( 1 ) Maj-Gen Aung Htwe inspects extension of Lashio airport runway

Yangon, 1 Aug - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence,  went to Lashio airport runway extension project by car yesterday morning. At the hall of the airport, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing reported on the arrangements to extend the runway of the airport from 5,250 feet to 8,000 feet and earth work; project director of Asia World Co U Maung Kye on construction of the runway.

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe gave instructions on timely completion of the project and attended to requirements. Then, Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party inspected extension of the runway. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party later attended the opening ceremony of the battery factory of Shwe Myin Hnakaung Industrial Co Ltd at Kaungkha Village, Industrial Zone-98, Lashio.

Commander Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing and Managing Director of the company U Maung Maung Win formally opened the battery factory. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe formally unveiled the signboard of the factory. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Brig-Gen Myint Hlaing, Deputy Commander Col Hla Myint and guests viewed the production process of batteries.

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party proceeded to Bawgyo Pagoda in Hsipaw. They were welcomed by Tactical Operations Commander Col Aung Min, Chairman of Kyaukme District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Kyi, Chairman of Hsipaw Township Peace and Development Council U Ngwe Thaik and departmental officials, national race leader U Hsai Mo and members of the pagoda board of trustees.

Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party paid homage to the Buddha images and offered flowers, lights and joss sticks. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe donated K 30,000 to the fund for all-round renovation of the pagoda, and then offered Shwethingan to Buddha images. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe and party met with departmental personnel and employees of Kyaukme Dis-trict and Township at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Kyaukme. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe gave instructions on regional development tasks. Maj-Gen Aung Htwe arrived back here in the evening.

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( 2 ) Education Minister receives Ambassador

Yangon, 1 Aug - Minister for Education U Than Aung received Egyptian Ambassador to the Union of Myanmar Dr Farouk Riad Hassan Mabrouk, who had completed his tour of duty in Myanmar, at the Diamond Jubilee Hall this afternoon.

Minister receives Charge d' Affaires of US Embassy

Yangon, 1 Aug - Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing received Charge d' Affaires of Embassy of United States of America Ms Princilla A Clapp at the Ministry at the corner of Saya San and No 1 Industry Streets this afternoon.

U Nyo Win presents credentials to President of Republic of Korea

Yangon, 2 Aug - The Government of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of Mrs Nirsia Castro Guevara, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Union of Myanmar. Mrs Nirsia Castro Guevara is accredited to the Union of Myanmar, with residence in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

U Nyo Win presents credentials to President of Republic of Korea

Yangon, 2 Aug - U Nyo Win, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of Korea, presented his credentials to His Excellency Mr Kim Dae-jung, President of the Republic of Korea on 24 July 2002, in Seoul.

( 3 ) Work Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons meets

Yangon, 1 Aug - The Work Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons under the Ministry of Home Affairs held meeting No 2/2002 in the meeting hall of Myanmar Police Force this afternoon.

 Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung said that at the special meeting on the women sector, the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council gave instructions on prevention of trafficking in girls and children; Myanmar Police Force and the General Administration Department are to draw up working plans.

There are preposterous accusations resulting from political pressure to break up the unity between the Tatmadaw and national races. Therefore, to wholly refute them, inquires are to be conducted by going on tour. Inquires are to be conducted into the matter in Kengtung, Tachilek, Loikaw and Monghsat. The inquiry committee will be formed with representatives from departments concerned. Then, Col Than Tun said that he conducted an inquiry into an accusation that Myanma Tatmadaw killed three Shans and dumped their bodies into a water-fall. The true event is that seven Myanmars were killed as they did not give extortion money to Shan insurgents. The accusation aimed at breaking up national unity.

The matter which was said to have occurred in Shan State is manufactured by Shan insurgents who are opposing the government, and foreign media. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and Dr Daw May May Yee also spoke on the occasion. A pilot inquiry committee led by Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung will go to Shan State (East) tomorrow to conduct inquiries.

Cash and kind donated to MNWCWA

Yangon, 1 Aug - A ceremony to donate cash and kind to the Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs was held at Social Welfare Department in Mayangon Township this morning.

Present were Chairman of MNWCWA Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Hlaing Win, Vice-Chairperson Prof Daw May May Yee, Committee Member Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, committee members, wellwishers and guests. Deputy Minister U Hlaing Win made a speech on the occasion.

Then, the women's association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs donated K 200,000 to Violence Against Women Sub-Committee and U Nyunt Aung (Owner of Duwun Motel) K 100,000 to the relatives of Ma Su who died in Yodaya and five sets of Waso robes to offer in memory of Ma Su. MNCWA and the working committee member Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.

( 4 )   Minister inspects Population Department

Yangon, 1 Aug - Minister for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa, together with Deputy Minister U Maung Aung, Director-General of the Immigration and National Registration Department Col Maung Htay, Director-General of the Population Department Col Tin Yi and officials, inspected progress of work relating to the website and data to be put on the website at the Population Department this afternoon and left necessary instructions.

USDA CEC Member presents prizes to outstanding students, inspects rural development projects in Mandalay Division

Yangon, 1 Aug - CEC Member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Aung Thaung, accompanied by officials, yesterday attended the stake-driving ceremony of Ywathit Basic Education High School library in Talaing Ward, Taungtha Township, Mandalay Division, and drove the stake.

The CEC member then attended the prize presenting ceremony to outstanding students at the hall of the school, and spoke of the need for promotion of education standard. He presented prizes to outstanding students of 2001-2002 academic year and the headmistress and teachers. Daw Khin Khin Yee, wife of the CEC member, and family also presented prizes to outstanding students.

Afterwards, the CEC member presented school uniforms and soap bars for the teachers through the headmistress. After the ceremony, the CEC member, together with the headmistress and members of the school board of trustees, chose the site to construct a new school building. Later, the CEC member presented offertories to village monastery Sayadaw U Nandavamsa, and K 100,000 for construction of the new school building through the headmistress and the school board of trustees. Then, the CEC member went to Welaung Station Hospital and spoke words of encouragement to the patients, and provided cash assistance for the staff of the hospital. Later, the CEC member attended the prize presenting ceremony to the outstanding students at the sports hall of Kyaukpadaung, delivered a speech and presented gifts of honour to the students of basic education high schools in the township who won distinctions in 2001-2002 matriculation exam.

Brig-Gen Than Tun of Kyaukpadaung Station also presented gifts of honour to the students who passed the exam with a distinction each. The CEC member presented gifts of honour to the principals and teachers of Nos 1 and 2 BEHSs of the township. Then, Secretary of the school board of trustees U Shwe Chaing presented gifts of honour to four-distinction winners and cash donations to township USDA. Then, the CEC member inspected construction of the 100-bed hospital in the township and attended to the needs. In the afternoon, the CEC member met with executives and organizers of Kyaukpadaung Township, ward and village USDAs and gave instructions on carrying out rural development tasks and community welfare activities with added momentum and organization measures to be taken with the public for development of township, wards and villages.

At the office of NyaungU District and Township USDA, the CEC member met with secretaries and executives of NyaungU District and Township USDAs and ward and village organizers. District USDA Secretary U Ye Myint and organizers reported on political, economic and social affairs tasks being carried out, future tasks and rural development projects. The CEC member elaborated on speeding up work to undertake the five rural development tasks, and organization tasks to be implemented for improvement of education, health and economy of the public. Later, the CEC member inspected Win Thuza Shop and gave instructions on ensuring constant flow of popular items and correct prices.

( 5 ) Breastfeeding hospitals and townships honoured

Yangon, 1 Aug - The Ministry of Health honoured the breastfeeding hospitals and townships at the Institute of Nursing (Yangon) here this morning, with an address by Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein.

Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein said the Systematic Breastfeeding Project is one among the various health projects being launched by the Ministry of Health under the directive of the National Health Committee. The project which was launched in January 1993 has trained staff of 750 hospitals and designated 301 hospitals as breastfeeding hospitals. A total of 291 townships have undergone the systematic breastfeeding course and 80 townships have been designated as breastfeeding townships. The present year's motto for the breast feeding week is "Breastfeeding: Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies". The week will be launched from 1 to 7 August. At the ceremony, 18 hospitals and 19 townships will be designated as breastfeeding hospitals and townships.

The Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association will hold the "role play" competition of the breast-feeding support committees on 2 August; the Myanmar Medical Association will hold the Panel Discussion on Breastfeeding on 3 August; the Yangon Division Health Department will organize talks on systematic breast-feeding in four districts on 4 August; the Myanma Radio and Television and Myawady TV will interview the Myanmar traditional medicine practitioners on 5 August; the Workshop on Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding will be held on 6 August; and the Myanmar Nurses Association will hold talks on the subject on 7 August.

Mother's milk is the best nutritious food for babies, he said, elaborating on the benefits of breastfeeding. He said breastfeeding brings a healthy life for both mother and child. Breastfeeding is the right of all mothers and children. Thus, all will have to protect, promote and support the rights.

Hospitals are required to extend the organizational task for breast-feeding. Knowledge about breastfeeding should be widely disseminated among the hospitals, primary health care centres, departments, industries and the public with the "Baby-Friendly" concept. Resident Representative of UNICEF Mr JB Mandis gave a speech. Minister Maj-Gen Ket Sein and Deputy Ministers Prof Dr Mya Oo and Prof Dr Kyaw Myint presented gifts to officials of the breastfeeding hospitals Kyaikhtaw Station Hospital in Kawhmu Township, Yangon Division, Tawlati Station Hospital in Taikkyi Township, Ngathayauk Station Hospital in NyaungU Township, Mandalay Division, Kawa Township Hospital and Thetkala Station Hospital in Bago Division, Peinzalok Station Hospital in Nyaunglebin Township, Penwegon Station Hospital in Kyauktaga Township, Nyaungchehtauk Station Hospital in Otwin Township, Thanatpin Township Hospital, Thabyegon Station Hospital in Myanaung Township, Ayeyawady Division, Kanywa Station Hospital and Thalukkhwa Station Hospital in Pathein Township, Mingon Station Hospital in Sagaing Township Sagaing Division, Kanbalu Township Hospital, Kyunhla Township Hospital, Banmauk Township Hospital, Dabayin Township Hospital, Pyaloh Station Hospital in Aunglan Township, Magway Division, Meisei Township Hospital in Kayah State, Bawlake Township Hospital, and Tiddim Township Hospital in Chin State. Resident representatives of UN agencies Mr JB Mandis and Dr Agostino Borra presented gifts to officials of the breastfeeding townships Ñ Haka Township in Chin State, Dala, Kawhmu, Htantabin, Dagon Myothit (South) and Dagon Myothit (North) townships in Yangon Division, Myinmu, Kanbalu, YeU, Mawlaik and Hkamti townships in Sagaing Division, Thabaung, Ngapudaw and Lemyethna townships in Ayeyawady Division, Chana-yethazan and Aungmyethazan townships in Mandalay Division, Kawa and Otwin townships in Bago Division, and Pakokku Township in Magway Division.

MRTV-3 observes first anniversary

Yangon, 1 Aug - Myanma Radio and Television under the Ministry of Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung celebrated the first anniversary of MRTV-3 at the MRTV on Pyay Road this afternoon.

Afterwards, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein presented prizes for production of national dance programmes, movie programmes, quiz programmes and sport programmes and other prizes to the prize-winning personnel. Then, the ceremony came to an end. According to the guidlines of the State, the MRTV-3 was established on 1 January 2001, and it also launched broadcasting on 1 August 2001. It is broadcasting its programmes from 9 am to 10 am local time daily for local audience, and from 2 am to 4 am, 1 pm to 2 pm and 6 pm to 7 pm five days a week Ñ Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Ñ for the audience in foreign countries.

Myanmar Tong Tah Trade Fair 2002 opens

Yangon, 1 Aug - Myanmar Tong Tah Trade Fair 2002, jointly organized by Tong Tah Co Ltd and Dragon Exhibition Ltd, was opened with the permission of the Ministry of Commerce at Yangon Trade Centre on Pazundaung Road in Mingala Taungnyunt Township this morning.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, departmental heads, officials of the two companies and guests. Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Tong Tah Co Ltd President Mr Peter Loh and Dragon Exhibition Ltd Managing Director U Aung Aung opened the trade fair.

The minister, the deputy ministers and the guests then looked round the booths at the trade fair. On display and sale at the trade fair, where a total of 80 booths opened by 35 companies, are various kinds of local and foreign textiles, a variety of cosmetics, household utensils, plastic wares, foodstuff, electric and electronic appliances, construction materials, paper, stationery, packaging materials, small machinery, installation materials, skin-care lotions, optical instruments, and Myanmar Vinegar produced by the Ministry of Industry-1 and distributed by Dream World Co Ltd.

The natural taste Myanmar Vinegar, the first of its kind produced in Myanmar, can be used in steaming and cooking food as well as in soft drink and beverage industries. Moreover, it can reduce the level of blood cholesterol and prevent heart disease and hypertension. The trade fair will be kept open daily from 9 am to 6 pm till 4 August and advertisements will be demonstrated.

( 6 ) Commander inspects tax-free markets in Yangon

Yangon, 1 Aug - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected tax-free markets in Yangon and gave instructions to officials this morning. At 8.30 am, the commander arrived at Konmyinttha tax-free market in Mayangon Township, where he was welcomed by Commander of No 1 Military Region Col Khin Maung Soe, Chairman of Yangon West District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and officials.

The commander then inspected the sales at Kon-myinttha and Nawaday tax-free markets in Mayangon Township and gave instructions. Next, the commander and party went to the tax-free market near the Ministry of Industry-2 on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road in Yankin Township, where he was welcomed by Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyi and officials.

The commander then inspected the sales at the market. He also inspected the tax-free market on Kyaikkasan Road in Tamway Township. He then cordially conversed with buyers and sellers and gave instructions to officials. Later, the commander and party proceeded to the tax-free market at the corner of Hanthawady and Kyundaw Roads in Kamayut Township, where he was welcomed by No 3 Military Region Commander Col Yan Naing Oo and officials. After looking into the sales there, he cordially met with sellers and buyers and attended to the requirements.

The commander gave instructions on arrangements to enable the public to easily buy fresh consumer goods at reasonable prices and strict supervision in keeping the markets' surroundings clean. Vegetable shops of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Yangon City Development Committee, battalions and units under Yangon Command, departments, Yangon Division Vegetable and Poultry Farming Special Zone and growers; meat, fish and egg shops of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, YCDC, Yangon Command, Union of Myan-mar Economic Holdings Ltd, companies and farmers; edible oil shops of UMEHL; and rice shops of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Myanmar Rice and Paddy Wholesalers Association are kept open daily in the tax-free markets to enable the people to buy fish, meat and vegetables easily.

Environmental conservation book in circulation

Yangon, 1 Aug - A ceremony to launch the book "Gaudi's Ocean and Other Stories" written by Japanese writer Tajima Shinji, which was translated and published in three volumes by member of Central Executive Committee of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), took place at Karaweik Palace on 28 July evening. On the occasion, MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) and Charge d' Affaires ai of Japanese embassy in Myanmar Mr Kiyoshi Koinuma spoke on the occasion.

Educational expert, writer Tajima Shinji who is serving his duty at the Ministry of Education under the arrangement of JICA and U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin) gave an account of the book. Present on the occasion were MWJA Chairman U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung), Vice-Chairman U Tin Kha (Tekkatho Tin Kha) and U Than Maung (Than Maung), Secretary U Hla Tun (Hla Tun-Twantay) and joint- secretaries, CEC members, guests from the Basic Education Department and distinguished writers. The book carries short stories based on human environmental conservation, safeguarding of one's national integrity and promoting humanitarian spirit.