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Headlines

• Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives US military attaché 
• Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives Cambodian military attaché

Region

• Myanmar Education Committee Chairman General Khin Nyunt attends opening ceremony of School Family Day for 2002-2003 at Diamond Jubilee Hall
• Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt attends meeting of SCCHP
• Model villages opened in Yangon South District
• Planning Department holds work coord meeting
• Junior Engineer-2 (Civil) course opens
• MFF holds Annual General Meeting
• Photography plays vital role in print/electronic media
• Hotel, Motel & Inn Supervisory Committee holds coord meeting
• ICT Week Organizing Central Committee meets
• Yangon West District social & blood donors organization formed
• Leading Patrons Committee and Executive Committee of MWSF meet
• Contraband monosodium glutamate destroyed
• USDA objectives lectured at management multiplier course
• KNU terrorists kill father, 7-year-old daughter

International Relations

• Commerce Minister receives guests
• Light jet Falcon-900 arrives
• Diplomats in Singapore visit Myanmar

Drug

• Drug traffickers sentenced
• 251 drug cases exposed in November

News

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Headlines

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives US military attaché

Yangon, 27 Dec - 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 received Military Attaché of the United States of America Colonel Jack C Dibrell who had completed his tour of duty at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha here at 11 am today.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye receives Cambodian military attaché

Yangon, 27 Dec - 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 received Military Attaché of Cambodia to Myanmar Col Ngi Vandim at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here at 11.30 am today.

Region

Myanmar Education Committee Chairman General Khin Nyunt attends opening ceremony of School Family Day for 2002-2003 at Diamond Jubilee Hall

Yangon, 27 Dec - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt attended the opening ceremony of the School Family Day for 2002-2003 at Diamond Jubilee Hall on Pyay Road here this morning. At 8 am, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt arrived at the Diamond Gubilee Hall and was welcomed by students with the song "Myanmar School".

At the opening ceremony, students Ma Yadana Aye Min and Ma Pyi Mon Thet of Sangyoung Township Basic Education High School acted as master of ceremonies announcing the programmes Myanmar and students Ma Hauk Khant Ding and Ma Naw Mary in English.

Altogether 14 schoolgirls and schoolboys of Institute of Education Practising High School, representing counterparts from the States and Divisions, cut the ribbon to open the School Family Day celebration, followed by releasing of gas balloons to mark the opening ceremony.

Meanwhile, Ma Ei Ei Chun and Maung Zeya Pyi Phyo, who won gold medals in the Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, sang the song "Zabudipa" to the accompaniment of Po Thagyan Myanma orchestra music troupe. Similarly, a total of 100 girl/students of Kamayut BEHS No 2 presented dances to the audience.

Next, the State flag bearers of Yankin Basic Education Middle School No 1 and the band of Botahtaung BEHS No 4 participated in the drills; schoolgirls of Dagon BEHS No 1 in the aerobic demonstration; students of Hline BEHS No 4 in the dances of Pyu period; schoolgirls of Bahan BEHS No 2 in the song and dance presentation; schoolgirls of Kamayut BEPS No 2 in the dances titled "Myanma umbrella"; the State flag bearers and the band of Yankin BEMS No 1 in the march; schoolgirls of Latha BEHS No 2 in the martial art demonstration; students of Thingangyun BEPS No 8 and Mingala Taungnyunt BEHS No 3 in the dance and song presentation; students of the Kyauktada BEPS No 6 in the taekwondo skill demonstration; the State and Division flags bearers of Yankin BEMS in the march; the band and the pom-pom dance troupe of Sangyoung BEHS No 2 in the drill demonstration; students of Sangyoung BEHS No 2 in the Myanma traditional ozi song and dance presentation and schoolgirl band of Mingala Taungnyunt BEHS No 3 in the drills. Then, the opening ceremony came to an end.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 and party and the guests viewed the e-Government in Education Sector in the e-Education in Myanmar-2003 booth and the Online Education booth displayed on the third floor of the Diamond Hall. At the Video Conferencing (Yangon-Mandalay) booth, the Secretary-1 heard direct reports presented by the rector of Mandalay University and gave necessary instructions to him directly.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 inspected the Video Library Management System booth, the e-Book Website booth, the Yangon University of Distance Education booth, the IT Electronics and Communications of the Department of Engineering Physics and IT booth of Yangon University, the Model of e-Library booth of Universities' Central Library, computer technological booths of companies and computer skill demonstration by the students.

On the second floor, the General and party viewed round the Myanma social life art show. The Rector of YU and officials conducted the General round the show. The Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.

Then, the Secretary-1 viewed the practical drawing of postcard art by the basic education students on the second floor.

Next, the General and party inspected the booth of implementation of the 30-year long-term education plans, the all-round development of education sector booth, the booth of Yangon Institute of Education Practising High School of Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar), the booth of Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon (Central), the handiwork booth, the domestic science (cookery) booth, the handicraft booth, the domestic science (tailoring and handiwork) booth, the handiwork salesroom and showroom of Basic Education Departments on the first floor of the hall.

Later, the Secretary-1 cordially met with the students and left the hall in the morning. The colour art contest to mark the School Family Day was held at the building in the compound of the Diamond Jubilee Hall from 9 am to 12 noon. Altogether 86 basic education students took part in the contest.

The e-Education in Myanmar 2003 booth is being displayed on the third floor, the Myanma social life art show and the practical drawing of postcard art by basic education students on the second floor, the handiwork and domestic science (cookery and tailoring) booths of BEDs and the booth of Myanmar Traditional Artistes and Artisans Asiayon (Central) on the first floor and the education book fair on the ground floor from 9 am to 5 pm daily up to 3 January 2003. In addition, not only is the orchid and flower show is exhibited but also food stalls and sales centers are opened in the compound of the hall.

Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt attends meeting of SCCHP

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Supervisory Committee for City Housing Project held its meeting No 10/2002 at the meeting hall of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development of the Ministry of Construction on Bogyoke Aung San Street here at 4 pm today, attended by Chairman of the SCCHP Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt said in a bid to modernize the Yangon City to be replete with the characteristics of the city, measures are to be taken for the city to become grand, pleasant and scenic.

Myanmar being a member of the ASEAN, meetings of the association as well as other international-level meetings are being hosted in the country. To make the Yangon City a city of international standard, roundabouts of the main roads in the city are now being upgraded. Ministries and the Yangon City Development Committee, on their part, should continue doing whatever should be carried out to achieve that goal.

Then, the ministers reported on the city development tasks being carried out in their respective sectors. Chairman of the YCDC Mayor U Ko Lay, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Director-General of the DHSHD U Arnt Kyaw and members, and officials also reported on matters related to lands, housing, and city development tasks sector-wise. Next, private construction groups made reports on their respective tasks being carried out under the supervision of the SCCHP. The meeting came to an end with the instructions of Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt on the reports made.

Model villages opened in Yangon South District

Yangon, 27 Dec - The opening ceremonies of model villages in Thanlyin, Thongwa and Kayan townships, Yangon South District, organized by Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Maternal and Child Welfare Association, were held at the respective villages this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife Patron of the Supervisory Committee Daw Khin Thet Htay.

First, the commander and party arrived in Kayinseik model village. Daw Khin Thet Htay formally opened the model village. Daw Khin Thet Htay then presented medicines provided by Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA to the rural health care unit of the model village.

The commander and party went to the library of the village. Daw Khin Thet Htay donated various kinds of books to the library. The commander and party then inspected the library. At Thaiktukan model village in Thongwa Township, Daw Khin Thet Htay and Township MCWA Chairperson Dr Soe Soe Hla formally opened the village and the commander unveiled the signboard. Daw Khin Thet Htay donated books to the village library. Then, the commander and party inspected Thaiktukan BEHS (Branch) and the magneto telephone carrier board of the village.

Daw Khin Thet Htay then donated medicines to the rural health care branch. The commander and party attended the opening ceremony of the concrete bridge built at a cost of K 3.7 million linking Shwebosu and Daepauk model villages in Kayan Township. The local authorities formally opened Daepauk model village. Daw Khin Thet Htay donated books to the village library and medicines to the village delivery room. The commander and party then visited Daepauk model village BEHS (branch) and fulfilled the requirements. The Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA plans to set up more model villages in the Yangon Division possessing the model village characteristics.

Planning Department holds work coord meeting

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Planning Department of the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development held its work coordination meeting at the meeting hall of the Planning Department at the ministry this morning, with an address by Minister for NPED U Soe Tha.

In his speech, the minister said the tasks to review and analyse the local economic condition must be carried out systematically and effectively with added momentum. Efforts are needed to do thorough calculation in evaluating the status of the economic development of the State by indexes. It is also necessary for all the staff to study basic statistical methods and instructions well in order to be able to assess the HDI (Human Development Index) that shows the development of the State.

Director-General Dr Sein Tin of the Central Statistical Organization reported on matters related to indexes to be collected, and Director-General Daw Than Nwe of the PD on the presentation of monthly reports concerning the local economic condition and arrangements for township-wise statistical matters. Afterwards, the minister made concluding remarks and attended to the requirements for the staff welfare.

MFF holds Annual General Meeting

Yangon, 27 Dec - The fourth annual general meeting 2002 and seminar on fisheries of Myanmar Fisheries Federation took place at Yuzana Garden Hotel on Signal Pagoda Road here this morning. Present on the occasion were Minister for Cooperatives Lt-Gen Tin Ngwe.

First, President U Htay Myint extended greetings. Then, Minister Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein made a speech. General Secretary of the MFF U Kyi Ngwe presented reports and financial statement of the executive committee followed by a general round of discussions. Then, the seminar on development of fisheries was held. Dr San Aung, U Khin Ko Lay, Daw Toe Nanda Tin, U Soe Tint and Dr Myint Swe read out their papers at the seminar.

Junior Engineer-2 (Civil) course opens

Yangon, 27 Dec - The opening ceremony of Junior Engineer-2 (Civil) Course No-2 of Public Works, Ministry of Construction, was held at Central Training School (Thuwunna) this morning.

Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, made a speech and cordially greeted the trainees. A total of 34 trainees are attending the 12-week course.

Hotel, Motel & Inn Supervisory Committee holds coord meeting

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Hotel, Motel and Inn Supervisory Committee, formed with the aim of ensuring management for development of the tourism industry, held its first coordination meeting at Karaweik Palace this morning.

Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw delivered an address. The Hotel, Motel and Inn Standardization Sub-committee was reformed as the Hotel, Motel and Inn Supervisory Committee on 22-11-2002.

Then, Secretary of the Supervisory Committee Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu reported on forming of the sub-committee for uplift of hotel, motel and inn standard, the financial supervisory committee, and the discipline enforcement sub-committee, number of the sub-committee members and duty assignment. Later, members of the Hotel, Motel and Inn Supervisory Committee and guests took part in the discussions.

Photography plays vital role in print/electronic media

Yangon, 27 Dec - Photography Refresher Course No 1/2002 of the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information concluded at the training hall of the News and Periodicals Enterprise here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said the State Peace and Development has been striving for the Union of Myanmar to become a peaceful, modern and developed nation, and the energetic participation of the people is required to achieve the goal. In order to win the public cooperation, the public organization and education methods will have to be applied.

He said the IPRD staff are the persons discharging the duties of the ministry in the forefront, and reiterated the ministry's objectives and goal, which are, to inform the people of the State's policy and long-term and short-term projects; to educate and organize the public through the mass media; to run printing services designated by the State; to scrutinize the foreign films and video plays; and to promote the Myanmar literature in accord with the directives of the State.

Photography plays a vital role in the print media and the electronic media and also in the international arena. Thus, the trainees are urged to make studies constantly for spiritual development and to promote their skills. Patriotism is important in promoting the spiritual ability. All the Myanmar people should be endowed with the Myanmar spirit which is the spirit to take pride in the race and to overcome all kinds of difficulties. All will have to uphold Our Three Main National Causes based on patriotism. Our Three Main National Causes, patriotism and national solidarity (Union Spirit) are the national policy.

Thus, the IPRD staff will have to strive to provide active and high-quality media service. They will have to work with new outlook under the current policies to cover the entire Myanmar with media. Constant assessment should be made to introduce changes in accord with the era and within the framework to attack the public. The minister then presented certificates to trainees through their representatives and gifts for instructors. Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Aung Thein and U Thein Sein presented gifts to outstanding trainees. Sixty trainees had completed the two-week course.

Yangon West District social & blood donors organization formed

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Yangon West District Union Solidarity and Development Association held the ceremony to set up the social & blood donors organization at the Yangon West District USDA Office on Ahlon Road in Ahlon Township this morning and made cash donations.

At the ceremony, USDA CEC member Col Tin Hlaing gave a speech. On behalf of 750 blood donors of townships in Yangon West District, Seikkan Township USDA Secretary U San Kyaw presented their membership applications to Yangon Division USDA executive U Min Thein.

Then, CEC member Col Tin Hlaing and officials accepted K 1,905,000 donated by 25 wellwishers for the organization. Next, certificates of honour went to the wellwishers.

The organization which was set up with the six aims based on the five principles of USDA will participate in the community welfare tasks in all sectors.

ICT Week Organizing Central Committee meets

Yangon, 27 Dec - The ICT Week Organizing Central Committee held a coordination meeting at the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Park (MICT Park) in Hline Township this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the Central Committee Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the first anniversary of the MICT Park will fall on 21 January 2003. The ICT Week will be held on a grand scale to mark its anniversary ceremony. The educative programmes related to IT and communication technologies are to be held with fun fair. Arrangements are to be made to meet industrial entrepreneurs and IT technicians in the ICT Week. And suggestions are to be given to successfully hold the ICT Week ceremony.

Then, chairmen and secretaries of sub-committees reported their respective sectors. Those present then took part in the discussions. Later, the minister gave concluding remarks.

Contraband monosodium glutamate destroyed

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Government has banned importing of monosodium glutamate (taste-enhancer) which is harmful to the public health as restricted goods. But some unscrupulous persons, paying serious attention only to their own interests, have been importing the contraband items resorting to various ways and means.

The authorities concerned seized 4215 lbs of the Yodaya-made contraband goods in Mon State on 4 December. They were destroyed in the compound of Thaton District Peace and Development Council Office on 9 December.

The seizure was made at Thaton Station while the contraband goods were being carried by the 82-Up Mottama-Yangon train. The taste-enhancer includes 2,064 packets of pot brand each containing 500 grams, 1,040 packets of pot brand each containing 250 grams and 12,400 packets of pot brand each containing 50 grams.

The Government has been exposing imports of the contraband items. Measures are being taken to take action against those who involve in the case.

Leading Patrons Committee and Executive Committee of MWSF meet

Yangon, 27 Dec - A meeting between the Leading Patrons Committee for Myanmar Women,s Sports Federation and the Executive Committee for MWSF was held at the Padamya Hall of National Indoor Stadium-1 of the Ministry of Sports this afternoon, attended by Head of the Leading Patrons Committee Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe. The meeting focused on future work programmes for honouring the woman medalists in the XIV Asian Games and Eighth Far-East and South Pacific Nations Sports Meets for Disabled.

USDA objectives lectured at management multiplier course

Yangon, 27 Dec - CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Thein Sein gave lectures on the objectives of the association and progress of national development at Multiplier Management Course No 29 for the USDA Executives of Dagon Myothit (North) Township this afternoon.

KNU terrorists kill father, 7-year-old daughter

Yangon, 27 Dec - A group of KNU terrorist insurgents recklessly killed a farmer and his seven-year-old daughter while the two were sleeping in a hut near their farm at Peinhnedaw village, Hsinku village-tract, Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, at 2 am on 18 December.

The innocent farmer, U Ba Thein, 57, and daughter, Ma Mu Naw Thein, died on the spot of the bullet wounds. The KNU terrorist insurgents are constantly disturbing community peace and shooting and murdering the innocent people without any cause.

International Relations

Commerce Minister receives guests

Yangon, 27 Dec - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received Resident Representative of Shwe Lay Ta Gun Travels and Tours in Yangon Mr Brett Meizer at his office at 5.45 pm today. Similarly, the minister received Managing Director of JBS Resources Ptd Ltd of the Republic of Singapore Mr Jimmy Teo at his office at 6.15 pm today.

Light jet Falcon-900 arrives

Yangon, 27 Dec - Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and sponsored by the Ministry of Transport, a light jet Falcon-900 carrying 8 Brazilian tourists on board, arrived at Yangon International Airport yesterday evening. Managing Director of the Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services U Htay Aung and officials welcomed the tourists.

The tourists will visit Yangon and Bagan. They will leave here from Nanthida Jetty by M/Y Montigne on 29 December for Dawei, Myeik and Kawthoung Archipelagos. They then will leave Kawthoung for Phuket, Thailand, on 6 January 2003.

Diplomats in Singapore visit Myanmar

Yangon, 27 Dec - Under the cooperative arrangement of the Two Hundred Diplomats Club and the Myanmar Embassy in Singapore, a team comprising 22 members of the Two Hundred Diplomats Club and diplomats in Singapore arrived here by air on 20 December afternoon.

They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Myanmar Ambassador to Singapore U Hla Than's wife Daw Khin Aye Myint, officials of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Singaporean Embassy in Yangon.

The guests visited Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association at the corner of Thanthuma and Parami Roads in South Okkalapa Township. Member of the delegation Director of Getan Pte Ltd Mr Katsuji Iwatake and family donated Brother Brand five sewing machines for the association to Vice Chairperson of the MMCWA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, who presented souvenir to them.

MMCWA Chairperson Prof Daw Kyu Kyu Swe, CEC members and Ambassador U Hla Than's wife Daw Khin Aye Myint also attended the occasion. The chairperson explained the functions of the association. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Khin Maung Win hosted a dinner in honour of the guests at Karaweik Palace. The guests visited Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, National Museum and Drug Elimination Museum on 21 December.

On 22 December, the guests toured Inlay Lake and paid homage to PhaungdawU Pagoda. Then, they visited Mongthauk Village and its market and smithy and weaving houses in Inpawkhon Village. They arrived at PyinOoLwin on 23 December and visited National Kandawgyi Gardens. They then visited and paid homage to Maha Muni and Kuthodaw Pagodas in Mandalay. They also went to Mandalay Palace, Shwe-nandaw Monastery and Mandalay Hill.

They toured Putao on 24 December. They visited Myitkyina on 25 December and Maykha and Maylikha confluence and Lanchi Tower on 26 December. In the evening of 26 December, they arrived back here and visited Gems Museum. The delegation left here by air this morning.

Drug

Drug traffickers sentenced

Yangon, 27 Dec - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and local police force, acting on information, searched a Taunggyi-Mandalay passenger bus with number plates 4 Kha/6702 at Phayangasu Check Point in Thazi Township on 25 February this year, and seized 8.899 kilos of raw opium from passenger Ma Myo.

Action was taken against Ma Myo, 48, daughter of U Mya Tha of No 551, Myakyuntha Ward, Hopin, under Sections 15/19(A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the Thazi police station.

Meiktila District Court handed down 20 years' imprisonment on her under Section 19 (A) on 25 November.

Similarly, a combined team consisting members of local intelligence unit and Hpa-an Special Anti-drug Squad, searched the house of Ma Khin Than of Ward-A, Meitawthalay Village in Myawady Township on 2 August 2002 and seized 98 stimulant tablets. Action was taken against Ma Khin Than, 42, daughter of U Thaung, under Sections 15/19(A)/20(A) (B) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by the Myawady police station.

Myawady District Court sentenced 15 years' imprisonment to her under Section 19 (A) on 15 November.

251 drug cases exposed in November

Yangon, 27 Dec - The Tatmadaw, Myanmar Police Force and the Customs Department exposed 251 drug-related cases in November 2002. Seizure made by them were 20.191 kilos of opium in 24 cases, 15.7641 kilos of heroin in 86 cases, 3.2485 kilos of opium oil in 4 cases, 12.1231 kilos of low grade opium in 17 cases, 1.2383 kilos of marijuana in 10 cases, 4.5 liters of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 86,951 stimulant tablets in 36 cases, 470.57 kilos of Ephedrine in 3 cases, 0.0008 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 2.179 kilos of Speciosa in 3 cases, 177 bottles of Morphine and 45.4 liters of Acetic Anhydride in one case, 4869.076 liters of liquid chemicals in 3 cases and 1983.4649 kilos of chemical, 26 cases for failure to register and 33 other cases.

Seizure made by Tatmadaw battalions and units were 0.0004 kilo of heroin in 2 cases, 2820 stimulant tablets in 2 cases, 3823.156 liters of liquid chemicals and 105 kilos of chemical powder in 2 cases.

Seizure made by MPF were 20.191 kilos of opium in 24 cases, 15.3637 kilos of heroin in 84 cases, 3.2485 kilos of opium oil in 4 cases, 12.1231 kilos of low grade opium in 17 cases, 1.2383 kilos of marijuana in 10 cases, 4.5 liters of Phensedyl in 4 cases, 84,131 stimulant tablets in 34 cases, 470.57 kilos of Ephedrine in 3 cases, 0.0008 kilo of stimulant powder in one case, 2.179 kilos of Speciosa in 3 cases, 177 bottles of Morphine and 45.4 liters of Acetic Anhydride in one case, 1045.92 liters of liquid chemicals and 1878.4649 kilos of chemical powder in one case, 25 cases of failure to register and 16 other cases.

Action was taken against 417 persons 353 men and 46 women in 251 cases in November 2002.

On 19 November, a combined drug abuse control team, laying in wait near the house of Yi Aung in Christian Ward, Muse, raided the house and arrested Yi Aung and wife Ma Ah Yon and drug-dealer Kyein Te Chein together with 30 blocks of heroin weighing 11.7 kilos. Action is being taken against them by Muse Police Station.

On 23 November, a combined drug abuse control team, acting on information, searched Sai Khan Lu and seized 38,800 stimulant tablets bearing WY letters from his knapsack. Action is being taken against them by Lashio Police Station.

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