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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Republic of Mauritius
YANGON, 12 Mar- Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Cassam Uteem, President of the Republic of Mauritius, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Mauritius which falls on 12 March 1998.
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YANGON, 11 Mar - With the patronage of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing, families of the State Peace and Development Council and Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) offered soon to the State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and the religious title recipient Sayadaws and nuns at Tatmadaw Dhammayon on Arzani Road, Bahan Township, this morning.
Present were the State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and the religious title recipient Sayadaws and nuns, and present together with Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, State Peace and Development Council members, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the acting Auditor-General, the Mayor, senior officers of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) and special guests.
Director-General of Department of Religious Affairs U Arnt Maung acted as master of ceremonies.
State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Monywa Maha Jotikayama Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Candasiri invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.
Afterwards, the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited parittas.
Next, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage presented offertories to the Sayadaws.
Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.
Later, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing and entourage offered soon to the Sayadaws and nuns.
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(3) Tatmadawmen who sacrificed limbs for national cause conclude Ngapali vacation
YANGON, 11 Mar - One hundred and thirteen disabled Tatmadawmen who sacrificed their limbs while serving national defence duties arrived back here today from Ngapali, Thandwe, Rakhine State, by air after conclusion of their vacation there.
Their vacation is included in the Government's programmes to honour the Tatmadawmen who sacrificed their limbs while discharging national defence duties risking their life.
Led by Maj Nay Win of Adjutant-General's Office of the Ministry of Defence, they were welcomed back at Mingaladon Air Base by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Judge-Advocate General Maj-Gen Than Oo, Inspector-General Brig-Gen Win Myint, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, Captain Naval Staff Capt Kyi Min, Commander of Mingaladon Air Base Col Tin Oo, Commandant of Defence Services Orthopaedic and Reconstructive Surgery Hospital Col Than Myint, officers of Army, Navy and Air, nursing cadets and Tatmadawmen and families.
Camp-opening for the disabled Tatmadawmen was held at Tatmadaw Ohngyan Vacation Park on 3 March. Tactical Operations Commander Col Aung Naing Tun, on behalf of the commander of Western Command, spoke.
During their vacation, the disabled Tatmadawmen paid obeisance to Shwehsandaw Pagoda and visited Thandwe Market, Annawayeiktha Ngapali Beach Hotel and Thandwe Township.
They were entertained with video plays, traditional dances and modern music in the evening.
Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and Brig-Gen Maung Nyo met them on 10 March.
Camp-folding ceremony was held in the evening on the beach of the park, also attended by Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, officials of regional battalion, district and township, executives of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade members and guests.
Local artistes and the disabled Tatmadawmen entertained the guests with songs and dances.
On their departure home this morning, they were seen off at the airport by Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, officers and other ranks of regional battalion, local authorities, departmental personnel, members of USDA, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, local people and dance and music troupes.
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(4) Mandalay International Airport will usher in a new era of development
YANGON, 11 Mar - A meeting on Mandalay International Airport Construction Project was held at the meeting hall of the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) this evening, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present were Minister for Industry-l U Aung Thaung, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Officer on Special Duty at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tint and departmental officials.
The Secretary-2 said Mandalay International Airport Project is one of the tasks being implemented for development of the country and efforts are being made to complete the project as scheduled without any shortcomings.
He called for completion of the project in time, provision of necessary assistance and reporting difficulties.
Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe reported on implementation and Superintending Engineer U Boon Kyi of Public Works on progress of work and requirements.
The Secretary-2, the ministers, the deputy ministers and departmental officials then fulfilled the requirements.
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(5) Parade columns continue rehearsal
YANGON, 11 Mar - Parade columns led by Parade Commander Brig-Gen Lun Maung that will be taking part in the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade continued parade rehearsal at the Resistance Park this morning.
The Tatmadawmen from Anawrahta, Kyansittha, Bayintnaung, Aung Zeya, Hsinbyushin, Bandoola and Aung San columns rehearsed according to the parade agenda.
Chairman of Parade Work Committee for Observance of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Saw Lwin inspected the drill at the park.
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(6) MIC Chairman receives Chinese business delegation
YANGON, 11 Mar - Deputy Prime Minister Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received Project Managing Director Mr An Xaioyan and party of Shandong Agricultural Industry & Commerce Group Corporation of the People's Republic of China at his office at 4 pm today.
Present also were Minister at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig-Gen Maung Maung and officials.
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(7) Cruiseliner arrives with 213 tourists
YANGON, 11 Mar - With the arrangement made by Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and Myanmar Voyages company, cruiseliner ms Columbus with 213 tourists arrived at Nanthida Jetty of Yangon at 2.15 pm today. The tourists were welcomed by officials of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and Myanmar Voyages company.
In the evening, the tourists toured the National Museum, Karaweik Hall, Chaukhtatgyi and Shwedagon pagodas by buses of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and took photos in Maha Bandoola Park.
They were entertained to variety dances on board the cruiseliner by the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services at night.
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(8) Tickets for Tiger Cup qualifiers available
YANGON, 11 Mar - Group A qualifying matches for the Second Tiger Cup soccer tournament will be held at Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium on 14, 16 and 18 March.
Group A includes Myanmar, Brunei and Laos. Myanmar meets Brunei on 14 March. Laos will play Brunei on 16 March and Myanmar on 18 March.
The matches will start at 4 pm.
Admission is K 300 per head for the grand stand and K 100 for others.
Tickets will be sold at Aung San Stadium, Theinbyu Tennis Plaza, Salin Stadium and Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium 1 beginning 9 am on 12 March.
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(9) Job appointment certificates presented to UDNR graduates
YANGON, 11 Mar - The conclusion of Junior Assistant Teachers Course and Regular Four-month Course No 29 of the University for Development of National Races was held at Panglong Hall of the university in Ywathitgyi, Sagaing, on 9 March morning.
It was attended by Chairman for University for Development of National Races Council Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Win, Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board Chairman of Central Management Committee U Maung Maung Gyi, Vice-Chairman of UDNR Council Member of CSSTB U Aung Thein, Member of CMC Member of CSSTB U Myo Swe, division, district and township authorities, representatives of State/Division Peace and Development Councils, the rector and faculty members of the university, officials and relatives of the trainees.
U Aung Thein presented certificates to 54 trainees of JAT Course and 104 trainees of Kayah, Kayin and Chin States and Sagaing and Taninthayi Divisions of the regular course.
Rector of UDNR U Aye Thwin then presented certificates to 143 from Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions and Mon, Rakhine, Kachin and Shan States of the regular course.
The representatives of State/Division Peace and Development Councils then presented them certificates of job appointments.
Brig-Gen Soe Win also presented prizes to outstanding trainees.
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(10) Streets to be temporarily closed during rehearsal of parade
YANGON, 11 Mar - Military columns which will take part in the 53rd Armed Forces Day Parade will rehearse on 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21 and 25 along the road between Myoma Grounds and Resistance Park from 5 to 9 am.
Their full dress rehearsal will be held on 23 March.
While the columns are rehearsing, U Wizara Road and some streets including ones linking with U Wizara Road will be temporarily closed until the columns finish their rehearsal.
The streets include Shwedagon Pagoda, Pantra, Zagawa, Hmawgontaik, Ziwaka, Manawhari, Ahlon, Myomakyaung, Kan, West Shwegondine, Arzani, Dhammazedi, Bargaya, Chindwin and Thanlwin.
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(11) Armed group members, families exchange arms, for peace
YANGON, 11 Mar - The State Peace and Development Council is striving for national reconsolidation, upholding Three Main National Causes, and is implementing the 12 political, economic and social objectives for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation.
After realizing the goodwill and endeavour of the Government, armed group members are exchanging arms for peace, abandoning their destructive acts which do not benefit the nation.
Pvt Arliya of No 79 Battalion of SURA armed group in North-East Command, Yawna and George Hset of Lahu armed group, bringing together with one M-22 automatic rifle, one .30 carbine, two magazines and 27 rounds of ammunition, in Triangle Region Command area, Cpl Saw Aung Naw Hsai, Pvts Saw Pha Tha Tee and Det Pyaung of No 6 Brigade of KNU armed group, defender of Asuchaung Village Kyan Yay Kha of No 1 Brigade, together with one AK-47 automatic rifle, one magazine and four rounds of ammunition, in South-East Command region, Organizer U Kyaw Tha Hsaung (a) U Aung Phyu of AA armed group in Western Command area, Pvts Shwe Ba (a) Htoo Kyi Phaw, Vee Ho, Ba Yi, Kyaw Naing, Maung Myint, U Tin Aye Maung, Dway Naing and their families Ma San, Ma Win Win Mar, Ma Htay Htay Win, Htay Htay Nu, Ma Ei Ton, Ma Than Htay, Ma Pa Pa, Ma Moe Moe, Daw Nan Tin, Toe Naing Oo, Ma Khine and Ma Dway Oo of people's militia group of No 2 Brigade of KNU armed group, along together with three AK-47 automatic rifles, one .30 carbine, one American grenade, five magazines and 66 rounds of ammunition, in Southern Command area, Pvts Cho Oo (a) Kin Nge of No 203 Battalion of ABSDF armed group and U Saw Aye (a) U Kyaw Aye of Mawbadu people's militia group of KNU armed group, bringing together with one M-16 automatic rifle, one M-272 launcher, one mine, one magazine and 17 rounds of ammunition, in Coastal Region Command region, exchanged arms for peace at the respective military camps from 16 to 31 January.
Officials of the respective military camps warmly welcomed them and fulfilled their requirements.
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