THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

(Tuesday, 24 March 1998)

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  1. Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Pakistan
  2. Ambassador of Japan presents credentials to Senior General Than Shwe
  3. Senior General Than Shwe views 53rd Anniversary Forces commemorative exhibitions
  4. Ambassador of Thailand presents credentials to Senior General Than Shwe
  5. General Maung Aye inspects rehearsal of parade columns
  6. Secretary-1 receives official of Opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD)
  7. Department personnel urged to cooperate in Urban Development Project for Htantabin Township
  8. 700 line digital exchange station and DECT radio telephone system launched in Mandalay
  9. Communications facilities inspected in PyinOoLwin
  10. 45th Myitta Byuha blood donation
  11. Deputy Minister looks into power supply for industries
  12. National Convention Convening Commission meets
  13. Minister for Industry-1 receives Chairman of Statcon Rubber Company Ltd
  14. Minister receives President Director of ATEJA Furnishing and Contract Fabrics Manufacture

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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Pakistan

YANGON, 23 Mar - On the occasion of the anniversary of Pakistan Day, which falls on 23 March 1998, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His Excellency Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and to His Excellency Mr Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

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(2) Ambassador of Japan presents credentials to Senior General Than Shwe

YANGON, 23 Mar - Mr Kazuo Asakai, newly accredited Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, presented his credentials to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 3.30 pm today.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also present.

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(3) Senior General Than Shwe views 53rd Anniversary Forces commemorative exhibitions

YANGON, 23 Mar - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe viewed the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day exhibitions this morning.

The Senior General, together with 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 Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Chairman of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Observance Leading Committee Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Secretary-3 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint arrived at the Defence Services Museum, the venue of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Exhibition, at 9 am today.

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(4) Ambassador of Thailand presents credentials to Senior General Than Shwe

YANGON, 23 Mar - Mr Pensak Chalarak, newly accredited Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar presented his credentials to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 3 pm today.

Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet were also present.

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(5) General Maung Aye inspects rehearsal of parade columns

YANGON, 23 Mar - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye inspected rehearsal of parade columns, which will take part in the ceremony to observe the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day, at the Resistance Park this morning.

Accompanied by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Office of the Strategic Studies Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Adjutant-General 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, Chairman of the Management Committee for Observance of the 53rd Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla and senior military officers, General Maung Aye arrived at the Resistance Park at 6.10 am.

General Maung Aye and entourage inspected rehearsal of Anawrahta, Kyansittha, Bayintnaung, Aungzeya, Sinbyushin, Bandoola and Aung San Parade Columns led by Brig-Gen Lun Maung.

Later, General Maung Aye and entourage cordially conversed with members of Myanmar Police Force, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade included in Aung San Parade Column.

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(6) Secretary-1 receives official of Opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD)

YANGON, 23 Mar - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD) Dr Klaus Kubler of the Federal Republic of Germany at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this evening.

Present together with the Secretary-1 were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

The guest was accompanied by Ambassador of Germany Dr Wolfgang Wiesner.

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(7) Department personnel urged to cooperate in Urban Development Project for Htantabin Township

YANGON, 23 Mar - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected the river water pumping project at Kokkowa River and township development tasks in Htantabin Township, Yangon Division, this afternoon.

He was accompanied by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Than Tint and departmental officials.

He inspected digging of two-mile canal from Kywebyuyoe to Yoewa Creek and irrigation.

After inspecting river water pumping project at Kyunngu Jetty on the bank of Kokkowa River, the Secretary-2 gave necessary instructions to officials.

Afterwards, the Secretary-2 and party inspected Bayintnaung Lane and digging of canal along Thida Aye Street in the town.

They later visited Htantabin Basic Education High School and gave instructions on renovation and greening of the compound.

They next inspected Township People's Hospital and Township Development Committee Office.

Meeting departmental personnel at the Town Hall, the Secretary-2 said departmental personnel are mainly responsible for rural development and they have to discharge duties regarding the town as their native place in coordination and cooperation with towns-elders.

He spoke of the need for departmental personnel to execute tasks effectively at various levels to implement the Urban Development Project for Htantabin Township.

Rural Development is the most basic for national development and harmonious cooperation is required for development of townships, districts and the nation, he said, adding that the government, people and Tatmadaw must cooperate for materialization of the objective for the nation to emerge developed and modern.

Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Maung Maung and U Kyaw Tin also spoke.

The Secretary-2 and party arrived back in Yangon at 7 pm.

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(8) 700 line digital exchange station and DECT radio telephone system launched in Mandalay

YANGON, 23 Mar - Myanma Posts and Telecommunications launched a new 705 line digital exchange station and DECT radio telephone system in Pyigyidagun Township, Mandalay, yesterday morning.

Installed at a cost $ 16.14 million, the facility enables users to have access to wireless dialing system.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint explained the Government's efforts to extend communication facilities in the entire Myanmar, saying it is striving for progress of political, economic and social sectors for the emergence of a modern and developed nation.

Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin said the facility will fulfil the communication needs of Mandalay Industrial Zone, adding microwave links are being installed in the entire nation for regional development.

More exchange stations and microwave links are being installed in all States and Divisions and the rapid growth in this sector is due to the participation of the people in the Government's national-building tasks, he pointed out.

The commander and the minister formally launched the exchange station and the radio telephone system.

Chairman of Mandalay City Development Committee Mayor of Mandalay Col Sein Win Aung, local authorities, departmental personnel, guests, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, teachers and students were also present.

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(9) Communications facilities inspected in PyinOoLwin

YANGON, 23 Mar - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, project manager U Ye Win of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications and officials inspected Pwaytaung microwave station of Mandalay-PyinOoLwin digital microwave link in PyinOoLwin on 21 March.

The minister spoke of maintenance of equipment and tasks. He then went to Post Office where officials reported on functions and income.

The minister said income has increased due to public confidence in express postal service and urged the officials to improve work efficiency.

He also inspected installation of equipment at PyinOoLwin auto telephone exchange.

This is part of the overall programme for upgrading telecommunication services throughout the country.

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(10) 45th Myitta Byuha blood donation

YANGON, 23 Mar - The Myitta Byuha Association is to organize the 45th collective blood donation ceremony at the Seikkan Dhammayon of the Botahtaung Pagoda at 8.30 am on 28 March. It has invited well-wishers to donate blood to hospitals in need.

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(11) Deputy Minister looks into power supply for industries

YANGON, 23 Mar - Deputy Minister for Electric Power Brig-Gen Maung Maung supervised work at Shwebo Township Electrical Engineer's Office on 20 March.

Accompanied by officials, he met staff of the office, urging them to work dutifully, to ensure adequate power supply to the township, to deter illegal use of power, to install power lines systematically and to ensure safety.

In Kyunhla Township, he attended to the needs of engineers in choosing a site to build a hydel power station of Thaphanseik Dam Project.

On 22 March, he looked into the requirements in generating power to industries to be built in Amarapura Township.

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(12) National Convention Convening Commission meets

YANGON, 23 Mar - The National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the Commission Office this afternoon.

It was attended by Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairmen Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and members.

The National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee presented reports pertaining to the National Convention, followed by a general round of discussions.

The meeting ended with Maj-Gen Saw Lwin's concluding remarks.

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(13) Minister for Industry-1 receives Chairman of Statcon Rubber Company Ltd

YANGON, 23 Mar - Minister for Industry- 1 U Aung Thaung received Chairman of the Statcon Rubber Company Ltd Mr T.J. Weeratunge and party of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka at his office this afternoon.

Present also were Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Col Than Zin, directors-general and managing directors of the ministry.

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(14) Minister receives President Director of ATEJA Furnishing and Contract Fabrics Manufacture

YANGON, 23 Mar - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received President Director of ATEJA Furnishing and Contract Fabrics Manufacture Subianto Tjandra at his office this afternoon.

Present also were Director-General U Khin Maung Latt and officials.

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