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Wednesday,   25 October 2000
 ONLINE  EDITION
UN DAY MESSAGE
  1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior   General Than Shwe sends felicitations to kazakhstan
  2. Secretary-1 attends ceremony to mark 55th Anniversary of   United Nations Day
  3. Secretary-1 addresses Seventh AGM of Forest Products   Joint Venture Corporation Ltd
  4. Secretary-1 lays cornerstone for construction of Maha Zaya   Mingala three-storey ordination hall
  5. Myotha Reservoir inaugurated in Ngazun Township
  6. Secretary-2 inspects neem pesticide factory, regional   development tasks in Singaing, TadaU, Ngazun townships
  7. Secretary-3 attends second fourth-monthly coord meeting   of Ministry of Commerce
  8. News in Brief
  9. Prizes presented to winners in essay, poster and painting   competitions to mark 55th anniversary UN Day
  10. 35 Ngazun Township NLD members resign of own accord
(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe   sends felicitations to Kazakhstan

YANGON, 25 Oct-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 Excellency Mr Nursultan A Nazarbayev, President of the   Republic of Kazakhstan, on the occasion of the Day of the Republic of   Kazakhstan which falls on 25 October 2000.

 
Message from Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and   Development Council of the Union of Myanmar on the Occasion of 55th   Anniversary of United Nations Day 
( 24 October 2000 )
The fifty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United   Nations is unique as it marks the very first United Nations day of the new   millennium. It is also the most opportune moment for us to reaffirm our   commitments to the ideals of the United Nations: to unite our strength in the   maintenance of international peace and security and to promote the economic   and social advancement of the peoples the world over. In the past six decades   the United Nations in its tireless efforts for the benefit of mankind have   had remarkable achievements in some areas while in others success proved to   be elusive. 

The twin objectives, set by the founders of the United Nations, peace and   security on one hand and development on the other are interdependent. The   events of the last century have made it abundantly clear that without peace   and security there cannot be economic development. At the same time it is   equally clear that poverty is a threat to peace and security both within and   among nations. Sustainable peace cannot be achieved when the peoples of a   great majority of the member states live in conditions of underdevelopment   and poverty. It is in this respect that alleviation of poverty and to bring   economic development which would enable all peoples of member countries to   enjoy social progress and better standard of life must continue to be a   central goal of the United Nations in the new millennium.

In the intervening years since the founding of the United Nations the world   has achieved rapid economic development. It has brought about unprecedented   material wealth to the developed countries. At the same time it is a tragic   fact that over a billion people in developing countries still live in dire   poverty. The wealth generated from the economic growth has yet to be shared   equitably. It is therefore most gratifying that the recently concluded   Millennium Summit and the ensuing Millennium Declaration put development and   anti-poverty efforts at the center of the United Nations' priorities. It is   our fervent hope that this important goal which has eluded us in the past   would be achieved in the new century. 

United Nations is an Organization of sovereign states. The effectiveness of   the Organization will in a large measure depend on the kind of support and   cooperation that it receives from its component members. To achieve our   cherished goal we must all work together. On this solemn fifty-fifth   anniversary of the United Nations, let us reaffirm our faith in the   Organization and resolve to redouble our efforts for the betterment of both   the present and the future generations. We in Myanmar renew our commitment to   fully cooperate with the Organization in its noble task of bringing economic   progress and social advancement to all peoples. 
 


(2) Secretary-1 attends ceremony to mark 55th Anniversary of United Nations   Day

Yangon, 24 Oct-The 55th Anniversary of United Nations Day was observed at   Thabin Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building on Pyay Road at 6 p.m. today, with   an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the   Union of Myanmar Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were the Secretary-1's wife Dr Daw Khin Win   Shwe, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon   Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and   wife, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, the Chief Justice, the   Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board,   the Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee the Mayor, deputy ministers   and their wives, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Lao People's   Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham, ambassadors, Charges d' Affaires,   diplomats, resident representatives of UN agencies and officials,   directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises,   representatives of Union Solidarity and Development Association, mediamen.   and guests.

The Secretary-1 delivered an address. He said:

Today we again celebrate the Anniversary of the United Nations founded some   55 years ago. Throughout these years the Organization has worked tirelessly   for the benefit of mankind. At the dawn of new millennium, particularly at a   time like this it is only fitting that we ask ourselves what we expect of our  organization in the new century. In pondering all these one thing has come  out abundantly clear' the wisdom, prudence and vision of the founders of the  world body. These are testified to by the continued validity of the  principles of the Charter which have served us well. For the Organization to  continue to fulfil the interest of all in the new millennium the principles  of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, sovereign  equality and non-interference in internal affairs of States should be  respected and scrupulously observed in international relations. In their  wisdom the founders of the United Nations have designed the Organization as  an international organization ' an organization of sovereign nations.  Sovereignty is the firm foundation upon which the edifice of the United  Nations has been built. In fact many of the other principles of international  conduct enshrined in the Charter could be regarded as having their origin in  the concept of sovereignty.

As sovereign members of the Organization, all members have sovereign  equality. As sovereign members we are all guaranteed territorial integrity  and political independence under the Charter. As sovereign states, members  would not like to have others interfering in their internal affairs, nor do  we as members interfere in the internal affairs of other states. These are  the principles that   are enshrined in the Charter. These are the principles which has held our  international system in place. It was therefore heartening that at the  recently concluded Millennium Summit the world leaders recommitted themselves  to the principles of the United Nations Charter and addressed the need to  reform the Organization to make it more responsive to the challenges of the  new Millennium. In the new millennium we are faced with new realities, the  most important of which is globalization. Over the last two decades,  globalization has accelerated, making national economies increasingly  integrated and interdependent. It has affected political, social, cultural  and economic aspects of our life in numerous ways.

Armed conflicts in various parts of the world continue unabated. Global  environment problems including climate change, global warming, sea level rise  and ozone depletion not only threaten our economic well-being but also the  very survival of the human race. In this regard international cooperation on  addressing these issues should be stepped up to save the planet earth. It is  in this area where United Nations' most important mission lies.

Myanmar is a member of ASEAN as well as BIMST-EC, two important organizations  in the region. Our relations with fellow members of these two important  organizations as well as other countries in the region are based on a sprit  of cooperation, accommodation and understanding. Ever since we regained our  independence we have based our foreign relations on the five principles of  peaceful co-existence, principles we helped to enunciate. Mutual respect for  each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression,  non-interference in each other' internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit  and peaceful co-existence are the cardinal principles on which we based our  relations with countries of the region as well as those of the international  community.

One of the basic tenets of Myanmar's foreign policy has been cooperation with  the United Nations. Our trust and confidence in the Organization has been  attested to by the fact that we seek membership of the world body immediately  after independence. In this we are motivated by the validity and the  soundness of the Charter principles. Based on these principles of the  Charter, the United Nations has served the international community well. It  has strived to maintain international peace and security and has at the same  time been providing active support to the developing countries in their  efforts to bring economic development and social progress to their peoples.

Over the years various UN agencies have been active in Myanmar. These  activities range from child immunization projects to reducing the morbidity  of women and children. These include such valuable assistance as providing  safe drinking water to promoting environmental sanitation projects. To put in  a nutshell, we have received valuable support from UN agencies in our effort  to promote human development, provide better health care, promote food  security and in our endeavour to combat the global menace of narcotic drugs.  We are hopeful that the United Nations in the new millennium would be an  organization invigorated by the reform process.

We are hopeful that the United Nations would continue to be guided by its  noble principles enshrined in the Charter' that it would be an Organization  that pays equal attention to safeguarding universal peace as well as  promoting development in all countries that it would cater to all its  members whether big or small that it would ensure all of them the rights and  benefits resulting from membership. We in Myanmar reaffirm our commitment to  cooperate fully with the United Nations to fulfil these noble objectives.

Then, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung read the message sent on the  occasion of the Fifty-fifth Anniversary of the United Nations Day by the  Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar  Senior General Than Shwe. (The message of the Senior General is reported  separately)

Afterwards, Coordinator of UN in Myanmar Mr Patrice Coeur-Bizot also read the  message sent by Secretary-General of the UN Mr Kofi A Annan. The artistes of  the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture performed cultural dances  on the occasion.

(3) Government encouraging private entrepreneurs to emerge as national economic  force

YANGON, 24 Oct - The Seventh Annual General Meeting of the Union of Myanmar  Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation Limited was held at the Head Office  of Forest Department on Bayintnaung Road this afternoon, with an address by  Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were member of the Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung  Than, ministers, departmental heads of departments and enterprises under the  Ministry of Forestry, Chairman of the Forest Products Joint Venture  Corporation Ltd U Bo Ni, Managing Director U Sein Win, members of the Board  of Directors, share holders and specially invited guests.

In his address, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said that unprecedented success  is being achieved in national unity and development while the government is  striving together with the national peoples with nationalistic conviction for  modernization and development of the nation. During this time, the prosperity  of the Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation Ltd formed with the  government's departments and shareholders from among the public is quite  opportune under the correct leadership of the government and with the  cooperation of the national peoples.

Continuing, the Secretary-1 spoke of the history of Myanmar people's  conservation of forests and noted that the government, in keeping with the  fine traditions, is protecting forests for environmental conservation,  continuance of moderate weather conditions, and protection of bio diversity  and eco-systems, although the forest resources are being extracted for  national economy. He stressed the need for the joint venture to join in  accord with the government's forestry policies in the tasks of forest  conservation, establishment of new forests, timber extraction in accord with  Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) Standard, greening of the all regions including  the dry zone and forestry development projects.

In the economic sector, the joint venture has to strive for finding of  foreign markets, increase of production value, fulfilling domestic needs,  boosting production of import substitute products and giving assistance to  other national entrepreneurial services, progress of their own joint venture,  and increase of hard currency earning for the State.

The Secretary-1 noted the Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation Ltd has  made a considerable progress as to the expectations by the government, as it  could distribute timber required for building of industrial zones in various  parts of the country, selling of wood as raw material to the wood-based  industries, and selling of timber for building of local trawlers. In the  joint venture's report stated that it sold over 5,400 tons of sawn timber and  3,000 of plywood to the six industrial zones, and over 57,500 tons of various  wood to the local wood-based industries. It sold over 19,300 tons of sawn  timber for public use at its 76 shops. It exported 57,000 tons of hardwood  logs and over 7,600 tons of tops and lops of teak, and fetched nearly 10  million dollars.

The FPJVC has set up Forest Joint-Venture Trade Centre Ltd, Myanmar China  Hardwoods Products Co Ltd, in cooperation with China National Construction  Equipment Corporation, and Myodaw Furniture Co Ltd, with the cooperation of  Yangon City Development Committee and Myanma Timber Enterprise.

It is also making arrangements to implement Yangon Zoological Garden  All-Round Development Project with the participation of Forest Department.  Extension of its business has led to annual increase in its sales and  profits.

The corporation saw a 96.08 per cent rise in sales value, 71 per cent rise in  sale of goods and 14.86 per cent in net profits when compared to those of the  previous year. Thus, it is paying more and more tax to the State year after  year. It has paid over K 1.076 billion as tax to the State during the seven  years. It is also distributing 30 per cent of its annual profits to  shareholders. FPJVC has sold K 100 million worth of new shares this year.  Thus, the corporation should strive to increase its income. Preparations  should be made to prevent occurring of problems arising from weakness in the  management and monetary control, rising management cost and lack of skilled  intellectuals and staff. Thus, it should ensure systematic functions in every  sector to maintain its success. At present the State is laying down economic  plans for the national economic growth; and the FPJVC should lay down  programmes which are in conformity with the national economic plans.

Laying and implementing of the 30-year National Forest Management Plan is  under way at present for perpetual existence of Myanmar's forest resources.  The tasks and projects of the corporation should play as a sector supporting  the National Forest Management Plan. FPJVC should lay down plans to use and  produce the forest resources in the most effective way, to develop the  wood-base industrial sector, to boost production of value-added forest  products, to extent the market of lesser-used species and to use advanced  equipment for development of the forestry sector. The cooperation should  cooperate as a force in conservation and nurturing of forests, environmental  protection and perpetuation of the bio-diversity and ecosystems. It should  also render assistance to the Survey Department to ensure success in mapping  the entire Myanmar by using UTM system. As a means to promote foreign  exchanging priority should be given to export of value-added wood-based goods  rather than timber in log forms and to find markets for lesser-used species.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged personnel of FPJVC to use the invaluable  national resources in the most effective way for national interest and for  emergence of a modern and developed nation; to strive to boost production,  extend exports and find more markets abroad for national economic progress;  to cooperate in forest conservation and development and environmental  development and conservation tasks in preventing depletion of forests which  are the nation's invaluable heritage.

(4) Secretary-1 lays cornerstone for construction of Maha Zaya Mingala  three-storey ordination hall

YANGON, 24 Oct-The ceremony to lay cornerstone for construction of Maha Zaya  Mingala three-storey ordination hall and the fourth Kathina robe offering  ceremony were held at Bangladesh Kyaungtaik on Myittanyunt Ward in Tamway  Township this evening, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Vice-Chairman of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Dawei  Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Arcinnabhivamsa and members of the  Sangha, the ministers, well-wishers and lay persons.

First, the foundation laying ceremony for construction of Maha Zaya Mingala  three-storey ordination hall was held at the construction site at 4 p.m.  Member of the State Calendar Advisory Committee U Kyaw read the stone  inscription. Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented a silver casket  with nine precious gems to Bangladesh Kyaungtaik Sayadaw U Pannajota who put  the casket in the centre of the foundation.

At the auspicious time, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister Col Tin  Hlaing, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister Col Thein Nyunt, Minister Maj-Gen  Hla Myint Swe, Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister U Aung Khin and Minister  Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe laid the cornerstones.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt planted the stone pillar on the foundation.  Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party sprinkled scented water on the  foundation. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt performed the ritual of golden and  silver showers to mark the success of the ceremony.

Afterwards, the fourth Kathina robe offering ceremony was held at the  Kyaungtaik. The Secretary-1 and party received the Five Precepts from Agga  Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Arcinnabhivamsa. Members of the Sangha recited the  parittas.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented Kathina robes to Bangladesh  Kyaungtaik Sayadaw U Pannajota. Ambassador of Myanmar to Russian Federation U  Tin Soe-Daw Myint Myint Sein and family presented 50 sets of Kathina robe to  Sayadaw U Pannajota. Then, well-wishers presented K 5,120,100 for  construction of Maha Zaya Mingala three-storey ordination hall to the  ministers. Joint-Secretary Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee  Nyaungdon Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Osadhabhivamsa delivered a  sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

(5) Myotha Reservoir inaugurated in Ngazun Township

YANGON, 24 Oct-An inauguration ceremony of Myotha Reservoir built by  Construction-7 of Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and  Irrigation was held at Mingala Mandat in Ngazun Township in Myingyan  District, Mandalay Division this morning, with an address by Secretary-2 of  the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Also present were member of the Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the  ministers, the deputy ministers, officials ,members totalling 20,000. The  Secretary-2 said this region is hot and dry and gets annual rainfall of about  20 inches.

Regular cultivation of crops cannot be undertaken and the region was hit by  droughts annually and therefore local farmers had to work hard, he said. He  quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying that rice is always  needed in Anya region. If it goes on using conventional method, it would be  difficult to become a region enjoying food sufficiency. Progress had not been  made in agricultural production due to scarcity of water. Therefore various  means are being applied to obtain water in nine driest districts. By doing  so, progress will be made and long-term benefits can also be achieved.

The Secretary-2 said in accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior  General Than Shwe, arid zone greening project was laid down and water  resources were explored.

He said altogether 31 dams have been built so far in Mandalay Division since  1988 and they can irrigate over 320,000 acres. Similarly, 63 river-water  pumping stations have been built in Mandalay Division. Lands in Anya regions  have turned into farmlands because of government's endeavours. Farmers  cultivate paddy for their own food and rice sufficiency in the region, he  said.

He spoke of the need for the farmers to cultivate not only cash crops but  also crops targeted by the government and to increase per acre yield. He said  it is important to cultivate paddy and other crops according to the condition  of soil and climate. Mandalay Division is the one where cultivation of  cotton, sugarcane, beans and pulses and oil crops besides paddy is  successful.

He spoke at length on construction of 114 dams and reservoirs in the whole  country, 253 water pumping stations, 116 bridges, new roads including the  Union Road, TadaU-Myotha-Myingyan-Bagan-NyaungU road, regional roads linking  townships and districts.

The Secretary-2 urged local people to make efforts for agricultural and  regional development, to utilize the dams and reservoirs beneficially, to  maintain the reservoir and to conserve catchment areas.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint said 10 reservoirs were opened in Myingyan  District and they irrigate 27,800 acres. The farmers will undertake double  cropping, he added.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said main economy  of the country is agriculture and irrigation networks are being built for  agricultural development spending large amount of money. Now irrigated areas  have increased 2.7 million acres.

Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen  Soe Win Maung and Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National  Races and Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin extended greetings.

On behalf of the local people, member of Ngazun Township USDA Ma Set Htay  spoke words of thanks.

Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented cash award to officials. Then, Deputy  Director U Myo Myint formally opened the reservoir.

After the ceremony, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and party posed for souvenir  photos and visited the reservoir. The Myotha Reservoir was built on Kudos  Creek, one mile south of Myotha, Ngazun Township. Catchment area is 14 square  miles. The earth reservoir is 3,700 feet long and 66 feet high. Water  capacity of the reservoir is 4,370 acre-feet. The reservoir will irrigate  1,500 acres for double cropping.

(6) Secretary-2 inspects neem pesticide factory, regional development tasks in  Singaing, TadaU, Ngazun townships

YANGON, 24 Oct - Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council  Lt-Gen Tin Oo inspected the neem pesticide factory and regional development  undertakings in Singaing, TadaU and Ngazun townships in Mandalay Division  yesterday.

Accompanied by ministers, deputy ministers and officials, the Secretary-2  left here by air for Mandalay in the morning.

On arrival at Mandalay International Airport, the Secretary-2 and party were  welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of  Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command  Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win and officials. At the  neem pesticide factory (Palek) of Myanma Agriculture Service in Singaing  Township, the Secretary-2 heard a report on building of the factory, its  situation, aims of producing the pesticide and its potency, purchase of the  neem, different stages in producing the pesticide and methods in using the  pesticide presented by officials.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on  completion of new neem pesticide factory in Pakokku and plans to build more  factories and Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint on neem trees planting and regional  development undertakings.

The Secretary-2 spoke of the need to extend neem trees cultivation and  production of the pesticide. According to the research, the neem pesticide  has no ill-effects on the human beings, warm-blooded animals and friendly  insects.

The Secretary-2 then inspected construction of a road which will link Kyaukse  and Myingyan districts. At Myaingthaya village in TadaU Township, they met  officials and local people.

The Secretary-2 gave instruction on rock laying of Ngazun-Myotha-Wetlu-Pechet  Road and urged officials and regional people to harmoniously strive for  regional progress based on the assistance rendered by the government.  Facilities such as atogyi-Myaingtha-Sisonkan-Kyaukhsaukkon- Kyaukse Road,  Taungtha-Natogyi Road, Pyinsi-Ayeswa-Chaungkhwa Road,  Natogyi-Htansin-Wetlu-Myotha Road, Myotha-Ngazun Road,  Myaingtha-Wetlu-Nabuaing Road and Yitkan-Nyaungwun-Sisonkan Road are being  built for progress of urban and rural transport in the regions. The earth  roads will be 30 feet wide. Trees will be planted along the either side of  the roads.

In Ngazun Township, the Secretary-2 and party met with departmental personnel  and local people. Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and officials reported on  regional agriculture, health, education, transport and other undertakings.  Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy  Ministers Brig-Gen Myint Thein, U Kyaw Tin, Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and  Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung reported on assistance being provided by their  respective ministries.

Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said in the past Ngazun Township was included in  Sagaing Division; it is now included in Mandalay Division for progress of its  transport and administrative sectors. They came to the town to see to its  development, as the town lacked progress due to transport difficulties. Good  foundations will emerge as roads are being built in the township. Local  people should implement agricultural as well as livestock breeding task.  After inspecting the development undertakings in the town, the Secretary-2  and party flew back to Mandalay.

Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein inspected Palek Station Hospital in Singaing  Township. Deputy Minister for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung inspected  Palek Basic Education High School. Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein and deputy  ministers inspected the respective departments in Ngazun. Deputy Minister  Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung presented a computer and a printer to Ngazun BEHS. The  donation was made under the arrangement of the Secretary-2.

In Myotha, the Secretary-2 heard a report on progress in building the Mandalay-TadaU-Myotha-Myingyan- Bagan-NyaungU Road and points of the project  presented by Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Deputy Minister for Construction  Brig-Gen Myint Thein and engineers. The road will become a shortest link  between TadaU and Bagan-NyaungU.Mandalay-Meiktila-Kyaukpadaung- Bagan-NyaungU  Road is 185 miles long and Mandalay-Myingyan-Popa-Bagan-NyaungU Road is 175  miles long. The new facility,Mandalay-TadaU-Myotha- Myingyan-Bagan-NyaungU  Road, under construction is only 109 miles long. The laetrile foundation has  already been laid on the entire road. The 21 miles long Myingyan-Nabuaing  section of the road has already been paved. The Secretary-2 and party arrived  back here this afternoon.

(7) Secretary-3 attends second fourth-monthly coord meeting of Ministry of  Commerce

YANGON, 24 Oct- The Ministry of Commerce held the second four-monthly  coordination meeting for the Year 2000 at the ministry this afternoon, with  an address by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen  Win Myint.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone,  Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, Deputy Minister for  Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, directors-general and the managing director of  departments and the enterprise under the ministry, officials and guests.  First, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone reported on accomplishment of the ministry.  Then, the Secretary-3 made a speech.

Next, officials of Border Trade Department and Myanma Agricultural Produce  Trading reported on implementation of the department and the enterprise.  Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan gave a supplementary reports. Later, the  minister gave necessary instructions.

39th Defence Services C-in-C's Trophy Tatmadaw Soccer Tournament opens

YANGON, 24 Oct- A ceremony to open the 39th Defence Services  Commander-in-Chief's Trophy Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) Soccer Tournament  was held at Youth Training Centre at 3 p.m. today. On behalf of the Defence  Services Commander-in-Chief, Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint delivered an  address and opened the tournament.

Also present on the occasion were Chief of Staff (Navy) Capt Soe Thein,  Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen  Maung Nyo, directors of the Ministry of Defence, senior military officers,  officials of the Ministry of Sports, guests, Tatmadaw members and spectators.

After the ceremony, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint presented Ovaltine  brand 60 footballs donated by Diethelm Co to Brig-Gen Maung Nyo. Those 60  footballs will be shared ' 10 for the Tatmadaw Soccer Committee and two each  for 25 soccer teams. This evening, Tatmadaw (Air) met Central Command.  Altogether 25 soccer teams are taking part in the tournament.'

(8) News in Brief

Minister meets Japanese entrepreneurs

YANGON, 24 Oct- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Chairman Mr  Mamoru Nozaki of Bandai Co Ltd of Japan and Managing Director Mr Yoshio Ebina  of the Indochina Venture Forum at his office this evening. Also present at  the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Tun and directors-general and  managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry.

Minister for CPT meets Assistant General Manager of ZTE Corp

YANGON, 24 Oct- Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen  Win Tin met Assistant General Manager Mr Henry Zhou of ZTE Corporation and  party at his office at 11 am today.

Mayor meets Japanese visitors

YANGON, 24 Oct Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay  met a- delegation led by Chairman of 3apan Transport Corporation Association  of Japan Mr Tetsuro Yamashita at his office at 11 am today. Also present on  the occasion were Vice- Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and  officials.

Also present at the call were Managing Director U Maung Maung Tin of Myanma  Posts and Telecommunications and responsible persons.

Minister for Home Affairs meets Ambassador of India

YANGON,240ct-Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing met Ambassador of India  to Myanmar Mr Shayam Saran at his,  office at the corner of Saya San Road and  Industry-1 Road at 9 am.  Also present at the call were Deputy Director-General  U Maung Win of General Administration Department and Head of Office U Thet  Tun.

Devotees visit Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

Yangon, 24 Oct-Mindhamma Hill on Mindhamma Road in Insein Township where  Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept for public obeisance was  crowded with devotees including monks, nuns and tourists today. Engineers and  workers of Public Works are making effort to build Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi,  retaining wall of the hill and southern and northern stairways. Stone  sculptor U Taw Taw and sons continued carving the image from 7 am to late  evening. Various Wut associations recited parittas and chanted poems  extolling the virtues of the Lord Buddha, the Pathan scriptures, Dhammacakka  Sutta, Anatta Lakkhana Sutta, Dharana Paritta on the hill from 7 am to 10 p.m.  daily. Ministry of Religious Affairs, News and Periodicals Enterprise and  Sarpay Beikmam Literary House opened bookshops on Mindhamma Hill and sold  books on religion, pocket-sized Loka Niti book and 2001 Myawady calendar.  Donations by the public have amounted to K 84,775,340 from 5 August to date.

Myanmar youth delegation leaves for Singapore

YANGON, 24 Oct-A 32-member Myanmar youth delegation left here for Singapore  by air to join 27th South-East Asian Voyage sponsored by Youth Affairs  Management and Cooperation Agency of Prime Minister's Office, Japan.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Secretary-General of  Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and officials. The  leader of Myanmar delegation Headmaster U Khin Maung Yi of No 1 Basic  Education High School, Hinthada Township, Ayeyawady Division, left for Japan  in advance on 20 October. Youth delegates from Japan and ASEAN countries  including Myanmar will pay 52-day goodwill visit to Cambodia, Indonesia,  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines and Japan by sea starting  from Singapore.

Refresher course opened for instructors of Facts for Life project for  housewives

YANGON, 24 Oct-A refresher course for the instructors implementing the Facts  for Life project for house- wives was opened at the Multi-Purpose Building of  Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association in South Okkalapa Township  today.

The project is jointly sponsored by MMCWA and the UNICEF. The opening  ceremony was attended by Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe,  Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and CEC members, officials of the AIDS  Control-Project of the Ministry of Health, UN agency office, course  instructors of MMCWA (Central) and trainees. Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu  Kyu Swe of MMCWA and Dr Pierkko Heinonen of the UNICEF agency office  delivered addresses. Altogether 55 trainees of five townships in Mon State  are attending the three-day.

Hospital and office equipment donated to MMWCA

YANGON, 24 Oct-A ceremony to donate hospital and office equipment to Myanmar  Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the multi-purpose building  of MMWCA at the corner of Thanthuma and Parami Roads in South Okkalapa  Township this morning, attended by Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe,  Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Central Executive Committee members  and the donors. Under the auspices of mother Daw Khin Kyi, son U Tint Lwin  and Daw Win Thin Thin Moe (Rico International Co Ltd) and daughter Daw Khin  Marlar (Nat Ray Co Ltd) presented hospital equipment worth US$ 5,253.5 and  Haji U Than Maung (San Thawta Paper Trading) office equipment worth K 20,000  for MMWCA to Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe who presented certificates  of honour to the donors. Then, Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke  words of thanks to the donors.

(9) Prizes presented to winners in essay, poster and painting competitions  to mark 55th anniversary UN Day

YANGON, 24 Oct- The prize presentation ceremony for basic education level  essay, poster and painting competitions to mark the 55th anniversary United  Nations Day was held at Wunzin Minyaza Hall of the Ministry of Foreign  Affairs this morning. Present were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,  Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, departmental heads of Ministry of Foreign  Affairs and Ministry of Education, resident representatives of UN agencies,  guests, prize-winning students and relatives.

The video was shown on the UN and endeavours of the UN in cooperation with  Myanmar. Then, the minister made a speech.

Afterwards, the Minister presented the first, second and third prizes to  Tenth Standard Student Maung Thukha Win of North Okkalapa Basic Education  High School No 3, Tenth Standard Student Soe May Aung of Dagon Myothit  (North) BEHS No 3 and Ninth Standard Student Maung Nyein Zarni Naing of  Botahtaung BEHS No 3 in the essay competition respectively; the Deputy  Minister presented the first, second and third prizes to Fifth Standard  Student Maung Zin Ko Ko of Ahlon BEHS No 4, Sixth Standard Student Ma Kay  Khaing Maw of Kamayut Institute of Education Practising School and Fifth  Standard Student Ma Nwe Oo Wai of Latha BEHS No 2 in the poster competition  respectively; and Coordinator of the UN System Mr Patrice Coeur Bizot  presented first, second and third prizes to Fourth Standard Student Ma May  Thin Nwe of Kamayut Institute of Education Practising School, Kindergarten  Student Ma Khin Thuza Aung of Kamayut Institute of Education Practising  School and Second Standard Student Maung Hein Htet Aung of Dagon BEMS No 1 in  the painting competition respectively. After the ceremony, the minister and  party viewed prize-winning essays, posters and paintings of the students.

(10) 35 Ngazun Township NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 24 Oct-Thirty-five members resigned from the National League for  Democracy of Ngazun Township, Myingyan District, Mandalay Division.  Thirty-five members of Ngazun Township NLD, Myingyan District, Mandalay  Division, of their own accord, resigned by sending letters of resignation to  Ngazun Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-commission and the  party concerned on 11 June 2000 as they no longer wished to participate in  party politics of NLD.

WEATHER REPORT
TODAY

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 25th October 2000: Intermittent  rain which may be heavy at time. Degree of certainty is 70%

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