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(1) USDA's membership strength increase to unprecedented over 11 million; Raise members abilities, consolidate strength with correct programmes and policies; Promote well-being of people in practice to become national leading organization
YANGON, 31 Mar - Union Solidarity and Development Association Executives' Advanced Management Course No 4 and Executives' Management Course No 17 concluded with a ceremony in Pyidaungsu Hall of Central Public Relations Unit in Hmawby, Yangon Division, at.9 am today addressed by Patron of USDA Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.
Also present on the occasion were members of the Panel of Patrons of USDA Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of the State Peace and Development Council, Deputy Prime Ministers Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, Lt-Gen Tin Tun and Lt-Gen Tin Hla, ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, other members of the Panel of Patrons of USDA, Central Executive Committee members of the USDA, deputy ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises, guests, Course in-charge Lt-Col Myo Myint, course supervisors and trainees.
Excerpts from Senior General Than Shwe's address
It is satisfactory to see that the association has organized over 11 million as its members in just over five years.
Increase in membership strength is due to organizational ability at different levels of USDAs and conducting of tasks benefiting the people and regions.
Increase in quantitative strength should be consolidated to become a qualified and reliable force for the nation.
Every USDA member should haste the firm belief and conviction for turning quantitative strength inter a consolidated and skilled force.
Difficulties and obstacles can be off overcome only if all the members have full qualifications and strong conviction.
All USDA members should have the spirit of fraternity rallying round for common purpose and making sacrifices in helping one another.
Regional development endeavours are being made with the concept that socio-economic lives of all national races will be improved only when there is even development in all the regions with narrowest gaps in development levels.
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(2) Secretary-l inspects Preparations for Htidaw hoisting ceremony at Shwedagon Pagoda
YANGON, 31 Mar - Patron of the Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by Chairman of Leading Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Pagoda Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Chairman of Work Committee for All-round Perpetual Renovation of the Shwedagon Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Southern Stairway of the Pagoda at 5.40 pm today and were welcomed by members of the work committee, Myanmar Engineers and members of the Board of Trustees
First, well-wishers presented gold Buddha images to Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt for renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda Htidaw at the Old Museum Tazaung.
Today's donations included-one gold Buddha image donated by U Myat Thin Aung-Daw Khin Myint Myint and family of Aung Aung Enterprise, a necklace containing 35-diamonds by Daw Khin Mya Ei and family, one gold bell by Academy U Zin Yaw Maung Maung-Academy Daw May Than-Nu and son Min Thant Maung Maung and four gold Buddha images by U Than Htut- Academy Daw Wah Wah Win Shwe.
Then, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and officials reported to the Secretary-1 on arrangements for preparation works of Htidaw hoisting ceremony, Myanmar architectural design, donation of gold plates, fixing of bronze plates and donation of gold foils.
The Secretary-1 fulfilled the requirements.
Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt also inspected renovation of religious buildings on the platform of the pagoda and arrangements for preparation works of Htidaw hoisting ceremony and left there in the evening.
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(3) Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong and wife conclude goodwill visit
YANGON, 31 Mar - Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong and wife Madame Ho Ching and goodwill delegation comprising senior officials left here by air at 10.30 am today after good will visit here from 30 to 31 March at the invitation of Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
Deputy Prime Minister Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong and wife Madame Ho Ching and goodwill delegation were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel and wife, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and wife, Ambassador of Myanmar to Singapore U Myo Myint and wife, Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow and wife, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy staff.
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(4) Over 50,000 voters express no confidence in NLD Hluttaw representative-elect U Thein San of Kawlin Township Constituency
YANGON, 31 Mar - Over 50,000 voters of Kawlin Township Constituency expressed no confidence in U Thein San, Pyithu Hluttaw representative-elect of NLD for the Township Constituency, and no support to him at the ceremonies held in Khantha and Chaungna station areas, Kawlin Township, on 9 March morning.
Of the ceremonies to present petitions of no confidence in U Thein San and no support to him, 10,202 people including voters of Mingon, Kyauktan, Padonma, Yuntoh, Nyaungbintha, Hsingon and Sweya village-tracts and Kyaukpyintha station and Ashaychan area attended the ceremony held in Khantha station area.
Retired paddy purchase depot manager U Htwe Maung, farmer U Ba Shin of Nyaungbintha Village and farmer U Lu Hla of Sweya Village acted as members of the panel of chairmen of the ceremony and Daw Kyi Kyi and, Daw Chaw Su Htwe as masters of ceremonies.
On the occasion, merchant U Soe Maung of Kyauktan Village, on behalf of the voters, expressed no confidence in U Thein San and no support to him.
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(5) 32 members resign from Zalun Township NLD
YANGON, 31 Mar - Thirty-two members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Zalun Township, Ayeyawady Division.
Three members of Zalun Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Zalun Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 21 March 1999 and twenty-nine members on 26 March 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(6) 68 members resign from Ayadaw Township NLD
YANGON, 31 Mar - Sixty-eight members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Ayadaw Township, Sagaing Division.
Sixty-eight members of Ayadaw Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Ayadaw Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 4 February 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
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(7) Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong and wife meet Singaporean entrepreneurs
YANGON, 31 Mar - Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Brig-Gen Lee Hsien Loong and wife Madame Ho Ching who were here at the invitation of Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, met Singaporean entrepreneurs who are investing in Myanmar, at Summit Parkview at 8.45 am today.
Present on the occasion were Ambassador of Myanmar to Singapore U Myo Myint and wife, Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Brig-Gen Patrick Choy Choong Tow, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy staff.
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(8) 11 members of armed groups exchange arms for peace
YANGON, 31 Mar - After realizing the correct objectives, endeavours and sincere good-will of the Tatmadaw, members of the armed groups are exchanging arms for peace individually or in groups.
A total of 11 members of various armed groups exchanged arms for peace in the respective military command areas in February 1999.
They were: private Ti Hlan Htan of KNU in North West Command, private Maung Myint Hlaing of AA terrorist insurgent in Western Command, private Ta Yok of KNU bringing a gun, one hand made gun, one grenade and seven rounds of ammunition in Coastal Region Command, sgt Saw Yi Bel of No 2 brigade of No 2 company of KNU and cpl Than Win Zin of No 3 brigade of No 8 battalion of KNU bringing one M-16, four magazine and 80 rounds of ammunition in Southern Command area, Organizer U San Lwin (a) Moe Gyo of ADB, NLD National Front (Youth), Lt Saw Shwe Htoo of KNU, cpl A Du (a) A Di (a) Maung Khin, cpl Saw Maung Kauk of No 7 company, No 101 brigade of KNU and privates Pha Pu Naw and Aung Naing of KNU with two launchers, three AK 47, one carbine, three grenade, 14 bomb shell, three magazine, two walki-talkie and 207 rounds of ammunition in South-East Command area.
Officials of Regional Battalions welcomed the 11 persons of armed group who exchanged arms for peace and fulfilled their requirements.
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(9) National Convention Convening Commission meets
YANGON, 31 Mar - National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall of NCCC at 2 pm today.
Present on the occasion were Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairmen Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and commission members.
The Secretary of the National Convention Convening , Commission reported on matters pertaining to the National Convention and to the National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee.
Members of the National Convention Convening Commission took part in the discussions.
Afterwards, the meeting ended with the concluding remarks by Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.
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(10) Secretary-2 attends seminar on benefits through E-Commerce on Internet
YANGON, 31 Mar - Seminar on economic benefits through E-Commerce technology on Internet sponsored by Eagle IT Company Ltd was held at the International Business Centre this afternoon, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin Minister at the Prime Minister' s Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Kyi Min. Chief of Staff (Air) Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Hlaing Win, departmental officials, officials of Eagle Group of Companies Ltd. Eagle IT Co, entrepreneurs and guests.
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(11) K 200,000 for Myanmar Table Tennis Federation
YANGON, 31 Mar - The opening ceremony of Myanmar Table Tennis Championship 1999, sponsored by Myanmar Table Tennis Federation and A&T International Co Ltd. was held at the National Swimming Pool yesterday.
Managing Director of A&T International Co Ltd Daw Toe Toe Myint presented K 200,000 to Vice-President of Myanmar Table Tennis Federation U Hla Myint for the federation.
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YANGON, 31 Mar - While Tatmadaw members of local battalion discharging their duties at Yaypusan Camp in Muse Township, Shan State (North) on 10 March, they searched a Van car N-0850 which left Monkoe for Kyukok (Pansang).
Tatmadaw members nabbed driver Ran Yin Ko, 25, son of U Ran Zai Hwa of new Nam Partet Village in Kyukok (Pansang) Myoma, Muse Township and Ran Chein, 35, son of U Ran Xi Moe of Chikyan Village, Tahsant Township, Waishan Distinct of other side country together with four heroin blocks and 38 heroin cakes weighing 1.55 kilos.
MPF Station in Kyukok (Pansang) is taking action against
the persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.