( 1 )  Commander inspects traditional medicine hospital in Kachin State

Yangon, 20 Sept- Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, accompanied by departmental officials, visited the patients at Kachin State traditional medicine hospital in Myitkyina and spoke words of encouragement to them on 18 September. He urged the officials concerned to provode health care services in unison. The commander and wife Daw San San Yee and family presented K 100,000 for the hospital to Head of Kachin State Traditional Medicine Department U Myint Aung, who presented a certificate of honour to them.

The commander met with Medical Superintendent Dr Than Pe and staff, specialists and matrons at the meeting hall of Kachin State General Hospital in Myitkyina and gave instructions on control of cleft palate and treatment. The commander discussed the project on giving treatment to 14 children who have cleft palate in the townships of Kachin State with the sponsorship of Kachin State Peace and Development Council and urged wellwishers to contribute to the project. The commander and wife presented K100,000 for the hospital and Secretary of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myint Thein K 12,600 donated by Kachin State Peace and Development Council for the 14 children to Dr Than Pe.

Commander attends Body-Building and Physical Culture Contest

Yangon, 20 Sept- Bago Division Body-Building and Physical Culture Contest was held in conjunction with the prize-distribution ceremony at Kaytumati Stadium in Toungoo on 18 September. It was attended by Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Tin Aye, member of Bago Division Working Committee for Women's Affairs wife of the commander Daw Kyi Kyi Ohn, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Thura Maung Ni and wife, Brig-Gen Thura Myint Thein of Toungoo Station, senior military officers, Secretary of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Min and departmental officials, officials of Myanmar Body-Building and Physical Culture Federation, members of panel of judges, contestants, coaches and local people.

Toungoo Myoma Music Band entertained the audience, and the commander and wife viewed the contests and the demonstration of Bago Division Body-Building Champion Min Naung. Then, the commander and officials presented prizes to the winners. The physical culture contest was held after the demonstration of modern and Myanma traditional costumes by models of Yangon. Next, the wife of the commander and officials presented prizes to the winners. Nan Ei Ei Hlaing of Htantabin Township, winner of Physical Culture Contest, and models of Yangon entertained those present with Myananda song.

Commander inspects agricultural and construction work in Paung Township

Yangon, 20 Sept- Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by Col Myint Soe of Thaton Station and officials, inspected Hsinywa Plantation of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Paung Township on 18 September. Plantation Manager U Thant Zin reported on the work being carried out to the commander, who attended to their needs.

In the afternoon, the commander and party arrived at the construction project site for extension of the power plant in Thaton, where Adviser U Tin Shein and Project Officer U Khin Maung Oo reported on progress of work to the commander, who gave necessary instructions and attended to their requirements. In the evening, the commander and party inspected the project site of Kataik Dam in Paung Township. Staff Officer U Kaung Myat Hein of Construction-6 of the Irrigation Department reported on matters related to the site chosen for construction of the embankment, progress of work and requirements. The commander then attended to the needs. Afterwards, the commander inspected the work being carried out for development of Kataik Village and attended to the needs of local people.

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( 2 )  Wankuthit Model Village in Shan State (East) gets new clinic and new school building

Yangon, 20 Sept- A ceremony to open a new rural clinic and a new building for the basic education primary school in Wankuthit Model Village, Kengtung Township, Shan State (East), was held at the village on 16 September morning. It was attended by Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein and wife, senior officers of the command, commanding officers of battalions and units, departmental officials of Shan State, district and township level officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, War Veterans Organization, Women's Affairs Committee and Maternal and Child Welfare Association, teachers, students and local people. Head of Shan State (East) Health Department Dr U Win Myint and Chairman of Kengtung Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Maung formally opened the clinic.

Then, the commander, together with the guests, inspected the clinic, and planted a commemorative tree in the compound of the clinic. Afterwards, Joint Head of Shan State Education Department U Zali Yapun and Chairman of Kengtung Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Maung formally opened the school building. Next, a ceremony to mark the opening of the clinic and the school building was held in the new building of the school. The commander made a speech. Chairman U Myint Maung handed over documents related to the new clinic and the new school building to Dr U Win Myint and Acting Township Education Officer Daw Nang Phaung Kham respectively. Patron of the Supervisory Committee for Shan State (East) Maternal and Child Welfare Association Daw Khin Khin Win and wellwishers donated medicines and clothing to Wankuthit Model Village. Village elder U Mao Shay spoke words of thanks and presented souvenirs to the commander and the guests. After the ceremony, the commander and the guests planted commemorative trees in the school compound. Kengtung Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association presented food and gifts to 25 aged persons of Wankuthit Model Village.

Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council built the new building for the basic education primary school and a new clinic at a cost of K 2.5 million and K 500,000 respectively. More efforts can be made to improve the education of children of nearby villages and the health of local people. Shan State Development Affairs Committee is also undertaking the task of improving transport in the region.

Commander attends opening of multimedia teaching centre

Yangon, 20 Sept- A ceremony to open multimedia teaching centre of No 2 Basic Education High School of Haka, Chin State, was held at the school on 14 September morning. The ceremony was attended by Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye of Kalay Station, Chairman of Chin State Peace and Development Council Col Than Win and departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and social organizations, the headmaster, teachers, members of the School Board of Trustees, townselders and guests. First, Headmaster U Kyaw Hlaing and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Lai Pang formally opened the centre.

Then, the commander formally unveiled the signboard of the centre and viewed the skill demonstration of the students. Headmaster U Kyaw Hlaing and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Lai Pang reported on the setting up of the multimedia classrooms and efforts being made to open the class rooms. Afterwards, the commander made a speech and donated computers, TV sets, CD Roms for the language lab, books and cassette tapes to Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Lai Pang. Chairman of Chin State Peace and Development Council Col Than Win donated a set of computer and equipment for language lab and townselders two sets of computer and K 400,000 to the Chairman of the School Board of Trustees. Out of the 25 basic education high schools in Chin State, multimedia teaching centres have been set up in seven schools. After the ceremony, the commander went to the tea plantations in Haka and Falam Townships and gave instructions to officials.

( 3 ) Minister receives UNHCR official

Yangon, 20 Sept- Minister for Immigration and Population U Saw Tun received Deputy Director of Asia-Pacific Region of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr Hitoshi Mise at his office this afternoon. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister U Maung Maung, Deputy Director-General of the Immigration and National Registration Department U Zaw Tun, officials and Resident Representative of UNHCR Mr Rajiv Kapur.

Minister Brig-Gen Abel receives Russian Ambassador

Yangon, 20 Sept- Minister at the Office of the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council Brig-Gen Abel received Ambassador of the Russian Federation Mr Gleb A Ivashentsov who had completed his tour of duty at his office at the Office of the Ministers here at 3 pm today. Present on the occasion were officials of the respective departments.

Health Minister receives guests

Yangon, 20 Sept- Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Professor Nicholas J White, Director of Tropical Medicine Research Programme, Welcome Mahidol University, Oxford, and Dr F Nosten at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Road at 8 am today. Present at the call were Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials.

( 4 )  Minister inspects dams and model cotton farms

Yangon, 20 Sept- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected Pyaungpya Dam in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Division, on 18 September. The dam was built in 1969-70. Accompanied by officials, the minister inspected the main dam, control tower and inflow of water. Officials of the Irrigation Department reported to the minister on annual inflow of water to the reservoir, irrigation capacity and crop cultivation. The minister spoke of the need to prevent water wastage during monsoon, to effectively use the irrigation water and to maintain the dam and the feeder canals. During his meeting with local farmers and departmental personnel, the minister urged them to observe the irrigation law, to cultivate long-staple cotton and to set up a special cotton belt. At Khetlan Dam in the township, the minister discussed with officials tasks to maintain the irrigation facilities.

The dam was built in 1973. Officials of ID briefed the minister on crop irrigation and members of the Mandalay Division Agricultural Supervisory Committee on cultivation of crops with irrigation water. The minister stressed the need to maintain the irrigation facilities and to extend long-staple cotton cultivation, explaining plans to provide necessary assistance to farmers. At the briefing hall of Lunkyaw long-staple cotton farm in Kyaukse, Managing Director of Myanmar Cotton and Sericulture Enterprise Dr Thein Htay explained success in cultivation of 3,500 acres of cotton and efforts being made to raise the per acre yield and General Manager U Sein Win conducting of agricultural courses to set up model crop fields and establishment of special zones to grow quality strains. Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin inspected collective spraying of pesticides on cotton fields and mechanical insecticide spraying. He then looked into the requirements of the officials in supervising the model cultivation fields. He said as the Lunkyaw is a model cotton farm, staff should disseminate agricultural techniques and should distribute quality strains to farmers.

( 5 ) Mayor inspects Uto-Kya-in agriculture and livestock breeding farm

Yangon, 20 Sept- Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, together with officials, inspected agriculture and livestock breeding tasks in Uto-Kya-in region, Taikkyi Township, Yangon, and gave instructions this morning. The mayor and party inspected the harvesting of monsoon paddy in 25 acres of Hmawby San paddy fields and gave instructions on putting the paddy under shelter in time, minimizing loss and wastage of paddy and ploughing the fields in time.

Then, the mayor arrived at perennial crops plantations where lemon, grapefruit, mango and others are grown, and inspected condition of plantations of bananas grown with the use of tissue culture method and pineapple plantations. He left suggestions on keeping perennial crops free from diseases, proper drainage and cultivation of 100,000 pine-apple plants. On arrival at the briquette factory, the mayor inspected condition of production of briquettes and experiments on the improvement of briquettes' quality and gave instructions on the production of more briquettes at a low cost and selling more briquettes at markets. The mayor inspected the layer breeding farm and gave instructions. Then, the mayor inspected fish ponds and the raising of pigs and gave instructions on prevention of animal diseases, the breeding of more pigs, cultivation of pedisein and selling them at tax-free markets.

( 6 )  All-round renovation of Maha Dhammayanthi Eindawya Pagoda in Dagon Township discussed

Yangon, 20 Sept- Officials sought ovada from Sayadaws to renovate the Maha Dhammayanthi Eindawya Pagoda in Dagon Township this afternoon at the pagoda. Present at the meeting were Sayadaws led by presiding Ovadacariya Sayadaw of the pagoda Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Adviser at the State Peace and Development Council U Arnt Maung, No 3 Military Region Commander Col Yan Naing Oo, heads of department and officials. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panindabhivamsa gave the ovadakahta. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko read the list of the Ovadacariya Sayadaws and the members of the leading committee, the work committee and the subcommittees.

He also explained the task to be carried out in renovating the pagoda. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paninda bhivamsa gave an ovada. The meeting on all-round renovation of the pagoda was then continued. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko explained the project. Emcee U Myo Min reported the resolutions of the previous meeting, formation of the Pagoda All-round Renovation Committee and the process of work. The participants then took part in the discussions. The meeting decided to hold the first donation ceremony for the pagoda on 27 September at 8 am. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko.

Deputy Minister meets Thai counterpart

Yangon, 20 Sept-  Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun received Deputy Minister of Finance of Thailand Captain Suchart Jaovisidha and party at his office at 8 am today. Also present at the call were Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, the director-general of the Customs Department and officials.

Deputy Minister inspects railroads

Yangon, 20 Sept- Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation U Pe Than, together with officials from Myanma Railways (Head Office), inspected Taunggyi-Aungban-Loikaw railroad section on 13 September. He gave instructions to officials from the Road Transport Department, the Road Transport Administration Department and the Transport Planning Department at the hall of Division-4 of Myanma Railways and attended to the needs. The deputy minister and party inspected Aungban-Loikaw railroad and gave instructions on the use of concrete sleepers, the upgrading of the roads on the hills and maintenance of bridges and waterways.

He also inspected Nantai, Tikyit, Pinlaung and Pekhon stations and gave instructions on smooth transport and greening tasks for the stations on 14 September. He met the staff of the Road Transport Administration Department and the Transport Planning Department in Loikaw and gave instructions on 15 September. In the afternoon, he met the officials and staff at Loikaw station and gave instructions and attended to their needs. On 16 September, the deputy minister inspected Kalaw and Pinlaung stations and railroad sections and attended to their needs.

( 7 )  Meeting on EPI and GAVI application held

Yangon, 20 Sept- The 8th Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee Meeting on EPI and GAVI Application jointly organized by the Health Department of the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization was opened at the meeting hall of the Health Department here at 10 am today. Present were Director-General of the Health Department Dr Wan Maung, deputy directors-general and directors of the Health Department, WHO Resident Representative Dr Agostino Borra, Resident Representative of UNICEF Mr J B Mendis, representatives of international organizations and officials of non-governmental organizations.

First, Director-General Dr Wan Maung delivered an address. Then, UNICEF Resident Representative Mr J B Mendis and WHO Resident Representative Dr Agostino Borra made speeches. Next, Dr Pirkko Heinonen of UNICEF discussed matters on the history of GAVI process / current application status; EPI Project Manager Dr Than Htein Win on national immunization activities and national EPI assessment; and Deputy Director Dr Ye Hla on the five-year plan status and hepatitis (B) plan. Those present at the meeting also took part in the discussions.

( 8 )  London Myanmar PGA C'ship Golf Tourney 26 to 29 September in Mandalay

Yangon, 20 Sept- A press conference on holding London Myanmar PGA Championship Golf Tournament (special programme), organized by Myanmar Professional GolferŐs Association and Asian Professional Golfer's Association (APGA) and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, was held at Anawrahta Hall of the Novotel Hotel in Mandalay yesterday morning. It was attended by sports columnists in Mandalay and invited guests. Director of Tour Development (APGA) Mr David Parkin, Group Brand Manager of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd Mr Bob Ortega and General Secretary of Myanmar Professional Golfer's Association U Chan Han gave speeches. U Chan Han and officials answered queries on holding the tournament (special programme) put by those present.

The tournament will be held at the Yedagun Taung Golf Club in Manadalay on a grand scale. With a view to promoting Myanmar golf standard and turning out brilliant golfers, the tourney will be co-sponsored by Yangon Airways as official airline; the Novotel Hotel as official hotel; KM Golf Centre, Wilson, Ping and Callaway as official golf equipment supplier, and Canon as official office equipment supplier. Sunfar Travels and Tour Co Ltd will present handsome prizes to those who will do hole-in-one in the tourney. Those wishing to take part in the tourney are to enlist at the Yedagun Taung Golf Club in Mandalay by 2 pm on 24 September, and contact the office of Myanmar PGA (Ph 723221) for details.