Yangon, 6 April- The graduation parade of the 43rd Intake of Defence Services Academy was held at the parade grounds of Defence Services Academy in PyinOoLwin at 7.30 am today, with an address by Commander-in-Cheif of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, ministers Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Maj-Gen Saw Tun, U Thaung, Maj-Gen Tin Htut, U Than Aung and Maj-Gen Ket Sein, Military Appointment-General Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe, Judge Advocate-General Maj-Gen Thein Soe, Defence Services Inspector-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung, Chief of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, directors of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Aung Kyi, Brig-Gen Kyi Win, Col Thein Tun, Brig-Gen Khin Aung Myint, Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tint, Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Brig-Gen Than Htay, Col Hla Tun and Brig-Gen Aung Hlaing, senior military officers, military attaches of foreign missions, parents and relatives of cadets and guests.

At the ceremony, the Senior General inspected cadet companies. Then, the Commander-in-Cheif of Defence Services took the salute of the graduation cadet company.Afterwards, the Defence Services Commander-in-Cheif presented Aungsitthi Award to Cadet Win Ko Ko, Excellent Training Award to Cadet Than Win Aung, Excellent Study Award (Arts) Cadet Maung Maung Lwin and Excellent Study Award (Science) Cadet Tun Naing Win.Then, the Commander-in-Cheif of Defence Services delivered an address. He said:

Today is the graduation day of the 43rd Intake of the Defence Services Academy. You have successfully completed the study of military and other relevant subjects leading to Bachelor degrees in Arts, Science and Computer Science and will be appointed as junior leaders of the Tatmadaw. Today is a milestone in the lives of you, Comrades, who have successfully completed long-term study and training. It is also a day of invigoration for the Tatmadaw. At this graduation ceremony, there are certain points on which I would like to put special emphasis. You need to be a good Tatmadawman and a good leader in order to be in tune with the attribute of the Defence Services Academy, "Victorious soldiers of the future". In order to be a good Tatmadawman, you have to bear in mind all the time a message from an old warrior: If ever my son joins the army, tell him this, "The army is a great training school where qualities that go into the making of great men are taught, provided you can actually keep it up". The Tatmadaw is indeed a great training school. All through life as military personnel, you will receive constant training, guidance and supervision. Strict obser-vance is necessary.

The most fundamental provision for life as a Tatmadawman is none other than the Soldiers’ Code of Conduct with Sixty rules grouped in six sections: individual conduct, conduct toward superiors, conduct toward subordinates, conduct toward other comrades, conduct toward the people and conduct toward the enemy. By observing all these rules of conduct, you Comrades, will definitely be the noble Tatmadawmen. Being noble is the glory born of moral probity and immaculateness. Just as we take care to wear our pasoe firmly, all Tatmadaw-men must see to it that the Soldiers’ Code of Conduct is observed. Only then will the prestige and glory of the Tatmadaw be augmented.There are two infallible guidelines that a good Tatmadawman must take to heart for all time: to be superior in kind and to be one with the people. Being superior in kind is related to the training motto: From quantity to quality.

Training falls into two categories: self-training and supervised training. At the Defence Services Academy, you have received supervised training. After graduation, you need to keep up sustained self-training in order to acquire new skills and competencies. Again, as you will be in control of the units in discharging duties, you need to create a new force out of the combined talents of the service personnel in your charge. You need to be good trainers capable of providing continuous supervision and training to you subordinates.In this regard, we must ensure that physical and mental training are balanced. Physical training may give mental benefits just as mental training may make new physical strength available. The training concept of achieving skill through training, confidence through skill, daring through confidence and success through daring is of particular significance in all lines of duty.

As for being one with the people, you Comrades are born of the people. After joining the Armed Forces, you have to leave your homes and communities, parents and relatives to go wherever you are posted. You must think of the region you are posted as your own, your native community, work for the development of its education, health, transportation, community peace and tranquility and work for regional economic development. In addition you must act seamlessly in conformity with the culture and religious faith of the region you are posted to and learn the language the people speak. Think of those you come into contact with as your own parents and kinsfolk and serve them with cetana and goodwill.

You must be seamlessly integrated with the people, organize them so that people share your conviction in national politics. You must be capable of organizing the people for combat and building base regions. You must take to heart the fact that being one with the people is the only way to victory.When we enlisted, we attested holding the national flag. This is a special characteristic of the Tatmadaw organization. You are the ones to sacrifice your lives if necessary in the defense of the Four Oaths. Their essence is forever being faithful to the National Cause, upholding and passing on Twelve Noble traditions of the Tatmadaw, working and discharging duties with one resolve, with one voice, under one command, and making a firm resolution to sacrifice even our lives of the nation, for our nationals and for the Tatmadaw.

A good Tatmadawman must possess the spirit of sacrifice and daring in the service of the nation and the Tatmadaw. Daring comes only to those capable of sacrifice. The will to win must be intense. You must dare to take the initiative. To become a good Tatmadawman, I urge you to make your unit excel, fight to win and win the people’s hearts.You will initially have to take up your duties as a junior leader when you reach respective units. You have to nurture yourself to be a respected and trusted leader of your own troops. Leadership is an art developed through self-cultivation and learning theories and practices. You yourselves must always reassess your leadership qualities. In assessing leadership, there are facts to be considered-whether you have ability to accomplish your mission and whether you have the ability to persuade all of you troops to implement the mission unitedly.

A true leader must have creativity and inventiveness. Without creative leadership, one will only know dogmatic formulae and never will be a good leader who can bring about progress. Creativity is based on knowledge. As a super structure cannot be built without the foundation, one should have the will to learn perpetually to enrich knowledge. You should strive to catch up with ever accelerating age of wisdom as the realm of knowledge is so broad and deep. The advancement of science and technology today force rapid changes in various aspects. You, Comrades, who will have to discharge the duty of defending nation, must have adequate military knowledge. One cannot be a modern leader without being acquainted with up to date science and technology in defense and national security. The information on sophisticated weapons and equipment must be obtained and studied. And the ever-changing art and science of war must always be studied. Research and development yield richer knowledge to be practically applied.

A leader must be outstanding in good conduct which consists of morality, morale, good will, exemplary discipline and loyalty.A habit is a settled practice and morality means ethical behaviour. Therefore, moral courage must be developed to avoid bad habits and manners.With regard to morale, there must be unyielding and undaunted spirit as well as determination to preserve the noble traditions of the Tatmadaw sacrificing life and limb. Good will toward others means the spirit of voluntarily serving community welfare and sincere nature. A sincere person usually possesses morality and good discipline due to noble character.

The alternative meaning of discipline is code of conduct. As Tatmadaw is a society organized with the military code of conduct, you, the leaders, can control your fellow troops only by exemplary discipline. Loyalty follows morale and discipline. Loyalty is being true to the country and its nationals. Those who break its trust shall go the way of traitors to ruin and destruction. Loyalty must be kept among the rank and file, to both one’s superiors and fellow comrades. In addition, "comradeship" consisting of admiration, attachment and loyalty among fellow comrades, must be solidified.

The betterment of a unit depends upon it’s commander. A unit usually goes well under a good commander and deteriorates otherwise. Therefore, a commander must have strong will to strive for the benefit of his unit at all times. The benefit of a unit means strengthening the Three Capabilities, implementing the Four Structuring Tasks, fulfilling the Five Basic Qualities and keeping high morale among all troops and families. Troops, families including dependents must be healthy, happy, active and there must be inspiration and trust born of admiration and respect for their commander. For that, a commander must always sacrifice his own privileges. Benefits of the unit and community must always get priority. This is a good commander’s spirit which is also parent-like. Being a patriotic Tatmadaw, each and every military mission is solemnly carried out with a good commander’s spirit. In other matters, executing cohesively with parental spirit (Of Cetana, Metta and Karuna) is preferred. So, admiration and respect of fellow ranks will be attained as long as you are upholding sympathy.

As a unit is an organization, a team spirit with unanimous will is indispensable. While simultaneous effort is needed in military capability in accordance with battle procedure, cohesive execution with team spirit is essential for organizational and administrative capabilities. Only by doing so, synchronization of each one’s tasks can achieve synergy more effectively.Therefore, you must be able to build sustained unity in your unit. Firm belief in National Cause, comradeship, effective organizing activities and proper leadership are essentials for the consolidation of an organization.

Proper leadership is constituted with good command and control. The word "command" means the process of correct appreciation, decision making and issuing relevant orders during contingencies. The word "control" is supervision to ensure the proper implementation of military principles, rules and regulations, and customs.Tenacity, industry, endeavour and perseverance are prerequisites of a fine leader. Also are physical and moral courage. Whenever a mission is assigned, the morale to accomplish it with resolve and tenacious will to achieve it even if one has to sacrifice his own life are required. Physical and moral courage are the capabilities for daring action. as muscles of a human body get strong after repeated exercise, the quality of valour also shines with experience. Besides, military personnel must have physical and moral courage. Only those born of patriotism and possessing.

physical and moral courage shall become bold and daring leaders. Only with a strong will, the will to sacrifice, valour to fight to the last bullet and last man, determination to uphold the honour of the Tatmadaw even at the risk of own lives, combat spirit such as sense of cooperation and comradeship, will the military capability of the unit you lead be enhanced. In addition, a leader must always be militarily alert. Round the clock observation is essential. Information on the enemy must be obtained by all means and you must always be alert and be able to take the initiative.

In order to enable a unit one leads to possess the Three Capabilities, the Four Unit Structuring Tasks must be implemented, which are already laid down precisely. These are:

(One) Training

(Two) Administration

(Three) Welfare

(Four) Morale

In structuring a unit with training, each individual must recognize his own responsibility and must be able to accomplish it competently and also be capable of cooperating with others. Individual capability is the basis for overall efficiency of the entire Tatmadaw. Thus, a unit must be trained with the aim of total accomplishment of the missions as prescribed by their organizational structure.

Structuring a unit with administration means driving the mechanisms of General Staff duties, Adjutant and Quartermaster General staff duties in conjunction with each other. Even though the General Staff, Adjutant and Quartermaster work is not complicated, these must be implemented in accordance with established regulations and instructions in a timely manner. Administrative machinery ensures the functioning of the Tatmadaw, from the smallest detachment to the entire Tatmadaw.

The reason for structuring with welfare is that most of the units are based in remote areas. Even if rear headquarters are based in areas that have good communications, troops have to serve in rugged regions. Thus, transport, communication and logistic hardships must be dealt with. Welfare must be provided to the smallest detail so as to achieve good administration and morale. As these welfare activities such as agriculture, livestock breeding and production can meet the needs of the public, providing welfare also means serving the people. As our Tatmadaw is a patriotic Tatmadaw, I would like to say that welfare must be emphasized.

A units must be built by morale because good morale is the first priority for a good unit. When doing military appreciation the morale of the enemy as well as that of our own troops must be assessed correctly. Own troops must have high morale and be filled with eagerness to fight. If the enemy is low in morale and deprived of the will to fight wars will be won before the actual combat begins. Thus, morale building must be understood and realties must be constantly observed. It is also required to boost morale as necessity arises.

Try to understand these Four Unit Structuring Tasks thoroughly and implement them effectively. These are also the tasks being executed by the leaders, from the smallest unit to the entire Tatmadaw.In order to become victorious soldiers of the future, you must know the nature of warfare that will develop in the years to come. The main tenets of modern warfare are the capability to strike preemptively, initiative, deep strikes and synchronization. As a result of development in technology and electronics, weapons have become more destructive. Volume of fire has become massive as well as accurate and effective. They have also increased in range. Intelligence equipment has become hihly sophisticated. Dissemination of information ahs become very fast and more information sources available, thanks to information technology.

As always, if there are advantages, there also are disadvantages. Electronic equipment can be countered with methods of electronic counter-measures and electronic deception. Therefore, only when you become highly qualified human resources can you fulfill the responsibility of your era.In conclusion, I would like to say that defending the Nation is the main responsibility of our Tatmadaw. In order to defend our nation in the future, our Tatmadaw is being transformed into a Strong, Capable and Modern Tatmadaw. You, Comrades, are the new blood who have to shoulder the responsibility handed over to you.

Furthermore, this is the time the Tatmadaw has to discharge the duties of State in addition to defence duties. Thus you must understand the Unit building measures as well as those for nation building. Strenuous efforts to achieve Political, Economic and Social objectives must be made relentlessly to build a Peaceful, Developed and Modern nation. I have to urge to assume the life of a Tatmadawman dependable for our Nation, our People and our Tatmadaw. With this, I conclude.Then, the Senior General left the parade grounds.After the parade ceremony, the Senior General met four oustanding ward winner cadets and their parents at the hall of DSA Headquarters.

The Senior General and party were welcomed at the airport by Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win and departmental officials.

Yangon, 6 April - The reconstructed eastern archway and stairway of Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha Image in Bago were inaugurated this morning at the pagoda.Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt unveiled the stone plaque.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, ministers, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, local authorities, members of Division, District and Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and religious associations, teachers, students, donors and guests.

Chairman of Bago District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Tint and Chairman of the Pagoda Board of Trustees Capt Tun Myint (Retd) formally opened the archway and the stairway.Member of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sasana administered the Five Precepts.Sayadaws recited parittas.The Secretary-1 and donors presented offertories to Sayadaws.Siri Sudhamma Singi Daw Khin Kyi of Yangon presented US $ 100,000 to the Secretary-1 for all-round renovation of Naungdawgyi Pagoda in Bago.Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sasana delivered a sermon.The congregation shared the merits.The Secretary-1 sought advice from Ovadacariya Sayadaws to renovate the Naungdawgyi Pagoda with public donations.Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party paid obeisance to the Image.

At Kanbawzathadi Palace Reconstruction Project, the Secretary-1 looked into the requirements in rebuilding the royal audience hall in accord with its original design.At Seinthalyaung Reclining Buddha Image in Bago, the Secretary-1 and party attended ceremony to present donations for construction of a tazaung for the Image.The Secretary-1 present K 500,000 from the welfare funds to the Pagoda. Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye accepted the cash.

Then, Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye, wife Daw Kyi Kyi Ohn and family presented K 100,000, Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and family K 100,000, families of the Ministry of Rail Transportation K 1 million, Bago District and its townships K 2.5 million and Bago Township K 500,000.The Secretary-1 accepted the donations.Afterwards, Thayawady Township Peace and Development Council presented K 21,000, Mr Ta Chou Huang US $ 3,000, Justmeet Corporation of Japan and Dohpyitha Company K 300,000, U Thein Lwin and Daw Myint Myint Zaw K 100,000, U Aung Kyi Myint and Daw San Kyi (a) Daw Mya San Kyi K 70,000, U Tin Aung and Daw Kyi K 55,000, U Khin Maung and Daw Kyin Pu K 10,000, U Myint Sein K 20,000, U Kyaw Thaik K 20,000, U Aye and Daw Thein Thein K 100,000 and Daw Khin Thein and brother Maung Thet K 20,000.

Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye and Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted the donations.Today’s donations amounted to K 5.416 million and US $ 3,000.The Secretary-1 spoke words of thanks, saying, Bago region is a place where Buddhism flourished throughout the successive eras of history. The people built religious edifices in the region. As some of the religious edifices are in a deteriorating situation at present, people are restoring them under the leadership of the State.Reinforcement task is being carried out to strengthen the durability of Shwemawdaw Pagoda in Bago. All-round renovation of the Shwethalyaung Image started five years ago; the eastern archway and stairway have already been built and they will be inaugurated this morning.

A donor presented US $ 100,000 for renovation of Naungdawgyi Pagoda. The pagoda will be restored to its original style under the ovada of the Sayadaws.The tazaung of Seinthalyaung Buddha Image is being built with the donations to make the Image more sublime.Plans are under way to renovate the ancient Yahanda Theindawgyi which can accommodate 1,000 monks for ordination, to build the gandakudi for Maha Myat Muni Image and to host the htidaw of the ancient Shwedagonlay Pagoda.He wished happiness to all the donors.After paying homage to the Image, the Secretary-1 inspected progress in construction of the tazaung and Myanmar designs which will be installed there.He also cordially greeted the pilgrims, USDA members and local people.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Chung Jung-gum and officials, members of Division, District and Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Working Committee for Woman’s Affairs and guests.

Commander Maj-Gen Tin Aye said that regional development tasks are being carried out in accord with the guidance of the Head of the State in order to accelerate progress of Bago Division. In doing so, to develop the agriculture sector, dams and embankments have been built, and to better the condition of transport, roads and bridges have been constructed. In accord with the guidance of the State to ensure smooth and secure transport, the building of Hanthawady International Airport is being built near Bago.

Out of the 12 National Objectives, the four economic objectives include the one calling for the development of the economy inviting participation in terms of technical know-how and investments from sources inside the country and abroad. The sooner the projects are completed, the earlier the State can enjoy benefits. It is required to complete Hanthawady International Airport ahead of schedule. Bago Division Peace and Development Council, on its part, will provide necessary assistance, and local people need to cooperate in this task.

Myanmar is a member of the ASEAN. It is needed to show to the world the beautiful landscape and ancient culture of Myanmar and noble traditions and disposition of Myanmar people. Only when there is easy access among tourists from neighbouring countries and other countries in the world and Myanmar people, can friendly relations among them be further strengthened. The officials and employees of departments, local people and local authorities are to cooperate with patriotism and love for the nation in building Hanthawady International Airport which will promote the role of the tourism industry of the State.

Then, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe said that in accord with the guidance of the Head of State, the government is building the Union of Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and developed nation. In this regard, Mandalay International Airport was inaugurated on 17 September 2000 in Upper Myanmar, and a feasible study for construction of an international airport was carried out beginning in May 1990, and the site was designated in 1993.A stake-driving ceremony for construction of the runway, 12,000 feet long and 200 feet wide, was held on 21 March 1994, and Public Works is undertaking earth work. About 22.94 percent of earth work has been completed.

All the tasks related to the building of the airport will be completed in four years. Hanthawady International Airport will be able to provide services for 1,000 passengers for arrival and 1,000 passengers for departure at the same time. There will be conveyor belts, escalators, boarding bridges, power generators, sub-power stations, emergency fire-fighting systems and security rooms at the airport. Modern electronic equipment will also be installed at the airport.The government formed construction supervisory committees in October 2000.Completion of the modern new airport means the opening of another door to the international community, and the tourism sector of the State will get huge benefits, and so will the private sector.

Yangon, 6 April- A ceremony to present basic education level (division level) all-round education outstanding awards for 2000-2001 academic year of Yangon Division was held at No 2 Basic Education High School in Sangyoung Township this morning, attended by 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.

Also present on the occasion were members of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, the director-general of No 3 Basic Education Department and officials, the chairmen of district/township Peace and Development Councils in Yangon Division, teachers, prize-winning students and their families and guests.Then, Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than presented prizes to the first, second and third prize-winners in essay, poem, extempore talks, general knowledge, computer painting, TV quiz, poster and poster painting competitions and others.Next, officials presented prizes to the first, second and third prize-winners in other competitions.

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( 9 ) 245 drug-related cases exposed in Feb

Yangon, 6 April- The Tatmadaw, the Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department could exposed 245 drug-related cases in February. The authorities seized 53.973 kilos of opium in 42 cases, 1.4579 kilos of heroin in 82 cases, 1.3217 kilos of opium oil in two cases, 12.4976 kilos of low-grade opium in 15 cases, 15.4756 kilos of marijuana in 15 cases, 71,806 stimulant tablets in 46 cases, 0.0003 kilo of stimulant powder, 7.5075 liters of cough syrup in two cases, document related to 1 kilo of opium paper in one case, 2,850.052 liters of chemical liquid in two cases, 4,458.029 kilos of chemical powder, 29 cases for failure to register and nine other cases. Action is taken against 341 persons- 264 men and 77 women- in 245 cases in February 2001.

Stimulant tablet traffickers sentenced

Yangon, 6 April-  A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit, the local battalion and Myitkyina Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, searched the house of Lyo Yin Myint in Hmawshan Village, Seikmu Village-tract, Phakant Township, at 4.30 am on 28 April, 2000. The authorities seized 46,600 pink colour WY brand stimulant tablets in a plastic bag in his bedroom. Phakant Police Station filed Lyo Yin Myint, 47, son of U Lyo Mu Son of Kyukok (Pangsai), Sai Kham Aik, 34, son of U Yi Hlaing, Sai Win Maung, 27, son of U Law Phon of Nankham Township, Labya Naw Toung, 29, son of U Labya Tu of Kachinsu Ward, Bhamo and Maung Maung Aung, 26, son of U Aik Kham of ward 5 in Lashio under Sections 15/ 19 (A)/ 20 (A)/ 21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. On 26 March 2001, Myitkyina District Court sentenced Lyo Yin Myint to 30 years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A), Sai Kham Aik, Sai Win Maung and Labya Naw Toung to 5 years' each Section 15 (A) and 30 years' each under Sections 19 (A)/ 21 to serve separately and Maung Maung Aung to 30 years' under Sections 19(A)/ 21.

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