INTERNAL LINKS DEAD... High hopes for the New Year: ABOUT 244 BC King Asoka of Pataliputta asked his Buddhist tutor, the venerable Maha Thera, whether he, the King, was worthy enough to be called a propagator of the Buddha?s teachings. The venerable Maha Thera replied; ?Your great efforts in building pagodas and digging wells and ponds are worthy of praise. But a person who does all these things can only be called a supporter of Buddha?s teachings. A person who presents his or her son or daughter into the order of Buddhist Bhikku Sangha, however, is worthy of being called a propagator of Buddha?s teachings.”... THINGYAN SPECIAL JACKET STORIES: To our readers… By Editor-in-Chief Ross Dunkley: IN A country of many festivals, Thingyan is Myanmar?s biggest and most enjoyable. The four days of water-throwing and celebrations are rich in symbolism and significance as well as fun, filled with youthful exuberance. It is a time when Myanmar have a chance to cleanse themselves of the past year?s mistakes and regrets and motivate themselves for success in the new year. Not just water throwing... This week, Thinking Aloud talks to Agostino Borra, resident representative of the World Health Organisation... • Deadly SARS prompts isolation action: THE government has stepped up measures aimed at isolating Myanmar from a deadly form of pneumonia that has caused scores of deaths throughout the world, most of them in East Asia... • ILO issues call for credible action plan: THE government and the International Labour Organisation are prepared to continue negotiations on a plan aimed at eliminating forced labour in Myanmar, the ILO said in a statement released at its Geneva headquarters late last month... • Cappuccino ‘strip? beckons in hill town of Pyin Oo Lwin: PYIN OO LWIN: ?Drink the best and forget the rest,” Gregory Love boasted as he gulped down a double espresso in this picturesque hill town, formerly known as Mamyo... A Japanese pirouette to strengthen bonds: THOUSANDS of people attended a special series of concerts and exhibitions held in Yangon and Mandalay last month as part of a program to strengthen relations between Japan and Asean member countries. Myanmar was chosen to host the activities in March under the Asean-Japan exchange year program. One of the most popular events in Myanmar was a performance by Japan?s Katayama Ballet School at the National Theatre in Yangon on March 30 which attracted about 1000 people. ? Thant Syn & Nyi Nyi Aung... Tax agreement signed with Indonesia: MYANMAR and Indonesia have signed an agreement on tax alleviation in trade and employment. The agreement ? on avoiding double taxation and preventing fiscal evasion ? was signed during a three-day visit to Yangon last week by the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr Hassan Wirajuda...] • Govt praises Pinheiro for ‘constructive? role: THE government has urged the United Nations special human rights rapporteur on Myanmar, Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to continue in his role, describing his work as ?constructive and positive”... • Banks are improving, S1 tells business heads: THE situation involving Myanmar?s private banks is improving, Secretary 1 of the State Peace and Development Council, General Khin Nyunt, told a meeting of one of the country?s leading business associations late last month... • Tokyo gives $1.2m for Wa region initiative • Asean secretary-general pledges to help Myanmar • Dept issues early weather warning •Official wants improved post-abortion care • Metro bus fares double • School founder and philanthropist dies aged 98 • ICT awards winners to get chance of Australian trip • New generation ‘super chickens? become fast food: FARMERS are realising that growing ‘broilers?, 45-day-old chickens which have had their growth artificially accelerated, is a risky business, but one that has potential to make good profits... • Chinese demand leads to central eel marketplace: A LARGE wholesale eel market will open in Yangon in response to increasing demand from China, said the president of the newly formed Eel Trader Association... • Despite television?s pull, sidewalk bookshops boom: STREETSIDE book stalls selling inexpensive used Myanmar and English books are becoming popular in Yangon, especially in