( 1 ) Secretary-1 receives Ambassador of Arab Republic of Egypt

Yangon, 27 Aug - On behalf of the Chairman of the State Peace and development Council, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt received Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Myanmar Dr Farouk Mabrouk who had completed his tour of duty at Zeyathiri Beikman in Konmyinttha here at 10 am today.

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( 2 ) Youths being nurtured to know alien conspiracies and to safeguard Union, national solidarity, sovereignty
Union and sovereignty will perpetuate only if there is national unity
Secretary-1 meets students who completed engineering course at Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College (Yangon)

Yangon, 27 Aug - Chairman of the Work Committee for Progress of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt met with students who completed the engineering course in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 academic years at Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College (Yangon) of the Education and Training Department of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said as is known to all, the government has been striving for development of the border regions which lagged behind in progress for the past 40 years due to internal insurgency, practicing "Our Three Main National Causes --- non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of the national solidarity; and perpetuation of the national sovereignty ---  as the principal policy of the nation. In implementing the border area development tasks since 1989, it formed the Central Committee for Progress of Border Areas and National Races, the Work Committee, the subcommittees and the regional bodies.

The government also formed the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs in 1992 for rapid progress of the border areas. It can be witnessed that the border areas are developing in leaps and bounds due to prevalence of peace and stability and further strengthening of national unity. During the past 12 years and up to now, the government has laid down short-term and long-term projects for proportionate development of the border areas covering transport, agriculture, health, education, social, economic and other sectors on a wider-scale.

The Ministry for PBANRDA has opened 17 border areas and national races development schools where basic education primary, middle and high school lessons are being taught to bring out human resources which have the ability to perpetually develop and safeguard the border areas. The schools are also giving priority to teaching the subjects concerning Union Spirit and culture. The Education and Training Department has opened one Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College each in Yangon and Mandalay. The students who pass the matriculation examination from the border areas and national races development schools can attend the degree colleges, which were opened with the following six objectives:

- to enable the national race youths to possess love and unity among themselves and strengthen their Union Spirit while pursuing education;
- to enable the youths of the Union to have belief in "Our Three Main National Causes" and to protect it;
- to enable them to understand and preserve the traditions and cultures of the national races;
- to vitalize their spirit to work for further improvement of the living standard of the border areas;
- to nurture the youths to have the ardent will to take part in building a peaceful, modern and developed nation;
- to enable them to complete the higher education courses and to serve the regional interests in the respective sectors.

The degree colleges opened since 2000-2001 academic year are conducting three-year arts and science courses and two-year engineering courses. After completion of their degree courses and diploma courses, they will have to go back to their native regions to discharge duties there. The degree college in Yangon has produced the first batch of 20 engineers who have completed the two-year diploma course. The respective ministries will appointed them at their departments to work for development of the border areas. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe has given guidance, saying that "intellectuals and technicians who will serve the national interests are required for emergence of a modern and developed nation. We can strive to build the nation and develop it only with the intellectuals and technicians." Now the Ministry for PBANRDA has realized the guidance. In other words, it is striving to implement the project which is producing highly-skilled human resources needed for the nation and the regions.

As various national races are living together in the Union, the Union itself and the sovereignty will perpetuate only if there is national unity. The Union of Myanmar had experienced the divide-and-rule policy for over 100 years under the colonialist rule. After the nation regained independence, it faced attempts to cause national dissension for many times. Till now some foreign nations are using various methods to cause disagreement between the nation races. The youths have been nurtured to become persons who know the alien conspiracies to break up the national unity and who will safeguard the Union, the national solidarity and the sovereignty at the risk of their lives.

The degree college produced eight students who are entitled to enroll at the B Tech course. It is an achievement to realize the Myanmar education goal Ñ to create a constant learning society.

He said it was heartening to The Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree Colleges would produce not only engineering diploma holders and arts and science graduated youths at the end of academic year. Those who qualified for MA and MSc courses are allowed to join the respective universities. This contributes toward constant learning education in the national education promotion special project. According to the national education promotion programmes being implemented in Myanmar, 304 e-Education Learning Centers using Data Broadcasting System were established. Information and communication technology can be taught at multimedia classrooms and e-Education Learning Centre of the Nationalities Youth Resources Development Degree Colleges.

The government with the aim of equal development of the national people and narrowing the gap of living standard established 24 special zones in 14 states and divisions. Universities, technological colleges and computer colleges were opened in these regions for highly-qualified human resource development.

A total of K 25,805.11 million K 14,537.46 million from border area development fund of the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs and K 11,267.65 million from the fund of other ministries concerned were spent in border area development from 1989 to July 2002. The government spent a large sums of money in the development of border area and national races for equal development in the whole country in building a peaceful, modern developed nation.

The Secretary-1 spoke of the need for the youths from various border areas who completed the engineering course to implement the six objectives of the course based on knowledge gained at the course in combination with practical life to be encountered in the regions.

He also urged them to nurture regional national youths to possess modern technology, outlooks and knowledge consolidating the Union Spirit.

He said the government assigned duties to the engineer officers and they are to make for uplift of social life of national brethren in border areas in all means while discharging chief duties on regional development.

He said the youths were trained at the degree college and were sent to border areas to discharge duties for implementation of Our Three Main National Causes --- non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty. He spoke of the need to make efforts for propagation of the spirit of national solidarity and the Union Spirit in the region. He said now some foreign nations are driving a wedge among the national brethren in various means and they are attempting to break up the Union that has existed for thousands of years.

After the national brethren had realized the fact that they are driving a wedge among them, national engineers are to organize and lead the national people for safeguarding Our Three Main National Causes, he said. In conclusion, he said with the development of border areas and living standard of local people would improve and the uplift of social standard would lead to national solidarity and further consolidating of the Union.

He urged the graduate youths to actively participate in border area development tasks after realizing the gratitude of the State.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented best student award and a certificate of honour to Maung Khin Maung Oo, a Rakhine national student majoring in civil engineering with the student registration number 0039; and outstanding engineering award and a certificate of honour to Maung Lein Nai (a) Maung Lin Naing, a Chin national student of civil engineering with the student registration number 0036. Later, the first session of the ceremony ended.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and party posed for a photo together with the graduating students. The Secretary-1 also cordially met with the faculty of the college, students, graduating students and their parents.

At 10 am, a ceremony to present AGTI Engineering Diploma and to assign duties ensued. At the ceremony, Principal of the college U Sein Htay conferred AGTI Engineering diplomas on 20 national students. After Col Than Win, Director-General of the Education and Training Department, presented assignment of duty to graduating students, the ceremony came to an end.

( 3 ) Health Minister receives guests

Yangon, 27 Aug - Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received the delegation led by Mrs Shirin Nirzi (a) Daw Kyi Kyi Win of Pakistan-Myanmar Friendship Association at his office on Pyidaungsu Yeiktha Street at 10 am today. Similarly, the minister received Leprosy Control Project in-charge of WHO Dr Vijay Kumar Pannikar and Resident Representative of WHO Dr Agostino Borra at the same venue at 11 am today.

Bangladeshi Transport Minister concludes visit

Yangon, 27 Aug - Bangladeshi Transport Minister Mr Barrister Nazmul Huda left here for home by air at 10 am today. The minister was seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Bangladeshi ambassador to Myanmar Mr Ahmed Rahim and officials of the ministry.

Yangon Mayor receives Chinese Vice-Mayor of Kuming

Yangon, 27 Aug - Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay received the visiting delegation led by Vice-Mayor of Kuming Municipal People's Government of People's Republic of China at the city hall of YCDC at 10 am today.

( 4 )  Mass activities for eradication of dengue hemorrhagic fever launched

Yangon, 27 Aug - Members of the National Health Committee Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein and Yangon Mayor U Ko Lay and party inspected mass activities for eradication of dengue hemorrhagic fever launched in Ward 20, Dagon Myothit (South) Township in Yangon East District today.

The minister, the mayor, Deputy Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint and officials arrived at the office of the Staff Officer of Dagon Myothit (South) Township Development Affairs Department. At the hall of the office, Head of Health Department Dr Yee Yee Thein of Yangon City Development Committee and Township Health Officer Dr U Myint Kyi Aye reported on preventive measures for dengue hemorrhagic fever, healthcare tasks and future plans to the minister and the mayor who attended to the needs.

Then, the minister, the mayor and party inspected mass activities on Yaynantha-1 Street in Ward 20 by staff of the township health department and the health department of YCDC, the chairman and members of Ward Peace and Development Council, members of USDA, Women's Affairs Committe MCWA, Red Cross Society and Auxiliary Fire Brigade and people in the ward.

Leading Committee for Organizing Myanmar Women's Efforts Exhibition meets

Yangon, 27 Aug - A coordination meeting of the Leading Committee for Organizing Myanmar Women's Efforts Exhibition to be conducted by Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs was held at the office of the minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement on Opponseik Street, Mayangon Township, this afternoon.

Chairman of th Leading Committee Minister Maj-Gen Sein Htwa made a speech on the occasion. Then, the vice-chairperson-2 reported on matters related to organizing the exhibition and Member of the Working Committee Director of the Exhibition Director of the National Museum of the Department of Cultural Institute Daw Nu Mra Zan, on progress of work for opening booths. Next, representatives of the Fund-Raising Committee, the Opening Ceremony Organizing Group, the Invitation and Reception Group, the Booth Opening Group, the Security Group, the Entertainment Group, the Souvenirs Displaying Group, the Information Group, the Computer Quiz Competition Organizing Group, the Photo Competition Organizing Group, and the Management Group reported on work progress, followed by a general round of discussions.

After that, the resolutions were approved. The meeting came to a close with concluding remarks by the minister.

Construction Minister looks into roads, bridges in Bago Division

Yangon, 27 Aug - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by officials inspected Bago-Naunglaybin road section and Nyaunglaybin-Madauk road section this morning. He heard reports on maintenance of Nyaunglay-bin-Madauk-Shwekyin road section during the rainy season and future tasks to be undertaken in the open season reported by Bago Division Superintending Engineer U Kyaw Lwin.

The minister gave instructions on matters relating to construction tasks to the officials concerned. Then, the minister and party proceeded to the Shwekyin-Madauk bridge construction project and inspected completion of bridge and future tasks to be implemented. At the briefing hall, the minister heard reports on completion of all approach bridges, 12 out of 36 reinforced concrete beams of the main bridge, approach road on both Madauk and Shwekyin banks and future tasks to be completed by Senior Engineer U Win Aung. Next, the minister gave instructions on construction tasks for the bridge.

( 5 ) Minister inspects factories in Kyaukse Industrial Zone

Yangon, 26 Aug - Member of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung inspected construction of welfare shop of Mandalay Division War Veterans Organization in Singaing Township yesterday.

The minister went to vest factory project (Kyaukse) site in Kyaukse Industrial Zone. He inspected production of sports shirts and vests and installation of machines and gave instructions. Next, the minister presented fruit basket to Chinese experts. The minister inspected sewing machine factory in Kyaukse. The minister then inspected the plot chosen for construction of asbestos brick factory that can produce 2,500 tons annually. The minister inspected plastic factory (Kyaukse) and presented fruit basket to Chinese experts who rendered assistance for construction of the factory.

The minister went to the site of cement factory and inspected progress of work, construction of kiln and computer control room. He gave instructions on opening of the factory in November. The minister inspected No 3 paper mill in Singaing Township and accessories workshop.

Minister for Culture inspects tasks in MraukU Cultural Heritage Region

Yangon, 27 Aug - Minister for Culture U Tin Win inspected maintenance of Laungkyettaung Stone Inscriptions on Laungkyettaung Hillock. The minister then paid obeisance to Shwekyatpha Pagoda on Laungkyettaung Hillock and Wish-granting Khaunglaungswe Pagoda and gave necessary instructions to officials.

On 25 August morning, the minister arrived at Htokhtanthein Stupa built in 1571 by Rakhine King Phalaung in MraukU and inspected the maintenance work there. Deputy Director U Phone Kyaw reported on arrangements being made for the maintenance work. Then, the minister and party inspected Laymyetna Stupa, Yanaung Zeya Stupa (a) Shitthaung Stupa and Andawthein Stupa. The minister held a coordination with officials on maintenance of Andawthein Stupa. Next, the minister inspected decoration work on the platform of Linbanpyauk Pagoda and left instructions to officials.

In the evening, the minister inspected renovation of stone wall of MraukU Era in MraukU Cultural Region and Archaeological Museum in MraukU and gave necessary instructions.

Sports equipment donated to football teams undergoing training in Sagaing Division

Yangon, 27 Aug - Under the development programme of youth football, a ceremony to donate sports equipment to the football teams which are undergoing training in Sagaing Division was held at the office of Sagaing Division Union Solidarity and Development Association this morning.

 First, Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint was introduced to the members of football teams. In his speech, the minister said the youth football development project is being drawn up for turning out of new generation footballers to enable them to enhance the football standard. The three football teams U-13, U-17 and U-21are being formed, track suits and footballs will be presented to them and good salaries will be also offered to the coaches, he said. He then presented track suits and sports equipment to the deputy commander.

In the afternoon, Sagaing Division Sports and Physical Education Committee Commander of North-West Command Brig-Gen Soe Naing and the minister watched the final of the third State/Division novice soccer tournament of USDA CEC member Sports Minister's bowl. The commander accepted cash donations for Sagaing Division SPEC made by Sagaing, Monywa, Shwebo and Katha districts and donated K 1.5 million to Sagaing Division USDA. Then the minister presented K 100,000 each to five basic education schools, which participated in the opening ceremony.

Later, the commander, minister, deputy commander and officials presented prizes to winning teams and individuals.

USDA CEC member addresses Management Multiplier Course

Yangon, 27 Aug - The opening ceremony of the Management Multiplier Course No 17 organized by Bahan Township Union Solidarity and Development Association was held at the hall of the Township USDA office this morning, with an address by USDA CEC member Col Tin Hlaing.

Then, donations were made for the course. Yangon Division USDA presented K 100,000; U Tin Oo-Daw Hmwe (D-Shadow Cosmetics K 50,000; Traditional Medicine Practitioner U Bo Gyi-Daw Than Than (Pyilonchantha medical house), K 30,000 U Aung Aung (Moekaungkin restaurant), K 30,000 and township USDA 1,000 ball-point pens to the CEC member who accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Altogether 65 trainees are attending the two-week course.

( 6 ) Coord meeting on promotion of tourism between Myanmar and China held

Yangon, 27 Aug - A coordination meeting to promote tourism industry between Myanmar and the People's Republic of China and mutual cooperation successfully concluded at Summer Palace Hall of the Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this evening.

Present on the occasion were Vice-Mayor Mr Lei Xiao Ming of Kunming Municipal People's Government, China, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and officials, the chairman of Union of Myanmar Travel Association and members, Vice Director-General of Kunming Municipal Tourism Bureau Mr Mao Cheng Yi and others. Mr Lei Xiao Ming spoke on the occasion and thanked the Minister for Hotels and Tourism and the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar for their arrangements for the meeting of Chinese tour operators with Myanmar tourism entrepreneurs.

Joining hands in undertaking the tourism industry will result in the development of mutual cooperation, further strengthening of friendship between the two countries, he said. He then extended invitations to Myanmar tourism entrepreneurs to visit Kunming. Director-General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism U Khin Maung Latt also spoke on the occasion. He said the Myanmar Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism and the Chinese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs signed an agreement on tourism cooperation between the two countries on 16 July 2000.

This coordination meeting is the first step towards the success of tourism development for both countries, and Myanmar officials and tourism entrepreneurs will pay a visit to Kunming, he said. Myanmar tourism entrepreneurs are making efforts to achieve success, and departmental officials concerned will render assistance to them when required.

Chinese tourism delegation visits Kanbawzathadi Palace

Yangon, 27 Aug - The visiting Chinese tourism delegation led by Vice-Mayor Mr Lei Xiaoming of Kunming Municipal People's Government of the People's Republic of China, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, visited Kanbawza-thadi Palace and paid obeisance to pagodas in Bago yesterday afternoon.

The Chinese delegation arrived at the palace site of King Bayintnaung excavated and reconstructed by the Archaeology Department of the Ministry of Culture where officials from the department briefed them on construction tasks at the briefing hall. After looking around the archaeology museum and Bamayathana throne chamber, the delegation visited Shwe-mawdaw Pagoda, Shwetha-hlaung Image and Kyaikpon Pagoda in Bago and arrived back here in the evening.

Demonstration of admixtures given

Yangon, 27 Aug - Suntac Technologies gave the demonstration of admixtures which are used in producing reinforced concrete manufactured by Master Builder's Technologies, Switzerland, at International Business Centre on Pyay Road this morning. First, Chairman of Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Association U Khin Shwe made an opening speech and General Manager of Suntac Technologies made an introductory speech.

Then, Mr Kimmarfleet of Degussa explained chemical construction materials of Degussa and Mr Desking of Master Builder's technologies on concrete admixtures. Use of admixtures imported by Suntac Technologies can reduce the construction cost.