( 1 ) The Law Amending the Myanmar Accountancy Council Law

(The State Peace and Development Council Law No 5/2001)

The 7th Waxing Day of Hnaung Tagu, 1362 ME

(30th March, 2001)

The State Peace and Development Council hereby enacts the following Law:

1. This Law shall be called the Law Amending the Myanmar Accountancy Council Law.

2. The following shall be inserted after section 27 of the Myanmar Accountancy Council Law:"Provided that, such prohibition shall not apply to a person serving as an auditor in any company exempted by the Government through a notification."

(Sd) Than Shwe Senior General Chairman

The State Peace and Development Council

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of New Zealand

YANGON, 30 March—Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe accepted the credentials of newly-accredited Ambassador of New Zealand to the Union of Myanmar Mr Alan Williams at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence at 10 am today.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department.

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( 2 )  Secretary-1 inspects progress of carving Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

YANGON, 30 March -Secretary-l of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township where Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image is kept, at 6.50 pm today.

The Secretary-l was welcomed there by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and officials, experts and members of Pagoda Beard of Trustees.

The Secretary-l paid homage to the Image. The Secretary-l inspected progress of carving the Image and the officials reported on progress of work.

Then, he inspected completion of all-round construction work of the Hill, and the officials reported on construction. After leaving instructions to officials, the Secretary-l left the Hill at 7.30 Pm.

National entrepreneurs encouraged, participation of State sector reduced, private sector given more rights

Central Body for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport holds Meeting 1/2001

YANGON, 30 March - The Central Body for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport held Meeting No 1/2001 in the meeting hall of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) this afternoon with an address by Chairman of the Central Body Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and national entrepreneurs.

The Secretary-1 said that the purpose of the meeting was to further promote cooperation between the State and the private sector and assign to the private sector the tasks for ensuring secure and smooth transport.

Secure and smooth transport is the key to development of the State and national prosperity and economic growth.

The better the transport sector is, the narrower the gap of economic development in all the regions. The transport among the plains, urban areas and rural areas will become easier and easier as well. In this way, the standard of living of the people will improve all the more. Therefore, measures are being taken to make narrower and narrower the gap between the rural areas and the urban areas and the hi11s and the plains and among regions in the State.

When there is harmonious development among all the regions of the State, the people will have more occasions to deal with each other due to easy and convenient transport. In addition, friendly ties will be further cemented and the people will help each other and become more and more interdependent. The spirit of national unity will become stronger and stronger. At the same time, Union Spirit will flourish all the more.

Since its assumption of duties of State, the government has built roads, river crossing bridges, railroads and new airports in order to ensure secure and smooth transport. Therefore, it can be seen that the transport sector is improving and the economic growth of the State is becoming larger and larger.

With regard to striving to achieve economic development and to make national economic life of the State stronger and stronger, the private sector is required to cooperate with the government.

The Secretary-1 quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying that in uplifting the national economic life, it is needed to encourage private national entrepreneurs, to reduce the participation of the State sector and to give more rights to the private sector.

In accord with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, the government is encouraging private national entrepreneurs and opportunities have been given to them to cooperate with the state.

Arrangements will be made to enlist the more participation of private national entrepreneurs in the tasks being carried out by the government such as building and upgrading roads and bridges.

By cooperating with the government in upgrading roads and bridges and striving to ensure secure and smooth transport, the private national entrepreneurs will achieve higher working efficiency and will have appropriate economic benefits. In this way, the role of the private sector will become higher and higher and the national economic life will improve more and more.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 encouraged all to participate in the discussions on further promoting cooperation between the government and the private sector. Then, the private national entrepreneurs reported on construction of highways and roads with maps and charts. The ministers and the deputy ministers also took part in the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the Secretary-1.

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( 3 ) Seven ancient cannons presented to Defence Services Museum

YANGON, 30 March — Seven ancient cannons found at Andaman sea bed in the area between Pathein lighthouse and Thamihla island were transferred to Directorate of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute this morning.

Two of the cannons were first found and salvaged by divers catching lobsters in the area in Ngapudaw Township, Ayeyawady Division, on 21 December 2000. The divers, fishermen from Kyaukchaung and Khamaukmaw villages in the township, salvaged one more cannon on 23 December.

According to the information on the finds, personnel of the regional Tatmadaw naval force combed the sea floor in the area and found one ancient cannon on 7 January this year and two more, one each, on 19 January and 2 February respectively.

In addition to the three more finds by the Navy, Army personnel of the regional battalion also salvaged one ancient cannon in the area on 2 January 2001.

The seven ancient cannons will be displayed at Defence Services Museum. Cmdr Win Shein of Tatmadaw (Navy) and Maj Toe Maung Aye of Southwest Command explained the salvage of the cannons. Staff Officer of Research Division of DDSMHRI U Zaw Zaw also explained historical records of the cannons.

Director of DDSMHRI Col Ye Htut accepted the cannons from the representatives of the respective bodies. The ceremony held at the Directorate was also attended by Cmdr Than Htaik of Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), military officers and guest.

National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 30 March - The National Convention Convening Commission held its meeting at the meeting hall of NCCC this afternoon. Present were Chairman of NCCC Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and commission members. Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin chaired the meeting. The National Convention Convening Work Committee and the National Convention Convening Management Committee reported on their work. The meeting ended in the evening with concluding remarks by the Chairman.

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( 4 )  Vice-President of LPDR and party visit Shwedagon Pagoda

Yangon, 30 March-The visiting Vice-President of the Lao People-s Democratic Republic HE Lt-Gen Choummaly Sayasone and wife Madame Keosay Chaysayasone and party, accompanied by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife, Director of Directorate of Supply and Transport of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Htay and wife, Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and wife and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived at the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

They were welcomed there by Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, members of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees U Kin Maung Myint, U Thant Zin and U Ohn Myint, Secretary U Win Kyaing and officials. Madame Keosay Chaysayasone offered water to the Buddha image at the Sunday (north-west) Corner.

The visiting Vice-President and wife and party visited King Thayawady Bell and Htidaw Stupa and had a souvenir photo taken. They then paid homage to Kakusanta Buddha Image at Eastern Prayer Hall. The visiting Vice-President and wife made a cash donation to the Pagoda through the deputy commander and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees who presented a certificate of honour to them.

The visiting Vice-President signed in the visitors' book. The visiting Vice-President and wife and party offered lights, flower and incense and paid obeisance to Kyauksein Buddha Image at Ponnyakuthala Prayer Hall at Saturday (south-west) Corner. They went around the Pagoda clockwise and then offered lights, flowers and incense to the Pagoda at auspicious areas near Chanthagyi Prayer Hall. They left the Pagoda through the Northern Stairway at 7.40 am.

Vice-President of Lao PDR and goodwill delegation leave for Shan State

YANGON, 30 March - The goodwill delegation led by Vice-President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Lt Gen Choummaly Sayasone and wife Madame Keosaychay Sayasone left here for Shan State by special Tatmadaw aircraft this morning to continue their goodwill visit in Myanmar.

They were accompanied by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone and wife Daw Aye Pyi Wai Khin, Director of Supply and Transport of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Than Htay and wife Daw Nwe Nwe Win, Ambassador of Lao PDR Mr Ly Bounkham and officials of departments concerned.

The goodwill delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla and wife Daw Win Kyi, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife Daw Marlar Tint, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife Daw San Yone, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and officials.

Domestic science courses conclude

YANGON, 30 March- The concluding ceremony of Tailoring Course No 15/2001 and Cookery Course No 14/ 2001 was held in conjunction with opening of Tailoring Course No 16/2001 and Cookery Course No 15/2001 at the multi-purpose building of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association this morning. Present at the ceremony were Chairperson of the Association Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and CEC members, patrons of the course Supervisory Committee, course instructors and trainees.

Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe gave a speech on the occasion. The chairperson and the vice-chairperson presented certificates to the trainees. The trainees presented equipment for the Domestic Science School to CEC member (Treasurer) Daw Khin Myint Myint. Anyone may,submit application to attend the courses which are being conducted bimonthly.

Cash donated to MMCWA

Yangon, 30 March-A ceremony to present K 4 million donated by Singapore Association of Myanmar (SAM) to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the multi-purpose building of the Association, at corner of Thanthumar Road and Parami Road, South Okkalapa, this morning. Present on the occasion were MMCWA Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, CEC members and wellwishers. Ambassador of Singapore to Myanmar Mr Simon De Cruz presented K 4 million to the chairperson and the vice-chairpersons who presented a certificate of honour to him. Then, Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks.

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( 5 ) Minister receives President of EEM

YANGON, 30 March - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received President of Electricite et Eaux de Madagascar Mr Francois Gontier and party of France at his office this afternoon.

Also present at the call were Managing Director of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Kyi Tun and officials, Director of Yangon Wood Industries Limited U Saw Lu Lu Htaw.

Minister for Industry-2 receives PRC Ambassador

YANGON, 30 March - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received Ambassador of People's Republic of China Mr Li Jinjun at his office this afternoon. Thee discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and officials.

Minister receives Ambassador of Thailand

YANGON, 30 March — Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin received the Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon at his office this morning. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Director General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, Pro Rector (Admin) of International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Dr Hla Pe and Head of Office U Maung Maung Myint.

Minister receives PRC Ambassador

Yangon, 30 March - Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung received Ambassador of People's Republic of China Mr Li Jin Jun and embassy staff at his office yesterday. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, the directors-general and the managing director.

Malaysian Minister concludes visit

YANGON, 30 March-The five-member delegation led by Chairman of Council of Education Ministers of ASEAN nations Minister of Education of Malaysia Tari Sri Dato Seri Musa Bin Mohamad left here for home by air this afternoon. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, directors general of departments under the Ministry of Education, Ambassador of Malaysia to Myanmar Dato' Muharnmad Bin Noh and Ernbassy staff.

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( 6 ) General Secretary of ABC,calls on Minister

YANGON, 30 March- General Secretary Dato Yeoh Choo Hock and members of Asian Basketball Confederation called on Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint at Kyauksein Hall of the Ministry of Sports at National Indoor Stadium- 1 in Thuwunna at 8 am today.

Also present at the call were officials of the Minis try of Sports and Myanmar Basketball Federation.

They coordially discussed matters related to cooperation in basketball event. At 9 am, Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint,attended the opening ceremony of the Seminar on Coaches, Referees and Rules 2000 Interpretation in the National Indoor Stadium-l in Thuwunna and gave an opening speech. Afterwards, General Secretary of Asian Basketball Confederation Dato Yeoh Choo Hock extended greetings and the opening ceremony then came to a close.

Then, the minister cordially met those present at the seminar. A total of 45 persons 11 of States and Divisions, five of departments and 29 of Myanmar Basketball Federation  are attending the 8 seminar which will be held till 31 March.

Myanmar Mountaineering Team to scale Phungam Ice Mountain

YANGON, 30 March -Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint handed over State Flag to leader of Mountaineering Team of Myanmar Mountaineering and Hiking Federation at Padamya Hall of National Indoor Stadium-l in Thuwunna this morning.

Mountaineering Team of Myanmar Mountaineering and Hiking Federation will scale the 11,500 ft high Phungan Ice Mountain in Putao Distinct, Kachin State.

Present were officials of the Ministry of Sports, President of Myanmar Mountaineering and Hiking Federation leader of Mountaineering Team Rector Dr Paing Soe and members.

Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint made a speech on the occasion. Then, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint handed over the State Flag to Dr Paing Soe. Dr Paing Soe spoke words of thanks. The Mountaineering Team of MMHF comprising 20 mountaineers climbed the 13,350 R high Mount Eimawbon in Hsawlaw Township, Myitkyina District, from 5 November to 1 December 2000. The Mountaineering Team of MMHF made up of 103 mountaineers climbed the 10,500-ft high Mount Victoria mountain in Kanpeelet Township, Mindat District,Chin State, on 20 December 2000. The Mountaineering Team of MMHF comprising 41 mountaineers win climb the 11,500 high Phungan Ice Mountain in Putao District, Kachin State.

Minister attends concluding ceremony of computer courses

YANGON, 30 March — The concluding ceremony of Personal Computer for Office Application Course, Personal Computer Operating Course and Post Master Course was held at Communication, Post and Telegraph Training School of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications this morning, attended by Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Win Tin. Present also were the Managing Director of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications, the Director-General of Directorate of Telecommunications, heads of department, the principal, course instructors and trainees. Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin made a speech on the occasion. Minister Brig-Gen Win Tin presented certificates and prizes to the trainees and outstanding trainees

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( 7 ) Sagaing Division farmers, officials urged to extend irrigated cotton, sesame cultivation

YANGON, 30 March -Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected cotton fields at Khetkha Village, Sagaing District, Sagaing Division, yesterday.

Accompanied by the directors-general of Water Resources Utilization Department and Irrigation Department and members of the Division Agriculture Supervisory Committee, Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin met cotton growers and staff at Agricultural Education Camp (Cotton) at the village. During the meeting with farmers and Camp staff, the minister discussed matters relating to agriculture, cotton purchase and water supply. He spoke of the need to apply systematic cultivation methods to raise per acre yield of quality long-staple cotton.

Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin observed summer paddy fields in the surrounding areas of Khetkha and Hteehline villages which are covered by Tatywa Pumped-Water Project.

At his meeting with farmers and departmental personnel, the minister urged them to strive to reduce wastage and to extend irrigated cotton and sesame cultivation. After inspecting crop irrigation in areas along the Project's feeder canal, the minister and party arrived at Tatywa Pumped-Water Station.

At the briefing hall of the Station, Director-General of WRUD U Win Shwe briefed the minister on supply of water lifted from Ayeyawady River by 12 floating pumps installed on three pontoons and Irrigation of crops under canal system, members of Division Agricultural Supervisory Committee on irrigation of 11,330 acres of triple cropping in Sagaing Township and 5,218 acres in Wetlet Township and local authorities on extension of irrigated areas.

The minister gave suggestions, saying, states and divisions which are self-sufficient in food and which are included in the irrigated cultivation areas should give priority to putting low land areas under paddy and designating special zones to cultivate cotton, oil crops, beans and pulses and sugarcane, to grow crops chosen by the farmers as double cropping, to effectively use irrigated water and to observe Irrigation laws.

Mayor inspects Uto-Kya-in Agricultural Project

YANGON, 30 March - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, accompanied by officials, inspected agricultural work at Uto-Kyain Agricultural Project in Taikkyi Township and attended the ceremony making the completion of the sinking of a tube-well by YCDC for water supply of Tinboakgyi, Kyaungsu and Thongwa Villages in Zegontaung this morning.

Mayor U Ko Lay inspected onion and potato plantations and gave instructions on cultivation of quality strains, proper flow of water into the plantations and the weeding of the plantations. Then, the Mayor inspected the 25-ton rice mill in the projected area and progress of work in building a new 25-ton rice mill. Afterwards, the Mayor attended the ceremony marking the completion of the sinking of a tube well. He had a cordial meeting with local farmers and gave instructions on cultivation of beans and peas, use of water and construction of the road linking Zegon Road and Kyaungsu Village.

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( 8 ) Weinkaung region USDA members visit Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image

YANGON, 30 March — Altogether 45 members of Union Solidarity and Development Association from Wa special region (Weinkaung region) on Thanlwin East in Tangyan Township, Shan State (North), led by executive of Shan State (North) USDA U Tin Ohn, Headmistress of

Weinkaung Affiliated High School Daw Thaung Thaung Win, accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, went sightseeing in Yangon today.

First, the USDA delegation paid homage to Buddha's Tooth Relic Pagoda on Dhamma Pala Hill in Mayangon Township at 8 am today. Then, they proceeded to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Image on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township and paid obeisance to the image.

Afterwards, the delegation visited Hlinethaya Industrial City where Assistant Director of Human Settlement and Housing Development Department U Myint Swe explained facts about the industrial city. The USDA delegation also visited Hat Factory and FMI City in the industrial city.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Myanma Radio and Television and the National Museum on Pyay Road and Defence Services Museum on Shwedagon Pagoda Road. Central Executive Committee member of USDA Col Tin Hlaing met the delegation at USDA Headquarters on new University Avenue at 5 pm.

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