(1) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe's message on 2001 Workers Day

The following is a translation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe's message on the occasion of 2001 Workers Day.

Esteemed workers,

On the occasion of Workers Day which falls on l May 2001, I send message in honour of all the blue collar and white collar workers, who are striving for progress of commodity production and services of , Union of Myanmar wishing you all peace of mind.

Development of the State, uplift of national economic life and improvement of the living standard of all the citizens hinge mainly on efforts of blue collar and white collar workers.

As the State Peace and Development Council, enlisting the collective strength of the entire national people, is trying its utmost to build the Union of Myanmar into a peaceful, prosperous, modern, developed, independent and sovereign nation which stands tall in the community of e world, the collective performance of workers has come to play an increasingly important role today.

In recognition of the dynamic strength of workers; the Government, so its part, is creating privileges and opportunities which enable them to actively participate in the efforts for political, economic and social stability and development of the State.

Likewise, it car. be seen that blue collar and white collar workers are taking part unitedly in the endeavours for the development of the nation.

Esteemed workers,

Today it can also be seen that the Union of Myanmars is making progress with added momentum due to the right leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, cooperation of the Government and the people and efforts of blue collar and white collar workers. .

Industrial zones, modem factories and plants, offices and department buildings of international standard and commercial and service enterprises have emerged. As for workers, they can employ commodity production technology of international standard, management skill, modern commodity production machinery and modern electronic office equipment.

As the country is developing due to efforts made thus diligently by the entire people including workers, workers are enjoying commensurate pay and rights and privileges like the saying " The beauty of the lily is enhanced with the level of rising water."

As far as the employees of the State and workers who are engaged in producing commodity and providing services not only in the state sector but also in the private sector are concerned, the Government has laid emphasis on and provided protection for workers rights and privileges such as pleasant working conditions, a living standard suitable to the time and circumstances, welfare, worksite safety and settlement of trade disputes.

Workers are enjoying their rights and privileges more fully than ever before. Workers must also be aware of the fact that a group of unscrupulous persons are meddling and exerting control in international organizations to break up solidarity with disparaging and slanderous accusations against Myanmar with an air of safeguarding workers rights.

As the anti-colonialist sentiment, patriotism, nationalistic spirit and the Union Spirit of Myanmar workers have already been put to test in t history time and again, this fine tradition is to be maintained in guarding against the danger which might befall.

Esteemed workers,

Today, the State Peace and Development Council, after striving to achieve national consolidation, is building the Union of Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and developed nation joining hands with the entire national people. So, the entire nation is peaceful and pleasant and developing with momentum.

At such an auspicious time, efforts of workers to boost commodity production and provide services swiftly and correctly reflect national interests. Therefore I would like to urge blue collar and white collar workers, together with the entire people, to unitedly, actively and diligently strive for:

 -emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation as soon as possible;

 -consolidation and development of national economy;

 -improvement of living standard of the citizens;

 -perpetual existence of the Union. 

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(2)  Senior General Than Shwe receives ASEAN Foreign Ministers

YANGON- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence  Service Senior General Than Shwe received Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Dy Nien,  Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Prince Mohamad Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs  and International Cooperation of Cambodia Mr Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia  Dr Alwi Shihab, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic  Republic Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar,  Vice-President and Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mr Teofisto T Guingona, Jr, Minister  of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Professor S Jayakumar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Mr  Surakiart Sathirathai and Secretary-General of ASEAN Mr Rodolfo Certeza Severino, Jr, who are  currently here to attend ASEAN Foreign Minister's Retreat, at the Credentials Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw  Building this morning.

Present on the occasion together with Senior General Than Shwe Vice- Chairman of the State Peace Development Council Deputy Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army ) General Maung Aye, Secretary1- Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt- Gen Win Myint, Minister for Foreign Affair U Win Aung , Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director- General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet. 

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(3) Secretary-1 receives senior adviser of Liberal Democratic Party, Japan

YANGON, 30 April-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Senior Adviser Mr T Iwakura of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan and party at the guest house of Ministry of Defence at 3 p.m. today.

Also present at the call were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and officials and Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori.

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(4) Secretary-1 and wife host dinner in honour of ASEAN foreign ministers, Secretary-General and  delegation members

YANGON, 30 April - Chairman of ASEAN Steering Committee of the Union of Myanmar Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe hosted a dinner in honour of ministers for foreign affairs who attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and members of the delegations at Karaweik Palace this evening.

Also present were ministers and the deputy minister for foreign affairs and their wives, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and wife, ambassadors of ASEAN member nations and their wives, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Dy Nien, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Prince Mohamad Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Mr Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Dr Alwi Shihab, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Vice-President and Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Mr Teofisto T Guingona, Jr, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Professor S Jayakumar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Mr Surakiart Sathirathai and Secretary-General of ASEAN Mr Rodolfo Certeza Severino, Jr, and their wives and delegation members.

The Secretary-1 and wife cordially greeted the guests.  During dinner, the cultural troupe of Karaweik Palace entertained the guests.

First meeting of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science held

YANGON, 30 April-The first meeting of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science was held at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were ministers, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, officials of the  State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, the chairman, executives and members  of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science and members.

Director-General of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) U Saw Lwin acted as master of  ceremonies.

The Secretary-1 said Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on formation of academies  of respective branches of studies with brilliant, seasoned and veteran scholars in the country with the aim  of contributing to the development of the nation and the people, conducting research on branches of  studies and turning out scholars.

He said in accord with the guidance of the Head of State, Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science, Myanmar Academy of Medical Science, Myanmar Academy of Science and Technology and Myanmar  Academy of Agriculture, Forest, Livestock Breeding and Fisheries comprising retired scholars, scholars in  service and seasoned scholars have been formed.

He said Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science was formed with the lofty aims  to contribute with their  skills to the efforts for building a peaceful, modern and developed nation, to do research that is beneficial  to the nation and give guidelines for research, to make arrangements for turning out arts and science  scholars who will serve the nation, to bring about basic foundations on arts and science needed in the  country and to make arrangements for enhancement of wisdom and skills of the people participating in  the nation-building tasks.

He said the academy was formed with over 700 scholars who are well-versed in arts, science, economics,  law, teaching and learning subjects and languages. In order to effectively carry out the tasks of the academy, four main committees, namely, teaching and learning committee, research-guidline committee, education propagation and dissemination committee and committee for promoting scholars, he added. Tasks to be implemented have been laid down, and coordination work is under way to review its achievements, strengths and weaknesses and future tasks, he said.

The Secretary-1 elaborated on the work concerning teaching, learning and research done by the academy. On 5 and 6 February 2001, Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science held a research paper reading session. It is encouraging to note that 24 research papers were submitted. These academic research papers will be published as proceedings or journals. It is known to all the scholars that the State Peace and Development Council, enlisting the participation of all the national forces, is striving to enable the Union of Myanmar to keep abreast with other nations and the people to enjoy the fruit of development. The Secretary-1 quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as saying that rich resources of the country are to be  tapped and utilized for the development of the nation through cooperation of the Government and the  people; arrangements are to be made to strive for development of highly-qualified human resources that  can exploit natural resources which lie all over the nation; with the aim of ensuring the development of  national human resources, it is required to upgrade the education sector, which is of great importance in  building a modern nation.

Programmes for development of highly-qualified human resources which are needed for the State and region-wise human resources development programmes are to be implemented. In accord with the far-sighted guidance of the Head of State, the special four-year plan for promotion of national education is being implemented. Measures are being taken to establish Learning Society which can face the challenges of the present age, Knowledge Age, and which is pursuing continuous studies of international standard. The Ministry of Education is fulfilling the needs for education promotion programmes in the basic and higher education sectors in accordance with the four-year plan.

In addition, the national human resource development centre has been established, where a wide range of courses are being offered with the use of modern pedagogic aids. Moreover, in accordance with the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe to ensure the development of highly-qualified human resources and to build Myanmar society into Learning Society where ever-advancing education and knowledge can be studied, New Century Resource Centres have been opened in Yangon and Mandalay. Such centres will be opened in other states and divisions. Region-wise human resource development programmes, which enable all the people regardless of age and education standard to use resource centres, will be implemented.

The Government allotted over K 2,252 million and US $ 4.5 million to implement national education promotion programmes in the 2000-2001 financial year, the first year of the special four-year plan for promotion of national education. Arrangements have been made to implement a 30-year-long plan from 2001-2002 to 2030-2031 financial year by implementing five short-term six-year plans. The Secretary-1  urged executives and member scholars of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science to take part in the efforts for development of highly-qualified human resources and implementation of the special four-year  plan and the 30-year-long plan while trying to realize the objectives of the Academy.

In the world today, with the advances in science and technologies and information technology, changes  can be seen together with the globalization process. Only when special plans, firm resolve, undaunted  spirit and research work are called to play will Myanmar be able to keep pace with the trend of  international development. Therefore, members of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science, while striving for the socio-economic development of Myanmar in the trend of global development and changes, are  needed to continue working hard actively as a united national force.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the scholars to strive for the successful implementation of the objectives of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science, to carry out assigned tasks in implementing the  special four-year plan for promotion of national education, to cooperate with national awareness in the  efforts for nurturing highly-qualified human resources that contribute to the interests of the entire national  people, to take innovative measures and make strenuous efforts in order that the nation and the people do  not lag behind but can keep pace with the trend of global development and changes, and to strive to  further strengthen the national forces formed with human resources in order to face challenges of   Knowledge Age. Then, the Secretary-1 and party, together with the chairman and executives of the  Academy, posed for photos. The Secretary-1 also had a cordial meeting with members of the Academy.

The opening ceremony of the first meeting of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science was held at Diamond Jubilee Hall this morning. Present were Minister for Education U Than Aung, Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board Dr Than Nyunt, Deputy Ministers for Education Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, Justice of the Supreme Court Dr Tin Aung Aye, directors-general of departments and chairmen of boards under the Ministry of Education, members of MAAS and guests.  Chairman of MAAS U Than Oo extended greetings. Minister U Than Aung presented MAAS  membership certificates. Three rectors, on behalf of members of MAAS, accepted the certificates.  Secretary of the executive committee U Saw Lwin reported on the functions of the Academy. Next, the  joint-secretaries and member of the executive committee reported on working programmes of respective  committees. Joint-Secretary Dr Soe Yin explained formation of the committees for arts, science and other  subjects. Then three groups for arts, science and other subjects were formed, and discussions were held.  Vice-Chairmen Dr Sein Tu, U Ba Than Haq and Dr Ye Aung of the executive committee submitted the  findings of the three groups, and sought the approval of the meeting. Chairman U Than Oo made a  concluding speech, which brought the meeting to an end.

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(5) ASEAN foreign ministers discuss ASEAN, regional and world affairs

YANGON, 30 April-The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat hosted by the Union of Myanmar was successfully ended at Pun Hlaing Golf Club in Hlinethaya Township, Yangon (North) District this afternoon.

The retreat was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Mohamad Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr Hor Namhong of Cambodia, Minister of  Foreign Affairs Dr Alwi Shihab of the Republic of Indonesia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of  Foreign Affairs Mr Somsavat Lengsavad of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Minister for Foreign  Affairs U Win Aung of the Union of Myanmar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Datuk Seri Syed Hamid  Albar of Malaysia, Vice-President and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mr Teofisto T Guingona, Jr of the  Republic of the Philippines, Minister for Foreign Affairs Prof S Jayakumar of the Republic of Singapore,  Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Surakiart Sathirathai of Thailand, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr  Nguyen Dy Nien of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Secretary-General Mr Rodolfo Certeza Severin,  Jr of ASEAN Secretariat.

Marketing and Sales Director Mark A Tippetts of Hline River Golf and Country Club Co Ltd briefed on  Pun Hlaing Golf Estate project of Hline River Golf and Country Club Co Ltd, jointly formed by  Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development of Ministry of Construction and Yangon  Nominee Ltd of FMI Co Group, to the ASEAN foreign ministers at the briefing hall.

Then the ASEAN foreign ministers posed for documentary photo.   The ASEAN foreign ministers were  hosted lunch by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung there.  Afterwards the ASEAN Foreign  Minister’s Retreat was held and it was chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Nguyen Dy Nien of  Vietnam.  The ASEAN foreign ministers openly discussed matters related to ASEAN, regional and world  affairs and exchanged points of view and the retreat was successfully ended in the afternoon.

Press Conference on ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held

YANGON, 30 April-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Dy Nien who is taking responsibilities of Chairman of ASEAN Standing Committee for the period between July 2000 and July 2001 and Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung held a Press conference on ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 4.30 p.m. today.

Also present were Director-General U Aye Lwin of ASEAN Affairs Department, Director-General U Thaung Tun of Political Department and Director-General U Thein Myint of Consular, International Law and Treaties and Research Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director (News) U Hla Tun of News and Periodicals Enterprise, chief editors of dailies, Chief Editor U Win Tin, the deputy chief editor and editors of Myanmar News Agency (Internal), Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents' Club U Sein Win, President U Sao Kai Hpa and member correspondents, correspondents of foreign news agencies, Tokyo Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Ji Ji Press News Agency, Sankei Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, NTV, AP, Newspaper Akahata, NHK, Kyodo News, Reuters, BBC News, Asahi Shimbun, Fuji Television, GNN Media, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Guangming Daily and Myanmar Times.

First, Mr Nguyen Dy Nien said, on arrival in Yangon the ASEAN officials were warmly received by the government and the people of Myanmar. In the morning, he said, they paid a courtesy call on Senior General Than Shwe and the leadership of the country, that they informed him about their talks in the afternoon and he put forth some views of Myanmar's cooperation with the ASEAN. In the afternoon, he said, they had fruitful talks covering a wide range of international and regional issues as well as the issues confronting the ASEAN. He added that the retreat also focused on increasing cooperation and strengthening the ASEAN within and without. He said the ASEAN ministers felt that it was a useful retreat and it was the first ever retreat organised beside the annual AMM meeting held in July. He said that on behalf of the ASEAN colleagues he thanked the government of Myanmar for the hospitality and  for the very good arrangements for the meeting. Next, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung said as  the retreat was an informal meeting it did not make any specific decision like the formal meetings; no  declarations nor resolutions were made.

There was an exchange of views and free flow of the ideas. He said as it was known the ASEAN ministers meet once a year in July, that was AMM or ASEAN Ministerial Meeting; it will take place in  Hanoi in July. He said the last meeting took place in November during the summit in Singapore. So, between November and July when they would meet, there is the gap of eight months. The ministers then  decided to have a meeting in between. At the last meeting in Singapore, he said, they had two new foreign  ministers: the foreign minister from the Philippines and the new foreign minister from Thailand, and they  welcomed them. The most important point that had been discussed had been the ASEAN integration or a  scheme called IAI or the Initiative for ASEAN Integration. He said the ministers touched upon the  question and they exchanged views on the matter. He added that they had a better understanding of the  issues, regional and international. He said the ministers also touched upon the narcotic drugs and  exchanged views on eradication of narcotic drugs and they had the ASEAN Vision of the final eradication  of drugs by the year 2015.

The ten member nations of the ASEAN have overcome very difficult period of the chaotic economic  situation which began in 1997. The nations are gradually coming out of the situation, he said. All would  like to strengthen their bonds together. That was what they meant for the meeting and they had achieved  what they had aspired for, U Win Aung said. In replying to the questions put by the correspondents,  Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung said, " We have this 15-year plan of total eradication of narcotic  drugs from our soil. That began in 1999 and it will be up to year 2014. And we ASEAN had a declaration  that ASEAN would be drug-free by the year 2015. And this is now being done in our country according to  our 15-year programme. There had been very much substantial results out of these programmes. For  instance, there was a substantial decrease in output of opium in our country right now. That is why the  street price of the opium and heroin are now rising up very much significantly. The most important thing  is political will to fight it and we have firm determination to do it. And we have methods to do this. We need to change the concept of those poppy farmers who had been dependent upon the poppy for their  whole lives and whole generation. We need to change that concept and we need to help them. We can't  just say, " poppy growing is not good; don't do that."

We have to help them find alternative lifestyle. Alternative means "of living." And that is what we are trying to do. We have come up with the comprehensive plan and there will be coming soon six MoU countries meeting. There will be also serious discussions regarding fighting against narcotic drugs." Last summit in Singapore our leaders sat down together and there were two-tier conditions of development  the less developed and more developed original members and new members. In ASEAN, we would like to see ASEAN as a whole not ASEAN divided into two tiers. We would like to see the whole ASEAN developed on the same level. That"s what we, our leaders, come up with the idea.

Then, "Prosper thy neighbour" which means "help neighbours" of course. So the more developed countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines have to help less developed nations. One thing which we have now come up with is human resources development. And there is digital divide or IT and the lack of IT level. So there were offers of the trainers training programme. And there are many many things which are helpful in our ASEAN investment area. There is also how to integrate; it means initiatives of ASEAN integration. Help your members to come into the main stream of ASEAN. These are very much comprehensive and we are now happy that process of integration is going on well. We cannot say that we will achieve tomorrow or overnight, of course. We have the will to do that and all our ASEAN members are becoming more and more united in our stand, in our position and in our exchange of views and we feel that we all are friends. The Press conference ended at 5 p.m.

Wives of ASEAN Foreign Ministers tour Yangon

YANGON, 30 April-Wives of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, together with Daw San Yon, wife of Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Daw Khin Swe Soe, wife of Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and wives of the directors-general and officials visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning. They donated cash and signed in the visitors' book. They then went to the National Museum and signed in the visitors' book. The guests visited Women Development Centre (Yangon) of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Department on Thanlwin Road in Kamayut Township where they were welcomed by Vice-Chairperson of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs Professor Daw May May Yi and officials. They were conducted round the workshop by the officials. In the afternoon, they visited Myanma Gems Museum.

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(6) Secretary-3 attends annual general meeting of Myanmar Banks Association

YANGON, 30 April-The Myanmar Banks Association held its annual general meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue on Industry Road, Yankin Township, this afternoon.

Present at the meeting were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, members of Panel of Patrons of the association Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for F & R Brig-Gen Than Tun, Governor of Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Vice-Governor U Than Lwin, executives, and 20 members who are the chairmen of private banks.  The Secretary-3 spoke on the occasion.  Chairman of the association Governor U Kyaw Kyaw Maung spoke words of thanks. The meeting came to a close in the evening.

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(7) UMFCCI President meets FAO official

YANGON, 30 April-Consultant Mr V Bruce J Tolentino of FAO regional office in Thailand called on President of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint, Secretary-General U Zaw Min Win and executives at UMFCCI office this morning. They cordially discussed matters relating to the role of private sector in agriculture, export problems of agricultural produce, commerce in local and abroad, agriculture work in the region and finance.

Annual conference of MMCWA continues

YANGON, 30 April-The 11th annual conference of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held for the final day at the Multipurpose Building of the association, corner of Parami Road and Thanthuma Road, South Okkalapa Township, here, this morning. Present at the meeting were MMCWA Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairpersons Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and Dr Kyi Soe, CEC members, patrons of Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committees form the states and divisions and central councillors. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe presided over the morning session of the conference and Dr Kyi Soe the afternoon session. Joint-Secretary Dr Nwe Oo acted as master of  ceremonies. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe extended greetings. The annual reports of the Supervisory  Committees were read out, and then they were approved. Afterwards, papers of the states and divisions  were read out. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave instructions on delivery rooms, followed by a general round  of discussions. Future tasks for 2001-2002 were discussed by delegates, and they were approved by the  chairperson.

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(8) Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image packed with monks, Buddhist devotees

YANGON, 30 April-Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township was thronged with members of the Sangha, nuns and laity today.  Stone Sculptor Siri Sudhamma Manijotadhara U Taw Taw and sons were applying finishing touches to the Image.  The Public Works of the Ministry of Construction undertook the building and decoration of Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi and southern and northern stairways.

Myanmar handicraft technicians U Ohn Tin and U Hla Kyu and groups carried out installation of Myanmar handicraft at Gandakuti Kyaungdawgyi and the stairways.  The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Information are selling various kinds of books there. Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon (Central) also opened a souvenir shop.  Donations received from 5 August to this  evening amounted to K 175,765,774.

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(9)  MWJA Central Executive Committee meets

YANGON, 30 April-Meeting 4/2001 of Central Executive Committee of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association was held at the office of MWJA this afternoon. Present at the meeting were MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing, Vice-Chairmen U Than Maung and Col Myint Thein, Secretary U Hla Tun and CEC members. Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) presided over the meeting, and Joint-Secretary U Myint Kywe (Maung Myint Kywe) acted as master of ceremonies. The chairman gave a speech on the occasion. Work being done on respective tasks was reported, followed by a general round of discussions. The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the chairman.

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