(1) General Maung Aye receives Politburo Member of Party Central Committee of Lao PDR

YANGON, 10 May ? Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye received Politburo Member of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Party Central Committee Organization Board Mr Thongsing Thammavong and party at Guest House of the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Also present together with General Maung Aye were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development  Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,  Minister for Education U Than Aung, Minister at the Prime minister's Office U Than Shwe, Deputy  Minister for Industry-2 Brig-Gen. Aung Thein Lin and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U  Aung Htet. The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of Lao people's Democratic Republic Mr Ly  Bounkham. 

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(2) State Peace and Development Council's Declaration No 1,2,3/2001 and Notification No 21,22/2001

Union of Myanmar
State Peace and Development Council
Declaration No 1/2001
4th Waning of Kason, 1363 ME
(10 May 2001)

Appointment of Minister

The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties to U Tin Win as Minister at  the Prime Minister's Office.

By order,
Sd Khin Nyunt
Lieutenant-General
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council

Union of Myanmar
State Peace and Development Council
Declaration No 2/2001
4th Waning of Kason, 1363 ME
(10 May 2001)

Termination of  Duties

The State Peace and Development Council has terminated the duties of Minister for Communications,  Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen. Win Tin with effect from today.
 
By order,

Sd Khin Nyunt
Lieutenant-General
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council

State Peace and Development Council
Union of Myanmar
State Peace and Development Council
Declaration No 3/2001
4th Waning of Kason, 1363 ME
(10 May 2001)

Appointment of Minister

The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties to Brig-Gen. Thein Zaw as Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs.

By order,

Sd Khin Nyunt
Lieutenant-General
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council
Union of Myanmar

State Peace and Development Council
Notification No 21/2001
4th Waning of Kason, 1363 ME
(10 May 2001)

Reassignment of Deputy Minister

The State Peace and Development Council has reassigned duties to Deputy Minister for Science and  Technology U Hlaing Win as Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

By order,
Sd Khin Nyunt
Lieutenant-General
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council

Union of Myanmar
State Peace and Development Council
Notification No 22/2001
4th Waning of Kason, 1363 ME
(10 May 2001)

Appointment of Deputy Minister

The State Peace and Development Council has appointed and assigned duties to Dr Chan Nyein as Deputy  Minister for Science and Technology.

By order,
Sd Khin Nyunt
Lieutenant-General
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council
 

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(3) USDA Vice-Chairman hosts dinner in honour of Politburo Member of Party Central Committee of Lao PDR

YANGON, 10 May ? Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman of the  Union Solidarity and Development Association Lt-Gen. Win Myint received Politburo Member of the  Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Party Central Committee Organizing Board Mr Thong-sing  Thammavong and party at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence yesterday evening.

Also present together with the Secretary-3 were General Secretary of USDA U Than Aung, CEC members  U Than Shwe and U Aung Thein Lin.  The guests were accompanied by Ambassador of Lao People's  Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham.  Then, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen. Win Myint and wife Daw Khin Cho  Oo hosted a dinner in honour of Mr Thongsing Thammavong and party at Karaweik Palace.

It was attended by the General Secretary of USDA, the CEC members and their wives and Ambassador of  Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham.

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(4) Lao PDR goodwill delegation visits Shwedagon Pagoda, USDA Headquarters

YANGON, 10 May - Politburo Member of the Party Central Committee Chairman of the Party Central  Committee Organization Board of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Thongsing Thammavong  and wife and party, who are on a goodwill visit here at the invitation of Secretary-3 of the State Peace and  Development Council Vice-Chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Lt-Gen. Win  Myint, accompanied by USDA CEC member U Aung Thein Lin and wife, Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly  Bounkham and wife, visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and made donations this morning.

The goodwill delegation, together with CEC member U Aung Thein Lin, then arrived at USDA
Headquarters where they were welcomed by USDA CEC members U Than Shwe and U Thein Sein.

The delegation observed the giving of lectures at International Relations Course No 6.The in-charge of the  course and course instructors explained facts about teaching matters.

The delegation, together with Ambassador Mr Ly Bounkham, paid a courtesy call on General Secretary of  USDA U Than Aung at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this evening. The General Secretary  briefed them on tasks of the Association, and they cordially exchanged views between USDA and Mass  and Class Organization Affairs Committee of LPDR. Also present at the call were USDA CEC members  U Than Shwe and U Aung Thein Lin.
 
Myanmar delegation attends consecration of Buddha image in PRC

YANGON, 10 May - The government of the Union of Myanmar donated a 54-inch- high Buddha image  of the Bumiphassa Mudra to the Religious Bureau of the People's Republic of China in January. The  Buddha image is being placed for public obeisance at Linkwan Temple near Beijing where the Buddha's  Tooth Relic is being kept. The image was conveyed to PRC through Mandalay-Lashio-Shweli Road and  handed over to Deputy Director-General of Religious Bureau Mr Yang Tong Xiang.

A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin left here for Beijing on 4 May  to attend the consecration ceremony of the image. On arrival at Beijing International Airport, they were  welcomed by Myanmar Ambassador U Ba Htay Chit and Embassy staff, the deputy director-general of  RB, General Secretary of RB Mr Dao Shu Ren and officials.

On 5 May, Director-General of RB Mr Ye Xico Wen called on Minister U Aung Khin at Radison Hotel  in Beijing. The consecration ceremony was held at 10 am on 7 May. At the ceremony, about 1,500  Chinese Buddhists including monks and officials of RB paid obeisance to the Buddha image together with  the Myanmar delegation. Minister U Aung Khin presented Buddha images, religious books and CD Roms  and other gifts and yuan 31,785 donated by Myanmars to the Bumiphassa Mudra Buddha image to the  presiding monk of the temple. The Myanmar delegation also visited Yuan Tong Temple and World Hati- Expo Garden in Kunming. The Myanmar delegation arrived back here from Kunming on 9 May. 

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(5)  Meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC concludes

YANGON, 10 May ? The Meeting of Senior Officials Committee-SOC of the Signatory Countries to MoU  on Drug Control in East Asia and Pacific Sub-region continued at the Hotel Equatorial this morning.

Present at the meeting were representatives of UNDCP and Drug Control Programme for East Asia and  Sub-region in the Pacific Region, delegates from the signatory countries  Cambodia, the People's Republic  of China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam  , representatives of UN agencies in Yangon and  officials.

Secretary of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Myanmar Police Force Director-General  Police Maj-Gen Soe Win, who chaired the meeting, gave a speech. The senior officials and delegates of  the signatory countries took part in the discussions.

The meeting then discussed the progress report of the project for precursor control in East Asia and the  action plan on drug control in the Pacific region, the project on the strengthening of judicial and
prosecutorial drug control capacity, the project on reducing rural drug demand and poverty in south-east  Asia presented by UNDCP, and matters related to the Yangon declaration of the senior officials meeting,  the ministerial meeting to be held on 11 May, the venues of the next senior officials meetings and the  agenda of the ministerial meeting. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Police Maj-Gen Soe Win.

Two palaeontologists recount their experience

YANGON, 10 May ? Two palaeontologists, Professor of the Department of Geology of Yangon University  Dr Tin Thein and Associate Professor of the Department of Geology of Dagon University Dr Aye Ko  Aung, submitted papers at the international seminar on anthropoid origins jointly organized by New York  University and Duke University in Pittsburgh from 19 to 22 April.

The two palaeontologists, members of the Myanmar Pondaung fossilized remains exploration team,
recounted their experience at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Information  Brig-Gen. Aung Thein, Head of Department of the Office of Strategic Studies of the Ministry of Defence  Col Than Tun and officials, directors-general of departments under the Ministry of Culture, media persons and guests. Col Than Tun introduced the two palaeontologists to those present on the occasion.  They recounted their experience. Col Than Tun and Dr Tin Thein replied to the queries raised by those  present. Then, those present observed books on Pondaung primates published abroad. 

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(6) Shwehtidaw, Seinbudaw hoisted atop Phayapaung Pagoda in Kyauktaw

YANGON, 10 May? A ceremony to hoist Shwehtidaw atop Phayapaung Pagoda was held at the pagoda in Phayapaung Village, Kyauk-taw Township , Rakhine State on 8 May.

Present were Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western
Command Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, senior military officers of Kyauktaw Station, departmental officials and  local people exceeding 10,000. Member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Kyauktaw Myoma  Shwe-kyaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Revata and Sayadaws consecrated Shwehtidaw  and Seinbudaw.

Then, Myoma Shwe-kyaung Sayadaw administered the Nine Precepts to the congregation. The
commander and party donated provisions to the Sayadaws. The commander and officials hoisted
Shwehtidaw and Seinbudaw atop the pagoda.

The commander and guests offered ?soon? to members of the Sangha. It is an ancient pagoda built about  200 years ago. At present, the pagoda has been renovated at a cost of K 450,000 donated by the  commander and family and K 750,000 by local people.

Finishing touches put to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image Yangon, 10 May - Lawka Chantha  Abhaya Labha Muni Image on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township was crowded with members of the  Sangha and devotees today. Stone sculptor Siri Sudhamma Manijotadhara U Taw Taw and sons continued  putting finishing touches to the image. Public Works of the Ministry of Construction and Myanmar  handicraft technicians U Ohn Tin and U Hla Kyu and group undertook building and decoration of  Gandakudi Kyaungdawgyi and southern and northern stairways.

Wut associations recited religious verses at the image from morning to evening. Ministry of Religious
Affairs and Ministry of Information sold various kind of books. Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans  Asiayon (Central) also opened a souvenir shop. Well-wishers U Htoo Aung Myint and family donated K  1.3 million and Supreme Court Judge U Chit Lwin and wife Daw Lay Myint (U Tha Yin Traditional  Clinic and Lwin Myint Aung Co) K 200,000 to the Image through officials yesterday morning. Donations  received from 5 August to this evening amounted to K 179,042,924.
 
Books donated to IPRD libraries

YANGON, 10 May-Wellwishers donated books to the Information and Public Relations Department libraries at the department on Pansodan Street here this morning. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen. Aung Thein, Director-General of Information and Public Relations Department U Chit Naing, Director-General of Myanma Radio and Television U Khin Maung Htay, Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein, officials and donors.

On behalf of the Committee for Observance of 55th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Director (Broadcast) U Ko Ko Htwe of MRTV presented 320 books worth K 64,000, Capt Htin, Kyaw, Daw Kyi Mya and family 330 books worth K 148,500, Dr Khin Maung Lwin-Daw Le Le Tin family 400 books worth K 120,000, U Chit San Win (Writer Chit San Win) 150 books worth K 18,000, U Ohn Ngwe of Madaya 320 magazines worth K 128,000, U Aung Myat Kyaw-Daw Chaw Thiri Khaing (Pinnya Shwe Taung) family 1,500 books worth K 354,000, U Hla Myint (Kay Thi Pan medical house) and family 350 magazines worth K 122,500, on behalf of Myoma Ex-students Association, 640 magazines worth K 192,000, on behalf of eight book shops, U Khin Maung Sein (Zaw book house) 228 books worth K 57,575, U Maung Maung Tun Aung 320 books worth K 112,000, U Aung Chain Bwa 100 books worth K 45,000, U Maung
Ni (Moe Naung-Kawlin)-Daw Than Than Aye family 120 books worth k 11,100, DPS Co Ltd 1,757 maps worth 248,400 and U Hla Toe (Toe Htet) 100 books worth 15,000 to the Deputy Minister who accepted donations and certificates of honour to the donors. On behalf of the donors, U Ohn Ngwe, U Aung Chain Bwa and General Manager Daw Kyi Kyi Win Oo of DPS Co Ltd explained the purpose of the donation and the Deputy Minister spoke words of thanks.

Commander inspects Shweli Hydel Power Plant Project in Namkham

YANGON, 10 May? Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of  North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, accompanied by Minister for Electric  Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut and departmental officials, inspected Shweli Hydel Power Plant Project 29 miles  from Hinlon village in Namkham Township on 6 May.

First, the commander and the minister inspected sites for construction of the power plant and the
diversion weir.

In the briefing hall, officials of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise reported on arrangements and
preparations for project tasks. The commander and the minister gave necessary instructions.

On 7 May, the commander delivered an address at the opening ceremony of women's Domestic Science  Training Course No 27/2001, organized by Education and Training Department of the Ministry for  Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs at the Lashio Domestic Science  Training School. Then, departments in Shan State (North) and representatives of national races of special  regions presented K 200,000 to the funds of training course.  A total of 20 trainees are attending the 14- week course. 

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(7) Course on Evaluation of GDP opens

YANGON, 10 May - Course No 3/2001 on Evaluation of Gross Domestic Product, conducted by the  National Planning Department under the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, was  opened at the department this morning. Present were Minister for National Planning and Economic  Development U Soe Tha, directors-general of departments under the ministry, directors of the National  Planning Department, officials, guests and trainees. The minister said that 12 political, economic and  social objectives are being implemented to ensure the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed  nation. Since 1999-2000, efforts have been made to promote economic growth.

In accordance with the policies laid down by the ministry, the course of this kind has been opened
continuously in order to promote qualification of employees. As the qualification of the employees
improves, so does their working efficiency. As a result, the department will be able to contribute greatly to  the socio-economic development of the State. Organizational, economic and defence powers are vitally  important to the nation in order to be able to stand tall in the world and to keep abreast with neighbouring  nations. These powers are linked with one another. Only when the nation is economically strong, will it be  able to build up its other powers.

Only then will the nation be able to build up economic power. Therefore, the ministry is making efforts to  attend to the needs of the State for its economic development, and all the employees are required to  participate in this task. In 2000-2001, the last year of the second short-term five-year plan, the economic  growth rate has exceeded the target. It is found that the annual average economic growth rate has  exceeded the target considerably. Therefore, the State laid down the third short-term five-year plan  running from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006. The tasks concerning the plan for 2001-2002 have been assigned  to states and divisions and respective ministries. So special care is to be taken to perform the tasks  successfully. Altogether 42 trainees from the Head Office of the Planning Department, and offices of  State, Division, District and Township Planning Departments.

Plot of State-owned timber shop in Kyaukpadaung for sales 

YANGON, 10 May- The State-owned timber shop in Kyaukpadaung will be sold. The shop is located on  one acre of land and is worth K 5.535 million. Buyers and organizations are to submit applications to  Privatization Commission Office (Project Appraisal & Progress Reporting Department), 313, Bo Aung  Kyaw Street, here, not later than 4 p.m. on 6 June.

Out of those who submit applications, priority will be given to the former owner of the shop who must be  a Myanmar citizen and can give highest price for the shop. The former owner must submit the firm  evidence of his being the former owner of the shop.

Original letter of authority must be submitted if the shop is an inheritance of the former owner. If there  are no former owners, the shop will be sold to nationals who can give the highest price. Applicants are to  fill up the forms. Interested persons may dial 245506, 245516 and 245537 of Privatization Commission  Office (Project Appraisal & Progress Reporting Department) for further information. 

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(8)  Minister receives Sedona Hotel GM

YANGON, 10 May-Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received General Manager Mr Bodo Becker of Sedona Hotel (Yangon) on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon, at his office at 1 p.m. today.  Also present at the call were Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt,  Managing Director U Kyi Tun of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services and responsible officials.

Vice-Presidents of UMFCCI meet foreign guests

YANGON, 10 May Ñ Vice-Presidents of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and  Industry U Htain Win and U Win Aung and General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and CEC members met  Head of Business Economic and Advisory Division of German-Thai Chamber of Commerce Mr Stefan  Buerkie and Counsellor of German Embassy Mr Horst K Rudolf at the Headquarters of UMFCCI at 10 am  on 7 May.

They discussed promotion of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, investment, trade  exhibition and sending of scholars to Germany. Then, Vice-Presidents U Htain Win and U Win Aung,  General Secretary U Zaw Min Win and CEC members together with officials of Myanmar Accountant  Association met Specialist in Business Management of Japan Economic Research Institute Mr Hirohiko  Sekiya. They discussed matters pertaining to establishment of Centre of Excellency COE for UMFCCI  Level I,II and III.

Foreign delegations arrive

YANGON, 10 May - A Cambodian delegation led by Secretary-General of the national authority for  combating drugs of Cambodia Lt-Gen. Em Sam An, a Thai delegation led by Minister at the Prime  Minister's Office Gen. Thammarak Isarangura and a Vietnam delegation led by Vice-Minister of Vietnam  National Committee on AIDS, Drugs and Prostitution Control Pol Gen Le The Tiem arrived here by air  today to attend the Meetings of Ministers and Senior Officials of the Signatory Countries to the 1993  Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control. The delegations were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of Supervisory Committee for Working Groups under the Central  Committee for Drug Abuse Control Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung,  Chief of Staff (Police) Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win of Myanmar Police Force and officials and respective embassy staff. 

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(9) Yangon Mayor inspects agriculture, livestock breeding tasks in Mingaladon, Taikkyi

YANGON, - Mayor inspects agriculture, livestock breeding tasks in Mingaladon, Taikkyi Yangon, 10 May Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay inspected the incubator in Pale  Myothit, Htaukkyant poultry farm project and agricultural tasks in Uto-Kya-in region of Taikkyi  Township this morning. Accompanied by officials, the mayor arrived at Htaukkyant Poultry Farm in  Mingaladon Township and gave instructions. The mayor inspected horticultural products shop of  Production Department. Afterwards, the mayor inspected the poultry farming for staff welfare  programmes of Mingaladon Township Administrative Officer's Office and left necessary instructions.

On arrival at Uto-Kya-in Agricultural Project in Taikkyi Township, the mayor and party inspected
cultivation of perennial crops in the project area. At the extended agricultural area in Zigon Village of  Kya-in region, Chairman of Agriculture Committee Col Thaung Wai and officials reported on erection of  lamp-posts in the project area, construction of the administration office and cultivation of green gram,  green bean and pigeon pea. The mayor gave instructions. He said that as Uto-Kya-in region is model  agriculture and livestock breeding farm of the State efforts are to be made to achieve success in the work  and to sell various crops and vegetables produced from the project area to city dwellers in time.
 
Myanmar Products Expo' 2001 opens in Muse

YANGON, 10 May- The Muse Myanmar Products Expo' 2001 was opened with permission and
assistance given by Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council at Shwenandaw Travel Tour  Centre in Muse on 2 May evening. Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of the Directorate of Hotels and  Tourism, Chairman of Muse District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myint Thein and Managing  Director U Kyi Myint of Star Tourism Services formally opened the expo and viewed booths of the expo.  Local- and foreign-made textiles, cosmetics and personal goods were exhibited at the expo in conjunction  with the sales promotion programme from 3 to 7 May.

3rd leg of New Generation Golf Tourney 23-24 May 

YANGON, 10 May-The third leg of the Han Golf Masters New Generation Age-wise Golf Tournament,  organized by Myanmar Golf Federation and mainly sponsored by Pan-West and Han Golf Masters Pte  Ltd, will be held at Silver Golf Course of Yangon City Development Committee on 23 and 24 May on a  grand scale. The third leg comprises four divisionsÑunder-10 age group 11-12 age, 13-14 age and 15-17  age. Those wishing to participate may enlist at Han Golf Masters Office, Mya Yeik Nyo Training Golf  Course Ph 543207 and HGM (Pro-Shop) at the Silver Course, Ph 641341 by noon on 22 May. The tour is  officially co-sponsored by Star Ice-Cream, Canon, Rapier (Golf Australia), Wilson and City Golf Resort  Club.

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