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(1) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives media men
YANGON, 13 Jan - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Chairman and Chief Editor Mr Henry O Darmann and his assistant Mr Michael S Leforce of Leaders magazine of New York at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 4 pm today.
Present were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department.
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YANGON, 13 Jan - Patron of the Myanma Industrial Development Committee Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo addressed the Myanma Industrial Development Work Committee meeting No 1/98 at the Ministry of Industry 2 this afternoon.
The meeting was also attended by Chairman of MIDC Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Chairman of MIDWC Minister for Industry 2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Work Committee member Deputy Ministers, department heads and guests.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo said it is necessary to make use of advanced technology for national progress. He said Myanmar has been undertaking tasks to serve that purpose in accordance with the guidance of Senior General Than Shwe.
The MIDC, he said, will have to strive for the development of industries in conformity with the five objectives. At the same time, he said, the MIDWC has to play an effective role for the progress of specific industrial undertakings and industrial zones.
He spoke of the need to manufacture quality products and to give priority to establishment of mills and factories which can manufacture import-substitute products.
Similarly, he said, efforts should be made to encourage manufacture of export items and at the same time enhance the role of private industrial sector. There should also be exchange of knowledge and technology, he added.
He pointed out that all should be mindful of greening the entire nation while endeavouring for industrial development. He called for accelerating the progress achieved in the Greening Project of the Nine Arid Districts.
He also called for extensive distribution of briquettes since 1998 has been designated as the Fuel-wood Substitute Year.
Next, Chairman of MIDC U Thaung and Chairman of MIDWC Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe discussed work to be done for the growth of industries.
Afterwards, Secretary of MIDWC Managing Director of Myanma Heavy Industries U Khin Maung explained industrial zone supervisory matters, formation of sub-committees and progress made by the MIDWC.
MIDWC member deputy ministers and the sub-committee chairmen presented industrial development matters sector-wise. The MIDC and MIDWC Chairmen also presented supplementary reports.
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(3) Building of Ye-Dawei Railroad progressing
YANGON, 13 Jan - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, inspected completion of earthwork at Kaleinaung-Ye section of Ye-Dawei Railroad Project on 11 January.
Accompanied by Managing Director of Myanmar Railways U Kyaw San and Col Min Swe of Dawei Station, he urged personnel of the project to strive for timely completion, to meet the required standard, to take preventive measures against silting due to heavy rains and too take flood control measures.
Together with Deputy Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Aung Thein and officials, the minister and party inspected progress in building of bridges and dynamiting of the Malwe Mountain Range to make an axes.
Brig-Gen Aung Thein and officials briefed the minister on points of the project.
The minister attended to the needs in providing diesel, cement, parts for equipments and financial requirements, stressing the need to work day and night for timely completion of the project.
At Ye Creek Bridge, he supervised earthwork, piling, designing and construction.
The minister also inspected Mottama-Kyaikhto Railroad.
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(4) Minister for Home Affairs tours Mandalay, Shan State (North)
YANGON, 13 Jan - Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing inspected functions of departments and police forces in Mandalay, PyinOoLwin, Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Lashio, Hsenwi, Kutkai, Muse and Namhkam Townships from 9 to 13 January and discussed promotion of work efficiency.
The minister spoke of following the guidance of the Head of State, implementing the objectives successfully, safeguarding the interest of the State and the people and making field trip to grassroots level.
The minister also discussed cooperation with departments concerned, active participation in building of Myanmar Police Force as a reserve force and discharging duties of peace and development of the State by General Administration Department.
He inspected construction of Police Training Institute in Zibingyi, PyinOoLwin District.
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(5) Japanese Buddhist Missionary donates K 1m for State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon)
YANGON, 13 Jan - A cash donation ceremony of State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho (Yangon) was held at the office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs at 1 pm today.
It was attended by Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Adviser U Sao Tun Hmat Win, Director-General U Arnt Maung of Religious Affairs Department, Director-General U Sann Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Deputy Director-General Dr Myo Myint of the RAD, Head of Office U Maung Maung Myint and officials.
Visiting Japanese Buddhist Missionary presented K 1 million for the State Pariyatti Sasana Tekkatho's fund to Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa who offered Buddha images and pictures to the donors.
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(6) Minister meets Staff Officers of IPRD district offices
YANGON, 13 Jan - Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung met Staff Officers of the Information and Public Relations Department district offices in the States/Divisions (border areas) at the IPRD Head Office on Pansodan Street this morning and discussed prevailing political, economic and social conditions in the country, guidance of the Head of State, objectives and future tasks of the IPRD and arrangements for undertaking the tasks.
Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein, adviser at the Ministry of Information U Kyaw San, the directors-general, managing directors, directors and officials of the departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Information.
Staff Officers of the IPRD district offices first introduced themselves.
Maj-Gen Kyi Aung then said all the service personnel would have to adopt the right attitude and follow the right working methods to realize the political, economic and social objectives.
He pointed out that Head of State Senior General Than Shwe's guidance on the do's and don'ts should be heeded in discharging duties.
He spoke of the need for the IPRD officers to disseminate correct information and facts about the positive changes in the country to the public.
He said it would be necessary for the regional authorities, the public, the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the IPRD to work in unity and cooperation to achieve the set goal. He urged the officers to discharge their duties with perseverance, diligence and goodwill.
District officers then reported on the work done by the township offices in the respective areas.
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(7) Farmers urged to boost Ngwechi cotton production
YANGON, 13 Jan - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected storage of Ngwechi cotton and quality control systems at a cotton mill in Meiktila Township yesterday morning.
Accompanied by officials, he heard a report on cotton purchase, baling and sale presented by officials of the mill.
He inspected cotton seed dryers and mobile mills.
In Thazi Township, he looked into the requirements in maintaining Minhla Lake.
At Hlinetet Canning Factory, he inspected products and stressed the need to concentrate on improving quality of the products.
The minister attended to the needs in irrigating cotton fields from Thettaw Dam near Phaya Ngazu village in Thazi Township.
At a cotton mill, he cordially conversed with farmers who were collectively selling cotton in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Independence Day.
He explained to them per acre cultivation cost, per acre yield and its importance as an industrial crop. He attended to their requirements.
Later, he inspected process of work at the mill. He then inspected Hsinthay Dam Project in Tatkon Township, Yamethin District.
An official briefed him on progress in construction of the dam and a diversion dam.
The minister inspected building of outlet conduit, the main dam and the diversion dam.
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(8) Myanmar Embassy in Pretoria holds Golden Jubilee Independence Day reception
YANGON, 13 Jan - Myanmar Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted Golden Jubilee Independence Day reception at the ambassador's residence at 6 pm on 9 January.
It was attended by Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and the Queen, officials of South Africa, diplomats, UN officials and Myanmar families, totaling about 300.
Ambassador of Myanmar U Hla Myint Oo and wife Daw Aye Aye Myint greeted the guests.
The guests were entertained to Myanmar traditional dances.
They also enjoyed a video show on developments in Myanmar, and newsletters and bulletins were distributed.
Over 130 Myanmars held the independence day get-together the next day.
Sports competitions and entertainment were included.
The ambassador and wife and other Myanmars presented gifts to winners in sports contests.
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(9) Minister for H&T arrives back from Philippine
YANGON, 13 Jan - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin arrived back here after attending ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Cebu, the Philippines, from 9 to 12 January.
The minister was welcomed back at the airport by Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu and officials.
Members of Myanmar delegation Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Lat and General Manager U Htay Aung of Myanma Tourism Services participated in the coordination meeting of ASEAN tourism organizations on 9 January.
On 10 January, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin attended ministerial level coordination meeting and discussed cooperation in regional tourism programmes.
In the evening, the minister attended dinner hosted by Minister of Tourism of the Philippines and Mayor of Cebu at International Economic Relations building.
The minister attended ASEAN Tourism Exhibition on 11 January.
Philippine President Mr Fidel Ramos delivered a speech on promotion of tourism in the region and development.
The President posed for souvenir photo with Ministers for Tourism.
A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in regional tourism was signed by the ministers in the presence of President Ramos.
In the afternoon, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin observed showrooms at the ASEAN Tourism Exhibition. Altogether six showrooms of tour operators of Myanmar were put on display at the exhibition.
On the way home, Myanmar delegation dropped in Singapore on 12 January and met staff of Myanmar Embassy.
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(10) Over 25,000 acres of poppy plantations destroyed in Shan State
YANGON, 13 Jan - As the government is expediting narcotic drugs eradication drive, members of the Defence Services Intelligence Units and those of Myanmar Police Force led by Tatmadaw columns carrying out security duty manually destroyed more than 25,000 illicit poppy plantations in northern, southern and eastern Shan State from 6 November 1997 to 5 January 1998. They did so in cooperation with the local people.
In the North-East Command area, 4,363 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed in Hsenwi Township, 6,863.914 acres in Kutkai Township, 4,363 acres in Namtu Township, 27.25 acres in Lashio Township, 42 acres in Muse Township, 557 acres in Mongkoe area, 200 acres in Namhkham Township, 1,645.77 acres in Hopang Township, 100 acres in Hsipaw Township, 1,390 acres in Kunlong Township, 2,162.08 acres in Laukkai area and 3,406.7 acres in Tangyan Township. Twenty acres of poppy plantations were destroyed at Monhtaw/Monhta area in the Triangle Region Command area and 419.51 acres in Pinlaung Township in the Eastern Command area. Altogether 25,560.224 acres of illicit poppy plantations were destroyed.
Tatmadaw columns continue to expose and destroy illicit poppy plantations.
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(11) Prizes awarded to winners in Baby Show
YANGON, 13 Jan - A prize-distribution ceremony of Baby Show was held in the meeting hall of Myanmar Medical Association this morning.
The Baby Show commemorating the Golden Jubilee Independence Day was held under the sponsorship of Mingala Taungnyunt Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association.
Present were Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Khin Win Shwe, Secretary Dr Nyo Nyo and executives, executives of TMCWA and guests.
Vice-Chairperson of TMCWA Daw Khin Than, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Hla Myint and Head of Township Health Department Dr Khin Mar Aye spoke.
Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Dr Khin Win Shwe and Dr Nyo Nyo presented certificates of honour to 23 members of TMCWA.
The chairperson, the vice-chairperson and officials of MMCWA presented prizes to prize-winning babies and other entrants.
A total of 66 babies from 20 wards of Mingala Taungnyunt Township entered the competition.
There are about 1,200 members of TMCWA in the township.
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