The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 9 November, 2000) (1/2)

[Ok Kar <Okkar66126@xxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Thursday, 9 November, 2000)
-----------------------------------------------
1. State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General
   Than Shwe sends felicitations to Cambodia
2. - Secretary-1 attends ceremony to cleanse Maha Atularazathukha
     laterite Buddha image and nine laterite Arahat images
   - Secretary-1 attends third Kathina of Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik
     in Tamway
   - Secretary-1 inspects progress in carving Lawka Chantha
     Abhaya Labha Muni Image
3. Secretary-1 addresses opening of Yangon Traditional Medicine
   Practitioner Course No-1
4. Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends Kathina robes offering ceremony at
   Nikaya Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South)
5. Production of standard motor vehicles by private industries
   will help reduce car imports
6. - Missionary Sayadaw leaves for Thailand
   - Myanmar youth delegation concludes Lao visit
7. - Minister inspects Paunglaung Reservoir Multi-purpose Project,
     Yanpe Reservoir Project
   - Minister inspects construction of bridges in Ayeyawady Division
8. - Winners of Fifth Ngwetayi Short Story Contest announced
   - Tourists arrive on chartered flight
   - Saddan Elephant Jataka Marionette competition continues
9. - 6 remnant armed group members exchange arms for peace
   - Man gets 25 years for trafficking stimulant tablets
   - 6 members resign from Lashio Township NLD of own accord
-----------------------------------------------

( 1 ) State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe
sends felicitations to Cambodia

Yangon, 9 Nov-On the occasion of the 47th Anniversary of the Independence Day
of the Kingdom of Cambodia which falls on 9 November 2000, Senior General
Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime
Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent messages of felicitations to His
Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia and His
Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of
Cambodia.

___________________________

( 2 ) Secretary-1 attends ceremony to cleanse Maha Atularazathukha laterite
Buddha image and nine laterite Arahat images


Yangon, 8 Nov-A ceremony to cleanse Maha Atularazathukha laterite Buddha
image and nine laterite Arahat images and cornerstone laying ceremony of Hti
Dipan Dhammayon were held at the respective venues on the pagoda platform of
the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning, attended by Patron of Shwedagon Pagoda
All-Round Perpetual Renovation Leading Committee Secretary-1 of the State
Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were members of the Sangha led by Kyaik-
htihsaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Pannadipa, the
ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general and the Yangon mayor, the
deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council
Office, heads of departments, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees,
members of wellwisher Thiri Suddhamma Manijotadhara U Khin Shwe and wife Daw
San San Kywe, members of religious associations and guests.

A ceremony to cleanse Maha Atularazathukha laterite Buddha image was held at
U Ba Yi Tazaung on the pagoda platform at 7 am. Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw Agga
Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Bhaddanta Panadipa presented 27 ancient Buddha
images to the Secretary-1.

Sayadaw U Panadipa paid obeisance to Atularazathukha laterite Buddha image
and nine laterite arahat images and the Secretary-1 cleansed them with
scented water. Kyaikhtihsang Sayadaw, the Secretary-1 and party went round
the pagoda and proceeded to Mingala Mandat near the western stairway.

Cornerstone laying ceremony for Hti Dipan Dhammayon was then held. The
Secretary-1 presented gem casket to Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw and laid the
foundations. The Secretary-1, the commander, the ministers and Yangon Mayor
laid the foundation at designated places. The Secretary-1 laid stone
inscription. The secretary-1 and party sprinkled scented water on the
foundations. The Secretary-1 performed rituals of golden and silver showers
to mark the success of the ceremony.

Cash donation ceremony for construction of Hti Dipan Dhammayon was held
Mawlamyaing Dhammayon on the pagoda platform. The Secretary-1 accepted  by
well-wishers. Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw delivered a sermon.



A ceremony to consecrate a Maha Atularazathukha laterite Buddha image was
held. Alms were offered to Shwedagon Pagoda Ovadacariya Sayadaws and members
of the Sangha led by Kyaikhtihsaung Sayadaw at ancient image Tazaung.



The Sayadaw consecrated the Buddha image. Congregation received the Five
Precepts from State Ovadacariya Shweykin Nikaya joint Sasanabaing Shwedagon
Pagoda Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita Thiri Manta Sankyaung Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Ra zeindhabhivamsa. The Sayadaw recited Metta Sutta. Members of Shwedagon
Pagoda Board of Trustees, well-wisher U Khin Shwe and other wellwishers
presented offertories to the Sayadaw. Member of Central Working Committee of
the Sangha Shwedagon Pagoda Ovadacariya Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sobhana
delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits.

Secretary-1 attends third Kathina of Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik in Tamway


Yangon, 8 Nov-The third communal Kathina of Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik of Aungmye
Bodi Dhamma Yeiktha was held in Tamwaylay Ward in Tamway Township this
evening, attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council
Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

Also present were members of the Sangha led by Presiding Nayaka Sayadaw of
Alodawpyi Kyaungtaik of Aungmye Bodi Dhamma Yeiktha Maha Gandavacaka Pandita
Maha Saddham-majotikadhaja Bhaddanta Ariyavamsa, invited members of the
Sangha, the ministers, the Vice-Mayor, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, heads of departments, disciples and wellwishers.
The congregation received the Five Precepts from Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Ariyavamsa. Members of the Sangha recited parittas.

The Secretary-1 presented Kathina robes to the Sayadaw. The Secretary-1 and
party and wellwishers presented offertories to the members of the Sangha.
Kyaikdaiyon Sayadaw Bhaddanta Uttara delivered a sermon, followed by sharing
of merits. After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 performed ritual of gold and
silver showers to mark the success of communal Kathina.

Secretary-1 inspects progress in carving Lawka Chantha Abhaya Labha Muni
Image



Yangon, 8 Nov-Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt, accompanied by Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura
Myint Maung and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office,
today arrived at Mindhamma Hill in Insein Township on which Lawka Chantha
Abhaya Labha Muni is kept.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed there by Minister for Religious
Affairs U Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, experts and
members of Mindhamma Hill Board of Trustees. The Secretary-1 paid homage to
the Image. Then, the Secretary-1 inspected work done and progress of work in
carving the Image and left necessary instructions. Afterwards, the
Secretary-1 cordially conversed with pilgrims and left the Hill in the
evening.

Yesterday evening, Sayadaw Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta
Ottamarambha of Wiwaikarama Sarthintaik in Thailand, together with members of
the Sangha and lay disciples, paid obeisance to the Image and presented K 1
million for all-round construction of the Hill to Deputy Minister Brig-Gen
Thura Aung Ko and Secretary of Fund Raising Committee Head of Account
Department of Yangon City Development Committee U Thein Sein. Buddhist Lisu
Traditional Cultural Association at Lisubonsan Village in Mogok Township led
by U Su Bu also visited the Image and donated cash yesterday evening.

_________________________

( 3 ) Secretary-1 addresses opening of Yangon Traditional Medicine
Practitioner Course No-1

Potent Myanma traditional medicines becoming well-known abroad


Yangon, 8 Nov - The opening ceremony of the one-year Traditional Medicine
Practitioner Course No-1 sponsored by the Traditional Medicine Department of
the Ministry of Health was held at the Institute of Nursing on Bogyoke Aung
San Street here today, with an address by Chairman of the National Health
Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt.

Also present at the opening ceremony were ministers, deputy ministers,
members of the National Health Committee, officials of the State Peace and
Development Council Office, directors-general, rectors, medical
superintendents and deputy directors-general of the departments, institutes
and hospitals under the Ministry of Health, the Resident Representative of
the World Health Organization, physicians of the Traditional Medicine
Council, members of the Central Traditional Medicine Supervisory Committee,
delegates of social organizations, Director-General of Traditional Medicine
Department Professor Dr Kyaw Myint and officials, trainees, and guests.

In his address, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt said the government has opened
the traditional medicine practitioner course three times in Mandalay with the
aim of promoting the quality of Myanmar traditional medicine practitioners.
He noted that as such a course could be opened in Yangon for the first time,
it could be called a further step for development of Myanma traditional
medicine. Throughout the history of Myanmar, the people have preserved,
valued and relied on traditional medicine inherited from their forefathers.

As new, potent traditional medicines can be formulated and brought into use
widely while efforts are being made to preserve and promote traditional
medicine, it has become well-known abroad and meet the standard of the
Western medicines, and it is common knowledge that some traditional medicines
are even more potent than the Western medicines. Traditional medicine has
made Myanmar people fit and strong, resulting in vitalization of nationalism
and patriotism, and thus, it can be regarded as one of the indispensable
factors for safeguarding the nation, and the pride of the nation. Considering
the value, effectiveness and potency of the traditional medicine, Head of
State Senior General Than Shwe often gives guidance on systematic
preservation and promotion of traditional medicine and extensive use and
treatment through various proper ways.

In keeping with the Senior General's guidance, the National Health Plan
covers action plans for systematic development of traditional medicine and
tasks are being implemented. The Secretary-1 pointed out that in order to
provide adequate medical care to the public through traditional medical
treatment, 50-bedded traditional medicine hospitals were opened in Yangon and
Mandalay, and the project covers tasks for opening and upgrading traditional
medicine hospitals in all cities of states and divisions.

According to this project, 16-bedded traditional medicine hospitals were
opened in Pathein, Ayeyawady Division, in Myeik, Taninthayi Division, in
Taunggyi in Shan State, in Myitkyina, Kachin State, in Pyay, Bago Division,
and in Mawlamyine, Mon State. Plans are under way to open such hospitals in
Sittway, Rakhine State, and in Monywa, Sagaing Division, by the end of the
Year 2000. Arrangements have also been made to establish them in Hpa-an,
Kayin State, and in Magway, Magway Division, in 2001. To cater to public
health through traditional medicine at the grassroots level, 200 township
traditional medicine clinics and 14 district traditional medicine clinics
were opened till mid-2000. Steps are being taken to grow and produce rare and
potent herbal plants from nine herbal plantations. Regular seminars and
paper-reading sessions are organized with the aim of preserving and promoting
invaluable treatment methods and potent herbal plants, he said. To expedite
efforts for flourishing of Myanma traditional medicine, arrangements have
been made to organize a national level Myanma Traditional Medicine
Practitioners Conference in Yangon.

The Secretary-1 expressed belief that at the conference, the traditional
medicine practitioners will be able to exchange and share their views and
form a national level traditional medicine practitioners association.

The Secretary-1 expressed belief that at the conference, the traditional
medicine practitioners will be able to exchange and share their views and
form a national level traditional medicine practitioners association. The
Secretary-1 said at a time when efforts are being made from all sectors for
development and modernization of the nation, the State is giving special
attention to the encouragement of the traditional medicine sector in
promoting public health care services; the traditional medicine practitioners
are also required to serve the national interest with their profession under
the State's leadership. The government is paying attention to the
proportionate progress of the human resources and natural resources in order
to develop the constructive endeavours such as strengthening of the Union,
developing of the nation on all fronts, ensuring of adequate food, clothing
and shelter conditions of the people, improvement of the living standard and
prevalence of peace in the nation. Especially, the " health and fitness of
the entire nation" is the main requirement for emergence of the healthy and
strong national force of a high performance. The role of the traditional
medicine has become more distinctive and vital in the government's efforts to
offer adequate health care services in the entire nation including border
areas.

Head of State Senior General Than Shwe himself has acknowledged the role of
the traditional medicine and thus given guidance on promotion and development
of the traditional medicine, recording the potency degree of the respective
traditional medicine in enabling traditional medicine to meet the
international standard. He has also rendered assistance to realizing the
guidance. The course was opened in accord with the guidance of the Head of
State to systematically promote the abilities of various traditional medicine
practitioners. It is also a course to implement precise and standard
traditional medicine therapies and to bring out qualified traditional
medicine practitioners on whom the public can rely. The trainees should make
coordinations among themselves and to combine their field experiences and the
knowledge gained at the course in order to prove that the traditional
medicines meet the international level.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 urged the trainees to make studies at the
course with the aim of ensuring health and fitness for all the Myanmar people
to enable the Union of Myanmar to catch up with the world nations; to strive
to extend public health care services with the use of potent traditional
medical methods; and to strive with national outlook for systematic
development of Myanmar traditional medicine, to produce potent drugs and to
preserve and develop traditional medical therapies. The one-year course is
being attended by 134 trainees.

__________________________

( 4 ) Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends Kathina robes offering ceremony at Nikaya
Sarthintaik in Dagon Myothit (South)

Yangon, 8 Nov - Theravada Buddhist Monk Maha Saddhamma Jotika-dhaja Ashin
Subhana (Su-sanli) of the Missionary Monastery in Maesai, Thailand, and his
disciples offered Kathina robes to the Sayadaws at the Nikaya Sarthintaik
Pyaylon Chantha Maha Theinkyaungdaw in Dagon Myothit (South) today.

Also present at the communal Kathina were Chairman of the State Sangha Maha
Nayaka Committee Myingyan Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga
Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Sobhita, Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe's wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing,  General Maung Aye's wife Daw Mya Mya
San, Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt's wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe,  Lt-Gen Tin Oo's wife Daw
Khin Than Nwe, Lt-Gen Win Myint's wife Daw Khin Cho Oo, wives of members of
the State Peace and Development Council , wives of the ministers, officials,
nuns, and invited guests.

Taikoke Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kalayana of the Nikaya
Sarthintaik administered the Five Precepts. Afterwards, the Sayadaws and
members of the Sangha recited parittas. Next, Theravada Buddhist Monk Maha
Sad-dhamma Jotikadhaja Ashin Subhana of Maesai, Thailand, offered Kathina
robes to the Sayadaws. Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace
and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General
Than Shwe, presented offertories to the Sayadaws. Then, Vice-Chairman of the
State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye's wife Daw Mya Mya San
and party, nuns and wellwishers offers alms to the Sayadaws and members of
the Sangha. Later, Lecturer Sayadaw of the Nikaya Sarthintaik Ashin
Khemavudha read out the supplication on the Kathina ceremony. Taikoke Sayadaw
Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kalayana delivered a sermon, followed by sharing
of merits for the pious deeds. The ceremony came to a close with three-time
recitation of Buddha sasanam ciram tithatu.

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of
Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe's wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party,
and wellwishers offered the robes and alms donated by Theravada Buddhist Monk
Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Ashin Subhana of Maesai, Thailand, to the Sayadaws
and members of the Sangha of the Nikaya Sarthintaik and other members of the
Sangha.

__________________________

( 5 )  Production of standard motor vehicles by private industries will help
reduce car imports


Yangon, 8 Nov - The Coordination Meeting No 1/2000 on production of motor
vehicles organized by Myanma Industrial Development Work Committee continued
at the Ministry of Industry-2 on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this morning, with an
address by Patron of Myanma Industrial Development Committee Secretary-2 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Oo.

Officials of the Ministry of Industry-2 and representatives of the industrial
zones discussed car production plans in detail. The representatives of the
industrial zones visited the car assembling plant of Myanmar Suzuki Motor
Company Limited in Dagon Myothit (South) Township.

In the afternoon session, Chairman of the Work Committee Minister for
Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin presented type of and number of vehicles to be
produced, locally made and imported parts to assemble cars, financial
requirements and quality control programmes. Chairman of Mandalay Industrial
Zone Supervisory Committee Lt-Col Tin Tun, representative of Monywa
Industrial Zone U Han Nwe, Chairman of Myingyan Industrial Zone Supervisory
Committee Lt-Col Ye Swe, Chairman of Pakokku Industrial Zone Supervisory
Committee Lt-Col Tin Soe and representative of Taunggyi Industrial Zone U Tin
Aung Naing presented plans to produce cars acceptable to majority.

In-Charge of Mandalay Industrial Zone Minister at the Prime Minister's Office
Brig-Gen Lun Maung and In-Charge of Monywa Industrial Zone Minister for
Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe presented plans to coordinate requirements
for the respective zones. Chairman of MIDC Minister for Industry-1 U Aung
Thaung said the Secretary-2 himself has looked into the requirements of the
industrialists at the meeting to promote the their car manufacturing ability.
Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge and In-Charge of
Taunggyi Industrial Zone Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi also took part
in the discussions.

In his concluding address, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Tin Oo said as it is required
for the State sector as well as the private sector for progress of the
private industries with greater momentum, the meeting has already discussed
in detail the matters relating to car production, which is an
import-substitute industry. The State will look into the requirements of the
industrialists and will import the required machinery for them.

The industrialists should correctly understand the government's goodwill in
encouraging their efforts, innovations and skills. They should not rely only
on the government for every need, but to exert efforts for the success. Based
on the situation of the industrial zones, associations such as Car producers
Association, Farm Machinery Producers Association and General Industrialists
Association should be formed as necessary for progress of the industries
which are vital important for the nation. Collective coordinations should be
made on the requirements to manufacture quality products. Systematic car
productions should be made in accord with the supervision and direction of
the Ministry of Industry-2. The nation can reduce car imports only if the
private sector can produce standard vehicles as the State sector.

__________________________