(1) Senior General Than Shwe received in audience by HM King Bhumibhol Adulyadej; Senior General Than Shwe and Thai Prime Minister discuss further strengthening of friendly ties
YANGON, 9 Mar - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and goodwill delegation, left here at 7.30 am yesterday by special flight for Thailand on an official goodwill visit there at the invitation of Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Chuan Leekpai.
They arrived at Chiang Rai International Airport in Thailand at 9 am local time.
As the special aircraft carrying Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and goodwill delegation landed at the airport at 9 am local time, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Hla Maung and the Director-General of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand boarded the aircraft and ushered Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and delegation to alight.
They were welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister of Thailand Mr Chuan Leekpai, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Minister-in-Attendance Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Mr Pornthep Techapaibul, the Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Pensak Chalarak, senior officials, the Governor of Chiang Rai Province, senior officers of Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Police, other members of the Reception Committee, Ambassador of Myanmar U Hla Maung, Military Attache Lt-Col Kyaw Han, Myanmar Embassy staff and families.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai greeted Chair man of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe at the foot of the ramp. Senior General Than Shwe presented the members of his goodwill delegation to Mr Chuan Leekpai.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe took their positions on the dais. The Guard of Honour presented arms.
The band played the National Anthem of Myanmar and the Royal Anthem.
Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai inspected the Guard of Honour.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai presented the members of the Reception Committee to Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai cordially greeted members of the Myanmar delegation.
Accompanied by the Thai delegation arrived at the parlour of Doi Tung Development Project and were welcomed by Director-General of the Project Mr Disnadda Diskul and officials.
The director-general explained the emergence of the project, eradication of shift-cropping and poppy cultivation covered by the project, erection of new businesses to boost people's income, efforts being made to fulfil regional requirements such as roads, power and water, farming and arrangements being made for handicrafts and products of cottage industries to penetrate local and international markets, to attract tourists with the nature and culture of national races and to develop social and economic sectors to fulfil the lives of regional people.
The Senior General presented gifts to the director-general.
Later, the Senior General and delegation visited the Mae Fah Luang Garden.
Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai met at Doi Tung Royal Guest House.
Also present together with the Senior General at the meeting were Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Ambassador U Hla Maung, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General of Government Office U Soe Tint and heads of department.
The Thai Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Mr Sawit Photiwihok, Deputy Interior Minister Mr Charnni Sakdiset, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Mr Pornthep Techapaibul, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Mr Niphon Promphan, Supreme Commander General Mongkon Ampornpisit, Commander of Police National Bureau Police-General Pracha Promnog, ambassador of Thailand Mr Pensak Chalarak and senior officers.
The two leaders cordially discussed further strengthening of Myanmar-Thai friendly relations and promoting cooperation in anti-narcotics activities.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai hosted luncheon in honour of Senior General Than Shwe and Myanmar delegation members at Doi Tung Royal Guest House.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai, the Senior General and delegation arrived at Chiang Rai International Airport to depart for Bangkok by special aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force.
On arrival at the Air Terminal Headquarters Building of the Royal Thai Air Force, the Senior General and delegation members were welcomed by staff and families of Myanmar Embassy in Thailand.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai, the Senior General and delegation paid a courtesy call on King Bhumibhol Adulyadej at the Dusit Palace, Chitralada Villa.
Together with the Senior General were Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Ministers Brig-Gen Abel and U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Ambassador of Myanmar U Hla Maung.
After the King had spoken at length on Doi Tung development project, the King and the Senior General exchanged views on further strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries.
Next, the Senior General and delegation proceeded to Peninsula Hotel where they would stay.
Prime Minister Mr Chuan Leekpai hosted dinner in honour of Senior General Than Shwe and Myanmar delegation at the Government House.
After the dinner, the Senior General presented a bouquet to the dancers and musicians.
Then, the Senior General and delegation left for the Peninsula Hotel.
Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party arrived at the residence of Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand at 10.30 pm.
They were welcomed by Ambassador U Hla Maung and wife, Military Attache Lt-Col Kyaw Han and wife, embassy staff and families.
Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-l dealt with the bilateral matters including enhancement of two countries' cooperation in the fight against narcotic drug which had been discussed during the Senior General's goodwill visit, endeavours for building a peaceful, modem and developed nation in cooperation with the public and national entrepreneurs, political stability and economic development being achieved, international relations, the need to strengthen further the relations between the two countries and also the need to do works for the benefit of Myanmars in Thailand and in the interest of the nation.
The Governor of Saraburi Province hosted luncheon in honour of the Senior General and delegation at Saraburi Inn.
The Senior General and the Governor of Saraburi Province and the Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group exchanged gifts.
They left for the Air Terminal Headquarters Building of the Royal Thai Air Force and arrived there at 2.30 pm local time.
The Senior General and delegation were seen off by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Bhichai Rattakul, Deputy Minister for Science, Technology and Environment Mr Pomthep Techapaibul and officials, Myanmar Ambassador U Hla Maung and wife, Military Attache Lt-Col Kyaw Han and wife, and embassy staff.
The Senior General and delegation left Bangkok by special aircraft and arrived back here in Yangon this evening.
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(2) Donations made to hail 54th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day
YANGON, 9 Mar - Hailing the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a ceremony to donate cash and kind was held at the Office of Director of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this afternoon attended by Chairman of Leading Committee for Observance of the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Chief of Bureau of Special operations and Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present on the occasion were Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Col Saw Hla Min of Phyugyi Station, Deputy Adjutant-General Col Ye Tun, Director of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute Col Ye Htut, officials and donors.
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(3) Narcotic drug refinery seized in Takkanine Village, Kutkai
YANGON, 9 Mar - Acting on information given by local intelligence unit, the Tatmadaw column led by Col Soe Yee of North-East Command together with members of Defence Services Intelligence Unit found a narcotic drug refinery in the ravine covered by dense forests located six miles from Takkanine Village of Kutkai Township, Shan State (North), on 5 March 1999.
Under the arrangement of North-East Command, the Tatmadaw column led by Col Soe Yee left their camp at 2 am on 5 March. At 6.30 am, they encountered sentries of the refinery at map reference 0-978498 east of Takkanine Village and captured four enemy dead with one M-20 pistol there.
Tatmadaw column seized drugs, chemicals and paraphernalia used in narcotic drugs refinery-two kilos of opium, 14,152.5 litres of ether contained in 72 drums and 56 containers, 481.5 litres of spirit contained in 35 containers. 25 containers of hydrochloric acid 414 litres, 23 containers of chemical liquid 351 litres, 42 containers of kerosene 756 litres, 30 boxes of sodium, 29 empty drums, two iron retorts, 30 glass retorts, 50 assorted K 166,165.
The Tatmadaw is resolve to eradicate narcotic drugs; national duty. It seized six narcotic drug refineries for 1 January 1999 till today. It resolved to step up its fig against narcotic drugs on all fronts.
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(4) 199 members resign from Kawkareik Township NLD
YANGON, 9 Mar - One hundred and ninety-nine members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Kawkareik Township, Kayin State.
One hundred and ninety-nine members of Kawkareik Township NLD, Kayin State, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to -Kawkareik Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 26 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(5) 67 members resign from Danubyu Township NLD
YANGON, 9 Mar - Sixty-seven members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Danubyu Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Sixty-seven members of Danubyu Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Danubyu Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 3 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(6) Winners of Armed Forces Day Poetry and Art Competitions announced
YANGON, 9 Mar - The 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Poetry and Art Competitions Organizing Work Committee yesterday announced the lists of winners of the Poetry and Art Competitions in long poetry genre levels l and 2 and short poetry genre levels 1 and 2.
National Literary Award winner Nyo Win was first in long poetry genre level 1, Chit Daung Nwe and Maung Thin Pyant (Kyaikhtaw) were second, Maung Latt (Kanyoedan), Aphyauk Maung Swe Mon, Myelat Min Lwin and Zalun Lwan Kyaw were third.
Maung Sein Naung (Lewe) was first in short poetry genre level 1, Min Shwe Min (Insein) second, Myo Myat Myat Myint Maung third, Shwedah Maung Lay Yi fourth and Thamein Myatza fifth.
Maung Sein Naung was first in long poetry genre 2, Tekkatho Tin Lay Aung second, Maung Kyi Thaw (Kawlin) third, Mahuya Saw Lwin (Pakokku) fourth, Zaw Chit (Hainggyi Island) fifth and five special prize winners.
Kaung Htet (Nyaunglaybin) was first in short poetry genre level 2, Zaw Yu (DSA) second, Pyinmana Myint Hlaing third, Kyaw Swa Thu (Thayawady) fourth, Maung Thet Hnin (North/Okkalapa) fifth and five special prize winners.
The number of poets this year was more than that in the previous year. Quality and composition standard has also improved this year; This indicates emergence of a strong force of poets strengthening the Myanma cultural field every year. It is encouraging that the poems describe the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Objectives and Four Social Objectives Uplift of national prestige and integrity and preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage and national character and Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit-laid down by the State.
The first, second and third prize winners will be awarded on 27 March 1999 (Armed Forces Day). The winners in person must report to the Secretary of the Organizing Work Committee, No 529/531, Merchant Street, Sarpay Beikman building on 24 March. The fourth, fifth and consolation prize winners will be presented at the respective military commands and LIDs the same day.
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YANGON, 9 Mar - The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and Myanma Radio and Television (MRTV) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation at MRTV.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Ambassador of Myanmar to Vietnam Mr Nguyen Dang Khoa, Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay and officials, and delegates of the VOV.