THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Thursday,   24  February  2000)

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  1. London-Myanmar Open Golf Tournament 2000 (Pro-Am)held
  2. Workshop on AFTA Process and AICO Scheme: opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Myanmar held
  3. Minister meets Japanese guests
  4. National Workshop on Library Database Management begins
  5. Minister for Health inspects hospitals in Bago Div
  6. Renovation of ancient pagodas in MraukU in progress
  7. Minister for CPT inspects postal service, telephone exchange in Kalay, Mandalay
  8. Minister meets Chairman of Daiwa Securities Group
  9. 17 members of Lahu armed group exchange arms for peace
  10. 21 Shwebo Township NLD members resign of own accord
  11. WEATHER
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(1) London-Myanmar Open Golf Tournament 2000 (Pro-Am)held

YANGON, 23 Feb - The London-Myanmar Open Golf Tournament 2000 (Pro-Am), sponsored by Myanmar Golf Federation, Asian Professional Golfers  Association (APGA) and Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, was held at Yangon Golf Club in Danyingon today.

Present were Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin, President of MGF Brig-Gen Win Hlaing and executives, officials of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd and guests.  After the ceremony, officials presented prizes to winners.

Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd hosted dinner for golfers who took part in the tournament at Inya Lake Hotel.

London-Myanmar Open Golf Tournament will begin on 24 February morning.

Altogether 150 golfers from Myanmar and foreign countries will take part in the tournament.

(2) Workshop on AFTA Process and AICO Scheme: opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Myanmar held

YANGON, 23 Feb - Workshop on AFTA Process and AICO Scheme: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Myanmar co-sponsored by Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies and Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan) with the support of National AFTA Unit was held at Wunzinminyazar Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this afternoon. Minister Brig-Gen Abel delivered an address.
 
Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department U Aye Lwin and Executive Director Mr Mohamed Ariff of Malaysia Institute for Economic Research gave opening speeches.

On the first day session Retired Rector U Myat Thein of Institute of Economics read paper on AFTA Process: Process and AICO Scheme: Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs in Myanmar and Mr Mohamed Ariff on ASEAN Cooperation: A Malaysia Perspective.

Group and panel discussions will be held. The workshop continues till 25 February.

(3) Minister meets Japanese guests

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman s Office Brig-Gen Abel met Chairman of Daiwa Fukushi Zaidan Mr Sadakane Doi and Chairman of Daiwa Institute of Research Ltd of Japan Mr Eiichiro Okumoto and party at his office at 10 am today.

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(4) National Workshop on Library Database Management begins

YANGON, 23 Feb - National Workshop on Library Database Management co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization began at Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein said the workshop is a task of Health Literature, Library and Information Services Network, which was initiated by South-East Asian Region World Health Organization in 1979. Myanmar has participated in the network since 1981. Working as the National Focal Point Library, the Medical Research Department rendered assistance in gathering health news from WHO. At present, arrangements are under way to launch the computerized system in collecting news.

Distributing facts on health down to the grassroots levels is included as the task in laying down and implementing health plans in accord with the guidance of the leaders of the State. At the opening of the Myanmar Health Research Paper Reading Session, Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt stressed the need to send the results of health research to the end user and to enable all the people of rural and urban areas, hill and plain regions and the rich and the poor of the nation to enjoy equal benefits from health care activities.

The advanced computer networks will render assistance in systematic collection and effective distribution of health literature, library and information which is vital in successfully implementing the work procedures and guidance. Use of computers in this field will ensure application of resource-sharing method and effectiveness and will reduce cost in the long-run.

The minister elaborated on the use of telecon- ferencing in the health sector of some developed countries. He said preparations should be made to introduce advanced systems such as telemedicine and telecon- ferencing in the nation in enabling her to get abreast with international countries. It is vital for the medical experts, librarians, computer experts and communication experts to make collective preparations in introducing the systems.

Participants should effectively use their knowledge gained at the meeting in the functions of the respective departments and in rendering assistance for the successful implementation of the guidelines of the ministry.

Deputy Director-General of MRD (Lower Myanmar) Dr Soe Thein, on behalf of the director-general, extended greetings.

The workshop continues till 25 February.

Also present were directors-general and rectors of departments and universities under the Ministry of Health, deputy directors-general, officials of WHO, librarians of medical libraries, librarians of WHO (Myanmar) and guests.

(5) Minister for Health inspects hospitals in Bago Div

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, accompanied by officials, inspected Thongwa Township People s Hospital in Yangon Division yesterday morning.

The township medical officer took the minister and party on a tour of the hospital.

The minister spoke of the need for health staff to always observe their code of conduct, to found trust funds for poor patients at the hospital, and to strive for advancement of hospital and attended to the needs.

He also inspected Khayan Township People s Hospital.

In the afternoon, the minister inspected Kawa Township, Thanatpin Township and Bago Township People s Hospitals.

In the evening at Bago Township People s Hospital, the minister met the medical superintendent and staff of the hospital and gave instructions.

(6) Renovation of ancient pagodas in MraukU in progress
 
YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Culture U Win Sein inspected renovation of pagodas in ancient cultural region in Rakhine State on 21 February.

At Shitthaung Pagoda in MraukU Township, the minister heard a report on efforts to ensure durability of the stupa and repair of different tiers of the rock htidaw, presented by officials.

The pagoda which is also called Yanaingzeya Stupa was built in 1535 by King Minbagyi and Queen Phwa Saw. Renovation of the main stupa and 21 of the 27 cetis has been completed.
 
Accompanied by officials, the minister inspected renovation of Yadanabon Pagoda, which was built by King Min Khamong and Queen Shin Htwe in 16128. Efforts should be made to restore the original style of the pagoda, stressed the minister.  The minister and party then inspected renovation of Koethaung Pagoda built by Min Teikkha in 1553.  Minister U Win Sein who is also the member of the Secretariat of Union Solidarity and Development Association, met with USDA members at Township USDA Office, explaining the emergence of the association and its aims, functions and work procedures.  USDA members should organize the public thoroughly in looking into the requirements of the people, said the minister.

The next morning, the minister inspected excavation and restoration of the palace wall and the moat in MraukU. Sectorwise renovation of the wall should be conducted, he said.  During inspection of Weteikkon Pagoda near the wall, the minister stressed the need to repair the pagoda in accord with the original style. The pagoda is being renovated through public do- nations.  At Sintpho Pagoda Renovation Project, he inspected religious objects, Buddha statues and the old Sintpho Hill at the pagoda No 2. A retaining wall should be built to prevent erosion of the pagoda compound, stressed the minister. Together with officials, the minister inspected excavation of Nandawgon where he stressed the need to renovate the palace wall sectionwise and to reconstruct a palace building in accord with the original design.

At MraukU Archaeological Research Museum, the minister inspected stone inscriptions, ceramic items, Buddha statues, utensils of MraukU period and silver coins, votive tablets and statues of nats of Vesali, Lemro and MraukU periods. Arrangements should be made to win public interest more, he said. He also met with staff of Archaeological Department.

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(7) Minister for CPT inspects postal service, telephone exchange in Kalay, Mandalay

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin inspected postal, facsimile and telegraphs service and computerised cable service at Kalay Post Office on 21 February.

Officials reported on targets on installation of cable links for extension of 400 auto telephone lines.  The minister inspected auto exchange power system and microwave tower.

Officials reported on construction of Haka-Kalay- Tiddim-Tamu microwave link. The minister gave instructions on completion of the project in time.

The minister inspected Yoma Bank in Kalay.

On 22 February, the minister inspected the building where 4 000-line auto exchange will be installed in Mandalay.

The minister inspected mail services and the vault at Mandalay Post Office.

(8) Minister meets Chairman of Daiwa Securities Group

YANGON, 23 Feb - Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met Chairman of Daiwa Securities Group of Japan Mr Sadakane Doi and party at his office at 2.pm today.

(9) 17 members of Lahu armed group exchange arms for peace

YANGON, 23 Feb - The State Peace and Development Council is implementing the 12 political, economic and social objectives for emergence of a peaceful, modern, developed nation, upholding Our Three Main National Causes. The government is also building national reconsolidation with might and main.

Armed groups have come to realize their past destructive acts that hindered progress of the country and jeopardized the government s correct endeavours and genuine goodwill. Therefore they exchanged arms for peace individually and in groups with the wish to participate in regional development.
 
Company commander U Saw La Mon and 17 others of remnant Lahu armed group exchanged arms for peace bringing together with them one pistol, one carbine, eight M-16s, two M-22 rifles, one Sten gun and rounds of ammunition in the Triangle Region Command area on 21 February.
 
A ceremony to exchange arms for peace was held at regional battalion in Tachilek Township on 22 February.

Present were Tactical Operations Commander of Triangle Region Command Col Soe Thein, Chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thet Naing Win, departmental officials, social organizations and local people numbering 300.

Tactical Operations Commander of Triangle Region Command Col Soe Thein spoke on the occasion.

Chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Thet Naing Win provided cash to those who exchanged armed for peace.

U Saw La Mon, on behalf of those who exchanged armed for peace, repented their misdeed and thanked for warm welcome.

Col Soe Thein greeted those who exchanged arms for peace and presented provisions to them. There are more members of armed groups to exchange arms for peace.

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(10) 21 Shwebo Township NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 23 Feb - Twenty-one members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Shwebo Township, Sagaing Division.

Twenty-one members of Shwebo Township NLD, Sagaing Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Shwebo Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 30 November 1999 as they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.

(11)  WEATHER

Maximum temperature on Feb 22-2-2000 was 36.10C (970F)
Minimum temperature on Feb 23-2-2000 was 20.4 0C (690F)
 

 

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