(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Cuba
YANGON, 1 Jan - 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 Dr Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and of- the Government of the Republic of Cuba, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Liberation Day of the Republic of Cuba which falls on 1 January 1999.
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(2) Secretary-l inspects maintenance of Shwedagon Htidaw
YANGON, 31 Dec - Patron of Committee for General Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected maintenance work being carried out for durability of the Htidaw of the pagoda this morning.
Accompanied by officials of State Peace and Development Council Office, the Secretary-1 arrived at the pagoda where he was welcomed by Chairman of Leading Committee for General 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 and members, members of Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, Myanmar architects and officials.
The Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Padamyamyetshin Buddha Image and Htidaw of the pagoda.
He inspected condition of the Htidaw and discussed with Myanmar architects maintenance work to be carried out for durability of the Htidaw.
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(3) Pan Phyu as the best actress Thu kyun-ma khan byi the best film
YANGON, 31 Dec - Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung delivered an address at the Myanmar Motion Picture Awards presentation ceremony for 1997 sponsored by Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise under the Ministry of Information and presented the best awards to the winners at National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thuwunna this evening.
Present on the occasion were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife, ministers and their wives, the chairman and members of the Appraisal Board for Raising the Standard of Myanmar Motion Pictures, members of Motion Picture Censor Board and Video Censor Board, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, the chairman and executive committee members of Myanmar Motion Picture Asiayon, chairmen and EC members of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, Myanmar Thabin Asiayon, Myanmar Music Asiayon and Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon, award-winning film artistes from 1952 to 1996, Before the ceremony, artistes of Myanmar Motion Picture, Music and Thabin Asiayons entertained the audience with songs.
The ceremony began at 6.15 pm. U Wint Aung and Daw Khin San Myint acted as masters of ceremonies.
Afterwards, Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung delivered an address.
(Reported separately)
U Myint Khine of Documentary Films won the Best Film Editor Award for the film "Thu-kyun Makhan-byi".
U Sein Myint of Feature Films (posthumous) won the Best Film Sound Effect Award for the film "Myintmyat Hna-lontha".
The Best Cameraman Award went to Ko Ko Htay (Hteiktan) for shots in the film"Myintmyat Hna-lontha".
The Best Film Music Award went to Zaw Myo Htut for music in the film "Myintmyat Hna-lontha".
Myetkhinthit Thukhuma Lwinbyin won the Best Film Script Award for the film "Myintmyat Hna-lontha".
Cho Pyone won the Best Supporting Actress Award in the film "Amay Chayya".
The Best Supporting Actor Awards went to Nyunt Win in the film "Thu-kyun Makhan-byi" and Zin Waing in the film "Myintmyat Hna-lontha".
U Kyi Soe Tun won the Best Film Director Award for the film "Thu-Kyun Makhain-byi".
"Thu-Kyun Makhain-byi" film won the Best Film Award for 1997.
The Best Actress Award went to Pan Phyu in the film "Ayeik" and Dway won the Best Actor Award in the film "Amay Chayya".
Some scenes from the films that helped artistes win the awards were shown.
Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung presented golden statues to the winners.
The award winners took turns to say a few words of thanks.
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(4) 51st Anniversary Independence Day State Flag hoisting ceremony rehearsed in full dress
YANGON, 31 Dec - Dress rehearsal of Yangon City State Flag hoisting ceremony of the 51st Anniversary Independence Day and saluting of the State Flag was held at the People's Square on Pyay Road this morning.
It was attended by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman of Organizing Sub-Committee for Yangon City State Flag hoisting ceremony of the 51st Anniversary Independence Day and saluting of the State Flag Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and sub-committee members, Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade of townships in Yangon Division, teachers, students and guests.
The dress rehearsal included talking of positions by the guests and Guard of Honour company of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), arrival of Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman of Organizing Sub-Committee for Yangon City State Flag hoisting ceremony of the 51st Anniversary Independence Day and saluting of the State Flag Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, saluting of the commander, the State Flag and Fallen leaders and yebaws, taking four oaths and departure of the Guard of Honour company and the people.
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(5) Stimulant tablets seized in Monghsu
YANGON, 31 Dec - A total of 20,150 stimulant tablets were seized from a house in Wankan Ward, Monghsu, southern Shan State, by a team comprising members of the regional Defence Services Intelligence unit, members of the regional police force and officials of departments concerned on 23 December.
The authorities arrested Chit Tun, 37, owner of the house, and four other people-Kya Thaw (a) Kya Lar, 19, of Waingkyauk Village, Tachilek, Aik Kaw, 23, of Mongsan Village, Tangyan, Ma Ar Lan, 22, Kutkai, Ma Kyein Wa Yar, 23, of Kutkai-and confiscated a Yamaha motor-cycle with the plate number of 1 Yapalet/24136 used in drug :trafficking.
Action is being taken against them by under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
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(6) Prize giving ceremony to be held in skill competitions to mark Education Family Day
YANGON, 31 Dec - Minister for Education U Than Aung inspected preparations for the skill competitions and prize-giving ceremony to mark the Education Family Day 1998-99 at Yangon University Diamond Jubilee Hall today.
He inspected the showrooms of the basic education and the higher education sectors and other preparatory works for the prize giving ceremony for the contests outstanding performance in various fields held on the national level, outstanding students and schools.
From 3 to 5 January, at YU Diamond Jubilee Hall will be opened exhibitions on basic education sector, domestic science, school hygiene, technology, fine arts, primary school teaching systems, documentaries on basic education sector's activities, human resources development, multi-media classroom, information technology and many others.
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(7) Yangon Command wins water-polo championship
YANGON, 31 Dec - The final event of the National Water-polo Championship 1998 sponsored by Myanmar Swimming Federation was held at the international class swimming pool in Dagon Myothit (North) Township yesterday evening.
Present on the occasion were President of MSF Commander Kyaw Tin Hla and executive committee members, Director of Sports and Physical Education Department U Nyan Tun and officials, water-polo teams and spectators.
Yangon Command beat Yangon Swimming & Water-polo Club 13-6 in the final match.
President of MSF Cmdr Kyaw Tin Hla presented championship shield to Yangon Command team.
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(8) 51st Anniversary Independence Day computer art competition winners announced
YANGON, 31 Dec - The 51st Anniversary Independence Day Commemorative Essay, Poem, TV Quiz and Computer Art Competitions Organizing subcommittee today announced the winners of Computer Art Competition in Basic Education Middle and High School Levels, which were held at Yangon Institute of Computer Science and Technology on 30 December.
Ma May Nwe Zan, Ninth Standard student of BEHS No 2 in Sittway stood first in BEHS level, Ma Zargyi Tin Aye, Eight Standard of BEHS No 3 in Bago second, Maung Nay Zaw Win Maung. Ninth Standard of BEHS No 1 in Hpa-an third and 12 students won consolation prizes.
Maung Zaw Thet Aung, Seventh Standard of BEHS No 3 in Bago was first in BEMS level, Maung Thein Kyaw, Seventh Standard, of BEHS No 1 in Sittway second, Maung Myo Hset Paing, Seventh Standard, of BEHS No 3 in Sagaing third and 12 students won consolation prizes.
The first, second and third prize winners of the two levels will be awarded at the 51st Anniversary Independence Day dinner.
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YANGON, 31 Dec - One hundred seventy-two members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kengtung Township, Shan State (East).
Thirty-three members of Kengtung Township NLD party, Shan State (East), on their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Kengtung Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 5 December and 19 members followed suit on 10 December and 120 members on 22 December, totaling 172, as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD sent their letters of resignation to Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned.
Wakema
Eighty-four members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Wakema Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Fifty-three members of Wakema Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, on their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to Wakema Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 10 December and four members followed suit on 12 December and 27 members on 18 December, totaling 84, as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD sent their letters of resignation to Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned.
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(10) Seventh Floriculture Show opening on New Year Day
YANGON, 31 Dec - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor or U Ko Lay inspected the preparatory works for the Seventh Floriculture Show to mark the 51st Anniversary of the Independence Day at No 8 Sports Ground, Bahan Township, today.
Accompanied by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Show member of YCDC U Aung Soe and other officials, the mayor inspected the show rooms of departments, associations and individuals.
The show will be open beginning 1 January 1999, and the shops will sell flowers and various kinds of plants at reasonable prices.
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(11) Myanmar delegation arrives back from China
YANGON, 31 Dec - Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and two members arrived back here by air yesterday evening after inspecting the frames purchased by China Chenzhou Highway Engineering Machinery Works of the People's Republic of China for use in Anawrahta Bridge (Chauk) across Ayeyawady River and Min Chaung Bridge under the construction of the Public Works and visiting construction equipment factories at the invitation of China Shipbuilding Trading Company Ltd and China National Constructional & Agricultural Machinery Import Export Corporation.
The delegation was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by heads of department of the Ministry of Construction, officials and families.
Members of the delegation Superintending Engineer (Project) U Soe Han of Anawrahta Bridge (Chauk) and Superintending Engineer (Bridge) U Han Zaw of the Public Works also arrived back on the same flight.