________________________________
(1) General Maung Aye attends Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony of Maha Htupayon Pagoda
YANGON, 22 Mar - The Shwehtidaw (gold umbrella) hoisting ceremony of Maha Htupayon Pagoda was held and the centenary of Maha Htupayon Kyaungtaik celebrated at the Kyaungtaik this morning in Thonze, Thayawady Township, Bago Division, attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye.
Present also were State Ovadacariya Shwekyin Sasanabaing Sayadaw and State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, members of Bago Division Sangha Nayaka Committee, members of the Sangha, 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, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Kyaw Than and Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Tin Aye, Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, heads of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council and departments concerned, division, district and township level departmental officials, service personnel, religious associations, teachers and pupils, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, members of the committee for organizing Shwehtidaw hoisting ceremony and the centenary of Kyaungtaik, guests, donors, disciples and local residents.
_________________________________________
YANGON, 22 Mar - A ceremony to mark World Water Day, sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), was held at International Business Centre on Pyay Road, this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Present also were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, 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 Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Ministers at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, U Than Shwe and Maj- Gen Tin Ngwe, the deputy ministers, Director-General of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Pe Nyein, heads of departments, Ambassadors of Foreign Embassies, Resident Representatives of UN Agencies, representatives of NGOs, directors-general and managing directors and guests.
______________________________________
(3) Ancient finds in Budalin Township prove Bronze Age civilization flourished in Myanmar
YANGON, 22 Mar - A ceremony to hand over the objects excavated from en ancient cemetery near Nyaunggan Village in Budalin Township, Sagaing Division, to the Ministry of Culture was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road here this afternoon.
Present were Chairman of the Central Committee for Preservation of Myanma Cultural Heritage Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, 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, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and the Office of Strategic Studies, directors-general of Department of Archaeology, Department of Cultural Institute and Department of Higher Education, members of Myanmar History Commission, rectors, history professors, historians and guests.
Head of Department of the Office of Strategic Studies Col Than Tun explained excavation work and finds.
According to the information that an ancient cemetery was found near Nyaunggan Village, Budalin Township, a team made up of officials and staff of Mandalay Archaeology Department and Defence Services Intelligence Unit started excavating the site on 30 January 1998. On 19 February 1998, a team of scholars and personnel of the Yangon University Archaeology Department and Anthropology Department led by those of the Office of Strategic Studies joined the first team and conducted research.
The site is about one mile southwest of Nyaunggan Village. After the 400 feet by 200 feet area had been designated for excavation, 15 square-feet sections were dug systematically.
In the process the team unearthed not only the skeletons of human beings but also bronze weapons and stone rings. In some places, the remains of animals, and the remains and utensils underneath the thick layer of soil were found. It is likely that they were buried in two or three layers of soil and the finds include many bronze spear heads, bronze arrows, bronze axes, stone rings, stone weapons, stone beads and earthen pots.
An ancient brick wall was found about 500 feet to the north of the cemetery.
After excavation, it is found that the six-foot-thick wall built of ancient bricks is encircling a mound stretching 400 feet long and 300 feet wide.
There is no sign of buildings within the area encircled by the wall.
According to Mandalay University Geology Department, the earth excavated from the place is identified as scoria.
Associate Professor U Kyaw Han of Yangon University Anthropology Department and Assistant Lecturer U Tha Tun Maung of Yangon University Archaeology Department presented views on the finds in their respective angles.
Afterwards Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt handed over the ancient finds to Minister U Win Sein.
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the presentations made by Col Than Tun, U Kyaw Han and U Tha Tun Maung were very interesting and the ceremony could be called the presentation 4, ancient Myanmar civilization.
He noted that a study of the ancient finds excavated from the site shows that a civilization earlier than Pyu era flourished in Myanmar and it is certain that the bronze weapons excavated together with the skeletons of human beings were used by the deceased.
This is the first discovery of a Bronze Age flourished in Myanmar, he said, noting that to make a survey related with the primates excavated from Pondaung region, it can be concluded that Myanmar people originated from the Stone Age and they still survived in the Bronze Age.
He said the bronze weapons show the high standard of the people of that age and called for efforts to prove that Myanmar people have existed for long throughout history and developed up to the present stage.
He also urged scholars and officials to present their discovery to the world and work harder to find more accurate facts.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and guests studied the finds.
The finds which were handed over to the Ministry of Culture were two earthen pipes, 12 stone rings, eight pieces of stone rings, two rounded missiles for playing games, four bronze axes, one earthen bead, three stone balls, five stone beads with holes, 23 cylindrical beads, one earthen bead, one broken quartz bead, two seven-inch beads, 10 big shell beads, 88 small shell beads, five bronze spear heads, six bronze arrow heads, one bronze rod, one bronze pickaxe, 23 pieces of broken earthen pots, eight rolls of lead, two adzes, one stone weapon, eight pots, five bricks, three oil lamp earthen bowls, five pieces of urns and two packets of pieces of urns.
____________________________________
(4) Chief Justice leaves for Laos
YANGON, 22 Mar - Chief Justice U Aung Toe left here by air this morning for Lao People's Democratic Republic on a goodwill visit at the invitation of the Minister for Justice of Lao People's Democratic Republic.
He was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Supreme Court Justices, Deputy Attorney-General, Ambassador of Laos to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham, directors of Supreme Court, Head of Office of Chief Justice's Office and officials.
He was accompanied by Director-General of Supreme Court U Ba Than Aung and Directors U Thet Tun and U Soe Nyunt.
______________________________________
(5) Deputy Minister for Transport inspects IWT office in Monywa
YANGON, 22 Mar - Deputy Minister for Transport Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, accompanied by Managing Director of Inland Water Transport U Tun Aung Myint and officials, inspected better waterways at Mindauk port and repair of jetty in Monywa on 20 March.
Township Manager of IWT U Myo Naing reported on passenger and freight transport, strength of service personnel and boats. The deputy minister called for increased income and safety of boats.
Division Head of Waterways Department U Sein Htoo reported on maintenance of Waterway of Chindwin River.
The deputy minister inspected Myinmu Township IWT office on 21 March. He went to the site of TadaU International Airport where officials reported on progress of work.
He inspected construction of airport runway and terminal.
__________________________________
(6) Golden Orchid Ltd pitches for General air-conditioners
YANGON, 22 Mar - Golden Orchid Ltd organized a sales promotion pitch for General air-conditioners for Myanmar New Year at Traders Hotel Ballroom 11 this evening.
It was attended by sales representatives from various parts of the country and special guests.
Managing Director U Zaw Lay of Golden Orchid Ltd, and Mr Etsuro Saito of Fujitsu General Ltd spoke.
After the presentation on new air-conditioners manufactured by Fujitsu General Ltd, gifts were presented to the sales reps and departments.
The special sales and package sales will be from 22 March to 30 May 1998.
_____________________________________
(7) Minister for Culture inspects renovation of ancient pagodas in Bagan
YANGON, 22 Mar - Minister for Culture U Win Sein and Deputy Director-General of Department of Archaeology Commander Min Swe (Navy) inspected renovation of Dhammayangyi Pagoda, which had been built by King Narathu for three years in Bagan-NyaungU, this morning.
Director U Aung Kyaing and Assistant Director U Myo Nyunt reported on renovation of the pagoda.
The minister spoke of maintenance of the pagoda in its original style.
The minister and party then inspected the ruins of Pyatthatgyi Pagoda built by King Kyaswa in 1300 AD. The pagoda will be rebuilt by well-wishers at a cost of K 10 million.
He also inspected Thabeikhmauk Pagoda which will be rebuilt at a cost of K 5 million.
The minister and party inspected the site of Bagan Ancient Cultural Museum where Superintending Engineer U Yan Aung of Mandalay Division reported on progress of work Deputy Director Daw Mra Nu Zan on murals, handicrafts, inscription on stucco and other displays.
The minister spoke of systematic preservation of artifacts and renovation of Buddha statues ruins. He inspected Myanmar artistic design decorated at the ceiling of the museum and paid obeisance to Pinsalawha Pagoda in Seikta Thukha Kyaung.
___________________________________________
(8) Newly-paved streets put back into service in Dagon Myothit (North)
YANGON, 22 Mar - As a gesture hailing the 53rd Anniversary of Armed Forces Day, 35 newly-paved streets were put back into service in Ward-34, Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Yangon East District, this morning.
Present were Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen San Matu, Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aye Lwin, Head of Engineering Department (Roads and Bridges) of YCDC U Bo Htay, Head of City Planning and Land Administration Department U Tun Than Tun, Managing Director of Myanmar Timber Enterprise U Hla Pe (Retd) and service personnel, officials, township and ward authorities, guests, chairmen and members of the committee for upgrading streets, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross, teachers and pupils and band and pompom troupes.
Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and members of the committee for upgrading streets formally opened 35 streets.
Later, the Mayor, the Vice-Mayor, the Secretary and guests inspected the streets.
At a ceremony to mark opening of streets, Chairman of the Committee for Upgrading Streets in Ward 34 U Aung Naing explained about efforts for upgrading streets on self-reliance and Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Thein Tun about progress of work in upgrading streets in the township. Then, U Ko Lay spoke.
U Hla Pe thanked officials.
Thirty-five streets were upgraded on self-reliance at a cost of K 49.806 million including K 28.203 million provided by YCDC and K 21.603 million contributed by the public.
____________________________________
(9) USDA CEC member tours Magway Division
YANGON. 22 Mar - CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung presented robes and offertories to Sayadaw U Kosalla of U Sasana Jotikayon Kyaungtaik in Kabaunggongyi Village in Natmauk Township on 21 March.
USDA CEC member accepted 7,125 membership applications of seven village tracts at the village Basic Education Middle School.
He explained government's endeavours for national development internal and external situations and national tasks of the association and fulfilled the requirements of locals. He inspected new building for the school under construction.
Minister U Aung Thaung spoke at length on political, economic and social development at the ceremony to submit USDA membership applications held at Thityakauk Kyaungtaik in Thityakauk Village in Magway Township.
He accepted 8,600 membership applications of seven village tracts and greeted villagers.
The minister presented 1 million kyats donated by member of the Secretariat U Ko Lay and CEC member U Aung Thaung to Secretary of Magway Township USDA U Maw Win and EC members.
_____________________________________
(10) Minister for Home Affairs leaves for Philippines
YANGON, 22 Mar - Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, accompanied by Police Lt-Col Sit Aye of Myanmar Police Force, left here by air this morning for the Philippines to attend the Asia Regional Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime to be held in Manila.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs Sonia Brady, heads of department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and officials.