(1) Senior General and Madame Than Shwe leave for Brunei on goodwill visit
YANGON, 25 Apr - At the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar goodwill delegation led by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing left here by special flight for Brunei at 7.30 am today.
Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife, members of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, ministers and their wives, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and wife, the heads of Diplomatic Missions in Yangon and their wives and the Charge d'Affaires ai of the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam Mr Haini bin Haji Hashim and wife.
Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing were accompanied by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Khin Win Shwe, member of the State Peace and Development Council and Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the Office of the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and wife Daw Khin Kyi and Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi.
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(2) Endeavours being made for completion of Aung Zeya Bridge in 1999
YANGON, 25 Apr - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo this morning inspected construction of Aung Zeya Bridge that will span Hline River to link Insein Township with Hlinethaya Township.
Together with member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, Officer on Special Duty at the State Peace and Development Council office Lt-Col Than Tint and departmental officials, the Secretary-2 inspected the completed approach bridge structure.
At the project meeting hall, Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint briefed them on the bridge project and Project Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Aye on progress of work.
An officials of the Waterways Department, Director-General of Human Settlement and Housing Development Department U Arnt Kyaw, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa also presented supplementary reports.
The Secretary-2 gave instructions on completion of the project as targeted, tasks for durability, work-site safety and resettlements of the families who formerly lived in the project area.
Endeavours are being expedited for completion of Aung Zeya Bridge in mid-1999.
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(3) Respects paid to religious title recipient Sayadaw of YayU
YANGON, 25 Apr - Members of YayU Township Association (Yangon) paid respects to Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika title recipient Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannasippa of Sagaing Division YayU Palivijja Sasana Yeiktha Kyaungtaik, who is also the Ovadacariya Sayadaw of Yangon Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha, at Dhamma Rakkhita Dhammayon on Maha Wizaya Hill this afternoon.
Also present on the occasion were Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, departmental officials and the Sayadaw's disciples.
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannasippa invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.
Patron of the committee to organize the ceremony Dr Khin Maung Thwin spoke about the ceremony.
Dhammacariya BA U Saw Win read out the Sayadaw's biography.
Maubin Yayle Sayadaw Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Panditavara and vocalists extolled the virtues of the religious title recipient Sayadaw, chanting pali verses and religious songs.
Afterwards, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pannasippa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.
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(4) Myanmar, India sign MoU on cooperation in agriculture sector
YANGON, 25 Apr - Minister of Agriculture of India Mr Som Pal, accompanied by Ambassador of India Mr Shyam Saran, called on Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin at his office this morning.
A ceremony to sign Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the agriculture sector between the two countries was then held.
Ministers Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and Mr Som Pal spoke on the occasion. They then signed the MoU.
The MoU includes collection of geographical data for crops cultivation, transformation into mechanized farming, agricultural statistics and land use, technological cooperation in water resources development including catchment development and irrigation, development of agricultural joint ventures and agro-based industries through economic cooperation and promotion of bilateral existing goodwill relations.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, heads of departments and enterprises and officials of Embassy of India.
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(5) Myanmar delegation to attend 12th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting
YANGON, 25 Apr - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Labour Vice-Admiral Tin Aye left here by air this morning for Vietnam to attend 12th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting in Hanoi from 27 to 30 April.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye and officials of the ministry and the SRV Embassy.
Myanmar delegation includes Director-General of Labour Department U Tun Shwe, Deputy Director-General of Directorate of Investment and Companies Dr Tun Shin and PSO to the Minister Capt Nay Tun.
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(6) Tonga Prime Minister, ministers leave for home after attending FAO Conference
YANGON, 25 Apr - Tonga Prime Minister Mr Baron Vaea, Mr Kim Yong and party of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cambodian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock Mr Tao Seng Huor, Iranian Minister for Agriculture Issa Kalantary, PRC Deputy Minister for Agriculture Mr Wan Baorui, FAO Independent Chairman Dr Sjarifudin Baharsjah and delegates left here by air this morning after attending the 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific.
They were seen off at the airport by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Resident Representative of FAO Dr Prem Nath, Ambassadors concerned, personnel of Accommodation Subcommittee and officials.
Similarly, delegates of 24th FAO Regional Conference for Asia and the Pacific from Fiji, Indonesia, India, Samoa and Papua New Guinca left here by air this evening.
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(7) Minister visits DwarawadimyoU Bridge Project in Thandwe
YANGON, 25 Apr - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, together with officials, visited DwarawadimyoU Bridge Project in Thandwe on 23 April morning.
On arrival there, they were welcomed by Senior Engineer U Soe Myint and officials.
In the project hall, Senior Engineer U Soe Myint reported on progress of work.
The minister called on officials to strive to complete the project as scheduled and provide supervision at different levels for fire prevention.
Later, he inspected the project.
Spanning Andaw Creek at the entrance of Thandwe, DwarawadymyoU Bridge is on Taungup-Thandwe Road and is a vital link for Thandwe, Ngapali, Kanthaya and Gwa. It is a reinforced concrete bridge, and 540 feet long and 38 feet wide with a 28-feet-wide motor road and two 5-feet-wide pedestrian lanes on each side of the bridge. It can bear 36-ton loads.
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(8) New issue of "Myanmar Perspectives"
YANGON, 25 Apr - Myanmar Perspectives, Vol III: 1/98, has been published welcoming the Myanmar New Year.
The magazine carries the goodwill visit to the Philippines by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, economic accomplishments of Myanmar, Myanmar's efforts to resolutely and diligently combat narcotic drugs, construction projects for national development, beautiful regions of national races, poems honouring worthy soldiers, excellent pieces of Wilting portraying Myanmar's own brand of humour and wit, breathtaking resorts, flora and fauna and other intriguing features of Myanmar.
The contributions in English of noted writers historians and scholars depict striking features of Myanmar, and Myanmar people having a sunny disposition and doing generous acts of hospitality.
It is available at Innwa Bookshop.
Suggestions (Letters to the editor) may be mailed to PO Box 846.
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(9) Commemorative golf tournament
YANGON, 25 Apr - A golf tournament to commemorate the Fourth Anniversary of the.-City Golf Resort of the Yangon City Development Committee was held at the golf resort in Insein Township this morning.
Ministers, Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint Secretary U Kyi Win and committee members were among the spectators.
Altogether 230 golfers took part in the tournament held at City Golf Resort (Ngwethawda Golf Course and Myananda Golf Course).
A prize-distribution ceremony was held on the lawns in front of Ngwethawda Golf Course in the evening.
Col Maung Pa, Col Myint Aung, Head of Engineering Department (Building) U San Tun, General Manager of City Golf Resort U Tin Aung Win and officials presented prizes to winners.
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(10) Minister discusses educational tasks
YANGON, 25 Apr - Minister for Education U Than Aung met trainees of Basic Physical Education and Sports Instructor Course No 7 for Basic Education Schools at Basic Education High School No 6 in Botahtaung Township this morning.
He discussed educational tasks.
Present were Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Director-General of Basic Education Department U Bo Win, deputy directors-general and officials, course instructors and 383 trainees.
The course will last six weeks from 20 April to 29 May.
The trainees include junior and primary teachers and others.
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(11) MCWA of SID holds annual meeting, prize-distribution ceremony for baby show
YANGON, 25 Apr - As a gesture hailing the Seventh Maternal and Children's Day, Maternal and Child Welfare Association of the Special Investigation Department of Myanmar Police Force held annual meeting and a prize-distribution ceremony for a baby show at Aungthabye Yeiktha on Kyaikwaing Pagoda Road, Mayangon Township, this morning.
Present were Chairperson of Myanmar MCWA (Central) Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and executives, Director of SID Col Ba Hein, wives of senior police officers of MPE, executives of Mayangon Township MCWA, health employees of Mayangon Township and guests.
Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke on the occasion.
Secretary of MCWA of SID Daw Kyi Kyi Win read the annual report of the association.
Treasurer Police Captain Sein Mar Kyi read the financial statement.
Later, Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and executives, Col Ba Hein, wives of senior police officers and Chairperson of MCWA of SID Daw Kyi Kyi San presented prizes to prize-winner babies.
Chairperson of Mayangon Township MCWA Daw Khin Sein Hlaing donated K 2,000 and Chairman of Mayangon Township Writers and Journalists Association U Khin Zaw, 40 books on law articles for the association.
Daw Kyi Kyi San accepted the cash and books.
Next, Patron of MCWA of SID Daw Htay Htay thanked the donors.
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(12) Myanmar Focus '98 to be held in Singapore
YANGON, 25 Apr - The 43-member delegation from 18 Myanma cooperative societies left here by air this morning to exhibit and sell jewellery, ornaments and wood products of Myanmar cooperative societies at Myanmar Focus '98 in Singapore from 25 April to 3 March.
The exhibition is aimed at boosting market development for the products of Myanmar.
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(13) Myanma TV delegation leaves for Thailand
YANGON, 25 Apr - Myanma Television delegation leader by Director (Admin) of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay and members Director (Television) of MRTV U Phone Myint and Assistant Director (Production) of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise U Kyi Hlaing left here by air this morning for Thailand to attend 13th Radio, TV and Film Meeting of ASEAN Culture and Information Sub-committee to be held from 28 to 30 April.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Director-General of MRTV U Kyi Lwin, officials of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise and their families.