Deputy Minister for Education Dr Than Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Director-General of Higher Education Department U Myo Nyunt, members of Myanmar Historical Commission, resident representative of Japan Foundation on South East Asia based in Thailand, historians from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, China, India, Japan, Britain, France, Germany, Australia and the United States and guests. Minister U Than Aung said:
Honoured Guests, distinguished participants ladies and gentlemen,
In my capacity as Chairman of Myanmar Historical Commission, I would like to extend a warm welcome to scholars and researchers from abroad as well as the academic community at home who are present here today.
This Seminar is the first international conference hosted by the Ministry of Education since the constitution of the State Peace and Development Council two months ago. It is also the third International seminar organized by Universities Historical Research Centre following on its celebration of the Yangon University Diamond Jubilee in 1995 and Myanmar-Thai studies seminar conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University in 1996.
This gathering is distinguished by the presence of eminent scholars from Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.
I am also delighted by the participation of Myanmar scholars from several Universities as well as doctoral candidates in the field of history.
I understand that the conference will discuss the theme of "Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History" This, in my opinion accords with the renewed interests of scholars and researchers in this country which as you know has recently joined the relevant regional organization.
I am sure that new insight and knowledge of the past of this region generated by this seminar will contribute towards better understanding of the present regional situation and thereby lead to more thorough cooperation between the member states of this region.
I understand that the conference will focus on the rise and fall of some states in Southeast Asia with growth cases on inland and sea trade activities. Importance of the trade centres will be studied up to contemporary period in the twelve papers which will be read by foreign and Myanmar scholars who are present today.
The Government of the Union of Myanmar laid down 12 objectives which consist of four political objectives, four economic objectives and four social objectives in order to reach the national goals of the realization of a peaceful, modern and developed state. Since one of the twelve national objectives is the uplift of heath, fitness and education standard of the entire nation, the Ministry of Education have been making endeavours to enable those who possess the intellectual capacity and dedication to scholarship, to acquire higher learning with a view to develop Human resources of the highest caliber. A concrete step taken in this connection is the inauguration of doctoral courses in Yangon University.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Japan Foundation, the Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, the Universities Historical Research Centre who have made this distinguished academic gathering possible.
In conclusion I hope and expect that the new generation who possess the intellectual ability will find the experience very enriching. I also wish that scholars from abroad will enjoy their stay in Myanmar and will benefit from stimulating intellectual context with them.
Next, resident representative of Japan Foundation, Director of Institute of Asian Studies of Chulalongkorn University and Director of Universities Historical Research Centre Daw Ni Ni Myint extended greetings.
Professor Dr Sharharil Talib presented paper on Sea World of Southeast Asia: A Historical Context and Present Strategy.
The seminar continues till 12 January and the-historians will present research papers on Port Cities and Trade Activities in Southeast Asian History.
____________________
(5) Secretary-2 attends PTA meeting, prize-distribution ceremony of BEHS No 1 in Dagon Township
YANGON, 10 Jan - The Basic Education High School No 1 of Dagon Township held the annual Parent-Teacher Association meeting and a prize-distribution ceremony for 1997-98 academic year at the school this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development council Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe.
Present also were Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung and Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Joint Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyi Win, Director-General of Basic Education Department U Bo Win and officials, members of the panel of the patron of PTA, executives, the headmaster, teachers and students.
Before the meeting and the ceremony began, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and the ministers inspected the hall for teaching foreign language and computer room of the school.
Chairman of PTA Headmaster U Kyaw Kyaw explained efforts for development of the school and cooperation between parents, teachers and students.
_____________________________
(6) Ye-Dawei Railroad inspected
YANGON, 10 Jan - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and officials of Myanma Railways inspected construction of Ye-Dawei Railroad this morning.
Col Kyaw Hsan of Dawei Station reported on construction of railroad, Kaleinaung-Paukpinkwin section, earth work, construction of bridge and paving of road and General Manager (Civil) U Ohn Lwin of MR on Mahlwataung section and others.
The minister gave instructions on completion of work as scheduled and railway line and fulfilled the requirements.
The minister also inspected Dawei Station.
________________________
(7) Golden Jubilee Kachin State Day observed
YANGON, 10 Jan - Golden Jubilee Kachin State Day was observed at National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street this evening.
Present were Chairman of Committee for Observing Golden Jubilee Kachin State Day Lt-Col Labya Pan Aung (Retired) and committee members, people of Kachin State in Yangon and guests.
First, Thakhin Ba Hone delivered an address and Lt-Col Labya Pan Aung explained about the aim of the ceremony.
Then, Kachin national U M Zaw Nan also explained about the Kachin State Day.
Later, Kachin nationals entertained the guests with traditional dances.
_______________________
(8) Minister for Transport inspects extension of Yangon International Airport runway project
YANGON, 10 Jan - Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, accompanied by Director-General of Transport Department U Khin Maung Myint and Deputy Director-General of Department for Civil Aviation U Maung Maung Zan and officials, arrived at the office of extension of Yangon International Airport runway project at 9.15 am today.
They were welcomed there by Project Manager U San Lwin and officials.
U San Lwin briefed the Minister on progress of work, difficulties and utilizing heavy equipment with the help of chart.
The Minister gave suggestions and inspected the project.
Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and party proceeded to Yangon International Airport where they were welcomed by Managing Director of Myanma Airways U Tin Hlaing Hmi and officials.
The Minister inspected arrival and departure lounge and cleaning of the airport.
Then, U Tin Hlaing Hmi briefed the minister on purchasing, stationing and use of radar for automatic control.
The Minister looked into the requirements and inspected the warehouse.
______________
(9) Donation for Mary Chapman's School for the Aged
YANGON, 10 Jan - A cash donation ceremony for Mary Chapman's School for the Deaf was held at the school at 11 am today.
First, donors Deputy Township Police Commander of Oktwin Township Police Inspector U Han Win briefed on the donation and presented K 1 million to Headmistress Daw Khin May Hsint.
The donors, Deputy Township Police Commander of Oktwin Township Police Inspector U Han Win, Daw Khin Than Nyunt (Advocate) and family of Bago Road of South Zay Ward, Phyu Town, Oktwin Township, donated cash in memory of late father rector Dr Khin Maung Win (Pathologist).
_____________________
(10) Minister for Energy receives Thai, British businessmen
YANGON, 10 Jan - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received Manager Mr Suppamas Prachakvej of PTTEP International Limited of Thailand at his office this evening.
Similarly, the minister also received Vice-Chairman Mr Ronald L Morris of Premier Petroleum Myanmar Limited of Britain at his office this evening. Present also were Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning Department.
____________________
(11) Power supply interruption due repair of Combined Cycle Power Plant
YANGON, 10 Jan - Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut and officials of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise inspected major repair of turbines at Gas Power Station in Thakayta Township this afternoon.
The minister gave instructions on completion of the repair work sooner, full operation, maintenance, security and welfare.
Power supply will be interrupted in some townships in Yangon while the Combined Cycle Power Plant of Thakayta is under going repairs.
The minister and party inspected the site for installing new power lines in Ward 5, Botahtaung Township, to replace old ones.
He called for public cooperation and spoke of safety and systematic use of power.
_______________
(12) Women's Chapter of MMA holds annual meeting
YANGON, 10 Jan - Annual meeting of Women's chapter of Myanmar Medical Association was held at the MMA office in Mingala Taungnyunt Township this morning.
Present were Chairperson of MMA (Central) and members, Patron of Women's Chapter Dr Khin Win Shwe, Chairperson of Women's Chapter Dr Yi Yi Hla and EC members.
Secretary Dr Khin Mar Aye and Dr Kyi Kyi Khin presented annual report and financial report for approval.
Patron of Women's Chapter and EC members for 1998-99 were chosen. Future tasks of parahita and health education activities and religious affairs were discussed.
----------------------------------------------