DOMESTIC NEWS: "Continue safeguarding the motherland" - The entire people have to bear in mind the historical background of independence struggles forever and will have to continue to safeguard the motherland for ensuring perpetuity of the nation and sovereignty. {Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From message sent on the occasion of 61st Anniversary Independence Day)}...Progress of infrastructures across the nation in the time of the State Peace and Development Council - Education and Health Sector...Outstanding students in Kachin State honoured...Mayor attends opening of road and tube well in Kyauktada Tsp...Sports meets hail 63rd Anniversary Independence Day...Yangon Media Group marks 6th birthday...Special features to hail the 63rd Anniversary Independence Day: Progress of education sector across the nation after 1988; Progress of university of medicine and training schools from 1988 to date; Progress of health sector across the nation after 1988...Construction Minister inspects Pathein- Monywa Road...Equestrian Contest hails 63rd Anniversary Independence Day...Physics graduates of YASU pay respects to faculty members...Slight earthquake hits Yunnan Province...Radio, books donated to village libraries in Dalla Tsp...Independence Day State Flag Hoisting and Saluting Ceremony live on MRTV..... FOREIGN RELATIONS: UMFCCI officials meet Egyptian delegation..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Say no to tobacco"..... ARTICLES: For flower of independence to be in full bloom forever HAILING THE 63RD ANNIVERSARY INDEPENDENCE DAY: "Ward off colonialist tricks with patriotism" Kyaw Ye Min.....CARTOON: "What is independence?".....POEM: "A roaring victory"