( 1 ) Secretary-1 receives Director of Joint Intelligence (J-2) of Royal Thai Armed Forces

Yangon, 1 Feb -Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Director of Defence Services Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received the visiting Thai delegation led by Lt-Gen Winai Phattiyakul, Director of Joint Intelligence (J-2), Supreme Command Headquarters of Royal Thai Armed Forces, at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 3 pm today. Also present together with Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt were Deputy Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies and Deputy Director of Defence Services Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, senior Tatmadaw officers and Defence, Army and Air Attache of Thai Embassy Col Chaiwat Satondee.

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( 2 ) Education Minister receives Chinese Ambassador

Yangon, 1 Feb-Minister for Education U Than Aung received Ambassador of China to Myanmar Mr Liang Dong, who had completed tour of duty in Myanmar, at the hall of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) at 2.30 pm today. They cordially discussed matters related to cooperation in the education sector between the two countries. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt and officials of the ministry.

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( 3 ) Minister for Mines inspects Steel Mill in Mandalay

Yangon, 1 Feb-Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint arrived at Mandalay Airport where General Manager of No 1 Steel Mill U Saw Moe Myint and officials welcomed him on 30 January morning. The minister and party headed for marble production site of No 3 Mining Enterprise and Nawarat Mineral Co Ltd in Madaya and inspected production process there. Then, officials briefed the minister on production with the help of charts. After leaving instructions, the minister and party proceeded to No 1 Steel Mill where they were briefed on production by the general manager. The minister urged them to try to exceed the set target, and presented cash to the staff who succeeded in repairing the 500 KV generator. The Minister inspected Mandalay branch of the ministry and gave instructions on greening tasks and growing of kitchen crops.

Course in Basic Diplomatic Skills opens

Yangon, 1 Feb-A ceremony to open Course No 3 in Basic Diplomatic Skills conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held at the Wunzin Minyazar Hall of the Ministry this morning, with an address by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung. Also present on the occasion were heads of department of the Ministry, Myanmar Ambassadors, senior diplomats, the rectors and professors of the Universities in Yangon and trainees. The eleven-week course comprises subjects of Protocol, International Conferencing, International Etiquette's, International Correspondence, Negotiation Techniques and others.

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( 4 ) Workshop on Review of Existing Cost-Sharing Schemes Practised in Hospitals opens

Yangon, 1 Feb - The Workshop on Review of Existing Cost-Sharing Schemes Practised in Hospitals, jointly organized by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, was opened with an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein at the health employee training school in Dagon Township this morning.

Also present were Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Mya Oo, directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Health, Representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra, rectors, directors, heads of state and division health departments, medical superintendents and guests. Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein said that national health plans are in course of implementation in accord with the national health policy, and in this regard, basic strategies of preliminary health care are being applied; the cost-sharing system, according to which the public pay part of the cost of health care, has been put into practice; although the cost-sharing system has been introduced since the end of 1993, there are still some people who don't know the purpose of the system; though some people know the system very well, there are weaknesses in implementation work.

The minister added that although the cost-sharing system has been practised, free medical care is being provided for the poor and needy; to give free medical care to the poor and needy, trust funds amounting to over K 307.5 million have been set up in 398 hospitals; arrangements are being made to give free medical care to the poor and needy with the use of the trust funds; in Year 2000, about 550,000 poor and needy patients were given free medical care with the use of over K 200 million. Then, Representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra made a speech. The workshop will continue tomorrow.

Extension of oil palm plantation research stressed

Yangon, 1 Feb - Chairman of the Leading Committee for Region-Wise Agricultural Development Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Brig-Gen Lun Maung inspected regional development undertakings in Taninthayi Division yesterday.

Accompanied by Secretary of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Khin Maung Nyo and members of the Subcommittee for Agricultural Development in Taninthayi Division, the minister visited the Applied Research Centre of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise in Shwedu Ward, Myeik. Division Officer of MPCE U Zaw Win briefed the minister and party on emergence of the centre, its functions, the oil palm cultivation research programme and future tasks of the centre. After inspecting the functions of the centre, the minister spoke of the need to extend research on perennial crops including oil palm. At Myeik-Taninthayi-Mandaing Road Project, the minister and party observed construction of the earth road, production of granites and paving of granites on the road.

In meeting with the project engineers, the minister stressed the timely completion of the earth road, the building of bridges and the laying of granites. During the tour, the minister visited the thriving oil palm plantations of the national entrepreneurs in the township. Asia World Company is planting oil palm at Khonmaw village, Myannaingmyint, at Zawei village, and Shwe Kanbawza Company, at Htonkha village in the township. At his meeting with officials of the farms, the minister looked into the requirements and took pest control measures and conducting weeding work.

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( 5 ) UMFCCI officials meet foreign guests

Yangon, 1 Feb-Vice-President of UMFCCI U Htain Win, Secretary General U Zaw Min Win and executives met Trade Commissioner Ms Judy Bennett Smith of New Zealand Trade Development Board at UMFCCI office at 12.35 pm today and discussed matters on cooperation, investment and scholarship. They also met a delegation led by Executive Manager Mr Jacob Soetoyo of the Geist Companies, Indonesia at 1.30 pm today and discussed matters on export and import between the two countries.

Deputy Minister inspects Myama Insurance

Yangon, 1 Feb-Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun arrived at Myanma Insurance this afternoon. He was welcomed by Managing Director Col Thein Lwin and officials. The deputy minister met with the staff and heard the report on the functions of Myanma Insurance by Col Thein Lwin. Then, he inspected various sections of Myanma Insurance.

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( 6 ) Rules for Armed Forces Day painting & sculpture competitions

Yangon, 1 Feb-The Painting and Sculpture Competitions Sub-Committee, with Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt as chairman, under the Poetry and Art Competitions Organizing Work Committee, today issued rules for painting and sculpture competitions to be held in hailing the 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.

The painting competition is categorized into six divisions pre-primary school, primary school (kindergarten, first and second standards), primary school (third and fourth standards), middle school (from fifth to eighth standards), high school (ninth and tenth standards, technical and agricultural high schools) and open division.

In sculpture competition, there will be open division only in two genres wood and plaster. The entrants are to send their entries with the size of 15 by 20 inches to the pre-primary and basic education level art contest, together with two passport size photos. The entries of open level painting contest are to send with size of 20 by 30 inches with two passport size photos. The entries for all levels must be own creation.

The entries for sculpture contest should not be bigger than 36 inches in height and 24 inches in circumference. The entries are to feature whatever theme the entrant likes made of wood or plaster. The title of the entrant's choice can be given. The entrant must inscribe his or her name, National Registration Card number, date of birth, father's name, occupation, address at the bottom. All entries for painting and sculpture competitions must feature the 12 national objectives, 56th Anniversary Armed Forces Day objectives, the 12 fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.

The entries for paining competition ( other divisions ) are to be sent to U Thaung Shwe, Director of Education Planning and training Department , 22/24, Pansodan Street, Yangon, no later than 14 February 20001.

Deputy Minister & Vice-Mayor inspect nurseries, plantations

Yangon, 1 Feb - Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, together with officials concerned, inspected the plantations and nursery farms of the Gardens, Parks and Sportsground Division of YCDC today. The officials reported on progress of work relating to nurseries and saplings of various shady trees at Myakantha Nursery at 6.5th Mile in Mayangon Township, Hanthawady Nursery on Kyundaw Road in Kamaryut Township and Kandaw Mingala Park in Dagon Township. The deputy minister and the vice-mayor gave necessary instructions for extension of work, minimizing loss and wastage, preventing plants from pests and insects.

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( 7 ) Mayor inspects agricultural and construction work

Yangon, 1 Feb - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by officials, inspected agricultural and construction work at Yangon City Recreation Centre in Taikkyi Township this morning. First, Mayor U Ko Lay inspected cultivation of summer paddy, Marubini plantations and kitchen crop plantations. Then, the Mayor instructed officials to build Kya-inn YwaU Ayechan Sibin Pagoda and to hold the Htidaw-hoisting ceremony of the pagoda. Mayor U Ko Lay then inspected construction of the sluice gate of Kyointamyin Reservoir and water storage of the reservoir. He urged the officials to construct the sluice gate with the head regulator, supply water for cultivation of summer paddy in Kya-inn and Udo regions and make arrangements for diversion of water into Hlaing River during the rainy season.

UDNR trainees conclude excursion in Yangon

Yangon, 1 Feb-The trainees of Primary Teacher-ship Course No 33 of University for Development of National Races led by Prof Daw Khin Win together with faculty members, left here by car this morning. They were on an excursion in Yangon to study modernization and development projects and work on building of the nation. Rector of the University Col Zaw Min Thein presented a commemorative pennant to Deputy Director of Directorate of Supply and Transport of Ministry of Defence Col Myint Ohn at No-1 Transit Centre (Bayintnaung) the trainees were put up.

The trainees were seen off by Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Chairman of Reception Sub-committee for Excursion Tour of the trainees Commandant of Defence Services Records Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Secretary of Management Committee Acting Director-General of Civil Service Selection and Training Department U Hla Kyi, Deputy Director Col Myint Ohn, Commander of No 1 Motor Transport Battalion Lt-Col Hla Htay, Commandant of No-1 Transit Centre (Bayintnaung) Lt-Col Tin Kyaing and officials.

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