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(1) Myanmar-Philippines relations further strengthened by Senior General's visit
YANGON, 19 Feb - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage attended the banquet hosted in their honour by President of the Republic of the Philippines Fidel V Ramos and Madame Amelita M Ramos at Malacanang Palace in Manila on 17 February.
Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing arrived at Malacanang Palace at 8 pm and were welcomed by President Fidel V Ramos and Madame Amelita M Ramos.
Later, the dignitaries and guests cordially greeted President Fidel V Ramos and Madame Amelita M Ramos and Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing.
Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing exchanged souvenirs with President Fidel V Ramos arid Madame Amelita M Ramos and then proceeded to the banquet hall.
President Fidel V Ramos made a speech and proposed a toast. Meanwhile, the State band played the National Anthem of the Union of Myanmar. (The President's speech reported separately.
Next, Senior General Than Shwe delivered a speech and responded to the toast. Meanwhile, the State band played the Anthem of the Republic of the Philippines. (The Senior General's speech reported separately.)
At the banquet, the dignitaries and guests were entertained to songs and dances.
Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, high-ranking officials, diplomats and entrepreneurs of the Philippines.
Senior General Than Shwe and President Ramos played golf at Malacanang Park golf course on 18 February.
At 11 am, Senior General and entourage placed wreath at Jose Rizal Memorial in Luneta Park.
Subic Bay
Accompanied by Secretary of National Defence Hon Fortunato Abat and Ambassador of the Philippines to Myanmar Mrs Sonia C Brady, flew from the Villamor Air Base in Manila to the City of Olongapo at Subic Bay.
The Senior General and entourage were accorded a warm welcome by Chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Mr Richard Gordon, Mayor Kate Gordon and local people.
Mr Richard Gordon hosted lunch in honour of the Senior General and entourage at Subic Bay Yacht Club.
At the luncheon, Mr Richard Gordon extended greetings and explained the projects for development of Subic Bay Free Port Zone.
On behalf of the Senior General, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw spoke words of thanks.
Later they toured Subic Bay Industrial Zone in a motorcade and viewed the housing projects.
They arrived back in Manila in the evening.
President of the Philippine Senate Mr Neptali A Gonzales and Senators called on Senior General Than Shwe at Manila Hotel at 4.30 pm.
Also present together with the Senior General were Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Ministers Brig-Gen Abel and U Ohn Gyaw, and Ambassador of Myanmar to the Philippines U San Thein.
Speakers of the House of Representatives Jose De Venecia Jr and party also called on the Senior General at the hotel at 5 pm.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Ministers Brig-Gen Abel and U Ohn Gyaw, and Ambassador of Myanmar to the Philippines U San Thein were also present on the occasion.
Embassy dinner
Myanmar Embassy families hosted dinner in honour of Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage at the Ambassador's Residence.
They arrived at the Ambassador's Residence at 7.30 pm and were welcomed there by Ambassador U San Thein and wife and staff and families of Myanmar Embassy.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt spoke of the purpose of the Senior General's State Visit to the Philippines, President Ramos' goodwill visit to Myanmar, strengthening of friendly relations between two countries as a result of the exchange of goodwill visits, programmes for multi-sectoral cooperation, stability of the State, economic and social progress in Myanmar and the duty of diplomats and their families for further strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries.
Later, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage had dinner together with the embassy families.
Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented souvenirs to the embassy families.
At 7 am, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mr Domingo L Siazon Jr called on Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt at the Golf Club of Malacanang Palace Park.
Also present on the occasion were Ministers Brig-Gen Abel and U Ohn Gyaw and Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs Sonia C Brady.
Ministers Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe and Brig-Gen Abel also held discussions on economic matters with the businessmen of the Philippines at Manila Hotel at 6 pm.
Also present were Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General U Soe Tint and Managing Director U Tin Kha.
Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage visited the Helping Foundation Livelihood Training and Productivity Centre and the Intramuros ancient city where they viewed ancient houses, temples and walls dating back to the time under Spanish rule.
IRRI
Accompanied by Secretary of National Defence Mr Fortunato Abat and Ambassador of the Philippines to Myanmar Mrs Sonia C Brady, the Senior General and entourage helicoptered to Los Banos, Laguna, where they visited International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
They were welcomed at IRRI by Director-General Dr Robert D Havener and officials and Myanmar scholar students.
Dr Havener extended greetings to them and explained IRRI's activities.
The IRRI's Myanmar Resident Representative also explained the cooperation between IRRI and Myanmar scholars, IRRI's activities in Myanmar and training of Myanmar scholars at-IRRI.
The Senior General and entourage later toured the Rice World Museum and IRRI's research paddy plantations.
They proceeded to Hill Hall where the Director-General of IRRI and officials responded to the questions raised, and gave suggestions on boosting paddy yield in Myanmar.
After visiting APEC Centre of Technology Exchange and Training for Small and Medium Enterprises, they went back to Manila.
This morning, Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage studied handicraft industries at Manazan.
President Fidel V Ramos and Madame Amelita M Ramos bid Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage farewell at Manila Hotel at 10.30 am.
Also present were Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister U Ohn Gyaw, Myanmar Ambassador U San Thein, Secretary of National Defence Mr Fortunato Abat and wife, Secretary Gregorio Vigilor of Public Works and Highway and Philippine Ambassador Mrs Sonia C Brady.
The Senior General and entourage arrived at the Villamor Air Base to depart for Yangon.
They were seen off by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mr Domingo L Siazon Jr, Secretary of National Defence Mr Fortunato Abat and wife, Philippine Ambassador Mrs Sonia C Brady, Myanmar Ambassador U San Thein and wife and embassy staff.
They stopped over at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at 1.30 pm.
They were welcomed there by First Vice-Chairman Mr Le Thanh Hai of the People Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Myanmar Ambassador to SRV U Khin Soe and wife, Military Attache Brig-Gen Myo Tint and embassy staff.
They arrived back Yangon this evening.
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(2) Situation of nation, Tatmadaw clarified to military officers, other ranks
YANGON, 19 Feb - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo delivered an address in meeting officers and other ranks of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) at the new hall of the Ministry of Defence this morning.
Also present were senior officers of the Ministry of Defence.
Lt-Gen Tin Oo said the purpose of the meeting was to clarify situation of the nation and the Tatmadaw.
He said today, Tatmadaw is building a peaceful, modern and developed nation together with the public shouldering duties unitedly and harmoniously.
He said the State Peace and Development Council was constituted as it is time to strive with committed resolve for the nation to be peaceful, modern and developed.
The State Peace and Development Council lays down the policies and various ministries and departments are undertaking the related tasks, he said, speaking of the need to endeavour for materialization of the 12 political, economic and social objectives upholding Our Three Main National Causes-non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national unity and perpetuation of sovereignty.
He noted that the four-year plan beginning from 1992-93 to 1995-96 had materialized and exceeded the target, and progress was achieved practically and that today, the five-year plan starting from 1996-97 to 2000-2001 is being implemented primarily aiming at achieving simultaneous development of the agriculture and industrial sectors.
He also noted that projects are being expanded in the energy and power supply sectors.
All authorities are working day and night for the administrative sector, he said, speaking of the need for all to observe the do's and don'ts in keeping with Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe's guidance and work dedicatedly in the interest of the State and the people.
Lt-Gen Tin Oo also spoke about the tasks for strengthening and promotion of the military, administrative and organizational capabilities of the Tatmadaw and urged them to work together with the public for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation always keeping security vigil.
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(3) Minister for Energy receives foreign businessmen
YANGON, 19 Feb - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi received Chairman Mr Toshio Kawachi and party of Kinsho-Mataichi Corporation of Japan at his office at 9 am today.
Similarly, the minister received Chairman of Daewoo Corporation of Korea Mr Gil-Yong Um and party at 2 pm and Chairman of Ace Pressureweld Intentional Pte Ltd Mr Willy Kwan and party at 3 pm today.
They discussed energy sector.
Present also were Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning Department.
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(4) Premier Oil presents $ 3,000 to Ministry of Culture
YANGON, 19 Feb - Premier Oil Myanmar Ltd presented US $ 3,000 to the Ministry of Culture for the programme to turn out new generation artistes.
The cash donation ceremony was held at the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development this afternoon.
Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha accepted the donation from Chairman of Premier Oil Mr Ronald Morris and then handed it to Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt.
U Soe Tha presented a certificate of honour to the chairman and thanked him.
Also present were officials of the ministries.
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(5) MIC Chairman receives GM of Mitsui
YANGON, 19 Feb - Deputy Prime Minister chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received General Manager of Mitsui & Co Ltd of Japan Mr S Takaku and party at his office at 10.30 am today.
Present also were Minister at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and officials.
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(6) Chief of Staff (Army) attends Military Band Competition
YANGON, 19 Feb - Chairman of Leading Committee for Observance of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Patron of Leading Committee-for Holding Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) Military Band Competition Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the military band competition in People's Square this morning.
He was welcomed there by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Holding the Military Band Competition Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, judges, members of Prize Distribution Work Committee and senior military officers.
He viewed military bands of No 11 LID, Air Force, Central Command and No 33 LID taking part in the competition.
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(7) Nissho Iwai donation for MMCWA
YANGON, 19 Feb - A ceremony to donate K 577,200 by Nissho Iwai Corporation for Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the office of MMCWA, No 341, Banyadala Road, Tarmway Township, at 2 pm today.
General Manager Mr T Yoshimura of Nissho Iwai Corporation donated K 577,200 to Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe of the association.
Present also were officials of the Nissho Iwai Corporation and executives of MMCWA. The association will spend the cash for building of the general purpose hall of MMCWA.
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(8) Minister for Cooperatives receives JETRO official, lacquerware experts
YANGON, 19 Feb - Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San received Senior Trade Advisor Ms Saoko Kinoshita of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) at his office at 2.30 pm today.
Also present were Director-General of Cooperatives Department U Maung Hti, Director-General of Cottage Industries Department Dr Than Htaik, Managing Director of Cooperative Import Export Enterprise Daw Khin Swe Soe and Head of Office U Hla Kyu.
The minister also received lacquerware experts led by Mr Takuji Ogimura of OISCA of Narakawa, Japan, at 3.30 pm.
They discussed markets for Myanmar handicrafts including Lacquerware in Japan, technical assistance for preservation of Myanmar ancient artifacts, cooperation for proficiency improvement of instructors of Myanma Lacquerware Institute and exchange of technology.
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(9) "How to take the exam" lectures on economics, article on general knowledge
YANGON, 19 Feb - "How to take the exam" lectures on economics and an article on general knowledge for Tenth Standard Examination will appear in Sunday Supplement pages of 22 February issues of Myanma Alin and Kyemon dailies.
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