(1) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to King of Spain
YANGON, 12 Oct - 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 Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the National Day of Spain which falls on 12 October 1998.
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(2) General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo tour northern Shan State, Mandalay Division
YANGON, 11 Oct - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo left Lashio for Namtu by helicopter yesterday morning.
They were accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the Quartermaster-General, the Commander, ministers, heads of department and officials.
On arrival in Namtu at 8.45 am, they were welcomed by Officiating Tactical Operation Commander Lt-Gen Aung Min, Managing Director of No 1 Mining Enterprise Col Saw Lwin, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, students, nationalities and local people.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party proceeded to the Guest House at Namtu Bawdwin Mines where they were briefed by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint on the history of Namtu Bawdwin Mines and volume of lead, zinc, silver and copper mined.
Next, Managing Director of No 1 Mining Enterprise Col Saw Lwin explained production targets and actual production for 1998-99, personnel matters and staff welfare.
General Maung Aye discussed points contained in the earlier reports and gave instructions on the requirements.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and the ministers went to the smelting plant of the Namtu Bawdwin Mine and inspected various stages of the smelting process.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party flew on to Mongmit. They were greeted by Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Brig-Gen Win Sein and Tatmadaw officers of Bhamo Station, USDA members and students.
At the local regiment hall, the ministers accompanying General Maung Aye met Mongmit and Mabein Township Peace and Development Council chairmen and departmental personnel and USDA personnel and heard reports on requirements of the respective townships by the Township Peace and Development Council chairmen and departmental personnel.
In connection with presentations of the departments, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut discussed programmes to be carried out in coordination with the respective ministries.
Afterwards, General Maung Aye arrived at the place and met the departmental personnel. He spoke words of encouragement.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party helicoptered to Kyaukme from Mongmit. They were welcomed there by Col Soe Htay and officers of Kyaukme Station, family members, personnel of District/Township departments and USDA members.
The ministers accompanying General Maung Aye went to the Town Hall and met Kyaukme District and Township Peace and Development Council members, departmental personnel, teachers and USDA members.
First, Chairman of District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Kyi discussed agriculture and regional development in the district.
Next, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun explained arrangements for improving transport and communications and Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than discussed current economic progress, l trade and boosting local products and exporting them.
General Maung Aye and Lt-Gen Tin Oo at the meeting. General Maung Aye called for efforts for national and regional development. He then met the departmental personnel and local people.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party flew on to PyinOoLwin where they were greeted by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Chief of Armed Forces Training of the Ministry of Defence Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, military officers of the PyinOoLwin Station, departmental personnel and USDA members.
They visited the Defence Services Academy this morning. They inspected military training of the cadet companies, renovation of the parade ground and gave instructions. They also visited the Defence Services Institute of Engineering and inspected renovation of the parade ground.
They later left by helicopter and arrived at Mandalay International Airport Project at TadaU.
They were welcomed by Minister for Transport Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Commander of No 33 LID Col Win Myint, Deputy Commander of Central Command Col Nay Win, Superintending Engineer (Project) U Bon Kyi of Public Works, officials and USDA members.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party first inspected the runway under construction.
At the project office later, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint reported on relevant facts about the project.
Ministers Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and Maj-Gen Saw Tun briefed them on progress of work in 1998, possible opening of the airport and requirements.
General Maung Aye dealt with points contained in the reports and fulfilled the requirements. He then called for concerted efforts to complete the entire project according to schedule.
General Maung Aye, Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party inspected the buildings under construction.
In the afternoon, they helicoptered to Myingyan where they were welcomed by Chairman of District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Swe, departmental personnel and those of USDA. Officials reported on regional development tasks and Director-General of Waterways Department U Pe Than on safety of waterways.
General Maung Aye gave instructions. They returned to Yangon in the evening via Bagan-NyaungU.
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(3) Secretary-1 inspects renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda, arrangements for offering Magaikdaw and Salwedaw to Maha Zeya Atulamarazein Bronze Buddha Image
YANGON, 11 Oct - Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt this morning inspected renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda and arrangements for offering Magaikdaw and Salwedaw to Maha Zeya Atulamarazein Bronze Buddha Image.
Accompanied by officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Patron of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Northern Stairway of the Pagoda at 8 am today.
They were welcomed there by Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Chairman of Work Committee Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Hsan Hsint, heads of department, members of the Board of Trustees and officials.
The Secretary-1 and party inspected renovation of northern stairway of the pagoda.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party proceeded to the platform of the pagoda and inspected renovation and maintenance of Sasanika buildings, King Thayawady Bell and Tazaung.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Buddha images at Aryonkhan Tazaung.
The Secretary-1 also inspected renovation of the lift at northern stairway and installation of lifts.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party went to Maha Zeya Atulamarazein Bronze Buddha Image on Gyatawya Street in Bahan Township and paid homage to the bronze Buddha image.
Officials Briefed the Secretary-1 on arrangements for offering Magaikdaw and Salwedaw to Maha Zeya Atulamarazein Bronze Buddha Image.
The Secretary-1 attended to the needs and left there.
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(4) Secretary-1 attends marionette event of Widura Drama Contest
YANGON, 11 Oct - Patron of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Organizing Committee Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Khin Win Shwe attended marionette event of Widura Drama Contest of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions at the National Theatre on Myomakyaung Street this evening.
Yadanamyaing Yokeson Amyintthabin troupe representing Yangon Division participated in the contest.
Present also were Chairman of Leading Committee for Organizing Competitions member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife, members of Panel of Patrons of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Com petitions Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Chairman Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and members Chairman of Work Committees and members, officials, contestants and enthusiasts.
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(5) Myanmar Delegation back from 53rd Annual Conference of WB and IMF
YANGON, 11 Oct - Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein arrived back here by air after attending the 53rd Annual Conference of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC.
Minister U Khin Maung Thein and delegation members were welcomed back by Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister U Than Shwe, Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin, Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun, Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow, departmental heads and officials of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue, and their relatives.
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(6) Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions continue for eleventh day
YANGON, 11 Oct - The Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions continued for the eleventh day at designated places today.
Events of song contest were held at the National Museum on Pyay Road, marionette contest of Widhura Drama at the National Theatre on Myomakyaung Street in Dagon Township, those of song composing contest at Kanbawza Theatre of the Fine Arts Department and those of music contest at Padonma Theatre in Sangyoung Township and Kanbawza Theatre.
The places, where events of the Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions were held, were crowded with enthusiasts.
Patron of Organizing Committee for Sixth Myanma Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Secretary- 1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, members of the Organizing Committee Chairman of the Organizing Leading Committee for the Competitions Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win, Deputy Chairman of Organizing Leading Committee Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt and officials attended the contests.
Sixteen contestants took part in basic education level (15-20 age group women's) classical song event of song contest this morning.
Sixteen contestants participated in basic education level (10-15 age group women's) religious song event of song contest this morning.
Basic education level (10-15 age group women's) classical song event of song contest will be held tomorrow morning, and professional level (men's) old and modern song event of song contest and institution of higher learning (men's) old and modern song event of song contest tomorrow afternoon.
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(7) Myanmar delegation arrives back after attending 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting
YANGON, 11 Oct - Minister at the Office of the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel arrived back here by air this evening from the Philippines after attending the Eighth Ministerial Level Economic Cooperation Meeting of six countries in Mekong Region held on 2 October and the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting held from 6 to 8 October in Manila.
He was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Minister at the Office of the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Deputy Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Brig-Gen Zaw Tun and officials.
Director-General of Directorate of Investment and Companies U Maung Maung Yi, Adviser at the National AFTA Unit Dr Khin Ohn Thant and Deputy Director-General of Customs Department Thiha Thura U Thein Tun Tin and Director of Foreign Economic Relations Department U Tin Maung Htay also arrived back here with the minister.
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(8) Minister for PBANRDA tours Magway, Pyay
YANGON, 11 Oct - Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, accompanied by the director-general of Development Affairs Department and officials, inspected construction of Myoma Market in Magway on 9 October.
The minister inspected Yanpai Market. On 10 October, the minister and party inspected development tasks in Taungdwingyi and Aunglan and gave instructions.
The minister also discussed policy on development affairs, objectives and responsibilities, code of conduct for service personnel, welfare and unity among personnel with Commander of No 66 LID, Chairman of Pyay District Peace and Development Council, members of Pyay Township Development Supervisory Committee and executive officers and engineers in-charge of 14 Development Affairs Committees in Thayawady District in Pyay.
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(9) Dry rations offered to 274 members of Sangha in Botahtaung Township
YANGON, 11 Oct - A ninth ceremony to mark the end of weekly offerings during the Buddhist Lent and a dry rations offering ceremony were held by Ward-3 Peace and Development Council and Sangha Dhana Dry Rations Offering Association in the hall of the council this morning and evening respectively.
Present were Secretary of Township Peace and Development Council U Phone Myint and members, departmental officials, Chairman of Ward-3 Peace and Development Council U Maung Maung and members and members of Sangha Dhana Dry Rations Offering Association.
Datmi Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vicitta and members of the Sangha administered the Five Precepts and recited parittas.
Offertories were presented to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.
Merits gained were then shared.
Next, soon was offered to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.
In the evening, dry rations were offered to 274 Sayadaws and members of the Sangha from 13 monasteries.
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(10) Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy, Air), well-wishers donate dry rations, alms and cash to set up soon padaythabin
YANGON, 11 Oct - Families of Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) ant well-wishers donated dry rations, alms and cash to set up soon padaythabin trust fund on Kyaku Dhamma Beikmandaw in Dagon Township this morning.
The dry rations, alms ant cash donation ceremony was attended by Minister for Social Welfare, Relief ant Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for Labour U Kyaw Aye, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, OSD at the Office of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Than Tint, Tatmadaw officers, departmental officials, well-wishers and officials.
Minister Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and officials presented offertories and five sets of robes to Padana Nayaka Sayadaw Chairman of Dagon Township Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Bhaddanta Nandasiri after, receiving the Five Precepts from Padana Nayaka Sayadaw of Kyaku Dhamma a Beikman Kyaungtaik.
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(11) Holiday-makers throng to pagodas, recreational facilities
YANGON, 11 Oct - Pagodas were crowded with pilgrims from far and near, monasteries with pious people and recreational facilities with holiday-makers today.
The people performed meritorious deeds such as telling beads, sitting in meditation and offering Shwethingan, flowers, water, lights and scented water at Kyaikhmawwun Yele Pagoda in Kyauktan Township.
Tourists were also seen at the pagoda.
Similarly, Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), Thirimingala Kaba Aye Pagoda, Chaukhtatgyi Shwethalyaung Pagoda, Thanlyin Kyaikkhauk Hsandawshin Pagoda were packed with monks and pilgrims.
Holiday-makers, individually or in group, crowded Kandawmingalar Amusement
Park, Maha Bandoola Park, Bogyoke Aung San Park, the People's Square and the
People's Park, Hlawga Wild Life Park, Myakyuntha Amusement Park, Thakayta
Amusement Park.