The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 16 January, 2002)

[Okkar66126@xxxxxxx]

The New Light of Myanmar (Wednesday, 16 January, 2002)
-----------------------------------
1. Senior General Than Shwe inspects Bagan Cybertech IDC &
   Teleport and Myanmar ICT Park
2. Defence team wins MNOC Chairman's trophy
3. A&I Minister leaves for Nepal
4. USDA members urged to safeguard peace, tranquillity Mass
   rally to support national, rural development tasks held
   in Dawei
5. - I&P Ministry honours outstanding students
   - Adjutant-General meets war veterans in Mandalay,
     Shwebo and Magway
6. - Tourism services inspected in Tachilek, Kengtung and Mongla
   - MEB (Pinlaung Branch) opened
7. - Myanma Products Expo' 2002 opened in Lashio
   - Commander inspects regional development tasks in Coco
     Island Township
8. Conference on information technology to be held
9. Third friendly soccer match on 16 Jan

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( 1 ) Senior General Than Shwe inspects Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport and
Myanmar ICT Park

Yangon, 15 Jan - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe this morning
inspected Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport and Myanmar ICT Park already
completed in Hline Township and gave necessary instructions.

Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, Chairman of Myanmar Computer
Technology Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt and member of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, arrived at Bagan
Cybertech IDC & Teleport in Hline Township at 10.10 am today.

Senior General Than Shwe and party were welcomed there by members of the
State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Aung Htwe, Maj-Gen Khin Maung
Than, Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein,
Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Maj-Gen Tin
Aye of Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myint Swe,
ministers, the mayor of Yangon, senior military officers, deputy ministers,
officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental
heads and computer technicians.

At the hall of Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport, Chairman of Myanmar Computer
Technology Development Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development
Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt reported to the Senior General on emergence of
Information Technology, the use of Information Super Highway throughout the
world, introduction of Internet and progress in implementing the plan to
launch Internet System in Myanmar and formation of Bagan Cybertech and
services being offered, matters included in e-ASEAN Framework Agreement,
forming of Myanmar e-National Task Force with six working committees, forming
of ICT Park to catch up with other countries, future plans to be carried out
by ICT Park.

 The Secretary-1 also reported on the objectives of forming Bagan Cybertech
IDC & Teleport, installation of modern equipment, assistance being rendered
by departments in forming Myanmar ICT Park and Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport
and services being offered and services to be offered in future. Then,
Director of Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport Lt-Col Tin Oo reported to the
Senior General on facts about the Bagan Cybertech IDC & Teleport and its
services.

Then, member of the Board of Directors of Myanmar ICT Development Company U
Thein Oo reported to the Senior General on objectives of forming the Myanmar
ICT Park, advantages of forming ICT Park, services to be offered, and member
of Board of Directors U Pyone Maung Maung on arrangements to hold Myanmar ICT
Week beginning 17 January.

Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected the 60-metre high
tower and satellite dishes, Interactive Distance Learning system, Video
Conferencing system, Telemedicine, e-Banking system, e-Government system,
Rural Telephony system demonstration and machinery being installed at Bagan
Cybertech IDC & Teleport Park.

The Senior General and party proceeded to MICT Park and heard reports on
production of Myanmar Legendary Hero Pyu Saw Htee series being created with
the help of computer graphic animation (CGA). Then, Senior General Than Shwe
and party viewed learning of advanced computer technology at Myanmar-Japan
e-Learning Centre and software workshop of local IT companies at MICT Park.

Senior General Than Shwe met with officials at the meeting hall of MICT Park.
Senior General Than Shwe said information and communication technology is
developing rapidly in the world. Therefore concerted efforts are to be made
to catch up with these developments, he said.

In doing so, it is necessary to make endeavours for acquiring advanced
technology from developed nations, he said. If we work in conventional way,
it is hard to catch up with those developed nations, he added. The Senior
General expressed his pleasure at successful establishment of Bagan Cybertech
IDC and Teleport and Myanmar ICT Park.

Achievements have been made with the cooperation of the government, experts
and investors. Based on the existing structure and equipment, efforts are to
be made to accelerate the momentum of development with diligence, he said.
Based on intelligence, morale and efforts of our national people, we are to
catch up with the level of developed nations, he said.

The Senior General called for hard work to realize the objectives of ASEAN
Vision 2020. Next, the Senior General fulfilled the requirements. Senior
General Than Shwe then gave necessary guidance and left Myanmar ICT Park in
the afternoon.

Construction of Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park and
Bagan Cybertech IDC and Teleport have now been completed. The opening
ceremony of Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park will be
held on 21 January. IT exhibition, e-ASEAN and IT conference to mark the
Myanmar ICT Week will be held beginning 17 January. Delegates from e-ASEAN
Working Group and e-ASEAN Task Force, experts from foreign countries and
guests will attend the opening ceremony of Myanmar Information and
Communication Technology Park.
___________________________

( 2 ) Defence team wins MNOC Chairman's trophy

Yangon, 15 Jan- The final match and the prize presentation ceremony of the
First National Olympic Council Chairman's Trophy Open Soccer Tournament was
held at the Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna this afternoon, attended by
Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Secretary-1 of the State Peace
and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt.

 Also present on the occasion were member of the State Peace and Development
Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Yangon Division
Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe
and MNOC members, the ministers, senior military officers, the deputy
ministers, Head of Leading Patron of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation Dr Daw
Khin Win Shwe, Myanmar Olympic Committee members, officials of Myanmar sports
federations, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and
departmental heads, coaches and managers, footballers and football fans. In
the final match, Defence team beat Energy (Yaynan) team 2-1.

At the prize presentation ceremony, Secretary-General of MOC President of
Myanmar Football Federation U Thaung Htaik presented K 50,000 to the man of
the match award winner Kyaw Min Thet of Defence team. Commander Brig-Gen
Myint Swe presented K 2.5 million and individual prizes to third prize
winning Finance & Revenue team. Then, MNOC member Minister for Cooperatives
Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe presented K 5 million and individual prizes to second prize
winning Energy (Yaynan) team.

Afterwards, Minister at the State Peace and Development Council Chairman's
Office Lt-Gen Min Thein presented individual prizes to first prize winning
Defence team. Next, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein presented K 100,000
and the best goalkeeper award in the tournament to Ko Ko Aung of Defence
team, K 100,000 and the best defender award to Aye Min Tun of Energy (Yaynan)
team, K 100,000 and the best mid-fielder award to Kyaw Min Thet of Defence
team, K 100,000 and the best striker award to Tun Min Naing of Defence team
and K 200,000 and the best player award to Soe Myat Min of Finance & Revenue
team. Later, MNOC Chairman Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt presented the
Chairman's Trophy and K 7.5 million to Defence team.
___________________________

( 3 ) A&I Minister leaves for Nepal

Yangon, 15 Jan - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin
left for Nepal this morning to attend the 13th meeting of the Governing
Council of Centre for Integrated Rural Development in Asia and Pacific
(CIRDAP) to be held on 17 and 18 January in Nepal. The minister and party
were seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Minister for Industry-2
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, officials of
the Embassy of Nepal and departmental officials. The minister was accompanied
by Director-General of the Agricultural Planning Department U Tin Htut Oo.

__________________________

( 4 ) USDA members urged to safeguard peace, tranquillity Mass rally to
support national, rural development tasks held in Dawei

Yangon, 15 Jan - A mass rally to support national and rural development tasks
organized by Taninthayi Division Union Solidarity and Development Association
was held at the divisional sports ground in Dawei at 7 am on 12 January. It
was attended by Dawei District column comprising USDA members from Launglon,
Dawei, Thayet-chaung and Yebyu townships; Myeik District column comprising
those of Myeik, Palaw, Kyunzu and Taninthayi townships; Kawthoung District
column comprising those of Kawthoung and Bokpyin townships altogether
numbering over 11,000. Taninthayi Division USDA Secretary U Kyaw Kyaw Htay
presided over the rally with Taninthayi Division USDA Executives U Than Aung
and U Soe Moe Naing as members of the panel of chairmen.

 Divisional USDA Executive Daw Aye Aye Nu acted as master of ceremonies with
Dawei District USDA Executive Daw Su Su Htwe as co-master of ceremonies.
First, Chairman of the mass rally U Kyaw Kyaw Htay delivered an address. He
said that USDA is a national organization formed with the offspring of the
national races with a view to serving the interests of the nation and the
entire national people. The USDA members are actively participating in the
national and rural development endeavours. Since 1988, the Government and the
people have joined hands and made collective efforts for national
development. As a result, achievements can be seen all over the country. The
Government has undertaken the following six work programmes without sparing
night and day.

(1) Tasks for national unity and peace and stability;

(2) Tasks for development of economic infrastructures;

(3) Tasks for enhancement of economic power;

(4) Tasks for the development of national human resource,

(5) Tasks for improvement of social efficiency; and

(6) Tasks for the promotion of regional and international cooperation. Those
tasks were carried out in line with the Political, Economic and Social
Objectives which have been laid down as tactics for fulfilling the actual
requirements of the country with the aim of ensuring the emergence of a
peaceful, modern and developed nation which is, in fact, our strategy. In
conclusion, he urged the USDA members to safeguard peace and tranquillity, to
take part in nation-building endeavours and to pay serious attention to rural
development tasks by accepting the Government's nation-building works as the
national work programmes.

Next, Thayetchaung USDA Secretary U Khin Maung Htay tabled the motion calling
for support of national development tasks being undertaken by the Government.
He said that as mentioned by the meeting chairman, Myanmar has better
foundations for development. The Government is striving day and night for
proportionate development of urban, rural and border areas. As regards
national development, the national solidarity and peace and tranquillity are
fundamental requirements. With these requirements fulfilled, the Government
has expedited the works in building up the economic infrastructures of the
nation. Emphasis is laid on agriculture on which over 70 per cent of
population rely. Hence, the development in agriculture is the backbone of
development in other economic sectors. Dams, reservoirs and irrigation
facilities are built within a short time. To be exact, altogether 372 dams
and reservoirs have been built in the past decade.

Of them, 128 were major irrigation projects. As a result, the irrigated
acreage which was only 2.52 million in 1988-89 has increased to 4.9 million
today. As regards development of the entire nation, the human resource
development plays a key role. Hence, 112 colleges, institutes and
universities have been opened since 1988. There were only 32 colleges,
institutes and universities in 1988 and today the number has increased to
144. Post graduate courses have been upgraded to doctorate courses. As
regards basic education schools, there were only 33,747 schools in 1988 and
today there are 39,081 schools showing an increase of 5,334 schools.
Altogether 678 schools have been opened in border areas where there was no
school in the past.

In the Taninthayi Division, 138 schools have been opened. The Government is
achieving remarkable success in national development endeavours. The USDA
members are urged to maintain the development momentum and take an active
part in the national development endeavours. A motion to support the
Government's national development tasks was thus tabled.

The motion was supported by Dawei Township USDA Executive Daw Yi Yi Than. She
said that as Myanmar is an agro-based country and the Government provided
necessary assistance and encouragement for agricultural development, the
nation has achieved food sufficiency. Water is supplied adequately while
greening projects are being implemented in the arid zone. In the past, the
division was not sufficient in rice. To reclaim more arable land, the
Government spent 100 million kyats for reinforcing embankments. Five hundred
thousand of acres have been targeted to be reclaimed and put under oil-palm.
On completion of this project. Taninthayi Division can be dubbed as oil pot
of the nation.

 Foreign exchange can also be earned through export of surplus oil-palm and
rubber. Thanks to better transportation, one can now easily and conveniently
travel and transport products from one region to another within the division
as well as from the division to other States and Divisions. One can travel
conveniently from Sittway in the west to Kengtung and Tachilek in the east.

To travel from south to north, roads and bridges are being built in
Taninthayi Division with a view to providing access from Kawthoung to
Mawlamyine and Yangon. The GovernmentÕs project of 110-mile Ye-Dawei railroad
is also very beneficial to the region. Taninthayi Division is rich in fishery
resources. An international fish market has been opened in Myeik. Efforts are
being made to earn more foreign exchange through export of fishery and marine
products.

The division is also suitable for prawn breeding works. Plans are under way
to increase incomes of foreign exchange from prawn breeding works. Eye-drops
for preventing new castle disease were provided to chicken in the division as
a mass movement. She firmly supported the motion calling for support of the
national development tasks being undertaken by the Government.

 Then, Yebyu Township USDA executive Daw Khin Thida of Taninthayi Division
tabled the motion calling for participation of USDA members in rural
development tasks. She said it is obvious that construction work by the
Government directly contributed to the people.

 The Government has built 128 dams in agricultural sectors for the
development of rural area economy; in doing so, Yinwa Dam in Kawthauung,
Taninthayi Division has been constructed. In transport sector, there were
only 13,600 miles of roads ten years ago and that roads has been extended to
17800 miles at present.

 Altogether 135 180-foot and above bridges including Winpa Bridge, Plauk
Bridge, Palaw Bridge, Taninthayi Bridge and Pathaung Bridge have been built
and the 180-foot and above bridges like Kyweku Kyaukphya Bridge, Thamutlutlut
Bridge and Layhnyamandaing Bridges are under construction. In building
economic infrastructures, the Government, at the same time, is making efforts
for rural development; the five rural development tasks laid down by the
State are the basic needs for rural areas and they can alleviate rural
poverty.

Afterwards, Launglon Township USDA Secretary U Than Zaw Oo of Taninthayi
Division said that with smooth transport between rural and urban areas,
agricultural produce in rural areas can easily be marketed and it will
contribute to an increase of education and health care services needed in
rural areas. If so, the rural areas will enjoy modern lifestyle. The rural
development work also included efforts made for fresh water availability in
Nyaungzin Village in Thayetchaung Township and Kyetsarbyin Ward in Dawei
Township and altogether 1,405 USDA members will contribute thier services as
course teachers to 273 sections of three-R Campaign in villages of the
division.

In conclusion, he said the rural development tasks are noble ones with a view
to ensuring the develpment of the entire nation. Therefore, he heartily
supported the motion calling for active participation of USDA members to
achive sucessess of rural development tasks being under taken by the State.
Then, the rally passed the resolutions in support of the national and rural
development tasks laid down by the State and particiaption of USDA members in
national and rural development tasks. Later, the rally ended with the
chanting of slogans.

__________________________

( 5 ) I&P Ministry honours outstanding students

Yangon, 15 Jan - A ceremony to honour outstanding students the children of
the staff of the ministry  who passed the matriculation examination for the
2000-2001 academic year with flying colours was held at the meeting hall of
the Population Department on Maha Bandoola Street this afternoon. Minister
for Immigration and Population Maj-Gen Sein Htwa attended the ceremony and
delivered a speech. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for
Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Director-General of Immigration and
National Registration Department Col Maung Htay, Director-General of
Population Department Col Tin Yi, deputy directors-general, directors and
family members of the staff. After the speech by the minister, the
outstanding students  three 4-distinction winners, one 3-distinction winner,
seven 2-distinction winners and eleven 1-distinction winners were awarded
prizes.

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Adjutant-General meets war veterans in Mandalay, Shwebo and Magway

Yangon, 15 Jan - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chairman
of Myanmar War Veterans Central Organizing Committee Adjutant-General Maj-Gen
Thein Sein met with war veterans in Mandalay, Shwebo and Magway from 12 to 14
January. Maj-Gen Thein Sein held a meeting with Chairman of Mandalay Division
War Veterans Supervisory Committee Secretary of Mandalay Division Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Tin Ohn and members, members of Mandalay District
War Veterans Supervisory Committee and war veterans in Mandalay. He explained
the task being carried out by Myanmar War Veterans Central Organizing
Committee and implementing of the five tasks and future tasks. An official
reported on work done and future plans.

On 13 January, the Adjutant-General met with members of Shwebo District War
Veterans Supervisory Committee and Township War Veterans Committee in Shwebo.
He looked into the requirements in response to the report presented by
Chairman of Shwebo District War Veterans Supervisory Committee Lt-Col Than
Han.

 Accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Defence, he inspected farming at
Maingmaw Station in Myittha Township. The next day, he met with Chairman of
Magway Division War Veterans Supervisory Committee Secretary of Magway
Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Aung and members and war
veterans of township, district and division organizations in Magway. Lt-Col
Myo Aung reported on organizational set-up of the township, district and
division War Veterans Organizations and their task. Maj-Gen Thein Sein gave
suggestions.

___________________________

( 6 ) Tourism services inspected in Tachilek, Kengtung and Mongla

Yangon, 15 Jan - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Saw Lwin inspected
hotel and tourism services in Tachilek, Kengtung and Mongla in eastern Shan
State from 11 to 14 January. Accompanied by officials, the minister inspected
the ministry's preparations to take part in Myanmar-Thai Friendship Trade
Fair in Tachilek on 11 January. He then visited Allure Resort which is being
built with foreign investment.

He then visited Myashweyi Hotel, Shweyikan Hotel, Kanna Hotel, and inspected
arrival of tourists at the border check point, and Golden Triangle Hotel. He
then met with hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs. In the evening, the
minister inspected Golden Triangle Paradise Resort Hotel and construction of
a new pedestrian bridge on Maehok Creek. The next day, the minister met with
entrepreneurs in Kengtung. In Mongla, he met with national race leaders and
tour operators. He then visited the tourist destinations in the town. During
his meeting with Commander of Triangle Region Command, the minister discussed
border tourism development.

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MEB (Pinlaung Branch) opened

Yangon, 15 Jan - A ceremony to open Myanma Economic Bank (Pinlaung Branch) of
the Ministry of Finance and Revenue was held at the new bank near Myoma
market on Aungban-Loikaw Road in Pinlaung yesterday afternoon.

Present were Chairman of Shan State Peace and Development Council Commander
of Eastern Command Brig-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Minister for Finance and
Revenue U Khin Maung Thein, Managing Director U Aung Myint of MEB,
secretaries of Taunggyi District and Pinlaung Township of Shan State Union
Solidarity and Development Associations, executives and guests. U Aung Myint,
Managing Director of MEB, explained the purpose of opening the bank. Minister
U Khin Maung Thein extended greetings and formally opened the building. After
that, a local resident spoke words of thanks. The commander, the minister and
guests looked around the bank.
___________________________

( 7 ) Myanma Products Expo' 2002 opened in Lashio

Yangon, 15 Jan - With the permission of Shan State (North) Peace and
Development Council, Myanma Products Expo' 2002, organized by Dragon
Exhibitions Ltd, was opened at the town hall of Lashio on 9 January morning.
Present on the occasion were officials of Shan State (North) Peace and
Development Council, Chairman of Lashio District Peace and Development
Council Lt-Col Kyaw Shwe and members, state level officials, members of Women
Affairs Committee, executives of Maternal and Child Welfare Association,
members of the state and township Union Solidarity and Development
Association, district and township officials, departmental heads, trainees of
nursing school, members of cultural troupe and officials of the booths.

 The exposition was formally opened by Lt-Col Kyaw Shwe and Managing Director
U Aung Aung of Dragon Exhibition Ltd. Officials of Shan State (North) Peace
and Development Council, Chairman Lt-Col Kyaw Shwe and members viewed the
exposition. The aims of the exposition are to introduce the public directly
to new products and enable the customers and the manufacturers to coordinate
requirements each other. On display at the exhibition were local and foreign
textiles, cosmetics, plastic ware, foodstuff, electric and electronic
appliances, construction materials, household goods, stationery and packaging
machines, gadgets and installation materials, skin-care lotion and
spectacles, computers, spare-parts and sports equipment. Hundred Smile
Entertainment Group headed by Director Kyaw Swa Thein Aung, gave product
demonstration. The expo' 2002 was exhibited daily from 9 am to 9 pm from 9 to
13 January.

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Commander inspects regional development tasks in Coco Island Township

Yangon, 15 Jan- Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council
Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Myint Swe and Chief of Staff (Navy)
Commodore Soe Thein, accompanied by Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint and departmental officials, left for
Coco Island Township this morning and fulfilled the requirements of the
departments in the township. First, the Commander, the Chief of Staff (Navy)
and party arrived at Coco Island Airport at 8.20 am. Then, the Commander and
party paid obeisance to Zinamarazein Pagoda.

They offered provisions to Sasana Mandaing Kyaungtaik Sayadaw Bhad-danta
Khemasiri and presented donations towards the funds of the pagoda to a member
of the pagoda board of trustees. The Commander proceeded to Coco Island
Township Police Station and gave instructions on prevalance of law and order
and community peace and tranquillity to officials. He inspected cultivation
of vegetables in the environs of Township Peace and Development Council
office and the library of Information and Public Relations Department.

Afterwards, the Commander and party met executives and members of township
Union Solidarity and Development Association. They then inspected the
multimedia teaching centre at Coco Island Basic Education High School and
presented teaching aid video tapes to Headmistress Daw Sein Sein. At the
township hospital (16-bed), the Commander and the Chief of Staff (Navy)
presented hospital and medical equipment to Medical Superintendent Dr Tun
Aye, and inspected the hospital. They inspected the dam which has 49 million
of gallons storage capacity. Then, they inspected thriving vegetable patches
of the local naval base. Afterwards, the Commander and the Chief of Staff
(Navy) gave necessary instructions and presented saplings, seeds, books on
agriculture, medicines and fertilizers to officials. They then arrived back
here in the evening.
___________________________

( 8 )  Conference on information technology to be held

Yangon, 15 Jan -To mark the opening of the Myanmar ICT Park, established for
the development of Information and Communication Technologies, a conference
on " Information Technology in Myanmar: Business Outlook and Opportunities "
will be held at the Traders Hotel from 21 to 22 January 2002. The conference,
to be attended by foreign and Myanmar specialists, is organized jointly by
Bagan Cybertech Co Ltd of Myanmar and Information and Resource Centre of
Singapore and the discussions will focus on business opportunities that
involve the application of Information Technology. Interested persons may
contact Bagan Cybertech Co Ltd, at Ph: 515232/515233 or Myanmar Times and
Business Review at Ph: 242711/242722/242733 for further details.
___________________________

( 9 )  Third friendly soccer match on 16 Jan

Yangon, 15 Jan - A third soccer friendly between Yonsei University Football
Team of the Republic of Korea and tentatively selected youth football team of
Myanmar, which is undergoing training to take part in First ASEAN under-20
football championship, will take place at the sports ground of Thuwunna Youth
Training Centre at 4 pm tomorrow. Admission is K 400 for grandstand and K 200
for the ordinary class.

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