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

Yangon, 7 Sept- 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 Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on the Independence Day of Federative Republic of Brazil which falls on 7 September, 2001.

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( 2 )  Minister of Defence of Thailand hosts dinner in honour of Myanmar goodwill delegation

Yangon, 6 Sept- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and Myanmar goodwill delegation left the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok for Thaicom Teleport & DTH Centre in Ladlumkaew region, Pathumthani Province, in a motorcade on 4 September morning. They were welcomed there by Executive Chairman of the Centre Mr Dumrong Kasemset and officials. The executive chairman and the officials reported on facts about the Centre. The executive chairman and the Secretary-1 exchanged gifts. The executive chairman explained matters related to Shin Satellite with audio-visual aids. Vice-Chairman Mr Yongsit Rojsrivichaikul explained matters pertaining to services provided by Thaicom Company, IPSTAR projects, functions of Thaicom Teleport & DTH Centre and cooperation of Thaicom and Myanma Radio and Television. Then, the Secretary-1 and party studied the main control room of the Centre, IPSTAR Gateway for Broadband Internet Via Satellite Room and Radio Frequency Room. The Secretary-1 and party also studied satellite dishes and posed for photos in the compound of the Centre. The Secretary-1 and party viewed Shinawatra University by Mobile Satellite vehicle.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party signed in the visitors' book and posed for photos. After touring Thaicom Teleport & DTH Centre, the Secretary-1 and party went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok in a motorcade. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Dr Surakiart Sathirathai. The Secretary-1 signed in the visitors' book of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Then, the Secretary-1 and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand had a cordial meeting and the latter presented a gift to the former.

Then, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand introduced the Secretary-1 to Minister of Transport and Communications Mr Wanmuha-madnoor Matha, Minister of Industry Mr Suriya Jangrun-greangkit, Ministers to the Prime Minister's Office General Thamarak Israngura and Mr Somsak Thapsutin and high-ranking officials, who came to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to greet the Secretary-1. Afterwards, 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, the ministers and the deputy ministers and the Thai ministers had a cordial meeting and had photos taken. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted a luncheon to Myanmar goodwill delegation led by the Secretary-1.

After the luncheon, the Secretary-1 and party left the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the headquarters of Royal Thai Air Force. The Secretary-1 and Myanmar goodwill delegation, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and officials, left for Huahin by the special aircraft of Royal Thai Air Force. They were welcomed at Huahin Airport by senior military officers. The Secretary-1 and party took a rest at Suan Son Guest House in Huahin. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh hosted a dinner in honour of the Secretary-1 and Myanmar delegation at Suan Son Guest House. Present at the dinner together with the Secretary-1 were Commander 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 ministers, the Ambassador of Myanmar to Thailand, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, Military Attache and officials. Present together with General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh were Permanent Secretary for Defence General Tawat Ked-Unkoon, the commander-in-chief of Royal Thai Army and senior military officers, officials and the Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar and the military attache. Before and during the dinner, the Secretary-1 and party were entertained by the music band of the Royal Thai Army and Thai traditional dance troupes.

The Secretary-1 presented gifts to the music band and the traditional dance troupe. The Secretary-1 and party, together with General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and officials, left Suan Son Guest House for Huahin Airport in a motorcade at 8 am yesterday. The Secretary-1 and party left there for Bangkok by the special aircraft of Royal Thai Air Force. They were welcomed at the headquarters of Royal Thai Air Force by Supreme Commander of Royal Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air) General Sampho Choosri and high-ranking officials. Then, the Secretary-1 and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh met at the building of Thai Royal Air Force Headquarters. The deputy prime minister presented the photo album on the goodwill visit to the Secretary-1.

The Secretary-1 met with Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Aye Kyway, Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Nyunt Hlaing and officials, who arrived there to attend the 19th Meeting of the Myanmar-Thailand Regional Border Committee, and gave instructions.

There, the Secretary-1 received the correspondents of news agencies in Thailand and briefed them on his goodwill visit. The Secretary-1 cordially bade farewell the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and high-ranking officials who saw off the Myanmar delegation at the airport. The Secretary-1 and party left Bangkok, Thailand, for Yangon by Myanma Tatmadaw aircraft and arrived back here at 11 am yesterday. Member of the Myanmar delegation Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein met with Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation of Thailand Mr Shucheep Hansaward at the Shangri-la Hotel in Bangkok on 3 September afternoon.

Also present at the call were Director-General of Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries U Kyaw Lwin, Second Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation of Thailand Mr Suthiporn Chirapanda and Director-General of the Fisheries Department Mr Dhammarong Prakobboon. The meeting focused on matters related to bilateral joint-venture fisheries. Member of the Myanmar delegation Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun, together with Director-General of the Immigration and National Registration Department Col Maung Htay, met Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Defence of Thailand General Yuthasak Sasiprapha at the Government House in Bangkok on 4 September morning. They had a cordial discussion on legalisation of illegal Myanmar workers who are engaged in businees in Thailand and bilateral cooperation. Minister U Saw Tun also received Secretary General of National Security Council of Thailand Mr Khajadpai Burusphat and cordially discussed similar matters at the same venue.

Secretary-1 attends Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar

Yangon, 6 Sept- A ceremony to open Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar organized by the Ministry of Education with the aim of presenting progress of Myanmar with the use of contemporary students' computer skill was held at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road, Dagon Township, this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Chairman of Myanmar Computer Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, ministers, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, representatives of social organizations, ambassadors of foreign embassies in Yangon, resident representatives of UN agencies, rectors of universities, principals of colleges, Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Exhibition Director-General of No 1 Basic Education Department U Tin Nyo and members, directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards under the Ministry of Education, deputy directors-general and directors, heads of basic education schools, teachers, students, officials of Myanmar Computer Federation, Myanmar Computer Scientisst Association, Myanmar Computer Industry Association and Myanmar Computer Amateurs Association, private computer entrepreneurs, private computer companies, members of the Japanese group who are on an excursion tour in Myanmar under the international youth development programme organized by the Japanese Government Office, band and pom-pom troupes and guests. Ma Ei Mon Oo and Ma Lwin Mar Aung, tenth grade students of No 2 BEHS in Sangyoung Township, acted as masters of ceremonies.

Accompanied by 12 violinist students of the Practising School of the Institute of Education and organist students Ma Ei Yin Mon of No 1 BEMS in Dagon Township and Maung Wai Lin Tun of No 1 BEHS in Dagon Township, 100 students of No 2 BEHS in Dagon Township sang the song "Myanmar School" in chorus.

Then, ten students from states and divisions who excells in computer skill formally opened the Exhibition. Ma Hsu of No 5 BEHS in Pathein, Ayeyawady Division, who passed the 2001 matriculation exam with five distinctions and outstanding in computer skill, formally unveiled the board with Logo and Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar on it. Ninth grader Ma Khaing Thet Hsu of No 5 BEHS in Botahtaung Township explained the purpose of holding the exhibition, display of the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe on the launching day of e-Education at the central hall of the exhibition, learning of computer technology using computer skill and combining the study of students and technology, display of video conferencing, national unity, transportation, communication and construction, display on development of the State with the use of IT technology and demonstration of computer network.

The Secretary-1 and party viewed skills on designs demonstrated by the students with the use of computers at the School Profile Project Booth. Later, the Secretary-1 and party and guests inspected the computer skills demonstrated by the students with the use of computer software at the Science Demonstration Booth. Then, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed interactive methods on learning demonstrated by students from 12 primary, middle and high schools in Yangon Division at the Video Conferencing Booth. At the Have Fun With Computer Booth with which ten Apple computers and ten IBM computers are installed, students demonstrated the practical use of computers which can be tried by those visiting the exhibition. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party and guests looked into eloquence demonstrated by the students with the use of power point at the Power Point Presentation Booth. At the Tele-Conferencing Booth, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed learning on mutual discussion demonstrated by students of No 6 Basic Education High School in Botahtaung Township. At the Student's Web and Websites Booth, students demonstrated their skills of own creation to the Secretary-1 and party.

Then, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed students' skills in the use of the Websites at the booth of Websites on Education. At the Power Point Booth, the Secretary-1 and party and guests viewed demonstration on development of the State with the use of power point by 138 students-31 representing Lower Myanmar, 17 representing Upper Myanmar and 90 students representing Yangon Division. The Secretary-1 and party studied the observation of the progress of other places through V-SAT Network at the Interactive Online Learning via V-SAT Network booth. The Secretary-1 observed the students' painting on national development at the computer painting booth.

The Secretary-1 and party observed Geographical Information System of Zoology Department, Geography Department, History Department, University of Distance Education (Yangon), Yangon Institute of Economics and University of Foreign Languages (Yangon), research on data based design, environment, maps, preservation of palm-leaf, parabeik and inscriptions with the use of computer at Ancient Myanmar Literature Department of Universities Central Library of Yangon University, Web-Page of universities and educational matters of higher education sector on Website at the multimedia application in higher education booth. Next, the Secretary-1 greeted teachers and students. The Secretary-1 observed the documentary photos on opening of the Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myan-mar taken with digital camera by Maung Thet Wai Kyaw, a 12 year old seventh standard student of No 2 Basic Education High School in Bago. The Secretary-1 left the exhibition later in the morning. The exhibition opens to all daily from 9 am to 4 pm till 10 September. The admission is free.

( 3 )  Joint Press statement on the occasion of the official visit to Thailand of His Excellency Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt,
Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar
(3-5 September 2001)

1. At the invitation of His Excellency General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, His Excellency Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council, paid an official visit to Thailand from 3 to 5 September 2001.

2. His Excellency Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt and his high-level delegation were accorded a warm welcome by the Royal Thai Government reflecting the goodwill and the strong bond of friendship between Thailand and Myanmar.

3. During the visit, His Excellency Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council was granted an audience with His Majesty the King of Thailand at the Klai Kangwon Palace. He called on His Excellency Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister at the Government House, and held consultations with His Excellency General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. He also held discussions with His Excellency Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

4. In the consultations, both sides expressed their determination to consolidate the friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. They reaffirmed their commitment to the realisation of their common goal, as expressed in the Joint Communique issued on 20 June 2001 on the occasion of the official visit of His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand to the Union of Myanmar, to turn their common border into a border of friendship, harmony and prosperity. They concurred that the success of their endeavours would contribute to peace, stability and development of the two countries and the region.

5. The two sides had open and candid discussions on the ways and means to foster closer cooperation especially in trade, fisheries, health, suppression of narcotic drugs, tourism and labour affairs. They noted with satisfaction the constructive steps taken recently to promote mutually beneficial cooperation and agreed to further explore new avenues for strengthening this cooperation. Both sides reiterated their firm commitment to nurture the traditional friendship between the two countries and to further enhance cooperation between the officials of the two governments and peoples.

6. Both sides agreed to normalise their trade relations, progressively reducing restrictions on a case-by-case basis, and to further promote mutual trade by the introduction of the Account Trade scheme. Myanmar welcomed the participation of Thailand in fisheries joint ventures whose terms and conditions were to be discussed and explored by the two sides. They also agreed to set up a joint task force to work together on the issue of illegal and irregular migrant workers, which area of cooperation between the two countries would be set out in a Memorandum of Understanding to be elucidated and agreed upon by the two sides.

7. In implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursor Chemicals Control, both sides agreed to step up contact and cooperation between the agencies concerned as well as the exchange of information. Thailand would make available a fund (20 million Baht) for technical cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed their support for quadrilateral framework of cooperation between China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and for further consultations with a view to convening a meeting of the Heads of Government of the four countries. They also noted with great satisfaction the progress achieved by the Senior Officials Meeting in Yangon (10 August 2001) and the Ministerial Conference held in Beijing (27-28 August 2001). They reaffirmed their determination to push the process forward.

8. Thailand also agreed to extend, in the context of ASEAN integration, the Generalised System of Preferences to a range of products from Myanmar, with particular emphasis on products from crop substitution programmes in Myanmar.

9. Both sides also agreed that, with a view to promote the flow of trade, economic development and people-to-people contact between the two countries and in the Mekong sub-region, every effort should be made to forge ahead with the development plan for transportation network linking the two countries. The Myanmar side expressed its, appreciation for Thailand's proposal to finance the construction of the second bridge linking Maw Sai and Tachilek.

10. The Myanmar side informed the Thai side of its decision to release Thai prisoners who are serving sentences in Myanmar prisons as a gesture of friendship. The Thai side welcomed the decision and expressed its appreciation.

11. The Myanmar side proposed that a group of Myanmar officials make a study visit to conduct an exchange of views on international law. The Thai side expressed its readiness to host such a visit.

12. The two sides expressed their gratification that the visit of His Excellency Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt had added momentum of enhanced understanding and friendship set by the visit to the Union of Myanmar by His Excellency Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (19-20 June 2001) and had also contributed to the concrete realization of the Joint Communique issued in Yangon on 20 June 2001.

( 4 )  Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint attends provision- donation ceremony of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air)

Yangon, 6 Sept- A ceremony to donate provisions to Tawtaik Dhamma Yeiktha monastery in Hlinethaya Township, Yangon North District, was held at the monastery this afternoon, attended by Secretary-3 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint. Members of the Sangha led by Ovadaaria Sayadaw of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of the monastery Agga Maha Kammathanaariya Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dhammasara, nuns, 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, ministers, deputy ministers, and senior military officers from the Ministry of Defence, officials from the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, chairmen and members of District/Township Peace and Development Councils, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade, donors and distinguished guests also attended the ceremony.

The ceremony was opened with three-time recitation of Namotassa. The congregation received the Eight Precepts from the Presiding Sayadaw. Then, Secretary-3 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Win Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than and the ministers offered alms to the Sayadaws. Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein and Camp Commandant of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Hla Aung Thein presented the provisions donated by the families of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) to the Presiding Sayadaw.

Then, 230 viss of iodized salt and 25 boxes of fine salt donated by the Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Mines and Yangon Division Salt Entrepreneurs Association, 100 boxes of various kinds of traditional medicine by the Directorate of Traditional Medicine of the Ministry of Health, 180 bottles of traditional medicine by Hman Cho Medical Store, 240 bottles of embrocation by Tun Shwe Wah Medical Store, 240 bottles of embrocation by Htet Lin Medical Store, 472 bottles of embrocation by Great Wall Medical Enterprise, 180 boxes of medicine by Thukha Thida Medical Store, 200 bottles of balm by Kay Thi Pan Medical Store, 15 bags of rice by Zeegon Village Peace and Development Council, 3 bags of rice by Tawtaik Village Basic Education Primary School were presented to the Presiding Sayadaw.

Afterwards, the Myanma Economic Holdings Ltd presented K 200,000 for the trust fund of the monastery, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council K 3,000, Mingaladon Station Commander Col Win Naung K 10,000, Shwepyitha Township Peace and Development Council and public K 70,000, Shwepyitha Township War Veterans Organization K 10,000 and the township oil dealers association K 130,000 to Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than. Myanmar Pyitha Hay KN Co presented K 100,000, BTB Co K 50,000, Thamada Thingantaik K 50,000, Dagon Tin Win-Daw Mya Yay Nandar K 50,150. Zinyaw Saw Mill K 10,000, Win Yadana Travel Agency K 30,000, Htet Lin Medical Store K 30,000, Myint Myat Paddy Planting Services K 10,000, Sayagyi Co K 5,000, Adviser to the Ministry of Culture Dr Pe Nyan K 5,000, Secretary-3 Lt-Gen Win Myint attends provision- presenting ceremony Natkhat Baydin Magazine K 10,000, Sandhi Traditional Medicine K 30, 700, San Myanmar Co K 20,000, Hla San Yin Glass and Aluminium K 15,000, Thukha Thida Medical House K 10,000, Kay Thi Pan Medical House K 10,000, Great Wall Medical House K 50,000, Myanmar Rice Dealers Association K 5,000, OK Rice Trading K 10,000, Daw Hla Hla of Lanmadaw Township Development Affairs Department K 20,000, Daw Mya Thein of U Wizara Housing K 10,000 to the ministers. Director Col Aung Thein of Director of Resettlement Office, the Ministry of Defence then explained the donation. The Presiding Sayadaw delivered a sermon. After sharing of merits gained for good deeds, the ceremony came to a close. Today's donation is 91 bags of rice, 23 viss of oil, 46 viss of beans and pulses, 250 viss of iodized salt, 25 box of fine salt, 1,602 bottles of various traditional medicine, and K 953,220.

( 5 )  Cash donation ceremony held

Yangon, 6 Sept- A cerenomy to donate cash for renovation of Sule Pagoda was held at the pagoda this afternoon. Altogether 24 well- wishers donated K 6,608,261 including 12 gold foils to members of renovation central committee who presented certificates of honour to them. Those who want to donate cash may contact phone number 283037, 282697 and 283006.

Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Brazil

Yangon, 7 Sept- U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Professor Celso Lafer, Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on the Independence Day of Federative Republic of Brazil which falls on 7 September, 2001.

( 6 )  Minister meets Vietnamese Ambassador

Yangon, 6 Sep- Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met Vietnamese Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar Mr Pham Quang Khon at his office at 2 pm today. Also present were Deputy Minister for Industry -1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises.

Minister meets Malaysian delegation

Yangon, 6 Sept- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone met Senior Manager (South East Asia Region) of Petronas Myanmar Ltd Mr Roney Zaidel and party at his office at 2 pm today. Present were director-general of the Border Trading Department U Nay Win, managing director of the Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and departmental officials.

Minister inspects unloading of tons of steel truss for Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway)

Yangon, 6 Sept- Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein arrived at No 5 Sule Wharf this afternoon. The minister and party were welcomed by Managing Director of Myanma Five Star Line U Khin Maung Kyi, Capt Aung Win of mv Mawlamyine and officials of Public Works. The minister inspected unloading of 3,113.026 tons of steel truss imported from China National Constructional and Agricultural Machinery Import and Export Corporation of the PeopleÕs Republic of China for Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway). The minister gave instructions on speedy transport of steel truss to the construction site, safety of waterway along the Ayeyawady River. Altogether 9,200 tons of steel truss will be used in the Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway) and 6,255.408 tons have arrived so far. The rest steel truss will arrive in November.

( 7 )  Press conference on World Health Organization 54th Session of Regional Committee for South-East Asia

Yangon, 6 Sept- A Press conference on the World Health Organization 54th Session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia hosted for the fourth time by Myanmar was held at the Traders Hotel this evening. Present were WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei and officials, delegates of Myanmar, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka, officials of the WHO Headquarters and the Ministry of Health, Managing Director of News and Periodicals Enterprise U Tin Kha, Adviser to NPE U Maung Maung Nyo, Chief Editor of the New Light of Myanmar U Maung Maung Aye and editors, Secretary of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Nyunt Tin and members, officials of MRTV-3 and the Myanmar Times.

Head of Myanmar delegation Director-General of the Health Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe said that representatives of ten member countries have endorsed the resolution to be implemented by inter-countries through collaborative efforts. Then, Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei said, "The media are important partners to the health sector. During the past four days, this meeting has had fruitful discussions. I have noticed the satisfaction of the progress made in the implementation of WHO's collaboration programmes in the region. In communicable diseases, big progress has been made in polio eradication efforts in the region and most countries have been able to oust the transmission of the disease and hopefully by 2005 the region will be on target to receive certification for being polio free. Similarly, good progress has been made over leprosy elimination and the DOTS treatment for tuberculosis.

Given the increase in the high risk of spread of infection among the countries of the region, the regional committee noted cross-border collaboration for the bundle of diseases. It has also urged the strengthening of multi-diseases surveillance at the district and sub-district level. Technical discussions on mental health and substance abuse including alcohol have been made. A number of resolutions have been passed to strengthen national programmes. The regional committee has expressed concerns at the high arsenic contents in drinking water supply which threatens some countries." "The committee has accepted the invitation of the government of Indonesia to host the 55th session of the regional committee next year."

In replying to queries raised by local and foreign journalists, the officials said that arsenic contamination has been alarming in India and Bangladesh since some four years ago. This problem can be solved by the assistance of WHO. Myanmar officials said that very strong political commitment for the control of HIV and AIDS has been made, and efforts are being made to solve the problem not only within the country but also with the collaboration of neighbouring countries as well Ñ Thailand and China. Efforts are also being made to fight the disease jointly with the regional effort. WHO, UNDP, UNICEF and UN have strong support for the technical assistance. For fighting HIV and AIDS, it is not only the responsibility of the health sector but also the responsibility of other health-related sectors.

That is the main reason why the strong master plan of operation consists of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, the Ministry of Home Affairs and local and international NGOs. WHO officials then said recommendation has been made that a task force will be constituted by the regional director and it will Press conference on World Health assist in all advocacy efforts and in providing technical guidance. The quantum of money that is likely to be available is substantial, and 1.4 billion is already committed to. Member states have been urged to further promote the development of national policies and programmes on mental health, drug and alcohol-related problems.

As for Myanmar, the national health plan covers the mental health project and human resource development in mental health for the appropriate level of health workers. The plan of action covering the grassroots level has been drawn up to strengthen community-based prevention and control programmes on mental health and substance abuse including alcohol. Youth programmes and the plan of action are designed to give training to the members of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the youths. In the national health plan of Myanmar, the first priority disease, the major killer, is malaria, the second tuberculosis and the third AIDS. In the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, there are diarrhoea, dysentery and snake-bite as well. Decline in the spread of AIDS in Myanmar will follow Thailand and India in five or six years. Myanmar may be faster in this regard. Then, the leaders of delegations expressed their opinion about the meeting. The Press conference ended at 5.30 pm.

WHO 54th Regional Committee Meeting of SEA region concludes

Yangon, 6 Sept- The WHO 54th Regional Committee Meeting of South-East Asian Region hosted by Myanmar for the fourth time concluded at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this afternoon. Present were WHO South East Asia Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei and officials, delegates of Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, delegates of international social organizations and guests. Director-General of Health Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe presided over the meeting. Co-Chairman was Director-General Prof Dr Azrul Azwar of People's Health Department of Ministry of Health, Indonesia.

At the meeting, delegates approved the report on work carried out by WHO South-East Asia Region for the period from 1 July 1999 to 31 June 2001 and the report of Committee for Health Planning and Project Development on project works to be implemented in 2002-2003. They made resolutions on promotion in cooperation among the countries in priority health care work, implementation of tasks of mental health and subsrance abuse of toxic including alcohol by drawing work schedule under national policy, human resource development, reinforcement of people-centered programmes of prevention and control of diseases, giving priority to addressing the problems on arsenic contaminated underground water and strengthening the ability of national laboratories on the testing arsenic contamination. Then, Director-General Dr Kyi Soe thanked National Health Committee, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of ministries concerned for successful conclusion of the meeting. The meeting came to a close in the evening.

( 8 )  Delegates of WHO 54th Regional Committee Meeting of SEA region tour Bago

Yangon, 6 Sept- Officials of the WHO Headquarters and South East Asia Regional Director's Office and delegates of Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand attending the WHO 54th Regional Committee Meeting of South East Asia Region, hosted in Myanmar for the fourth time, accompanied by Col Than Aung of the Ministry of Health and officials, visited Shwemawdaw Pagoda, the Kanbawzathadi Palace of King Bayintnaung, Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha in Bago and Indakaw rural health care centre this morning.

The delegates arrived at Shwemawdaw Pagoda where they were welcomed by members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and officials. The delegates paid obeisance to Buddha images at the prayer hall at the western archway. They went to the Kan-bawzathadi Palace where they were welcomed by Assistant Director U Myat Swe of Archaeology Department and officials. They were conducted round the Archaeological Museum. They also visited Shwe-thalyaung Reclining Buddha. They proceeded to Indakaw Rural Health Care Centre where they were welcomed by Director-General of Health Planning Department Dr Kyi Soe, Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung, members of USDA, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and officials. Head of Bago Division Health Department Dr Maung Maung Myint and officials reported on organizational setup and public health care services. Officials replied queries raised by the delegates.

Japanese youths delegation continues visit

Yangon, 6 Sept- Under the International Youth Development Programme sponsored by Japanese Government Office, Japanese youth delegation led by Mr Taisuke Togashi visited Exhibition of IT Students' View on Myanmar at Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road today. Then, they proceeded to Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road where they were welcomed by Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay and officials. Officials explained the producing of MRTV to the youth delegation. In the afternoon, the youth delegation visited Drug Elemination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Street and Kyundaw Street.