N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Tuesday, 28 December 1999)

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State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Nepal
State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Tajikistan
Senior General Than Shwe sees off goodwill delegation led by Secretary-2 to Lao PDR
Senior General Than Shwe inspects construction, regional development and agriculture projects in Yangon Division
Ceremony to mark 1999-2000 School Family Day held
Construction Minister inspects Gonnyindan Bridge Project
IRD holds quarterly meeting
Minister for Industry-1 inspects soap factory project in Mandalay
Basic Printing Training Course No 1/99 opens
National Convention Convening Commission meets
Workshop on Health Challenges and Opportunities in Twenty First Century opened
Medicines and medical equipment handed over to charity, hospitals
Financial Management Course opened
Over 130 kilos of Ephedrine powder seized in Kalay
169 members resign from HinO-chaung Village-tract NLD, Ngaputaw Township
WEATHER

(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Nepal
YANGON, 28 Dec - On the auspicious occasion of the Birthday of the King of Nepal which falls on 28.December 1999, 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 Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikraun Shah Dev, King of Nepal.

(2) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Tajikistan
YANGON, 28 Dec - Senior General, Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Akil Akilov who has been appointed as Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan.

(3) Senior General Than Shwe sees off goodwill delegation led by Secretary-2 on its departure for Lao PDR
YANGON, 27 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe saw off a Myanmar goodwill delegation led by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Bureau of Special Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo who left here by special flight from Yangon International Airport at 8 am today to pay a goodwill visit to Lao PDR at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Lt-Gen Choummaly Sayasone of Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Members of the delegation were Commander of Triangle Region Command, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Minister for Commerce, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Minister for Religious Affairs and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information.

(4) Senior General Than Shwe inspects construction, regional development and agriculture projects in Yangon Division
YANGON, 27 Dec - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe inspected construction projects, regional development undertakings and agriculture in Taikkyi, Hmawby and Htantabin townships in Yangon Division today.
On arrival at the project, they were welcomed by Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor of Yangon U Ko Lay, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe, Commander of Phugyi Station Brig-Gen Saw Hla Min, heads of department and officials.
At the project site, the Senior General and party heard a report presented by Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun on progress in building of the bridge ,and the implementation status of the project ; and the status of inventory was presented by Project Director Superintending Engineer U San Nyein.
Efforts should be made for completion of the bridge and the related roads on scheduled, the Senior General stressed. At Kyainn region, Taikkyi Township, the Senior General and party observed paddy fields at the Kyainn Farm of YCDC. Senior General Than Shwe and party then went to the Central Station of Uto Farm of YCDC at Uto region, Taikkyi Township. They inspected cultivation of Marubeni and Sima special high yield paddy.
They then inspected harvesting and cultivation of paddy along the roads linking the Central Station and Sabagaing Fax and the Club House and the Golf Course on a motorcade.
In giving counsel, Senior General Than Shwe stressed the need to implement agriculture, livestock breeding and distribution projects to facilitate the food sufficency of the city dwellers in a certain way.
The Senior General and party inspected documentaries on YCDC’s implementation of agriculture, livestock breeding, transport and regional development tasks.
They then inspected use of machines in reclaiming land near the resort.
In the afternoon, the Senior General and party helicoptered to Bawle River Bridge (Yebawthoung) linking Yebawthoung village in Htantabin Township and Minhlawa village in Taikkyi Township on Bawle River.
On arrival there they were welcomed by officials.
After inspecting the project, they heard the reports presented by Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Project Director Superintending Engineer U San Nyein., on progress in construction of the bridge
Senior General Than Shwe gave counsel.
The Senior General and party then went to wetland reclamation project which is being jointly implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and Dagon Agriculture Group at Kyaman village, Htantabin Township.
At the briefing hall of the project, the Senior General and party heard a report on implementation of land reclamation and agricultural project by Dagon Agriculture Group in 1998-99 and 1999-2000, monsoon cultivation of paddy, plans to put 5,440 acres under summer paddy, use of machinery and progress in implementing the project presented by Chairman of the company U Win Aung.
In his guidance, Senior General Than Shwe said the nation is implementing the market-oriented economic system. In accord with the economic objective , the initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in the hands of the State and the national peoples efforts are being made to the most possible extent in rendering techniques and capital to the national entrepreneurs to take the leading role in the national economic sector.
There may be difficulties and losses due to lack of experience in the field of technology. National entrepreneurs should exercise patience and perseverance in overcoming such difficulties. The government will give necessary assistance to them.
They left for Yangon by helicopter at 3.50 pm.

(5) Ceremony to mark 1999-2000 School Family Day held
YANGON, 27 Dec - A ceremony to mark the 1999-2000 School Family Day held at the facade of Diamond Jubilee Hall in Kamayut Township this morning was attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.
The School Family Day was observed with the objectives to turn out good citizens and scholars with innovative and creative qualities, who will build and defend a peaceful, modern and developed nation, to speed up educational activities undertaken in 20th century to 21 st century with momentum, and to turn out persons who fully understand the norms of social life for the future State, and to turn out good sons and daughters who can uphold morale, civics, traditional culture and national character with patriotism and Union spirit for the State, to link progress on international knowledge, techniques and communication technology for human resources development and to raise momentum of work by honouring the efforts of higher and basic education sectors under the education promotion programmes.
Altogether 14 students formally opened the ceremony.
Students of BEHS No1 in Kamayut and BEHS No 1 in Kyimyindine sang a song ‘shwenaing-ngan-ei -myo-set-thit-myar’ composed by Kyauktan Myint Sein (Education) and students of BEHS NO 2 in Sangyoung and BEHS NO 2 in Kamayut ‘pyinnyaryay-sone-nyi-pywe-daw’ composed by Hinthada Myint Ngwe.
Next, students of No1 BEHS in Kyimyindine, No 1 BEHS in Lanmadaw and BEPSs in Thanlyin and Insein Townships performed dobat and Ozi.
Flag bearing team comprising students of BEHS No 6 in Botahtaung marched holding the State Flag.
Band troupes of BEHS in Kamayut, Latha and Dagon, Sangyoung and Mingala Taungnyunt Townships marched and schoolboys of No 5 BEPS in Dagon performed Myanma traditional thaing skill.
The Secretary-1 and party inspected booths of six universities, Universities’ Central Library, Ministry of Information and local and foreign publishing houses at the educational book fair, handicraft, art, Myanma traditional handicraft and Domestic science books of No 1, 2 and 3 Basic Education Departments, education promotion programme booth of Education Planning and Training Department, physics, chemistry, geography and geology booths of Yangon University, Model Media; Classroom and Media Classroom and IT and Education in Myanmar 2000-booth at Diamond Jubilee Hall.

(6) Construction Minister inspects Gonnyindan Bridge Project
YANGON, 27 Dec - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by officials, inspected progress in building Yangon-Hsamalauk-Maubin Road yesterday.
The minister and party inspected rock laying; at Maubin-Kyaiklat Road.
At Gonnyindan Bridge Project in Kyaiklat Township, the minister heard a report on piling of the central pier, cap piling, concrete laying and progress in implementing the project presented by officials.
In giving suggestions, the minister said safety measures should be taken to prevent strive for,completion of the bridge as scheduled.
Linking Kyaiklat and Pyapon in Ayeyawady Division, the reinforced concrete bridge is 1,940 feet long and can bear 60-ton loads.
Personnel of Public Works are working overtime for soonest completion of the bridge.

(7) IRD holds quarterly meeting
Y ANGON, 27 Dec - Internal Revenue Department held the third quarterly meeting for fiscal 1999-2000 this morning at the department.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein said revenues are important for every country. The nation is systematically spending the revenues in implementing health, social, transport, education and border area development projects. The taxation of IRD should be consistent with the changing conditions.
The meeting sought means to develop IRD’s functions.
Course No 18 for Township IRD Officers concluded at the department at 10 am.

(8) Minister for Industry-1 inspects soap factory project in Mandalay
YANGON, 27 Dec - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung yesterday arrived at soap factory project (Mandalay) and inspected installation of machinary manufactured by Seinban Industrial Producers’ Cooperative Society. Also inspected were oil tanks, water tanks and construction projects.
The minister gave instructions on systematic installation of machinery and safety.
The minister met officials of the factory and Chairman of Seinban Industrial Producers’ Cooperative Society at the briefing hall.
He said the project is being implemented for distribution of soap at reasonable price to the people in upper Myanmar.
He gave instructions for timely opening of the factory in February 2000.

(9) Basic Printing Training Course No 1/99 opens
YANGON, 27 Dec - Basic Printing Training Course No 1/99 of Printing and Publishing Enterprise opened with an address by Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung. at GTC printing factory in Aungsan Township this morning,
The course was conducted with the objective of increasing the number of skilled persons in printing.
Minister Maj-Gen Kyi Aung made a speech.
The 15-week course is being attended by 20 trainees from Ministries of Defence and Information.
The minister inspected GTC printing factory, and its workshop, warehouses, building under PPE and Aungsan printing factory.

(10) National Convention Convening Commission meets
YANGON, 27 Dec - National Convention Convening Commission meeting held at the meeting hall of NCCC at 2 pm today was attended by Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and commission members.
Meeting Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin made a speech on the occasion.
Secretary of NCCC, National Convention-Convening Work Committee and National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on matters concerning National Convention.
This was followed by a general round of discussions.
The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by Commission Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin.

(11) Workshop on Health Challenges and Opportunities in Twenty First Century opened
YANGON, 27 Dec - A ceremony to open the workshop on Health Challenges and Opportunities in the Twenty First Century was held at the meeting hall of Medical Research Department this morning, with an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.
Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo presided over the deleberation to 13 papers were presented by resource persons..
Resource persons presented 13 papers to the workshop.
The workshop will continue up to 2 January 2000.

(12) Medicines and medical equipment handed over to charity, hospitals
YANGON, 27 Dec - London-based Maymyo Expatriates Charitable Trust sent 42 boxes of medicine and medical equipment to Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s Office Brig-Gen Abel to donate to charity hospitals.
The minister invited the officials of the charity hospitals Muslim Hospital, Jivitadaha Sangha Hospital, the hospital of St Francis Convent and Tiger Parahita School and handed over the donations to them. The officials of the hospitals spoke words of thanks.

(13) Financial Management Course opened
YANGON, 27 Dec - A ceremony to open Financial Management Course No 8 held at the training hall of Directorate of Industries of the Ministry of Industry-l this morning, was attended by Minister U Aung Thaung.
Altogether 38 trainees of departments and enterprises under the ministry are attending the eight-week course.

(14) Over 130 kilos of Ephedrine powder seized in Kalay
YANGON, 27 Dec - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information, searched the house of Kam Ciin Lyan in Ward 15, Tahan region of Kalay Township, on 29 November.
The authorities arrested Ma Won Shamar, 32, daughter of U Pyong Zakam and wife of Kam Ciin Lyan who managed to get away.
According to the confession of Ma Won Shamar, the combined team searched another house in the same ward and seized 134.504 kilos of Ephedrine powder in four polyethylene bags kept upstairs of the house.
Action is taken against her under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

(15) 169 members resign from HinO-chaung Village-tract NLD, Ngaputaw Township
YANGON, 27 Dec - A ceremony to submit resignations of 169 members of National League for Democracy of HinO-chaung Village-tract, Ngaputaw Township, Ayeyawady Division, was held in Kanni Village, Ngaputaw Township, on 19 September 1999.
A total of 169 NLD members of HinO-chaung Village-tract, Ngaputaw Township, of their own volition, sent resignations to the party concerned as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
On 19 September afternoon, a ceremony to present resignation letters to HinO-chaung Village-tract Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission was held in Kanni Village, Ngaputaw Township.
NLD member U Thein Aung of Hinachaung Village-tract explained about the reason of the resignation and presented resignation letters to Chairman of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission U Win Myint.

(16) WEATHER
Maximum temperature on Dec 26 was 27.0 °C (81°F)
Minimum temperature on Dec 27 was 10.5 °C (51°F)
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