THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Saturday, 27 November 1999)
*******************************************************************
*******************************************************************
(1)Secretary-1 inspects all-round renovation of Shwedagon Pagoda______________________________________YANGON, 26 Nov-Patron of the Leading Committee for Perpetual All-round Renovation of the ShwedagonPagoda Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at the southern stairway of the pagoda this morning.
Then, the Secretary-l paid homage to Padamya Myetshin Buddha Image on the upper terrace of the pagoda. The Secretary-l and party inspected arrangements for gilding Phaunglaungdaw and the already-renovated religious buildings on the platform of the pagoda.
Afterwards, the Secretary- 1 also inspected arrangements for gilding Naungdawgyi Pagoda at Sunday Corner of the pagoda. Next, the Secretary-l paid homage to Shwehtidaw Pagoda at Sunday corner of the pagoda.
(2)Secretary-1 meets President of International Trading Group, CP Group of Thailand
YANGON, 26 Nov-See Sectary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met President of the International Trading Group, CP Group of Thailand Mr Eam Ngamdamronk and delegation at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 11 am today.
(3)Nation-building endeavours to be displayed at Armed Forces Day Exhibition
YANGON, 26 Nov-A meeting on holding the 55th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Exhibition was held at the Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this evening, addressed by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and Chief of Staff (Army) Lt- Gen Tin Oo.
In his address, Lt-Gen Tin Oo said the Leading Committee for Observance of the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day is making arrangements to observe Armed Forces Day more grandly.
He urged officials to try to understand the purpose of holding the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day Commemorative Exhibition and make arrangements for opening booths there.
He also said that it is necessary to put on display at the exhibition the works being undertaken by the ministries concerned for the benefit of the country and the people such as building of roads, bridges, rail roads and dams, efforts to switch from manual fanning to mechanized farming, reclamation of wetlands, fallow and virgin lands and arrangements to reduce the gap of development among regions including border areas. In dealing with the education sector, he said that efforts for development of human resources such as upgrading of colleges and opening of diploma courses, foreign language courses and accountancy courses should be displayed at the exhibition.
In dealing with security, he said that the State Peace and Development Council is making all-out efforts to build a peaceful, modern and developed nation and is implementing the 12 Objectives based on Our Three Main National Causes; as is known to all, destructive groups who do not wish to see the development of the nation, are attempting to destroy the nation; so, it is required to pay special attention to security.
In conclusion, Lt-Gen Tin Oo urged all to contribute to discussions. Secretary of the Committee for Holding the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day Commemorative Exhibition Director of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute Col Ye Htut reported on arrangements for the exhibition.
Officials of ministries, the Tatmadaw (Navy), the Tatmadaw (Air), directorates of the Ministry of Defence and military commands reported on preparations for the exhibition.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Lt-Gen Tin Oo. Then, Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected samples of the paintings to be put on display at the 55th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day Commemorative Literary and Arts Exhibition, and gave instructions on the works.
(4)Donations made to welfare funds of Thanmyanthu Enterprise
YANGON, 26 Nov-Well- wishers presented donations towards public welfare funds of Thanmyanthu Enterprise at the City Hall this afternoon. Chief of Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo attended the ceremony.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo explained the welfare tasks being undertaken by Thanmvanthu Enterprise and public participation. Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint explained matters related nation-building endeavours.
Then, well-wishers made donations. Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Minister Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo and Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min of Phugyi Station accepted the donations. Director of Resettlements of the Ministry of Defence Col Aung Thein spoke words of thanks.
(5)Collection of primate fossils in Pondaung region
YANGON, 26 NOV - A Press Conference on collection of fossils of primates and other creatures of Pondaung region by the study group was held at Myanma Radio and TV this afternoon.
With the leadership of the Office of the Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence, geologists of the Ministry of; Education have conducted the study and collection of fossils beginning 1997.
Speaking on the occasion, Head of Department of OSS Col Than Tun said: The Pondaung Fossil Expedition was sponsored by the Office of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence in cooperation with geologists of the Ministry of Education. Work began in Pondaung area in Myanmar in March 1997. The expedition team has discovered and collected primate fossils and fossils of various animals.
Having discovered the fossils of the Anthropoid primates, our expedition team could assert that anthropoid primates, the origin of man, were born in the Pondaung area and resided there. Scholars of different periods had written in the books and newspapers the findings of the fragments of the anthropoid primates in the Pondaung area. However, what had been discovered in the past were just the fragments of the jawbones with two or three molars. As such, the scholars found it difficult to conduct a comprehensive study of the fossils. Today, the fossil expedition team had discovered and collected the complete fossils of Amphipithecus bahinensis, Amphipithecus Mogaungensis and Pondaungia and as a result it can state firmly that it had discovered Anthropoid primate fossils in the Pondaung area.
The foreign scholars were then contacted and informed the discovery of primate fossils in Pondaung area to enable them to come and study them. Accordingly, scholars from the United States, France and Japan came and studied them. Japanese scholars from the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University Professor Dr Nobuo Shigehara and Assistant Professor Dr Masanaru Takai studied the primates and other fossils at the National Museum from 19th to 25th April 1998. They sought permission to conduct field study of the Pondaung area.
Professor Dr Nobuo Shigehara said he thanked Col Than Tun of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education of Japan for all-round assistance.Myanmar-Japan Pondaung Expedition Team began study of fossils in Moegaung, Bahin and Magyeekan regions on 3 November and found many fossils of mammals. Included in the finds was a part of Amphipithecus. This is the first and vital find during the 70 years of Pondaung excavation. The find can be said as the much effective result in studying the evolution of Primates to human beings.
Assistant Professor Dr Masanaru Takai said: The Myanmar-Japan Pondaung Fossil Expedition Team discovered new fossil materials of Amphipithecus mogaungensis in Paukkaung village, Myaing Township. The specimens are a right maxillary fragment with a part of p4 and M-3 and a top of the cranial bone.
They were discovered in 15 November and most probably belong to the same individual from Pondaung area, four kinds of fossil primates have been discovered so far since the beginning of this century: Pondaungia cotteri, Amphipithecus mogaungensis, Bahinia pondaungensis and unnamed small monkey. On the basis of the molar size and shape, the present specimens are identified as A mogaungensis.
As for Amphipithecus only lower jaw materials have been discovered so far the present specimen, upper jaw and cranial fragment are the first discovery of cranial elements, providing us with important information about the skull of Amphipithecus.Compound with a contemporaneous Pondaungia, Amphipithecus is slightly smaller in dental size, M1 is much smaller than M2, the enamel crenulation is not so developed, and premolars are not so crowded. The new upper jaw materials also show these features, so it should be identified as Amphipithecus tough grasses on leaves.
The snout of Amphipithecus is rather long, and the orbits seems to face rather laterally. The endocra-nial structure
suggest the relatively large olfactory bulb of the brain. Amphipithecus might have a good sense of smell as do prosimian monkeys.These preliminary morphological analyses suggest that Amphipithecus is a relatively primitive anthropoidea. The exact phyletic position of Amphipithecus is still obscure, but all Pondaung Primates are geologically older than Fayum primates and morphologically very primitive, suggesting their position among early radiation of primitive anthropoid primates in East Asia.
Professor Dr Tin Thein said: From 2nd to 23rd November, 1999, the Pondaung fossils Expedition Team led by Col Than Tun, head of department of the Office of Strategic Studies. Ministry of Defence, accompanies by Myanmar-Japan scientists, setting out on a mission to explore fossilized remains of primates in the Pondaung region, in Pale and Myaing Townships. The team first explored the vicinity of Mogaung Village, Pale Township from 511-99 to 9-11-99 and discovered the fossilized remains of Anthracotheres. Rhinoceros, Tragulids, Turtles and Crocodiles, hover the Primates then not yet found. The Poundaung Fossils Expedition Team then continued their exploration at the environs of Bahin Village and Paukkaung Village, Myaing Township during 13-11.99 to 17- 11-99. The Primate fossil was found on 15th November at the Paukkaung Kyitchaung No-2 site, about one and a half mile Nonh west of Paukkaung Village. The newly found fossil remnant is indeed a right upper jaw fragment bearing molar No-l, No-2 and No-3. Another piece of upper jaw fragment bears lingually broken premolar was also found.
Our finding coincidently belongs to a single fossil remain since it fits in to each other. Thus the newly find specimen is simply the right upper jaw fragment bearing premolar No-4 and molar No-l to No-3. A cranial fragment of the primate fossil was also discovered in this site.With reference to the molar structures, the recently found primate fossil shows no resemblance to Pondaungia nor to the one which is new species discovered last year by the Myanmar-Japan Team. Hence the newly found specimen is likely to be the upper jaw fragment of Amphipithecus since it presents smooth enamel on the occlusal surface of molar no-3.
The two genus, Pondaungia and Amphipithecus were previously discovered from the Pondaung region and described in 1927, 1937 and 1998. On 22nd November, 1998, the new genus of Pondaung Primate was discovered by Myanmar-French Team in the vicinity of Bahin Village at the Yarshe Kyitchaung and is specifically named Bahinia Pondaune gensis. The genus name was given after Bahin Village and the species after Pondaung Formation where the Primate fossil was found.
Bahinai represents the Anthropoid status and belongs to the family Eosimidae. On the 6th November, 1998, Myanmar-Japan Team also discovered the new genus of Pondaung Primate in the Yarshe Kyitchaung near Bahin Village. It is also Anthropoid Primate.
It is estimated that Pondaung Primates of Myanmar are at least 7 million years older than Fayum Primates of Egypt. Hence the existence of Anthropoid Primates in Asia prior to the African forms is quite obvious.
Officials then replied to queries raised by journalists.The Press Conference ended at 2.15 pm.Those who attended the press conference studied the fossils found near Moegaung village, Paukkhaung village, Bahin village, collected by Myanmar-Japan Pondaung Expedition Team and new finds at MRTV.
_________________________________________________________________________________________(6)National Supervisory Committee for Y2K Problem meets
YANGON, 26 Nov- The National Supervisory Committee for Y2K Problem held Meeting 7/99 at the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs this morning.
Chairman of the Committee Minister for Communications, Posts and Tele-graphs Brig-Gen Win Tin made a speech on the occasion. Secretary Dr Kyaw Thein reported on the work done according to the resolutions of Meeting 6/99.
Chairman of the Subcommittee for Distribution of Facts about Y2K Col Thein Swe reported on the work done by the subcommittee, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Solving Y2K Problem U Thein Oo on the work done by the subcommittee,Secretary Dr Kyaw Thein on matters related to Asia Region Y2K Coordinators Meeting, cooperation between the National Committee and Y2K experts of MITI (JODC), and Global Status Watch.
The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin. Y2K problem may occur in the transitional period from 1999 to 2000 and it is also required to keep a watch on Y2K problem next year including 29 February. Myanmar has finished making tests and preparations to deal with Y2K.
(7)Indian Photo Exhibition opened at University
YANGON, 26 Nov-The opening ceremony of Photographic Exhibition "In the Footsteps of Lord Buddha" presented by the Embassy of India in Yangon in cooperation with Ministry of Religious Affairs was held at International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University near Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) on Dhamma Pala Hill in Mayangon Township this morning.
Ambassador Mr Shyam Saran extended greetings. Then, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Minister for Education U Than Aung and Ambassador of India Mr Shyam Saran lighted the oil lamp and opened the exhibition.
(8)National Convention Convening Commission holds coord meeting
YANGON, 26 Nov- National Convention Convening Commission held the coordination meeting at the commission office this afternoon.Present on the occasion were Chairman of the commission Mai-Gen Saw Lwin. Vice Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and commission members.The secretary of NCCC, the National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on matters relating to the National Convention. Members of the commission took part in the discussions.Later, Chairman of the commission Maj-Gen Saw Lwin gave concluding remarks.
YANGON, 26 Nov-Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe met Ambassador of Malaysia Dato Mohammad Bin Noh who called at his office at 9.30 am today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein and heads of departments.
(10)Minister for Commerce meets officials of foreign companies
YANGON, 26 Nov-Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met Singapore- Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation led by Mr Za Habar Ali who called at his office at 9 am today. President of CP Trading Group Co Ltd Mr Eamngam Damronk of Thailand and party paid a courtesy call on Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone at 2 pm today.
(11)Minister meets Chinese delegation
YANGON, 26 Nov-Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing met Maj-Gen Li Hang and party of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China who called at his office at 2 pm yesterday.
The delegation arrived here recently to attend the coordination meeting on Myanmar-China cooperation and management for border areas. In the evening, Minister Col Tin Hlaing hosted dinner at Mya Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel in honour of the guests. Also present at the dinner were Maj-Gen Li Hang and party of the Ministry of Public Security of China, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, the director-general of Myanmar Police Force directors-general, Charge d'Affaires ai of PRC Embassy Mr Tang Ying and officials. Then, the minister presented souvenirs to the guests.
(12)Central Working Leading Committee for 5th NIDs meets
YANGON, 26 Nov-The Central Working Leading Committee for the Fifth National Immunization Days held the second meeting at the Medical Research Department this morning.
Making a speech on the occasion, Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein spoke of the need for all to present difficulties encountered in implementing the resolutions of the first meeting of the committee and to make arrangements for keeping medicines, which were sent to townships in remote areas, with the assistance of the Ministry of Defence and with the management of the committee for supply and transport so that the medicines are fully effective.
With the assistance of local authorities concerned and with the use of strength of the township and village health committee members, effort are to be made for total eradication of polio by the year 2000, he said.
Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung reported on preparations for the Fifth NIDs, Project Manager Dr Than Htein Win on preparations for the opening ceremony of the Fifth NIDs, Yangon Division Health Officer Dr Tin Maung Win on programmes to give oral drops after the opening ceremony. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the minister.
(13)Minister meets foreign entrepreneurs
YANGON, 26 Nov-Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met General Manager Mr Susumu Takaku and party of Property Development & Construction Division of Overseas Planning & Development Business Department of Japan who called at his office at 10 am today.
Similarly, the minister met Chairman of CIT International of Germany and Managing Director of Yangon-based Myanmar CIT Ltd Mr Jos van Schaik and party at 11 am and Managing Director Mr Nopparat t Sujaritpinij (Sidney Jiam) of UH Trading Co Ltd of Thailand at 4 pm.
YANGON, 26 Nov-Plans are under way for tourists to see the sunrise and sunset scenes of Bagan from floating balloons in the air.With the assistance of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Ministry of Transport and with the permission of Myanmar Investment Commission, Shwe Lay Tagum Travels & Tours Co Ltd will sponsor the "Balloons Over Bagan" programme.The company explained the programme with audiovisual aids at Sedona Hotel yesterday evening.
(15)Nepalese journalists delegation concludes goodwill visit
YANGON, 26 Nov-A six-member Nepalese journalists delegation led by Chairman Mr Manju Ratna Sakya of Nepalese Journalists Association left here by air this morning.
The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Director (News) U Hla Tun of ,NPE and officials, Second Secretary of Nepalese Embassy Mr Haris Chandra Ghimire and officials.The Nepalese journalists delegation met Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein.
YANGON, 26 Nov-Visiting US Congressman Tom Campbell, wife and party paid obeisance to the Shwedagon Pagoda at 8.30 am today. Afterwards, the congressman and party left here for home by air this morning They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Director-General U Khin Maung Lay of Consular, International Law and Treaties and Research Department and officials and Charge d' Affaires Ms Priscilla A Clapp of the embassy of United States of America and staff.
(17)104 members resign from Palaw Township NLD
YANGON, 26 Nov-One hundred and four members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Palaw Township, Taninthayi Division.One hundred and four members of Palaw Township NLD,Taninthayi Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Palaw Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 20 July 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
Maximum temperature on Nov 25 was 34 °C (93°F)
Minimum temperature on Nov 26 was 23°C ( 73°F)
To view with photos, please
browse at - http://www.myanmar.com/nlm/