(1) General Maung Aye attends ceremony to convey Inlay PhaungdawU Buddha images to Sankyaung
YANGON, 8 Oct - A ceremony to convey the Buddha Images of Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda to the Sankyaungdaw was held at PhaungdawU Sankyaungdaw on Inlay Lake in Shan State this morning.
The sacred images of Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda in Nyaungshwe Township, Shan State, were conveyed round the 21 places of Inlay region for public obeisance beginning the 1st Waxing of Thadingyut.
Present were Chairman of Nyaungshwe Township Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Padana Nayaka Sayadaw of Hlaingkyu Sarthintaik Bhaddanta Mahinda and members of the Sangha, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, 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 Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Maung Bo, Quartermaster-General Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Minister for Religious Affairs Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Commander of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Myint Thein, heads of department, members of the Shan State Peace and Development Council, Tatmadaw officers of Eastern Command, Chairman of Taunggyi District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Tun Sein and members, Chairman of Nyaungshwe Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Nyein and members, members of the Board of Trustees of Inlay PhaungdawU Pagoda, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, residents, pilgrims and tourists.
The sacred images arrived at Nanhu PhaungdawU Pagoda at 9.05 am.
General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage paid homage to sacred images and offered soon, flowers and lights to sacred images.
Later, General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage conveyed the four sacred images from Karaweik barge to the Sankyaung and gilded them.
Then, General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage signed in the visitor's book
General Maung Aye donated cash to the member of the Board of Trustees for pagoda funds.
Afterwards, a ceremony to hand over antiques was held at two-storey Kyaungsaung of PhaungdawU Pagoda.
General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage received the Five Precepts from the Sayadaw Bhaddanta Mahinda.
Members of the Sangha recited the Parittas.
General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage offered alms to members of the Sangha.
Well-wishers presented ancient artifacts to Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa.
Today's donations included — Zabupati timber Buddha image (early Innwa era) donated by U Thein Than Tun-Daw Khin Nyunt and family of Heyaywama, a pagoda (early Konbaung period) by Bhaddanta Silasara, Kammawasar (Nyaungyan era) by U Vilathaka of Nantoat Kyaung Sayadaw and a ten-pyi basket container (King Mindonmin era) by Daw Hla Ti and family of Nanghu Village).
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented cash to the well-wishers.
Inlay men's and women's traditional leg-rowing boat races to mark the ceremony to convey the sacred images to the Sankyaung were held at Nanghu PhaungdawU Kyaung in Inlay region.
Then, General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and Minister Lt-Gen Tin Hla presented first, second and third prizes to winners teams in the boat races.
Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Real-Admiral Nyunt Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Kyaw Than and Commander Brig-Gen Maung Bo presented gifts to boat teams.
General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and entourage paid homage to member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Nyaungshwe Kangyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa this morning.
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(2) Termination of armed insurrection, peace with nationalities armed groups landmark in history People of eastern Shan State never dreamt of present peaceful situation in the region
YANGON, 8 Oct - Over 21,000 people of various strata of life from Shan State (East) expressed their genuine desire at a mass meeting held in Kengtung Township People's Sports Ground in eastern sector of Thanlwin in Shan State (East) this morning.
Members of Shan national cultural troupe, Gon Shan national cultural troupe, Li Shan national cultural troupe, Taingnay national cultural troupe, Lwe national cultural troupe, Wa national troupe, Akhar national cultural troupe, Lahu national cultural troupe, Lishaw national cultural troupe, members of Shan State (East) Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, members of Women's Sports Federation, trainees of Women's Domestic Science School, Shan State Nurses Association, members of Auxiliary Fire Brigade, Red Cross Society, War Veterans Organization, Writers and Journalists Association, Video and Recording Association, Freight Handling Association, Township Industries Entrepreneurs Association and people of Kengtung Station, Kengtung District, Monghsat District and Mongphyat District and Tachileik District were present.
The meeting tabled and seconded two motions calling for safeguarding and maintaining economic development and ensuring food, clothing and shelter needs of the people and maintaining and safeguarding the stability of the State which has already been achieved.
Secretary of Gon Shan Traditional Writers and Culture Committee U Sai Lone Hsaing Lang chaired it with Secretary of Akhar Writers and Cultural Committee U Ah Sho and Lahu national U Aye Liya Pon as members of the Panel of Chairmen.
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(3) Secretary-1 attends Ramayana Drama Contest
YANGON, 8 Oct - Patron of Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Organizing Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended Ramayana Drama Contest of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions at the National Theatre on Myomakyaung Street this evening.
Nandwin Ramayana Drama troupe of Bago Division participated in the competition.
Present also were members of the Panel of the Patron Chairman of Leading Committee for Sixth Myanma Traditional performing Arts Competitions Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Vice-Chairman Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and members of the Leading Committee, the chairman of the Working Committee and members, officials of subcommittees, contestants and enthusiasts.
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(4) Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competition continues for eighth day
YANGON, 8 Oct - The Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions continued for eighth day at the respective venues today.
The contestants took part in the song contest in the National Museum on Pyay Road in Dagon Township, dancing contest in the National Theatre on Myomakyaung Street in Dagon Township, song composing contest in Kanbawza Theatre of the Fine Arts Department in Bahan Township and music contest in Padonma Theatre on Sangyoung Township and Kanbawza Theatre of FAD.
The venues where the events of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions were held were crowded with audiences.
Member of Penal of patrons of Organizing Leading Committee for Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Vice-Chairman of Organizing Leading Committee for Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Deputy Director of Directorate of Defence Services Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, Military Attaches of foreign embassies and families attended the competitions.
Altogether 14 contestants of States and Divisions took part in women's amateur level Mahagita event of song contest and 16 in basic education level (10-15) boys' Dhamma song contest.
A total of 11 contestants participated in women's amateur level marionette contest.
In the song composing contest, contestants rehearsed their songs at Kanbawza Theatre of the Fine Arts Department on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. Chairman of Board of Judges for Song Composing Contest Bogalay U Tint Aung and members supervised the events there.
Chairman of Judges for Music Contest Gita Lulin U Ko Ko, Secretary Staff Officer of FAD Daw Khin Myo Myo Su and members supervised the music contest at Padonma Theatre. Similarly, U Sein Hla Myaing and members supervised single orchestra contest and U Sein Ba Maw and members professional level ozi contest.
Altogether nine contestants took part in basic education level (10-15) boys' single orchestra contest and eight in professional level ozi contest.
Leader of judges for oboe contest U Mya Gyi and members and for violin contest U Tin Yi and members supervised the respective events.
A total of seven contestants participated in basic education level (15-20) boys' oboe contest, two in higher education level oboe contest and nine in professional level violin contest.
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(5) Machines donated for EENT Hospitals, Jivitadana Sangha Hospital, military hospitals
YANGON, 8 Oct - A ceremony to donate eye testing machines to be used in Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat hospitals, Jivitadana Sangha Hospital and military hospitals by Eye specialist Dr Aung Myint, Daw Thein Thein and family of Blackpool of UK was held at the respective hospitals this afternoon.
First, well-wishers donated the machines worth £ 2,500 to be used in EENT hospitals under the Ministry of Health to Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein who presented a certificate of honour to them.
Similarly, the well-wishers donated the machine valued at £ 760 to Jivitadana Sangha Hospital. They also donated another machine worth £ 760 to be used in military hospitals to Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han who thanked them.
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(6) Attitude of the nationalities peace groups
There have been reports that the majority of the public is worried about the danger of deteriorating peace and of regional stability and peace being undermined after spreading of news that the four groups which had made peace with the government supported the National League for Democracy's call for convening of the Hluttaw. Hence, declarations of the peace groups will be made public to be able to vividly learn the situation between the peace groups and National League for Democracy and the true attitude of the peace groups.
Today, a translation of the declaration of the Kachin Independent Organization (KIO) of Kachin State Special Region 2 is stated as follows:
1. With the aim of maintaining peace and endeavouring for regional development, KIO reached cease-fire agreement and could make peace with the State Law and Order Restoration Council, currently the State Peace and Development Council, in 1994. Ours is an organization which accepts that it is only with coordination that dispute can be settled and put an end to.
2. KIO emphatically suggests various parties and organizations with different outlook rub out bitterness and enmity by means of coordination, thereby reaching an agreement to cooperate, in the interest of the Union and the entire people, and considering the history of the Union that will remain in future and the endeavours for maintenance of peace and consolidation of national unity being made in the Union today.
3. The National League for Democracy (NLD) was the
political party which legally won the Phyithu Hluttaw election which was
lawfully organized by the government in 1990. It is unlawful act of NLD that it
organized to convene a Hluttaw on its own accord without coordinating with the
government which lawfully organized the Pyithu Hluttaw election. As this act to
convene a Hluttaw intensifies the present political conflict and is likely to
cause loss and danger to the Union, it is hereby declares that KIO never desires
or supports NLD's call for convening of a Hluttaw in that unlawful way.
Central Committee
KIO
The declarations of other peace groups will also be made public.
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(7) Minister for Industry-1 receives GM of Mitsubishi (Yangon Branch)
YANGON, 8 Oct - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation (Yangon Branch) Mr Shuho Yamanokuchi together with Assistant General Manager Mr Masayuki Sato of the head office of Mitsubishi Corporation in Japan at his office at 2 pm today.
Present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry.
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(8) Over 3.2 million acres of paddy thriving in Ayeyawady Div
YANGON, 8 Oct - Over 3.2 million acres have been put under monsoon paddy in Ayeyawady Division for 1998-99 to date.
Harvesting has begun in the Division to make preparations to cultivate summer paddy on harvested land.
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(9) Han Golf Masters Junior Golf Tour '98 begins
YANGON, 8 Oct - The opening ceremony of Han Golf Masters Junior Golf Tour '98, jointly organized by Myanmar Golf Federation, Han Golf Masters Pte Ltd and Milo Officials Health Food Drink and cosponsored by Olympia, Billion Group, Nmai Kha Drinking Water, Soft Guide Computer, Life Style, Star Ice-Cream, Rapier Australia, Wilson, Toppro, Sun Far Travels and Tours Co Ltd and Yangon Golf Club, was held at Yangon Golf Club in Danyingon this morning.
It was attended by President of MGF Brig-Gen Win Hlaing, Vice-President U Tha Tun Aung, Secretary General U Aung Kyi, executives, guests and golfers.
U Aung Kyi, on behalf of the President of MGF, and EC professional golfer U Chan Han spoke on the occasion.
Mr Trevor Reckerman of Milo official Health Food Drink expressed his thanks.
U Aung Kyi, U Tha Tun Aung and Mr Trevor Reckerman launched the tournament.
Altogether 23 golfers took part in the under-12 event. Of them, Phyo Teza Aung led with 37 strokes, Phyo Kyaw Kyaw with 39 and Naing Naing Lin with 40.
Thet Zaw Htwe was first with 77 strokes among 23 golfers in 13-15 event and Win Thu second with 82 and Nay Lin Tun third with 86.
Derek Htet Doe was first with 81 strokes in 16-18 event, Aung Aung Kyaw with 82 and Kyaw Swa Win with 83 and Thet Paing Htwe with 84. Altogether 15 players participated in the event.
The tournament will continue tomorrow.
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(10) 60 Myanmar graduates left for Israel
YANGON, 8 Oct - Under the arrangement of Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of the Union of Myanmar and Ministry of Agriculture of Israel, with the sponsorship of Arava Co Ltd of Israel, 60 graduates left for Israel by air on 7 October.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung and heads of departments, officials and families.
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(11) Assistant Lecturer leaves for France
YANGON, 8 Oct - Assistant Lecturer Daw Moe Moe Win of French Department of the University of Foreign Languages, Yangon, left here by air yesterday evening to attend the Junior Staff Course for Master degree of France which will be a two-year course beginning first week of October, 1998, under the scholarship programme of the Government of France.