DOMESTIC NEWS: 1. Senior General Than Shwe sends message of felicitations to Syrian Arab Republic; 2. "With proper natural resources and population ratio, Rakhine State is blessed with promising opportunities for development" - Senior General Than Shwe meets military officers, other ranks, their families of Sittway Station; 3. Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspects agri projects in Yaksawk... "PERSPECTIVES": "New Year with stronger resolutions" (page 2)...FEATURE: "Thingyan, transition from the old to new year" (Page 7)...POEM: "New Year Resolution" (page 2) 4. Yangon Mayor?s Maha Thingyan pandal closes; 5. Festivities pick up tempo on last day of Maha Thingyan Festival; 6. Foreign Affairs Minister sends felicitations to Syrian counterpart; 7. Maj-Gen Tha Aye inspects development tasks in Mindat, Matupi; 8. Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing participates in Maha Thingyan Festival; 9. Information Minister inspects maintenance of presses at dailies; 10. 1366 Rakhine Traditional Thingyan Festival held; 11. Thingyan revellers throng Mandalay on Akyat Day;