(1) Secretary-1 attends opening of Thuwunna Shwewahmyay Tarred Road in Bilin Township

YANGON, 4 June - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt,  accompanied by the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Air), the Inspector-General of Defence Services, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments,  left here for Bilin in Mon State by helicopter this morning, and arrived there at 8.15 am.

The Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Kyaikhti-hsaung Hsandawshin Pagoda in Zokethoke Model  Village, Bilin Township. They paid homage to Buddha images there. The Secretary-1 and party then paid  homage to Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Panadipa  and received the Nine Precepts from the Sayadaw. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party attended the  ceremony to open Thuwunna Shwewahmyay Tarred Road at Zokethoke Model Village in Bilin Township.  Also present were departmental officials of Thaton District and Bilin Township and people from  Zokethoke Village.

Commander Brig-Gen. Myint Swe and Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races  and Development Affairs Brig-Gen. Than Tun formally opened the road. The Secretary-1 and party,  together with Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw, inspected Thuwunna Shwe-wahmyay Tarred Road. The road is  two miles long and runs from Kyaikhtihsaung Hsandawshin Pagoda through Zokethoke Shwewahmyay  Village Road to Maha Kalyani Ordination Hall. Previously, that road was narrow and was a gravel one.  The road has been extended and tarred at a cost of K 7 million contributed by Township Development  Affairs Department and local people.

The Secretary-1 and party then attended the Shwehtidaw-hoisting ceremony of Sonuttara Ceti Nyinaung  Pagoda and the cornerstone-laying ceremony of Maha Kalyani Ordination Hall. Afterwards, Chairman of  Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt and party attended the ceremony to open  the multimedia teaching centre of the affiliated basic education high school of Zokethoke Model Village at  noon.

They were welcomed by Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo and officials,  Headmaster U Maung Soe and teachers, the chairman and members of the school board of trustees,  parents and students. Headmaster U Maung Soe and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Tun  Wai formally opened the multimedia teaching centre. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard of  the multimedia teaching centre. Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw, the Secretary-1 and party sprinkled scented  water on the bronze plaque.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the computer application and e-mail room, the computer  aided instruction room, the language lab, the painting room, the printed media (reading corner) room, the  electronic media (video system) room, the projected media room and the art room, and watched the skill  demonstration of the students.

A ceremony to mark the opening of the multimedia teaching centre was held. Headmaster U Maung Soe  reported on efforts for the opening of the multimedia teaching centre and assistance provided by  Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw and disciples. Secretary of the School Board of Trustees U Kyaw Hsan Oo  reported on efforts made by the School Board of Trustees for the opening of the multi-media teaching  centre. Next, the Secretary-1 accepted a computer set donated by Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw. Then, the  Secretary-1 handed over a computer set, a TV set, a video cassette recorder, a cassette player, teaching  aids and stationery to the headmaster.

Afterwards, the commander accepted a machine to be used in teaching language worth K 160,000
donated by Agga Maha Siri Sudhamma Marijotadhara U Khin Shwe and wife Daw San San Kywe, a  computer set by son and daughter of U Khin Shwe, Maung Zay Thiha and Ma Zay Zin Latt and a computer set by U Kyi Thein-Daw Than Than Nyunt and family. Minister at the State Peace and
Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen. Min Thein accepted a computer set donated by U Kyaw  Hsan Oo-Daw Thida Pyone and family and an air-conditioner by U Tin Ngwe-Daw Kyi Thein and family.  Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Lt-Gen. Tin Ngwe accepted an overhead projector donated by  Dagon-Thaton Sasana-5000 Yaungdawphwint Association and K 3.6 million for a transformer, a water  pump, a tank and others by U Soe Lwin-Daw Than Hla and family.

The Secretary-1 presented medical equipment for Zokethoke model village rural dispensary to Head of  Township Health Department and staff of the dispensary. The Secretary-1 said it is a significant day for  Zokethoke model village Basic Education School to open multi-media teaching centre at the opening day  of basic education schools for 2001-2002 academic year. He said Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw is carrying out  tasks on promotion of the Sasana and regional development for the interests of local people. There was no  peace in the region in the past and now there is peace and tranquillity.

Towns elders and local people can enjoy good results, he said. The government is implementing
education promotion programmes nation-wide and taking measures for progress of education, health and  better transport and communications in rural areas, he added. He said multi-media teaching centres were  opened at some Basic Education High Schools in cities and some schools are making endeavours for  opening such centre.   Students in Zokethoke Village can receive good education with the use of modern  teaching techniques, he said. He said the school will surely produce those on whom the State can rely in  future and outstanding, brilliant students and officials are to make continued efforts for the development  of the school.

The Secretary-1 spoke of the need for students to try to become outstanding and brilliant ones on whom  the State can rely and for teachers to train them. The Secretary-1 and party posed for a photo together  with headmaster, teachers, members of the Board of Trustees and students. The Secretary-1 and party  attended a ceremony to enshrine relics and to hoist Shwehtidaw of Yanaungaye Pagoda in Kanthaya  Ward, Bilin, in the afternoon. The Secretary-1 and party arrived back in the evening.

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(2)   Secretary-1 attends Htidaw-hoisting ceremony for Sonuttara Twin Pagodas in Bilin

YANGON, 4 June-The Htidaw-hoisting ceremony for renovated Sonuttara Twin Pagodas built by Ashin Sona and Ashin Uttara of Zoakthoak Model Village in Bilin Township, Mon State, was held at the prayer hall of the pagodas this morning, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt- Gen. Khin Nyunt.

Also present at the ceremony were Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhad-danta Kesara and members of the Sangha, Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen. Myint Swe, ministers, the Chief of Staff (Air), the Inspector-General of Defence Services, deputy ministers, officials of the Office of the State Peace and Development Council, departmental heads, wellwishers, members of social organisations and local people. The Secretary-1 and party and the congregation received Ovadakatha from the Vice- Chairman Sayadaw. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas.

The Secretary-1, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen. Min Thein, the commander and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint presented Seinbudaw and
Hngetmyatnadaw to be hoisted atop the pagodas to the Sayadaws. U Khin Shwe (Agga Maha Thiri
Thudama Manizotadara) and wife Daw San San Kywe and family of Zaygabar Family presented K 11  million for the pagodas; Managing Director of ACE Construction U Tint Hsan-Dr Daw Htay Htay Nyein, K 3 million.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Afterwards, Kyaikhti- hsaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma-jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Pan-a-dipa delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. The Secretary-1, the commander, the ministers, senior military officers, the deputy ministers, departmental heads, wellwishers and officials conveyed Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyat-nadaw and Seinbudaw from the prayer hall to the pagodas.

Led by Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw, the Secretary-1 and party hoisted tiers of Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyatna- daw and Seinbudaw atop Naungdawlay Pagoda. After Seinbudaw was hoisted atop Naungdawlay Pagoda and Shwehtidaws atop encircling pagodas of Naung-dawlay Pagoda by the officials, the Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver showers. Next, the Secretary-1 and party hoisted tiers of Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyatna-daw and Seinbudaw atop Naungdawgyi Pagoda. The Secretary-1 also performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the completion of hoisting the sacred objects atop the Naung-dawgyi Pagoda.

The Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Buddha images in Maha Kalyani Ordination Hall, the ground of which had been blessed by Ashin Sona and Ashin Uttara. The cornerstone-laying ceremony for renovation of the ordination hall then followed. The Secretary-1 put the silver casket containing nine kinds of gems presented by Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw at the designated place. The Secretary-1 and party laid cornerstones and nine kinds of gems at the same time. The Secretary-1 sprinkled scented water on the stone plaque and performed the rituals of golden and silver showers. The Secretary-1 and party attended a ceremony to enshrine sacred objects and hoist Shwehtidaw atop Yanaungaye Pagoda on Zeyasena Pabbata Hill, Kanthayar Ward, Bilin, this afternoon.

The Secretary-1 conveyed Seinbudaw around the Pagoda clockwise. Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw and the Secretary-1 enshrined sacred objects into the upper reliquary of the pagoda. Then, the Secretary-1 hoisted tiers of Shwehtidaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and Seinbu-daw atop Yanaungaye Pagoda. The Secretary-1 and party performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the completion of enshrinement and hoisting Shwehtidaw atop the pagoda.

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(3) Contract to export buckwheat to Japan signed

YANGON, 4 June-A ceremony to sign to export three containers of buckwheat to Japan was held at the office of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading on Pansodan Street this morning. General Manager of Export Division of MAPT U Thein Lwin and special representative for Japan U Aung Moe signed the contract. Also present were Deputy Director-General of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department Lt-Col Myint Swe, Deputy Managing Director of MAPT U Myint Thein and Expert of Japan International Corporation Agency Mr Masaru Imamura.

Courses of University for Development of National Races open

YANGON, 4 June- M Ed Course, M Phil Course, one-year B Ed Course, Junior Assistant Teachership Course and Course No 36 for four-year B Ed Course of University for Development of National Races were opened at Pinlon Hall of the UDNR this morning.

Present were Chairman of UDNR Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, member U Aung Myint, Director-General of Public Service Affairs Department U Khin Maung Myint, Director-General of Civil Service Selection and Training Board U Hla Kyi, Rector of UDNR Col Zaw Min Thein, Rector of Central Institute of Civil Service (Upper Myanmar) Col Aung San Win, member of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Division Police Commander Police Col Saw Hla Maung, departmental officials, members of Sagaing District and Township Peace and Development Councils, the Pro-rector, professors, registrar, lecturers and guests.

Chairman of UDNR Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win delivered a speech. Rector of UDNR Col Zaw Min Thein reported on courses. Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win presented prize to Kyansittha Company. Chairman of UDNR Council and members greeted the students. Chairman of UDNR Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win and party inspected the Convocation Hall of UDNR. Altogether 1,083 students are attending the courses nine in M Ed Course, three in M Phil Course, 50 in one-year B Ed Course, 152 in Junior Assistant Teachership Course and 279 in Course No 36 for four-year B Ed Course.

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(4) Myaung Township gets new two-storey school building

YANGON, 4 June - A ceremony to hand over a two-storey school building donated by Minister for
Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and wife Daw Khin Khin Lay and family was held at Thaunggyi Village, Myaung Township, Sagaing Division, on 31 May morning.

Present were Daw Khin Khin Lay, wife of Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, and family,
Commissioner of Division General Administration Department U Thein Aung, Managing Director of
Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise Col Bo Kyi, Director-General of No 2 Basic Education Department (Upper Myanmar) Lt-Col Win Htain and officials, Secretary of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Maj Ko Ko Myint, Chief Editor of Naing Ngant Gon Yi Magazine Lt-Col Ohn Maung (Retired) (Myinmu Maung Naing Moe), Director (Admin) of the Information and Public Relations Department Maj Kyaw Zin Oo, Staff Officer of Sagaing Division Information and Public Relations Department U Aung Ngwe and officials, Chairman of Myaung Township Peace and Development Council U Soe Thein and township-level departmental officials, the chairman of Thaunggyi Village Peace and Development Council, members of the school board of trustees and local people.

Daw Khin Khin Lay and Lt-Col Win Htain formally opened the two-storey school building. U Naing Oo, son of the minister for information, formally unveiled the signboard of the school. Daw Khin Khin Lay explained the purpose of the donation. Lt-Col Win Htain also spoke on the occasion. Daw Khin Khin Lay and family handed over documents related to the school building to Lt-Col Win Htain. Wellwishers donated a 21-inch Toshiba TV set and a video cassette recorder, a 3-kv generator, bulbs and fluorescent lamps, a water pump and a water tank, five wall clocks, school furniture, books and K 180,000 to the school.
 
Seminar on National Health Plan opens

YANGON, 4 June- The opening ceremony of Seminar on National Health Plan and Review on
Implementation of Region-wise National Work Programme Objectives sponsored by Health Planning Department and UNICEF was held at the meeting hall of HPD on Theinbyu Road this morning. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint made a speech on the occasion. Then, Resident  Representative of UNICEF Mr B Mendis spoke on the occasion. Altogether 30 persons of Health Department, General Administration Department, Basic Education Department, Development Affairs Department, Social Welfare Department and Water Resources Utilization Department are attending the seminar which will continue till on 7 June.

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(5)  Minister inspects construction tasks

YANGON, 4 June-Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by officials, inspected the maintenance work of Bago-Thanatpin-Thongwa road this afternoon. He gave instructions on close supervision and tasks to be carried out in accord with the set standards. The Bago-Thanatpin-Thanlyin road links Yangon through Dalla.

Minister presents sport equipment in Mandalay Division

YANGON, 4 June-Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen. Thura Aye Myint presented six kinds of sport equipment worth K 160,000 for seven boxing clubs in the hall of  Mandalay Division Union Solidarity and Development Association on 1 June.

Chairman of Division Sports and Physical Education Committee Deputy Commander of Central
Command Brig-Gen. Nay Win and committee members, departmental heads, officials from social
organizations and USDA, officials and boxers from the clubs attended the ceremony. The minister also presented 20 kinds of sport equipment worth K 541,810 to Acting Principal Col Aung Myo Min of Defence Services Academy in PyinOoLwin.

Present on the occasion were Commander of PyinOoLwin Station Principal of Defence Services
Administration Training School Brig-Gen. Hla Swe, the heads of the departments and cadets. Afterwards, the minister presented 14 kinds of sport equipment worth K 165,600 for Defence Services Technological Academy to Principal Brig-Gen. Win Myint and the heads of department. The minister then arrived at Basic Education High School, Nawnghkio, and presented sport equipment to the officials; President of Myanmar Volleyball Federation Managing Director of Asia World Co U Tun Myint Naing, K 250,000 for sport activities of the township. In Kyaukme, the minister met with the township-level departmental  officials, members of SPED, social organizations and USDA, and students and presented sport equipment at 4 p.m. Project Director U Soe Win presented K 250,000 to the officials for sport activities.

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(6) Minister signs in Book of Condolences for late King and Queen of Nepal

YANGON, 4 June-Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung signed in the Book of Condolences in
memory of the late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aishwarya of Nepal at the Royal Nepalese Embassy on Natmauk Yeiktha Street at 2 p.m. today.

Commander meets local farmers

YANGON, 4 June- Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann met local farmers and members of Ward and Village Peace and Development Councils of Hinthada and Zalun Townships, Hinthada District, at Neikban  village-tract on 2 June. Present on the occasion were members of Ayeyawady Division Peace and  Development Council, members of District and Township Peace and Development Councils of Hinthada District, departmental officials, Ward and Village Peace and Development Council members and local farmers.

The commander gave instructions on agriculture, livestock breeding and regional development tasks.
Then, the commander attended a ceremony to demonstrate farming equipment manufactured by the
Ministry of Industry 2 at the same village. Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Brig-Gen. Aung Thein Lin
explained the sale of farming equipment manufactured by the ministry at reasonable prices. The ceremony ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

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(7) Ayeyar Myay Co donates K 3.2 million

YANGON, 4 June- Ayeyar Myay General Services Co Ltd donated cash to Defence Services Records Office, Myanmar Hockey Federation and Yangon Division Traffic Police Force at the meeting hall of Defence Services Records Office this afternoon. The ceremony was attended by Commandant of DSRO Commander of No 4 Military Region Brig-Gen. Myo Myint, Deputy Commandant Lt-Col Tin Ko Ko, department heads, officers, other ranks and guests. Managing Director of Ayeyar Myay General Services Co Ltd U Thet Oo donated K 1.2 million to DSRO, K 1 million to MHF through the commandant and K 1 million to Yangon Division Traffic Police Force through Police Lt-Col Aung Naing. Brig-Gen. Myo  Myint spoke words of thanks and the ceremony came to a close.
 
Seminar on Health Planning for Women and Children opens

YANGON, 4 June- The opening ceremony of Seminar on Health Planning for Women and Children
sponsored by Health Planning Department was held at Myanmar Medical Association on Theinbyu Road this morning. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint spoke on the occasion. Present also were Director-General of Medical Research Department (Lower Myanmar) Dr Paing Soe, directors- general, professors, Chairperson of MMCWA Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and guests. Resident  Representative of UNICEF Mr B Mendis and Dr Jos Vandalaer spoke on the occasion. Then, the deputy minister and party observed the exhibition.

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(8) USDA CEC member tours Magway Division

YANGON, 4 June- Central Executive Committee member of Union Solidarity and Development
Association U Soe Tha met secretaries and executives of Magway Division, District and Township
USDAs at Division USDA office on 2 June. Secretary of Magway Division USDA U Thwin Lin explained the strength of USDA members and their activities. The CEC member attended to their needs and gave instructions to them. Then, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min made a speech on the occasion. The CEC member inspected the construction of USDA office in Taung- dwingyi Township and gave suggestions.

Multiplier Management Course No 6 for USDA Executives concluded

YANGON, 4 June- Central Executive Committee member of the Union Solidarity and Development
Association U Saw Tun attended the concluding ceremony of Multiplier Management Course No 6 for USDA Executives at Dawbon Township USDA Office in Yangon East District this morning.

Present were EC member of Yangon Division USDA U Tha Win,  Secretary of Yangon East District USDA U Tin Hlaing and EC member U Soe Shein, Secretaries and executives of Dawbon and Thakayta Township USDAs, chairmen and members of Township Peace and Development Councils, heads of department, members of Red Cross Society, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Maternal and Child Welfare  Association and trainees. CEC member U Saw Tun made a speech on the occasion. Division and Township USDA executives presented prizes to outstanding trainees. Then, well-wishers made donations in cash and kind through the secretary of Township USDA to fund of Township USDA. Township Executive U Than Lwin presented certificates to trainees.
 
USDA CEC member accepts membership applications

YANGON, 4 June- Central Executive Committee member of the Union Solidarity and Development
Association Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint attended the ceremony to submit USDA membership applications in Bago Township yesterday morning. CEC member Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint made a speech and accepted the 7,380 membership applications.

Then, CEC member Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint also attended the ceremony to submit USDA membership applications at the office of Thanatpin Township USDA. The secretary of Thanatpin Township USDA  explained the activities of the association. The CEC member presented cash to the township education officer. The Secretary of Division USDA accepted the membership applications. Present were the secretary and executives of Thanatpin Township USDA, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council , the TEO and EC members of Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association. The CEC  member met the secretary and executives of Thanatpin Township USDA and gave instructions.

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(9) Endangered turtles seized at Yangon Airport

YANGON, 4 June-Mr Yoshiyuki Abiko, holder of passport No MQ 8341500, who would take flight No TG 306 from Yangon to Bangkok sent suitcases with small plastic baskets consisted of turtles in them to  Container Inspection Section yesterday. Officers of airport Customs Department examined the suitcases and seized 84 turtles of rare species. Officials handed over them to wildlife conservation unit of Forest Department this morning. The turtles are one of endangered species in the world and found only in  Myanmar.

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