YANGON, 31 Aug - On the occasion of the 46th Anniversary of the National Day of Malaysia, which falls on 31 August 2003, 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 Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, Yang di Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

We believe we must give shape for emergence of democratic State that corresponds with our country and our people

Some big nations are siding with interests of the individual which they desire and believe in one-sided false news, are unjustly pressuring our country, causing all kinds of difficulties to 52 million Myanmar people

YANGON, 30 Aug - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt met with officials of the ministries and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at Pyithu Hluttaw building at 9.30 am today and clarified future policies and programmes of the State.

Also present were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, commanders, ministers, deputy ministers, the chief justice, the deputy chief justice, Supreme Court justices, the attorney-general, the deputy attorney-generals, the auditor-general, the deputy auditor-general, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board and members, the Yangon mayor and the vice-mayor, the Mandalay mayor and the secretary of Mandalay City Development Committee, members of the National Convention Convening Commission and the working committee for the NCCC, members of the State and Division Peace and Development Councils and the public relations and information work committee, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, chairmen and secretaries of academies of various fields in Myanmar, and chairmen, secretaries and officials of NGOs.

Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein acted as master of ceremonies.

The Prime Minister clarified the future policies and programmes of the State.

Prime Minister sends message of felicitations to Malaysia

YANGON, 31 Aug - On the occasion of the 46th Anniversary of the National Day of Malaysia, which falls on 31 August 2003, General Khin Nyunt, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Transport Minister inspects undertakings of Theinbyu, Arntgyi dockyards

YANGON, 30 Aug - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe together with Deputy Minister Col Nyan Tun Aung arrived at Theinbyu dockyard of Myanma Port Authority yesterday morning. At the meeting hall of the dockyard, they heard detailed reports by Assistant General Manager of Engineering Department U Myint Thaung on establishment of dockyard, construction of ships ordered, repair of old ones, production of oxygen and acetylene gases, work plans and undertakings in 2003-2004 and arrangements to be made for upgrading of dockyards.

Similarly, Managing Director of Myanma Port Authority U Thein Htay gave supplementary reports on accomplishment of greening tasks of port, consumption of electricity and fuel on the occasion. The minister fulfilled the requirements.

Next, the minister and party proceeded to construction site of Fibre Glass ship in the dockyard and inspected construction of mould in the shape of ship and officials conducted them round the site.

After that, the minister and party left for Pansodan Nanthidar jetty by watercraft and berthed at Arntgyi dockyard. At the briefing hall of the dockyard, they heard reports by the Assistant General Manager and officials concerned on background history of the dockyard, progress of work, strength of staff, condition of dockyards, arrangement to be made for constructing watertight dockyard, construction and repair of ships, consumption of electricity. The managing director gave supplementary reports and the minister attended to the needs.

Later, the minister inspected progress of work in the dockyard, the chosen site for constructing the watertight dockyard and conditions of existing dockyards.

Afterwards, the minister and party leaving Arntgyi dockyard by watercraft, they viewed Pansodan/ Dalla jetty (Dalla side) and measures taken for keeping Yangon port beautiful and pleasant.

Tasks to beautify Yangon City inspected

YANGON, 30 Aug - Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and also Commander of Yangon Command, and Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee, encouraged the sanitation work being carried out collectively in districts and townships by members of the Tatmadaw and the Myanmar Police Force, service personnel of YCDC, NGOs, social organizations, and the public in a bid to make Yangon City cleaner and pleasanter.

At 6.30 am, the commander and the mayor arrived at the Workers Hospital on Kyaikkasan Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon East District, and were welcomed by Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Commander of No 2 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, Secretary of YCDC Col Myint Aung, local authorities, and officials. The commander, the mayor and party inspected activities for proper drainage carried out in front of the hospital and heard reports on the condition of the drains.

They also inspected the sanitation work for the proper flow of water in Nat creek in Kyaikkasan Road. Officials reported on the inflow of water into Ngamoeyeik creek from Nat creek. After hearing the reports, the commander and the mayor gave instructions on tasks to be carried out for ensuring the proper flow of water in drains and creeks.

They also looked into the work being carried out in the main ditch between Ward 8 and Ward 9 on Waizayanta Road in South Okkalapa Township.

Next, the commander and the mayor gave instructions to officials on systematic measures to be taken in cooperation with local authoritative bodies, departments concerned, NGOs, social organizations and the public to keep Yangon City clean and tidy.

Later, the mayor and the vice-mayor also encouraged those carrying out sanitation work in Kamayut Township, Ahlon Township. Afterwards, the mayor spoke of the need to modernize Yangon City.

YANGON, 30 Aug - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe viewed the harvesting and threshing of paddy under the project of double cropping of paddy in the rainy season in Hlegu and Mingaladon townships, Yangon North District, this afternoon.

The commander went to the 13-acre monsoon paddy field being undertaken by Myanma Agriculture Service (Head Office) and Sein Enterprise Co Ltd at Shwe Natha model village in Yangon North District, where they were welcomed by No 1 Military Region Commander Col Tun Kyi, Division Secretary Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, departmental officials, local authorities and farmers. The commander viewed the paddy fields. Officials reported on agricultural methods and salient points of paddy strains. The commander gave instructions on extended cultivation of high-yield paddy strains and ensuring triple cropping of paddy a year.

The company donated 50 baskets of paddy strain to Yangon Division through the commander.

The commander and party inspected the agricultural camp in Kyaukgadin village, Hlegu Township. They viewed the demonstration on use of natural and chemical fertilizes on the 100-acre plot and left instructions.

They viewed the harvesting of Hmawby Hsan strain paddy and cultivation of Yaysin-2 strain paddy in the village. The commander left instructions on arrangements to be made for ensuring triple cropping of paddy a year and minimizing loss and wastage. In Yangon Division, the project for double cropping of paddy in the rainy season covers 3,000 acres. Officials reported on preparations for boosting per acre yield. The commander gave necessary instructions.

Thaphanseik river water pumping project inspected

YANGON, 30 Aug - Myanma Agriculture Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation gave a demonstration on high yield agricultural methods with the combination of natural fertilizer at the agricultural education center in Theingon Village in Minbu Township on 25 August.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min, members of the division agricultural coordination committee, General Manager of Myanma Agriculture Service (Head office) Dr Nyi Nyi and officials, the chairman of the Minbu District, township managers of the MAS of 25 townships in Magway Division, agricultural staff and local farmers.

Chairman Col Zaw Min made a speech on the occasion. General Manager Dr Nyi Nyi and Dr Cho Cho Tun of MAS (Head office) gave talks on agricultural methods, followed by general round of discussions.

Afterwards, those present viewed the booths on agricultural methods and production of natural fertilizer. On 26 August morning, Chairman Col Zaw Min arrived at Thaphanseik river water pumping project site in Thaphanseik region in Magway Township. Officials reported on completion of construction works, installation of water pumps and arrangements for supplying water to 500 acres of monsoon paddy field.

The chairman gave necessary instructions and inspected round the project site.

Lucky draw winners enjoy free joy flights

YANGON, 30 Aug - Under the lucky draw programme of Myanmar Airway International to mark the 10th anniversary of its founding, the MAI served the 40-minute free joy flights to 200 lucky draw winners and 100 students of an orphanage at Yangon International Airport this afternoon. The MAI presented souvenirs to them.

Entrepreneurship course concludes

YANGON, 30 Aug - A conclusion ceremony of the entrepreneurship course N0-1, organized by Myanmar Education Research Bureau of the Ministry of Education was held at the office of MERB on Pyay Road this evening.

MERB Chairman U Myint Han made a speech on the occasion, and retired Chairman Dr Khin Maung Kwe presented completion certificates to the trainees. The entrepreneurship course N0-2 will be opened on 12 September.

Myanmar delegation leaves for Japan

YANGON, 30 Aug - The Myanmar delegation led by Deputy Chief Justice U Khin Maung Latt left here for Japan this morning. They will attend the 10th meeting of chief judges of Asia and Pacific region and the 18th meeting of lawyers of Asian nations to be held in Tokyo from 31 August to 5 September. The delegation was seen off at the airport by Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Deputy Chief Justice U Thein Soe, officials of Japanese Embassy to Myanmar and Director-General U Soe Nyunt.

Deputy Chief Justice U Khin Maung Latt is accompanied by Director of Supreme Court (Mandalay) U Bo Kyi.

Minister U Win Aung sends message to Malaysia

YANGON, 31 Aug - On the occasion of the 46th Anniversary of the National day of Malaysia, which falls on 31 August 2003, U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Dato' Seri Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia.

Indian delegation concludes visit

YANGON, 30 Aug - The Indian delegation led by Minister of Communication and Information Technology Mr Arun Shourie left here by air for home this morning.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by departmental heads of the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, officials and the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar.

Performing Arts Competitions of Yangon East District opened

YANGON, 30 Aug - The 11th Myanma Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions of Yangon East District began at the hall of Thingangyun Township Peace and Development Council Office, Yangon East District, at 7.30 am today.

The opening ceremony was attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, No 2 Military Region Commander Brig-Gen Myo Myint, military region commanders, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and members, Chairman of Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Aung Pyae and members, chairmen of Township Peace and Development Councils in the district, judges, artistes, participant artistes, guests and enthusiasts. Lt-Col Aung Pyae formally opened the competitions by cutting a ribbon and made a speech. Next followed the entertainment programmes. Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe presented cash awards and a basket of flowers to those who entertained. A total of 154 contestants - 121 in amateur level and 154 in professional level - are participating in the competitions that continues tomorrow.

YANGON, 30 Aug - The opening of the 28th Inter-State/Division chess tournaments (2003) was held at Aung San Gymnasium here yesterday.

The defending champions Mandalay Division team (U-20 division), Ayeyawady Division team (Myanmar traditional chess division), Yangon Division team(open division) and Yangon Division team (championship shield) presented the championship shields to Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint. The minister formally opened the tournaments. A total of s24 teams from 11 States and Divisions are taking part in the tournaments which continues up to 6 September.

There, the minister viewed the qualifying of temporarily selected Myanmar weight lifters for XXII SEA Games. The minister attended to the needs and left necessary instructions.

Sports Minister's Bowl soccer tournament goes on

YANGON, 30 Aug - The year 2003-2004 football season Minister for Sports' Bowl football tournament continued at the Aung San Stadium at 3.30 pm today. In group-A, Ruby Dragon Team played against Tatmadaw (Army)-A. The former beat the latter 2-1. Kyaw Swa Win of the Ruby Dragon Team won the man of the match award.

Commander attends prize presentation of volleyball tourney

YANGON, 30 Aug - The final match and prize presentation ceremony of Northern Command Commander's shield volleyball tourney was held at the people's sports ground in Myitkyina on 28 August.

Among the spectators were Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Commander of Myitkyina Air Base Brig-Gen Bo Kyi, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen San Tun, military officers, local authorities, departmental officials, senior officers and other ranks of the regiments and units and their families.

At the prize presentation ceremony, the wife of the commander and officials presented prizes to the first and second prize winning teams.

The commander presented the championship shields and prizes to the first prize winning women's volleyball team and men's volleyball team.