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(1) General Maung Aye tours projects in Shan State (East)
YANGON, 1 Apr - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye met Tatmadawmen and families and departmental staff and inspected Thanlwin Bridge(Tahsan) Project yesterday and today.
Accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, senior officers of Army, Navy and Air Force and ministers, the General helicoptered from Kengtung Township to Mongyang Township at 11.30 am on 31 March.
On arrival at Mongyang, the General and party were welcomed by Commander of regional battalion Lt-Col Myo Thein, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Ye Hla, officials and local people.
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(2) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt receives Ambassador of Brunei
YANGON 1 Apr - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam Pengian Dato Paduka Asmalee Ahmad at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 8.30 am today.
Present also were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ohn Gyaw and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department.
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(3) MIC Chairman receives President of Inter Digital Communications Corporation
YANGON, 1 Apr - Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin received President Mr William A Doyle of Inter Digital Communications Corporation together with Senior Vice-President Dr Wolfgang Stemberger of Siemans AG, Marketing and Strategy Director Mr Pedro Mancebo Sanchez Of Alcatel and General Manager Mr Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain of UMW Corporation Sdn Bhd at his office at 10.30 am 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 of Myanmar Investment Commission and Myanma Posts and Telecommunications.
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(4) Seminar delegates satisfied with Myanmar efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation
YANGON, 1 Apr - Delegates to the Seminar on Alternative Development jointly sponsored by the Japanese Government, Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control of Myanmar and United Nations Drug Control Programme met the Press at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road here at 3.45 pm today.
Present were Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, Head of Department of the Office of the Strategic Studies Col Kyaw Thein, Director-General of Agricultural Planning Department Dr Mya Maung, Resident Representative Mr Richard Dickins of UNDCP, Deputy Director-General Mr Sumio Tarue of the Asian Affairs of Japan, delegates of signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on collective drug control in the ASEAN region and local and foreign correspondents led by the Director (News) of the News and Periodicals Enterprise U Hla Tun.
First, Dr Mya Maung clarified highlights of the Seminar on Alternative Development.
Next, Mr Dickins of UNDCP, Liberal Democratic Party Special Adviser of Japan Mr Iwakura, Deputy Director-General Mr Sumio Tarue of the Asian Affairs of Japan and Chief of European and the Middle East Section of UNDCP Mr Joern Kristensen replied to questions. They said UNDCP would cooperate with international organizations to implement the projects, donor nations have plans to grant US $ 15.5 million in aid for opium substitution in Wa region, and US s 3.8 million have already been received for the project.
They said they believed the donor nations would contribute cash towards the project since the drug problem concerns all nations.
They said after their field trips they were satisfied with efforts of Myanmar to eradicate poppy cultivation.
They also said that buckwheat, an opium substitute crop, is a promising crop for local farmers and that other seasonal substitute crops such as corn, beans, paddy and sugarcane as well as perennial plants such as plum, coffee, mulberry and rubber are also being introduced.
They pointed out that supply reduction and demand reduction should go together in harmony m order that poppy cultivation may be eliminated.
The news briefing ended at 4.30 am.
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(5) Construction of roads, bridges inspected in Mandalay Division
YANGON, 1 Apr - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Chief Engineer (Roads/Bridges) of Public Works U Thant Zin, Chief Engineer (Works) U Nay Soe Naing, Mandalay Division Superintending Engineer U Yan Aung and officials, arrived at Kyaukse on 31 March.
The minister attended the ceremony to provide cash to household members whose houses were removed as they were in the area of extension of four-lane road in Kyaukse.
The Tactical Operations Commander and Superintending Engineer U Yan Aung spoke. Officials then presented cash to 44 house owners.
The minister and party then inspected preparations for Htidaw hoisting of Lawka Manaung Shwegugyi Pagoda in Inyaung Village.
Next, the minister proceeded to the place where fire victims in Myittha Township are temporarily accommodated and presented cash to the victims.
The minister also inspected Panlaung Bridge on Myittha-Myingyan Road, the site for Samonpauk Bridge and Sonpauk Bridge.
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(6) Minister for CPI inspects satellite ground station in Thanlyin
YANGON, 1 Apr - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin inspected satellite ground station in Pyintaungkyaung in Thanlyin Township, this afternoon.
Officials reported on construction of the station, installation of communication system linking foreign countries and earning of foreign exchange.
The minister inspected installation of equipment, antenna, reserve power supply, greening of its environs and security. He then gave instructions.
Myanma Posts and Telecommunication has constructed satellite ground station and linked 14 countries through 845 channels.
International communications are in operation through those countries. MPT is also participating in Asia-Europe submarine cable links. On completion of it by March 1999, international communication channels will improve.
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(7) 1,000 viss of dried fish for Tatmadawmen repaving Kengtung-Mongphyat-Tachilek Road
YANGON, 1 Apr - A ceremony to donate 1,000 viss of dried fish for Tatmadawmen who participate in repaving Kengtung-Mongphyat-Tachilek Road by U Aung Win and Daw Than Nwe Nwe Aye of Kanhsauk Ward, Taunggyi Township, and U Tun Tun Oo and Daw May Kyi of Sangyoung Township, Yangon Division, was held at Mekong Yeiktha of Triangle Region Command Headquarters at 8 am on 29 March.
Present also were Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, General Staff Officers, commanding officers of battalions and units, members of Shan State, district and township Peace and Development Councils, officials and donors.
U Aung Win and U Tun Tun Oo donated 1,000 viss of dried fish worth K 150,000 to Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein.
Then, U Aung Win and family donated K 50,000 for Khemarahta Pyi Nyein Aye Pagoda through the commander who thanked the donors.
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(8) Myanmar Orchid Exhibition opens
YANGON, 1 Apr - A large variety of orchids totaling over 108 species from over 30 genus are on display at Myanmar Orchid Exhibition opened this morning at the People's Park and People's Square.
Held with the sponsorship of Myanmar Flori-culturists Association, it is the first kind of significant flower exhibition to be shown in Myanmar, displaying vast array of orchids including rare species such as Vanda, Dendrobium, Vanila, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedlium collected in various States and Divisions with the assistance of Ministry of Forestry.
Patrons of MFA Dr Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Daw Khin Cho Oo, wife of Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint formally opened it.
MFA Chairman Head of Parks and Playgrounds Department of Yangon City Development Committee U Nyunt Pe explained the purpose of the exhibition which is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm at Sanyeaing near Pankhinzay at the park till 7 April.
Admission is free to all.
With the accompaniment of MFA chairman and personnel concerned, patrons of the association, Chairman of YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay, diplomats and their wives, officials of NGOs, local and foreign media-persons and others guests viewed the exhibits.
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YANGON, 1 Apr - Public Relations Sub-committee for Implementation of Development Projects of Border Areas and National Races held its work coordination meeting at the meeting hall of Myanma Radio and Television on 26 March. Chairman of Sub-committee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein spoke on the occasion.
Present were heads of departments and officials of departments and enterprises.
They approved the minutes of the previous meeting and discussed measures to be undertaken by the subcommittee and the work done and future tasks.
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(10) Art and Sculpture Exhibition in Mae
YANGON, 1 Apr - Myanmar Artists and Artisans Asiayone is to launch Art and Sculpture Exhibition in May.
Patrons of the Asiayone leading artists and sculptors like U Han Tin, U Khin Maung, U M Tin Aye, U Shein Tun, U Nyan Shein, U Tin Win, U Thu Kha, U Min Naing, U Mon San Tin. U Lwin, U Thet Nyunt, U Nyo Lay (Mandalay), U Kan Nyunt (Mandalay), U Ohn Kyaing (Mandalay), U Ba Kyin (Mandalay); U Tun Sein (Mandalay) U Kyaw Nyein (Mandalay) and members of the Asiayon throughout the country will take part in the exhibition.
Artists and sculptors are requested to send their art works to U Thant Sin (Bagyi Hla Tin Tun), Secretary of the Asiayon (Central) at 187, East Wing of Bogyoke Market in Yangon not later than 2 May. Details will be announced later.
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(11) Traditional boxing challenges conclude
YANGON, 1 Apr - Myanma traditional bout challenges of gold belt class in commemoration of the 51st Mon National Day held in the Aung San Gymnasium at 2 pm for the final day today.
Among the spectators were Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Secretary of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Hla Myint Kyaw, officials, Adviser to the ministry Col Ngo Ciin Pau, Officer on Special Duty Col Thaung Htaik, Commandant of Defence Services Records Office Commander of No 4 Military Region Col Myo Myint, President of Myanmar Traditional Sports Federation Daw Mi Mi Khin, Secretary-General Deputy Director Maj Kyaw Zin of the SPED, patrons of the Mon National Day Observance Committee, senior military officers and guests.
In the three-round event, Thar Kayin (YCDC) and Pho Khwa Lay (North Okkalapa) drew, Waythali Moe Hmaung (Insein) beat Kyar Lay (Twantay), Ye Khaung (YCDC) beat Thar Let Thee (Hlinethaya), Naing Wan Nyi (YCDC) trounced Aung Zaw Moe (Hsamalauk) and Kyaw Myanmar (Pyinmana) beat Kyaw Thura (Nyaungdon).
In the five-round event, Zaw Lay (Myawady) beat Zaw Zaw (YCDC), Naing Naing Tun (Myawady) beat Di Lon (YCDC), Nga Mahn Phyu (Mandalay) beat Ahtaka Tatlu (Yangon), Saw Ya Mahn (Hpa-an) beat Sanay Thein (Mandalay) and Zaw Oo (Thaton) beat Shwe Hti (Shwegun).
Finally, in five-round special event, Wan Chai (a) Alwan (Myawady) knocked out Shwe Duwun (Hpa-an) at 1 minute and four seconds in third-round.
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(12) Shan State (East) MCWA donates cash and kind for Tatmadawmen, village
YANGON, 1 Apr - Patron of Shan State (East) Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Khin Khin Win and members, accompanied by Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, arrived repaving site of Kengtung-Mongphyat-Tachilek Road on 23 March afternoon.
Maj-Gen Thein Sein and Daw Khin Khin Win also spoke and donated 200 viss of dried fish and 100 viss of tomato for Tatmadawmen who participated in repaving Kengtung-Mongphyat-Tachilek Road through the officials.
Then, Chairperson of Shan State (East) MCWA Dr Than Htein Win presented K 5,000 to in-charge of Yankha Village MCWA branch.