THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

(Sunday, 8 March 1998)

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  1. Tatmadawmen building Ye-Dawei Railroad push for scheduled completion General Maung Aye looks into agriculture, livestock breeding for welfare, development
  2. Secretary-l inspects construction of Reception Hall at Yangon International Airport
  3. K 1.5 m donated for Golden Jubilee of Thamidawdaya Thukhitayama Daw Nyanasari Myanaung Nunnery
  4. Vietnamese industrial delegation concludes visit
  5. MRTV D-G leaves for UNICEF Conf
  6. Plans under way to build multi purpose diesel engine factory in Indagaw
  7. People, Tatmadawmen carry out sanitation work hailing Armed Forces Day
  8. Minister visits cement plant, meets USDA executives
  9. $ 855,441 realized from jade and gems sale
  10. Prize distribution ceremony for Under 10 Children's Instant Painting Contest
  11. London-Myanmar Open continues

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(1) Tatmadawmen building Ye-Dawei Railroad push for scheduled completion General Maung Aye looks into agriculture, livestock breeding for welfare, development

YANGON, 7 Mar - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Nyunt Thein and Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Commerce Mai-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun and officials, left for Dawei by Tatmadaw flight at 11 am yesterday.

General Maung Aye and party were welcomed at Dawei Airport by Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung and officials.

General Maung Aye and party helicoptered to Kaleinaung Village in Yaybyu Township where they inspected Kaleinaung-Paukpinkwin Railroad, a section of Ye-Dawei Railroad, and met Tatmadawmen building the railroad.

The General and party is inspected the completed bridge across Dawei River on the railroad.

Commander Maj-Gen Thura Thiha Thura Sit Maung and Minister U Pan Aung reported on progress of work in Ye-Dawei Railroad Project and Col Kyaw Hsan of Dawei Station on building of the railroad with the assistance of Tatmadawmen.

General Manager (Civil) U Ohn Lwin of Myanma Railways also reported on the railroad section and construction of the bridge.

The General said the region gets a lot of rain and called for making arrangements to prevent possible damage, and maintenance of the railroad section and keeping records of the project systematically.

The Ye-Dawei Railroad is 100.8 miles long. The 15.2-mile Ye-Paukpinkwin section was built by Tatmadawmen of South-East Command and 85.6-mile Dawei-Paukpinkwin section by Tatmadawmen of Dawei Station.

The 529-foot and 8-inch bridge across Dawei River was built of 100-foot steel trusses and pre-stressed concrete beams and reinforced-concrete piers.

The railroad project constructed with the assistance of the Tatmadawmen for regional development is nearly complete and railway service will begin soon.

The General and party went to regional battalion in Palauk in Palaw Township.

The General met Tatmadawmen and families at the hall of the battalion.

He spoke of the need to carry out agriculture and livestock breeding services on manageable scale for welfare of the families, cooperate in welfare services and build in-service solidarity.

General Maung Aye and party proceeded to Palaw Township where they were welcomed by Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Kyaw Swe Han, departmental officials and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association.

The General and party went to the site of Bailey bridge across Palaw Creek.

Senior Engineer U Saw Ronald Win reported on construction of the bridge. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun also gave supplementary report.

The General gave instructions and then inspected progress of work. He met Tatmadawmen and families of battalions and units.

The ministers inspected work of the respective ministries and met departmental officials and service personnel.

The General and party then helicoptered to Myeik where they were welcomed by Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Thura Maung Ni, Commander of Taninthayi Naval Region Command Commodore Soe Myint and officials.

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(2) Secretary-l inspects construction of Reception Hall at Yangon International Airport

YANGON, 7 Mar - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected construction of Reception Hall at Yangon International Airport this morning and looked into the requirements.

Accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at the construction site of Reception Hall at the airport at 9.20 am today.

They were welcomed there by Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and departmental officials.

Then, the Secretary-1 inspected construction of Reception Hall.

Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and officials briefed the Secretary-1 on progress of work.

The Secretary-1 gave suggestions on the project.

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(3) K 1.5 m donated for Golden Jubilee of Thamidawdaya Thukhitayama Daw Nyanasari Myanaung Nunnery

YANGON, 7 Mar - The first donation ceremony for the Golden Jubilee of Thamidawdaya Thukhitayama Daw Nyanasari Myanaung Nunnery and Centenary Birthday of Daw Nyanasari was held at the nunnery on Kyundaw Street in Sangyaung Township this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Present also were Dr Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Cho Oo, wife of Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Daw Marlar Tint, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council and departments, chairmen of Yangon West District and Township Peace and Development Councils, members of Sangyoung Township and Wards Union Solidarity and Development Associations, nuns led by Taikoak Nun Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Daw Zaya Wady of Thamidawdara Thukhitayama Daw Nyanasari Myanaung Nunnery and well-wishers.

State Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Indavamsabhivamsa administered the Nine Precepts.

Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt offered alms to nuns.

Dr Tin Shwe supplicated on arrangements for the Golden Jubilee of Thamidawdaya Thukhitayama Daw Nyanasari Myanaung Nunnery and Centenary Birthday of Daw Nyanasari.

Daw Khin Hla Myint and family of Lanmadaw Township donated K 300,000 and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association K 100,000 for the Nunnery to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who presented certificates of honour to them.

Well-wishers donated K 1,540,115 for the Nunnery.

Today's donations include-K 100,000 by Daw Khin Nwe Yi (Shwepazun) and family, K 100,000 by U Khin Toe-Daw Sandar Win of Lanmadaw Township, K 64,825 by Mayor U Ko Lay-Daw Khin Khin and family and staff and others.

Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Chairman of Sangyoung Township Peace and Development Council U Ohn Maung Si accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour.

Agga Maha Pandita bhaddanta Tilawkabhivamsa delivered a sermon and merits gained were shared.

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(4) Vietnamese industrial delegation concludes visit

YANGON, 7 Mar - Industrial delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam led by Minister of Industry Dr Dang Vu Chu left here by air this morning after its visit here at the invitation of Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe.

The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Minister U Thein Tun, Ambassador of SRV Mr Nguyen Dang Khoa, managing directors of the ministry and officials.

The delegation was accompanied by Vietnamese business entrepreneurs.

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(5) MRTV D-G leaves for UNICEF Conf

YANGON, 7 Mar - Director-General U Kyi Lwin of Myanma Radio and TV and Dr Peter F Chen, Chief Programme Communication and Information Section of UNICEF Myanmar, left here by air for Britain to attend the Second World Summit on TV for Children to be held in London.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, officials of the departments and enterprises of the Ministry of Information and their families.

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(6) Plans under way to build multi purpose diesel engine factory in Indagaw

YANGON, 7 Mar - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, accompanied by Deputy Minister U Thein Tun and officials, this morning inspected the site designated for construction of a multi-purpose diesel engine factory in Indagaw Village-tract, Bago Township, Bago Division.

He was welcomed there by Chairman of Bago District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tun Aye, township and village authorities, and officials of Myanma Heavy Industries and Industrial Services.

Managing Director of MHI U Khin Maung briefed him on the location and plans for construction of the factory.

Lt-Col Tun Aye also briefed him on resettlement of the villages which were formerly at the site.

Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe suggested that construction of the factory must be undertaken by Industrial Services and he also gave instructions on land reclamation, construction of temporary offices, water and power supply and appointment of workers.from the nearby villages for the factory construction project and in the factory.

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(7) People, Tatmadawmen carry out sanitation work hailing Armed Forces Day

YANGON, 7 Mar - Hailing the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day which falls on 27 March, Tatmadawmen of Mingaladon Air Base and people of North Okkalapa Township carried out sanitation work in the compound of North Okkalapa Hospital today.

USDA, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade members and departmental personnel also participated in it.

Commander of Mingaladon Air Base Col Tin Oo and officers, township authorities and the Medical Superintendent supervised the work.

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(8) Minister visits cement plant, meets USDA executives

YANGON, 7 Mar - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by Chairman of Thayet District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Soe and members, department heads and officials, met employees of Thayet Cement Plant in Magway Division yesterday afternoon.

The minister inspected renovation of the hall of the plant, and heard reports on salient points of renovation by Managing Director of Myanma Ceramics Industry U Than Shwe and the plant manager.

He called for timely completion of work and making environs of the plant pleasant and clean.

Later, the minister met the managing director, the plant manager and officials, and attended to their requirements.

At 4.30 pm, the minister and party went to the limestone hill 500 feet above sea-level.

The minister was briefed by officials on geographical condition of the limestone hill, and attended to their requirements.

Later, the minister inspected production and transport of limestone.

At 5.30 pm, member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Aung Thaung met USDA executives and organizers from Natmauk Township and Magway and Thayet Districts, and elaborated on political, economic and social situations.

U Aung Thaung presented a photo copier for Natmauk Township USDA to Secretary of Natmauk Township USDA U Aung Kyaw Soe.

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(9) $ 855,441 realized from jade and gems sale

YANGON, 7 Mar - Sale of jade lots through competitive bidding continued for the second day at 35th Myanma Gems Emporium in Myanma Gems Emporium Hall today.

Altogether 13 lots of jade were sold for US $ 780,558 through competitive bidding from 9 am to 12.45 pm.

Jewellery and jade figurines sold at fixed prices fetched US $ 74,883.

Sale of gem lots through competitive bidding will take place tomorrow.

A total of 435 foreign and local gem merchants attended 35th Myanma Gems Emporium.

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(10) Prize distribution ceremony for Under 10 Children's Instant Painting Contest

YANGON, 7 Mar - The Ministry of Culture today announced that a prize distribution ceremony for the Under-10 Children's Instant Painting Contest will be held in Yangon on 13 March 1998.

The "Doh Leithamar" under-10 children's painting contest was held at Lanmadaw Basic Education High School 1 on 3 January 1998 with the sponsorship of the Minister for Culture.

Patrons of Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Artist Maung Maung Thaik and Artist U Kyaw Thaung scrutinized the paintings on 12 January and announced 18 prize winners on 13 January.

The prize winners must contact the Fine Arts Department, 131, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, not later than 12 March 1998.

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(11) London-Myanmar Open continues

YANGON, 7 Mar - London-Myanmar Open golf tournament continued at Bagan Resort Golf Club in Bagan, Mandalay, today for the third day.

Robert Huxtable of the United States is leading for the third straight day with 209 strokes, and Vivek Bhandari of India is behind him with 210.

Taimur Hussain of Pakistan, Eedtur Dy of the United States, Jyoti Randhawa of India and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand tie at 211 strokes for third place.

Other golfers who are included in today's top ten are Jaurav The of India with 2l2, Zhang Lian-Wei of China with 212, Tharliew of Korea with 213 and Ed Fryatt of Britain with 213.

Among the spectators were Advocate-General Brig-Gen Than Oo, Vice-Chairmen of London-Myanmar Open Organizing Leading Committee Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Tin Soe and Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw and officials of Myanmar Golf Federation.

The tournament continues tomorrow for the final day.

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