( 1 )  Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith arrive on goodwill visit to Myanmar

Yangon, 19 Aug- At the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, the goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith arrived here by Myanmar Airways International this morning on a goodwill visit to the Union of Myanmar.

The goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith and members were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye and wife, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla and wife, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and wife, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and Myanmar Ambassador U Sein Win Aung and wife, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham, ambassadors, charges d' affaires ai, officials and wives, heads of UN Agencies and wives, staff of LPDR Embassy and families.

The MAI aircraft carrying the goodwill delegation led by Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith and members arrived at the airport at 10.55 am. Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham boarded the aircraft and welcomed visiting Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith. The visiting Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith were accorded a 19-gun salute. Schoolgirls waiting at the airport welcomed visiting Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith waving miniature flags of the two countries and chanting slogans.

Two Myanmar girls presented a bouquet to visiting Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith. The visiting Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith were greeted by Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing. Senior General Than Shwe presented his entourage to the visiting Prime Minister.

Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and the visiting Prime Minister and wife and members of the delegation went to the reception hall of the airport. Prime Minister of LPDR Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Senior General Than Shwe proceeded to the saluting dais and took the salute of the Guard of Honour as the State Band played the national anthems of the two countries. Prime Minister of LPDR Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Senior General Than Shwe inspected the Guard of Honour. The visiting Prime Minister and Senior General Than Shwe were greeted by Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and wife, ambassadors, charges d' affaires ai, officials and wives, heads of UN Agencies and wives, staff of LPDR Embassy and families.

The visiting Prime Minister and members of the goodwill delegation, accompanied by Senior General Than Shwe, proceeded to Seinle Kantha State House in a motorcade. Teachers, schoolgirls, nurses and people numbering 7,500 warmly welcomed the guests waving miniature flags of the two countries along the route from the airport to Seinle Kantha State House, and also along the University Avenue wishing the Prime Minister of LPDR and Senior General Than Shwe good health and hailing the Myanmar-Lao friendship. In extending the grand welcome to the Prime Minister and members of the goodwill delegation an archway was put up at the entrance to the Yangon International Airport bearing the words in both Myanmar and English ' We warmly welcome His Excellency Prime Minister of LPDR Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith.' Banners were posted at the entrance to the airport, at the corner of Inyalay, in front of the People's Park, at the junction of Kamayut, Hanthawady Roundabouts, U Wisara Roundabouts and the People's Park.

The guests, together with Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, arrived at Seinle Kantha State House at 11.25 am. Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing greeted the visiting Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith and left there at 11.40 am. The visiting Prime Minister and Madame Kham-meung Vorachith were accompanied by Minister of Industry and Handicrafts Mr Soulivong Dalavong, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Mr Siene Saphang-thong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Phongsavath Boupa, Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Mr Khamlouat Sitlakone and other senior officials.

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( 2 ) Laotian Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith calls on Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe

Yangon, 19 Aug- Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, who is currently here on a goodwill visit and party called on Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe, at the Credential Hall of the Pyithu Hluttaw Building here at 2 pm today.

Also present at the call together with Senior General Than Shwe were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council General Maung Aye, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar U Sein Win Aung, Director-General of State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, and together with the visiting prime minister were Minister of Industry and Handicrafts Mr Soulivong Dalavong, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Siene Saphang-thong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Dr Sinlavong Kho-utphay-thoun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Phongsavath Boupa, Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Mr Kham-louat Sitlakone, high-level officials and Ambassador of the Lao People's De-mocratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham.

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Republic of Hungary

Yangon, 20 Aug Ñ 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 Ferenc Madl, President of the Republic of Hungary, on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Hungary which falls on 20 August 2001.

( 3 ) Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing host banquet for Prime Minister of LPDR and wife

Yangon, 19 Aug- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith and goodwill delegation, currently here on a goodwill visit, at Pyithu Hluttaw building on Pyay Road at 7 pm today.

The dinner was attended by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife, Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and wife, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Admiral Maung Maung Khin and wife, Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Tin Tun and wife, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for military Affairs Lt-Gen Tin Hla and wife, the ministers and their wives, the Mayor of Yangon and wife, the deputy minister for Foreign Affairs and wife, Senior Tatmadaw officers, Myanmar Ambassador to LPDR U Sein Win Aung and wife, Ambassador of LPDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham and wife and Lao Embassy staff, the directors-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, the Government's Office, the Pyithu Hluttaw Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors of embassies of ASEAN member countries and special guests.

The State Band played the national anthems of LPDR and the Union of Myanmar. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith proposed a toast to those present at the dinner. Before and during the dinner, the guests were entertained with songs by vocalists of Myanmar Athan modern music troupe. After the dinner the guests were entertained to a programme of cultural dances in Thabin Hall. Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith presented a flower basket to artistes.

( 4 ) Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt calls on Laotian Prime MinisterSecretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt calls on Laotian Prime Minister

Yangon, 19 Aug- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and wife Madame Khammeung Vorachith, who are currently here at the invitation of the Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister Senior General Than Shwe, at the Seinlekantha State Guest House here at noon today. Also present at the call were Minister of Industry and Handicrafts of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Soulivong Dalavong, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Siene Saphangthong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Dr Sinlavong Khout-phaythoun, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Phon-gsavath Boupa, Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Mr Khamlouat Sitlakone, high-level officials and Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and wife, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and wife, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung and wife, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and wife, Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar U Sein Win Aung and wife, and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

( 5 ) Laotian Prime Minister and wife plant tree to commemorate their goodwill visit

Yangon, 19 Aug- Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith, who are on a friendly visit here at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing, planted a tree in the People's Square and People's Park on Pyay Road this evening to mark their friendly visit, and also visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and the Drugs Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Road and Kyundaw Road in Kamaryut Township.

The visiting Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith, accompanied by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and wife Daw Khin Myo Oo, Daw Khin Swe Soe, wife of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of Myanmar to LPDR U Sein Win Aung and wife Daw Htwe Yee, Ambassador of LPDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham and wife Mrs Onekeo Bounkham, Director-General of the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thura U Aung Htet and wife Daw Saw Mya and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy of LPDR, arrived at the People's Square and People's Park at the corner of Pyay Road and Ahlon Road at 4 pm. On arrival there, they were welcomed by Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor of Yangon U Ko Lay and wife Daw Khin Khin, Vice-Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, member of YCDC U Aung Soe and Head of Parks and Playgrounds Department U Nyunt Pe. Then, the visiting Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith planted a Linlun tree, Sapium Baccatum, near Pyidaungsu Ayeyeiknyein to mark their friendly visit here.

Afterwards, the visiting Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith and Madame Khammeung Vorachith and party posed for souvenir photos together with Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin and wife, Mayor U Ko Lay and wife in front of the Linlun tree. Then, the visiting Prime Minister and wife and party proceeded to the Shwedagon Pagoda. On arrival there, they were welcomed at the foot of the northern stairways by Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and wife Daw Yin Yin Nyunt and members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees. The visiting Prime Minister and wife and party went round the pagoda clockwise, and offered lights, flowers and scented sticks to the Buddha Image in the eastern prayer hall.

The visiting Prime Minister and wife signed in the visitors' book of the pagoda, and made donations to the funds of the pagoda. The minister for religious affairs, the deputy commander of Yangon Command and members of the pagoda board of trustees accepted the donations, and presented a picture of the Shwedagon Pagoda to the visiting Prime Minister and wife. The visiting Prime Minister and wife offered water to the Buddha Image at the southern corner of the pagoda. The visiting Prime Minister and wife and party paid homage to the jade Buddha Image on the platform of the pagoda. The visiting Prime Minister and wife and party posed for documentary photos at the Victorious Land at the north-west corner of the pagoda. The visiting Prime Minister and wife and party went to the Drug Elimination Museum where they were welcomed by Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and wife Daw Khin Hla Hla, Secretary of CCDAC Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and wife Daw Khin Khin Ohn, Deputy Director-General of MPF Police Brig-Gen Zaw Win and senior police officers.

The visiting Prime Minister and party toured the booths on drug control measures taken in the time of ancient monarchs, the intrusion of the Kuomintang into Myanmar, the withdrawal of the Kuomintang, opium licences in the period of colonial rule, the danger of narcotic drugs, cultivation of opium substitute crops, opium refineries seized by the Tatmadaw, operations Ngayepan and Taungyanshin, operation Moehein launched by the Tatmadaw, six phases of operation Moehein, records of operation Moehein, operations launched in Monekyut and Bakyan region, the meetings between State-level officials and leaders of national race groups who entered the legal fold, Kokant region, destruction of poppy fields near Binhin Village in Wa region, Wa region, developing Mongyun region and "No Precursor Chemicals, No Production of Narcotic Drugs', the putting of seized narcotic drugs to torch, Golden Triangle region, documentary photos of meetings on elimination of narcotic drugs attended by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, Heads of State and Government of ASEAN member nations and Heads of State of other nations including the People's Republic of China, booths on the 15-year drug elimination plan of Myanmar and efforts for elimination of narcotic drugs made by working groups under the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control. Minister Col Tin Hlaing and Police Maj-Gen Soe Win conducted them round the museum. The visiting Prime Minister signed in the visitors' book. The visiting Prime Minister and wife and party left the museum at 5:30 pm.

Madame Khammeung Vorachith and party visit Women's Development Centre

Yangon, 19 Aug- Madame Khammeung Vorachith, wife of Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith and party who were here on a visit at the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Prime Minister of Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing visited Women's Development Centre of Social Welfare Department on Thanlwin Road this afternoon. Madame Khammeung Vorachit and party were accompanied by Daw Khin Myo Oo, wife of Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Daw Khin Swe Soe, wife of Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Daw Htwe Yi, wife of Myanmar Ambassador to LPDR U Sein Win Aung, Daw Saw Mya, wife of Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and Mrs Onekeo Bounkham, wife of Ambassador of LPDR to Myanmar Mr Ly Bounkham. On arrival at the centre at 2 pm, Madame Khammeung Vorachit and party were welcome by Daw Khin Aye, wife of Minister for Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, adviser to the minister on women's affairs Prof Dr May May Yi, Deputy Directors of Social Welfare Department U Bo Than and U Thein Naing, Administrative Officer of the centre Daw Kyin Nu and officials.

First, Prof Dr Daw May May Yi gave an account of the centre at the hall. Then, Madame Kham-meung Vorachit and party signed in the visitors' book. Madame Khammeung Vorachit and Daw Khin Aye, wife of Minister for Social Welfare Relief and Resettlement exchanged gifts. Officials conducted Madame Khammeung Vorachit and party around the centre.

( 6 )  Minister U Aung Phone meets Laotian Minister

Yangon, 19 Aug- Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone met Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Mr Siene Saphangthong of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, who accompanied Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at his office here at 3 pm today. Also present at the call were Director-General of Forest Department Dr Kyaw Tint and Director-General of Planning and Statistics Department U Soe Tint.

Mines Minister meets Laotian counterpart

Yangon, 19 Aug- Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint met Minister of Industry and Handicrafts Mr Soulivong Dalavong of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, who accompanied Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at his office on Kanbe Street here at 3 pm today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Myint Thein and officials.

Transport Deputy Minister meets Laotian counterpart

Yangon, 19 Aug- Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than met Deputy Minister of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Mr Khamlouat Sitlakone of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, who accompanied Prime Minister Mr Boungnang Vorachith of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, at his office on Merchant street here at 4 pm today. Also present at the call were departmental heads and officials.

( 7 )  Commerce Minister leaves for Thailand

Yangon, 19 Aug- At the invitation of the Minister of Trade of Thailand, a Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone left for Thailand this morning. The delegation was seen off at the airport by Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, officials from the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and families. The delegation comprises Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Vice-President of the UMFCCI U Win Aung and Deputy Director of Directorate of Trade U Tin Shwe Win.

Provisions donated to monasteries

Yangon, 19 Aug- The families of Defence Services (Army, Navy, and Air) and wellwishers donated rice, edible oil, salt, medicines, gram and cash to six Sarthintaiks at the Aungmye Yadana Pariyatti Sarthintaik in Thingangyun Township this morning. Present were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, senior military officers, officials of Yangon East District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross Brigade, Wut Association and guests.

Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and Vice Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo presented offertories to the Sayadaws. Col Thein Htaik, Commander Than Htaik (Navy) and Lt-Col Min Zaw (Air) presented provisions to the Sayadaws. Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, Yangon East District and Township Peace and Development Councils, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemical Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines, Yangon Division Salt Factory Entrepreneurs' Association, staff families of the Traditional Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health, proprietor U Tun Shwe-Daw Thin Thin Swe of Tun Shwe Wa ointment and U Thein Htay-Daw Swe Swe Oo of Lubyandaw Padamya Medicine House presented provisions to the Sayadaws. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko and Brig-Gen Maung Nyo accepted K 1,111,800 donated by Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd, Dagon U Tin Win-Daw Mya Yi Nanda of Dagon Myanmar Co, people of Thingangyun Township, U Thein Htay-Daw Swe Swe Oo of Lubyandaw Padamya Medicine House, Kyaikdaiyon Pagoda Board of Trustees and five wellwishers for soon funds. Donations were:131 bags of rice, 450 viss of salt, 52 viss of edible oil, 46 packets of fine salt, 104 viss of peas, 150 boxes of various medicines and others. A similar ceremony was held at Palikayi Sarthintaik in Thakayta Township this morning. Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Brig-Gen Aung Kyi and Lt-Col Chan Maung (Air) and wellwishers presented provisions and K 562,000 to the Sayadaws of four Sarthintaiks. Similar ceremonies were held in Thakayta and Mingaladon Townships.

( 8 )  Myanmar, Egypt discuss educational matters

Yangon, 19 Aug- A Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt discussed educational matters with an Egyptian delegation led by Minister of Education Dr Hussein Kamel Bahaa El-Din of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the hall of the SEAMEO Regional Centre for History and Traditions this morning. The Myanmar delegation comprised Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt, the director-general and presidents from the ministry, the president of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science, deputy directors-general, the head of office of the ministry and rectors of the universities in Yangon, and the Egyptian delegation comprised Dr Hussein Kamel Bahaa El-Din, Charge d' Affaires ai of the Embassy of Egypt, and Official on Special Duty Mr Osana Mohammed Fattouth. In the afternoon, the guests visited the Drug Elimination Museum where Director Police Col Sit Aye of International Relations and officials conducted them around the museum. The Egyptian Minister signed in the visitors' book and left there.