DOMESTIC NEWS: Make sustained efforts for perpetuity of motherland [Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe (From message sent on the occasion of the 62nd Anniversary Independence Day)]...Southern Command Commander in December Mass Walk...MYANMAR GAZETTE...One wounded in Kyaukkyi mine blast...KMD to mount New Year programme...Mingala Taungnyunt Tsp gets more five upgraded roads...Dy Construction Minister inspects upgrading of Gangaw-Kalay Road...SSA shooting spree kills two innocent civilians...Progress of 24-special development regions in the time of the State Peace and Development Council: Entire Myanmar have developed in all corners with progress of 24-special development regions project..Projects completed, under way and follow-up projects of 24-special development regions...Mahlaing Township boosts paddy per acre yield...Namtu TV retransmitting station launched..... FOREIGN RELATIONS: Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials of Ambassador of People?s Republic of China...Mines Minister receives Chinese Ambassador...Myanmar Ambassador presents Credentials to Queen of the Netherlands...UMFCCI officials meet ROK guests..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Yangon-Mandalay Union Expressway"..... ARTICLE: HAILING THE 63RD ANNIVERSARY INDEPENDENCE DAY: "Ensure perpetuation of inherited Union" Ko Myanmar ["...From the geographical point of view, Myanmar lies between two neighbouring countries, whose populations and areas are extremely huge. Myanmar had been able to stand between such mega giants and maintain friendly relations with the two neighbours and safeguard its sovereignty for thousands of years. That implies the diplomatic skills of our forefathers. Whenever necessary, our ancestors protected our land with lion heart and a sense of being hypersensitive to any forms of threats to the territory of the motherland. That is the reason why the Union of Myanmar has still existed up to now..."; "Ward off colonialist tricks with patriotism"] .....CARTOON: "Golden era not far-off" ["We need to cherish and safeguard our independence as well as to build a new democratic state aspired by the entire people. Yes, we are not far-off to reach the new democratic state. You see, the Constitution has already been approved by a great majority and the elections, successfully held."].....POEM: "POEM: If you cherish independence" [ "Never let independence be lost Nationalistic fervour we foster Courageous and blood red-hot Fighting back colonialists and fascists..."]