( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends message of congratulations to United States of America

Yangon, 22 Jan- Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to the Honourable George W Bush, on the occasion of his inauguration as the 43rd President of the United States of America.

Vice-Chairman of State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye sends message of congratulations to United States of America

Yangon, 22 Jan- General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a congratulatory message to the Honourable Richard B Cheney, on his assumption of the Office of the Vice-President of the United States of America.

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( 2 ) Water-pouring ceremony for Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image held

Yangon, 22 Jan- A water-pouring ceremony for Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image was held at Gandhakuti Kyaungdawgyi this morning on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where the Image is to be kept, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Maha Gandhavasaka Pandita Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Alodawpyi Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ariyavamsa, ministers, deputy ministers, the vice-mayor of Yangon, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, members of Mindhamma Hill All-round Construction Committee, experts and members of Mindhamma Hill Board of Trustees. The congregation received the Nine Precepts from Alodawpyi Sayadaw Bhaddanta Ariyavamsa. At the auspicious time, the Secretary-1 offered scented water to on the Image. Teingya Htidaw-Hoisting Group played drums and gongs. The ministers and the deputy ministers poured scented water and paritta water on the Image. The Secretary-1 and party then paid obeisance to the Image.

Rice donated to Kandaw Mingala Parahita Kyaungtaik in DaikU

Yangon, 22 Jan- A ceremony to donate rice to Kandaw Mingala Parahita Kyaungtaik in DaikU was held at Kalyana Dhamma Yeiktha of the Kyaungtaik on 20 January morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye and members, the chairman of DaikU Township Peace and Development Council and departmental officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Working Committee for Women's Affairs, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, wellwishers and members of the Monastery Board of Trustees.

The commander and wellwishers paid homage to Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of the Kyaungtaik Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kalyana and offered 10 bags of rice and provisions to the Sayadaw. Then, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. After the ceremony, the commander inspected the hostel for the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha, the Soonsarhsaung, the kitchen hall, the hostel for students of the Parahita School, the messing hall and the classroom of the Monastic Education School. Members of the Monastery Board of Trustees reported on the tasks undertaken by the Sayadaws and yearly assistance provided by Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement to 80 orphans and daily care for them.

The commander gave instructions on greening and beautifying tasks to be carried out in the compound of the school, systematic maintenance of the buildings and development of the school and fulfilled its requirements. There are 15 student monks and 80 novices at the Kyaungtaik. A total of 80 orphas are attending the basic education, vocational training and handicraft courses. Assistance was provided to university students and 210 needy schoolchildren from wards in DaikU.

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( 3 ) Minister for Cooperatives receives Japanese guest

Yangon, 22 Jan- Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San received Managing Director Mr Masataka Kitasaka of Myanmar Association, Japan at his office at 2 pm today. After the call, the guest presented seven computers and two colour printers worth over K 3 million for the Myanma Lacquerware Institute in Bagan and Saungda Weaving School in Amarapura to the Minister. Also present on the occasion were Director-General of Cooperative Department Col Soe Win, Director-General of Cottage Industries Department U Sein Than, Managing Director of Cooperative Exports and Imports Enterprise Daw Khin Swe Soe, Adviser Dr Than Htaik and officials.

Minister for Finance and Revenue meets Vice-Chairman of Gold Water Oil Co of Indonesia

Yangon, 22 Jan- Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein met Vice-Chairman Mr Benny Soebianto of Gold Water Oil Co of Indonesia at his office this afternoon. They discussed mutual cooperation. Present on the occasion was Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung.

Minister receives MD of Siemens

Yangon, 22 Jan- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Managing Director Dr Sepp E Tietze and party of Siemens Ltd of Germany at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General U Nyunt Aye of Directorate of Trade, Director-General Col Nay Win of Border Trade Department, Managing Director U Min Hla Aung of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading and officials.

Minister for Hotels and Tourism meets foreign visitor

Yangon, 22 Jan- Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin met Chief Consultant Mr James P Styers of Jim Styers Dolphin World Company at his office at 1 pm today. They discussed tourism promotion tasks being implemented under Dolphin Interactive and Survey Programme. Also present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt, Managing Director U Kyi Tun and officials of the ministry and General Manager Dr Phone Win of Shambhala Co Ltd.

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( 4 ) Minister meets foreign visitors

Yangon, 22 Jan- Minster for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin met Secretary Dr Sepp Tietze of Siemens Limited, Yangon and party at his office at 10 am today. Similarly, the minister met Managing Director Mr T C Shin of Myanmar Daewoo Limited at 11 am today. They cordially discussed matters related to communications. Also present were Managing Director U Maung Maung Tin of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications and officials.

Deputy Minister for Commerce meets Director of Mega Products Ltd

Yangon, 22 Jan- Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan met Director Girish Wadhwa of Mega Products Ltd and party at the Ministry of Commerce this evening. Present were Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Col Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and officials.

President of UMFCCI meets Chairman of JCCY

Yangon, 22 Jan - President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint and Secretary-General U Zaw Min Win met with Chairman of Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Yangon (JCCY) Mr Shigeki Ura at the federation this morning. They discussed matters related to commerce, investment, export and import taxes and business.

Minister received Ambassador of China

Yangon, 22 Jan - The Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing received Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Mr. Liang Dong at his office at 3 pm today.Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and officials.

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( 5 ) Workshop on AFTA Process and AICO Scheme held

Yangon, 22 Jan- The Workshop on AFTA Process and AICO Scheme, jointly organized by Myanmar Strategic and International Studies, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, National AFTA Unit and Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, was held at the Swan Hotel in Mandalay today.

It was attended by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council chairman's Office Minister for ASEAN Economic Affairs Brig-Gen Abel, officials from MSIS, Office of Strategic Studies, Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, National AFTA Unit, the President of Mandalay Division Chambers of Commerce and Industry and members and businessmen. Director-General of ASEAN Affairs Department U Aye Lwin and Executive Director Dr Mohamed Ariff of Malaysia Institute for Economic Research made speeches. Minister Brig-Gen Abel delivered an opening address. The workshop continues till 24 January.

Symposium on new HRT approach to urogenital aging held

Yangon, 22 Jan-  A symposium on "A new HRT approach to urogenital aging" was held at Traders Hotel in Yangon on 20 January by Organon. It was chaired by Prof Daw Mary Krasu, President of Obstetric and Gynaecological Society, Myanmar Medical Association. First, Dr Ali Baziad, OG from University of Indonesia, Jakarta gave a presentation on Menopause and hormone replacement therapy, Dr Mya Thida, Consultant OG from Central Women's Hospital on Cultural concepts of the menopause in Myanmar, and Prof Daw Than Than Tin, Prof and Head of Department of OG, CWH on Future of HRT in Myanmar, and Dr Ali Baziad on Clinical experience with an estrogen containing product-Ovestin. Then, the general round of discussions continued and the symposium came to a close with the concluding remarks by Prof Dr Daw Mary Krasu.

Workshop on Digestive Endoscopy held

Yangon, 22 Jan- The Workshop on Digestive Endoscopy was held at the Gastroenterology Department of Mandalay General Hospital from 16 to 18 January. Chairman of Digestive and Gastroenterology Section of Myanmar Medical Association Professor Dr Khin Maung Win opened the workshop.

Officials of Ministry of Health and Directorate of Medical Services, specialists of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the rector of Institute of Medicine and scholars were present. Professor Yoshihiro Sakai of Toho University Ohashi Hospital and Dr Yap Chin Kong of Singapore General Hospital discussed the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Esophagogastroscopy and Endoscopic Reterograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) and Stone in Biliary Tree. Then, Myanmar and foreign specialists treated 35 patients. The workshop was sponsored by Digestive and Gastroenterology Section of MMA and Olympic Company of Singapore and organized by Takeda Janssencilag and OEC company branches.

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( 6 ) National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 22 Jan- The National Convention Convening Commission held its meeting at the hall of the commission this afternoon. Present were Chairman of the Commission Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairmen Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and commission members. Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin delivered a speech. National Convention Convening Work Committee and Management Committee reported on matters relating to the National Convention. The members of the Commission took part in the discussions. Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin made concluding remarks, which brought the meeting to a close.

National Seminar on Women's Health commences

Yangon, 22 Jan- The National Seminar on Women's Health, jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, Myanmar National Working Committee for women's Affairs and the World Health Organization, was held at the International Business Centre on Pyay Road this morning.

Present were Chairman of Myanmar National Working Committee for women's Affairs Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Ministers for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Chairperson of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Working Committee for women's Affairs Daw May May Yee, member of the Working Committee Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and members, Advisers to the Working Committee Daw Khin Than Nwe, Daw Khin Cho Oo and Professor Daw Nan Oo, Secretary of the Working Committee Director-General of Social Welfare Department U Sit Myaing, directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Health, medical superintendents and specialists, chairmen of social organizations, officials of the UN agencies and guests.

Minister for Health Maj-Gen said : This seminar is jointly organized by the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and Myanmar National Committee of Women's Affairs (MNCWA). This seminar is but one contribution to elevate the health status of women in Myanmar. It is most rewarding to find an inter-sectorally represented audience who will be participating actively in the future activities on Women's Health.

Many researches, surveys, dissertations etc have been conducted in the area of women health. But most results have not been published or publicized and so decision-makers are unaware of the information, which could be utilized in the decision-making. The health system needs an evidence-based practice movement as in most clinical practice, which is based on limited evidence. It requires that the result of primary research be complied in a methodical way and made accessible to those involved in the decision-making process. This seminar and the proceedings that followed is such an attempt. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, I hope, the quality of life of Myanmar women in the 21st century would be better. This seminar is based on the life-cycle approach of a woman: encompassing infancy, childhood, adolescence, encounters during the reproductive ages, malignancies of the genital tract, menopause and elderly. Therefore the objectives of this seminar are:

(1) To review the literatures on Women's Health in Myanmar.

(2) To disseminate the findings of Women's Health Studies for utilization by decision-makers and policy-makers concerning Women's Health and

(3) To produce recommendations and future direction beyond the millennium in the field of Women's Health. I hope you will enjoy the topics, the speakers, and take an active part in discussions, suggestions and future directions for Women's Health in Myanmar. In discussing the future vision, I would like to highlight a few points, which could be included for consideration. They are -

* Public/private partnerships or multiple partnerships

* Community participation

* Capacity developments

* Quality care and last being

* The information technology

With the explosion of the information technology, our future action should be based on evidence, which could be derived from the Internet based interactive health communication technologies and expert systems. Furthermore, information and knowledge management is deemed the heart of the health care workers' professional, intellectual and practical activities. In conclusion I wish to thank the organizers of this seminar and the participants who will be faithfully listening, deliberating, sharing experiences and practicing.

Then, residential representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra made a speech. At the seminar, resource persons submitted papers on growth and development in infant and childhood, adolescent health in Myanmar, abortion, maternal morbidity, maternal mortality, fertility regulation and sexually transmitted diseases. The seminar will continue tomorrow.

Plant Safety Training Course No 10 opens

Yangon, 22 Jan- A ceremony to open the Plant Safety Training Course No 10 was held at No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) this morning. Present were Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Aung, departmental officials, trainees and officials. The minister gave an opening speech. Altogether 18 trainees of plants from Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise are attending the four-week course. After the opening ceremony, the minister and party attended the opening ceremony of the oil tank which can store 6.6 million gallons of diesel built at the refinery. The oil tank was built by employees of MOGE. The minister presented K 100,000 as bonus to workers who participated in the construction of the tank. The minister then inspected No 1 Oil Refinery (Thanlyin) and the Tar Factory.

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( 7 ) Ministers inspect Kanthaya Hospital

Yangon, 22 Jan - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein inspected Kanthaya Hospital on Natmauk Street this morning. The ministers met with Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General U Nyunt Aye and officials, Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung and officials at the hospital, and coordinated work programmes of the hospital. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan reported on functions of the hospital and Director-General Dr Wan Maung on future tasks. Then, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and officials inspected the hospital. The ministers gave instructions.

Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs open courses

Yangon, 22 Jan- A ceremony to open Basic Electronic Course, Technical Requirement of Outside Plant Engineering Course and Introduction to Data Communication Course was held at the Telecommunication and Postal Service Training School with an address by Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin.

Also present were the managing director of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, the director-general of the Posts and Telecommunications Department, the general manager of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, the principal of the training school, course instructors and 45 trainees. The minister said that in building Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and developed nation, it is imperative that a lot of natural resources are required and that so are qualified human resources; so, courses are being opened to enhance the quality of employees. The minister urged the trainees to work hard at the courses.

Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation inspects railroad sections

Yangon, 22 Jan- Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Pe Than inspected construction of Mandalay Station on 15 January. The deputy minister inspected Mandalay-PyinOoLwin railroad and gave instructions on maintenance of sections and bridges and arrangements for greening of PyinOoLwin Station. On 16 January, the deputy minister inspected railroad from PyinOoLwin to Lashio and gave instructions on Gokhteik Viaduct. He also gave instructions on repair of the tunnels and bridges on Lashio-Mandalay section. He inspected Ywahtaung Locomotive Workshop, KhinU-YeU-Budalin-Monywa section and Hsinphyushin Bridge. He met Myanma Railways officials in Mandalay.

Basic literacy campaign (3-Rs) coord meeting held

Yangon, 22 Jan- A ceremony to coordinate the basic literacy campaign (3-Rs) was held at Myanmar Literacy Resource Centre of Myanmar Education Research Bureau this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of Leading Committee for Education Affairs Minister for Education U Than Aung. Also present were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt and officials. All participants took part in the discussions. Then, the minister and party proceeded to Myanmar Academy for Arts and Science Association at the Resource Centre and met President U Than Oo and members.

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