N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Wednesday, 15 December 1999)

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Senior General Than Shwe sends message of sympathy to Vietnam
15th Sangha Meeting of All Shwekyin Nikaya Ganas held in Nyaungshwe
Minister inspects mills of Myanma Textile Industries
Minister meets COMMENCO Vice-Chairman
Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments ,and Heads of Consular Divisions ends
Ordination, novitiation of 3,000 students, teachers and personnel of No 3 Basic Education Department (Yangon) held
Minister meets officials Mandalay Industrial Zone
Minister inspects loading of machinery onto Z-craft
Banking Services Course 1/99 for Supervisors of MEB concludes
Minister meets entrepreneurs of Hong Kong
Minister meets investors from Hong Kong
Joint Press Statement Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions
Press conference held on Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions
Photo Exhibition on Scenic Beauty of Japan opened
Supplication of representative Sayadaw of Shwekyin Gana in Sri Lanka
ASEAN delegates visit Shwedagon, Gems Emporium
45 members resign from Letpadan Township NLD
WEATHER

(1)Senior General Than Shwe sends message of sympathy to Vietnam
YANGON, 15 Dec - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of sympathy to Mr Tran Duc Luong, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, for loss of lives and devastation caused by torrential rains earlier this month in the provinces of central coastal Vietnam.

(2)15th Sangha Meeting of All Shwekyin Nikaya Ganas held in Nyaungshwe
YANGON, 14 Dec - The 15th Sangha Meeting of All Shwekyin Nikaya Ganas was held at Kangyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Nyaungshwe, Shan State, this morning, attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye.
State Ovadacariya Chairman of Shwekyin Nikaya Dhipati' Maha Nayaka Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika the 13th Shwekyin Sasanabaing Sayadaw of Kangyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik Bhaddanta Vimalabhivamsa presided over the meeting and State Ovadacariya Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Joint Shwekyin Sasanabaing Sagaing Pahtama Gandhayon Sayadaw Bhaddanta Supanindabhivamsa acted as Joint Chairman and member of Mandalay Visuddhayon Ganavacaka Committee Agga Maha Gandhavacaka Pandita Bhaddanta Odatasiribhivamsa as master of ceremonies.
The Sayadaw said since from the First Shwekyin Nikaya Gana Sayadaw, the Shwekyin Nikaya Gana is developing gradually in accord with the teachings of the Buddha. This is due to the strict observance of the rules and the Ovada given by the elder Sayadaws.
He urged all the members of the Shwekyin Nikaya Gana to strictly follow the guidance given by the Sasanabaing Sayadaws and to strive for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana.
Next, State Ovadacariya General Secretary of Shwekyin Nikaya Gana Working Nayaka Committee Shwokyin Nikaya Centre Mandalay Maha Visuddhayon Taikthit Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Aggiya reported on supplication.
Minister U Aung Khin supplicated on religious matters.
The influence and dignity of the Shwekyin Nikaya Gana is great in the Sasana due to the efforts and perseverance of the successive Sasanabaung Sayadaws in rendering supervision during the period of nearly 140 years.
Holding of the 15th meeting successfully is the result of the unity among the members of the Sangha.
Under the guidance of the Head of State, Shan State (South) Peace and Development Council made arrangements to ensure every convenience for the members of the Sangha who attended the meeting.
Harmonious efforts of the members of the Sangha and laypersons for purification, promotion and propagation of the Sasana will lead to flourishing of the Dhamma in the entire world.
On behalf of members of Shwekyin Gana in Sri Lanka, Sayadaw Bhaddanta Santindriya supplicated on Dhamma Sandesa Katha in English.

Next, General Maung Aye presented offertories to the Sayadaw of Kangyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Nyaungshwe.
The Secretary-2 then presented offertories to members of the Sangha.
General Maung Aye and party offered 'soon' to the members of the Sangha.
The meeting continues till the day after tomorrow.
Yesterday afternoon General Maung Aye left here by Tatmadaw flight for Taunggyi.
General Maung Aye and party toured Taunggyi.
This morning, the General and party went to Nyaungshwe and attended the Sangha meeting.
In the afternoon, the General left for Yangon by Tatmadaw flight.

(3)Minister inspects mills of Myanma Textile Industries
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, accompanied by Deputy Minister and departmental heads, arrived at No 22 Blanket Mill of Myanma Textile Industries on Lutlatyay Road in Thingangyun Township this morning.
The minister inspected looms and process of blanket production and environs of the mill.
In the briefing hall the minister met the mill manager, officials and personnel and gave necessary instructions.
The minister and party proceeded to No 10 Textile Mill in Mayangon Township and inspected the mill.
He met the mill manager and service personnel and gave instructions on strong and weak points of the mill and works to be done.
At No 9 Textile Mill, the minister and party inspected running of the machines, repair works and production.

(4)Minister meets COMMENCO Vice-Chairman
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met Vice-Chairman Mr Chen De Quan of Complete Machinery & Equipment Engineering Bureau (COMMENCO) of Yunnan Province, the People's Republic of China, and party at his office this afternoon.
Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Industry-2 and officials.

(5)Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments ,and Heads of Consular Divisions ends
YANGON, 14 Dec - The Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions continued for the second day at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning and concluded in the evening.
Officials of ASEAN Secretariat explained, matters relating to immigration and consular affairs and minutes of the. Second ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime.
The delegations of 10 ASEAN member nations took part in the discussions.
Afterwards, the meeting decided,to hold the Fourth Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions in the Philippines in Year 2000.
Then, those present prepared the draft of joint communique and approved the reports of the Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions. The meeting came E to a close in the evening.

(6)Ordination, novitiation of 3,000 students, teachers and personnel of No 3 Basic Education Department (Yangon) held

YANGON, 14 Dec - The No 3 Basic Education Department (Yangon City) held ordination and novitiation ceremony of 3,000 students, teachers and service personnel of schools under the department, who will be entered into the religious order as 100 monks, 2,000 novices and 900 nuns, at Shwedagon Pagoda this morning. The ceremony was attended by Minister for Education U Than Aung.
A total of 3,000 students, teachers and service personnel who will be entered into the religious order took the positions at the north-west corner the pagoda and paid obeisance to the pagoda and recited Parittas.
Then, they themselves received the Five Precepts at the pagoda.
Afterwards, the minister, the deputy minister and officials together with 3,000 students teachers and service personnel who will be entered into the religious order and 150 members of wut association and those carrying robes and articles for use of Buddhist monks went round the pagoda thrice.
Next, a ceremony to donate gold plates to Shwedagon Pagoda was held at old museum Tazaung.
Minister U Than Aung Deputy Minister , directors-general, deputy directors-general and education families of No 3 Basic Education Department (Yangon City) conveyed 24 gold plates worth K 3,618,188 onto the pagoda with the decorated float.
Then, 100 men were ordained, 2,000 boys were novitiated and 900 persons were entered into the religious order in Shweminwun Sasana Yeik-tha in Bahan Township in the afternoon and Kaba Aye Maha Pasana Cave, Mayangon Township in the evening.

(7)Minister meets officials Mandalay Industrial Zone
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minster for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, accompanied by officials, met officials of Mandalay Industrial Zone at Kanaung Hall in the zone on 11 December morning.
The minister gave instructions.
On 12 December morning, the minister looked into the arrangements for opening of an Industrial Training School (Mandalay) at No 1 Motor Workshop of Myanma Auto mobile and Diesel Engine Industries in Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay.
He heard reports on the arrangements presented by Managing Director of MMDEI and then inspected lecture halls, mess, and hostels for teachers and students.
The minister gave instructions on opening the training school as targeted.

(8)Minister inspects loading of machinery onto Z-craft
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, accompanied by officials, inspected loading of machinery onto the Z-craft of Myanma Ceramic Industries at Okkyin Jetty of Irrigation Department this morning.
The machinery-two bulldozers, four tractors, 12 trailers and two cars are to be used in the Oil Palm Project being undertaken by Taung Dagon Oil Mill Ltd on 20000 acres of land in Bokpyin Township, Taninthayi Division.

(9)Banking Services Course 1/99 for Supervisors of MEB concludes
YANGON, 14 Dec - The closing ceremony of Banking Services Course 1/99 for Supervisors of Myanma Economic Bank was held at MEB Branch No 1 on Pansodan Street in conjunction with the opening ceremony of Banking Services Course 2/99 and Financial Management Course 1/99 for Managers.
Minister U Khin Maung Thein made a speech on the occasion, urging bank staff to work systematically and correctly in accordance with the State's objectives at a time when endeavours are being made for political, economic and development of the nation.
A total of 52 trainees are attending the course for supervisors, 27 trainees the course for managers and 50 financial management course.

(10)Minister meets entrepreneurs of Hong Kong
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin met Mr Tsui Sze Man of Hong Kong Association of International Investment and a ten-member team who called at his office at 2 pm today.
Also present at the call were Managing Director of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications and officials.

(11)Minister meets investors from Hong Kong
YANGON, 14 Dec - Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel met the 17-member business delegation led by Chairman Mr Hui Chi Ming of Hong Ekong Association of International Investment of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Adviser Mr Tsui Sze Man at his office this afternoon.
Also present at the call were officials of the Foreign Economic Relations Department and the National AFTA Unit.

(12)Joint Press Statement Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions

YANGON, 14 Dec - The following is the Joint press statement issued at the end of the Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions today.
The Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions of ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs was held on 13-14 December 1999 in Yangon, Myanmar. The meeting was chaired by U Maung Htay, the Director-General of Immigration and National Registration Department of the Union of Myanmar.
The respective ASEAN delegations were led by Awang Sa Bali bin Abas, Acting Director, Immigration and National Registration, Brunei Darussalam; General Prok Saroeun, Director of Immigration Department, Ministry of Interior, Cambodia; Mr H B Lapian, Director of Immigration Information, Director- General of Immigration, Department of Law and Legislation, Indonesia; Colonel Khammouane Savaivanh, Deputy Director-General of General Security Department and Director-General of the Immigration Department, Ministry of Interior, Laos; Dato' Aseh bin Haji Che Mat, Director-General of Immigration, Malaysia; U Maung Htay, Director-General, Immigration and National Registration Department, Myanmar; Atty Rufus B Rodriguez, Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, the Philippines; Mr Lu Cheng Yang, Director, Immigration and Registration, Singapore; Mr Chaisiri Anamarn, Director-General, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry, of Foreign Affairs, Thailand; Mr Le Van Thinh, Acting Director-General of Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vietnam; and Mr Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN.
In his welcoming address, HE U Saw Tun, the Minister for Immigration and Population of the Union of Myanmar, emphasized the need for easy communication and access to all ASEAN member countries to strengthen regional unity and identity, enhance economic cooperation and facilitate closer economic integration. He also stressed the importance of modernization to spur regional development and to keep pace with technological advances in the developed countries.
Framework for ASEAN Cooperation on Immigration Matters
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs fully recognized the urgent need for greater cooperation on immigration matters to support ASEAN initiatives including efforts towards closer economic integration, the move to facilitate greatest intra ASEAN tourism and the fight against transnational crime. They agreed to meet on an annual basis to coordinate regional cooperation on immigration matters so they could effectively contribute to the achievement of ASEAN goals. In this regard, they welcomed and supported the ASEAN Vision 2020 and the Hanoi Plan of Action adopted by the ASEAN Heads of Government State, which would guide the future directions of ASEAN.
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs agreed to establish an Adhoc High-Level Experts Group on Immigration Matters to undertake the following:
a. To develop an institutional framework for ASEAN cooperation on immigration matters;
b. To develop a plan of action on immigration matters encompassing the objectives, scope, strategies, mechanisms, modalities and funding arrangements; and
c. To establish a directory of immigration focal points to establish a network among the immigration authorities in ASEAN, especially in the area of law enforcement.
The Meeting of the Ad-hoc High-Level Experts Group on Immigration Matters will be convened in 2000 in the Philippines.
Visa Free Entry Offered by Member Countries to ASEAN Nationals
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs were pleased that most countries in ASEAN had already instituted visa free arrangements for ASEAN nationals and encouraged Member Countries that had yet to provide the facility to consider extending it.
Use of the Smart Cards as Travel Document in ASEAN
The ASEAN Detectors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs agreed to continue discussion on the use of smart cards to facilitate travel within ASEAN.
Harmonization of ASEAN Immigration Disembarkation Cards
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs appreciated the need to harmonize the disembarkation/embarkation card to facilitate business, investment and tourism, and to create an ASEAN identity. They agreed, as a first step, to implement as soon as possible the use of the ASEAN logo on the front page of disembarkation/embarkation card beside the emblem of respective Member Countries.
ASEAN Lanes at ASEAN International Airports
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs supported the Visit ASEAN Millennium Year (VAMY) 2002 campaign to be implemented by the ASEAN National Tourism Organisation (NTOs) and agreed to consider establishing ASEAN lanes to facilitate the increase in tourist arrivals from ASEAN Member Countries as soon as possible.
Combating Transnational Crime
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs welcomed the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime and the ACTC adopted at the Second ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and agreed to work closely with the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime on transnational crime matters.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held in 2000 in the Philippines.
Acknowledgements
The ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and the Heads of Consular Divisions of the ASEAN Ministries of Foreign Affairs expressed their deepest appreciation to the Government and people of the Union of Myanmar for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the meeting.
The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN solidarity and cordiality.

(13)Press conference held on Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions
YANGON, 14 Dec - A press conference on the Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions held in Yangon from 13 to 14 December was held at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this evening.
Present were officials led by Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat Mr Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang, delegates from ten ASEAN member nations, the directors-general on immigration, heads of consular divisions, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Director (News) U Hla Tun, Deputy Chief Editors and editors from dailies, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sein Win, President of MFCC U Sao Kai Hpa, correspondents from foreign news agencies and guests.
Director-General of Immigration and National Registration Department U Maung Htay reported on the meeting.
Mr Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang explained about the joint press statement of the Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Department and Heads of Consular Divisions.
Next, questions asked by journalists were answered by Director-General of the ASEAN Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Aye Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat Mr Immanuel Robert Inkiriwang and Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines Atty Refus B Rodriguez.
The Press conference ended at 6.30 pm.

(14)Photo Exhibition on Scenic Beauty of Japan opened
YANGON, 14 Dec - Photo Exhibition on Scenic Beauty of Japan, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan, opened at the National Museum this morning.
Present on the occasion were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Minister for Culture, ambassadors and staff of foreign missions in Yangon, Director-General of Department of Cultural Institute, Director-General of Archaeology Department, Director-General of Social Welfare Department, officials and guests.
Deputy Minister and Ambassador of Japan Mr Kazuo Askai gave speeches.
They then formally opened the exhibition.
The exhibition displaying 85 paintings of scenic beauty opens daily from 10 am to 64 mill December.

(15)Supplication of representative Sayadaw of Shwekyin Gana in Sri Lanka
YANGON, 14 Dec - The following are the salient points of the supplication of representative Sayadaw Bhaddanta Santindriya of Dhammagavesi Meditation Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
As all we know human beings in the modern world are deficient in values. According to Buddha's teachings the root cause of this is moha. Man cannot see the world as it is so long as he entertains moha.
Current development in the world is only material development such as aeroplanes, skyscrapers and nuclear weapons and highly advanced motorcars. These are only technological and material development that satisfy ordinary mind of human beings only.
We all hope for crime reduction and higher intelligence in man.
If someone understands what is actual and what is true in the world with intelligence, he can overcome moha. To be able to do so, we must train mind.
If we can promote efficiency in the control of mind and ability to see the truth, the world will become better and tensions will be reduced.
We have to begin new mind training programme in order to practise this method. Instead of using traditional method, we would like to propose application of audio, video and electrical communications method for Vipassana meditation in the near future.
There-are 150 members of the Sangha, 73 Samaneras, 24 monasteries and 30 meditation centres in Sri Lanka as of 4 August 1999.
May I propose to award scholarships to Sri Lankan members of the Sangha who have learned Myanmar meditation and Three canons, to establish a religious associations that will not cause any opposition between Hinayana and Mahayana Ganas and to give assistance for strengthening of Myanmar-Sri Lanka Shwekyin Sasana relations.
Wish all the living beings to be healthy and well.

(16)ASEAN delegates visit Shwedagon, Gems Emporium
YANGON, 14 Dec - The delegates attending the Third Meeting of ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Departments and Heads of Consular Divisions, accompanied by Director U Thant Zin of Immigration and National Registration Department of the Ministry of Immigration and Population and officials, visited Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.
In the afternoon, the delegates visited Myanmar Gems Emporium of Myanma Gems Enterprise.

(17)45 members resign from Letpadan Township NLD
YANGON, 14 Dec - Forty-five members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Letpadan Township, Bago Division.
Forty-five members of Letpadan Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own volition, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Letpadan Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 21 October 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(18)WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Dec 13 was 33.0 °C (91°F)
Minimum temperature on Dec 14 was 19.5 °C (67°F)

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