( 1 ) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San see off Laotian goodwill delegation

Yangon, 19 Nov - President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket and party left here by special flight this afternoon after paying a goodwill visit to the Union of Myanmar at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San as of 16 November.

 General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San met and presented gifts including a documentary photo album and a documentary video tape to Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket at the Inya Kantha State House at 2.00 pm. Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket also presented gifts to General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San. Then, Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket, together with General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, left the Inya Kantha State House for Yangon International Airport in a motorcade.

They arrived at the airport at 2.30 pm. The goodwill Laotian delegation led by Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket left here by special flight. Together with General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, member of the State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win and their wives, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet and officials, Dean of Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of LPDR Mr Ly Bounkham and wife and staff of the Lao PDR Embassy saw off the Laotian delegation at the airport.

( 2 )  Laotian goodwill delegation visits Drug Elimination Museum and National Museum

Yangon, 19 Nov -The Laotian goodwill delegation led by President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Samane Vignaket and Madame Souvanh Vignaket visited the Drug Elimination Museum and the National Museum this morning. The Laotian goodwill de-legation, accompanied by Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and wife Daw San San and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived at the Drug Elimination Museum at the corner of Kyundaw Street and Hanthawady Street in Kamayut Township at 10.45 am.

The delegation members were welcomed by member of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Working Groups Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and officials. Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book. Then, Mr Samane Vignaket and Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung exchanged gifts.

 Afterwards, the Laotian goodwill delegation proceeded to the National Museum on Pyay Road in Dagon Township. The delegation members were welcomed by Deputy Minister for Culture U Soe Nyunt, Director-General of the Department of Cultural Institute U Myint Thein Swe and officials. Next, the delegation members were conducted round the museum by the officials. Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book. Then, Mr Samane Vignaket and Deputy Minister U Soe Nyunt exchanged gifts. The Laotian goodwill delegation left the museum in the afternoon.

President of National Assembly of LPDR Mr Samane Vignaket and wife and party visit Bagan-NyaungU, Mandalay

Yangon, 19 Nov -President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Samane Vignaket and wife Madame Souvanh Vignaket, who paid a goodwill visit to Myanmar at the invitation of Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, together with Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and wife Daw San San, Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Ly Bounkham and wife and officials, arrived at Bagan-NyaungU Airport in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Division, by special flight yesterday morning. They were welcomed there by Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min and wife Daw Khin Mi Mi and officials. Mr Samane Vignaket and wife and party visited Shwezigon Pagoda and donated cash to the pagoda funds. Then, they went round the pagoda clockwise. Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book.

 They also visited Ananda Pagoda. Mr Samane Vignaket and wife made cash donations to the trust fund of the pagoda. After that, the goodwill delegation visited the Bagan Ancient Cultural Museum. Magway Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min and wife hosted a luncheon in honour of them at Bagan Guest House. Mr Samane Vignaket and wife and Col Zaw Min and wife exchanged gifts.

Then, the Laotian delegation arrived at Mandalay International Airport in TadaU Township by special flight in the afternoon, where they were welcomed by member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint and wife Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win and senior military officers, departmental officials and their wives.

The goodwill delegation proceeded to Mandalay by car. The delegation visited Myanansankyaw Shwenan-daw and Shwenandaw Cultural Museum in Mandalay Nanmyo and Mr Samane Vignaket signed in the visitors' book. They proceeded to Mandalay Hill and paid homage to the Hsutaungpyi Pagoda. They enjoyed the scenic beauty of Mandalay. After offering Shwe-thingan to the Maha Muni Image, they visited the Shwe Pyi Kyaw weaving industry in front of Nanmyo.

 At night, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and wife hosted a dinner in honour of the guests at Nanmyo Guest House. The guests were entertained with music and performance by Mandalay Myoma orchestra and artistes from the Fine Arts Department. President of the National Assembly of LPDR and wife and the commander and wife exchanged gifts. The goodwill delegation visited the Yadanapura Myan-ma Handicrafts & Souvenir Shop of Mandalay Division Cooperatives. The delegates left Mandalay for Yangon by special flight at 9 am today.

( 3 ) Minister receives Economic and Commercial Counsellor of PRC

Yangon, 19 Nov - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China Mr Jin Honggen and party at the minister's office on Strand Road at 1:00 pm today. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and departmental officials.

Deputy Minister receives guests

Yangon, 19 Nov - Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received Mr Mohammed Yusuf and party of Universal Navigation, Yangon, at his office on Strand Road at 2 pm today. Also present on the occasion were Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and departmental officials.

Course on Detection of Narcotic Drugs opens

Yangon, 19 Nov- Opening Ceremony of the course on Detection of Narcotic Drugs sponsored by the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Central Police Force of Australia was held at the Sedona Hotel in Mandalay, at 9 am today. Secretary of Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Police Maj-Gen Soe Win and Ambassador of Australia to Myanmar Mr Trevor David Wilson made opening speeches. It was attended by Liaison Officer of Australia Police Force Mr Cedric Netto and course instructors, senior officers of Myanmar Police Force, departmental officials and 25 trainees. The course will last 12 days.

( 4 )    Coord meeting on national level blood policy drawing held

Yangon, 19 Nov - The coordination meeting on national level blood policy drawing of ASEAN, jointly-organized by the Ministry of Health and WHO, was opened at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning, with an address by Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint.

Also present were Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Defence Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, the directors-general of departments under the ministry, deputy directors-general, professors, directors and officials, officials from WHO and South-East Asia Regional Director's Office, resident representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra and experts from Bangladesh, Butan, DPRK, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint made an opening speech. Then, Dr Agostino Borra and South-East Asia Regional Director Dr Uton Muchtar Rafei spoke on the occasion and the ceremony came to a close. The meeting will continue up to 22 November.

ASEAN Youth Camp: Preparatory Meeting held

Yangon, 19 Nov- The ASEAN Youth Camp: Preparatory Meeting was held at the Myanma Timber Trade Centre at 9 am today. The meeting focused on making arrangements to host ASEAN Youth Camp: Preparatory Meeting in Myanmar as a working Programme of ASEAN Culture and Information Committee. Present were Chairman of Myanmar ASEAN Culture and Information National Committee Director-General of Department of Cultural Institute of Ministry of Culture U Myint Thein Swe and officials, the representative of ASEAN Secretary-General's Office and ten representatives of ASEAN countries. First, Director-General U Myint Thein Swe extended greetings. After that, the ASEAN Youth Camp: Preparatory Meeting was held. The meeting will be held up to 20 November.

Work coord meeting on Myanmar-China polio eradication held

Yangon, 19 Nov - The opening ceremony of Myanmar-China Border Area Polio Eradication work coordination meeting was held at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning, with an address by Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint. Also present were Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han, the directors-general of departments under the ministry, professors, deputy directors-general, directors, officials of related ministries, resident representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra, resident representative of UNICEF Mr J.B Mendis, officials of the PRC Embassy, representatives of UNICEF, WHO, JICA and China, representatives of SEARO, township health officers of China-Myanmar border area and officials of Myanmar Medical Association and the Nurses Association. Deputy Minister for Health Professor Dr Kyaw Myint spoke on the occasion. Then, both China-Myanamr representatives had the documentary photos taken. The meeting will continue tomorrow.

( 5 ) Briefing on ILO Governing Body Meeting held

Yangon, 19 Nov - Heads of mission in Yangon were briefed on the proceedings of the ILO Governing Body Meeting which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 14 and 15 November 2001, at Wunzin Minyaza Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 3 pm today. It was attended by heads of mission in Yangon headed by the Deputy Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Union of Myanmar Dr Cesare Capitani and officials of the News and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of Information.

At the briefing, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win stated that the Governing Body Meeting focused its attention on the Report of ILO High Level Team (HLT) that visited Myanmar from 17 September to 7 October 2001 and adopted conclusions on the agenda item; even before the meeting was convened, western media were predicting that the meeting would adopt further coercive measures against Myanmar but these predictions were proved unfounded; the report in fact recognized the political will of the Myanmar Government to eliminate forced labour and indicated the need for the international community to be actively involved in the economic modernization of the country; regarding the implementation of relevant laws and regulations, the report, while acknowledging the progress made, also pointed out areas where there could be room for improvement; moreover, the conclusions derived by the HLT Team contained recommendations and suggestions for the way forward; Myanmar would like to express its profound appreciation to the ASEAN nations, China, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and other like-minded nations for supporting it during the proceedings; even western nations that made critical statements acknowledged the cooperation extended by Myanmar authorities to the HLT Team; following the transmission by the HLT Team of some complaints regarding forced labour, the authorities concerned launched thorough investigations; and these investigations showed that the allegations were baseless and false and the authorities had replied to the ILO to this effect; while expressing reservation on the conclusions adopted by the ILO Governing Body, Myanmar would continue to cooperate with the ILO where possible, taking into account its national interests and sovereignty. The Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win then responded to the queries raised by the diplomats and the briefing session ended at 4 pm.

10th Medical Specialities Conference concludes

 Yangon, 19 Nov - The 10th Medical Specialities Conference of Myanmar Medical Association continued at the building of the association for the final day this morning. Resource persons submitted papers on paediatrics and microbiology. Professor Col Ye Thway chaired the afternoon session. Similarly, the gastroenterology and liver group of Myanmar Medical Association held a seminar on gastroenteroscope diagnosis and treatment at the training hall of Yangon General Hospital at 9 am today. Present were Medical Superintendent of YGH Dr Teik Wan and specialists, postgraduate doctors and postgraduate trainees. Head of Liver Department of YGH Dr Khin Maung Win chaired the seminar. The seminar was sponsored by Yee Shin Company Ltd and Olympus Co Ltd of Singapore.

Minister attends 'B" Licence Football Coaching Course opening ceremony

Yangon, 19 NovÑ The opening ceremony of A.F.C "B" Licence Football Coaching Course for 2001, organized by Asia Football Federation and Myanmar Football Federation was held at the Thuwanna training hall of the National Stadium-1 at 8 am today, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik and officials, officials of Myanmar Football Federation, invited guests, Course Director Mr V Kalimutu, coaches and trainees.Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint delivered an opening speech on the occasion. Then, Course Director Mr V Kalimutu extended greetings and the ceremony concluded. Altogether 22 trainees from states/divisions, ministries and Myanmar Football Federation including a trainee from Sri Lanka are attending the three-week course.

Yangon, 19 Nov- Military attach's of foreign embassies in Yangon and families led by Military Attach'of the Malaysian Embassy to Myanmar Lt-Col Hurun Bin Hitam, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, member correspondents led by President of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Hpa arrived at the temporary shed for the white elephant near Mindhamma Hill Garden in Insein Township at 9.30 am today. They were welcomed by Director-General the of Forest Department of the Ministry of Forestry U Shwe Kyaw and officials. Director-General U Shwe Kyaw and Director of the Zoological Garden Division U Myint Swe briefed them on the white elephant and replied to the queries raised by the military attachŽs and the correspondents. Then, military attach's and families and correspondents viewed the white elephant, Yaza Gaha Thiri Pissaya Gaza Yaza.

Minister for Construction tours Rakhine State

Yangon, 19 Nov-Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and officials inspected the construction of motor road between Ma-i bridge in Taungup Township and Kyaukpyu. Project Engineer of Road Special Group (2) Deputy Superintending Engineer U Soe Tint and officials reported to the minister on the work done and plans to be carried out. The minister gave necessary instructions. Then, the minister and party inspected the road section on Ma-i-Kyaukpyu motor road to be constructed with the use of high technology. At the 8-mile site camp of Ma-i-Kyaukpyu motor road, Chief Engineer of Lower Myanmar (Road) U Kyaw Tint and officials reported to the minister on plans to construct the road. The minister left necessary instructions. Afterwards, he inspected bridges completed on Ann-Sittway roadÑOhnte-chaung, Daletchaung, Yawchaung, Ramaung, Myaungbwe, Kissapanadi, Yoechaung, Kinchaung, Pikauk and Minchaung. He also inspected the bridges to be constructed Dedoke-chaung (460 ft) and Lone-dawpauk (1235 ft). Chief Engineer (Bridge) U Khin Maung Aye reported to the minister on the targets and plans to be carried out. The minister gave necessary instructions.

Minister attends course concluding ceremony

 Yangon, 19 Nov- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone attended the concluding ceremony of Financial Procedure Course No-2 and the opening ceremony of the Refresher Course on Export/Import Procedure of Border Trade No-2 of the Border Trade Department at the meeting hall of BTD on Bo Sun Pet Street at 9 am today and made a speech. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of the Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of the Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and departmental officials and course instructors. Then, the minister presented prizes to those who stood first, second and third in the Financial Procedure Course No-2 and a representative of the trainees spoke words of thanks.