( 1 ) Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe's message on the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day

On this significant and auspicious occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I extend my greetings to all national peoples living in the whole country.

Our country, Myanmar, had stood as an independent sovereign State with dignity and honour for thousands of years. The primates belonging to the time of 40 million years back stand witness to the fact that the tribes to be known as Myanmars had been born truly on the land of Myanmar, and they had lived and had been civilised through the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Myanmars possessed grand culture starting from the Pyu Era of the First Century AD all through the successive eras of Bagan, Pinya, Myinsaing, Sagaing, Innwa, Toungoo and Nyaungyan till the end of the Konbaung Dynasty in the 19th Century. Myanmars inherited and vitalized the honour of the race, the dignity of their origin and the reputation of their State, and safeguarded their freedom and sovereignty with unswerving spirit of courageous heroes and fought with unyielding spirit and unflagging determination against the colonialists who waged aggressive wars.

The colonialists invaded and annexed Myanmar after waging three aggressive wars, in 1824, in 1852 and in 1885. Due to the endeavours of all people and gallent national leaders waging military, political and economic wars against the usurpers from 1824 till 1948, Myanmar regained her independence in 1948, and has become a sovereign State.

We must perpetually give salute bowing to the tens of thousands national warriors who had risked their lives in the battles throughout the history of national independence struggle and in the post-independence period of safeguarding the sovereignty of the State. A study of the historical records of Myanmar peoples proves that history stands witness to the fact that we possessed the immeasurable, augmented strength to overcome any obstacles and win victories over any battles and destructive acts designed and purported to undermine the Union inhabited by the Union nationalities through thick and thin as well as the ability to restructure the entire Myanmar society. Today, in guarding against the independence, which has been regained, it must always be borne in mind of all nationalities that it is their inborn national duty to shoulder tasks with the convictions for vitalization of the spirit of national unity, nationalism and the Union Spirit and safeguarding of independence and sovereignty at the risk of their lives.

At the present period entering the 21st century, Myanmars, endeavouring for building of a new nation based on the valuable experiences gained in the 20th century, have achieved considerable progress in the three sectors political, economic and social upholding Our Three Main National Causes
- Non-disintegration of the Union; Non-disintegration of national solidarity; and Perpetuation of sovereignty.

All the national peoples, homogeneous with the government, are now working in the projects being implemented with the objectives reflecting national peace and stability and catering to the national peoples' economic and livelihood conditions for promotion of the agriculture sector and boosting commodity production, in the special projects, in building river bridges in various states and divisions and construction projects for promotion of the transport sector, in the preparations for flourishing of a discipline-flourising democratic system, and in social calibre improvement schemes for preservation of national culture and uplift of national education and national standards.

At the present age, these milestones of achievement are emerging and developing more and more vividly year after year. In the agriculture sector, the mainstay of the national economy, endeavours are being made for technological reforms, expansion of model townships cultivating the paddy with the application of high technology and cultivation of beans and pulses in the designated special zones, and extension of the cultivation through the plans of yearly basis.

In the agriculture sector, it is targeted to produce paddy in surplus and edible oil for local sufficiency, and to boost cultivation and production of export quality beans and industrial crops. In the irrigation sector, the dam, diversion weir and sluice gate projects have been implemented with an accelerated momentum since 1988 for supply of water for agricultural purposes, for prevention of floods, for supply of water to factories and mills, for sufficiency of drinking water and for greening of the region; 115 projects were implemented at a cost of K 26.633 billion to benefit over 1.42 million acres of farmland, and in addition, Kinda Dam and Zawgyi Dam hydro-electric power stations can generate 68 megawatts.

Besides, on completion of altogether 27 dam, diversion weir and sluice gate projects including Thaphanseik Multi-purpose Dam Project, Paunglaung Multi-purpose Dam Project and Mone Creek Dam Multi-purpose Dam Project, which are under implementation, they will be irrigating over 0.57 million acres more of the farmland, and also generating 385 megawatts from their hydro-electric power stations. In the construction sector, for smooth and secure transport and rapid flow of commodities, new roads and bridges are being built while the existing ones are being repaired and maintained for their durability, and in addition, international standard airports, buildings for the health, economic and cultural sectors and factories & mills are being established.

The length of roads in Myanmar has now been extended from 13,635 miles in 1988-89 to 17,479 miles and two furlongs today, and during the past decade, roads stretching 3,844 miles and two furlongs have been built. Regarding construction of bridges after 1988, 118 bridges with the length of 180 feet and above, including 4,183 feet long Nawadei Bridge, 4,957 feet long Hsinbyushin Bridge, 2,688 feet long Bala Min Htin Bridge and 8,544 feet long Bo Myat Tun Bridge have been built. Moreover, 36 bridge projects, including 5,193 feet long Anawrahta Bridge Project, 8,989 feet long Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway) Project and 4,088.3 feet long Ayeyawady Bridge (Dedaye) Project, are under construction. Plans are also under way and engineers are starting works to build 21 bridges, including 5,466 feet long Ayeyawady Bridge (Mandalay).

In the education sector, the four-year educational development plan has been adopted since the Year 2000, and action plans are going on for establishment of permanently-learning society in Myanmar, and the standard of education is being modernized in accord with the systems of the Knowledge Age beginning from the primary education to the post-graduate education level in order to keep up with the international standard. In the previous financial year, K 3.182 billion and US$Ê170,000 contributed with interest and generosity by parents of students, the public and entrepreneurs could be utilized for renovation of school buildings and purchase and supply of modern multimedia teaching aids.

Myanmar Education Committee laid down policy guidelines and adopted the national education promotional special four-year scheme and its action plans at educational development seminars . Of the two major education sectors, a total of 35,959 primary schools, 2,112 middle schools and 953 high schools are being opened in 324 townships and there had been more than ten per cent increase in the respective numbers of schools in the basic education sector during the ten-year period. The number of basic education pupils rose to more than 6.8 million with the number of teachers reaching about 220,000. Expenditure on basic education rose to 148 per cent. In the higher education sector, there are 123 universities, degree colleges and colleges with the student population of more than 530,000. The education sector provides open opportunities with the aim of creating a learning society in constant pursuit of education.

With a view to building a modern and developed nation, the Ministry of Science and Technology has opened three technological universities, two Universities of Computer Studies, 17 Government Technological Colleges, 16 government technical institutes totalling 54 institutions in the states and divisions which have produced 51,529 technicians and intellectuals. With a view to reviving and preserving cultural heritage, Kanbawzathadi, Shwebon Yadana and Myanan Sankyaw Golden Palaces have been rebuilt; Archaeological Museums have also been opened in Bagan, Pakhangyi and Bago. The Office of the Strategic Studies and the Ministry of Education cooperated in archaeology and they have discovered fossilized primates in Pondaung Ponnya area. Ancient structures have also been found in the Beikthano and Tharekhittaya, Hanlin and Tagoung areas. Similarly, preservation of cultural heritage and renovation of ancient buildings has been carried out throughout the country.

For instance, a total 1,083 old pagodas and stupas have been rebuilt. A total of 447 mounds have been excavated. Most ancient pagodas in Tharekhittaya have been repaired and maintained. Shwekyaungdaws or grand monasteries including Mandalay Shwekyaunggyi have been repaired and maintained. Pagodas like Shitthoung and Koethoung in MraukU area have also been repaired and maintained. Since 1989, the government has been implementing border areas and national races development projects in order to narrow down the development gap between one region and another and between the urban and rural areas. With this objective in view, emphasis was placed on the transport and communication sector to promote friendship among the national races and to bring about socio-economic development resulting in the construction of more than 3,600 miles of earth road, granite road and tarred road and of 812 bridges big and small.

The Union of Myanmar, as a member of the United Nations, participated along with fellow member-nations and moreover it has also been active in the Asian and world affairs in strict observance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as a member nation of ASEAN. International cooperation is of vital importance in the building of an all-round developed nation; accordingly, cooperative efforts are being made for projects of mutual benefit for the all-round development of the nation while promoting international friendly relations at a time when science and technology has developed, Information Technology has advanced and new challenges have emerged.

The National Convention, on behalf of all the national races of the Union, has been providing close guidance on the drafting of enduring constitution which will uphold Our Three Main National Causes and which will be able to implement the 12 national objectives. At the Annual General Meeting of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, which mobilises the strength of the new generation citizens, held in September 2000, a future task has been laid down. It calls on the USDA members to strive for ensuring national stability and peace and bring about development. In building a new nation, we should not be content with the great success already achieved in the nation-building tasks, preservation and groundwork laid. Sustained efforts will have to be made for safeguarding national independence and perpetuity of sovereignty.

the youths of the Union who will be shouldering the duties of State in the future and the entire mass of the people, together with the Tatmadaw, are to build, without fail, a consolidated national force equipped with physical and intellectual qualities. Hence, in discharging the historic duty of safeguarding national independence and perpetuating the sovereignty, all the national peoples are urged to make concerted efforts while enhancing the dynamic Union Spirit, patriotism and nationalist fervour, and developing the human resource.

up
___________________________

( 2 ) Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and wife arrive on working visit

Yangon, 3 Jan - At the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and Datin Seri Dr Sitti Hasmah Haji Mohamad Ali arrived Yangon by special aircraft this morning on a working visit to the Union of Myanmar.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir and wife were welcomed on arrival at the Yangon International Airport by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, 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 Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla and wife, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of Malaysia to Myanmar Dato Mohamad bin Noh and wife, Malaysian embassy staff, and departmental heads.

The Malaysian Prime Minister and wife, together with Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, left in a motorcade for Seinle Kantha State House.

After cordially greeting the visiting Prime Minister and wife, the Senior General and wife left the State House at 10.50 am. In the afternoon, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing had lunch together with the visiting Malaysian Prime Minister and wife at Seinle Kantha State House.

Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe meets Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

Yangon, 3 Jan-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe met Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad is currently here on a working visit at Inya-Kantha State House at 3 pm today. They discussed bilateral cooperation between Myanmar and Malaysia.

Senior General Than Shwe hosts dinner in honour of Malaysian Premier Dr Mahathir

Yangon, 3 Jan - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing hosted dinner in honour of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad and Datin Seri Dr Sitti Hasmah Haji Mohamad Ali at the State House at 7 pm today.

Also present at the dinner were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo and wife Daw Khin Than Nwe, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla and wife, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Education U Than Aung, and their wives, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and wife, and Ambassador of Malaysia to Myanmar Dato Mohamad bin Noh and wife. During the dinner, the artistes of the Ministry of Culture entertained the distinguished guests with cultural songs and dances.

Dr Mahathir meets Malaysian entrepreneurs

Yangon, 3 Jan  Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, who is currently here on a working visit, met the Malaysian entrepreneurs investing in Myanmar at the Micasa Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this evening. Also present on the occasion were Ambassador of Malaysia to Myanmar Dato Mohamad bin Noh and officials.

up

_________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 visits Mindhamma Hill

Yangon, 3 Jan -Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected works for the resplendency of Lawka Chantha Abaya Laba Muni Image on Mindhamma Hill today. On arrival at Mindhamma Hill, the Secretary-1 was welcomed by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Col Thura U Aung Ko, Adviser at the State Peace and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung, members of Mindhamma Hill All-Round Development committee, technicians and officials. The Secretary-1 paid respects to the Image. He then looked into the requirements of the personnel in making the Image resplendent and developing the Mindhamma Hill. At the briefing hall, the Secretary-1 inspected the samples of ceiling slabs to be installed at the Gandakuditaik and Buddha images.

Secretary-1 attends opening ceremony of 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition

Yangon, 3 Jan- The opening ceremony of the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition sponsored by the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition Sub-committee was held at Tatmadaw Convention Centre on U Wisara Road this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the Yangon Mayor, deputy ministers, chairman and members of the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition Sub-committee, senior Tatmadaw officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, secretaries and executives of Yangon Division, District and Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, Chairman and members of Dagon Township Peace and Development Council, Chairman and CEC members of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, chairmen and officials of Myanmar Motion Picture, Myanmar Thabin and Myanmar Music Asiayons, service personnel and guests. Chairman of Independence Day Exhibition Sub-committee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein formally opened the exhibition.

Then, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, deputy ministers and party viewed the booths of the exhibition. The 53rd Anniversary Independence Day Exhibition opens from 9 am to 5 pm till 11 January. The book shops of Information and Public Relations Department, News and Periodical Enterprise and Sarpay Beikmam are opened in the exhibition.

up
__________________________

( 4 ) Yuzana Housing & Plaza market festival

Yangon, 3 Jan - Yuzana Housing and Yuzana Plaza market festival was held near Yuzana Plaza this morning, attended by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo. Also present were ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, heads of the State Peace and Development Council Office and the respective departments, officials and guests. First, development projects implemented by Yuzana Construction Group and the purpose of holding the festival were explained. Chairman of the Group U Htay Myint reported to the Secretary-2 and party on development projects undertaken by the Group. The Secretary-2 and party inspected the three-storey Yuzana Building. They then visited the shops at the market festival. The Group has constructed 1,682 detached houses, six modern markets, 11 modern business centres and 18,000 apartments.

Installation of palm oil mills coordinated

Yangon, 3 Jan - A meeting was held to coordinate production and installation of edible oil milling machines at the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon, addressed by Patron of the Committee for Successful Production and Installation of Edible Oil Milling Machines Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Also present at the meeting were Chairman of the Committee Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung, deputy ministers, officials, oil palm plantation entrepreneurs and others. Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary-2 said national entrepreneurs are growing oil palm in Taninthayi Division; and the State is ensuring smooth and better transport in the region and providing quality oil palm seeds to the entrepreneurs. Up to now over 40,000 acres have been put under oil palm in the Division. Efforts are required for successful cultivation of oil palm and to install oil milling machinery. Priority is to be given to production of raw and purified palm oil.

The Committee led by Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung has already been formed. The oil palm growers and palm oil millers should put forward discussions and proposals on the arrangements to be made by the technicians to install milling machines. Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung explained the progress in growing oil palm in the Division, year-wise plans to extend oil palm plantations in the region, existing edible oil mills and the need to build more mills.

Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan briefed the meeting on test-running of the mills and plans to render assistance to the national entrepreneurs. Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw reported to the meeting on plans to provide assistance in production and installation of milling machinery, Secretary of the Committee Managing Director of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise U Myint Oo and Director of Myanma Machine Tools and Electrical Industries U Win Tint on plans to produce and install milling machinery. National entrepreneurs presented reports on progress in putting land under oil palm in the Division and matters relating to construction of mills, joined in by Minister Brig-Gen Lun Maung. Deputy Minister for Science & Technology U Hlaing Win explained the quality control programmes. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-2.

up
__________________________

( 5 ) State Peace and Development Council issues Notifications on conferring titles and medals of commendation

Yangon, 4 Jan-The State Peace and Development Council issued today, Independence Day, Notification Nos 1/2001, 2/2001, 3/2001/, 4/2001, 5/2001, 6/2001, 7/2001 and 8/2001. Under the Notification No 1/2001, religious titles have been conferred on Sayadaws, nuns and laity.

Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Titles have been conferred on two Sayadaws, Tipitakadhara Dhammabanndagarika Title on one Sayadaw, Agga Maha Pandita Titles on 26 Sayadaws, Maha Dhamma Kathika Bahujanahitadhara Titles on two Sayadaws, Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Titles on ten Sayadaws and three nuns, Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita Titles on 43 Sayadaws and 12 nuns, Gantavacaka  State Peace and Development Council issues Pandita Titles on eight Sayadaws and two nuns, Agga Maha Kammathanacariya Titles on seven Sayadaws, Maha Kammathanacariya Titles on 12 Sayadaws, Kammathanacariya Titles on three Sayadaws, Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Titles on 36 Sayadaws from local and six from abroad, Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Titles on 42 Sayadaws and two nuns, Saddhammajotikadhaja Titles on ten Sayadaws, one nun and one of laity, Agga Maha Thiri Sudhamma Manijotadhara Title on one of laity, Agga Maha Thiri Sudhamma Theingi Title on one of laity, Thiri Sudhamma Manijotadhara Titles on five of laity, Thiri Sudhamma Theingi Titles on two of laity, Thiha Sudhamma Manijotadhara Title on one of laity, Thiha Sudhamma Theingi Titles on two of laity, Sudhamma Jotikadhara Title on one of laity and Sudhamma Theingi Title on one of laity totalling 212 Sayadaws, 20 nuns and 15 of laity. Under the Notification No 2/2001, Gallantry Medals are presented to five Tatmadaw men, Medal for Excellent Performance in Agricultural Field (Third Class) to 13 persons, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Industrial Field of Economy (First Class) to one person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Industrial Field of Economy (Second Class) to 25 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Industrial Field of Economy (Third Class) to 100 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Administrative Field (First Class) to 45 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Administrative Field (First Class) to 45 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Administrative Field (Second Class) to 75 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Administrative Field (Third Class) to 149 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Social Field (First Class) to 15 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Social Field (Second Class) to 36 person, Medal on (Excellent Performance in Social Field (Third Class) to 199 person, Yebala Medal to three persons, Yethurein Medal to 14 persons, e Medal to three persons and Yekyawthu Medal to one person. Under the Notification No 3/2001, Military Service Thingaha Medal is presented to 1,067 personnel. Under the Notification No 4/2001, Military Good Service Medal is presented to 3,753 personnel 37 retired personnel and 3,716 personnel. Under the Notification No 5/2001, Public Service Medal is presented to 6,274 personnel 461 retired personnel and 5,813 personnel. Under the Notification No 6/2001, Good MPF Services Medal is presented to 29 personnel three retired and 26 personnel. Under the Notification No 7/2001, MPF Service Medal is presented to 157 personnel. Under the Notification No 8/2001, Public Services Medal is presented to 14,102 personnel 183 retired and 13,919 personnel and State Peace and Development Council Medal is presented to 24,531 personnel 166 retired and 25,265 personnel.

up

__________________________

( 6 ) Foreign Heads of State and Government send felicitations to Senior General Than Shwe

The following are messages of felicitations from foreign Heads of State and Government sent to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, on the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.

From HE Mr Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China:

On the auspicious occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of the Independence of the Union of Myanmar, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Chinese people and in my own name, our warm congratulations abd best wishes to your excellency and through you to the People of the Union of Myanmar. China and Myanmar are countries linked by common mountains and rivers and the two people enjoy profound Pauk-phaw friendship. I am pleased to note that during the past year the friendly exchanges and cooperation between our two countries in various fields were further strengthened, our two countries solemnly celebrated the golden jubilee of our diplomatic relations and released a joint statement on our bilateral relations in the new century which determines that the two countries will further develop the long-term stable friendly cooperative relations of good-neighborliness. I am deeply convinced that with our joint efforts, the traditional Sino-Myanmar friendship and cooperation, which is based on the five principles of peaceful co-existence, will develop profoundly and continuously. May the Union of Myanmar enjoy prosperity and her people well-being.

From HE Mr Zhu Rongji, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China:

On the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of the Independence of the Union of Myanmar, I wish to extend, on behalf of the Government of the Peeople' Republic of China and in my own name, our warm congratulations and best wishes to your excellency and through you, to the Government of the Union of Myanmar. During the past year, the Government of Myanmar has been committed to maintaining political stability, developing economy, improving people'  s living standard and actively broadening its external relations and made significant achivement in both internal and external work with these we note with great pleasure. The Simo-Myanmar friendly relations were further developed during the past year. The leaders of our two countries exchanged frequent visits, the exchanges and cooperation in fields of economy and trade and others were continuously expended and brought concrete benefits to to the people of our two countries. The Chinese side attaches great importance to the Sino-Myanmar Pauk-phaw friendship and is willing to join hands with the Myanmar side in promoting the traditional Sino-Myanmar friendly relations of good-neighborliness. May the Union of Myanmar enjoy prosperity and her people well-being. From HE Tang Jiaxuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China: On the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of the Independence of the Union of Myanmar, I wish to extend to your excellency my warm congratulations and best wishes. During the past year, your country strived to expend external relations with emphasis on developing friendly cooperation with neighboring countries and actively participated in international and regional affairs and made new achievements in your diplomatic work on which I would like to express our hearty congratulations. We are pleased to note that the Sino-Myanmar friendly relations of good-neighborliness has been further strengthened, the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields presented good momentum of development and the foreign ministries of our two countries have always maintained close coordination. I firmly believe that with our joint efforts, the long-term stable Sino-Myanmar friendly cooperation will be further consolidated and developed in years still to come. May your excellency enjoy good health and your family happiness.

From HE Kim Dae-Jung, President of the Republic of Korea:

On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to you and the people of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of your Independence Day. Noting with satisfaction that the relations between our two countries have been enhanced to our mutual benefit, I take this opportunity to assure you that I will make every effort to further strengthen our friendly and cooperative ties in the future. May I express my best wishes for your good health and every success in your endeavours as well as for the prosperity of your great country.

From HE Dr Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba:

On the occasion of the National Day of the Union of Myanmar, It pleases me to extend to your excellency and to your people and Government, on behalf of the Cuban people and Government, cordial congratulations and to renew our interest to continue enhancing the relations of friendship and cooperation existing between Cuba and Myanmar. Upon expressing my best wishes for the well-being of the people of Myanmar and for your personal happiness, I renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

From HE Mr Felipe Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba:

It pleases me to extend to your excellency my warm congratulations on the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of the proclamation of the Independence of the Union of Myanmar. I also ratify our willingness to continue working in order to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries and for your personal happiness, please receive, your excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From Muhammad Rafiq Tarar, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

I have great pleasure in conveying to your excellency our felicitations on the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar. Pakistan an Myanmar have continued to enjoy friendly and cooperative relations and I am confident that the mutually beneficial ties will be further strengthened and enlarged in the year ahead. I avail myself of this opportunity to express my best wishes for Your excellency's personal health and happiness and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

The Government and the people of Pakistan join me in conveying our sincere greetings and felicitations to Your Excellency, the Government and the people of Myanmar, on the happy occasion of the independence day of your country. Pakistan and Myanmar have maintained close and friendly relations. I am confident that these muturally advantageous and happy ties would be further consolidated in the years ahead. I take this opportunity to convey my best wishes for Your Excellency's well-being, health and happiness and for the ever-growing progress and prosperity of the people of Myanmar. Plaease accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, President of People Republic of Bangladesh:

On the auspicioud occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar I have great pleasure in extending my heartiest felicitations to your Excellency and to the people of Myanmar. I am confident that the existing friendly relations between our two neighbouring countries will be further strengthened and consolidated in the years ahead. Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and happiness and also for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Union of Myanmar.

From HE Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh:

On behalf of the Government and the people of Bangladesh, I have great pleasure in extending to your Excellency and through you to the Government and the people of the Union of Myanmar our heartiest greetings on the happy occasion of the Independence Day of Myanmar. I take the opportunity to express my sincere hope that the close bonds of friendship and mutual understanding which so happily exist between our two neighbouring countries will acquire greater depth and dimension in the year ahead to the mutual benefit of our two peoples. Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for your good health and happiness and long life and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Union of Myanmar.

From HE Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Republic of the Philippines:

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of the Philippines, I wish to extend warm and sincere congratulations to the Government and people of the Union of Myanmar on the occasion of the firth-third anniversary of its independence. I am pleased to note that relations between our two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally have continued to strengthen and intensify in various areas of cooperation. I look forward to even more active cooperation and exchanges between our two governments and peoples for mutual benefit as neighbours in the region and as fellow partners in ASEAN. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

From HE Domingo L Siazon, Jr, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines:

I wish to extend my heartfelt felicitations on the occasion of the fifty-third anniversary of Independence of the Union of Myanmar. It is my fervent hope that Philippines-Myanmar relations will develop and flourish in the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and cooperation. I believe that enhancing further our bilateral ties will muturally benefit our countries as well as ensure peace and security in the region. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

From HE Abdurrahman Wahid, President of the Republic of Indonesia:

On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, it gives me great pleasure to convey to Your Excellency my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes for your good health and happiness and for the continued prosperity and progress of the people of Myanmar. I am please to observe that over the years, the relations between our two countries have been growing steadily both on a bilateral basis and within the framework of ASEAN. I am confident that the cordial and cooperative relations between Myanmar and Indonesia will continue to strengthen in the years ahead as we strive for national development and to contribute to security and prosperity of our region. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From HE Megawari Soekarnoputri, Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia:

On the auspicious occasion of the Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar, I have the great pleasure of conveying to you my warmest felicitations and best wishes. I fervently hope that the close and cordial relations existing between our two countries will continue to develop along with our common endeavours to explore a wide range of fruitful cooperation in various engagements for the advantage of our two peoples. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your continued good health and personal happiness.

From HE Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia:

On the glorious occasion of the 53rd Anniversary of the Independence of the Union of Myanmar, the Cambodian people and its Parliament, the Royal Government of Cambodia and myself have the honour to convey to Your Excellency our warmest felicitations and most fervent wishes for your health, happiness and full and prestigious success on Your historic mission as the Head of State of the Union of Myanmar. We would also like to extend our fervent wishes for the continued progress and well-being of the brave people of Myanmar. I am delighted at the magnificent growing of traditional friendly relations and cooperations between our two countries. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

From HE Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand:

I have the honour to extend to Your Excellency, on behalf of the Government and the people of Thailand, our warmest felicitations on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar. I am very pleased to note that the ties of friendship between our two countries and people as well as the cooperation within the ASEAN framework have been increasingly developed.It is my fervent hope to work closely together with Your Excellency to strengthen the happily existing relations for the progress and prosperity in the region. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

up

___________________________

( 7 ) Educative talks on HIV/AIDS held

up

___________________________

___________________________