- Regional development tasks inspected in Bago Division and Kayin State
- 55th birthday of Myainggyingu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana held in Sonnatha Myaingswe City
- Sugar mills inspected in Bago Division (West)
- Agriculture and livestock breeding entrepreneurs encouraged
- Commander inspects agricultural tasks in Hinthada District
- Coordination meeting on Teenager Reproductive Health Plan held
- Course in Diplomacy for Officers concludes
- Measures for upgrading of Yangon City coordinated
Regional development tasks inspected in Bago Division and Kayin State
Yangon, 17 July - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by responsible personnel of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental officials of Bago Division, inspected shady trees grown on both sides of Bago-Nyaunglaybin road for greening purpose and the plantations of monsoon paddy on 14 July evening.
On arrival at the 100-acre model plantations of monsoon paddy for the year 2003-2004 at the milepost 102/2 in Sangalay village-tract, Nyaunglaybin Township, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party were welcomed by local authorities, departmental personnel, members of the district/township agricultural supervisory committees, and officials.
At the briefing hall, Bago Division Myanma Agriculture Service Manager U Win Maung reported on the cultivation of monsoon paddy, technologies rendered to local farmers, and arrangements for cultivation of monsoon paddy in the township.
After hearing the reports, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on using correct agricultural methods and quality strains for high yield of crops, combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, and extended cultivation of paddy species peculiar to the township.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected round the designated model paddy plantations in the township and attended to the requirements.
A total of 16 farmers will conduct a survey of paddy output by growing Kyawzeya paddy species on 90 acres of land and Hmawby-2 paddy species on 10 acres of land in the model paddy fields in Sangalay village-tract, using organic and inorganic fertilizers.
It is targeted to grow monsoon paddy on 121,300 acres of land in 2003-2004 in Nyaunglaybin Township, Bago Division. And 87,843 acres of land, 72.42 percent, were put under paddy up to 14 July.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party, accompanied by Deputy Commander of Southern Command Brig-Gen Thura Maung Ni, inspected road construction works being carried out on Nyaunglaybin-Zeyawady road section by Hi-Star Public Co Ltd under the Yangon-Mandalay Road Project.
At the briefing hall, Hi-Star Public Co Ltd Project Manager U Aung Khin reported on progress of the construction of road, bridges, supply of rocks, tar and fuel oil and repair of road sections between Penwegon and Tawkywe-in.
After hearing the reports, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave instructions on repairs of roads and bridges as their damage causes delay in the flow of commodities, and maintenance of roads and bridges in the rainy season.
Then, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party arrived at Taungoo and spent the night there.
On 15 July morning, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party met departmental officials at the hall of Taungoo Station (Headquarters) and gave necessary instructions on agriculture and livestock breeding works for regional development and enforcement of law and order.
Present were Joint-Quartermaster-General Maj-Gen Htin Aung Kyaw, the deputy commander, local authorities and departmental officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said that the State is now undergoing development as regional administrative bodies, departments, social organizations and townselders are harmoniously taking part in the effort to establish a peaceful, modern, developed nation under the leadership of the Government. Ours is an agro-based country rich in land and water resources. These resources should be put into effective use to boost agriculture and livestock breeding industries on a commercial scale.
Bago Division plays an important role in national economy. Therefore, employees in Bago Division are to make strenuous efforts for regional development.
It is found that of 439,500 acres of monsoon paddy targeted to be grown in Taungoo District, Bago Division, in 2003-2004, a total of 174,145 acres had been put under cultivation up to 14 July. Therefore, efforts are to be made to meet the target. Moreover, steps are also to be taken to obtain the targeted yield of the ten major crops of State - paddy, long staple cotton, sugarcane, pigeon pea, gram, pedisein, groundnut, sesame, sunflower, and maize.
Additional three crops - tea, coffee and pepper plants - suitable for the climate of the region should also be cultivated. It is also necessary to make arrangements for the extended cultivation of Thitseint trees.
To ensure harmonious development between the livestock breeding industry and the agricultural sector, fish breeding work should be undertaken on virgin and vacant lands.
As there are only over 10,000 acres of fish ponds in the whole Bago Division, arrangements are to be made to extend the acreage to 20,000 by adding 5,000 acres each in eastern Bago and western Bago.
Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than cordially met with departmental officials.
Afterwards, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party inspected the forest preservation activities being carried out on both sides of Taungoo-Thandaunggyi road. At 10 am, they arrived at Taungsakhan in Kayin State and looked into the construction of stone garden, offices, hotels and estates.
Then, they proceeded to local battalion and met with officers and other ranks and their families and gave instructions on undertakings of agriculture and livestock works on a manageable scale. They also inspected the development conditions of Thandaunggyi.
On arrival at the coffee plantations of the battalion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party heard reports on arrangements for the cultivation of coffee plants on 340 acres of land and attended to requirements.
At 2 pm, they arrived at Thandaung in Kayin State, where they met with departmental officials and gave instructions on regional development tasks.
In his speech, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said being a hilly region, Thangdaung Township is not favourable for paddy cultivation. Therefore, tea coffee and pepper plants should be grown more.
The development in agriculture and livestock breeding industries will raise the living standard of local people. Collective efforts are to be exerted on keeping the township pleasant and clean and the enforcement of law and order. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party went to Kyauktaing coffee farm of Myanma Farms Enterprise in Kyauktaing Village. Farm officials conducted them round the farm. Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than gave necessary instructions.
Of 500 acres of coffee plants targeted to be grown in Taungoo, a total of 220 acres had been put under cultivation. Altogether 500,000 coffee saplings are nursed at the farm and can be bought at a reasonable price.
Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party also inspected the coffee plantations of U Saw Ti Tee at Ngwetauntlay Village in Taungoo Township. They arrived at Taungoo in the evening and stopped over there.
55th birthday of Myainggyingu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana held in Sonnatha Myaingswe City
Yangon, 17 July - The 55th birthday of Myainggyi-ngu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Sujana was held in conjunction with the offering of "soon" to 1,000 members of the Sangha to mark the fifth anniversary of restoration of peace in Sonnatha Myaing-swe City (Myainggyingu Special Region) of Kayin State, at Aung Mingala Pariyatti Monastery in Sonnatha Myaingswe City of Myainggyingu Special Region, Hlaingbwe Township, on 16 July morning.
Vocalist Hinthada Tun Yin and Pianist Khun Tin Kywe performed music entertainment to pay homage to the Sayadaw.
Myainggyingu Sayadaw administered the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited Parittas. Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung supplicated on religious matters.
The commander offered provisions donated by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt and South-East Command to the Sayadaw.
Senior military officers, the Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council, the Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, wellwisher Shwe Thanlwin Co Family and local people presented offertories to members of the Sangha.
Director-General Col Than Swe of Progress of Border Areas and National Races Department donated K 2 million. Next, the commander accepted K 45.55 million for Shwegoon Shwelintha Sasana Beikman and K 26,888,720 for 1.5 viss of gold to be gilded at the pagoda on Zwegabin Hill, donated by U Thein Win-Daw Ni of Shwe Thanlwin Co Family.
U Tha Htoo Kyaw accepted K 19,820,000 for the birthday of the Sayadaw and K 5 million for development tasks of the special region donated by Shwe Thanlwin Co Family.
Myainggyingu Basic Education High School Headmaster U Saw Thein Aung accepted 100 dozens of exercise books and 50 school uniforms donated by Director-General Col Than Swe; and one set of TV for the school by Saya Nyein and sons of Yangon. Next, the Commander presented prizes for 45 monks of region who passed religious examinations to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kusala.
The Commander presented prizes to Ma Nway Nway Aye and Nan Sein Mya Tin for 2002 Visuddhi Magga Examination (Kayin State level), first prize winner Ma Khin Htay for five persons in the Abhidhamma honorary examination and Ma Nu Nu for 25 Abhi-dhamma examination.
Director-General U Sann Lwin of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana presented certificates for the trainees to instructor Daw Htay Htay Oo. Head of Department Brig-Gen Myint Zaw of the Office of the Military Intelligence presented prizes to three one-distinction winners and 18 students who passed in the 2003 matriculation examination.
Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Cho Tun Aung presented prizes for Saw Htet Shine who won the first prize in the basic education level (aged 5-10) music contest and Saw Kyaw Lin the third prize in the (aged 10-15) dancing contest in the 10th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions to the headmaster; and the prize to Naw Chit Than Thuza of the basic education level (aged 10-15) the consolation prize in dancing contest and Sein Maung Ba in the (aged 10-15) the consolation prize in orchestra contest.
Next, U Tha Htoo Kyaw presented K 600,000 to the social funds of the Myainggyingu Special Region. On behalf of the Sayadaw, Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein presented K 600,000 to 127 service personnel who are discharging respective duties in the special region. Later, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits. After the ceremony, 'soon' was offered to the Sayadaw. Next, the commander and party donated provisions to members of the Sangha. Also present were 1,000 members of the Sangha, departmental personnel, disciples and local people.
Region
Sugar mills inspected in Bago Division (West)
Yangon, 17 July - Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, accompanied by departmental heads, inspected No 13 Sugar Mill (Okkan) in Taikkyi Township on 15 July morning.
The minister and party inspected No 12 Sugar Mill (Nawaday) in Pyay Township and fulfilled the requirements. In the evening, they held talks about cultivation and purchase of sugarcane at No 9 Sugar Mill (Yonseik) in Aunglan Township, Magway Division.
The minister proceeded to Duyingabo River Water Pumping Station on Ayeyawady River bank in the township and inspected repairing of pumps for supply of water for cultivation of paddy on some 4,000 acres and sugar mills.
Agriculture and livestock breeding entrepreneurs encouraged
Yangon, 17 July - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe met with members of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Vegetable Cultivation and Poultry and Fish Breeding Special Zone and national entrepreneurs engaging in agriculture and livestock breeding near Nyaunghnapin Village in Hmawby Township, Yangon North District, at the office of Division Peace and Development Council this afternoon.
At the meeting, the commander delivered an address, saying that upholding the guidance of the Head of State, with a view to providing fresh and adequate vegetables, fish, meat and eggs for Yangonites, the agriculture and livestock breeding special zones have been established to implement the guidance. In the process, such tasks are being undertaken as upgrading of the entrance road to the zone, installation of telephone lines, and supply of electricity and water for the convenience of the national entrepreneurs. He urged them, in response to the all-round assistance, to make enthusiastic efforts in order to meet the objective. Next, the entrepreneurs and officials reported on their requirements. After fulfilling the requirements, the commander gave instructions on agriculture and livestock breeding to be run without sparing vacant lands through conventional as well as modern methods.
Commander inspects agricultural tasks in Hinthada District
Yangon, 17 July - Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Chairman South-West Command Commander Maj-Gen Htay Oo, accompanied by divisional officials, arrived at Yaykyi on 15 July and met with Yaykyi Township Peace and Development Council Chairman U Soe Lwin and members of Township Agriculture Production Boosting Committee at Yaykyi Oo hall.
They discussed matters related to extended agricultural tasks and livestock breeding tasks and production of urea-substitute natural fertilizer.
Afterwards, the commander was briefed by Division Agriculture Service Manager U Hla Myo and officials on measures to be taken for boosting of crop production and by Chairman U Soe Lwin on extended agricultural tasks.
After attending to the needs, the commander visited Tilawka Okshaung Shwe Tha Hlyaung Buddha Image in Nathmaw Village in Hinthada Township and attended to the needs for all-round renovation there.
At Myanadi Hall of Hsemyaung Yeiktha, the commander met with Hinthada District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Pyone and members of District Agriculture Production Boosting Committee. He gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs.
Coordination meeting on Teenager Reproductive Health Plan held
Yangon, 17 July - The coordination meeting on Teenager Reproductive Health Plan, co-organized by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and UNFPA, was held at the building of MMCWA at the corner of Thanthuma and Parami roads in South Okkalapa Township this morning.
President of MMCWA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe extended greetings.
UNFPA Resident Representative Mr Nagib M Assifi gave a speech.
The meeting decided future tasks to be carried out in respective States and Divisions.
Also present were Vice-President Dr Kyi Soe, executives, Director-General Dr Wan Maung of Health Department, Patron of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA Daw Khin Thet Htay, instructors and representatives of Yangon, Bago, Ayeyawady and Taninthayi Divisions, Mon, Kayah, Rakhine States.
Course in Diplomacy for Officers concludes
Yangon, 17 July - The Course in Diplomacy for Officers No 5/2003 conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, concluded at Wunzin Minyaza Hall of the Ministry this morning. Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung delivered the graduation address and presented the certificates to the trainees.
A total of 39 trainees from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Rail Transportation, the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, Office of the Attorney-General and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the 23-week course from 11 February to 14 July.
Also present were Myanmar Ambassadors, directors-general, rectors, professors, deputy directors-general and departmental officials.
Measures for upgrading of Yangon City coordinated
Yangon, 17 July - The work coordination meeting for upgrading of Yangon City took place at the City Hall this morning, with an address by Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor U Ko Lay.
Also present on the occasion were YCDC Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and committee members, Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Kyaw Tint, heads of departments, deputy commissioners, and heads of township General Administration Departments.
In his address, the mayor gave instructions on meeting the target on tax collection, weeding wild plants on both sides of roads in the rainy season, proper drainage, and organizing measures for extending sanitation tasks in the townships.
Next, a general round of discussions followed. The mayor made concluding remarks.
International Relations
Thai delegation visits Kanbawzathadi Palace, famous pagodas
Yangon, 17 July -The 68-member delegation led by Col Chusak Meksuwan of the Command and General Staff College of Thailand, accompanied by senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence and Military Attaché Col Kasam Nakpun, visited cultural edifices and famous pagodas in Bago and Yangon today. The visiting delegation left here in the morning and arrived at Kanbawzathadi Palace of King Bayintnaung in Bago at 10 am. Assistant Director U Sein Htaw of the Archaeological Department explained facts about the palace and conducted them around there.
Then, the delegation paid homage to the Shwe Mawdaw Pagoda and made cash donations. Member of the Pagoda Board of Trustees U Tun Nyunt accepted the donations and presented the books on the history of the pagoda. They also visited Shwe Thahlyaung Reclining Buddha Image and made cash donations towards the pagoda funds.
At 2.30 pm, the group arrived at Mindhamma Hillock in Insein Township where Chairman of Pagoda Board of Trustees Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja U Shein Aung Bo and officials welcomed them. The guests paid obeisance to the Buddha Image. In the prayer hall there, member of Pagoda Board of Trustees U Kyaw Myint briefed them on history of the pagoda and members of the delegation made cash donations.
Deputy Minister receives guests
Yangon, 17 July - Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Brig-Gen Than Tun received Assistant General Manager Mr E Ishii and party of Mitsui & Co Ltd, Yangon Office, at his office at 10 am today.
Sport
National C'ship Basketball Tourney continues
Yangon, 17 July - The National Championship Basketball Tournament (2003) organized by Myanmar Basketball Federation continued at Aung San Gymnasium here this morning.
In men's division, Industry-1 Ministry team beat Central Command team 67-57, and Shadaw team beat KKS team 54-47. In women's round robin division, Myanma Ceramics Industries (A) team beat Home Affairs Ministry team 62-50. In men's under-18 division, Central Youth team beat Bahan (2) 82-16.
Tomorrow, North-East Command team will meet with Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry team, and Home Affairs Ministry team with Swan Swan team in men's division. In women's round robin division, Home Affairs Ministry team will play against Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry team. And in men's under-18 division, LSK team will be in action against ILBC team.