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

 Yangon, 1 Oct- On the occasion of the fifty-second anniversary of the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China, which falls on 1 October 2001, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China, and to His Excellency Mr Zhu Rongji, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Cyprus

Yangon, 1 Oct - On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus, which falls on 1 October 2001, 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 Glafcos Clerides, President of the Republic of Cyprus.

State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman General Maung Aye sends felicitations to PRC

Yangon, 1 Oct- On the occasion of the fifty-second anniversary of the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China, which falls on 1 October 2001, General Maung Aye, Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Hu Jintao, Vice-President of the People's Republic of China.

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( 2 )  Secretary-1 attends first meeting of Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association

Yangon, 30 Sept-The first meeting of Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association was held at the Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this morning, attended by Patron of Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Patrons of Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association, ministers, Chairman of the AssociationÊLt-Gen Kyaw Than (Retd) and executives and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office.

 The Secretary-1 said that as Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association has been established, rules and regulations and working programmes are to be drawn up systematically. He added that Thailand had also formed Thailand-Myanmar Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association. Therefore, efforts are to be made for promotion of bilateral economic and cultural cooperation between the two associations. He said that the Myanmar-Thailand Economic and Cultural Cooperation Association, a non-governmental organization, has been formed to serve the interests of the two countries.

 It is the association that will carry out the tasks extensively not only in economic and cultural sectors but also in education, health, social, science and technology sectors among the peoples of the two countries, he added. The association was formed with retired senior military officers, retired ambassadors, retired intellectuals and intelligentsia and retired heads of department and businessmen. The association, though a non-governmental organization, is the one that will serve the interests of the nation for promotion of bilateral friendly relations and cooperation between the two nations in accord with the policies of the State. The government and departments will provide assistance to it, he said. The Secretary-1 urged all to participate actively in carrying out the tasks of the association effectively and produce significant results for the two countries. Next, the ministers, Chairman of the Association Lt-Gen Kyaw Than (Retd) and the executives discussed matters related to the objectives of the association, its tasks, requirements and economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries. Then, the Secretary-1 gave instructions.

( 3 ) Work coordinated for building of Myanma Information and Communication Technology Park

Yangon, 30 Sept - A coordination meeting on Myanma Information and Communication Technology Park was held at the briefing hall of MICT Park Project in Hline Township this afternoon. Chairman of Myanmar Computer Technology Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt attended the meeting.

 Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and personnel of Myanmar Computer Federation, Myanmar Computer Scientists Association, Myanmar Computer Industry Association and Myanma Information and Communication Technology Development Company. Managing Director of CE Technology U Pyone Maung Maung reported to the Secretary-1 on progress of work in building MICT Park and work to be carried out.

 Managing Director of Myanmar Computer Company U Tin Win Aung reported on the financial and investment matters of MICTDC and the lease of rooms of MICT Park to local and foreign companies. Managing Director of ACE Data Systems U Thein Oo reported on the formation of MICTDC and arrangements for the development of Myanma information and communication technology. Managing Director of ACE U Tint Hsan in-charge of construction of the building for Bagan Cybertech reported on progress of work in construction of the main building of Bagan Cybertech. Lt-Col Tin Oo of the Ministry of Defence reported on arrival of construction materials and electronic equipment. Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Chief Engineer of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise Dr San Oo, Vice-Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Col Maung Pa and officials reported on coordination work to be carried out in connection with construction of MICT Park and Bagan Cybertech.

 Then, the Secretary-1 said that encouragement is being given for the emergence of MICT Park and development of information and communication technology. To give encouragement and assistance to national technicians of information and communication technology and entrepreneurs, the government is providing all-round assistance for MICT Park Project.

Therefore, reliance is to be put on national technicians and entrepreneurs, and efforts are to be made for the development of the work related to MICT Park. As soon as MICT Park emerges, it is necessary to hold exhibitions on information and communication technology, to organize workshops and seminars and to conduct training courses with the aim of accelerating the rate of development of work related to information and communication technology. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to strive for the successful implementation of the tasks. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 inspected the construction of MICT Park, Bagan Cybertech building and other related buildings.

( 4 )  Rail Transportation Minister sees off delegation

Yangon, 30 Sept- Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung saw off a Myanmar delegation at Yangon International Airport. The six-member delegation, led by Managing Director of Myanma Railways U Min Swe, will attend the 23rd meeting of Heads of Railway Department of ASEAN to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 2 to 5 October.
 

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung sends felicitations to PRC

Yangon, 1 Oct - On the occasion of the fifty-second anniversary of the Founding Day of the People's Republic of China, which falls on 1 October 2001, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Tang Jiaxuan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

( 5 )  Health education exhibitions opened in Tachilek and Maesai

Yangon, 30 Sept - Health education exhibitions were opened under the Myanmar-Thai border health collaboration programme at Tachilek in Shan State and Maesai in Thailand were opened at Shan Yoma Departmental Store in Tachilek, Shan State (East), Myanmar, and in Maesai, Chiangrai District, Thailand, yesterday morning. Minister for Health of Myanmar Maj-Gen Ket Sein and Minister of Public Health of Thailand Madam Sudarat Keyuraphan formally opened the exhibitions. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo and officials, Deputy Commander of Triangle Region Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Myint and Secretary Maj Win Htut Oo and officials.

At the opening ceremony held at Shan Yoma Departmental Store, Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein said that four political, four economic and four social objectives are being implemented for the all-round development of the State. One of the social objectives calls for uplift of health, fitness and education standard of the entire nation. The National Health Committee has been formed with Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt as chairman, and the committee has laid down policies and is supervising the implementation of these policies. The third five-year national health plan which runs from 2001-2002 to 2005-2006 is being implemented. According to the guidance of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, a rural area health development plan is being implemented. The government spent K 464.1 million in 1988-89 and K 7,977.42 million in 2000-2001 on health development work. Since independence was regained, Myanmar has pursued the principle of peaceful co-existence and has maintained cordial relations with all the neighbouring nations. Myanmar is actively cooperating with neighbouring nations and other nations in South-East Asian region in disease control activities and fighting against narcotic drugs.

The minister also elaborated on the efforts for eradication of narcotic drugs and the opening of narcotic drug museums. He added that along the 1,800-km long Myanmar-Thai border, there are five states and divisions, 16 townships and 2,420 villages on the side of Myanmar, where about 1.6 million people are living. To provide health care for them, 16 township hospitals, 19 station hospitals, five border hospitals, two border clinics and 16 maternal and child welfare centres, 49 rural health centres, 196 rural health units, six venereal disease control groups, nine malaria control groups and seven tuberculosis control groups have been formed. To speed up the concerted efforts for control of diseases along the Myanmar-Thai border, a coordination meeting between the two countries were held in cooperation with the World Health Organization in Yangon in June 2000. A ministerial-level meeting was held in Chiang Mai in July 2000. Joint committees on control of malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis at the central, state/division, district and township levels have been formed. Patients suffering from tuberculosis from seven townships adjacent to the border are being treated with DOTS.

Moreover, 39 AIDS/STD control groups have been assigned duty at strategic places. Later, Minister of Public Health of Thailand Madam Sudarat Keyuraphan said that by implementing systematic plans along the border between the two countries to control malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS, the spread of diseases can be controlled. In addition, the spread of diseases which are common in South-East Asian region can be prevented. Then, the ministers and guests viewed booths on systematic health development in Myanmar, health activities jointly carried out by Myanmar and Thailand and border area development, regional development of Shan State (East), development of traditional medicine and public health education.

Afterwards, Minister of People's Health of Thailand and Minister for Health of Myanmar presented prizes to winners of essay competition to mark health week activities of Tachilek. Then, Minister for Health of Myanmar presented a gift to Minister of People's Health of Thailand. Later, the ministers gave polio vaccine to children under the programme of Ministry of Health and presented mosquito nets to households of the villages where malaria is common. Next, the ministers and guests viewed the facility for health care work clinics for malaria, tuberculosis, syphilis, traditional medicines and specialists before the ceremony came to an end. Afterwards, the ministers and guests proceeded to Maesai in Chiangrai District to attend opening ceremony of Myanmar-Thailand Health Collaboration and Exhibition on Communicable Disease Control. First, Secretary of Ministry of People's Health of Thailand gave an account of health care work of the two countries.

 Next, Minister for Health of Myanmar Maj-Gen Ket Sein made a speech. He said: diseases which broke out in the world these days spread across boundaries. Bilateral co-operation between neighbouring countries in combating diseases is important. Implementing bilateral project in border areas of Thailand and Myanmar will help promote health standard of people who live along the border areas. Then, Minister of Peoples' Health Madam Sudarat Keyuraphan delivered a speech. She said: control and combating of diseases is important for the two countries as well as the whole region. If major diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS can be controlled, health standard of the people will rise considerably. Later, the two ministers formally opened the exhibitions and viewed the exhibits. Then, the ministers met with the press and replied to the queries on health exhibitions raised by correspondents. The ministers and party posed for documentary photographs in front of the exhibition hall. Thai Minister of People's Health hosted a luncheon to the guests.

Yangon, 30 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 cultivation of vegetables and poultry farming in Yangon Division Vegetable and Poultry Farming Special Zone near Nyaunghnapin Village in Hmawby Township this afternoon. The commander inspected Taingmyankyaw poultry farm in special zone-1. Officials reported on production of eggs and cultivation of vegetables.

The commander then fulfilled their requirements. The commander went to Hmawby Hsan Hall in special zone-1, where zone-1 in-charge Yangon Division Agricultural Manager U San Maung,Êzone-2 in-charge District Commissioner of Yangon North District General Administration Department U Saw Hla Myint and zone-3 in-charge Assistant Director of Yangon Division Settlement and Land Records Department U Kyin Tun reported on reclamation of lands, land preparation, poultry farming, Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu on the condition of the roads in the zones, and national entrepreneurs on vegetables cultivation and poultry farming. The commander gave instructions on the opening of a vegetable purchasing centre, transport arrangements to send vegetables to tax-free markets and cultivation of vegetables.

 The commander inspected cultivation of vegetables in the special zone-1, vegetable cold storage of Myanmar Agropeace Group of Aung Engineering Co, cultivation of tomatoes in the greenhouses and cultivation of other crops. Various kinds of vegetables are grown on 2,310 acres of lands; 182,000 layers and chickens are raised; and a total of 300 fish ponds have been dug in the zone.

Commander inspects construction work in Mandalay

Yangon, 30 Sept- Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by departmental officials, arrived at Psychiatric Hospital and Drug-Addiction Treatment Hospital near Tawdwin village in Amarapura Township on 28 September morning. At the briefing hall, Medical Superintendent Dr Win Shein and Head of District Health Department Dr Than Tun Oo reported on construction work of the hospitals, and the commander gave necessary instructions. Then, the commander inspected Psychiatric Hospital and Drug-Addiction Treatment Hospital, and gave instructions on growing more flowering plants and shady trees for the greening of hospital environs. Afterwards, the commander inspected construction project of the Institute of Dental Medicine (Mandalay) in 62nd Street, Chanmyathazi Township and construction of classrooms in the Institute of Medicine (Mandalay) in Chanayethazan Township, and attended to the requirements.

Commander inspects Naungkhe agriculture field in Kengtung

Yangon, 30 Sept- Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council (East) Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Thein Sein inspected Naungkhe field in Kengtung on 26 September. Officials reported on successful cultivation of Yezin-4 hybrid maize. The commander attended to the requirements. He inspected maize plantations, vegetable cultivation, flower plantation and cultivation of pepper in Mongzing Village Tract. In the evening the commander presented the cham-pionship shield to winner of boxing tournament at the gymnasium of the command.

( 7 )  Commander inspects maize plantations

Yangon, 30 Sept- Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council (North) Commander of North-East Command Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and departmental officials inspected Bonmon maize plantations of 1,000-acre reclaimed land of the North-East Command on 24 September. The commander inspected harvesting of maize, drying of maize seeds and applying of natural fertilizer. The commander met officials and fulfilled the requirements. The hybrid maize seeds are to be distributed for cultivation of 30,000 acres of maize.

Commander attends opening of library in ChaungU

Yangon, 30 Sept-  The opening ceremony of Pyinnya Alin Modern Library in ChaungU Township, Sagaing Division, was held at the office of the Information and Public Relations Department in ChaungU Township on 28 September, and Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Win, Secretary Lt-Col Ye Htut, responsible officials and invited guests attended the ceremony. Head of Township IPRD U Tin Aung explained the opening of library, and the Commander made a speech on the national education promotion and human resources development. Then, Township Chairman U Thein handed over five IBM computer sets, accessories and 500 CD-ROMs to a Head of Township IPRD. Townselder engineer U Than Htaik and Head of District IPRD U Tin Than Win formally opened the library, and the Commander unveiled the signboard of the library. Then, the Commander and party inspected the library.

( 8 )  Cash and kind donated to Hninzigon Home for the Aged

Yangon 30 Sept- The second donation of the students and teachers of the Horizon International Education Centre to the Hninzigon Home for the Aged was held at the meeting of the Hninzigon Home for the Aged this morning. Principal Mr Murat Kucukdugenci of the centre presented the donation totalling over K 600,000 to Vice-President of the Supervisory Committee for the Home for the Aged U Thaung Tut who spoke words of thanks and presented certificates of honour to the donor. Then, the principal explained the donation and the students presented food, personal goods and cash to the aged.

Provisions donated to Hninzigon Home for the Aged, monasteries, State Pariyatti Sasana University

Yangon, 30 Sept- Families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) and wellwishers presented cash and provisions for Hninzigon Home for the Aged was held at Thiri Yadana Hall of Hninzigon Home for the Aged here this morning. Also present on the occasion were Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sobhana of Pali Tekkatho Nyaungdon Kyaungtaik in Bahan Township, the elderly, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, senior military officers from the Ministry of Defence, the chairman and members of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, Maternal and Child welfare Association, donors and invited guests.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from the Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sobhana. Then, Commodore Soe Thein and officials presented offertories to the members of Sangha. Commodore Soe Thein and senior military officers presented offertories donated by the families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, Ministry of Commerce presented K 100,000, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council K 3,000, Yangon West District and Bahan Township Peace and Development Councils five bags of rice, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and Yangon Division Salt Entrepreneurs 200 viss of iodized salt and 20 bottles of fine salt, Traditional Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health 75 bottles of traditional medicine, U Maung Maung Oo of Great Wall medical house K 50,000 and 216 bottles of medicine, U Hla Htay of Hman Cho medical house K 10,000 and 250 bottles of medicine, U Khin Maung Tun of Htet Lin medical house K 30,000 and 800 bottles of medicine, Thukha Thida medical house K 10,000 and 180 bottles of medicine, U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt of BTB Co K 20,000, Myanmar Rice Dealer's Association, OK Rice Trading Co and Sun Myanmar International Co Ltd K 10,000 each, U Thein Maung-Daw Par Par (Sandhi Traditional medicine) family K 10,590, U Aung Mon-Daw Hla Hla Maw of Myint Myat Paddy Cultivation Service K 10,000, Daw Hla Hla, U Maung Nyein-Daw Khin Hla Win of Lanmadaw Township Development Services K 20,000, Saya San (South) Sanpya Ward Peace and Development Council and township MCWA K 3,000 each to officials of the Home for the Aged. Col Kyaw Myint of Ministry of Defence explained the donation. The Presiding Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained.

Then, the ceremony came to a close. Today's donation included 57 bags of rice, 20 viss of edible oil, 42 bags of gram, 200 viss of iodized salt, 20 bottles of fine salt, 1521 bottles of various kinds of traditional medicine and K 294,590. A ceremony to present cash and provisions for monasteries in Bahan Township was held at Vimala Yama Nathnyun Sarthintaik in Bahan Township this morning. Secretary of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committee Presiding Sayadaw of the Sarthintaik Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vimala and members of Sangha, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, senior military officers, the chairmen and members of Yangon West District and Bahan Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials and donors.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from the Presiding Sayadaw. Then, Chief of Staff (Navy) Commodore Soe Thein, Brig-Gen Aung Kyi and Col Ye Chit Pe of the Ministry of Defence presented offertories donated by the families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, Yangon West District Peace and Development Council, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise, Traditional Medicine Department, Hman Cho medical house, Great Wall medical house, Thukha Thida medical house, presented 155 bags of rice, 60 viss of edible oil, 600 viss of iodized salt and 60 bottles of fine salt, 120 viss of gram, 816 bottles of medicine, to members of the Sangha. Then, Ministry of Commerce, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council, BTB Co, Great Wall medical house, Maj Mya Win-Daw Htay Aye Mu family, Myanmar Rice Dealer's Association, OK Rice Trading Co, Sun Myanmar International Co, U Aung Mon-Daw Hla Hla Maw (Myint Myat Paddy Cultivation), Hman Cho medical house, Thukha Thida medical house, Bahan Township General Administration Department and Saya San (South) Sanpya Ward Peace and Development Council presented K 1,202,000 to Commodore Soe Thein. Col Kyaw Myint of Ministry of Defence explained the donation.

The Presiding Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared the merits gained. Then, the ceremony came to a close. A similar ceremony was held at Mogok Hall of State Sangha Pariyatti Sasana University on Kaba Aye Hill here at noon today. Joint-Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Candima and Rector Sayadaw of State Pariyatti Sasana University and Lecturer Sayadaws, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein and senior military officers, Director-General of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Director-General of Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint, the chairmen and members of Yangon Division and Mayangon Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials, members of township WomenÕs Affair Committee, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and donors. The congregation received the Five Precepts from the Joint-Secretary Sayadaw.

Then, Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein, Director of Resettlements of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Aung Thien and Col Win Than presented offertories to the Sayadaws. Chief of Staff (Air) Col Myat Hein and senior military officers presented offertories donated by the families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy, Air) to the Sayadaws. Afterwards, Yangon West District and Mayangon Township Peace and Development Councils four bags of rice, Myanma Salt and Marine Chemicals Enterprise and Yangon Division Salt Entrepreneurs 400 viss of iodized salt and 40 bottles of fine salt, Traditional Medicine Department of the Ministry of Health 125 bottles of traditional medicine, Hman Cho medical house 230 bottles of medicine, Thukha Thida medical house 1,200 sachets of medicine to members of the Sangha. Then, Ministry of Commerce presented K 100,000, Yangon Division Peace and Development Council K 3,000, Office of Director of Supply and Transport K 3,000, Owner of Hman Cho medical house Daw Tin Nwe Oo K 10,000, U Maung Maung Oo of Great Wall medical house K 30,000, U Thaing Win-Daw Htay Htay Nyunt of BTB Co K 20,000, U Thein Maung-Daw Par Par (Sandhi Traditional medicine) family K 10,590, U Aung Myo-Daw Khin Yee Mon of Sun Myanmar International Co K 10,000, Myanmar Rice Dealer's Association and U Nyein-Daw Ohn Mon of OK Rice Trading Co K 10,000 each, U Aung Mon-Daw Hla Hla Maw of Myint Myat Paddy Cultivation Service K 10,000, Daw Hla Hla of Lanmadaw Township Development Services K 10,000, U Ye Lwin-Daw Yin Yin Htwe of KBK Plastic Industry K 10,000, Yangon West District Nyein Chan Yay Bus Line Supervisory Committee K 5,000 to Col Myat Hein and Brig-Gen Aung Thein. Lt-Col Than Swe explained the donation followed by the sharing of merits gained. Today's donations were 106 bags of rice, 41 viss of edible oil, 81 bags of gram, 400 viss of iodized salt, 40 bottles of fine salt, 1555 bottles of various kinds of traditional medicine and K 241,590.