N980412

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
( Tuesday, 25 July 2000)

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Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on board Thonlutaukpa Yadana Shwephaunadaw (barge) heads for Yangon
Secretary-1 inspects construction of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa), Myittha Bridge (Kalewa) and Monywa-Kalewa Road
Chief of Staff (Army) presents prizes to winners in Performing Arts Competitions
Minister for Energy meets Ambassador of Japan
Seminar on development of human resources begins
Malaysian delegation concludes visit
Conveying ceremony of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image packed with pilgrims
AWB donates K 6m for development of Shan State (South)
Seminar on production of teaching aids on CAPS for women and girls opened
Winners announced for Photo Competition of Under-16 Youth Soccer Qualifiers
Sixth ISD Sepak Takraw Competition begins
National Sports Administrators Course opened
33 Monyo NLD members resign of own accord
Voters of Shwedaung Township unanimously petition for dissolving Pessimist NLD

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(1) Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on board Thonlutaukpa Yadana Shwephaunadaw (barge) heads for Yangon
YANGON, 24 July- An auspicious ceremony to convey Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on board Thonlutaukpa Yadana Shwephaungdaw (barge) from Yadana Shwephaungdaw Jetty at the foot of Sakyintaung in Madaya, Township Mandalay Division to Yangon was held at Mingala Mandat and the jetty at 8 am today, with an address by Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, on behalf of the Government of the State Peace and Development Council At 5 am, laymen offered flowers, water, soon . and E s to Image. Meanwhile, members of wut associations recited
religious verses. Culture Mingala boat troupes took designated places.
Assistant Director U Khin Maung Win of Mandalay Division Religious Affairs Department acted as master of ceremonies.
The ceremony was opened with reciting Namo Tassa three times. The Secretary- I said that the ceremony to convey Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is an auspicious occasion which can be met once during a span of over 100 years, and those who did meritorious deeds in their past existences can meet it; during the reign of King Mindon, the ceremony to convey Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image from Sakyintaung was held; only after 136 years elapsed, the State Peace
and Development Council has the chance to hold the conveying ceremony of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni; the ceremony is held again only after two or three generations passed; it is not enough to say that the ceremony is held only once in a life time; it should be said that the auspicious ceremony is a noble and significant one which can be experienced only after a span of two or three generations.
In the Union of Myanmar where Sasana is flourishing as it was in the life-time of the Buddha, in the time of the State Peace and Development. Council, stone sculptor U Taw Taw happened to find an unusually
large marble rock, 37 feet and 7 inches long and 24 feet wide and over 11 feet thick; it is flawless and of high quality; U Taw Taw asked for permission from leaders of State to carve the marble rock into a
Buddha Image; under the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, the Secretary-l himself inspected the marble rock, and reported to the Senior General
that it was very appropriate to carve the marble rock into a Buddha Image for public obeisance; Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance that it
should be conveyed to Yangon for public obeisance as there are Kyauktawgei Buddha Images in Sagaing, Inwa, Amarapura and Mandalay in Upper Myanmar; Sayadaws also gave Ovada on carving
the marble rock into a Buddha Image in accord with religious traditions.
Chairman of Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon U Thaung Han had drawn a design to carve a sublime Buddha image. Sculptor U Aung Thwin carved a model image in accord with the design. Sculptor U Taw Taw and party are carving the image and 60 per cent of work has been completed to date. The statue will become the highest Buddha image in the world.
As no crane can lift and no bridge can withstand the 500-ton image, plans were made to convey the image on board a barge along the river. The barge carrying the image will leave the jetty for Yangon at 9 am. A large number of Buddhist laity will pay obeisance to the image along the river. The Sayadaws who are on board the ship in the forefront of the flotilla will recite parittas all along the way. Laypersons will also recite parittas continuously.
The image will arrive fat Yangon after 12 days of journey along the river. It will be welcomed at the jetty with a grand religious ceremony.
T he Secretary-l thanked the Sayadaws, U Taw Taw and party, the Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation and staff, traditional artists and designers, the Deputy Minister for Transport and staff, the Commander of Central Command, local authorities, departmental personnel, officials led by Minister for Religious Affairs, donors and people for their contributions in carving and conveying the image in the respective sectors.
Adviser to the Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Min Kyi read out the Mawgun verse for conveyance of the image. Then, Alodawpyay Sayadaw, Secretary-l Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party sprinkled scented water on the image. Mingala boat troupes sang Hlaydaw Thantat songs. Vocalists presented religious songs to the accompaniment of Mingala harp troupe and Mingala Sidawgyi orchestra troupe. Before the auspicious time, the Secretary-l and party and the congregation kept the Three Yadanas in their mind.
At 9 am, the conveyance of the image on board Thonlutaukpa Yadana Shwephaungdaw (barge) began. Then, the Secretary-l and party performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the
successful completion of the image conveying ceremony. The congregation paid obeisance to the Image and the Teingyar Htidaw hoisting group blew conch shells and beat the royal drum add gong.
Afterwards, U Than Hla of Teingyar Htidaw hoisting group shared merits gained. Later, the ceremony ended with the reciting Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titthatu- three times.
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(2) Secretary-1 inspects construction of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa), Myittha Bridge (Kalewa) and Monywa-Kalewa Road
YANGON, 24 July- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party, accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, left the Central Institute of
Civil Service (Upper Myanmar) in PyinOoLwin for Monywa by helicopter on 23 July.
The Secretary-l and party went to Mindauk Village where Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) is to be built. Sagaing Division Superintending Engineer of Public Works U Kyaw Tint and Officiating Deputy Director of Military Engineers Lt-Col Than Tun reported on the project of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa), engineering works and preparations for construction of the bridge.
The Secretary-l then gave instructions on completion of the bridge as scheduled through coordination between Directorate of Military Engineers and Public Works. Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) linking Mindauk Village in Monywa Township and Letkhokepin Village in Salingyi Township will be built. The bridge is of reinforced concrete type and 4,536 feet long and 28 feet wide.
Monywa-Ahlon-Yagyi-Myoma-Kalewa Motor Road is also being built. On completion of the bridge and the road, the 160 miles journey from Monywa to Kalewa can be cut down up to 120 miles, and about 40
miles saved. Pathein and Monywa will have a direct link on the west bank of Chindwin River thanks to Pathein-Monywa Road.
On completion of the Monywa-Ahlon-YagyiMyoma-Kalewa Road, transportation and the standard of economic and social life of the people in 60 villages along the road will improve.
The Monywa-AhlonYagyi-Myoma-Kalewa Road will be the shortest one linking Sagaing Division and Chin State and it will contribute toward development of Chin State as well as Naga region. It will also
bring about regional development and progress of standard of living of local people and national solidarity. The road will be the shortest one linking border areas of India and it will help develop bilateral
border trade and economy of the State.
Officials concerned are making efforts for early completion of Chindwin Bridge (Monywa) and the Monywa-Ahlon-Yagyi-Myoma-Kailua Road in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe. The Secretary-l and party went to Letkhokepin Village on west bank of Chindwin River by boat.
The. Secretary-l and party inspected construction of 20 mile four-lane earth road from Letkhokepin Village to Chaungma Village. At the briefing hall, Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win and Monywa-Kailua Road Construction in-charge Col Soe Thein reported on progress of work in section by section.
The Secretary-l then gave instructions. The Secretary-l and party inspected progress of work of the Monywa-Ahlon-Yagyi- Myoma-Kalewa Road. The Secretary-l and party arrived at Yebyu Village of Yagyi Village-tract in Kani Township where they were welcomed by Tactical Operations Commander Col Hla Ngwe and members of Kani Township Peace and Development Council, departmental personnel, members of USDA and local people. At the briefing hall, the Secretary-l met with health and education staff and looked into their requirements. He then- presented construction materials and K 100,000 for the new building of Yebyu Village. Minister for Education U Than Aung also presented necessary provisions to the school.
Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein presented cash donations for the dispensary in Yagyi Village-tract. In Kalewa Township, the Secretary- 1 and party inspected Myittha Bridge (Kalewa) Project. They observed the chosen site to build the bridge and the axis.
Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe and officials reported on choosing of the site to build the bridge, finding of the axis, soil condition and the type of the bridge.
The Secretary-l attended to their needs, saying, as the Monywa-Kalewa Road is being built with greater momentum, efforts should be made to complete the bridge as scheduled. Simultaneous completion of the road and the bridge will ensure direct link between Monywa and Tamu at Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Rajadhamma-bhivamsa. They also presented offertories to the Sayadaw. The Secretary-l and party then inspected construction of a four-storey building in the compound of the Masoeyein Taikthit. They spent the night at Nanmyo Guest House.
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(3) Chief of Staff (Army) presents prizes to winners in Performing Arts Competitions
YANGON, 24 July-The prize presentation ceremony for the Performing Arts Competitions organized by Production Unit (Public Relations) was held at Yannyeinaye Hall on Parami Road in Mayangon Township this afternoon, attended 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.
Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint of the Ministry of Defence reported on the purpose of the competitions.
At the prize presentation ceremony, Lt-Col Chit Swe, Lt-Col San Nyein and Daw Mya Mya Yin, wife of Brig-Gen Aung Myint of the Ministry of Defence presented prizes to winners in men s and women's oldies and modern song contests. Lt-Col Myint Ko Ko and Lt-Col Thaung Aye presented prizes to winners in dance and orchestra contests Col Kyaw Myint and Brig-Gen Aung Myint presented prizes to winners in orchestra and modern music troupe contest.
Chief of Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min presented prizes to winners in solo drum and comedian contests.
Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint s wife Daw Khin Pyone and the Chief of Staff (Navy) s wife Daw Aye Aye presented prizes to winners in Anyeint contest. Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint presented prizes to winners in comedian group and orchestra events of the Anyeint contest.
Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo presented first, second and thirds prizes to Defence Services TV Production Unit, No 2 Mobile Public Relations Unit and No 4 Mobile Public Relations Unit respectively
in Anyeint contest.
Then, Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint presented gifts to members of Panel of Judges. The Chief of Staff (Army) presented gifts to those who took part in the entertainment programme. After the ceremony, the Chief of Staff (Army) posed for documentary photo together with prize winners and artistes.

(4) Minister for Energy meets Ambassador of Japan
YANGON, 24 July-Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi met Ambassador of Japan to the Union of Myanmar Mr Shigeru Tsumori at his office on Pyay Road at 4 pm today. Also present at the call were
Deputy Ministers U Tin Tun and Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Director-General U Soe Myint of Energy Planning Department and officials.

(5) Seminar on development of human resources begins

YANGON, 24 July - A seminar on development of man resources was held the assistance of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at the International Business Center on Pyay Road this morning.
The seminar was aimed enabling small and medium size entrepreneurs to participate in the internal economic circle and to promote their management skills.
Minister Brig-Gen Abel said that the seminar is a pilot plan for the development of: human resources in Mekong region; the topics to be discussed at the seminar cover agricultural businesses, handicrafts and
tourism; rich in natural and human resources in Asia region, Myanmar is carrying out land reclamation and striving to speed up agricultural production; private entrepreneurs are working in the agriculture
sector; as regards handicrafts and tourism, Myanmar is endowed with. breathtaking landscapes, beach resorts, ancient cities and pagodas.
Then, Director of International Trade and Industrial Division of ESCAP Mr Ravi Sawhney, Japanese Ambassador Mr Shigeru Tsumori, Thai Ambassador Mr Pensak UMFCCI U Win Myint made speeches.
The seminar will continue till 29 July.
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(6) Malaysian delegation concludes visit
YANGON, 24 July-A ten-member delegation led by Secretary Mr Haji Mustapha Yaakub of International Relation Bureau, UMNO Party, Malaysia, who arrived here at the invitation of the Union Solidarity
Development Association left for home this morning.
They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by member of Central Executive Committee of USDA Col Thaik Tun and officials.

(7) Fund-Raising Sub-committee (Ygn) for conveying Lawka Chanth Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image meets
YANGON, 24 July-The Fund Raising Subcommittee (Yangon) for Conveying; Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Buddha Image held the fourth coordination at the Meeting at the 2 of the City Hall of Yangon City Development Committee this afternoon. Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Sub-Committee Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, the secretary of the Sub-Committee and members, officials and guests. They discussed arrangements to accept the donations from well-wishers for conveying the Buddha Image. Well-wishers donated over K 12.7 m to the trust fund of the Buddha Image at two donation ceremonies. The third donation will be held at the City Hall at I pm on 26 July. Those wishing to make donations may contact phone numbers 665621, 660470 and 661275 of Ministry of Religious Affairs and 251417, 282330 and 282534 of Budget and Accounts Department of YCDC.

(8) AWB donates K 6m for development of Shan State (South)
YANGON, 24 July - A ceremony to present K six million donated by Asia Wealth Bank for development of Shan State (South) was held yesterday at the town hall in Taunggyi.
Present were Secretary of Shan State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Win Maung and members, Adviser to Shan State Peace and Development Council U Kyaw Mya, departmental officials, Vice-
Chairman of AWB U Aik Tun, guests and staff. Adviser U Kyaw Mya expressed thanks for the donation.
Vice-Chairman U Aik Tun presented the donation to U Kyaw Mya. People deposited over 1000 billion kyats in AWB during five years. AWB has already opened 38 branches and Taunggyi branch on 7 June
1997. Deposit of the people of Taunggyi increased up to K 5.4 billion. AWB disbursed over K 580 million on loan to entrepreneurs.
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(9) Seminar on production of teaching aids on CAPS for women and girls opened
YANGON, 24 July-Seminar on Production of Teaching Aids on Continuous Assessment Pogramme System for women and girls was opened at Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre in Myanmar Educational
Research Bureau this morning Present were Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, the directors general and chairmen of departments and boards, advisers at the Ministry of Education,
the rectors, Chairman of Management Board of Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre U Than Oo, members of formal and non-formal education work committees for education for all, resident representatives of UN agencies, guests and participants. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung made a speech. Chairman of MERB U Myint Han also spoke and participants discussed matters on education for all in Myanmar. The seminar continues till 31 July.

(10) Winners announced for Photo Competition of Under-16 Youth Soccer Qualifiers
YANGON, 24 July- Sports and Physical Education Department and Myanmar Photographic Society announced winners who took part in the Photo Competition for the 9th Asian Zone-9 Under-16 Youth
Soccer Qualifiers.
In the competition, Hlaing Myint Myat (North Okkalapa) was first, Cherry Pe Aung second, Ko Phone third and consolation prize winners were Nyunt Hlaing Win (SPED), Soe Nyunt (Ashaygyi), UNESCO
Tun Aung Kyaw and Maung Maung Hla Myint of Dagun journal. The prize presentation ceremony will be held at the National Indoor Stadium-l at 1 pm on 26 July.
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(11) Sixth ISD Sepak Takraw Competition begins
YANGON, 24 July-A ceremony to open the sixth ISD Sepak Takraw Competition was held at Indoor Stadium of Aung San Stadium this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanma Olympic Committee
Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Secretary of Myanma Olympic Committee Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Thaung Htaik, Deputy Director-General Lt-Col
Thein Aung and officials, patrons of Myanmar Women s Sports Federation, Vice-President of Myanmar Sepak Takraw Federation Police Lt-Col Maung Ko (Retired) and executives, distinguished
guests, players and fans.
The players took position in the field and returned the championship shields won in the previous year to the minister. Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint gave a speech and opened the competition. The players recited Four Oaths of Sports and the matches were held. The competition will be held up to 2 August and the admission fee is K 50 per head.

(12) National Sports Administrators Course opened
YANGON, 24 July-National Sports Administrators Course sponsored by International Olympic Committee was opened this morning at Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna, addressed be Also present were General Secretary of MOC Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department Col Thaung Htaik, officials, members of MOC, guests, course instructors and trainees. Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint then addressed the opening of sports instructor course No 5 for basic education teachers at 9 am at Institute of Sports and Physical Education. Also present were Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, Director General of SPED Col Thaung Htaik, Director-General of Education Planning and Training Department U Bo Win, officials, presidents and secretaries of sports federations, Principal of the Institute U Kyaw Soe Myint,
instructors, guests and trainees. Fifty-four trainees are attending the eight-week course.

(13) 33 Monyo NLD members resign of own accord
YANGON, 24 July-Thirty-three members resigned from the National League for Democracy of Monyo Township, Bago Division. Thirty-three members of Monyo Township NLD, Bago Division, of their own
accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to Monyo Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned of n 8 Novembers l999 as they no longer wished to
participate in party politics of NLD.

(14) Voters of Shwedaung Township unanimously petition for dissolving Pessimist NLD
YANGON, 24 July- The people from Shwedaung Township, Bago Division, expressed no support for pessimist National League for Democracy and petitioned for dissolving NLD at three rallies on 24 June
morning. A total of 12,110 people from three wards and 20 Villagetract rallied at Thayettaw Ward Sports Grounds. On behalf of attendance s, former executive of Shwedaung Township NLD U Nyunt Tin of
Mindekyun Village expressed no support for pessimist NLD and petitioned for dissolving it. U Thein Htay of Kyanigan Village, on behalf of attendance s, presented petitions signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub commission Township Law Officer Daw Hla Kyi.
Similarly, 7,650 people from 19 village-tracts rallied in Mayaman Village Sports Grounds. On behalf of attendance s, former executive of Shwedaung Township NLD U Kyaw Htwe of Pwetha Village expressed no support for pessimist NLD and petitioned for dissolving it. U Tin Tun of Ohhteingon Village, on behalf of attendance s, resented petitions signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission U Aung Kyi. Likewise, 8,360 people from 12 village-tracts rallied in Kywedalin Ward Basic Education Middle School.
On behalf of attendance s, former Shwedaung Township NLD township affairs in charge U Kyaw Kyaw Oo of Htangon Village expressed no support for pessimist NLD and petitioned for dissolving it. U Than Htay of Thayetgon Village, on behalf of attendance s, presented petitions signed by the people to member of Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub commission Township judge U Kyin Tin. The ceremonies ended with chanting of the slogan Our Three Main National Causes. There are 78,739 eligible voters in Shwedaung Township. The number of people, who expressed no support for NLD and signed the petitions for dissolving it, is 73,039 people or 92.76 per cent.

WEATHER REPORT
TODAY
Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 25th, June 2000: One or two rains or rainshowers. Degree of certainty is 80%.

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