( 1 ) Chairman of State Peace and Development Council sends message of condolences to Prime Minister of Malaysia

Yangon, 21 Nov-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 condolences to His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the demise of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah of Malaysia on 21 November 2001.

( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends opening of multimedia teaching centres in Thaton, inspects development works in Mon State

 Yangon, 21 Nov-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party arrived at Thaton on 19 November after attending the ceremony to hand over the new building for Basic Education Middle School in Mokkhamu Village in Kyaikhto Township. The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed by Thaton Station Commander Col Myint Soe, the Chairmen of Thaton District and Township Peace and Development Councils and members, departmental personnel, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, members of social associations and officials. The ceremonies to open multimedia teaching centres of Nos 1, 2 and 3 Basic Education High Schools were held at the respective schools in Thaton in the evening, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe, the chairmen of District and Township Peace and Development Councils and members, departmental personnel, members of USDA, members of social associations, the director-general of No 1 Basic Education Department, Township Education Officer, members of the School Board of Trustees, members of Parent-Teacher Association, school heads, teachers, students, band and pom pom dance troupes and wellwishers. The ceremony to open multimedia teaching centre of No 3 BEHS was held at the school at 3 pm on 19 November. Headmistress Daw Khin San Myint and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Aung Myaing formally opened the centre. The Secretary-1 unveiled the signboard of the centre.

 The Secretary-1 and party inspected electronic media, computer application and e-mail, computer aided instruction, language lab, projected media and printed media rooms and observed the teaching with the aid of modern equipment. The Secretary-1 and party inspected art studio and domestic science room. The schoolgirls presented gifts to the Secretary-1.

The Secretary-1 and party watched the demonstration of students' music and art skills. The Secretary-1 and party had souvenir photo taken together with members of the School Board of Trustees, the headmistress, teachers and students. A similar ceremony was held at No 2 BEHS in Thaton. Headmistress Daw Khin San Myint and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees Daw San Myint formally opened the centre. The Secretary-1 unveiled the signboard of the centre.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected computer application and e-mail, computer aided instruction, language lab, printed media (reading corner), electronic media (video system) and projected media (visual presenter) and inspected the teaching with the aid of modern equipment.

 The Secretary-1 and party studied history of the school and inspected the domestic science room. The schoolgirls presented gifts to the Secretary-1. The Secretary-1 and party watched skill demonstration of the students. The Secretary-1 and party had souvenir photos taken together with members of the School Board of Trustees, the headmistress, teachers and students. The opening of multimedia teaching centre of No 1 BEHS was held at the school.

 Headmistress Daw Naw Cilia and Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Myint Thein formally opened the centre. The Secretary-1 unveiled the signboard of the centre. The Secretary-1 and party inspected printed media (reading corner), desk-top visual presenter, computer application and e-mail, computer aided instruction, electronic media (language lab) and electronic media (video system) and inspected the learning of the students. The Secretary-1 and party inspected the art studio and domestic science room.

 The schoolgirls presented gifts to the Secretary-1. The Secretary-1 and party watched skill demonstration of the students. Thaton Township Education Officer U Khin Maung Maung reported on multi-media teaching centres of the schools and the teaching with the aid of modern equipment. Vice-Chairman of the School Board of Trustees U Kyi Myint reported on the efforts made for emergence of the multimedia teaching centres. The Secretary-1 presented tapes and books to school heads of the three schools. Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin presented K 1.7 million for No 1 BEHS and K 2.55 million for No 3 BEHS to the Secretary-1.

The Secretary-1 said the opening of the multimedia teaching centres at the three schools with the assistance of members of the school board of trustees, people and old students will effectively contribute towards the implementation of the education objectives to turn out outstanding students, to promote education to international level and to narrow the education gap between rural and urban areas.

He said systematic learning of the students and their brilliant performance showed  that the government's objectives on education are successful to some extent. He said achievements have been made due to the cooperation of the government and the people. With the cooperation of the government and the people, brilliant intellectuals and intelligentsia with high education standard of international level will turn out, he said. It can be said that a peaceful, modern developed nation will surely emerge, he added.

 The Secretary-1 called for making efforts for emergence of intellectuals and intelligentsia in cooperation with the government and the people. The Secretary-1 and party had souvenir photo taken together with members of the School Board of Trustees, headmistress, teachers and students. The Secretary-1 and party went to Mawlamyine where they were welcomed by Deputy Commander of South East Command Brig-Gen Myo Hla, members of State, District and Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental personnel and members of USDA. The Secretary-1 and party spent the night in Mawlamyine.

On 20 November, the Secretary-1 and party inspected development activities in Mawlamyine. The Secretary-1 and party, accompanied by Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe, paid obeisance to Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddana Kesara at Win Sein Tawyakyaung in Mudon Township. Then, the Secretary-1 presented cash donations for construction of 600 feet long reclining Buddha image to be kept in Win Sein Tawyakyaung. The Secretary-1 inspected construction of the reclining Buddha image.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party arrived back in Mawlamyine. They next proceeded to the work site of Donthami bridge construction project near Duranseik Village in Thaton Township where they were welcomed by Commander of No 22 Light Infantry Division Brig-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Commander of Thaton Station Col Soe Myint, Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Maung Shein, and officials of Myanma Railways. The Secretary-1 inspected the work site. Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung and officials conducted the Secretary-1 round the work site.

At the briefing hall of project, Minister U Pan Aung and General Manager (Civil) of MR U Ohn Lwin reported on facts about the project and progress of construction. The Donthami Bridge lies in the border area of Kayin State and Mon State near Duranseik Village in Thaton Township. The lower structure of the main bridge will be built with concrete foundation and the upper structure with reinforced concrete. The 6oo-foot-long and 24-foot-wide bridge will have a railway and a motorway.

 The Secretary-1 presented exercise books and stationery for Duranseik Village Basic Education Primary School to the officials concerned. The Secretary-1 and party went to Sandawshin Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda in the same township. They were welcomed there by members of District and Township Peace and Development Councils and the Pagoda Board of Trustees. They paid reverence and offered Shwethingan to the pagoda. They then donated cash for the pagoda. They paid obeisance and presented offertories to Taikoak Sayadaw of Kyaikhtiyokyaung Bhaddanta Nandiya and members of the Sangha.

 After that, the Secretary-1 and party arrived back in Yangon. Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe, who accompanied the Secretary-1, inspected Mon State Cooperatives Department in Mawlamyine on 19 November evening. Deputy Director of the department U Sein Teik reported on cooperative functions in Mon State. The minister gave instructions to the officials. The minister then inspected Mon State Cooperatives Training Centre. Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein arrived at District Hospital (100-bed) in Thaton on the same day. Medical Superintendent Dr Khin Than Sein and specialists welcomed and conducted the minister round the hospital. The minister gave necessary instructions to officials.

( 3 ) UMFCCI President receives Japanese guest

Yangon, 21 Nov - President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint received Chairman of Japan Myanmar Friendship Association of Japan Mr Ken Uchida at his office this morning. Also present at the call were General Secretary of UMFCCI U Zaw Min Win and CEC members. They cordially discussed matters related to bilateral economic cooperation, holding seminars so as to export Myanmar products to Japan, exchanging information, paying visits of Japanese entrepreneurs to Myanmar, opening of courses on technology and donation of machinery.

Minister receives Swiss guests

Yangon, 21 Nov- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Mr Karl Imhof-Wiget and party of Seatra S.A of Switzerland at his office on Strand Road this afternoon. Also present were Deputy Minster for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General of Directorate of Trade U Nyunt Aye, Director-General of Border Trade Department U Nay Win, Managing Director of Myanma Agricultural Produce Trading U Min Hla Aung and departmental heads.

Forestry Minister meets Ambassador

Yangon, 21 Nov -Minister for Forestry U Aung Phone met with Ambassador of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Pham Quang Khon at his office this afternoon. Also present were Director-General of Planning and Statistics Department of the Ministry of Forestry U Soe Tint and Director U Hla Htwe.

Education Minister receives guest

Yangon, 21 Nov -Minster for Education U Than Aung received Chairman of Japan-Myanmar Friendship Association Mr Ken Uchida at his office this afternoon. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt, General Secretary of the association U Ye Htut and officials.

( 4 )    A&I Minister inspects Lagunpyin, Alaini dam projects

Yangon, 21 Nov - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, accompanied by officials, arrived at Lagunpyin dam of the Irrigation Department at the border between Yangon and Bago divisions this morning. At the briefing hall of the dam, Director U Kyaw Thein of the Irrigation Department briefed on the work done to open the dam soonest. Then, Deputy Director-General U Khin Zaw and Director (Design) U Khin Maung Nyunt of the department reported on construction works for the dam and Alaini dam in Bago Township. The minister inspected the main dam and inflow of water, reinforced concrete pipes and sluice gates, water-storage of the dam, SedawU pagoda, spillway and sub-spillway for generating electricity.

 It can supply water to 22,000 acres of land all the year round for double-cropping  12,000 acres in Yangon Division and 10,000 in Bago Division. Afterwards, the minister inspected construction of the main dam and seepage-preventing wall at Alaini dam and gave instructions on future tasks to the officials. In the afternoon, the minister arrived at Zayatkwin Central Agriculture Research and Training School in Hlegu Township where he met with the trainees from the ministry and made a speech on production of main crops, tasks to supply water, tasks for boosting of regionwise crop production carried out by the ministry, and responsibility of the trainees.

Coop Minister meets with heads of department, staff

Yangon, 21 Nov - Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe met with the heads of departments and staff form the ministry at the meeting hall of the ministry on Bogyoke Aung San Street here this morning. Also present on the occasion were the directors-general from the departments and cooperatives under the ministry, managing directors and officials, directors from state/division cooperatives departments, deputy directors, principals from Cooperative Colleges and officials. The minister made a speech on the occasion. He said the Cooperative Department, the Cottage Industries Department and the Cooperatives Exports and Imports Enterprise apartment are to discharge duties in unity to the best of the ability, to take the supervision of the ministry with political, economic, management and international outlooks, to carry out duties upholding the motto " To increase productivity while practicing austerity: to practise austerity while increasing productivity " in accordance with the guidance of Head of State, to strive for boosting of production and to make more support for the staff's convenience. Then the ceremony came to a close.

Minister inspects Sittoung Bridge

Yangon, 21 Nov -Minister for Rail Transportation U Pan Aung inspected the maintenance work on the Sittoung River Bridge on Bago-Mottama Road yesterday evening. During his meeting with engineers, the minister discussed the different stages of maintenance work to ensure safety for travellers. He said officials should systematically check the trucks and their goods passing through the bridge and urged them to observe the rules. The minister was accompanied by officials.

( 5 ) National Convention Convening Commission meets

Yangon, 21 Nov - The National Convention Convening Commission held a meeting at the meeting hall of the commission office at 2 pm today. It was attended by NCCC Chairman Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Vice-Chairman Maj-Gen Sein Htwa and members. The chairman presided over the meeting. The Work Committee and the Management Committee of NCCC reported on matters related to the National Convention. Members of the commission took part in the discussions. The meeting ended with the concluding remarks by the chairman.

Cash and kind donated to MMCWA

Yangon, 21 Nov-A cere- mony to present cash and kind donated by Women Federation for World Peace (WFWP) based in Japan to Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the meeting hall of multi-purpose building of MMCWA at the corner of Parami Road and Thanthuma Road in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon, this morning. It was attended by MMCWA Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and CEC members, and officials of WFWP. First, Chairperson of WFWP in Shizuoka District Mrs Fume Kotayama explained the purpose of the donation. Then, Chairperson of WFWP in Shizuoka District Mrs Fume Kotayama presented US $ 500 donated by WFWP, Shizuoka District, Mrs Sachiko Akao presented 407 clothes donated by Mr Kuboki of Kotsushin Fukuso Ltd, Mr Tateiwa of WFWP, Tokyo 7 District presented wool and related materials for knitting machine worth US $ 1,000 to MMCWA. Vice-Chairperson Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Then, Chairperson Professor Daw Kyu Kyu Swe spoke words of thanks.

Chairman of MWVO attends coord meeting

 Yangon, 21 Nov - The work coordination meeting of Central Organizing Committee of the Myanmar War Veterans Organization was held at the Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Central) in Mayangon Township at 2 pm today. It was attended by Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Secretary of COC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung and committee members. Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein delivered an address. Secretary of COC Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung reported on the resolutions of the previous meeting and progress of work done, and then committee members explained about tasks being undertaken in sector-wise in the five major tasks. Later, Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein attended to the requirements and made remarks.

( 6 )   Shwehtidaw hoisted atop Pyilonchantha Myasakkya Pagoda in Insein Township

Yangon, 21 Nov - A ceremony to hoist Shwhtidaw atop Pyilonchantha Myasak-kya Pagoda on Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township was held at the hill at 7.30 am today. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Aungmye Bonsan-kyaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Pa–indabhivamsa, Secretary Presiding Nayaka of Maha Withutayama Taikthit in Magway Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara and Ovadacariya Sayadaws.

Also present were Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin and wife Daw Yin Yin Nyunt, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Deputy Minister for Science and Techno-logy U Nyi Hla Ngwe, officials, experts, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, wellwishers, and invited guests.

The vice-chairman Sayadaw invested the congregation with the Five Precepts. Then, members of the Sangha recited parittas. Minister U Aung Khin presented Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw and Shwehtidaw, and offertories to Sayadaws. The Secretary Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. Led by Teingya htidaw hoisting group, and regal procession troupe, the ministers, deputy ministers, and officials conveyed Seinbudaw, Hngetmyatnadaw, and Shwehtidaw. After that, the minister and deputy ministers hoisted the religious objects atop the pagoda. The minister sprinkled scented water on them. The Sayadaws consecrated the pagoda. After the ceremony, rituals of golden and silver showers were performed to mark the success of the ceremony.

Yangon, 21 Nov -Led by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung and wife Daw Khin Khin Yi, the fourth communal Kathina of the Industry-1 was held at the training hall of the ministry on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning. First, the congregation received the Five Precepts from the Presiding Sayadaw of Kyaukkon Kyaungtaik Bhadanta Vibarra Dattha-thanadaja Dhammacariya. Then, the minister and wife, deputy minister and guests offered robes and offertories to the Sayadaws and members of the Sangha. The Sayadaws and members of the Sangha recited parrittas. The Presiding Sayadaw delivered a sermon and the congregation shared merits gained and offered" soon" to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.