YANGON, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General T

“The New Light of Myanmar” Thursday 15^th April 2004

YANGON, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, together with member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, the ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office inspected National Kandawgyi Gardens in PyinOoLwin yesterday.

At the briefing hall, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung reported on upgrading of the garden in accord with the guidance, collection and planting of various kinds of wood, bamboo, orchids and other flowers in the garden, arrangements for establishment of National Landmark Garden that depict significant landmarks of states and divisions, arrival of visitors to Nanmyint Tower, arrivals of tourists and local visitors to the garden and condition of increase of income.

Senior General Than Shwe said the garden was upgraded to National Kandawgyi Garden with added momentum. He spoke of the need to renovate the garden to be beautiful and pleasant forever. He said his guidance given during his inspection tour was to be implemented fully. He said arrangements are to be made to publicize the pleasant, recreative and informative nature of the garden among the people. He said income will increase through the visits by local people and tourists year after year.

Senior General Than Shwe then signed in the visitors' book. Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected measures for upgrading the garden and recreation of the people. They toured the garden. In the garden, 482 kinds of hardwood, 67 kinds of foreign wood, 260 of orchids, 75 each of bamboo and garden croton and 210 of seasonal flowers are planted.

Fifteen kinds of domestic birds including white and green peacocks and four kinds of Myanmar pheasants, a couple of Zarmani, the world's rare birds and 16 kinds of foreign birds are raised in the garden.

Four rare takins were bred and they have reached reproductive stage. Senior General Than Shwe and party visited Maha Arnthtoo Kantha Hsutaungpyi Pagoda on Dhammarati Hill in PyinOoLwin. The Senior General donated cash for the pagoda to the chairman of the pagoda board of trustees and signed in the visitors' book. Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected planting of trees on the hill and its environs. He then gave guidance. Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected Myokwetthit in PyinOoLwin.

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party arrived back here at 11 am today.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan yesterday inspected re-transmission station and District Information and Public Relations Department in PyinOoLwin.

Arrangements are to be made for betterment of university from experience gained
Serious steps should be taken to turn the university into prestigious one with modern teaching aidss

Senior General Than Shwe inspects MAEU in Meiktila

YANGON, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence and responsible personnel of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at Meiktila from PyinOoLwin by helicopter on 12 April morning.

On arrival there, the Senior General and party were welcomed by the commander of Meiktila Station, senior military officers, members of the Tatmadaw and their families, and departmental officials.

The Senior General and his entourage proceeded to Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University.

At the hall of the university, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology and Rector of MAEU U Nyi Hla Nge reported on courses available at the university, the population of students learning at the university, the organi-zational pattern of the university, lectures given by local and foreign experts at the university, progress of constructions of school buildings, and requirements to be fulfilled for the university.

Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung later gave supplementary reports on teaching programmes and construction of the university buildings.

Next, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein reported on the capability of rendering assistance to the university' academic issues.

In response to the reports, Senior General Than Shwe attended to the requirements and gave guidance. He said as a new and separate university, MAEU may encounter the shortage of teaching materials. Any how, he continued, arrangements are to be made for the betterment of the university from the experience gained.

Measures are also to be taken, he pointed out, to make the teaching programmes more effective by sending teachers going to work at the university to foreign countries for further studies and inviting foreign technicians to the university to give lectures.

The Senior General continued serious steps are to be taken to turn the university into a prestigious one by equipping it with modern teaching aids.

Only when the university produces future technicians in aerospace and engineering field for the State will the nation be able to keep pace with others, he stressed. Later, the Senior General called upon officials concerned to strive to a degree that intellectuals absolutely needed for the State can be produced in spite of the new course and the new university.

Afterwards, Senior General Than Shwe cordially met with the faculty of the university and encouraged them to establish a new State with fresh technologies.

After inspecting the progress made in construction of school buildings at the university, Senior General Than Shwe and party left.

Senior General Than Shwe inspects Hsinlan Dam, No 1 Steel Plant in PyinOoLwin

YANGON, 14 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, arrived at the Hsinlan Dam in PyinOoLwin Township on 11 April morning. On the occasion, Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported on the capacity of Wetwun Hydroelectric Power Plant and conditions to generate more power, and potential for generating electric power with the use of the Dattawchai Waterfalls. In response to the reports, the Senior General gave guidance on feasibility studies on potential to be carried out for generating electric power from the Wetwun Hydroelectric Power Plant after being extended and from the Dattawchai Waterfalls. It can further fulfil the electric power demand of PyinOoLwin after establishing small scale hydropower plants, he said. Next, Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on completion of the Hsinlan Dam Project and conditions on sufficient supply of water from the dam to PyinOoLwin, Kandawgyi and paddy fields downstream. The Senior General gave guidance on considering of building small hydropower stations in addition to supply of more irrigation water to farmlands and the town based on flow of water to the dam. Later, the Senior General inspected water storage capacity of the dam and its environs. Afterwards, the Senior General and party proceeded to No 1 Steel Plant under the Ministry of Mines. Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint reported on brief biography of the Mill, production capacity and manufacturing of the products; and Managing Director of No 3 Mining Enterprise U Hsan Tun, on requirements in manufacturing products of the plant. The Senior General gave guidance and said that necessary assistance is to be provided for the plant to be able to produce more products needed for nation-building tasks. The plant, on its part, is to place emphasis on attending to the needs of the State and reducing the production expenses, he said. Next, Senior General Than Shwe looked into the products at the plant.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt tours Maungtaw

YANGON, 14 April - At the meeting hall of the Border region and Immigration Control Headquarters in Maungtaw of Rakhine State at 7 am on 10 April, acting control officer U Myint Oo reported to Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt matters on regional peace and tranquillity as well as social, economic, transportation, education and health affairs. The Prime Minister gave necessary instructions.

Next, the Prime Minister and party went to Thukhamyaing model village in Maungtaw Township. First, an official reported to the Prime Minister on location of the village, population and land reclamation. Then, the Prime Minister presented a television, video cassette, clothes, exercise books and medicines for the village.

Later, the Prime Minister and party went to MahaMuni Buddha Image in Kyauktaw where local authorities and local people welcomed them. Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt made cash donation to the funds of the Buddha Image. Next, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung and officials reported on excavation of Danyawady ancient city.

Later, the Prime Minister and party met with local authorities and departmental officials at the hall of the Kyauktaw Township General Administration Department. At the meeting, officials concerned reported on education, health and development tasks as well as water supply task being undertaken in the townships and requirements. Next, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said that the government has been providing assistance for the development of Rakhine State as well as uplift of education, health, transportation and social affairs of the local people, especially, Yangon-Sittway highway, which underpins the development of the Rakhine State, has been commissioned into service. In addition, over 800 bridges including 28 major bridges were constructed on the highway. Moreover, many existing roads are upgraded, bridges are built where necessary and maintenance of rural roads are carried out. With the aim of promoting education and health standards of the regional people, universities, colleges and hospitals are also constructed, he said. He also urged the local authorities and the people to make efforts for extended cultivation and farming. Afterwards, Myanmar Education Committee Chairman Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt presented a television, video cassette, a set of computer for Basic Education High School in Kyauktaw through an official.

Later, the Prime Minister and party went to Paletwa of Chin State and met with local authorities, departmental officials, townselders and personnel of social organizations at the township hall. Officials reported regional development matters including education, health and development affairs and the Prime Minister gave necessary instructions. Later, the Prime Minister and party paid obeisance and presented offertories to Hill region Missionary Sayadaw Bhaddanta Panñasami and sayadaws at the township hall. The Prime Minister and party then went to Sittway airport and left for Yangon. They arrived back in Yangon in the evening.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt looks into development works in Bago Division

YANGON, 14 April - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party, after attending the hoisting of Htidaw (tiered and ornamented finial) atop the ancient historic Yadana Htibyu Pagoda in Pyay, Bago (West) Division, together with Bago Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Commander Maj-Gen Ko Ko, arrived at Pyay University on 12 April morning.

There, the General viewed artefacts of Pyu in Sri Khittaya era, documentary photos and cultural and historical books. On the occasion, Rector U Mya Win reported on background history of the university, courses, subjects, number of students, IT rooms installed with 125 computers, organizational set-up of personnel and academic matters. Minister for Education U Than Aung gave a supplementary report. The General gave necessary instructions. On arrival at the Government Technological College (Pyay), the General heard a report by Principal U San Ngwe on academic matters including background history of the college, courses, number of the students. Deputy Minister for Science and Technology Dr Chan Nyein gave a supplementary report. The General gave instructions. They held a meeting with local authorities, departmental officials and members of social organizations. The chairman of Bago Division (West) PDC reported on location, area, families and population of Bago Division (West), climate, land utilization, cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, measures for extension of sown acreage, cultivation of ten major crops, and education and health sectors; chairmen of township PDCs, on education and health sectors and requirements township-wise. The General attended to the needs, saying that the government has been taking paces systematically for development of all parts of the nation and upgrading of education and health facilities. Officials at all levels are to make efforts with goodwill for regional development, he urged. The government has been rendering assistance for development of Bago Division. As a result, the division has been facilitated with fine transport and irrigation facilities, he said. The Prime Minister said as the country is an agro-based country, the rural people constituting 80% of the whole population live on agriculture. Therefore, the Government is building agricultural infrastructure like dams and irrigation facilities all over the country, spending a large sum of money. He continued that departmental officials are responsible for dissemination of quality strains and modern farming techniques to farmers, adding that steps are to be taken systematically to enable the locals to fully enjoy the fruitful results of development infrastructure shaped by the Government. He also spoke of the need of education officials at different levels to make a constant assessment of adequate educational infrastructure in rural areas, and that of health officials at different levels to ensure health infrastructure and increase health care keeping pace with the rural development and to report correctly to seniors on what is beyond their reach.

At a time when the Government is implementing the five rural development tasks, local authorities and departmental officials are required to make field trips down to grass-roots level enquiring what the locals really need through the establishment of close relations with them. Only then will the rural development tasks take shape clearly. He also called upon the social organizations formed by Government to lend themselves to these tasks. The Union of Myanmar, he said, is home to over one hundred national races, and each state and division represents small unions. Therefore, it is incumbent, he continued, on departmental heads to provide supervision with correct leadership to ensure further consolidation among national brethren residing in small unions. The Prime Minister also urged officials concerned to make efforts to seek ways and means through constant coordination for ongoing tasks to be successful. Finally, he stressed the need of departmental heads and government employees to avoid the bureaucratic behaviours and to go down to rural areas at grass-roots level to serve the interest of local people there by getting themselves mingled with the general public.

Later, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party went to Yadana Manaung Tawya monastery in Pyay, where they paid homage to Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Kaba Shweyinaye Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vijjabala, aged 99, and offered provisions to the Sayadaw. Next, the Prime Minister and party inspected preparatory measures taken for construction of a field trip technology training school of the Archaeological Department in Hmawza, Pyay.

Afterwards, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and his entourage arrived at Pyay Airport, where members of social organizations welcomed them with a shower of water to mark Thingyan Akyo day. The Prime Minister and party arrived back in Yangon in the evening.

Prime Minister tours Pyay in Bago (West) Division

YANGON, 14 April - After attending the htidaw hoisting ceremony of Yadana Htibyu Pagoda in Pyay on 12 April, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party went to Pyay University. On arrival at 11.30 am, they were welcomed there by Rector U Mya Win and faculty members. The Prime Minister inspected the artifacts and documentary photos and books on Pyay, Sri Khestra and ancient Pyu people displayed at the University hall. Then, the rector reported matters on the university and human resources development measures. Minister for Education U Than Aung made supplementary report. The Prime Minister gave necessary instructions. Then, faculty members of the university poured Thingyan water on the Prime Minister and party.

The Prime Minister and party next proceeded to the Government Technological College of Pyay. At the college hall, Principal U San Ngwe and Deputy Minister for Science & Technology Dr Chan Nyein reported matters on the college. The Prime Minister gave necessary instructions.

Later, the Prime Minister met with local authorities, department officials and personnel of social organizations at the Khittaya Hall in Pyay. Bago (West) Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Hla Min reported on matters in the region, cultivation of ten major crops including summer and monsoon paddy, utilization of land, extension of sown acreage and health and education works. Next, local authorities and department personnel of Pyay, Padaung, Paukkhaung, Shwedaung, Paungde, Thegon, Letpadan, Okpo and Moenyo townships reported on the education and health works and requirements in their respective townships. The Prime Minister fulfilled the requirements and delivered an address. In his address, he said that the Government has been opening schools, rural health centres, universities, colleges and hospitals in all States, Divisions, Districts and Townships. The local populace on their part are to strive for their regional development with might and main. Today in the Bago Division, many new roads and bridges have emerged for better transportation and numerous dams and reservoirs have also been built to ensure agricultural development. In Myanmar, over 80 per cent of the population reside in rural areas and are engaged in agriculture. Hence, infrastructures for agricultural development are built all over the country spending huge amount of funds. Tributary canals are also to be built systematically and department officials are to organize the people to use pedigree strains and apply modern cultivation techniques. As regards education, departmental personnel in charge of respective regions are to submit the requirements of school building, furniture, teachers, etc properly. In health sector too, those in charge of the regions are to review conditions and submit requirements to upper levels properly, he said. The departmental personnel are to meet with grassroot level and strive hard for successful implementation of five rural development tasks, he stressed. The helping hands of social organizations such as USDA, MMCWA, MNCWA, MWVO and Myanmar Red Cross Society are also needed in carrying out the regional development works, he said.

Later, the Prime Minister called on 99 years old Yadana Manaung Tawya monastery Sayadaw Abhidaja Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadaja Bhaddanta Vijjabala and paid obeisance to him. Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party went to Hmawzar and inspected the preparatory measures for building archaeological training school under Archaeological Department there. Next, the Prime Minister and party arrived in Pyay airport and they were doused with Thingyan water by the people. The Prime Minister and party arrived back in Yangon in the evening.

Secretary-1 attends installing of steel frames to Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon)

YANGON, 14 April - Steel frames were installed to Ayeyawady River (Yadanabon) Bridge at a ceremony held on Mandalay bank on 11 April morning.

It was attended by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe, Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win, departmental heads and others.

The Secretary-1, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, the commander and Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun fixed golden nuts to the frames of the bridge. The Secretary-1 formally unveiled the stone inscriptions of the bridge. On the occasion, officials reported on facts about construction projects. The Secretary-1 gave instructions.

On arrival at Government Technological College (Mandalay) Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Secretary-1 heard a report by officials on progress in constructing the buildings, courses, strength of students and requirements. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on training and nurturing the students with goodwill to bring about outstanding students, and inspected the project site.

The Secretary-1 and party went to the Institute of Traditional Medicines. Rector Dr Myat Moe reported on opening of the institute, courses, strength of the students, and construction of buildings in the compound of the institute. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions and viewed the construction tasks.

The Secretary-1 and party attended the opening of the plastic factory (Kyaukse) under the Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries, the Ministry of Industry-1. Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Minister U Aung Thaung formally opened the factory. The Secretary-1 unveiled the signboard of the factory and inspected the factory. Officials reported on salient points on the factory. Minister U Aung Thaung gave a supplementary report. The Secretary-1 gave instructions.

In the afternoon, the Secretary-1 headed for Government Technological College (Kyaukse). On the occasion, officials reported on bio-gas research work done by the institute for providing more electric power to Kyaukse and TadaU townships, production of bio-gas and biological fertilizer. Maj-Gen Ye Myint gave a supplementary report. The Secretary-1 gave instructions on extended building of bio-gas tanks.

The Secretary-1 and party inspected booth of research works and CNC Machine Shop at the institute and left necessary instructions.

Dry day inspection team checks departmental vehicles

YANGON, 14 April - Vice-Chairman of Dry Day Supervisory Committee Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Maj-Gen Thein Swe, accompanied by member Deputy Minister for Construction U Tint Swe and Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Than Htay, Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yee, senior military officers, departmental heads, Secretary Deputy Director-General U Sein Hla of the Government Office, Joint-Secretary Commander of Wireless and Traffic Police Force Police Lt-Col Aung Naing, in two groups supervised the dry day inspection teams on 11 April.

The inspection teams checked dry day pass, driver's licence, wheel tax bill for the Tatmadaw and departmental vehicles and wearing of departmental uniforms and breaking of traffic rules from 7 am to 5 pm.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Prime Minister
General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe enjoy Maha Thingyan Festival

YANGON, 14 April - The Traditional Myanma Thingyan Festival of the Prime Minister was held on the lawns of the Tatmadaw Guest House No 1 of the Ministry of Defence on Inya Road at 9 am yesterday.

Present were Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, widow of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Daw Khin Lay Thet, wife of Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Maung Bo and their wives, wives of the members of the State Peace and Development Council, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers and their wives, the Attorney-General, the Mayor of Yangon, military officers, families of the military intelligence units, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Mme Delia Domingo Albert and party who were here to attend the First Meeting of the Myanmar-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, the Philippine trade delegation chairman and members, the Support Fund Myanmar (Belgium) chairman and party, ambassadors, charges d'affaires and military attachés of foreign missions, officials of UN agencies and their families.

They participated in the Maha Thingyan Festival joyfully.

First, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe welcomed the guests and diplomats.

Next, the diplomats and families greeted Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San.

Celebrities of film and music worlds and families of Military Intelligence to the accompaniment of A-1 Soe Myint modern music troupe presented entertainment to the audiences. Afterwards, the guest enjoyed the Myanma Thingyan Festival.

Next, the guests and diplomats were served with snacks.

Prime Minister and wife enjoy Thingyan festival at pandal of Ministry of Home Affairs

YANGON, 14 April- Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe enjoyed the Myanmar traditional Maha Thingyan festival at the pandal of the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon.

At 2.30 pm, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, accompanied by officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, arrived at the pandal of the Ministry of Home Affairs where they were welcomed by Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing and wife Daw Khin Hla Hla and staff families.

Next, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers and their wives, the director-general of Myanmar Police Force and staff participated in the Thingyan festival.

Damsels of departments under the ministry presented Thingyan songs and dances to the Prime Minister and wife and guests.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and wife presented gifts to the dance troupes. Next, Minister Col Tin Hlaing extended greetings.

Later, the Prime Minister and wife, the commander and wife, Minister Col Tin Hlaing and wife, the ministers and wives
and staff families participated in the Thingyan festival.

Prime Minister and wife enjoy Thingyan festival at pandal of Ministry of Home Affairs

YANGON, 14 April- Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe enjoyed the Myanmar traditional Maha Thingyan festival at the pandal of the Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon.

Damsels of departments under the ministry presented Thingyan songs and dances to the Prime Minister and wife and guests.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and wife presented gifts to the dance troupes. Next, Minister Col Tin Hlaing extended greetings.

Later, the Prime Minister and wife, the commander and wife, Minister Col Tin Hlaing and wife, the ministers and wives
and staff families participated in the Thingyan festival.

Diplomatic corps enjoy Water Festival at Yangon Mayor's Pandal

YANGON, 14 April - Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and committee members and their wives, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, Protocol Department Director-General Thura U Aung Htet and ambassadors of foreign embassies in Yangon and their wives enjoyed traditional Thingyan dances and songs at the Yangon Mayor's pandal today.

In the morning, national races from border areas entertained the audience with traditional dances, followed by Thingyan dances and songs.

In the afternoon, Minister U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet, foreign ambassadors and their wives arrived at the pandal. The mayor and wife served a luncheon to the ambassadors and their wives, who then enjoyed Thingyan entertainment programmes and took part in the Water Festival.

People enjoy themselves in Thingyan Festival

YANGON, 14 April - Pagodas, monasteries and religious buildings were packed with those performing meritorious deeds today, Thingyan Akyat day, and revellers also took part in the festival joyfully by going round the townships in cars or on foot.

The Maha Thingyan Discipline Enforcement Committee, the Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and the Supervisory Committee for Traffic Rules in cooperation with the Myanmar Police Force, auxiliary fire brigades and Red Cross brigades, provided close supervision for the revellers at crowded places here.

Arrangements have been made to distribute water free of charge from 8 am to 6 pm to water-scarce pavilions from tube-wells
of Thingangyun, North Okkalapa, Thakayta, Sang-young, Insein and Mayan-gon townships.

Pious people visited famous pagodas here to do meritorious deeds, keep sabbath, hear sermons, practise in meditation and perform food charity.

In the townships here, the general public celebrated the festival with great joy by setting up water-throwing pandals. Authorities concerned monitored the festival.

Pandals in Mandalay City crowded with Thingyan revellers

YANGON, 14 April - The moat of Mandalay Nanmyo was crowded with those who enjoyed Myanma Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival on Thingyan Akya Day, on 13 April. Chairman of Man-dalay City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and wife Daw Yin Yin Shwe, Deputy Commander of Central Command Brig-Gen Nay Win, MCDC Secretary Col Maung Pu and members and officials attended the opening of Mawriya Family Thingyan Pandal in front of the moat, opened by Mayor Brig-Gen Yan Thein and Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win.

Similarly, the mayor and party, together with the Chinese consul-general and guests, participated in the pandals of private entrepreneurs in the city.

The pandals of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, the Ministry of Forestry, other departments and private entrepreneurs on the circular road around the moat was packed with cars, motorcycles and bicycles of those who enjoyed the Myanmar Traditional Thingyan Festival.

Artists from film, video and music fields performed entertainment to the audience on the stages.

Thingyan pandal of H&T Ministry crowded with revellers in Mandalay

YANGON, 14 April- The Maha Thingyan pandal of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism was opened with ceremony in front of Inwa Hotel in Mandalay yesterday morning. Director-General of Directorate of Hotels & Tourism U Khin Maung Latt, Director-General of Tourism & Sports of Thailand Dr Sasithara Pichaichannarong, Myanmar Hoteliers Association Chairman Dr Khin Shwe and Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Chairman U Khin Zaw formally opened the pandal by cutting the ribbon. Tourists, personnel of tour agencies and hotels joyfully took part in the water festival.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Philippine guest

YANGON, 14 April- Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt received Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Mme Delia Domingo Albert and party who arrived here to attend the First Meeting of the Myanmar-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha at 5 pm yesterday.

Defence Officials' Dialogue of ARF countries meet

YANGON, 14 April- The first-day session of Defence Officials' Dialogue of the Second Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum Support Group on Confidence Building Measures was held at Sedona Hotel on 11 April. Brig-Gen Thein Swe of Myanmar and Col Li Ji of the People's Republic of China presided over the meeting. Delegations and military attachés of ARF member countries attended the meeting.

In the evening, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung hosted a dinner to the delegates of ARF countries at Karaweik Palace.

UMFCCI hosts dinner to Chinese cultural troupe

YANGON, 14 April- A 34-member Xipsaungpana vocalist and dancer troupes of Yunnan Province of the People's Republic of China who arrived here to enjoy the Maha Thingyan Festival, were hosted with a dinner by Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry at Grand Plaza Parkroyal on Alanpya Pagoda Road in Dagon Township yesterday evening. Also present were Director-General U Kyaw Win of Fine Arts Department, Cultural Counsellor Mr Pan Feng of the Chinese Embassy and officials of the UMFCCI. Adviser to the UMFCCI U Khin Maung Yi extended greetings. Next, the Xipsaungpana cultural troupe presented variety dances to audiences.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs concludes visit

YANGON, 14 April- Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Mme Delia Domingo Albert and party who arrived here to attend the First Meeting of the Myanmar-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid homage to pagodas in Bagan Archaeological region, Bagan-NyaungU, this morning and visited the Archaeological Museum.

They arrived back here by air from Bagan-NyaungU this evening. The Philippines guests left here by air later in the evening. They were seen off at the airport by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of the Protocol Department, Director-General U Thaung Tun of the Political Department, Philippines Ambassador Mrs Phobe A Gomez and embassy staff.

Officials leave for Malaysia

YANGON, 12 April- Central Executive Committee member of UMFCCI Myanmar Engineers Association Chairman Dr Sein Myint and UMFCCI executive Myanmar Timber Entrepreneurs Association Secretary U Aye Lwin left here by air this morning to attend the First meeting of East Asia Business Council in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Business Forum held

YANGON, 12 April- The Myanmar-Philippines private business forum was held at Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here this morning. Present on the occasion were UMFCCI President U Win Myint and members Ambassador of the Philippines Ms Phoebe Gomez and businessmen headed by Philippines-Myanmar Business Council Chairman Mr Jose P Levitse.

Rice millers leave for abroad

YANGON, 13 April - A 32-member delegation led by Myanmar Rice Millers Association Chairman U Tin Win and General Secretary U Tin Aung left here by air this morning for Vietnam, China and Thailand. The delegation will have discussions with businessmen and study rice mills, post-harvest processing and services from 13 to 27 April. The delegation was seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry President U Win Myint and officials.

Strive to build a modern Tatmadaw

"It is incumbent upon you to build not only a modern Tatmadaw but also a new modern and developed nation. Hence, you need to have a sense of initiative and innovation. Although you have completed learning at the academy, you all are to be in the continuous pursuit of it. You should not be content with the education you have acquired but you should strive to arm yourselves with the technology new to you all," said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe at the graduation parade of the Sixth Intake of the Defence Services Technological Academy which took place in the Parade Grounds of the academy in PyinOoLwin on 9 April. The cadets of the Sixth Intake of DSTA have already been trained and taught a host of subjects on military and technology and are going to be appointed and assigned duty as military engineer junior leaders. In performing their duties they are to uphold the 12 fine traditions of Tatmadaw, even at risk to their lives and to be able to continue upholding the fine traditions of Tatmadaw, they are to be equipped with the five basic qualities-morally good, to observe discipline, to be loyal to the State, to be united, and to possess the three capabilities. Good morale contributes much to leadership. Good leadership must be endowed with the spirit of a good commander, of parenthood, of serving the interest of the unit, perseverance, industry and diligence, a heart of gold, team spirit, courage and determination, and desire to work for the welfare of others. Therefore, a member of the Tatmadaw with good morale will be able to establish himself into a good leader if he strives for acquiring the three capabilities and leadership.

Now, the Tatmadaw, hand in hand with the national people, has been making all-out efforts to reach the goal of the State- a peaceful, modern and developed nation. A modern Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) is essential for a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

The cadets of DSTA play an important role in building a modern Tatmadaw with high capabilities. The junior leaders graduated from DSTA are responsible for building a modern Tatmadaw and they are to lend themselves to nation-building endeavours. We firmly believe that officers graduated from DSTA will become engineers on whom the State can rely and they will take part earnestly in efforts for building a modern Tatmadaw.