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(1) Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to President of the Republic of Peru
YANGON, 28 July - 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 Alberto Fujimori, President of the Republic of Peru, on the occasion of the Independence Day of the-Republic of Peru which falls on 28 July 1998.
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(2) Tasks for emergence of gem market in Myanmar coordinated
YANGON, 27 July - A coordination meeting on development of Myanma gems services was held in the meeting hall of the Ministry of Mines on Kanbe Road this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Also present were Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Mmes Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Attorney-General U Tha Tun, Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, members of the Central Gems Supervisory Committee and officials.
In his address, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said Myanmar is the land which yields the precious stones such as ruby, sapphire and jade, and Myanma ruby and jade have been renown since the time of ancient Myanmar kings.
In the colonial era, a lot of precious stones were smuggled out and the nation lost a great deal, he said, adding that in the post-independence era also, Myanma precious stones illegally reached foreign countries due to internal insurgencies, black-marketeering and corrupt practices.
As these precious stones were smuggled out, he said, Myanmar people could not enjoy deserving benefits.
He said Myanmar Gems Law was enacted on 29 September 1995 for emergence of a gem market in Myanmar and enabling local entrepreneurs to gain deserving benefits.
He noted that after promulgation of the new law, the former gem merchants were permitted to continue their work on their gem extraction plots for a certain period of time.
He pointed out that there are still weaknesses in implementation of tasks for emergence of a gem market in Myanmar. He stressed the need for the departmental heads and officials to work boldly and actively in accord with the rules and strive for emergence of a system to directly sell gems to foreign countries.
As the government has trustingly granted rights to local gem merchants, cooperation must be made to share the benefits between the government and local gem merchants, he said.
He also spoke of the need for the Ministry of Mines to meet gems merchants from time to time and solve their problems and clarify the provisions.
Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and officials explained allocation of gem mining plots in accord with the law and tasks for development of gem services, followed by a general round of discussions.
The Secretary-1 delivered the concluding address.
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(3) Chairman of Ivanhoe Capital Corporation calls on Deputy Prime Minister
YANGON, 27 July - Chairman Mr Robert M Friedland of Ivanhoe Capital Corporation and party called on Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin at his office this evening. Present were Minister at the Office of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Secretary of MIC Brig-Gen Maung Maung Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein and officials of MIC.
Investment on exploration of copper in Myanmar and prospects were discussed.
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(4) Secretary-2 receives General Zhang Zhijian of Chengdu Military Command of People's Liberation Army of PRC
YANGON, 27 July - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo received delegation led by Political Commissar of Chengdu Military Command People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China General Zhang Zhijian at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence this morning.
Present together with the Secretary-2 were Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Col General Staff (Administration/Operation) of Office of Commander-in-Chief (Army) Col Myint Swe Director of Artillery and Armour Brig-Gen Kyi Win, Charge d'Affaires ai of PRC Embassy Mr Yu Tiegen and military attache Senior Col He Yaokui.
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(5) Mandalay Division MCWA Supervisory Committee gets new building
YANGON, 27 July - A new building of Mandalay Division Maternal and Child Welfare Association's Supervisory Committee was inaugurated on 25 July.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Dr Khin Win Shwe, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Patron of Mandalay Division MCWA Supervisory Committee Dr Tin Lin Myint and other patrons, senior officers of - the Central Command, divisional and district authorities, departmental heads, Township MCWA executives, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigades.
Dr Khin Win Shwe formally opened the building and later accepted the cash donations for MMCWA (Central), Mandalay Division MCWA Supervisory and Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs.
Dr Khin Win Shwe and party later toured the nursery opened by Chanayethazan Township MCWA and maternity wards of Chanayethazan, Pyigyitagun and Chanmyathazi MCWAs.
Yesterday, they also toured Amarapura, Chanayethazan, Patheingyi and Maha Aungmyay Townships.
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(6) PLA goodwill delegation concludes visit
YANGON, 27 July - The goodwill delegation led by Political Commissar of Chengdu Military Command People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China General Zhang Zhijian this morning left here for home after goodwill visit to Myanmar.
The delegation was seen off at the airport by Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Director of Artillery and Armour Brig-Gen Kyi Win, Col General Staff (Administration/Operation) of Office of Commander-in- Chief (Army) Col-Myint Swe and officials, Charge d'Affaires ai of PRC Embassy Mr Yu Tiegen and military attaches.
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(7) Chairman of Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd calls on Minister for Mines
YANGON, 27 July - Chairman Mr Robert M Friedland of Myanmar Ivanhoe Copper Co Ltd and Mr Anil Kumar Agarwal called on Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint at his office this afternoon.
Present were Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and officials.
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(8) Correct data vital for success of economic plan
YANGON, 27 July - Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun addressed the opening of the Refresher Course No.2 for Officers of the Ministry of Immigration and Population. at the Population Department this morning.
Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister U Maung Aung, Director- General of Immigration and National Registration Department Col Maung Htay, Director-General of Population Department Lt-Col Myo Min, directors, advisers and trainees.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister U Saw Tun said the training course would improve the calibre of the officers. It would enable them to carry out their duties with no weaknesses and hitches in many aspects, he said.
He called on the trainees to try their utmost to achieve efficiency in discharging du ties. By so doing, he said, they would serve the interests of the department and the future of the nation as well.
He urged them to carry out their duties correctly by following the procedures and abiding by the laws and directives while keeping themselves free from bias and selfishness.
The minister pointed out that the Ministry is one of the security organizations safeguarding the nation. Mostly, he said, it has to deal directly with the public. Hence, he said, personnel and the department would be necessary to try to win public trust and reliance.
He stressed the importance of human resources to realize the economic plan targets at a time when the government is implementing the five-year economic plan. Correct statistics and figures would contribute towards the success of the economic plan, he said. He then called on the personnel to get down to wards and villages to acquire correct data. He cautioned of repetitions, incompleteness and double entries in collecting data. He spoke of the need to cooperate with Union Solidarity and Development Association members, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade members, Ward Peace and Development Council members, Health Department and Township Development Committees. He said the entire nation including the service personnel will have to work in earnest to build a developed nation.
Fifty officers including Staff Officers and Deputy Directors of Immigration and National Registration Department and Population Department are attending the two-week course.
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(9) USDA CEC member tours Kayin State
YANGON, 27 July - Central Executive Committee member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Brig-Gen Sein Win, accompanied by member of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Police Col Win Myaing, Chairman of Hpa-an District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo and officials, attended the opening ceremony of Karnamaung USDA office on 24 July morning.
Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win formally opened the new office.
The Secretary of Papun Township USDA presented a commemorative pennant to the minister.
The Minister and party met teachers, pupils, members of Ward/Village Peace and Development Councils and USDAs at the Basic Education High School in Kamamaung.
He gave instructions and accepted the USDA membership applications of villages.
The minister presented cash and sports equipment and inspected Kamamaung People's Hospital, post office and radio telegraph in Kamamaung.
The Minister and party also met teachers, pupils, members of Ward/Village Peace and Development Council and USDA at Basic Education High School in Shwegon.
He gave instructions on agricultural sector.
The minister accepted the USDA membership applications of villages presented cash and sports equipment.
CEC member Brig-Gen Sein Win, accompanied by Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council and officials, met village-elders and members of USDA at monastery of Naungkamyaing village in Hpa-an Township on 25 July morning.
Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win and Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Saw Khin Soe spoke on the occasion. Officials of Maingkaing and Naungkamyaing Villages presented USDA membership applications to Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win who presented sports equipment and cash for Basic Education Middle School in Naungkamyaing Village.
He inspected Basic Education Middle School of Naungkamyaing.
The minister and party met departmental officials, social societies and members of USDA- at Hlinebwe Basic Education High School in Hlinebwe Township. He gave suggestions and presented certificates of honour to outstanding trainees. He also presented sports equipment to Headmaster.
The minister and party inspected the site for construction of Hlinebwe USDA office.
Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win proceeded to Basic Education Middle School in Daingpya Village in Hlinebwe where he presented sports equipment to the Headmaster.
CEC member of USDA
Minister Brig-Gen Sein Win also met heads of department, school heads, teachers, pupils and Kayin State, district and township Sports and Physical Education Committees at No.3 BEHS in Hpa-an Township in the afternoon. He gave instructions to them and presented sports news and sports journals to the Headmistress.
The minister, accompanied by Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council and officials met the Principal and trainees of nurse and midwifery training school in Hpa-an Township yesterday. He accepted the USDA membership applications and presented sports equipment.
The Minister also met EC members of Kayin State USDA, teachers, pupils and members of USDA of Tayokehla and Kawtkyaik Villages at monastery of Kawtkyaik Village in Hpa-an yesterday. He gave instructions on future programme. He presented cash and sports equipment to officials.
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(10) UMEHL gems, jade sale 3 to 8 August
YANGON, 27 July - Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited will sell gems and jade at bargain and auction systems on 7 and 8 August at Myanma Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road.
Checking of gems and jade will be from 3 to 6 August at the same venue.
This will be the ninth gems and jade sale of UMEHL.
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(11) Minister at Office of Prime Minister of Thailand visits Bagan
YANGON, 27 July - Thai delegation led by Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand Chairman of Thai Tourism Authority Mr Jurin Laksanawisit, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt and officials of Royal Thai Embassy, arrived at NyaungU Airport on 25 July. Thai Minister visited Shwezigon Pagoda, Mani Sithu Market and Popa Mountain Resort.
In the evening, the guests also visited Ananda Temple, Archaeology Museum, Lawkananda Pagoda and watched twilight of Bagan.
Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council hosted dinner in honour of the guests.
On 26 July, the guests visited Mandalay Nandaw Kuthodaw Pagoda, Shwenandaw Kyaung and Mandalay Hill.
Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Yan Thein hosted luncheon in honour of the guests at Sedona Hotel in Mandalay.
Minister Mr Jurin and party visited Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image.
The minister arrived back here in the evening. He was welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin and departmental officials.