THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

[Ok Kar <OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx>]

                                              THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

                                                           Friday, 29 Jan 1999
contents
(1) Seminar on Managing Grain Quality 
(2) Honours accorded to athletes who won medals in Far East and South Pacific
Games for Disabled 
(3) Concerted efforts between entrepreneurs, departments required for success
of large-scale farms  
(4) Gifts for DSOGPH (Bed-300)
(5) Shwedagon Pagoda re-gilding begins
(6) Over 1.3 million acres of summer paddy cultivated in Ayeyawady Division
(7) Kidney transplant performed for fifth time
(8) 258 members resign from Kangyidaunt Township NLD
(9) 28 members of armed groups exchange arms for peace
(10)200 members resign from Maubin Township NLD
(11)London Myanmar open golf toumament begins
(12)116 fires in December
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(1) Seminar on Managing Grain Quality

 YANGON, 28 Jan-Seminar on Managing Grain Quality organized by Resintech-GSI
Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd and Myanmar Grain Systems Ltd with the co-sponsorship of
Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of
Cooperatives was held at the Equatorial Hotel today.

    It was attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo, member of the State Peace and
Development Council Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Than, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation
Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Commerce Maj-Gen Kyaw Than, Minister at the
State Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Maung Maung,
Minister for Cooperatives U Aung San, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, departmental heads, Chairman Mr Teh Kim Poo of
Resintech-GSI Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Managing Director of Myanmar Grain Systems
Ltd Mr K C Loh and Executive Director Dr Sone Han, and specially invited
guests.
_________________________________

(2) Honours accorded to athletes who won medals in Far East and South Pacific
Games for Disabled

YANGON, 28 Jan-A ceremony to honour athletes who won medals at VII Far East
and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Bangkok was held at Thuwunna
National Indoor Stadium-1 in Thingangyun Township this evening.

    Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Secretary-1 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt addressed the ceremony and
presented awards to the victorious athletes.

    Also present at the ceremony were Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win,
Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Adjutant
General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, senior military officers of the Ministry of
Defence, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,
department heads, patrons of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation, presidents and
secretaries of Myanmar sports federations, officials, guests and well-wishers.

    The VII Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled was held in
Bangkok in January 1999, and 2,430 athletes from 34 nations took part in 15
events.

    Altogether 29 disabled athletes from Myanmar participated in swimming,
judo and volleyball tournaments and four events of tracks and fields; a total
of 41 medals including seven gold medals, 16 silver medals and 18 bronze
medals were won; and out of 34 nations, Myanmar stood tenth.

Then, the Secretary-1 presented awards to Ma Tin Tin Khaing who won two medals
in 100 metre and 200-metre events, Ma Khin Phyu Win who won a gold medal in
the javelin, Maung Aung Gyi who won a gold medal in the javelin, Maung Win
Naing who won a gold medal in the javelin, Maung Aye Ko Ko who won a gold
medal in the shot-put and the volleyball team which won a gold medal.

    Mayor U Ko Lay gave away prize to Thein Tun Tun who won a gold medal in
the high jump event, Ma Tin Tin Khaing who won silver medals in the discus and
shot-put, Ma Khin Phyu Win who won a silver in the discus, Ma Aye Aye who won
a silver medal in the discus, Ma Nyunt Nyunt Win who won a silver in the
javelin and Aung Gyi who won silver medals in the discus and shot-put.

    Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Sein Win presented prizes to Win Naing who
won silver medals in the discus and shot-put, Saw Lwin who won silver medals
in the 100-metre and 200 metre events, Aye Hlaing who won a silver medal in
the 200 metre event, Kyaw Khaing who won and silver medal in the 100-metre
event and Win Hsan Aung who won a silver medal in the swimming and silver
medallists of the 4 x 100 metre relay.

    Vice-Adjutant General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo presented awards to Khin Phyu Win
who won a bronze medal in the discus, Ma Aye Aye who won bronze medals in the
discus, shot-put and 100-metre event, San San Hla who won bronze medals in the
long jump and 100-metre event, Aye Ko Ko who won a bronze medal in the
javelin, Aye Hlaing who won a bronze medal in the long jump and Kyaw Khaing
who won a bronze medal in the 200-metre event.

Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Col Hla Myint Kyaw presented
awards to Tin Ngwe who won bronze medals in the 100-metre event and shot-put,
Thet Oo who won bronze medals in the 400- and 800-metre events, Soe Htay who
won bronze medals in the 400-and 800metre track events, Thant Zin-2 who won a
bronze medal in the 100-metre event, Khin Than Maung who won a bronze medal in
the 200-metre event, Win Hsan Aung who won a bronze medal in the I 00-metre
swimming event, the manager of the sports contingent and coaches.

    Two bronze medallist Thet Oo spoke words of thanks.

    After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 cordially met with the victorious
athletes.

Victorious athletes were presented a total of K 8.5 million including K 3
million for seven gold medals, K 3.4 million for 16 silver medals and K 1.8
million for 18 bronze medals and K 300,000 for the manager and coaches. The
citizens of Myanmar who were in Thailand also presented 137,200 baht through
Myanmar embassy.
______________________________________

(3) Concerted efforts between entrepreneurs, departments required for success
of large-scale farms

YANGON, 28 Jan-A meeting was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation this afternoon to coordinate taming of wetlands and vacant, virgin;
and fallow lands and to put reclaimed lands under crops, with an address by
Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

    In his address, the Secretary-2 said Head of State Senior General Than
Shwe had
recently toured wetlands and vacant, virgin and fallow lands in Yangon and
Ayeyawady Divisions which were being transformed into farms by national
entrepreneurs.

    During the tour, the Senior General noted with satisfaction the endeavours
and success of national entrepreneurs. He had already given guidance and
attended to the needs presented by entrepreneurs. These were sincere efforts
of the State with goodwill for the success and progress of national
entrepreneurs.

    The meeting was for coordination between the portions which were to be
fulfilled by the departments and the sectors which were to be taken
responsibility by national entrepreneurs.

    The Secretary-2 urged them to put forward requirements if any as there
could be works
which should be done speedily as the tasks were to be carried out in accord
with the weather conditions.

    "As wetlands and vacant, virgin and fallow lands are being tamed in Magway
Division also, we are going to visit these projects again to coordinate and
fulfil the needs," he said.

    He said there would be difficulties as the tasks required large amounts of
capital and heavy machinery and equipment.
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(4) Gifts for DSOGPH (Bed-300)

YANGON, 28 Jan-Upholding our three main national causes, Myanmar families
resident in Singapore donated medical equipment including two mucus pumps
worth S$ 5,824 (K 1,704,800) for Defence Services Obstetric and Gynecological
and Paediatric Hospital (Bed-300) through Myanmar Embassy in Singapore.

    Dr Tin Moe Aye, wife of the ambassador handed over the donations to
Director of Medical Services Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han who thanked and presented
certificates of honour to the donor.

    Also present on the occasion were Director of MS Brig-Gen Mya Thein Han,
wife of Minister for Foreign Affairs Daw San Yon, and others.
_____________________________________

(5) Shwedagon Pagoda re-gilding begins

YANGON, 28 Jan - Regarding of Shwedagon Pagoda began this morning with
offering of 150 gold plates to the stupa on the first phase.

    The gold plates that were donated by well-wishers beginning 1992 are being
offered to the pagoda which is re-gilt every four or five years.

    Conveyed by Mingala carriage for gilding at the top of the stupa, today's
offerings included gold plates from No 1 to No 170.

    The remaining gold plates will be offered to the pagoda daily.

    The ceremony at the Old Museum Tazaung, was attended by members of the
pagoda board of trustees, donors and members of religious associations.
_________________________________________

(6) Over 1.3 million acres of summer paddy cultivated in Ayeyawady Division

YANGON, 28 Jan-A total of 1,300,849 acres of summer paddy have been cultivated
in Ayeyawady Division to date and the efforts are being made to cultivate
paddy to exceed target acres.
__________________________________________

(7) Kidney transplant performed for fifth time

YANGON, 28 Jan- The medical team comprising professors, surgeons, specialists
and nurses of Yangon General Hospital, New Yangon General Hospital Thingangyun
Model Hospital performed a successful kidney transplant at New YGH this
morning for the fifth time.

    The kidney donor was 41-year-old Daw Khin Hnin Si. She donated her kidney
to her 42-year-old brother U Kennedy (a) U Aye Cho of 120, 157th Street,
Tamway Township, who is suffering from kidney disease.

    With the cooperation of Medical Superintendent Dr Min Swe, professors U
Than Aye, U Khin Tun, Daw Thein Thein Khaing, U Paing Soe and doctors and
nurses totalling 38 helped perform the transplant.

    Both the kidney recipient and the kidney donor are in good condition now.
________________________________________

(8) 258 members resign from Kangyidaunt Township NLD

YANGON, 28 Jan-Two hundred and fifty-eight members resigned from the National
League for Democracy of Kangyidaunt Township, Ayeyawady Division.

    Two hundred and fifty-eight members of Kangyidaunt Township NLD, Ayeyawady
Division3 of their own volition, tendered their resignations by sending
letters of resignation to Kangyidaunt Township Multiparty Democracy General
Election Commission Office and the party concerned on 13 December 1998 as they
no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
_________________________________________

(9) 28 members of armed groups exchange arms for peace

YANGON, 28 Jan-After realizing the correct objectives. endeavours and sincere
good-will of the Tatmadaw, members of armed groups have been exchanging arms
for peace individually or in groups.

    From 1 to 15 December 1998, private Saw Tun Min of No 1 battalion, No 1
brigade of KNU and private Tun Myint of No 6 brigade in South-East Command
area, sergeant Saw Mar Ei of No 3 company, No 2 brigade of KNU armed group in
Southern Command area, Lt Hla Shwe, Section leader Kyaw Naing, private members
Ar Kyan, Aik Maung, Ar Si, Ar Yon, Law Eal, Lauk Si, Taw San, Yan Ti, Hway
Say, Aik San, Aik Khan, Tin Te, Lauk Khay, Daw Saw Yin, Khan Aye and Law Phu
(a) Ar Phu of MTA remnant group in Eastern Command area exchanged arms for
peace.

    During the period, private Hlwan Wai of No 3 company, No 11 battalion from
KNU armed group, bringing one M-16, two magazines and 60 rounds of ammunition,
private Thet Naing of No 1 Battalion from ABSDF insurgent incharge Wan Shi (a)
Myo Win Kyaw of expatriate terrorist group, private Hla Soe and his father
Nyan Kyaw of BCP insurgent, bringing one AK-47, one rifle, three rounds of
ammunition, also exchanged arms for peace in Coastal Region Command area.

    Officials of Regional Battalions welcomed the 28 persons who exchanged
arms for peace and fulfilled their requirements.
____________________________________________________

(10)200 members resign from Maubin Township NLD

YANGON, 28 Jan-Two hundred members resigned from the National League for
Democracy of Maubin Township, Ayeyawady Division.

    Two hundred members of Maubin Township NLD, Ayeyawady Division, of their
own volition, tendered their resignations by sending letters of resignation to
Maubin Township Multiparty Democracy General Election Commission Office and
the party concerned on 1 I January 1999 as they no longer wished to
participate in party politics of NLD.
______________________________________________________

(11)London Myanmar open golf toumament begins

YANGON, 28 Jan- London Myanmar open golf tournament organized by Asian
Professional Golfers Association and Myanmar Professional Golfers Association
(MPGA) began at City Golf Resort of Yangon City Development Committee with the
sponsorship of Rothmans
of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd.

    Mayor of Yangon U Ko Lay, Vice-Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Vice-
Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Maung Nyo, Chairman of London Myanmar Open
Organizing Leading Committee Brig-Gen Win Hlaing, Secretary-General U Aung Kyi
and executives, officials of the Sports and Physical Education Department and
guests were among the spectators.

    After the first round, Derek Fung of Hong Kong is leading in the
tournament with 65 strokes.

    Today's other top scoring golfers were P Gunasegaran of Malaysia and
Koichinogami of Japan who tied at 66 strokes and Jim Rutledge of Canada, Peter
Lawrie of Ireland, Chung Joon of Korea, Gilberto Morales of Venezuela and
Jyoti Randhawa of India with 67 each.

    The tournament continues tomorrow 7.12 am
________________________________________

(12)116 fires in December

YANGON, 28 Jan- A total of 116 fires which broke out throughout the country in
last December caused loss of about K 36.27 million.

    Of the fires, 103 occurred due to negligence, seven dute to electricity
fault and five arson.
    The fires left one dead, two injured and 1,673 victims homeless after
destroying 426 buildings including one go-down and one factory.

    As the open and dry season is setting in the country, State/Division Fire
Services Departments are now taking fire prevention measures in respective
regions in cooperation with local authorities concerned.
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