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(1) Senior General Than Shwe visits pagodas & inspects preservation of cultural heritage in Bagan-NyaungU
YANGON, 16 Nov - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, 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 Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Hla, ministers, deputy ministers, department heads and officials, left Bhamo by Tatmadaw aircraft yesterday morning, and arrived at Bagan-NyaungU Airport at 11.10 am.
They were welcomed there by Minister for Culture U Win Sein, Commander of No 88 LID Brig-Gen Aye Kywe, Commander of No 101 LID Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Thein Zaw, military officers, civilian officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and families.
Senior General Than Shwe and party proceeded to Tatmadaw Yeiktha in Bagan.
In the evening, Senior General Than Shwe and party visited Shwezigon Pagoda in NyaungU. They were welcomed there by members of the pagoda board of trustees.
Senior General Than Shwe and party paid obeisance to the Buddha Image.
Then, they went round the pagoda clock-wise.
Senior General Than Shwe made a donation for the funds of the pagoda, and members of the pagoda board of trustees presented in return a photograph of Shwezigon Pagoda to Senior General Than Shwe.
Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and party visited Alodawpyi Pagoda in Bagan.
Senior General Than Shwe made a donation for the funds of the pagoda, and members of the pagoda board of trustees presented a gold-painted lacquer painting of Alodawpyi Buddha Image to Senior General Than Shwe.
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(2) 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Observance Leading Committee held its second coordination meeting
YANGON, 16 Nov - The 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Observance Leading Committee held its second coordination meeting at the new auditorium of the Ministry of Defence at 1 pm today; it was addressed by Chairman of the Leading Committee Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
It was attended by Chairman of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Management Committee Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Chief of Staff (Navy) Capt Kyi Min, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myint Swe, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, chairmen and responsible personnel of various committees, work committees and work groups and guests.
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(3) First Meeting of Myanmar-Lao Border Authorities at Central Level held
YANGON, 16 Nov - The First Meeting of Myanmar-Lao Border; Authorities at Central Level was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning.
Myanmar delegation was led by Chairman of the Border Authorities (Myanmar side) at Central Level Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, the Lao delegation was led by Chairman of the Border Authorities (Lao side) at Central Level Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Phongsavath Boupha.
The two delegations held cordial discussions on matters relating to the border areas between the two countries.
Prior to the meeting of Border Authorities at Central Level, the first meeting between the Myanmar-Lao Border Authorities at Regional Level was held at Tachilek, Shan State (East) from 15 to 16 October 1998. At the meeting Chairman of the Myanmar side Regional Level Border Authorities and Secretary of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Soe led the Myanmar delegation and the Lao delegation was led by Chairman of the Lao side Regional Level Border Authorities and Deputy Governor of Bokeo Province of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boon Khong Lasukan.
The two delegations also held cordial and open discussions on matters relating to the border areas.
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(4) Minister for Mines tours Bago Division, Man State
YANGON, 16 Nov - Member of the Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for. Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint met with members of Waw and Shwekyin Township USDA in Waw, Bago Division, today.
He explained at length the current political, economic and social situations and urged USDAs members to work hard and honestly.
He proceeded to Bago and met with Bago Township USDA executives at Township USDA office.
He exhorted them to safeguard the nation against destructive acts, to work unitedly and acquire correct outlook and conviction.
He also met with USDA members at Indakaw Station rural clinic.
Accompanied by Acting Managing Director of No 3 Mining Enterprise U San Tun, General Manager of Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise U Myint Thein and other officials Brig-Gen Ohn Myint. Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint toured mines, salters and salt works in Mon State from 12 November till today.
He toured Thanbyuzayat, Mudon, Kyaikmaraw, Paung and Kyaikhto townships.
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YANGON, 16 Nov - Seven members of National League for Democracy in Mandalay resigned from the party on 6 November 1998.
They are: Dr Htay Hlaing, U Nay Lin, U Aung Myo Thant, U Maung Myint, U Tin Moe (a) U Khin Maung Nyunt, U Aung Min Swe and U Khin Maung Kyi.
They notified the Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the respective party chairman saying that they had resigned from the party out of their own volition since they no longer wish to continue to participate in political activities of NLD.
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(6) 16 more exchange arms for peace
YANGON, 16 Nov - Sixteen remnants of various armed groups understanding the government's goodwill and endeavours exchanged arms for peace at the respective Tatmadaw camps from 1 to 30 October.
In South-East Command area, commander Lt Daniel @ Nay Soe of Commando company (7) of KNU armed group, sgt Saw Soe San @ Soe Than @ Po La Pyi and wife Ma Aye Aye Than of battalion 12, brigade 4, pvt Takaw Htoo of brigade 1 bringing together with him 30 fuse, pvt Thein Min @ Zaw Lin and Myo Aung of battalion 8 of ABSDF armed group bringing along together with them two AK-47s, five magazines and 188 rounds of ammunition, pvt Tun Min Latt of PLF group bringing along together with him one AK 47, three magazines and 113 rounds of ammunition exchanged arms for peace.
In Southern Command, pvt Saw Aye Lwin, of company 1, battalion 8, brigade 3 of KNU armed group exchanged arms for peace.
Sgt Saw Kwa Lan of KNU armed group bringing along together with him one hand grenade, Lt Khine Myo Chit of Rakhine armed group, pvt Min Lwin, -Pan Han, Ye Zaw, Tha Pu, Shwe Win and Zwe Hsaung (a) Soe Than of BCP armed group bringing along together with them six grenades, four mines exchanged arms for peace in Coastal Region Command.
Officials of the respective camps warmly welcomed them and are rendering assistance to them.
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(7) Students visit Exhibition '98 to Revitalize & Foster Patriotic Spirit
YANGON, 16 Nov - Visitors including foreigners viewed the displays at the Exhibition '98 to Revitalize and Foster Patriotic Spirit today at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road.
The school heads, teachers and their pupils of Basic Education Primary Schools Nos 2, 4, 5 and 6 of Kyauktada Township, executives and members of Tarmway and Mayangon Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, staff and families of State Peace and Development Council Office, foreigners, members of the Sangha and the public visited the exhibition on the 16th day.
It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm till 30 November.
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(8) Myanmar Mayflower Bank Ltd opens Mandalay Branch-1
YANGON, 16 Nov - Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and officials inspected roads and bridges on Myitkyina-Mogaung-Mohnyin-Nansiaung section, 121 miles from Myitkyina-Shwebo Road on 14 November.
Engineers in-charge reported on repair and maintenance of the roads. The deputy minister gave instructions on continuous inspection for ensuring smooth transportation.
The deputy minister inspected roads and bridges on Nansiaung-Kyauktan-Sabainantha-Shwebo section and 400-foot Meza suspension bridge.
The deputy minister also inspected construction of Shwebonyadana Mingala Palace of Alaungmintayagyi in Shwebo.
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(9) K 200,000 for EENT Hospital
YANGON, 16 Nov - U Hok Chun and Daw Shu Sein in commemoration of Daw Shu Sein's 75th birthday presented K 200,000 to Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital (Yangon) today.
The donors of 20, Ward 3, Sintohdan Street, Latha, handed the cash to Medical Superintendent Dr Aung Myint at the hospital.
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(10) Sports refresher course opens
YANGON, 16 Nov - Refresher Course No 5 for Staff Officers of the Sports and Physical Education Department opened this morning at the Institute of Sports and Physical Education addressed by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win.
Director of Medical Services of Defence Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, Director-General of SPED Col Hla Myint Kyaw, presidents of sports federations, Principal of ISPE U Kyaw Soe Myint, officials and others were also present at the opening of the training course.