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Yangon, 29 April—Chief of General Staff Headquarters General Fu Quangyou of People’s Liberation Army of the People’s Republic of China and goodwill delegation members, who arrived here at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar starting from 25 April and left here for home at 1.35 pm today.

General Maung Aye met General Fu Quangyou and party at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road at 12.45 pm. Then, the visiting general signed in the visitors’ book. General Maung Aye handed over the photo album and video cassette tape of the visit to the visiting general.General Maung Aye accompanied the goodwill delegation along the way to the airport.

Yangon, 29 April—The 11th Conference of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the multi-purpose building of MMCWA at the corner of Parami Road and Thanthuma Road in South Okkalapa Township this morning, with an address by Chairman of National Health Committee 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, the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, ambassadors and attaches of embassies of Japan, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea, resident representatives of UN Agencies, chairmen and officials of social organizations, Honorary Patrons of MMCWA, Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, vice-chairmen and executives, Patrons of State and Division MCWA Supervisory Committee, prize winners and guests.

The Secretary-1 said the State Peace and Development Council is now making endeavours for emergence of a peaceful, modern developed nation and for full enjoyment of better foundation in social progress and good results.

Only when all citizens can fully enjoy the fruits of development of the State, will it be meaningful in efforts for progress of the nation and for keeping abreast of international community, he said.

He said, the government, while making efforts for development of the nation with added momentum, is laying better foundation for education, health and social developments to enjoy the fruits and good results of the nation.

The government is making efforts for national development with the collective strength of the people and participation of wellwishers and humanitarian organizations in developing the social sector. It is satisfactory to note that a good practice of public participation has been established, he added.

At a time when efforts are being made for the progress of the social sector in cooperation with the people, development of mothers and children, a basis of human society, is important. The MMCWA plays more important role, he said.

Continuing, he said, mother and children are the very basis of human society and they represent a large portion of the State’s population. The MMCWA has become indispensable for mothers and children. Taking care of mothers and children means safeguarding the future of the State, he added.

Therefore, in order to carry out the noble national tasks of maternal and child care service throughout the nation including border areas the MMCWA was formed with seriousness after enacting a specific law.

During the ten years, its membership increased and the association extended its tasks standing as a consolidated and efficient social organization in accord with the objective of the State, he said.

Now, 324 associations have been formed at township level and 11,233 at ward, village, regiment and unit and factory level. At the beginning of the second four-year term in 1995, only 761 sub-associations were formed, coming to over 10,000 sub-associations so far.

The total membership is now over two million including 461,541 permanent members. In the beginning, the association carried out only health care services. From the second four-year term, it extended its tasks in education, increase of family income, youth programmes and taking care of the aged step by step.

Altogether 75 delivery rooms of MMCWA were opened nationwide. It raised the momentum in maternal health care, health education and vaccination.He said the association laid down projects for anti-AIDS and establishing nutrition units for children under three and nutrition banks and actively participated in combating tuberculosis and leprosy. It cooperated with Health Department in health education, diagnosis and immunization days.

With the aim of bringing down mother mortality rate, the MMCWA opened a cancer diagnosis centre for women and installed Mammogram machine for early treatment of breast cancer which is the top killer for women.

In addition, Dr Keshoku Sakuraba of Juntendo University Hospital donated a heart and blood vessel diagnosis machine called Cath Lab, and it has been installed at Asia Tawwin Special Clinic and patients are being treated with the use of the machine. Women can now have medical checks and treatment at reasonable rate without having to go abroad. Moreover, it is found that the association managed to make arrangements for the heart surgeons from Singapore and Myanmar surgeons to be able to operate on patients together in 2000.

Mandalay Maternal and Child Welfare Association, in coordination with Mandalay Working Committee for Women’s Affairs, has opened Myittashin Hospital in 2000 and given treatment to in-patients as well as out-patients.

It is learnt that non-governmental organizations such as Japan-based 2050 Organization, U-Law, Asian Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Korean embassy women group have also taken part in the educational cash assistance programme of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and cash assistance is being provided for 66 outstanding students through the association.

Moreover, three R courses were opened to ensure the literacy of all the people and eradication of illiteracy right down to the grassroots level. During a period from 1996 to date, over 300,000 women become literate. It is found that reading rooms have been opened to enable them to continue to read.

Similarly, with regard to family income generating programmes, domestic science courses such as tailoring courses, cookery courses, knitting courses, embroidery courses and agricultural and livestock breeding courses have been opened by the associations at various levels. Now, over 150,000 women have acquired vocational education and are working to supplement their family income.

Small loans have been extended to the members of the association who already learnt vocational education but did not have investment, in order to be able to run businesses on a manageable scale. The women who have borrowed small loans have numbered about 85,000.

With regard to the youth programme, with the aim of installing a sense of duty in the youths, cultural and reproductive health education courses have been conducted for high school students and the youth.

In addition, youth committees have been formed in 226 townships of states and divisions with the aim of enabling the youth to spend their free time beneficially, and they are being nurtured to be able to carry out community services.

The youth educational training camp could be set up in Yangon for the first time in 2000 in order to make the youth efficient in all sectors and to enable them to have correct ideology, treasure their own nation, people, tradition and culture and have a sense of responsibility for their family. Multiplier camps were also opened in Yangon and Mandalay. These measures amount to inspiring patriotism and national pride.

With regard to caring for aged persons, arrangements have been made to provide health care for individual persons aged 65 and above, provide cash assistance for them, enable them to meet with one another and to discuss religious matters and go on pilgrimage.

Altogether 1,511 aged persons who could not afford to have eye operation were provided with assistance by the association, and they have already had their eye sight again. The association has also attended to the need of dental health care for the aged persons in conjunction with Myanmar Dental Surgeons Association.

As the international community has recognized community services of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, guests from international organizations including state-level guests have come to study the efforts of the association. As is known to all, the association has accepted awards presented by international organizations.

The association was given in 1998 the award for primary health care development by the World Health Organization in recognization of its primary health care activities carried out among the public. The association also won ASEAN Youth Award for Community Service in 2000 as member youths carried out community services outstandingly. The association is also taking part in ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organization (ACWO).

While implementing its lofty objectives, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association has become an association on which not only mothers and children but also the entire national people can rely.

Today, in accord with the guidance of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe, the government are taking measures to carry out rural development tasks concerning education, health, drinking water, transport and sanitation in cooperation with non-governmental organizations.

Therefore, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Associations at different levels are to carry out tasks benefiting the State and rural development tasks with added momentum.

All the members of the association are to strive for the development of education, health, economic and social affairs of mothers and children from rural areas.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 wished that the association would be able to promote national interests in accord with its lofty objectives and strive to become a social force on which the people can place reliance, that the association would be able to stand as a national force which can strive for the improvement of social norms which reflect the development of the State and national pride, and for the uplift of prestige of the lineage, and that all the members of the association would be able to lead a life of a compassionate person who has no consideration for self-interests.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed photographs of activities of MMCWA, international cooperation and State/Division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committees.The Secretary-1 also formally opened the 11th MMCWA Conference commemorative stalls of State/Division Maternal and Child Welfare Associations.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed the stalls.The 11th Conference of MMCWA will continue tomorrow.

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, the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, chairmen and officials of social organizations, honorary
patrons of MMCWA, Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, vice-chairpersons and executives, patrons of State and Division MCWA Supervisory Committee, prize winners and guests.

Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe thanked personnel and organizations that fulfilled the requirements of the association.

Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe presented gifts in commemoration of the conference to the Secretary-1.

The Secretary-1 presented first prize to Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint and Daw Malar Tint of Mandalay and Yangon Division MCWA Supervisory Committees for outstanding performance, second prize to Dr Thein Win Naing of Mon State MCWA Supervisory Committee, third prize to Patron Daw Khin Khin Win of Shan State (East) MCWA Supervisory Committee and special prizes to Patron Daw Khin Khin Win of Taninthayi Division MCWA Supervisory Committee, Patron Daw Khin Lay Thet of Ayeyawady Division MCWA Supervisory Committee and Patron Daw Mu Mu Win of Magway Division MCWA Supervisory Committee.

Yangon, 29 April—Foreign Ministers of ASEAN countries, their wives and delegates arrived here by air today to attend ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat to be hosted by Myanmar.

Vice-President and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Teofisto T Guingona, Jr of the Republic of the Philippines, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Somsavat Lengsavad of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr Hor Namhong of Cambodia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Nguyen Dy Nien of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prof S Jayakumar of the Republic of Singapore, Secretary General of ASEAN Mr Rodolfo Certeza Severino, Jr, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Alwi Shihab of the Republic of Indonesia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar of Malaysia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Surakiart Sathirathai of Thailand arrived here today.

Yangon, 29 April—Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and Daw San Yon hosted a dinner at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this evening in honour of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, their wives and dele-gates who were currently here to attend ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.

Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, the directors-general and officials from the ministry, Ambassador Mrs Phoebe A Gomez of the Philippines and members of the delegation.

Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung presented awards to the athletes who won victories at home and abroad. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun, directors-general and managing directors also presented awards to the athletes. The ministry presented K 1,250,000 to 238 athletes representing the ministry in the sports events at home and abroad — K 20,000 each to four athletes who stood first in the sports events abroad, K 15,000 to an athlete who stood second and K 1,000 each to an athlete who stood third and coaches, K 7,000 each to 57 athletes who stood first in the sports events at home, K 5,000 each to 80 athletes who stood second, K 3,000 each to 67 athletes who stood third and
K 5,000 each to 27 coaches.Then, the meeting was held for the third day.The minister gave instructions.

Yangon, 29 April—The Public Works of the Ministry of Construction and China Machine Building International Corporation of the People’s Republic of China signed a contract to purchase bridge steel frames for Kywegu-Kyaukphya Bridge construction project at the head office of the Public Works on Shwedagon Pagoda Road here this morning.

Present were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister U Tint Swe, Director-General of Construction Inspection Department U Soe Tint, Acting Director-General of the Department for Human Settlement and Housing Development Col Tin Tun, Deputy Managing Directors of the Public Works, departmental heads, General Manager of China Machine Building International Corporation Mr Yuan Yauzhong and officials.

The minister gave a speech, and then Mr Yuan Yauzhong spoke words of thanks.

Minister inspects agricultural and livestock breeding work in Ayeyawady Division

Yangon, 29 April — Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, accompanied by officials, inspected agricultural and livestock breeding work and welfare work of units and departments in Pathein, Myaungmya and Maubin in Ayeyawady Division from 26 to 28 April and met with families of units.

On 28 April, member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and Minister Col Tin Hlaing met with members of the units and employees of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Yangon, 29 April—A 30 member group—16 men and 14 women—led by Secretary of Myanmar Hiking and Mountaineering Federation President of Yangon University Hiking and Mountaineering Association U Myo Thant scaled the First Summit (10500 ft) and the Second Summit (10200 ft) of Mt Khor Nu Thom (Victoria) in Kanpalet Township in Mindat District on 17 April, Mt Lon Tain (8691 ft) in Matupi Township on 21 April and Bontala Waterfall Hill where Le Myo River originates on 22 April. They successfully hoisted Union Flags there.

The opening ceremonies were attended by Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, officials, Representative of BAJ Mr Yasufumi Tsukamura and villagers.Similarly, a new eight-inch tube-well sunk by Kyaukpadaung Township Development Committee and local people was opened at Sepauk village today.

Yangon, 29 April—Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San met with 14 staff officers from 14 townships of Bago Division (East) and chairmen of Agricultural Producers Cooperatives and Livestock Breeding Cooperatives at Kaytu Yadana Mingalar Hall in Toungoo yesterday morning.

Managing Director of Soe Agricultural Producers Cooperatives in DaikU Township U Thein Myint, Chairman of Bago Mazin Industrial Producers Cooperatives U Tun Lin and Chairman of Toungoo Kaytumati Fisheries Cooperatives U Saw Wonderful Pall reported on work being done.

Deputy Director of Bago Division Cooperatives Department U Toe Sein reported on work done by agricultural producers cooperatives, fisheries cooperatives and industrial producers cooperatives in the division. The minister fulfilled the requirements.

Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye and the minister, accompanied by officials, inspected Shwemyesi Natural Fertilizer Factory of Htet Akar Kyaw Cooperatives Ltd in Nyaungbinhla Village, Toungoo Township.

The factory produces 120,000 25-kilo bags of fertilizers a year.The minister inspected 15-ton rice mill being run by Shewnwemye Cooperatives and Thaungtheinthan Cooperatives in Lewe, and left instructions.In the afternoon, he inspected CB Bank in Pyinmana, and gave instructions to the bank staff.

Afterwards, he inspected breeding of CP Brown layers of Arthit Tun Cooperatives Ltd. The officials of Arthit Tun Ltd reported on cultivation of paddy, green gram and lime, breeding layers and raising fish.

Yangon, 29 April—The final matches and a cere-mony to present prizes to the winners of the Myanma Olympic Committee President’s Cup Archery Tournament was held at the pitch of Myanmar Archery Federation at Kyaikkasan Grounds in Tamwe Township this afternoon, attended by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing.

It was also attended by Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, members of Leading Committee for Myanmar Women’s Sports Federation, Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Col Soe Win, senior police officers, President of MAF Dr Khin Shwe and executives, Secretary U Kyaw Oo and officials, team leaders and invited guests.

In women’s team division, Ministry of Home Affairs team won the first prize, Ministry of Sports team second and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation team third. In men’s team division, Ministry of Defence Services team won the first prize, Ministry of Sports team second and Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation team third. After the final matches, the chairman, the presidents of the federations and the officials presented prizes to the winners.

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