The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 29 March, 2002)

[Ok Kar <okkar66126@xxxxxxxxx>]

The New Light of Myanmar (Friday, 29 March, 2002)
-----------------------------
1. Religious titles offered to Sayadaws, nuns, lay
   persons for purification, perpetuation, promotion
   of Sasana
2. Secretary-1 inspects all-round renovation at
   Shwephonepwint Pagoda
3. Military attaches meet with SURA members who
   exchanged arms for peace
4. Appointment of Ambassador agreed on
5. - Workshop on AUN-QA for Chief Quality Officers
held
   - Merits shared for offering of soon and provisions

     to Sayadaws, members of the Sangha and nuns
6. - Minister hosts dinner to China National Tourism
     Administration Chairman
   - Minister inspects construction of bridges
7. - Military Attach's, Minami Kikan members,
     Japan-Myanmar Economic Cooperation visit Defence
     Services Museum
8. Arion cruise ship arrives here
9. Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspects regional development
tasks in Dawei

---------

( 1 )  Religious titles offered to Sayadaws, nuns, lay
persons for purification, perpetuation, promotion of
Sasana

Yangon, 28 March Ñ Religious titles were conferred on
members of the Sangha, nuns and lay persons for their
brilliant services in striving towards purification,
perpetuation and promotion of Buddha Sasana and
Pariyatti and Patipatti Sasana today in Maha Pasana
Cave on Kaba Aye Hill, attended by Vice-Chairman of
the State Peace and Development Council Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye and wife
Daw Mya Mya San.

The State Peace and Development Council as a means of
paying reverence to members of the Sangha, nuns and
laity for their religious services, issued the
Notification 1/2002 and conferred religious titles on
them. Also present on the occasion were State
Ovadanariya Sayadaws, Chairman of the State Sangha
Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru
Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja Myingyan
Koehsaung-taik Sayadawgyi Bhaddanta Sobhita and member
Sayadaws, Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, title recipient
Sayadaws and nuns from local and abroad, Secretary-1
of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than
Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, members of the State Peace
and Development Council and their wives,
Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min and
wife, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Brig-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers and their
wives, the Chief Justice, the Auditor-General and the
Mayor and their wives, the Chairman of Civil Service
Selection and Training Board, senior military
officers, deputy ministers, departmental heads,
officials of religious organizations, social
organizations, title recipient laity, guests and
wellwishers. The State Orchestra played Dhamma songs
before the ceremony.

 At 11.55 am, officials of the Department for
Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana, Religious
Affairs Department, International Theravada Buddhist
Missionary University ushered State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee member Sayadaws, Tipitakadhara Sayadaws,
title recipient Sayadaws and nuns to the designated
places. Director U Tun Mra Aung, Director U Tun Hla,
Head of Department U Aung Thein Nyunt and Deputy
Director U Mya Win ushered member Sayadaws of the
State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee.

Then, Staff Officer U Tun Naing, Assistant Director U
Tun Shwe, Director U Moe Zaw Shwe, Deputy Director U
Tun Yi, Deputy Director U Than Win, Assistant Director
U Ko Ko Myaing, Assistant Director U Aye Lwin and
Assistant Director U Thein Oo ushered five
Tipitakadhara Sayadaws, three Abhidhaja Maha Rattha
Guru title recipient Sayadaws, one Abhidhaja Agga Maha
Saddhammajo-tika title recipient Sayadaw, 22 Agga Maha
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, 42 Agga Maha
Saddhammajotika-dhaja title recipient Sayadaws, five
Agga Maha Kammathananariya title recipient Sayadaws,
22 Agga Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient
Sayadaws and 26 Maha Saddhammajotika-dhaja title
recipient Sayadaws.

Similarly, Assistant Director U Kyi Lwin, Assistant
Director U Nyunt Hlaing, Staff Officer U Hla San Win,
Staff Officer U Lay Aung, Staff Officer U Tin Htut,
Editorial Assistant-1 U San Tin Aung and Director Daw
Khin Nwe Han Kyi ushered nine Maha Kammathananariya
title recipient Sayadaws, 66 Maha Ganthavanaka Pandita
title recipient Sayadaws, three Dhammakathika
Bahujana-hitadhara title recipient Sayadaws, 10
Saddhamma-jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, one
Kamma-thananariya title recipient Sayadaw, four
Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws and
title recipient nuns. The State Orchestra played
religious songs. At 12.15 pm, Director-General Dr Myo
Myint of RAD read the agenda of the ceremony. Then,
Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura
Aung Ko formally opened the ceremony. On behalf of the
State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Chairman Sayadaw,
Secretary of the Committee Magway Sayadaw Abhidhaja
Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika
Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Five
Precepts.

 Then, religious titles were conferred on religious
title recipient Sayadaws inside the country and abroad
and nuns and lay persons. Vice-Chairman of the State
Peace and Development Council Deputy
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye offered
Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru titles to Sayadaw Bhaddanta
Javana of Myoma Kyaungtaik in Shwegu Religious titles
offered to Sayadaws, Township, Kachin State, and
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotipala of Kyakhatwaing Kyaungtaik
in Bago Township, Bago Division. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen
Khin Nyunt presented Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru titles
to Presiding Nayaka of Masoeyein Taikthit Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Sirindabhivamsa of Mahaaungmye Township,
Mandalay Division, and Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vilasanara of
Sagataung Kyaungtaik in Ywabe Ward, Pyay Township,
Bago Division.

 Then, members of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Maj-Gen Soe Win,
Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Chief of Armed
Forces Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Maj-Gen Tin Aye
of the Ministry of Defence presented Agga Maha Pandita
titles to five Sayadaws, Agga Maha
Saddhammajotikadhaja titles to five Sayadaws, Agga
Maha Pandita titles to five Sayadaws, Agga Maha
Saddhammajotikadhaja titles to five Sayadaws and Agga
Maha Pandita titles to five Sayadaws. Then,
Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min
presented certificates to five Agga Maha Saddhamma
Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, and Chief of
Staff (Air) Brig-Gen Myat Hein to five Agga Maha
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws.

 Next, Minister for Religious Affairs U Aung Khin
presented certificates to five Agga Maha Saddhamma
Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Rail
Transportation U Pan Aung to two Agga Maha Pandita
title recipient Sayadaws and three Agga Saddhamma
Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for
Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin to five Agga Maha
Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws,
Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe to five Agga
Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient Sayadaws,
Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint to five Agga
Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws,
and Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint to
four Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja title recipient
Sayadaws respectively.

Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone presented
certificates to five Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita
title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Finance and
Revenue U Khin Maung Thein to five Agga Maha
Kammathanacariya title recipient Sayadaws, Minister
for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein
to five Agga Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient
Sayadaws, Minister for National Planning and Economic
Development U Soe Tha to five Maha Kammathanacariya
title recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen
Lun Thi to five Agga Ganthavacaka Pandita title
recipient Sayadaws, Minister for Health Maj-Gen Ket
Sein to four Maha Kammathanacariya title recipient
Sayadaws and one Kammathanacariya title recipient
Sayadaw, Minister for Communications, Posts and
Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw to six Agga Maha
Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws,
Chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training
Board Dr Than Nyun to five Maha Saddhamma title
recipient Sayadaws, Chairman of the Yangon City
Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay to one Agga Maha
Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaw and five
Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws,
Chief Justice U Aung Toe to five Maha Saddhamma
Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, and
Auditor-General Brig-Gen Tin Aye to six Maha
Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaws.

Later, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Thura
Myint Maung presented certificates to five Maha
Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy
Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U
Hlaing Win to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title
recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minster for Transport
Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint to five Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja
title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Science
and Technology U Nyi Hla Nge to six Maha Ganthavacaka
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for
Agriculture and Irrigation Brig-Gen Khin Maung to five
Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws,
Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung
Aung to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient
Sayadaws, Vice-Chairman of YCDC Vice-Mayor Col Maung
Pa to one Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient
Sayadaw and four Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient
Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs
Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko to six Maha Ganthavacaka
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, and Deputy Minister
for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein to five Saddhamma
Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws.

 Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe presented
certificates to six Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita title
recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for Information
Brig-Gen Aung Thein to five Saddhamma Jotikadhaja
title recipient Sayadaws, Vice-Chief of Armed Forces
Training Maj-Gen Win Myint to eight Maha Ganthavacaka
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for
Progress of Border Areas and National Races and
Development Affairs U Kyaw Tin to five Saddhamma
Jotikadhaja title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister
for Forestry Col Thaik Tun to eight Maha Ganthavacaka
Pandita title recipient Sayadaws, Deputy Minister for
Culture U Soe Nyunt to eight Maha Ganthavacaka Pandita
title recipient Sayadaws, and Vice-Chief of Armed
Forces Training Brig-Gen Thein Swe to one Maha
Ganthavacaka Pandita title recipient Sayadaw, three
Dhammakahtika Bahujanahitadhara title recipient
Sayadaws, and four Ganthavacaka Pandita title
recipient 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 presented
certificates to three nuns  two Agga Maha Ganthavacaka
Pandita title recipients Nun Daw ?andasiri of Thiri
Maha Myaing Nunnery in Shwebo, Sagaing Division, and
Nun Daw Osadha?ani of Maniyadana Nunnery in North
Okkalapa Township, Yangon Division, and one Maha
Ganthava?aka Pandita title recipient Nun Daw ?anesi of
Thameikdawdara Pariyatti Nunnery, Myitkyina, Kachin
State.

 Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
presented certificates to three Maha Ganthavanaka
Pandita title recipientsÑNun Daw Inda?ari of
Zeyatheingi Nunnery, Myawady, Kayin State, Nun Daw
?anda Bhagi of Thameikdawdara, Sagaing Division and
Daw Vijjanandi of Khaymaythaka, Sagaing Division.

Then, Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo
presented certificates to two Maha Ganthavanaka
Pandita title recipients Nun Daw Sujanamani of
Kyondaunt, Bago Division and Daw Ponanari of Thida Aye
Nunnery, Bago Division. Afterwards, Daw Than Than Nwe,
wife of member of the State Peace and Development
Council Maj-Gen Soe Win of Ministry of Defence
presented certificates to two Maha Ganthavanaka
Pandita title recipients Nun Daw Ottama ?ani of Bagaya
Tawya Nunnery, Sangyoung Township, and Daw Ottama
Nandi of Thathanawunthi Nunnery, Shan State. Daw Khin
Khin Win, wife of member of the State Peace and
Development Council Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thein
Sein presented a certificate to Saddhamma Jotikadhaja
title recipient Nun Daw Pandita Majari of Theravada
Buddhist Missionary Nunnery, Sagaing Division. Daw
Khin Saw Myint, wife of member of the State Peace and
Development Council Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen
Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo presented a certificate
to Ganthavanaka Pandita title recipient Nun Daw Kumari
of Kulawithethi Nunnery, Ayeyawady Division.

 Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye presented
certificates to Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Htay Myint of Hline
Township, Yangon Division, and Thiri Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Sein Hla Win (a) U Hla
Win of Dagon Myothit (North) Township. Secretary-1 of
the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin
Nyunt presented certificates to Thiri Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient Dr Tha Yin Latt (a) Tha
Yin Myat of Thingangyun Township and Thiri Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Han Kyu of New York,
USA. State Peace and Development Council member
Maj-Gen Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence
presented certificates to Thiha Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Ba Khant of Bahan
Township and Thiha Thudhamma Manijotadhara title
recipient U Maung Maung of Kyauktada Township; State
Peace and Development Council member Maj-Gen Soe Win
of the Ministry of Defence Thiha Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Aung Zeya of
Aungmyethazan Township, Mandalay Division, and Maha
Saddhamma Jotikadhaja title recipient U Shein Aung (a)
U Shein Aung Bo of Insein Township; State Peace and
Development Council member Adjutant-General Maj-Gen
Thein Sein of the Ministry of Defence Saddhamma
Jotikadhaja title recipient U Ye Thu of Kengtung
Township, Shan State (East) and Thudhamma
Manijotadhara title recipient U Maung Hla of Palaw
Township, Taninthayi Division; member of the State
Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces
Training Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented certificates to
Thudhamma Manijotadhara Title recipients U Htwe Maung
of Thiri Yadanachan, Kyigon Ward, Patheingyi Township,
Mandalay Division, and U Aung Myo Thant of No 528 at
the corner of 84th Street and 45th Street, Mahaaungmye
Township, Mandalay, Mandalay Division; and member of
the State Peace and Development Council Maj-Gen Tin
Aye of the Ministry of Defence, certificate to
Thudhamma Manijotadhara Title recipeint U Aung Myo
Kyaing of No 40, Phayagyi Kyauksitdan, Kyunlon
Oatshaung Ward, Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay,
Mandalay Division. Daw Mya Mya San, wife of
Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development
Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services
Commander-in-Chief (Army) General Maung Aye, presented
certificates Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Title
recipients Daw Khin Nwe Yee of No 119, Thanlwin
Street, Kamayut Township, Yangon Division, and Thiri
Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Khin Thein of
No 70/C, Ngwewuthmon Street, Bahan Township, Yangon
Division, and Daw Khin Tint of No 50, 29th Street,
Pabedan Township, Yangon Division. Dr Daw Khin Win
Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the State Peace and
Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, presented
certificates to Thiri Thudhamma Theingi Title
recipients Daw Khin Zabei Kyi of D/4, No 615, Pyay
Road, Kamayut Township, and Daw Thin Myat Myat Win of
No 390/1, Sethmu 1 Street, Bahan Township, and Thiha
Thudhamma Theingi Title recipient Daw Nyunt Sein of
College Street, Kyaunggyi Ward, Sittway, Rakhine
State. Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo,
presented certificates to Thiha Thudhamma Theingi
Title recipients Daw Ma Nu (a) Daw Hla Aye of No 310,
Strand Road, Kyaybingyi Ward, Sittway, and Daw Mya
Thein of Room 27, Building 15, U Wisara Housing, Dagon
Township, Yangon Division. Daw San San Yee, wife of
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, presented certificates to Thiha
Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw Tin Myaing of
No 28, Thalawady Street, U Lun Maung brand road,
Mayangon Township, Yangon Division, and Daw Kyi Kyi
Swe (a) Daw Kyi Aung of No 118/C, Yedashei Lanhaung,
Yedashei Ward, Bahan Township. Daw Kyi Kyi Ohn, wife
of member of the State Peace and Development Council
Maj-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, presented
certificates to Thudhamma Theingi Title recipients Daw
Yin Kywe of Pyay-Yangon Road, Thayettaw Ward,
Shwedaung Township, Pyay District, Bago Division
(West), and Daw Aye Aye Cho of Tocheyat, Ward 1,
Thazi, Mandalay Division. Daw Aye Aye, wife of
Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min,
presented certificates to Thudhamma Theingi Title
recipients Daw San San Htay of No La-6/57+58, Ka Ward,
Pyigyidagun Township, Mandalay, Mandalay Division, and
Daw Khin Myint Myint of No 106/108, Ngahtatkyi Pagoda
Street, Bahan Township. Then, Minister for Religious
Affairs U Aung Khin supplicated on matters related to
religious affairs. Minister U Aung Khin said of the
three Sasanas Ñ the Pariyatti, the Paripatti and the
Pariveda  the Pariyatti is the basic sector.

 The propagation and perpetuation of the Pariyatti
will lead to ever purification and flourishing of the
Paripatti and the Pariveda. In Myanmar, there are many
religious universities and schools based on the
Pariyatti. There are also many vipassana and
meditation centres in the country. As their is a large
number of Buddhist monks discharging the two religious
duties  Ganthadhura and Vipassanadhura, the Pariveda
is also flourishing in Myanmar. It is auspicious for
the nation that the Sasana is propagating under the
leadership of the members of the Sangha. The
traditions of presenting religious titles to eminent
monks and laypersons of the religious field have begun
since the time of Buddha. According to the tradition,
the good kings of the past successive eras conferred
religious titles of the monks and laypersons.

As it always respects and values the ancient
traditions, the State Peace and Development Council
has been renovating and constructing religious
edifices not only in Myanmar, also in foreign
countries. It is also conferring religious titles on
the monks, the nuns and the laypersons who are worthy
of honour. On 4 July in 2002 (the Independence Day),
the State Peace and Development Council presented
religious titles to 266 monks, nuns and laypersons.
The religious titles have been conferred on the
Sayadaws, nuns and laypersons who contributed efforts
for purification, promotion and propagation of the
Sasana.

 As the monks are playing a leading role in striving
for purification, promotion and propagation of the
Sasana, the State and the people are making efforts to
realize the ovadas of the Sayadaws and rendering all
necessary assistance to the members of the Sangha. He
wished all the monks and the laypersons to strive
together for purification, promotion and propagation
of the Sasana. Afterwards, the State Ovadacariya
Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Kyakhatwaing Kyaungtaik
Sayadaw Bhaddanta Jotipala of Bago, Bago Division,
read out the Ovadakatha of the State Ovadacariya
Presiding Nayaka of Myoma Pariyatti Sarthintaik in
Shweku, Kachin State, Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru
Bhaddanta Javana. In his Ovadakatha, Presiding Sayadaw
of Myoma Pariyatti Sarthintaik of Shwegu Sayadaw
Bhaddanta Javana said the Buddha expounded on the fact
that the perpetual existence of the Sasana is for the
wellbeing of people, for the safeguarding of the world
and for the benefit of people and celestials. It is
due to the existence of the Buddha Sasana that people
can distinguish between good and bad and between right
and wrong. The more good deeds are done, the higher
the level of attainment of wellbeing becomes. Those
who know the value of the long-term existence of the
Sasana are required to work for the perpetuation,
purification and propagation of the Sasana.

The organizations of the Sangha at various levels need
to be united. Only then can efforts for the
perpetuation, purification and propagation of the
Sasana be made. Next, the Magway Sayadaw delivered a
sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained. The
ceremony came to an end at 2.35 pm with three-time
recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciramtitthatu. After the
ceremony, ministries, offices, headquarters, commands,
stations, departments, Division, District and Township
Peace and Development Councils, religious
associations, companies and wellwishers presented
offertories valued at over K 118 million to the
Sayadaws.
___________________________

( 2 )  Secretary-1 inspects all-round renovation at
Shwephonepwint Pagoda

Yangon, 28 March- 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 Shwephonepwint Pagoda in Pazundaung
Township at 8.30 am today.

 The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed at the pagoda
by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Chairman
of Work Committee for All-round Renovation of
Religious Buildings at the Pagoda Deputy Minister for
Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, departmental heads, local
authorities, departmental personnel, members of the
work committee and members of the Pagoda Board of
Trustees.

First, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt paid obeisance to
the Buddha Image at Shwephonepwint Pagoda Dhammayon.
Next, the Secretary-1 inspected all-round renovation
of religious buildings at the pagoda. He then paid
obeisance to the Seinbudaw and the Hngetmyatnadaw to
be hoisted atop the pagoda at the Buddha's Foot-print
Tazaung. Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Kyaw
Hsan reported on renovation tasks of the religious
buildings being carried out at the pagoda. Afterwards,
the Secretary-1 inspected preparations for fixing the
pivot atop the pagoda. Later, the Secretary-1 paid
obeisance to the Shwephonepwint Pagoda and left the
pagoda in the morning.

___________________________

( 3 )  Military attaches meet with SURA members who
exchanged arms for peace

Yangon, 28 March - The foreign military attaches met
with SURA company commander Kum Kham, platoon
commander Aik Maung and private Aik Pee at Tatmadaw
Guest House on Inya Road this afternoon. Kum Kham, Aik
Maung and Aik Pee had recently exchanged arms for
peace and given a first-hand account of the terrorist
acts of SURA opium-trafficking terrorist insurgent
Ywet Sit's group, its drug production and trafficking
and how fabrications were made in connection with the
attack on Tatmadaw Pachee outpost.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chief of
Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, heads of
departments of the Office of Chief of Military
Intelligence, senior military officers, foreign
military attaches led by Dean of the Military Attach/
Corps Military Attach' of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic Col Phanh Sonephachanh and officials of News
and Periodicals Enterprise of the Ministry of
Information. Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence
Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt-Col Hla Min of the Office of
the Chief of Military Intelligence explained the
arrangements for the military attaches to meet with a
SURA company commander, a platoon commander and a
private from SURA opium-trafficking terrorist
insurgent Ywet Sit's group. Head of Department of the
Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence Col Kyaw
Thein presented a brief account of the attack of
opium-trafficking Ywet Sit's group on the Tatmadaw
Pachee outpost with audio-visual aids. In replying to
the questions put by the military attaches, company
commander Kum Kham and platoon commander Aik Maung
said that the purpose of the attack launched by SURA
on Pachee outpost was to mislead a western nation
which was indirectly supporting SURA into thinking
that SURA was an organization attempting to eradicate
narcotic drugs, to be able to mislead the world about
the Myanma Tatmadaw and to accuse it of producing
drugs.

SURA members including themselves carried stimulant
tablets to Myanma Tatmadaw Pachee outpost. When the
attack was launched on Pachee outpost, the
searchlights from the Thai camp were projected on
Pachee outpost, and the supporting fire of heavy
weapons was given as well. It can be said that the
attack on Pachee outpost was designed to tarnish the
image of Myanmar under the pretext of narcotic drugs.
It is estimated that SURA opium-trafficking terrorist
insurgent Ywe Sit'

s group has about 7,000 members. The youths have a
monthly salary of 200 bahts and the company
commanders, a monthly salary of 290 bahts. Assistance
money from a western nation has been obtained from
hand to hand. Thais bought weapons for SURA members,
and equipped them. The way the new members are
recruited is that Thai police arrest those who come to
Thailand without any identification and send them to
SURA. The recruits are given training at Lwetainglyan.
Lwetainglyan camp is on the side of Thailand. SURA
members are forced to carry out terrorist acts.

 They do not want to carry out such acts. They have no
will to do such acts, either. There are a lot of
members who wish to run away. Those who tried to run
away from the camp were usually killed when captured.
There are persons who dare not run away from the camp
as they are afraid of a large number of land mines
planted in the vicinity of the camp. But they were
able to run away from the camp as the mines were
planted by them. They knew how to avoid stepping on
the mines.

 The subordinate youths want to run away from the camp
as they are being oppressed and fed like animals. The
main business of the SURA group is refining heroin and
manufacturing stimulant tablets. Raw materials to be
used in producing narcotic drugs are conveyed from
Ywet Sit's house to the drug refinery. The heroin and
stimulant tablets manufactured at the refinery are
then conveyed back to Ywet Sit's house. Distribution
is solely done by the brass of the SURA terrorist
group. The information on the source of the raw
materials is beyond the knowledge of juniors like
them. Although Ywet Sit is continuously mouthing the
words like " liberation of Shan State " and "
elimination of narcotic drugs ", he is setting  up
drug refineries and trafficking the narcotic agents.
The SURA troops are instigated with stimulant drugs
before taking part in a battle. All the members of
SURA have used the stimulant pills. They too had used
the pills.

 The SURA troops are subjected to abusing stimulant
drugs to have the combative spirit. They escaped from
the SURA camp and exchanged arms for peace. Their only
wish at present is to reunite with their parents at
their home in Panglong. The bandits and insurgents are
not able to approach the town. The meeting ended at
2.15 pm. The military attaches then viewed documentary
photos on the SURA drug trafficking terrorist group,
the map showing the SURA attack on the Tatmadaw Pachee
outpost, the photos of the three who exchanged arms
for peace and their biography, the maps showing the
Lwetaiglyan camp, the drug refineries, and the SURA
outposts and barriers set up in the surrounding areas
of the Lwetaiglyan camp.
__________________________

( 4 ) Appointment of Ambassador agreed on

Yangon, 29 March - The Government of the Union of
Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of Her
Excellency Ms Victoria Jane Bowman as Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the
Union of Myanmar in succession to His Excellency Dr
John Jenkins LVO. Ms Bowman was born in 1966 and
graduated from Cambridge, Pembroke College in 1987.
She joined British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in
1988. Then she studied Myanmar Language at the School
of Oriental and African Studies in London between 1989
and 1990. After that she served as Third Secretary at
British Embassy in Yangon and later she was promoted
as Second Secretary. In 1993, she was transferred to
European Union Department, FCO. From 1995 to 1996 she
worked at the Fundamental Expenditure Review/Senior
Management Review Team of FCO. Till 1999, she was a
spokeswoman of UK Representation to European Union in
Brussels. At present, she was on special unpaid leave
from FCO and worked at the Office of Mr Chris Patten,
European Commission, Brussels. Her primary
responsibility is EU Relations with Asia and Africa.
She speaks French, Myanmar, Spanish, German,
Portuguese and some Thai.

__________________________

( 5 ) Workshop on AUN-QA for Chief Quality Officers
held

Yangon, 28 March- The Workshop on AUN-QA for Chief
Quality Officers (CQOs) was held at Diamond Jubilee
Hall this morning. Present were Deputy Minister for
Education U Myo Nyunt, ASEAN Universities Network
Executive Director Dr Supachai Yavaprabhas and
representatives of universities of Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam,
directors-general and chairmen of departments and
boards, rectors of universities in Yangon and
officials. First, Deputy Minister U Myo Nyunt and
Executive Director Dr Supachai Yavaprabhas gave
speeches. Those present discussed the paper "Best
Practices for Teaching and Learning". Altogether 45
representatives  one from Brunei, one from Cambodia,
three from Indonesia, one from Lao PDR, six from
Malaysia, two representatives and 16 observers from
Myanmar, one from the Philippines, two from Singapore,
six from Thailand, two from Vietnam and four from the
ASEAN Universities Network Office are attending the
workshop which will last till 30 March.

---------

Merits shared for offering of soon and provisions to
Sayadaws, members of the Sangha and nuns

Yangon, 28 March - A ceremony to share merits gained
for the offering of soon and provisions to Sayadaws
and members of the Sangha who attended the religious
title offering ceremony and Sayadaws who attended the
Second Meeting of the Fifth State Central Working
Committee of the Sangha was held at Maha Nayaka
Kyaungsaung, Kaba Aye, this morning.

 The ceremony was attended by Secretary of the State
Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Abhidhaja Maha Rattha
Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotika Magway
Sayadaw Bhad-danta Kumara and Sayadaws, Patron of the
Yangon Division Central Committee for the Offering of
Provisions Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and
Development Council Commander of Yangon Command
Brig-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Religious Affairs U
Aung Khin, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko,
Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Hsan Hsint, departmental
heads, chairmen and members of
division/district/township Peace and Development
Councils and laymen. Chief Officer of Yangon Division
Religious Affairs Department U San Thin Hlaing acted
as the master of ceremonies. The ceremony was opened
with three times recitation of Namosasa.

 Then, the congregation received the Five Precepts
from Vice-Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka
Committee Aungmyae-bonsan Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha
Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Paninda Bhivamsa. Afterwards,
members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta. Commander
Brig-Gen Myint Swe made a speech on holding the
ceremony. He said altogether 633 Sayadaws and nuns 224
Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru and Agga Maha Pandita title
recipient Sayadaws, 394 Sayadaws who attended the
meeting and 15 title recipient nuns are offered soon
this year and this ceremony was held to share merits
gained. Sayadaws were offered provisions worth K
118,235,851 donated by ministries, offices,
headquarters, stations, departments,
division/district/township Peace and Development
Councils, religious associations and wellwishers. The
commander, ministers, deputy ministers and officials
offered provisions to the Sayadaws. The Magway Sayadaw
then delivered a sermon followed by sharing of merits
gained. Then, the ceremony came to a close with three
times recitation of Buddha Sasanam Ciram Titahtu.
After the ceremony, the Sayadaws were offered soon. U
Thein Maung-Daw Pa Pa (Sandhi Traditional Medicine)
presented provisions worth K 180,000 and
Thirithudhamma Manijotandhara U Sein Hla Win
provisions worth K 108,000 to 18 Sayadaws.

___________________________

( 6 ) Minister hosts dinner to China National Tourism
Administration Chairman

Yangon, 28 March - Minister for Hotels and Tourism
Maj-Gen Saw Lwin hosted a dinner to Chairman of China
National Tourism Administration of the People's
Republic of China Mr He Guangwei and party at the Inya
Lake Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road at 7 pm today. Also
present were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung,
Minister for Information Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Minister
for Forestry U Aung Phone, Minister for Home Affairs
Col Tin Hlaing, Minister at the Office of the State
Peace and Development Council Chairman Brig-Gen Abel,
deputy ministers, heads of department and charge d'
affaires ai of the Chinese Embassy Mr Tang Ying.

---------

Minister inspects construction of bridges

Yangon, 28 March - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen
Saw Tun, accompanied by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint
Thein and officials, inspected construction of bridges
in Bago Division this morning. First, the minister and
party arrived at Baingder Creek bridge construction
site on Yangon-Mandalay road. Assistant Engineer U
Myint Lwin reported on progress of work and future
tasks. The minister gave necessary instructions. One
lane of the bridge has been completed and remaining
three lanes are being constructed. On completion, the
four-lane bridge, a 300-foot long and reinforced
concrete one, will be 60-foot wide and can withstand
60-ton loads. The minister and party also inspected
the construction of Yenwe Creek bridge. Chief Engineer
Daw Si Si Than reported on progress of work. The
minister gave instructions on utilization of already
completed two lanes of the bridge as a temporary
bridge starting from 29 March and storage of
construction materials and presented cash award to the
construction group. On completion, the bridge will be
360-foot long and 60-foot wide including the two
pedestrian lanes.

___________________________

( 7 ) Military Attach's, Minami Kikan members,
Japan-Myanmar Economic Cooperation visit Defence
Services Museum


Yangon, 28 March- Military Attach's of foreign
missions and party, visiting Minami Kikan members of
Japan and Chairman of Japan-Myanmar Economic
Cooperation Co Ltd Mr Shigemoto Okuda and members
visited the 57th Anniversary Armed Forces Day
Commemorative Exhibition at the Defence Services
Museum this morning. They were welcomed at the museum
by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Secretary-1 of the
State Peace and Development Council Chief of Military
Intelligence Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Chief of Staff (Navy)
Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Col Thein Swe of the Ministry
of Defence, Director of Defence Services Museum and
Historical Research Institute Col Ye Htut and families
of senior military officers. Col Thein Swe of the
Ministry of Defence extended greetings and Director
Col Ye Htut explained the display on booths at the
exhibition. Then, Dean of the Military Attach's
Military Attach? of the Lao People's Democratic
Republic Col Phanh Sonephachanh spoke words of thanks.
Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and wives of senior military
officers posed for documentary photo with wives of the
Military Attach?s of foreign missions and Chief of
Staff (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein and senior
military officers had the documentary photo taken with
the Military Attach's of foreign missions, the
Minamikan members and the chairman of Japan-Myanmar
Economic Cooperation Co Ltd. Later, Col Ye Htut and
officials conducted the guests round the museum.

___________________________

( 8 ) Arion cruise ship arrives here

Yangon, 28 March - Under the supervision of the
Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, with the assistance of
Ministry for Transport and under the arrangement of
Tour Mandalay Co Ltd, Arion cruise ship from France
with 240 tourists on board arrived at Nanthida Jetty
here this evening. They were welcomed there by
officials of the ministries concerned. The tourists
toured Yangon this evening. They will go on one-day
trip to Bago, Bagan, and Mandalay tomorrow. They will
also tour Yangon on 30 March before leaving.

___________________________

( 9 )  Maj-Gen Maung Bo inspects regional development
tasks in Dawei

Yangon, 28 March- Member of the State Peace and
Development Council Maj-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry
of Defence and officials visited Lawka Marazein Pagoda
and donated cash to the fund of the pagoda in Dawei on
25 March. He inspected preparations for hoisting a new
Seinphudaw and a Hnget-myatnadaw of Shwe-taungsar
Pagoda. Maj-Gen Maung Bo fulfilled the requirements.
Maj-Gen Maung Bo attended the traffic rules
enforcement education exhibition at No 1 Basic
Education High School in Dawei. Chairman of Dawei
District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo
Nyunt formally opened the exhibition. Maj-Gen Maung Bo
also attended the opening of Pyinnya Alin e-library at
Dawei District Information and Public Relations
Department. Executive of Taninthayi Division Union
Solidarity and Development Association U Than Aung and
Assistant Division Education Officer U Myint Aung
formally opened the library. Maj-Gen Maung Bo went to
the construction site of Dawei University. Division
senior engineer of Public Works U Khin Maung Htay
reported on progress of work and future tasks. English
Professor Daw Khin San Wai of Dawei University
reported on appointment of staff and strength of
faculty members and numbers of students. Maj-Gen Maung
Bo then gave instructions. He also met with
specialists, the principal and trainees of the nurses
training school. In the afternoon, Maj-Gen Maung Bo
inspected Dawei Computer College and discussed
regional development and agriculture with officials
concerned at Dawei District Peace and Development
Council Office.

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