( 1 ) Minister receives Malaysian Ambassador

Yangon, 20 May - Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung received Mr Dato' Cheah Sam Kip, Ambassador of Malaysia to Myanmar, at his office on Pyay Road here this afternoon.

Commerce Minister receives Japanese Ambassador

Yangon, 20 May - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar Mr Shigeru Tsumori and party at his office at 1.30 pm today.

L&F Minister receives Vietnamese ambassador

Yangon, 20 May - Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein received Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Union of Myanmar Mr Pham Quang Khon at his office at 2 pm today.

Israeli Ambassador calls on Education Minister

Yangon, 20 May - Minister for Education U Than Aung received Ambassador of Israel to Myanmar Mr Yaacov Avrahamy at the Diamond Jubilee Hall of the Yangon University at 2 pm today.

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( 2 ) The 9th ACEDAC Board and the 4th ASWGAC meetings open

Yangon, 20 May - The opening ceremony of the 9th ACEDAC Board and the 4th ASWGAC meetings hosted by Myanmar was held at the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road here this morning.

First, Director-General of the Cooperative Department U Soe Win extended greetings. Then, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe delivered a speech. He said: Myanmar, as a member of ASEAN, is actively participating in the work of ACEDAC Board. This meeting will not only help promote cooperation among ASEAN countries but also contribute towards development of agriculture cooperative societies in the region. All are to try their utmost to narrow the gap between rich and poor among ASEAN countries. All are to go further for common interest with the unity among ASEAN countries.

The agricultural cooperatives will be able to deal with economic changes all over the world only when they become powerful in terms of economy by merging each other as they are small in size. Only through cooperation among agriculture cooperative societies, their strength will become great. This meeting will be beneficial to all agriculture cooperative societies in ASEAN countries. Then, the ceremony came to a close.

After the ceremony, Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe and delegates of cooperative societies in ASEAN countries posed for photographs. Afterwards, the 9th ACEDAC Board and the 4th ASWGAC meetings were held. The first session of the meeting concluded in the evening. In the evening, Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe hosted a dinner to the delegates to the meeting at the Traders Hotel. All together 34-31 delegates from 9 ASEAN member countries and four observers from Malaysia are attending the meeting. The second session continues tomorrow.

Ministry of Construction holds coord meeting

Yangon, 20 May - The Ministry of Construction held its first four monthly preliminary coordination meeting at the meeting hall of Public Works (Head office) on Shwedagon Pagoda Road this morning. Present at the meeting were Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Ministers U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing, Director-General of the Department of Human Settlement and Hosing Development U Arnt Kyaw, Director-General of the Construction Inspection Department U Soe Tint and departmental heads, superintending engineers from the states and divisions, superintending engineers of road, bridge, building and airport projects, deputy superintending engineers, senior engineers and engineers. After the minister's address, superintending engineers from the states and divisions reported on their respective construction works.

Intensive care unit of Orthopaedics Hospital handed over

Yangon, 20 May - A ceremony to hand over medical equipment and intensive care unit of Orthopaedic Hospital to the Ministry of Health was held at the hospital on Hanthawady Street in Kyimyindine Township this morning.

Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein delivered a speech. Chairman of AMFA Professor Alain Patel and U Kyaw Aye spoke about the donation. Chairman of AMFA Professor Alain Patel and U Kyaw Aye handed over related documents to the minister who presented certificates of honour to the donors. The one-storey intensive care unit is 40 x 60 feet and is made up of operation theatre, storeroom and common room.

It was constructed at a cost of K 15 million including K 9.15 million donated by U Kyaw Aye-Daw Daisy Kyaw of Yangon Kaung Hein Agriculture and Construction Co and K 5.85 million by AMFA. The minister and guests inspected the intensive care unit.

The minister observed operation of knee joint transplant with the help of Professor Alain Patel. The knee joint transplant operation in Myanmar was performed with the assistance of France-based AMFA on 19 May. The knee joints of four patients were transplanted in cooperation with Professor Alain Patel of AMFA. The equipment used in knee joint transplant costs US $ 3,500 for each patient. The patient will be able to stand up without any pain three days after the operation and walk on the fourth day and do regular work in ten days. The operation takes between one and a half hour to two. Two more patients will be operated tomorrow.

Myanmar Women's Sports Federation wins Women and Sports Trophy for Asia Continent (2002)

Yangon, 20 May - Myanmar Olympic Committee gave a dinner in honour of the Myanmar Women's Sports Federation which won the Women and Sports Trophy for Asia Continent (2002) awarded by the International Olympic Committee, at Karaweik Palace at 7 pm today.

Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint praised Myanmar Women's Sports Federation for winning the Women and Sports Trophy for Asia Continent (2002) presented by the International Olympic Committee.

He said the government formed Myanmar Women's Sports Federation on 21 March in 1991. The federation laid down specific objectives  to uplift the standard of health and fitness of the entire people, to promote women's sports up to international level, to strive for the physical and mental development of women and to turn out brilliant women athletes of new generation. As a result, Myanmar team won four gold, 21 silver and 37 bronze at the XVIII South East Asian Games in 1995. Of them, Myanmar women got three gold, six silver and 20 bronze. At the XIX SEA Games, Myanmar team won eight gold, 34 silver and 44 bronze.

The women won five gold, 10 silver and 13 bronze. At the XX SEA Games, Myanmar team won three gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze and the women three gold, four silver and five bronze. At the XXI SEA Games, Myanmar team won 19 gold, 15 silver and 52 bronze and the women 13 gold, 10 silver and 18 bronze. At the XIII Asian Games, Myanmar team won one gold, six silver and four bronze. Of them, the women won one gold and four silver. Swe Swe Thant won two gold and Khaing Khaing Maw one silver at Wushu competition at the world level in 2001. At the first Asian Championship Women's Weightlifting Competition held on 12 and 13 May, Kay Thi Win won one gold and Aye Mon Khin one bronze. It is clear that the performance of women athletes plays an important role in the improvement of Myanmar sports standard. In recognition of these efforts, Myanmar Olympic Committee presented the Sport and Universality Trophy awarded by the International Olympic Committee for 2000 to Myanmar Sports Federation.

The International Olympic Committee has presented the Women and Sport Trophy to outstanding persons or organizations for their efforts to promote and encourage the participation of women in sports since 2000. Altogether six trophies  five for five continents and one for the  international level  are presented every year. The women's soccer team of China won the trophy in 2002; the Myanmar sports federation, the trophy in 2002. Out of 44 nominees including individual persons, organizations and nations for six trophies, Myanmar was selected. The winning of the Women and Sport Trophy by Myanmar Women's Sport Federation is a matter which the women sports world not only in Myanmar but also in the Asian region should be proud of. Those who won the awards together with Myanmar for 2002 are sprinter Ms Tsigie Gebre Mesih from Ethiopia for Africa, fencing athlete Ms Rafaela Gonzalez Ferer from Cuba for America, footballer Ms Jale Orta from Turkey for Europe, and canoe athlete Ms Helen Brownlee from Austria for Oceania.

Tennis player Ms Billy Jean King from the US won the international-level Women and Sport Trophy. Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Dr Jacques Rogge himself presented these awards in Switzerland. Vice-Chairperson of the Myanmar Sports Federation Daw Nu Nu Yee and member Daw Kyu Kyu accepted the trophy for Myanmar. Therefore, all need to continue to promote the standard of women sports. Then, member of MOC Chairperson of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation Professor Dr Daw May May Yi reported on receiving of the Women and Sports Trophy for Asia Continent for 2002. Next, Professor Dr Daw May May Yi handed over the Women and Sports Trophy for Asia Continent for 2002 to MOC Chairman Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint.

Afterwards, Head of the Panel of Patrons of MWSF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe accepted K 1.1 million donated by members of the Panel of Patrons of MWSF in absentia presented by member of the Panel of Patrons of MWSF Daw Khin Thet Htay, K 1.5 million by Kanbawza Bank Ltd, K 1 million by Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, K 200,000 by Patron of MWSF Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Daw Aye Aye Kyi, K 200,000 by Daw Khin Moe Nyunt (Aung Yi Phyo Co Ltd) and K 100,000 by Thudhamma Theingi Daw Khin Myint Myint (Aung Aung Enterprise), and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Then, the MOC hosted a dinner to the guests.

Highland Farmland Reclamation and Cultivation Committee holds first meeting

Yangon, 20 May - The Highland Farmland Reclamation and Cultivation Committee held the first meeting at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation at 9 am today.

Present were Chairman of the Highland Farmland Reclamation and Cultivation Committee Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Secretary of the committee Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung, members Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, Deputy Minister for Forestry Col Thaik Tun, Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Deputy Minister for Livestock and Fisheries U Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin said that the highland farmland reclamation and cultivation will contri-bute to the uplift of living standard of national races who reside in border areas, the efforts to enable them to settle in a place and have farmlands, local food sufficiency and conservation of forest and environment. Therefore, local authorities and committee members of ministries concerned are to carry out as soon as possible the tasks concerning selection of suitable regions and places where projects will be implemented, water supply, transportation, practice of the double cropping system, soil preservation, the keeping of accurate accounts and data and technology. Then, Secretary Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung reported on the policy on selection of areas where the highland farmland reclamation and cultivation project will be implemented and how the project will be implemented.

Next, committee member Deputy Ministers for Forestry, Energy, Construction, Livestock and Fisheries, Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and Home Affairs also reported on the tasks to be undertaken in respective sectors. Afterwards, Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint gave a supplementary report. Later, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin gave concluding remarks. Then, the meeting came to an end.

( 3 ) Work coordination meeting to honour members of the Sangha who passed the 54th Tipitakadhara Selection Examination

Yangon, 20 May - A work coordination meeting to honour members of the Sangha who passed the 54th Tipitakadhara Selection Examination was held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs this afternoon. Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin spoke on the occasion. Director-General of Religious Affairs Dr Myo Myint reported on the ceremony to honour those who passed the Tipitakadhara Selection Examination. Chairmen of various sub-committees reported on works and a general round of discussions then followed. The minister fulfilled the requirements and the meeting came to a close.

Typing refresher course opens

Yangon, 20 May - The opening ceremony of typing refresher course No 1/2002, organized by the Ministry of Industry-1 was held at the training hall of the ministry this morning.

Present at the ceremony were Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win, directors-general and managing directors of the departments and industries, directors, deputy directors and general managers, course instructors and trainees. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that with the aim of promoting the staff's efficiency in undertaking their tasks, the ministry is continuously conducting courses on management, finance, typing and computer application. It is necessary for the staff to be efficient in discharging their duties.

Only then, will management at different levels be smooth. Therefore, the trainees should try to be well-versed in what they need to know. A total of 30 trainees is attending the course, which will last six weeks.

Myanma Insurance holds work coordination meeting

Yangon, 20 May - The Myanma Insurance of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue held the work coordination meeting for 2002-2003 financial year at the Myanma Insurance building on Strand Road at 8 am today, with an address by Minister for Finance and Revenue U Khin Maung Thein.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the Myanma Insurance is a State economic organization; the essence of insurance is to pay compensation for the loss and damage of insured property. Thus, the enterprise will have to settle the insurance claims as soon as possible. Public relations means should be used in organizing people to know the importance of insurance. Heads of state and division insurance offices then took part in the discussions. Then, the coordination meeting followed. The meeting continues tomorrow.

Text books distributed to basic education schools

Yangon, 20 May - Minister for Education U Than Aung, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung and U Myo Nyunt, accompanied by directors-general and chairmen of departments and boards under the Ministry of Education, arrived at the main text book warehouse for basic education students in Hline Township this morning.

The minister and party inspected arrangements made for conveniently buying of text books by the students for 2002-2003 academic year. Next, the minister and party proceeded to the branch of the warehouse in Kyimyindine Township and saw over distribution of middle and high school level text books to basic education schools in townships of Yangon West District. The branch have distributed primary school level text books to all schools. A total of 79 items of text books totalling over 31 million have been distributed to States and Divisions beginning February 2002 to date for 2002-2003 academic year. Each of the schools in all townships have made arrangements to distribute text books for respective standards to the students in time for opening of schools.

( 4 ) Thai Army deliberately attempting to harm friendship between two nations

Yangon, 20 May - A press conference on the attack of opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent SURA and the supporting fire of the Thai army on Tatmadaw outposts was held at Tatmadaw Guest House on Inya Road this evening. It was attended by Minister for Labour U Tin Winn, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win, Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung, senior military officers, heads of department, officials of the Ministry of Information, U Sein Win of Kyodo News Agency, Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Hla Htway, member correspondents and guests.

The Tatmadaw outposts have been stationed at Panmongsun (map reference Y 420874), Nyaung-bingon (map reference Y 418870), Pangantgaw (map reference Y 430874) and Yanpaingsun (map reference Y 434887) inside the territory of Myanmar at the Thai-Myanmar border. The Thai army camps have also been stationed about 400 yards opposite Pangantgaw outpost and about 200 yards opposite Nyaungbingon outpost. At 4.06 am on 20 May 2002, the Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and Nyaungbingon outposts fired heavy weapons at the Tatmadaw outposts; SURA insurgents also entered the territory of Myanmar from the territory of Thailand and attacked Panmongsun, Nyaungbingon, Pangantgaw and Yanpaingsun outposts.

When the Tatmadaw members from Yan-paingsun outpost joined Nyaungbingon outpost, they saw the SURA group fly the flag of Thailand on that hill. At 7.10 am, tanks arrived at the Thai army camps opposite Pangantgaw and Nyaungbingon, and at 7.30 am,and the tanks fired with cannons on the Tatmadaw outposts. Although the cannon fires stopped at 8.30 am, the firing of heavy weapons continued from the side of the Thai army camps. While Panmongsun outpost was being attacked, the SURA group attacked Lwehtway camp (map reference LY 6898), Kyusankat camp (map reference LY 5393), Tatphalaing camp (map reference LY 0989) and Tantyan camp (map reference LY 0985), where the troops of the Special Region-2 of Shan State (North) were based, inside the territory of Myanmar at the border of Thailand and Myanmar.

The Thai army gave supporting fire with cannons and heavy weapons. The firing ceased at 11 am. But the Thai army continued firing heavy weapons and the SURA its attack at 2 pm. In connection with the incident, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win met with the Ambassador of Thailand to Myanmar at the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 11.30 am today and gave him a note of protest.

The Ministry of Defence also informed the military attach' of Thailand over the matter. In addition, the border committee also sent a note of protest. In view of that incident, it is found that the Thai army is deliberately attempting to undermine the friendship between the two nations. However, Myanmar is solving the matter peacefully in view of the friendship between the two nations.

Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Deputy Head of Department of the Ministry of Defence Col San Pwint replied to the queries raised by the journalists. The press conference ended at 3.30 pm. Then, the journalists viewed the maps showing how the Thai army fired heavy weapons on the Tatmadaw outposts and the Wa camps of the Special Region-2 of Shan State (North) and how the SURA terrorist insurgents attacked them.

( 5 ) Commander attends opening of First Aid Instructor course

Yangon, 20 May - The opening ceremony of the First Aid Instructor course, organized by Myanmar Red Cross Society and International Committee of the Red Cross, was held at the city hall in Myitkyina on 15 May.

Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe delivered an opening address. Dr Tun Sein and Mr Marco explained the purpose of conducting the course. Daw Tin Tin Nwe, wife of the commander, donated K 100,000 to Kachin State Red Cross Society. Kachin State Health Officer Dr Joseph accepted the donation and the ceremony came to a close. At 10 am, the commander attended a conclusion ceremony of Primary Health-Care Course 1/2002 (Myanmar Traditional Medicine), conducted by Kachin State USDA and Kachin State Traditional Medicine Department, and First Aid (Ordinary) Course, conducted by District USDA and RCS. Patron of Kachin State USDA Commander Brig-Gen Maung Maung Swe made a speech on the occasion and presented prizes to outstanding trainees of the primary health-care course. Chairman of Myitkyina District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Hla Thaung presented prizes to outstanding trainees of the First Aid course.

Head of Kachin State TMD U Myint Aung and Secretary of Kachin State USDA Rawatjone presented certificates to the trainees. The secretary of Kachin State USDA also presented gifts for the course instructors to the head of Kachin State IMD. Then, the ceremony ended. At 10.30 am, the commander attended the opening ceremony of the "Friendly Youth Centre", jointly organized by MRCS and UNICEF, held at the office of Kachin State Red Cross Society, Myitkyina. Dr Tun Sein and Dr Joseph formally opened the centre, and then the commander and those present at the ceremony viewed around the centre. The Executive Treasurer of MRCS handed over the commemorative pennant to the commander.

( 6 ) MES to hold talks

Yangon, 20 May - Chairman of Asean Engineers Register (AER) Mr Choo Kok Beng and Mr Chitr Lilavivat of Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) will hold a talk on "Asean Engineers Register and the Route to Regional Prosperity", jointly organized by the Myanmar Engineering Society and the Federation of Asean Engineering Organizations, at MICT Park on Hline University Campus at 1.30 pm on 27 May. Members of the MES and interested engineers may attend the talk.

UMFCCI opens International Trade Course

Yangon, 20 May - The opening ceremony of the International Trade Course (Program-1), organized by Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, was held at UMFCCI training centre here this morning. It was attended by UMFCCI Patrons U Khin Maung Yi and U Hla Tin, President U Win Myint, General Secretary U Zaw Min Win, Central Executive Committee members and executives, guests and trainees. First, President U Win Myint made an opening speech. Then, Chairman of Economic and Education Affairs of UMFCCI U Sein Win Hlaing explained facts about the course. Altogether 53 trainees are attending the course, which will end on 28 May.