( 1 )  Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party on return from Thailand

Yangon, 5 Sept- Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe welcomed Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who arrived back here on a special flight after paying a goodwill visit to Thailand at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Chavalit Yonghaiyudh of Thailand, at the airport this morning.

Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, wife of the Secretary-1 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Deputy Prime Ministers Lt-Gen Maung Maung Khin and Lt-Gen Tin Tun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Embassy of Thailand Mr Raden Suwannakorn, senior military officers and departmental heads also welcomed back the Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, the Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office, senior military officers from the Ministry of Defence and departmental heads also arrived back here with Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Member of the goodwill delegation member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein will attend the 19th meeting of Myanmar-Thailand Regional Border Committee to be held in Thailand.

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( 2 )  Secretary-1 granted audience by King of Thailand

Yangon, 5 Sept- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar His Excellency Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, who was on a goodwill visit in the Kingdom of Thailand at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand His Excellency General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, was granted an audience by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand, at the Royal Palace in Huahin, Thailand, at 6 pm yesterday. Also in audience were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand U Myo Myint, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai.

Secretary-1 meets Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra

Yangon, 5 Sept- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein and members, left Yangon International Airport for Bangkok on a goodwill visit at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on 3 September.

The Secretary-1 and party arrived at Bangkok International Airport at 9 am local time. Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand U Myo Myint and Deputy Director-General of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Suthee Na Lampang boarded the plane and welcomed the Secretary-1 and party. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri and senior officials, Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar Mr Oum Maolanon, Military Attache Col Chaiwat Sathondee, Myanmar Military Attache Col Kyaw Han and officials. The Secretary-1 and party met Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri and members at the airport VIP Lounge. The Myanmar goodwill delegation led by Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the welcoming ceremony of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

The Secretary-1 and party left the airport in a motorcade. The goodwill delegation arrived at Supreme Command Headquarters where they were welcomed by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh. The Secretary-1 and General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh proceeded to the saluting dais and took the salute of the Guard of Honour of Thai Royal Armed Forces. The Secretary-1 and General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh inspected the Guard of Honour. The Secretary-1 and party were greeted by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Permanent Secretary for Defence General Tawat Ked-Unkoon, Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri, Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief General Surayud Chulanont, Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Prasert Boonsong, Royal Thai Air Forces Deputy Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Terdsak Sujjaruk and senior officers.

The Secretary-1 presented his members of the Myanmar goodwill delegation to the hosts. The Secretary-1 met General Chavalit Yong-chaiyudh at the meeting hall of Supreme Command Headquarters. Present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Myint, Military Attache Col Kyaw Han, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and departmental officials, Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Permanent Secretary for Defence General Tawat Ked-Unkoon, Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri, senior military officers of Royal Thai Army, Navy and Air, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon, Military Attachˇ Col Chaiwat Sathondee and officials.

At 11.30 am, the Secretary-1 went to the Government House and called on Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra. Present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council (East) Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Surakiart Sathirathai. Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra presented gift to the Secretary-1. Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra hosted a luncheon in honour of the Secretary-1 and members of the goodwill delegation at the Government House. The Secretary-1 and party went to the residence of Myanmar Ambassador at 2.30 pm and met embassy staff and families and staff of office of military attache and families.

The Secretary-1 said the Myanmar goodwill delegation came to Thailand in response to the goodwill visits of the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister to Myanmar. He met with Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, he said. The constructive discussions that would bring about useful to both sides were made in a cordial and frank manner. After the end of the goodwill visit, the Myanmar-Thai goodwill relations would improve and bilateral cooperation would be promoted, he said. He said the two countries have long boundaries. He urged diplomats and families to make efforts to improve further goodwill relations between the two countries. The Secretary-1 presented gifts to the ambassador and the military attache. The Secretary-1 and party went to Shangrila Hotel where they would stay. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai called on the Secretary-1 at Indonesia Hall of the hotel at 4 pm. Present were Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Myint, Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Director-General of Political Affairs Department U Thaung Tun, Military Attache Col Kyaw Han, Permanent Secretary Mr Nitya Pibulsonggram, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon and officials.

The Secretary-1 and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai exchanged gifts. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh hosted dinner in honour of the Myanmar goodwill delegation at the Oriental Queen aboard on Choaphya River. Present were member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council (East) Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint, Myanmar Ambassador U Myo Myint, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein and departmental officials and Military Attache Col Kyaw Han, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Home Affairs Police Col Purachai Pimsom boon, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office General Thamarak Isarangura, Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha, Permanent Secretary for Defence General Tawat Ked Unkoon, Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Oum Maolanon, Military Attache Col Chaiwat Sathondee and senior officials. General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and the Secretary-1 made speeches and exchanged gifts. The Secretary-1 and party spent the night at Shangrila Hotel.

( 3 )  Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint sees off Myanmar delegation

Yangon, 5 Sept- Secretary 3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, together with Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Military Affairs Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Tin Hla, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and senior Tatmadaw officers, saw off Myanmar delegation who left here for Thailand to attend the 19th meeting of the Myanmar-Thailand Regional Border Committee at the Yangon International Airport at 6.30 am today.

The delegation comprised Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South East Command Birg-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Aye Kwyay, Chairman of Kaya State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing, Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Maung Shein and officials of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Member of State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein arrived in Thailand in advance and will lead the Myanmar delegation to the 19th meeting of the Myanmar-Thailand Regional Border Committee.

( 4 )  Minister meets Japanese guests

Yangon, 5 Sept- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met General Manager of Nichimen Corporation Oversea Business Promotion Department of Nichimen Tokyo Head-quarters Mr Masuyuki Tamoi and members at his office at 1.30 pm today. Also present together with the minister were director-general of the directorate and managing-directors.

Director of South East Asia Region of WHO calls on Health Minister

Yangon, 5 Sept- Director of South East Asia Region of World Health Organization Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei who is attending the 54th WHO Session of the Regional Committee for South East Asia, accompanied by Resident Representive of WHO Dr Agostino Borra, called on Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein at the latter's office at 2 pm today. Also present at the call were Deputy Ministers Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials.

Myanmar agrees to appointment of Swiss Ambassador

Yangon, 6 Sept- The Government of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of HE Mr Hans-Peter Erismann as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to the Union of Myanmar in succession to His Excellency Mr Bernard Freymond. HE Mr Hans-Peter Erismann was born in 1941. He studied economies at Saint-Gall University of Switzerland and graduated with the Doctoral degree. In 1971, he joined the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and received diplomatic training in Bern and Brussels. From 1973 to 1986, he had served in various capacities in Embassies of Switzerland in Warsaw, Canberra, Cairo and at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 1986, he was appointed as Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Korea. Subsequently he was transferred to New York in 1989 as Consul General of Switzerland. From 1993 to 1997 he was accredited to the Republic of Kenya, Burundi, Rewanda, Uganda. Seychelles, Somalia and Permanent Representative to UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), with residence in Nairobi. After that he had served as Ambassador of Switerland to the Republic of Chile till 2001. HE Mr Erismann is currently serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to the Kingdom of Thailand. He will be concurrently accredited to the Union of Myanmar with residence in Bangkok, Thailand. He is married.

( 5 )  Minister inspects heavy industry factories

Yangon, 5 Sept- Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, accompanied by officials, inspected test-run of engines for ten-ton truck to be developed by Ministry of Industry-2 at the Diesel Engines Workshop, and developing of new model Mark II and test-developing of two-ton automobile at Automobile Assembling Workshop of No 2 Automobile Factory in Padaung Township, Bago Division (West) on 3 September. Factory General Manager U Kyaw Myo Win reported to the minister on work being carried out.

The minister then met with Chinese technicians at Power Cable Factory of Myanma Machine Tool and Electrical Industries and spoke words of encouragement. Afterwards, the minister and party inspected work being carried out for Copper Rod Casting and Rolling Plant and power cable production machines. Managing Director U Kyaw Win of MMTEI and Factory General Manager U Pe Than Hlaing reported to the minister on work being done. On 4 September, the minister inspected preparations for opening of basic electronic course at Technical Training School (Sinde) of Myanma Agricultural Machinery Industries where Managing Director U Than Tun and Principal U Win Thein reported on work being carried out. Later, the minister and party inspected installation of transformers, extension of building, work being carried out for boosting quality of power tillers and use of power tillers at No 1 Agricultural Machinery Factory (Sinde).

Workshop on designing of steel frames opens

Yangon, 5 Sept- A ceremony to open the Workshop on Designing and Construction of Steel Frames for Bridges, co-organized by Public Works of the Ministry of Construction and Japan international Cooperation Agency, was held at Thuwunna Central Training School of the ministry here this morning.

It was attended by Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Deputy Ministers for Construction U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge, Ambassador of Japan Mr Shigeru Tsumori, Resident Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency Mr Toshimichi Aoki, directors-general and managing directors from the Ministry of Construction, departmental heads, Principal of the school U Saw Kya Waw Mu, officials, invited guests and trainees. Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Ambassador Mr Shigeru Tsumori made speeches. Then, Mr Toshimichi Aoki and Leader of Experts Dr Hiroshi Sato extended greetings. The workshop is related to the Bridge Engineering Training Centre Project conducted successfully at the school from 1979 to 1985 and Japanese experts will make discussions and give practical training to 23 Myanmar engineers at the workshop which will be opened up to 27 September. Afterwards, Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun and party inspected classrooms of the school.

( 6 )  GDP Computation Course opens

Yangon, 5 Sept- A ceremony to open GDP Computation Course No 5/2001 was held at the training hall of Planning Department at the Ministers' Office on Theinbyu Road here this afternoon with an address by Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha. Present on the occasion were the directors-general of departments and organizations under the ministry, the directors of Planning Department (Head Office), officials, guests and trainees. Minister U Soe Tha made a speech on the occasion. The course is being attended by 43 trainees from Planing Department (Head Office) and state/division/district/township planning offices.

Minister for Transport inspects Myanma Shipyards

Yangon, 5 Sept- Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, together with Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, arrived at the construction site of a 12000 - ton dry dock in Hsinmalaik Myanma Shipyards this morning. Managing Director U Percy Maung Maung and officials reported on work being undertaken. Then, the minister and party inspected construction of cargo-barges and tugboats, and repair of Myanma Five Star Line, Phashwekyaw vessle, Water Resources and Improvement of River System's dredger and Myanma Petroleum and Chemicals Enterprise's tanker. The managing director and officials reported on arrangements to be made. The minister then attended to the requirements and gave necessary instructions.

( 7 )  Cash donated to North Okkalapa Day Nursery

Yangon, 5 Sept- The Ayeyamye General Services Co Ltd donated cash to North Okkalapa Day Nursery under the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, on Khaymarthi Road, North Okkalapa Township, this afternoon. Present were Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win, Commander of Yangon Division No 4 Military Region Commandant of Yangon Station Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Commander of No 1 Military Region Col Khin Maung Soe, Director-General of SWD U Sit Myaing, officials, local authorities, the Township Judge and members, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, the Day Nursery in-charge, wellwisher Managing Director of the Company Ltd U Thet Oo and guests. The minister made a speech. Managing Director U Thet Oo presented K 1.5 million and seven wellwishers cash donations for the Day Nursery through the minister. TodayÕs donations amounted to K 1.53 million.

Commander inspects tax-free markets

Yangon, 5 Sept- 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 inspected the tax-free markets and attended to the needs this morning. First, the commander arrived at Hanthawady tax-free market at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Streets where he was welcomed by Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, Joint-Secretary of Yangon City Development Committee U Kyi Win, Commander of No 3 Military Region Col Yan Naing Oo and officials. At the tax-free market, the commander and party inspected vegetable shops of Nyaunghnapin Special Vegetable and Poultry Farming Zone, Indine Station, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Energy, Yangon North District General Administration Department, Hmawby Township Peace and Development Council, fish/meat shops of YCDC, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Yangon Command, rice shop of Myanmar Rice Wholesale Merchants Association and gave instructions.

Then, the commander and party arrived at Yankin Township tax-free market near the Ministry of Industry-2 where they were welcomed by Commander of No 2 Military Command Col Tin Oo Lwin and officials. At the tax-free market, they inspected vegetable shops of Hmawby Station, Taikkyi Township Peace and Development Council, fish/meat shops of YCDC, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Yangon Command, Man Myanma Marine Product Trading, Annawa Fisheries Enterprise Holdings Ltd, Central Sanpya Fish Market, edible oil shop of Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd, mobile shops of the Ministry of Industry-1 and rice shop of Myanmar Rice Wholesale Merchants Association and gave instructions.

Test kits presented to MMCWA

Yangon, 5 Sept- A ceremony to present 250 test kits used for testing Hepatitis-B for the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the hall of the association at the corner of Parami and Thanthuma roads in South Okkalapa Township this afternoon. Marketing Executive Dr Tint Wai Myat of Glaxo Smith Kline Co Ltd handed over the test kits to Chairperson of MMCWA Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe who presented certificate of honour and spoke words of thanks to the donor. Using test kits, the officials from Glaxo Smith Kline Co Ltd made tests on 50 tailoring trainees and four course instructors, and staff will be tested soon.

( 8 )  WHO 54th Regional Committee Meeting of SEA region continues

Yangon, 5 Sept- The World Health Organization 54th Session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia hosted for the fourth time by Myanmar continued for the third day at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning. Present were WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei and officials, delegates of Myanmar, Bangladesh, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, representatives of international social organizations and guests. Director-General of the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health of Indonesia Professor Dr Azrul Azwar delivered a speech.

The delegates had a technical discussion about polio eradication in South-East Asia region. The regional implications of the decisions and resolutions of the Fifty-fourth World Health Assembly and the 107th and 108th sessions of Executives Board were then discussed. The delegates conducted a review of the draft provisional agenda of 109th session of the Executive Board and the Fifty-fifth World Health Assembly. They discussed the special programmes of UNDP, World Bank and WHO for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases and report on the 2001 Joint Coordinating Board (JCB). Those present chose subject discussions, to which the priority will be given at the 55th Session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia World Health Organization. The session opproved to hold the 55th session in 2002 in Indonesia and in 2003 and 2004 in India and the Maldives. The session continues tomorrow.

Paper reading session held

Yangon, 5 Sept- The paper reading session of Archaeological Department of Yangon University was held at the department this morning. Present were Chairman of Myanmar Academy of Arts and Science U Than Oo, officials of Myanmar Historical Commission, departmental officials, the pro-rector of YU and professors, professor Daw Yi Yi Aung of AD and others. Students Maung Myo Myint Tun, Ma Baby Aye, Maung Ko Ko Kyaing and Maung Min Tun Tun Win presented the paper on "A fossil cast of an early man's thumb found at Nwe Gwe, Chaung Oo Township.

More Myanmar athletes leave for Malaysia

Yangon, 5 Sept- Chief De Mission of 24 Myanmar sports contingents, which will take part in the XXI SEA Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 8 to 17 September, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu and 13 more Myanmar athletes left here for Malaysia at noon today. They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by officials of the Sports and Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Sports. The contingents comprise 153 members.