The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 4 August, 2000)

[Ok Kar <Okkar66126@xxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 4 August, 2000)
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( 5th  Waning of  Waso 1362 ME)   Volume VIII, Number 111

1. General Maung Ave receives US Military Attache
2. Secretary-1 meets Chairman of Export and Import and Import Bank of China
3. Secretary-1 inspects preparations under way to welcome Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image
4. (a) Minister for Industry-1 meets Malaysian guest
    (b) Minister receives foreign guests
    (c) Minister for Health meets Australian cardiac specialists
    (d) Minister for A&I meets Ambassadors
    (e)  Minister receives officials of Petronas Mitco
    (f) Minister meets Ambassador of the Philippines
    (g) Minister meets Ambassadors
5. Religious tolerance recognized hallmark of Myanmar society People and
government of Myanmar attach great importance to promoting harmony among
religions in the country
6. Appointment of Ambassador of Ghana agreed on
7. Over 180,000 people pay homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image in
Maubin People of Danubyu donate nearly K 3.1m for Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha
Muni Image
8. Seminar on Bridge Designing and Construction Technology continues
9.  Thai Deputy Prime Minister arrives
10. Trainees of international  course on primary health care visit MMCWA
11. Myanmar Selected Football Team leaves for Malaysia Myanmar bead Hong Kong
8-0
12. 17 Taungdwingyi Township NLD members resign of own accord

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( 1 )  General Maung Ave receives US Military Attache

YANGON- 3August -Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army)
General Maung Aye received .Military Attache of the US Embassy in Yangon Col
John A Nash, who had completed tour of duty in Myanmar, and his successor Col
Jack C Dibrell at Guest House of the Ministry of Defence at 8.30 am today.

Also present at the call wee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Chief of the Office of Strategic Studies Director of Defence Services
Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Secretary-2 Chief of Bureau of Special
Operations Chief of Staff (Army) Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander in Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Kyaw Than and Chief  of
Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Kyi Min.
___________________________

( 2 )  Secretary-1 meets Chairman of Export and Import and Import Bank of
China

YANGON, 3 Aug-Secretary- 1 of the Slate Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt received Chairman of Export and Import Bank of China Mr Yang Zilin
and party at the Guest House of the Ministry of De fence at 4 pm today.

Also present together with Secretary- 1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt were Minister for
Industry- I U Aung Thaung, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister
at the State

Peace and Development Council Chairman's Office Brig-Gen Abel, Minister for
Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win,
Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Ambassador of
People's Republic of China Mr Lian Dong and officials.
__________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 inspects preparations under way to welcome Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni Image

YANGON, 3 Aug- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt.Gen
Khin Nyunt, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development
Council Office, arrived at Mindhamma Hillock in Insein Township at 5.30 pm
today. Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported to the
Secretary-1 on waterway of Hline river, Minister for Rail Transportation U
Pan Aung on arrangements for conveying the image from the Gyogon jetty to the
hill, Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe on construction of
Gandakuditaik on the hillock and retaining wa11, Adviser to the State Peace
and Development Council Office U Arnt Maung on programmes for conveying the
image.

Secretary-1 Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt attended to their needs. Secretary-1 Lt- Gen
Khin Nyunt inspected preparations being made to welcome the image on the
hillock. Then,m Secretary-1 Lt- Gen Khin Nyunt gave instruction to officials
and left there.
___________________________

( 4 )  Minister for Industry-1 meets Malaysian guest

YANGON, 3 Aug-Minister for Industry-l U Aung Thaung met Chairman of European
Asian Technology and Investment which is based in Malaysia Mr Uff Ottavio
Quattrochi at his office this afternoon:

Present also at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thein Tun,
Director-General of Directorate of Indus tries U Tin Hlaing, Director-General
of Regional Industrial Coordination and Inspection Department U San Kyi,
Managing Director of Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries U Myint Oo and General
Manager U Tin Maung Win and Head of Office U Myint Swe.

(b)Minister receives foreign guests

YANGON, 3 Aug-Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein
received Senior Co-ordinator of ASEAN Foot and Mouth Disease Control of OIE
(Office International Des Epizooties) Dr Laurence Gleeson at his office at 1
pm, and General Manager of Petronas Co Mr Mohd Saleh Hashim and party at 2 pm
today. Present also at the calls were Deputy Minister U Aung Thein, the
directors-general, managing directors of the departments and enterprises
under the ministry, the head of office and officials.

(c) Minister for Health meets Australian cardiac specialists

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket Sein received Professor of
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Dr Anthony S Mclean and Cardiac Specialist Dr
Craig Phillip Juergens of Nepean Hospital of Sydney, Australia, who called at
his office this afternoon. Also present were Deputy Ministers for Health
Professor Dr Mya Oo and Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials.

(d) Minister for A&I meets Ambassadors

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin met
Ambassador of Israel Mr Baruch Ram and Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs
Phoebe A Gomez at his office on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road today separately. Also
present at the calls were departmental heads and officials.

(e) Minister receives officials of Petronas Mitco

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received General
Manager of Petronas Co of Malaysia Mr Mohd Saleh Hashim and party at his
office at 1 pm today. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for
Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Directors-General U Nyunt Aye and Col Nay Win,
Managing Director U Min Hla Aung and officials.

(f) Minister meets Ambassador of the Philippines

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Labour Maj-Gen Tin Ngwe met Ambassador of the
Philippines to Myanmar Mrs Phoebe A Gomez at his office this afternoon.Also
present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Win Sein and departmental
heads.

(g) Minister meets Ambassadors

YANGON, 3 Aug- Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt met Ambassador of the Philippines Mrs
Phoebe A Gomez and Ambassador of Australia Mr Trevor Wilson at his office
today separately. They cordially discussed development affairs of border
areas and national races, eradication of drugs and cultivation of poppy
substitute crops. Also present at the calls were Director-General of
Department for Border Areas and National Races Col Than Swe and Director
General of Education and Training Department Col Than Win.

___________________________

( 5 ) Religious tolerance recognized hallmark of Myanmar society

People and government of Myanmar attach great importance

to promoting harmony among religions in the country

YANGON, 3 Aug-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refuted the recommendation of
US Commission on International Religious Freedom to continue to designate
Myanmar as a "country of particular concern " in its Press Release issued
today:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has learnt that the US Commission on
International Religious Freedom in its letter dated 28 July 2000, recommends
Myanmar should continue to be designated as a "country of particular concern"
(CPC) under the United States International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
The US Commission's characterization of Myanmar as a land lacking in
religious freedom is a misrepresentation of the highest degree and the
Myanmar Government completely refutes the allegation.

Anyone who has lived and worked in Myanmar or visited the country even as a
tourist will be able to attest to the harmony that exists among the diverse
religious communities in the country. Even though nearly ninety per cent of
the population are devout Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and others
are free to practice their faith with-out let or hindrance. It is not
uncommon to see pagodas, churches, mosques and temples coexisting peacefully
side by side in cities and towns across the country. This striking situation
so impressed the first United Nations Independent Expert on Human Rights to
visit Myanmar that she was moved to place on record that in regard to
religious tolerance, Myanmar may be regarded as a model society.

Religious tolerance is a recognized hallmark of Myanmar society. The people
and government of Myanmar attach great importance to promoting harmony among
religions in the country and are proud of their achievement. A Government
Ministry solely devoted to religious

affairs exists. It works closely Witl1 leaders of different religions and
strives to ensure that harmony is maintained. Material and financial
assistance is provided to religious groups without discrimination to help
promote their work.

Religious tolerance is a reality in Myanmar. To allege otherwise, as the US
Commission on International Religious Freedom does, is to turn a blind eye to
reality.
___________________________

( 6 ) Appointment of Ambassador of Ghana agreed on

YANGON, 4 Aug- The Government of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the
appointment of Mr Francis Adjei Danso as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ghana to the Union of Myanmar in
succession to His Excellency Rear Admiral Thomas Kwesi Annan.
___________________________

( 7 )  Over 180,000 people pay homage to Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni
Image in Maubin

YANGON, 3 Aug - Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image on board Thonlutaukpa
Yadana Shwephaungdawgyi was conveyed to Maubin this morning. Before the
conveyance of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image to Maubin, Member of the
State Peace and Development Counci1 Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and
Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Leader of the Central
Committee for Conveyance of Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image Deputy
Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, Secretary of the Central
Committee Director- General of the Department for the Promotion and
Propagation of the Sasana U Sann Lwin, Tactical Operations Commander of
Southern Command Col Htain Lin, Tactical Operations Commander of South
Command of Soe Win, member of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development
Council Police Col Than Tun and officials offered dawn "soon" to Sayadaws and
members of the Sangha who recited Maha Pathan Desana nonstop on board Pyigyi
Dagun3 at 5.00 am.

Afterwards, Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung
Thein, senior military officers and officials sprinkled scented water on the
Image. Next, Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni Image was conveyed from Danubyu
to Maubin. Commander Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, senior military officers,
divisional departmental officials, district and township
authorities,departmental personnel, members of Union Solidarity and
Developmem Association, Myanmar Police Force; Red Cross and Auxiliary Fire
Brigade, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Women's Affairs
Committee. teachers, students, nurses, members of religious associations and
the people paid obeisance to the Image. Well- wishers made donations towards
the funds of the Image.

People of Danubyu donate nearly K 3.1m for Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni
Image

YANGON, 3 Aug- Wellwishers today presented donations for Lawka Chantha Abhaya
Labha Muni Image at the pandal near the jetty in Danubyu Township, where the
image was kept for the night for Public obeisance.

Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kodinna administered the Nine Precepts. The Sayadaws
recited Parittas Commander. Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann and party presented
offertories to the Sayadaws. Chairman of Maubin District Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Thein Hlaing presented K 423,765 donated by the
public towards the funds of the Image to the Commander.

Public donations for the image during its overnight stay in Danubyu amounted
to nearly K 3.1 million. The Commander handed over the donations to Brig-Gen
Aung Thein. The congregation shared the merits gained.

The wellwishers also made donations yesterday. Officials presented
certificates of honour to them. A large number of people from different
places also came to pay obeisance to the Image. The people took part in
cleansing the barge carrying the Image and made donations. Entertainment,
programmes were also presented at the jetty.
___________________________

( 8 )   Seminar on Bridge Designing and Construction Technology continues

YANGON, 3 Aug -A Seminar on Bridge Designing and Construction Technology,
jointly organized by Public Works under the Ministry of Construction and
Japan International Cooperation Agency . (JICA), Infrastructure Development
Institute-Japan (IDI) and Japan Association Steel Bridge Construction
(JASBC), continued at the Head Office of Public Works on Shwedagon Pagoda
Road this morning.

Present were Deputy Ministers for Construction U Tint Swe and Brig-Gen Myint
Thein, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Brig-Gen Aung Hlaing,
Director of Military Engineers Brig-Gen Win Aung Tint and senior military
officers, Managing Director of Public Works U Nay Soe Naing, heads of
department, officials, Japanese engineers, superintending engineers of bridge
construction special projects and engineers.

Chief Engineer Dr Takayuki Nishido and Engineer Mr Soichiro Imai explained
matters related to plans for construction of bridges with iron framework.
Then, discussions followed. The seminar went into recess at noon and resumed
at 1.00 pm. Japanese Engineer Mr Soichiro Imai and Chief Engineer Dr Takayuki
Nishido gave practical exercises related to bridge designing. Those present
did the exercises.
___________________________

( 9 )     Thai Deputy Prime Minister arrives

YANGON, 3 Aug- The Thai senior delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Trade of Thailand Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi arrived here by air
this evening to attend the Second Meeting of Myanmar-Thai Trade Commission
sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce. The delegation was welcomed at Yango
Intemational Airport by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone,Deputy
Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Ambassador of Thailand Mr Pensak Chalarak and
officials of the Ministry of Commerce.
_________________________

( 10 )     Trainees of international  course on primary health care visit
MMCWA

YANGON, 3 Aug-Trainees attending international course on primary health care
today studied functions of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association
which has won the prize awarded by WHO for its brilliant primary health care
activities. Chairperson of MMCWA Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe explained to the
trainees from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bhutan and Nepal a detailed report on the
association's functions. Central Executive Committee members of MMCWA replied
to queries raised by the trainees. The trainees then visited the child
development division and vocational training courses.
___________________________

( 11 ) Myanmar Selected Football Team leaves for Malaysia

YANGON 3 Aug- Minister for sport Brig- Gen Thura Aye Myint, accompanied by
responsible officials arrived at Department Lounge of Yangon International
Airport this morning and spoke words of encouragement to the footballers who
are leaving for Malaysia to play friendly soccer matches there.

Myanmar Football Teams which comprises Director- General of Sports and
Physical Education Department President of Myanmar Football Federation U
Thaung Htaik as team leader, Lt- Col Tin Hla as  assistant team leader,
Administrative Officers U Aung Thein Nyunt, U Aye Maung and Mr David Booth as
coaches, Lieutenant Nyan Myo Khaing as medical officers, Aung Aung Oo , Ko Ko
Aung , Min Thu, Min Zaw Oo, Than Wai, Min Min Aung, Zaw Lin Tun, Soe Myint
Min, Aung Kyaw Moe, Zaw Htaik , Maung Maung Gyi, Than Toe Aung Myo Hlaing Win
, Nay Thu Hlaing Aung Khaing , Min Thwin , Kyaw Myo Han and Kyaw Min left for
Kuala Lumpur at 8 am today.The team will play against Malaysia Selected Team
on & and 9 August.

Myanmar bead Hong Kong 8-0

YANGON 3 Aug- Myanmar youth teams beat its counterpart from Hong Kong
eight-nil at the second soccer friendly match at Youth Sports Training
Training Center in Thuwunna this evening.Managing Director of Kanbawza Bank
Limited U Zaw Win Naing presented k 300,000 to the winning teams.
___________________________

( 12 )  17 Taungdwingyi Township NLD members resign of own accord

YANGON, 3 Aug-Seventeen members resigned from the National League for
Democracy of Taungdwingyi Township, Magway Division. Seventeen members of
Taungdwingyi Township NLD, Magway Division, of their own accord, resigned by
sending letters of resignation to Taungdwingyi Township Multiparty Democracy
General Election Sub-commission and the party concerned on 11 May 2000 as
they no longer wished to participate in party politics of NLD.
___________________________

WEATHER REPORT

TODAY

Forcast for Yangon and neighbouring area for 4th, August 2000: One or two
rains or rainshowers. Degree of certainty is 70%

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