DOMESTIC NEWS: On behalf of Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San host reception and dinner to mark 61st Anniversary Independence Day...Yangonites salute State Flag on 61st Anniversary Independence Day...Mingaladon No. 2 BEHS? old students pay respects to teachers...Foreign Heads of State/Governments send felicitations to Myanmar Prime Minister: "The following are messages of felicitations from the foreign heads of State/Governments sent to General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, on the occasion of the 61st Anniversary Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar..."...Foreign Heads of State send felicitations to Senior General Than Shwe...Strong earthquake recorded...Slight earthquake outside Myanmar...MFPTMA CEC member leaves for Indonesia...Nay Pyi Taw inter-ministry sport activities held in commemoration of Independence Day...New tarred road opened in Pakokku Township...National races in border areas provided with technical training...MMA to meet with sale agents...FSD sports events mark Independence Day...MOFA holds friendly golf tournament...Independence Day commemorative festivities held...School Family Day observed at Thuwunna BEHS...Independence Day State Flag Hoisting and Saluting ceremony take place in Nay Pyi Taw..... "PERSPECTIVES": "Safeguard the nation, keep watchful eye on dangers of neo-colonialists".....HONOURING THE 61ST ANNIVERSARY INDEPENDENCE DAY: ARTICLES: "Independence Day deserves respect of entire people" by Padaung Than Kywe ["The goal of building a modern developed nation can be achieved only through national unity, patriotism, self sacrifices, thrift, hard work, discipline and respect to law, not through disunity, anarchic riots and disputes."]..."ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR IN 2008"...POEM: "Our territory our soul" ["...Where happiness and unity prevailed Throughout history Living in all states, divisions With unity national races Like close relatives Renowned in world as Ever harmonious Myanmar Nowadays prevailing Peace, stability in whole country For perpetuity of golden land Let?s ward off All destructive enemies"