YANGON, 25 March-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 Mr Costis Stephanopoulos, President of the Hellenic Republic, on the occasion of the Anniversary of the National Day of the Hellenic Republic which falls on 25 March, 1999.
__________________________________
(2) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Commander-in Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Secretary-1 on his return from Lao PDR
YANGON, 24 Mar - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe welcomed back Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt who arrived back here by special flight at 3.55 pm today from goodwill visit to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, at the invitation of Vice-Prime Minister Mr Boun-Nhang Vorachit of LPDR.
The Secretary-1 was also welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Commander in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Yangon State Peace and Development Council Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, Lt-Gen Tin Tun and Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Ministers at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman' s Office Lt-Gen Min Thein and Brig-Gen Maung Maung, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Embassy of LPDR Mr Khamsway Keodalavong and embassy staff, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence and departmental officials.
__________________________________
(3) Secretary-1 discusses bilateral cooperation with LPDR leaders in Vientiane
YANGON, 24 Mar - At the invitation of Vice-Prime Minister Mr Boun-Nhang Vorachit of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar goodwill delegation led by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt left here by special aircraft on 22 March morning and arrived at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane at 11 am local time.
The Secretary-l and delegation were welcomed at the airport by the welcoming party led by Vice-Prime Minister Mr Boun-Nhang Vorachit, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Win Aung, Ambassador of Myanmar to Lao PDR U Sein Win Aung, Military Attache of Myanmar Embassy Col Maung Cho and embassy staff and families.
Accompanied by Vice-Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Volachith, the Secretary-l and delegation arrived at the Government Guest House where they would stay.
At 1 pm, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Vice-Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Volachith held discussions at the Prime Minister's Office.
Also present at the meeting together with the Secretary-l were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman' s Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador U Sein Win Aung and heads of department.
Then, the Secretary-1 paid a courtesy call on President of Lao PDR Mr Khamtay Siphandoen at Hokhara Presidential Palace on 3.15 pm local time.
With the Secretary-l, were Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister Brig-Gen Abel, Minister U Aung Phone, Minister U Win Aung, Minister Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister Col Thein Nyunt, Minister U Than Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Ambassador U Sein Win Aung.
With the President were Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister at the President's Office Mr Souban Sarithirah and Ambassador of Lao PDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkharn.
On the occasion, the Secretary-l explained Myanmar's endeavours for development and bilateral relations, saying Myanmar wishes to cooperate with Lao PDR in every constructive sector interests, especially in agriculture, forest, education and mining sectors.
Then, the Secretary-l signed in the visitors' book and presented a souvenir to the head of the museum.
The Secretary-1 and party received the commemorative symbol of the museum and had photographs taken.
The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to That Luang Pagoda in Vientiane.
They were welcomed there by Director of Vientiane Municipal and Culture Mr Kharnmouane Vongchandy and party.
Then, the Secretary-l and party paid respects to the pagoda.
The Secretary-1 signed in the visitors' book and made cash donations towards the pagoda funds.
Afterwards, the Secretary-l and party went to Hophrakeo Buddha Museum and paid homage to Buddha images.
They observed ancient Buddha images and cultural heritage.
The Secretary-1 signed in the visitors' book and made cash donations towards the museum funds.
In the evening, families of Myanmar embassy staff hosted a dinner in honour of the Secretary-1 and party at the residence of Myanmar Ambassador to Lao PDR in Vientiane.
The Secretary-l and party arrived at the residence of the ambassador at 7 pm.
They were welcomed there by Myanmar Ambassador to Lao PDR U Sein Win Aung, Military Attache Col Maung Cho, embassy staff and families.
The Secretary-1 met with embassy staff and families.
__________________________________
(4) Gyaing River Bridge (Zathabyin) linking Mon State and Kayin State commissioned into service
YANGON, 24 Mar - Gyaing River Bridge (Zathabyin) linking Mon State and Kayin State was commissioned into service this morning in dedication to the 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.
The ceremony marking the occasion was held at a pandal at the eastern bank near the bridge with an address by Chairman of Central Supervisory Committee to Ensure Smooth and Secure Transport Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
The Longest suspension bridge in the nation which is, 1,900 feet long and 24 feet wide was built at a cost of K 1.2 billion and US $4.96 million. It can withstand up to 45 tons. Its clearance is 750 feet wide and 40 feet high.
__________________________________
(5) 43 members resign from Myittha Township NLD
YANGON, 24 Mar - Forty-three members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Myittha Township, Mandalay Division.
Forty-three members of Myittha Township NLD, Mandalay Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Myittha Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 28 January 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
__________________________________
(6) 99 members resign from Pyapon Township NLD
YANGON, 24 Mar - Ninety-nine members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Pyapon Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Ninety-nine members of Pyapon Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Pyapon Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 21 December 1998 as they no longer wished to -participate in party politics of NLD.
__________________________________
(7) Minister attends opening ceremony of Co-operatives Trade Fair (Mandalay)
YANGON, 24 Mar - Minister for Co-operatives U Aung San attended the opening ceremony of Co-operatives Trade Fair (Mandalay) 1999 at the corner of 89th Street and 22nd Street in Aungmyaythazan Township in Mandalay yesterday morning.
The ceremony was also attended by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Secretary of Mandalay City Development Committee Col Aye Tun Shwe, Police Commander of Mandalay Division Police Force Police Col Myint Kyaw, Secretary of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn, Secretary of Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association U Tin Maung Oo, departmental officials and others.
__________________________________
(8) Minister meets Senior Executive V-P of Telephone Organization
YANGON, 24 Mar - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin met Senior Executive Vice President of Telephone Organization of Thailand Mr Sutham Malila and party who called at his office at 11.30 am today.
Present at the call were Managing Director U Maung Maung Tin of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, Planning Manager U Ye Win and officials.
__________________________________
(9) Minister inspects construction of bridges railroads
YANGON, 24 Mar - Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung, accompanied by Commander of No 88 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Aye Kywe and officials, inspected Yin Creek Bridge and railroad on Taungdwingyi-Magway Railroad section on 22 March morning.
The minister proceeded to Bagan and met officials of Myanma Railways No 11 Division in Bagan.
The minister gave instructions to officials.
The minister also met officials of Myanma Railways No 10 Division, Transport Planning Department and Road Transport at Pakkoku Railways Station in the evening.
The minister gave instructions to officials on observance of discipline, staff welfare, inspection of driver and car licences and cultivation crops.
Minister U Pan Aung also inspected approach road on Yayzagyo bank of the Chindwin River, construction of Hsinphyushin Bridge across the Chindwin River and approach road on ChaungU bank of the river yesterday morning and gave necessary instructions.
The minister then inspected construction works of Budalin-YayU-KhinU railroad section and construction works of YayU Bridge across the Mu River.
He gave instructions to officials.
__________________________________
(10) Armed Forces Day Literary Art Competition and Exhibition
YANGON, 24 Mar - The 54th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Literature and Art
Competition and Exhibition will be held at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall from 9
am to 5 pm daily from 26 March to 4 April. Admission is free.