( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to Islamic Republic of Iran

Yangon, 11 Feb - 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 Seyed Mohammad Khatami, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the occasion of the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which falls on 11 February 2002.

( 3 ) Secretary-1 attends cornerstone-laying ceremony for Ahara Thukha Soonsarhsaung of Dhammanariya Tekkatho Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik

Yangon, 10 Feb - A cornerstone-laying ceremony for construction of Ahara Thukha Soonsarhsaung was held at Dhammanariya Tekkatho Alodawpyay Kyaung-taik on Sittaung Road in Ward 61, Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township, at 9 am today, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were Joint-Secretary of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Yenangyoung Sayadaw Bhad-danta Tejaniya and Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of Dhammanariya Tekkatho Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Ariyavamsa and members of the Sangha, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, officials and wellwishers.

 The ceremony was opened with the three-time recitation of Namo Tassa. Yenangyoung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tejaniya administered the Nine Precepts. Then, members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Next, the Secretary-1 offered the nine-gem casket, the cornerstones and provisions to the Joint-Secretary Sayadaw. The commander, the ministers and the deputy ministers donated provisions to members of the Sangha.

At the donation ceremony, the Secretary-1 accepted K 40 million for the Soonsarhsaung and K 5 million for the altar room of the main lecture hall donated by actress Academy Htet Htet Moe Oo, K 1 million by Chairperson Daw Thet Yi (Jacob) of Mingalar May Women's Cooperative Ltd and K 500,000 by Thiri Thudhamma Manijotadhara Thiha Thudhamma Mani-jotadhara U Kyaw Min. Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe and Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin accepted K 300,000 each presented by U Tin Hla-Thiha Thudhamma Theingi Daw Aye Kyi, U Aung Htein-Daw Aye Aye Kyaing, Hsinpaungwe Daw Khin Nyo and Dr Hla Lwin-Daw Swe Wah Kyu, K 100,000 each by U Shein Myint-Daw Khin Than Myint, U Maung Maung Kywe-Daw Molly Tin (a) Daw Swe Swe Latt, Dr Daw Mya Mya Win (in Japan), U Thein Soe Oo-Daw Oo Mya Thein, U Tha Aye and family and Daw Thet Yi and members of Mingalar May Women's Cooperative Ltd. Then, Yenangyoung Sayadaw Bhaddanta Tejaniya delivered a sermon.

 The Secretary-1 and party, the wellwishers and the congregation shared merits gained. Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party and the congregation took the designated place where the cornerstone will be laid. Staff Officer U San Thin Hlaing of Yangon Division Religious Affairs Department read out the Mingalar Mawgun to mark the cornerstone-laying ceremony.

Next, the Secretary-1 put the nine-gem casket at the centre of the cornerstone. At that time, conch shells were blown and the drums were beaten by Teingyar team. Then, the Secretary-1, the commander, the ministers, the deputy ministers and the wellwishers laid the cornerstones at the designated places. The Secretary-1 placed the stone plaque at the centre of the cornerstone and sprinkled scented water on it. Thiri Thudhamma Mani-jotadhara Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara U Kyaw Min recited ‚intamani Gatha and Teingyar U Than Hla shared merits gained.

 Then, the ceremony came to an end with the three-time recitation of Buddha Sasanam ‚iram Titthatu. The Secretary-1 performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the successful completion of the ceremony. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party inspected progress of construction of the main lecture hall of the Kyaungtaik.

Secretary-1 inspects preparations for Union Day dinner

Yangon, 10 Feb - Chairman of the Central Committee for Observance of the 55th Anniversary Union Day Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt inspected preparations for hosting the dinner in commemoration of the 55th Anniversary Union Day and the full-dress rehearsal dances of traditional cultural troupes which will be staged at the dinner, this evening.

At 5 pm, the Secretary-1 arrived at the Presidential Residence Compound on Ahlon Road. The Secretary-1 was welcomed there by Chairman of the Management Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe, members of the Central Committee and the Management Committee and departmental officials. First, the Secretary-1 inspected preparations for hosting the Union Day dinner and gave necessary instructions to officials. Then, the Secretary-1 and party inspected the full-dress rehearsal dances presented by the traditional cultural troupes. Next, the Secretary-1 cordially met with members of the traditional cultural dance troupes and left the Presidential Residence Compound in the evening.

( 4 ) 55th Anniversary Union Day Flag Hoisting Ceremony rehearsed

Yangon, 10 Feb-The full-dress rehearsal of the 55th Anniversary Union Day Union Flag Hoisting Ceremony was held at People's Square on Pyay Road this morning. Present on the occasion were Chairman of Management Committee for Observance of the 55th Anniversary Union Day Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Brig-Gen Myint Swe and members, members of the Panel of Chairmen, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Observance of the 55th Anniversary Union Day Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint and members, chairmen of District Peace and Development Councils, military region commanders, senior military officers of Yangon Command and officials. The rehearsal included the taking place of the State Military Band, arrival of the Union Flag, saluting the Union Flag, the taking place of the Union Flag relay team, relay of the flag and departure of the State Military Band.

New office for Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association opens

Yangon, 10 Feb- A ceremony to open new office for Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association was held at the corner of Waizayanta Road and Thanthuma Road near Thuwunna Bridge in Thingangyun Township this afternoon, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt. Also present were the ministers, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of departments, Chairman of MCEA and construction entrepreneurs. Director-General of Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw and Chairman of MCEA Agga Maha Thiri Manijotadhara U Khin Shwe formally opened the new office.

 The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone inscription of the office. The Secretary-1 and party inspected the office. Chairman of MCEA Agga Maha Thiri Manijotadhara U Khin Shwe reported on the objectives for construction of the office and entrepreneurs' participation in religion, education, health, agriculture and livestock breeding under the leadership of the government. The Secretary-1 said the government has introduced and implemented reforms in political, economic and social sectors since 1988 for emergence of a modern developed nation. By doing so, it also made efforts for turning out national entrepreneurs in the economic sector and for uplift of national economic life in cooperation with them. Firstly, Yangon was renovated to possess the characteristics of a capital and then national construction entrepreneurs emerged with the assistance of the government, he said.

With the help of the government the housing projects of national construction entrepreneurs were implemented and Yangon developed as a modern city. Later, for those who did not have houses of their own in Yangon, Dagon Myothit and Hlinethaya Myothit were established; the hut-to-apartment scheme was implemented; housing complexes were built at the strategic places of the city; these tasks were jointly undertaken by the government and national construction entrepreneurs. So, construction work has made progress. In 1997, due to the repercussion of the South-East Asian economic crisis, construction activities became sluggish.

The government provided assistance for national construction entrepreneurs so that they could carry out agriculture, livestock breeding work and other production work. The national construction entrepreneurs have thus participated in the economic sector of the State. It can now be seen that they are taking part in construction of the Union Highway. Today the economy of the nation is picking up, and construction activities are also making progress. The property prices are also on the increase again.

Therefore, the government set up the city housing project supervisory committee in order to help workers, employees and retired persons solve their housing problem. The committee, in cooperation with construction entrepreneurs, is keeping house and land prices stable and making arrangements to enable the people to have houses of their own at reasonable prices. If construction entrepreneurs follow the instructions of the committee, not only the State but also the people and the construction entrepreneurs themselves will get benefits.

 It is believed that as a modern and grand building for Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association has emerged, construction entrepreneurs will be able to cooperate in serving the interests of the State and the people as well as their own. In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged all to work in unity for the realization of the aims of the State and adopt the attitude that not only the city housing project supervisory committee but also construction entrepreneurs are responsible for the progress of construction activities and for enabling people to have houses of their own at reasonable prices. Chairman of MCEA U Khin Shwe presented gifts to those who took charge of construction of the building.

( 5 ) Union Flag conveyed from Kyimyindine to Hlegu

Yangon, 10 Feb- A ceremony to convey the Union Flag, which rested for one night at the Salin Sports Ground in Kyimyindine Township, Yangon West District, to Hlegu Township, Yangon North District, was held at the Salin Sports Ground this morning. Present on the occasion were Secretary of the Sub-committee for Conveying the Union Flag and Putting up the Billboards Head of Engineering Department (Building) of Yangon City Development Committee U Zaw Win, Joint Secretary Deputy Head of Engineering Department (Building) U Khin Nyein and sub-committee members, the chairman and members of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council, township authorities, executives of District and Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations, members of non-governmental organizations and people totalling 6,000.

Those present at the ceremony saluted the Flag with the Guard of Honour of Yangon Command while the military band of the Tatmadaw (Air) was playing the National Anthem. Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein took out the Flag out of the silver bowl and carried it to the archway of the sports ground at 6.50 am, flanked by four officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and Myanmar Police Force, Union nationals and Secretary of Yangon West District USDA and executives. He handed over the Flag to Chairman of Yangon North District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col San Matu. Lt-Col San Matu conveyed the Flag onto the Union Boat and planted it in the silver bowl at 7 am.

The Union Flag flanked by four officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and MPF and Union nationals, the Union Boat left for Hlegu Township through Panbingyi Street, Upper Kyi-myindine Road, Hanthawady Road, Hledan Road and Bayintnaung Road. The Union Flag was accorded a rousing welcome by a large number of people including township and ward authorities, members of USDA, Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and Myanmar Police Force, teachers, students and factory workers. The Union Flag was conveyed through Insein, Mingaladon and Hlegu townships.

 On arrival at the archway of Yangon North District, Lt-Col San Matu took out the Flag from the silver bowl on the Union Boat and carried it along Yangon-Bago Highway, flanked by four officers of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and MPF and Union nationals. He handed over the Flag to Chairman of Hlegu Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Swe. Then, the Flag was conveyed by relay teams of township peace and development councils, district and township USDAs, departments and other associations.

 The relay team of Hlegu Township Basic Education High School handed over the Flag to Chairman U Myint Swe in front of Hlegu Township Sports Ground, who in turn handed over the Flag to Lt-Col San Matu. Lt-Col San Matu conveyed the Flag and planted it in the silver bowl on the stage in the sports ground. The people and the Guard of Honour of No 11 LID saluted the Flag to the strains of the National Anthem played by the military band of No 11 LID. The sports ground was packed with people who came to salute the Flag, and they were entertained with festivities.

( 6 )  MWVO COC Chairman meets Ayeyawady Division WVO members

Yangon, 10 FebÑ Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, accompanied by officials, left here by car for Pathein yesterday. At Bo Myat Tun Bridge, they were welcomed by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Brig-Gen Htay Oo and officials. Accompanied by Commander Brig-Gen Htay Oo, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein arrived at South-West Command Headquarters at 9.50 am.

The Adjutant-General met officers and Tatmadawmen of Pathein Station and gave necessary instructions. Then, the Adjutant-General visited the Agricultural and Poultry Farm of the command headquarters. At the briefing hall, Staff Officer (Grade-I) (Q) Lt-Col Tin Myo Tint reported on tasks being carried out by the command headquarters. The Adjutant-General attended to their needs and inspected the poultry farm and production of feedstuff. Next, the Chairman of MWVO COC met with members of Ayeyawady Division WVO at Pathein City Hall.

Also present were Commander Brig-Gen Htay Oo, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Tint Swe, members of Division and District Supervisory Committees and members of Township WVO. Chairman of Ayeyawady Division WVO Supervisory Committee Secretary of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Sein Maung reported on implementation of five tasks of WVO. Then, the Chairman of MWVO COC explained the aims of MWVO, five tasks of the organization and seven future tasks and participation of WVO members in carrying out the five tasks. After the meeting, the Adjutant-General went to Ayeya Swanar Engine Assembling Factory of South-West Command. Factory Manager Maj Aung Naing reported on matters related to the factory. The Adjutant-General attended to their requirements and inspected the factory. The Adjutant-General and party left Pathein in the afternoon and arrived back here in the evening.

Tamil Hindu Pongal Celebration held

Yangon, 10 Feb - With the sponsorship of All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Foundation, the Pongal Celebration was held at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street at 3 pm today. It was attended by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, the chairman of All Myanmar Hindu Central Sankranthi and officials, honorary patrons of the All Myanmar Tamil Hindu Foundation, the chairman and executives, Hindus and guests.