(1) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends message of felicitations to Iraq

YANGON, 17 July - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of  the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Saddam Hussein, President  of the Republic of Iraq, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Iraq which falls on 17 July  2001.

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(2) Government transforms dry Magway Division to green, lush and prospering region

In addition to irrigation, dams contributes to land reclamation, year-round cropping, greening and
economic development

Palin Dam in Myothit Township, Magway Division, commissioned into service

YANGON, 16 July -Palin Dam built by the Irrigation Department in Myothit Township, Magway Division,  was commissioned into service this morning, with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and  Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt.

The Secretary-1 said clusters of dams are being built at suitable places to ensure adequate supply of drinking water and irrigation water in Magway Division and to green the dry region. Opening of Sunchaung  Dam in the previous month and opening of the present dam today in the township indicates the government's goodwill to the people and will also benefit the people of the township as well as the eastern  sector of Magway Division. Palin Dam is the final facility of the series of dams built on Yin creek, the dams  will supply adequate amount of irrigated water to the eastern region of Magway Division, thereby the region  will gain significant economic progress as desired by the State.
 
The government is making endeavours for proportionate development of all the regions of Myanmar in  order to gain rapid national economic progress and high standard of living. Development plans which are in  accord with the requirement and situation of the individual places are being implemented for proportionate  progress of all the regions of the nation. In the past the roads linking the upper Myanmar and the lower  Myanmar were only on eastern bank of Ayeyawady River; the regions on the west bank including Magway  Division lagged behind in progress. At present, roads and bridges linking all the regions in the north and  south as well as in the east and west of the Union have been built.

The west bank and the east bank of Magway Division have developed as one region due to construction of  Pathein-Monywa Highway, Hsinbyushin Bridge on Chindwin River and Anawrahta Bridge on Ayeyawady  River. Ayeya-wady River Bridge (Magway) is under construction at present. In addition to developing the  transport sector, efforts are also being made to build the irrigation facilities with added momentum. The  government has given priority to the development of the agriculture which is the nation's mainstay of the  economy. It is doing so to be able, and to produce enough food to feed the nation's population of over 51  million. Concerning the building of irrigation facilities, Head of State Senior General Than Shwe said; "  Strenuous efforts are being made to develop agriculture, which is the mainstay of the national economy, as  food sufficiency is important. As land and water are the basic requirements in agriculture, dams are being  built to fulfil the requirement."
 
In accord with the guidance, more land is being reclaimed, modern techniques and quality seeds are being  applied and irrigation facilities are being built in the nation. Building of dams not only ensures adequate  water supply for cultivation, but also contributes to land reclamation, year-round cropping, regional  greening and economic development.

It is the 123rd dam built by the government spending over K 40,490 million to build the facilities benefiting  a total of 1.7 million acres of crop lands. Twenty-three dams have been built in Magway Division at a cost  of over K 7,970 million, benefiting 0.16 million acres. Of the 16 dams which have been opened to this date  in the fiscal 2000-2001, five are in Magway Division. Building of Salin Dam in Salin Township, Mone  Creek Dam in Sedoktara Township and Bwetgyi and Pade Dams in Aunglan Township has contributed to  extension of cultivated areas in the division. Plans are under way to build more dams.

Palin Dam will irrigate 2,000 acres of land, will store and irrigate water through Palin Diversion Dam. In  the past only the large dams which are commercial viable were being built. But now, clusters of small and  medium scale dams are being built not for economic profit but for national development. It can be  witnessed that these clusters of dams are contributing to the regional economic progress and improving the  living standards of the rural people.

Thus, farmers should understand the State's goodwill towards them and strive with zeal for regional as well  as for national economic progress. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given a guidance, saying  that affective arrangements should be made to develop rural water supply, transport, education, health,  economy and living standards as the rural development is the main sector for urban and national  development.

In accord with the guidance, the government and the social organizations are striving to implement the rural  development tasks. Thus, the rural people should strive to develop their farming business to help develop  their areas. There are now new motorways, railroads, bridge crossing the Ayeyawady, clusters for dams,  pumped-water stations, large-scale private farming businesses and universities of the education and health  fields and many new airfields are under construction in Magway Division. Thus, the dry division has  become a green and prospering region.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged local authorities, departments, farmers and the local people to strive  from the respective sectors for the durability of the dam; to effectively used the irrigated water and to strive  to gain success as expected by the State; to strive with zeal for ensuring the regional food sufficiency and  greening and improving the living standards; and to collectively strive for rural development and living  standard of the rural people in accord with the goodwill of the Head of State.

Also present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division  Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, ministers, deputy  ministers, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min, officials of the  State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental personnel, local authorities, local farmers,  members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Red Cross, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Maternal and Child Welfare Association, students and local people totalling over 10,000.  Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint said it is a day to add another dam that contributes the development of agriculture and  availability of water in Magway Division, sufficiency in drinking water and greening of the region.

The government is laying down the better foundations for agricultural development, increase income of  farmers and uplift of their quality of life. These foundations will be useful not only for the present time but  also for posterity, he said. With the far-sighted guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, 13  district greening works including Myothit Township were implemented successfully.

By doing so, forests and trees became green in the hot and dry region and double paddy cultivation can be  undertaken for rice sufficiency in the region, he added. Altogether 23 dams including Palin Dam have been  built in the division since 1988 and cultivation can be undertaken in 140,000 acres of lands. Mone Creek  Multi-purpose Dam, Salin Dam, Bwetgyi Dam and Nagar Dam are under construction and there are many  dams left to be constructed in the division, he said. The commander thanked the government for  construction of the dam.

Next, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said the government is creating the conditions to become successful  prosperous farmers from earning their living by cultivation in conventional methods. Arrangements are  being made for production of quality and high yield crops by exploiting land and water resources and  applying modern technology and methods, Knowing the importance of water in agriculture, the Head of  State laid down plans for availability of water to increase productivity in agriculture.

All can see that the Palin Dam is a proof. Irrigated areas increased from 2.48 million acres to 4.9 million  acres, he said. Magway Division is the main region for cultivation of oil crops, beans and pulses and cotton  for export and sufficiency in edible oil and sugarcane and kitchen crops.

The division is making efforts for rice sufficiency in the region, he added. The minister spoke of the
division's high performance in crop production, fulfilment for agricultural structures such as 23 dams and 49  water pumping projects and establishment of three sugar mills, 13 cotton milling factories, education farms,  research farms and tractor stations.

On behalf of local people, Secretary of Myothit Township Union Solidarity and Development Association  U Kyaw Htay thanked for construction of the Palin Dam. The Secretary-1 presented cash to Director (Civil)  U Myint Than and Director (Mechanical) U Kyaw Nyunt for personnel of Construction-8 of Irrigation  Department .

Next, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone plaque of the dam. Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and  Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin formally opened the dam. The Secretary-1 and party greeted those present and  inspected the main dam and the tower. The Palin Dam is built on Palin Creek near Palinpya Village in  Myothit Township. The earth dam is 4,260 feet long and 90 feet long. The water capacity at full brim is  12,200 acre feet. The dam will supply water to 2,000 acres of irrigated areas and 2,800 acres of crops lands.

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(3) Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centre in Myingyan and inspects construction work  in Magway Division 

YANGON, 16 July-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen. Khin Nyunt together  with member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and  Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, ministers, deputy ministers,  the chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council, officials of the State Peace and  Development Council Office and departmental heads yesterday morning left Bagan-NyaungU for Myingyan  by helicopter and arrived there at 7.30 am. They were welcomed by Commander of No 99 LID Brig-Gen.  Htay Oo, Tactical Operations Commander Col Tun Kyi of Central Command, Chairman of Myingyan  District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Ye Swe and officials.

The Secretary-1 and party attended the opening ceremony of multimedia teaching centre of No 2 Basic  Education High School in Myingyan. Headmistress Daw Thein Thein Myint and Chairman of the School  Board of Trustees U Aung Kyi formally opened the centre. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the signboard  of the centre. Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the language lab, the computer-aided instruction  room, the audio visual room, the projected media room, the computer skills room, the printed media room,  the arts room, the altar room and domestic science room.

Afterwards, the ceremony to mark the opening of the multimedia teaching centre was held. First, Ma Swe  Swe Lin, a tenth standard student, spoke words of thanks in English. Then, Headmistress Daw Thein Thein  Myint and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Aung Kyi explained efforts for the opening of the  centre.

Later, the Secretary-1 accepted cash donations for the school presented by the officials. The donations were  K 400,000 by U Win Aung of Dagon Timer Limited and K 150,000 by U Aung-Daw Thaung Thaung of  Aung Thukha Soap and Oil Mill. Next, the Secretary-1 presented video tapes for the school to the  headmistress.

The Secretary-1, on behalf of the State, thanked wellwishers, members of the School Board of Trustees and  teachers who made concerted efforts for the opening of the centre. He said, education promotion programmes are being implemented with the objectives of nurturing outstanding students, narrowing of  education gap between urban and rural areas and upgrading the level of education to meet the international  standard.

Only when modern teaching aids can be used, the level of education sector will meet the international  standard. That is why multimedia teaching centres have been opened. In doing so, wellwishers and people  in entire nation are cooperating. In their honour, they are attending the opening ceremonies. He wished that  the school may give birth to outstanding students and able persons in building peaceful, modern developed  nation.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party, together with the teachers, members of the school board of  trustees and pupils, posed for photos. Later, the Secretary-1 and party left Myingyan for Salin Dam project  in Salin township, Magway Division where they were welcomed by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation  Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Director-General U Kyaw San Win of Irrigation Department, member of Magway  Division Peace and Development Council Division Police Commander Police Col Ye Myint and officials.  At the briefing hall, Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported to the Secretary-1 on construction of the dam  and irrigation plan.

Afterwards, Director-General U Kyaw San Win of Irrigation Department reported on progress in
construction of the dam and Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min  reported on extended cultivation of summer paddy and other crops in Salin Township. The Secretary-1 gave  instructions on extended summer paddy cultivation with the use of irrigated water. Then, the Secretary-1  inspected the construction site.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party paid homage to Yanaungmyin Pagoda there. The Salin dam is under  construction at the place, 22 miles upstream Linzin diversion weir near Shwedwintu village in Salin  township. Construction of the dam is almost finished. The Secretary-1 and party left the Salin dam for Mann  Shwe Settawya pagoda in Minbu(Sagu) township by helicopter where they were welcomed by Minister for  Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Chairman of Minbu District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col  Tin Maung Win and officials. The Secretary-1 and party attended a ceremony to share merits gained for all- round renovation of Mann Settawya pagoda and construction of the retaining wall at the prayer hall of the  pagoda.

Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga  Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Five Precepts. Members  of the Sangha recited Parittas. The Secretary-1 presented offertories to Magway Sayadaw. Then, the  commander and the ministers presented offertories to members of the Sangha. Secretary of the State Sangha  Maha Nayaka Committee Magway Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained.

The Secretary-1 presented cash donations for the pagoda to Chairman of Pagoda Board of Trustees Deputy  Commissioner of Minbu District General Administration Department U Maung Maung Myint. Next, the  Secretary-1 and party inspected progress of all-round renovation of Ahtet Settawya and construction of  stone retaining wall of the Ahtet Settawya on Man Creek side.

The Secretary-1 and party paid reverence to the Ahtet Settawya Pagoda and offered gold foils to it. They  also visited Maha Myat Muni Buddha Image in Koekhangyi Prayer Hall, which was built by Hermit U  Khanti. Then, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone plaque of all-round renovation of Man Shwe  Settawya Pagoda.

At 4 p.m., the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Taungdwingyi by helicopter and inspected ancient  cultural objects at the construction site of historic Aungmyin Zeya Pagoda. The Division Peace and  Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min reported on the pagoda, and Engineer in-charge U Than Aye  gave a supplementary report.

After that, Kanbawza Bank Ltd presented K 3 million for the pagoda; Yuzana Co. Ltd, Dagon International  Ltd and Asia World Co. Ltd K 1 million each and the townships in Magway District K 600,000 to the  Secretary-1.

Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint accepted K 500,000 donated by Taungdwingyi Township; K 100,000 by  U Nyan Tun and family of Taungdwingyi; K 500,000 by the Ministry of Information; K 300,000 by the  Ministry of Industry-1, K 200,000 each by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Progress of Border  Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and K  100,000 by Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Lt-Gen. Min Thein and  family. Magway Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min accepted the donations  K 100,000 by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement; K 200,000 each by the Ministry of  Transport and the Ministry of Forestry; K 100,000 each by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of  Construction and Commander-in-Chief (Air)'s Office; K 200,000 by Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council; K 50,000 each by Myanma Electric Power Enterprise and Myanma Posts and  Telecommunications and other cash donations by wellwishers. The Secretary-1 and party left Taungdwingyi  for Magway at 6 p.m.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway) Construction Project this morning. They  were welcomed there and reported by Deputy Chief Engineer (Project) U Han Zaw and engineers on  progress of construction of the approach bridge on Magway bank and erection of the pillars.

At the briefing hall, Engineer U Han Zaw reported on arrival of steel frames for the Ayeyawady Bridge  (Magway), progress of fitting 15-metre frames on Minbu side and implementation of the construction  project on Minbu side with the aid of audio visual aids. The Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe  reported on assistance to be provided for timely arrival of steel frames and Deputy Minister for  Construction U Tint Swe on providing cement and fuel oil for the project. The Secretary-1 called for on  concerted efforts to be made for worksite safety and timely completion of the project.

Afterwards, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein and Director-General of Medical Science Department Dr  Maung Maung Wint reported on the Magway Institute of Medicine Construction Project, and the Secretary-1 attended to the requirements. Then, the Secretary-1 and party attended the third cash donations  presentation ceremony for construction of Abhidhaja Mawgun Beikmandaw of Maha Visutarama Taikthit.

Presiding Nayaka of the Taikthit Secretary of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha  Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Five Precepts.  The Secretary-1 and party presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.

The Secretary-1 accepted the donations for the construction of the Beikmandaw K 1.1 million donated by  Yangon City Development Committee Chairman Mayor U Ko Lay-Daw Khin Khin and family; K 700,000  each by Ko Soe Naing-Ma Seint Han Ni and family, U Tin Tun-Daw Hnin and family of Yangon and Ko  San Win-Ma Yee Yee Wai and family and K 500,000 each by Magway Division Peace and Development  Council Secretary Lt-Col Myo Aung-Daw Khin Toe Myint and family and U Zaw Lwin La Yaung-Daw  Khin Aye Cho of Hla Kalay Sein Htomount, Mandalay. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint accepted the  donations K 500,000 by U Than Htay Aung-Daw Thanda Aung and family; K 400,000 by U Min Aung-Daw Khin San Wai and family; K 200,000 each by U Aye Ko-Daw Nu Nu Khin of Myanmar Cairo Co. Ltd
family and U Zeya-Daw Nyunt Nyunt Sein of Shwe Tharaphu Nyunt Nyunt Gold Shop; K 150,000 by  Ambassador of Myanmar to Italy U Phone Myiint-Daw Kyu Kyu Hlaing and K 100,000 by Daw Hla Kyi  and family of Kha Yi Asia, Great Asia in Yangon. The Divisional Peace and Development Council  Chairman Col Zaw Min also accepted the donations K 100,000 each by U Aw Ka-Daw Kyi and family, U  Soe Myint-Daw Khin Saw Oo and family, U Mawsi of Parami Group of Magway and U Than Soe-Daw  Thaung Yin and family; K 50,000 by Dr Mya Mya Aung, Ma Kyawt Yin Pyone, Ma Kyu Kyu Zin and Ma  Khaing Swe Swe and K 268,000 by the public. Afterwards, merits gained were shared.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 inspected progress of construction of the Beikmandaw. The Secretary- 1 and party proceeded to Magway New Airfield Construction Project and inspected progress of work. At  the briefing hall, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported on construction of the project. Director of Asia  World Col Ltd U Kyay reported on plans on increased use of heavy machinery and construction work for  the building of the Airfield and requirements. The Secretary-1 attended to the needs.

At 9 am, the Secretary-1 and party left Magway for Myothit Township by helicopter and attended the  opening of the Palin Dam. After the opening ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party heard a report by Minister  Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin on progress in construction of the Mone Creek Dam at the briefing hall of the project.  The chairman of the Division Peace and Development Council also reported on matters related to better  condition of roads linking Myothit Township. The Secretary-1 fulfilled the requirements.

Later, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at Meiktila at 11.30 am, and they were welcomed there by
Commander of No 99 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen. Htay Oo, Commander of Flying Training Base Col  Myat Hein, Commander of Ground Training Base Col Thura Khin Maung Win, high-ranking officers of  Meiktila Station and departmental heads. The Secretary-1 and party attended the ceremony to hand over  new school building of No 5 Basic Education High School in Meiktila, held at the school where they were  welcomed by departmental officials, families of education, wellwisher families and students.

A ceremony to hand over new school building to Basic Education Department was held at the Mingala  Mandat. Recipient of Naing-Ngan-Gon Yi (Grade II) Mawgun award winner (grade II) and proprietor of A- yee Taung pickled tea industry reported on the purpose of the donation. Deputy Minister for Education  Brig-Gen. Soe Win Maung thanked the donor. Wellwisher U Kyaw Thein handed over documents related to  the building to Deputy Director-General of No 2 Basic Education Department U Khin Maung Yin.

The Secretary-1 said it is a auspicious ceremony to fulfil requirements for education. Religiously and socially speaking, it is a noble deed. He hoped that the school would produce brilliant intellectual and  intelligentsia on whom the state can rely. He also spoke on education promotion programmes being  implemented by the government. Headmaster U Ye Myint and wellwisher U Kyaw Thein formally opened  the new school building.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected the new building and multimedia teaching centre. The Secretary-1  presented teaching aid video tapes to the headmaster. The one-storey building was constructed at a cost of  K 3.2 million and it has five classrooms. The Secretary-1 and party next went to the guest house of Flying  Training Base.

U Tin Win-Daw Myint Myint Than, proprietor of Sunflower Confectionery in Meiktila presented ancient  Buddha Images and objects of twenty years ago to the Secretary-1. The Secretary-1 then inspected ancient  Buddha Images and objects. The ancient objects include weapons of stone age and bronze ages, Buddha  images of Nyaungyan, Konbaung and Yadanabon periods. They will be on display at the Archaeological  Museum in Bagan. The Secretary-1 and party arrived back her in the evening. Minister for Health Maj-Gen  Ket Sein arrived at Myingyan District Hospital. Head of Mandalay Division Health Department Dr Than  Tun Oo and head of district health department Dr Soe Myat Mon and specialists reported on treatment. The  minister inspected extended construction of obstetrics and gynaecology ward. The minister inspected delivery room, wards and store for medicine.
 

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(4) Minister Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone meets Chinese Minister

YANGON, 16 July- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Pyi Sone met Minister of Land and Resources Mr  Tianfengshan of the People's Republic of China and party at his office this morning. Also present were  Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen. Kyaw Hsan, directors-general, managing directors and officials  of the Ministry of Commerce, Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun and officials of Chinese Embassy.

Chinese delegation calls on MIC Vice-Chairman 

YANGON, 16 July- Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Investment Commission Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut received Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan of the People's Republic of China  and party at the office of MIC at 8.30 am today. Also present at the call were member of MIC Minister for  Energy Brig-Gen. Lun Thi, officials of MIC and officials of the Chinese Embassy.

Minister receives Ambassador

YANGON, 16 July-Minister at the Prime Minister's Offices U Tin Winn received Ambassador of Singapore  Mr Simon Tensing de Cruz at his office in the Pyithu Hluttaw Office this evening.

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(5) Ministers inspect education promotion tasks

YANGON, 16 July-Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung and Minister for Education U Than  Aung attended the ceremony to present exercise books to the headmasters and headmistress from 15 Basic  Education Primary schools held at the hall of No 1 BEMS, Kalay yesterday. Minister U Than Aung  explained objectives and plans for the progress of the national education sector, tasks for four-year plan of  the National Education Promotion Special Programme and tasks to be carried out by the basic education  schools for schooling of all children.

Then, the ministers, Director-General of the Higher Education Department (Upper Myanmar) Dr Thein  Myint, Director-General of No 2 Basic Education Department Lt-Col Win Htein and the general staff  officer (Grade-1) of Kalay Station and the chairman of Kalay District Peace and Development Council  presented exercise books to the school heads.

The ministers, together with the director-general of Higher Education Department (Upper Myanmar) and  director-general of No 2 Basic Education Department, also inspected the departments and schools  implementing national education promoting special programme and attended to the needs on 14 July. Then,  CEC members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and U Thaung met with  the members of Kalay and Kalaywa USDAs and gave instructions on rural area development tasks, and  matters related to the association. Then, they proceeded to Pyinnya Alin modern electronic library in Kalay  and gave instructions. The library has 10 computers and over 1,000 CD-ROMs on various subjects.
 
Cash assistance presented to aged and disabled war veterans

YANGON, 16 July - Myanmar War Veterans Organization Central Organizing Committee presented cash  assistance to war veterans of 75 and above, disabled war veterans and their children who are outstanding in  their studies in Pathein today. Patron of Ayeyawady Division War Veterans Organization member of the  State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council  Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann delivered an address on the occasion.

Also present were Member of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Central Organizing Committee Deputy  Minister for Transport Brig-Gen. Kyaw Myint, Deputy Commander of South-West Command Brig-Gen.  Tint Swe, staff officers of the command, the chairman of Ayeyawady Division War Veterans Organization  Supervisory Committee, local authorities, departmental personnel, chairmen of District War Veterans  Organization Supervisory Committees, members Union Solidarity and Development Association, Women  Affairs Committee, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Red Cross Society  and others.

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen. Kyaw Myint and officials presented the cash assistance to the aged war veterans, disabled war veterans and the outstanding students. The commander delivered the concluding  address. The commander, the deputy minister and officials cordially greeted the aged war veterans, disabled  war veterans Cash assistance totalling over K 36.1 million was presented at the ceremony.

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(6) Accounting ( greade-1 ) Course opened

YANGON, 16 July-The opening of the Accounting (Grade-1) Course No 184 for the staff of the ministries  of the Auditor-General's Office was held at the training school of the Auditor-General's Office this morning,  with an address by Auditor-General Brig-Gen. Tin Aye. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Auditor- General U Khin Win, Director-General of the Auditor-General's Office Daw Thin Thin, Deputy Director- General Daw Tin Kyi Oo, and others. The three-month course is being attended by 176 trainees.

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(7) Myanmar, PRC mining officials sign MoU
 
YANGON, 16 July - Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan and delegation of the People's  Republic of China met Minister for Mines Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint at the latter's office this afternoon.

Also present were Deputy Minister U Myint Thein, directors-general and managing directors of the
ministry and Ambassador of PRC Mr Li Jinjun. The PRC delegation and Myanmar counterparts. signed a  memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the geological and mineral resources sectors of the two  nations.

Also present were Minister Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint, Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan,  Deputy Minister U Myint Thein, officials and Ambassador of PRC Mr Li Jinjun. Minister Brig-Gen. Ohn  Myint, Minister of Land and Resources Mr Tianfengshan and Deputy Minister U Myint Thein gave  speeches. Director-General Mr Huang Zongli of the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation  Department of PRC and Director-General Col Win Ti of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration  Department signed the MoU. Accompanied by Col Win Ti, the PRC delegation visited the National  Museum. Minister Brig-Gen. Ohn Myint hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation at Sedona Hotel in the evening.

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(8) USDA CEC member tours Mon State

YANGON, 16 July-CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for  Religious Affairs U Aung Khin met with secretaries, executives and ward organizers of USDAs of Kyaikto,  Bilin and Thaton Townships at the respective USDA offices on 14 July. The township USDA secretaries  reported on functions of the Associations and the CEC member gave instructions.

Then, he attended USDA membership application presentation ceremony at Muyaung Village, Mawla-myine Township, and accepted 3,500 applications from Muyaung Village and Minywa Village. Secretaries  of Mon State and Mawlamyine Township USDAs U Tin Soe Moe Naing and U Zaw Moe Lwin presented K  100,000 and wall clocks for Muyaung Village Basic Education Primary School.

The minister and party then presented offertories to Presiding Nayaka of Sasana Manaung Welbyan Sarthintaik in Mawlamyine Chairman of Tipitakadhara Ovadacariya Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru  Bhaddanta Vijayabhivamsa. The CEC member and South-East Command Commander Brig-Gen. Myint  Swe met with State/District/Township USDA members at Yamanya Hall in Mawlamyine yesterday. The  CEC member presented cash donations to the funds of the Associations. Later, the CEC member met with  Paung Township USDA secretary, executives and ward organizers at the office of the township USDA and  left instructions on active cooperation with departments for regional development.
USDA Management Multiplier Course for executives opened

YANGON, 16 July-Member of Central Executive Committee of the Union Solidarity and Development  Association U Aung San attended the opening of the Management Multiplier Course No 12 for Executives  of USDA held at the hall of Mingala Taungnyunt Township USDA this morning. Also present on the  occasion were the executives from Yangon Division and Yangon East District USDAs, executives from the  township USDA, the chairman and members of the township Peace and Development Council, organizers,  members of social organizations, donors and invited guests. The CEC member U Aung San delivered an  opening speech and accepted cash presented by 10 donors and presented certificates of honour to them.  Altogether 84 trainees are attending the two-week course.

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(9)  7.185 kilos of marijuana seized

YANGON, 16 July-Members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on information,  stopped a pony-cart and arrested Ohn Maung, 47, of Kyobintha Village and Daw Me Kyi, 56, of  Kyaukkyibackkan Village in Htantabin Township together with four packets of marijuana weighing 7.185  kilos at Zayatgyi Village bus-stop in Htantabin Township on 22 November morning. The police station  concerned filed them under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The Taungoo District Court  handed down four years' imprisonment under Section 15 and 15 years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A)  on Daw Me Kyi to serve separately and four years' imprisonment under Section 15 on Ohn Maung on 27 April.

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