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YANGON, 13 Dec - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt arrived back here by special aircraft after attending the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 and 12 December at 2.30 pm today at the invitation of His Excellency Mr Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan.

The Myanmar delegation led by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt was welcomed back at Yangon International Airport by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, 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, 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, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, members of the State Peace and Development Council, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Commander-in-Chief (Air), the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command, ministers, senior military officers, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of Singapore Mr Simon Tensing de Cruz and heads of foreign missions in Yangon, the UN coordinator, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Japanese Embassy Mr Hiroshi Kawamura and staff and departmental heads.

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and departmental heads who accompanied the Prime Minister also arrived back on the same flight.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and Heads of State/Government of ASEAN countries paid a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan at Rensui Hall of Imperial Palace in Tokyo at 4.30 pm on 11 December.

Also present on the occasion were the Crown Prince and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishinomiya, distinguished guests including His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr Sandech Hun Sen, President of the Republic of Indonesia Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri, Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Boungnang Vorachith, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sari Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt, President of the Republic of Philippines Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Phan Van Khai

YANGON, 13 Dec - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt and party left here by special aircraft of Myanma Airways International on 10 December morning to attend the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 December at the invitation of His Excellency Mr Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan.

On their way to Japan, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party stopped over at Chak Lap Kok International Airport in Hong Kong at 11.45 am local time. They were welcomed there by Senior Officer Ms Josephine Yeung and staff of the Protocol Department of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region , Consul-General U Myo Chit and service personnel.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party stopped over at the special lounge of the airport.

Next, the Prime Minister and party proceeded to Tokyo, Japan, by special aircraft and arrived in Haneda Airport of Tokyo, Japan, at 6.45 pm local time.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party were welcomed there by Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Isao Matsumiya, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar Mr Yuji Miyamoto and members of welcoming party, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu, who arrived earlier in Japan to attend the ASEAN-Japan Economic Forum which was held prior to the Summit, Myanmar Ambassador to Japan U Saw Hla Min, Military Attaché Col Hla Myint, staff and families of the Myanmar Embassy and the office of Military Attaché. Later, the Prime Minister and party arrived at Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The opening of ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and the first session of the summit were held at the Geihinkan State Guest House in Tokyo on 11 December afternoon, attended by Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt.

First, on arrival at the Geihinkan State House where the summit is going to be held, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and heads of ASEAN nations and governments were welcomed by Prime Minister of Japan His Excellency Mr Junichiro Koizumi.

Next, heads of ASEAN nations and governments had a documentary photo taken together with the Japanese Prime Minister. Afterwards, the first session of the summit was held at the Geihinkan State Guest House at 2 pm.

Prime Minister of Japan Mr Junichiro Koizumi made an opening speech. He said that the summit will have to be put on historic record as it was the first of its kind held outside the ASEAN region. He added that Japan welcomed the ASEAN leaders and had the wishes to further strengthen Japan-ASEAN relations.

Next, the Alternate Chairperson of ASEAN nations President of Indonesia Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri spoke. She said that the ASEAN-Japan relation strengthened during the past 30 years and the ASEAN was grateful to the Japanese government for its assistance to ensure development of ASEAN region.

Next, leaders of ASEAN nations and governments expressed their opinions of ASEAN-Japan relations.

Dealing with the discussion, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said that it was encouraging to witness the development of ASEAN-Japan relations during the past 30 years. Japan remained as a main trade partner of ASEAN and ASEAN was also a main trade partner of Japan, he noted. In addition, Japan was the biggest investor of the ASEAN region, he said and he hoped that Japan will further widen its cooperation in economic alliance and development with ASEAN in the years to come.

Japan has been giving aid in implementing Hanoi Action Plan. The pledge to provide assistance for development of basic infrastructures and information and communication technology and human resource development of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by Japan will contribute much to the whole ASEAN region, he stressed.

The ASEAN and Japan were actively cooperating in dealing with the problems of violence, narcotic drugs trafficking, disarmament and transborder crimes, he said and hoped they will further strengthen their cooperations owing to latest international developments and changes.

The second day's session of the summit continued at the same venue on 12 December morning, attended by Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt.

Prime Minister of Japan His Excellency Mr Junichiro Koizumi presided over the second day's session.

Next, heads of ASEAN nations and governments and the Japanese Prime Minister expressed their opinions of the prospects for ASEAN-Japan relations.

The summit ended in the afternoon with the concluding remarks by Prime Minister of Japan His Excellency Mr Junichiro Koizumi.

Holding discussions at the summit, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said that there were many sectors of possible cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, adding that the living standard of the people will be able to improve through enhancing cooperation in economic development. He hoped Japan will offer more scholarships as human resource development is of paramount importance for ASEAN nations. Myanmar had made resolutions to eliminate narcotic drugs in the country. In the process, it has been cooperating with regional and international communities. Myanmar is giving a top priority to cultivation of poppy substitute crops as it is assumed as an important step. Japan could make constructive activities by opening of market for poppy substitute crops. In the past, heads of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thai governments met in Bagan and laid down the strategy for cooperation. He hoped that other ASEAN nations and Japan will provide assistance to the project. In response to Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, the Japanese Prime Minister said that the discussion had been a constructive one. He added that Japan accepted poppy substitute undertakings as most important ones and will cooperate in the tasks.

The summit was attended by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister of Cambodia Mr Sandech Hun Sen, President of Indonesia Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri, Prime Minister of Laos Mr Buongnang Vorachith, Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt, President of the Philippines Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Goh Chok Tong, Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr Phan Van Khai, Prime Minister of Japan Mr Junichiro Koizumi and the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Next, the ceremony to sign the Tokyo Declaration of heads of State/Government of ASEAN nations and Japan was held at the Asahi Hall of Geihinkan State House. Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt, heads of ASEAN nations and governments and the Japanese Prime Minister signed the declaration.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan signed the Declaration on Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by Japan while the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia signed the ASEAN Declaration of Consent to the Government of Japan to accede to the TAC in Southeast Asia in the presence of heads of State/Government of ASEAN nations and the Japanese Prime Minister, and the ceremony came to an end.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt attended a dinner hosted by Japanese Prime Minister His Excellency Junichiro Koizumi in honour of the heads of State/Government of ASEAN nations at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, on 11 December evening.

On arrival at the hotel, the heads of State/Government of ASEAN nations were welcomed by the Japanese Prime Minister.

Present at the dinner were Bruneian King His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Sandech Hun Sen, Indonesian President Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri, Laotian Prime Minister Mr Buongnang Vorachith, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Myanmar Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, Philippine President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Singaporean Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, Thai Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Phan Van Khai, ministers, deputy ministers, ambassadors of ASEAN nations to Japan, the ASEAN Secretary-General and distinguished guests.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Chairman of Central Organizing Committee of Myanmar War Veterans Organization Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein, accompanied by officials of the committee, this morning inspected the agricultural farm of the MWVO in Thayagon model village, Hmawby Township, and the Dagon Jeep car assembling workshop in Pale Myothit, Mingaladon Township.

At 8.30 am, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and party arrived at the agricultural farm where they were welcomed by farm in charge of the farm Lt-Col Lin Naing (Retd) and officials.

First, the Secretary-2 inspected breeding of piglets in the farm and gave instructions on breeding of pedigree pigs and measures to be taken for prevention of pig diseases.

The piglet breeding farm is making arrangements for selling pedigree piglets to Thayagon model village and neighbouring villages at fair rate.

On arrival at Swan Arman Rice Mill of MWVO, the Secretary-2 saw over milling of rice and gave instructions on quality of rice and minimizing wastage and loss.

The Secretary-2 inspected the earth road linking Thayagon and Moegyopyit villages. He gave instructions on upgrading of the earth road to a laterite one and attended to the needs. At the construction site of bailey bridge across Hmawby Creek, the Secretary-2 inspected progress of work and gave instructions on completion of the works in the open season.

He then looked into harvesting and threshing of monsoon paddy cultivated by MWVO and land preparations for growing of summer paddy. He gave instructions on supply of water to be carried out for not only cultivation tasks but also breeding of duck and fish and extension of duck breeding.

Afterwards, the Secretary-2 arrived at MWVO Training Centre in Nyaung-hnapinkwin, Hlegu Township, where school in charge Lt-Col Thein Win reported on arrangements being made for opening of the advanced courses and digging of fish breeding ponds in the compound of the centre and planting of seasonal and perennial crops. The Secretary-2 also inspected pea plantations in the compound.

On arrival at the Dagon Jeep car assembling workshop in Pale Myothit, Mingaladon Township, U Maung Maung (Mudon Maung Maung) conducted the Secretary-2 and party round the workshop.

Next, the Secretary-2 gave instructions on extension of assembling passenger buses and cargo vehicles as well as Dagon Jeep and attended to their needs for assembling 10,060-passenger buses in 2004.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin inspected carrying out of sanitation tasks and dredging of drains in Tamway, Thingangyun, South Okkalapa, Mayangon, Dagon Myothit (East), Dagon Myothit (South) and Yankin townships today.

Service personnel, members of social organizations and local people participated in carrying out sanitation tasks and dredging of drains.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The 11th annual preliminary meeting of Myanmar Oil Dealers' Association was held at Golden Dragon Hall of Lion City Restaurant on Bayintnaung Road here this morning.

It was attended by Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun, departmental heads, the president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and CEC members, members of panel of patrons of MODA, CEC members and officials.

MODA Chairman U Thein Han made an opening speech. Minister U Aung Thaung and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun made speeches. Next, the annual report (2002) and financial statement of the CEC were read out and approved, and UMFCCI General Secretary U Sein Win Hlaing announced the new members of the CEC.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Tha Aye heard reports on rural development tasks by departmental officials at Affiliated BEHS in Yonhlaygon Village, Budalin Township, on 9 December and met local people in Tayawtaw village.

The commander inspected rural development tasks in Budalin.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min inspected agricultural tasks in Pwintbyu Township on 7 December.

He next inspected water supply of Mezali diversion weir and preparations for buildng the bridge across Mon Creek on Pathein-Monywa Road and water and power supply projects.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The work coordination meeting on implementation of tourism cooperation among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand was held at the Karaweik Palace here this morning.

Chairman of the Work Committee for Tourism Cooperation Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw spoke on the occasion.

Also present were Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Vice-chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, chairmen and members of Myanmar Hoteliers Association and Myanmar Travel Association and member of the work committee.

Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw said ministries related to tourism industry are making their utmost efforts for the development of the industry in Myanmar by making arrangements for easy visa access and new tour destinations and taking security measures for foreign tourists. Moreover, arrangements are under way to issue e-Visas, he added. Ministries concerned are undertaking the tasks for the rapid economic growth of the country and showing peace and stability of the country through tourism. In conclusion, he urged the hoteliers and tour operators to make arrangements for attracting tourists as many as possible in conformity with the utmost efforts of the ministries concerned.

Next, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe explained the arrangements for smooth transport services to tour destinations and extension of airlines and airports. He advised the tour operators to attract more tourists in cooperating with foreign tour agencies.

Afterwards, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing explained matters related to formation of safety units for foreign tourists, Vice-chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win assistance rendered for tourists who entered through borders and Deputy Minister U Maung Aung arrangements for easy visa access.

Later, the chairmen of the two associations reported on arrangements for tourism promotion.

YANGON, 13 Dec - A ceremony to introduce Panasonic airconditioner (O2 Shower) organized by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd and Saachi Asia Co Ltd, was held at the Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel yesterday evening.

Manager Mr Yamakawa of Matsushita Industrial Corporation Sdn Bhd made an opening speech and Senior Executive Mr Wong explained facts about the new model airconditioner.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The opening ceremony of the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council-ASEAN BAC was held at the Sedona Hotel here this morning.

It was attended by Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun, departmental heads of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and the Ministry of Commerce, Ambassadors and officials of the Embassies of the ASEAN member countries in Yangon, President of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Myint and executives, President U Pyone Maung Maung and Secretary-General U Myo Nyunt of the ASEAN-CCI, members of the ASEAN BAC and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat. First, President U Win Myint of the UMFCCI made a welcoming speech. Next, Director-General U Nyunt Aye of Directorate of Trade explained the salient points of the meeting.

The first day session of the meeting commenced at 9.45 am. Chairman of the ASEAN BAC Mr Rudy J Pesik of Indonesia chaired the meeting. Those present discussed matters related to implementation of the results of the meeting between the leaders of the ASEAN countries held in Bali on 7 November 2003 and members of the ASEAN BAC and tasks to be undertaken in 2004.

Next, Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism explained matters related to the tourism industry on Myanmar.

Afterwards, those present engaged in detailed discussions over ASEAN Pioneer Scheme. Members of the ASEAN BAC and President of the ASEAN-CCI U Pyone Maung Maung discussed matters related to implementation of major economic cooperation tasks in the ASEAN region. The meeting was adjourned in the evening.

The second day session of the meeting will continue at the same venue tomorrow.

President of UMFCCI U Win Myint hosted a dinner in honour of the members of the ASEAN BAC and officials of the ASEAN Secretariat at the Dusit Inya Lake Hotel in the evening.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The prize presentation of the Maruman Golf Classic Tournament, the fifth leg of Myanmar Golf Tour 2003, was held at Yangon Golf Club yesterday afternoon.

Executive of Myanmar Golf Federation U Shwe Tun Hlaing presented daily best scorer awards to Zaw Zin Win, Thein Zaw Myint, Hla Myo, Myo Min Aung and Aung Aung Kyaw in the amateur division.

Operation Director Mr Lai Wei Chin of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd presented daily beat scorer awards to Soe Kyaw Naing (Pan-West), Myint Thaung (KM Golf Centre), Win Htwe Hlaing (Srixon) and Zaw Zaw Latt (Pan-West) in the professional golfer division.

Country Agent U Maung Maung Myint presented first, second and third prizes to Thein Zaw Myint with 301 strokes, Myo Min Aung with 307 and Aung Aung Kyaw with 308 in the amateur division.

Myanmar PGA and MGF President Maj-Gen Win Hlaing gave away the first prize to Min Naing (Srixon) with 295 strokes in the professional division and the joint-second prize to Soe Kyaw Naing (Pan-West) and Zaw Zaw Latt (Pan-West) with 298 each. Joint Deputy Managing Director Maj Thein Aung (Retd) of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd presented a cheque to the champion.

Director Mr Foo Cheik Kaing of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd presented a gift to U Aye Cho of Yangon Golf Club.

The tournament was held under the arrangements of Myanmar PGA and Myanmar Golf Federation and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd together with Maruman-Kaung Myat Co Ltd, Air Mandalay, Grand Slam (Munsing Wear), Loi Hein (Alpine), UPG, Canon and KM Golf Centre and Wilson.

The tournament was organized by Han Event Management.

YANGON, 13 Dec - The Myanmar sports contingent secured three gold, four silver and one bronze in the XXII South-East Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 12 December.

Swe Swe Thant bagged one gold in the women's nangun event in wushu contest. Khine Khine Maw won gold in the women's taijijian event.

Ha Hone also won gold in the men's 65-kilo sanshou event, Yan Win Kyi silver in the men's 52-kilo sanshou event, Thinza Soe in the women's 48-kilo sanshou event, Pyi Wai Phyo silver in the men's jianshu (fencing) event, Zaw Zaw Moe silver in the men's nangun event and Aung Si Thu bronze in the men's thongshou event.

A total of 15-member wushu team bagged five gold, six silver and six bronze, totalling 17. The latest medal standing of Myanmar is 16 gold, 43 silver and 50 bronze totalling 109.

YANGON, 13 Dec - Three gold, six silver and six bronze went to Myanmar sports contingent today. Three gold medalists were:

Ha Hone in the men's 56-kilo sanshou event of wushu contest; Khine Khine Maw in the women's taijiquan event; and Swe Swe Thant in the women's tauklu event.

Six silver medalists were:

Thinza Soe in the women's 48-kilo sanshou event of wushu contest; Yan Win Kyi in the men's 52-kilo sanshou event; Aung Khaing Min in the men's 70-75 kilo pencak silat event; Zaw Zaw Moe in the men's tauklu-nangun event of wushu contest; the men's 22-oar 500-m rowing contest and the women's 22-oar 500-m rowing contest.

Six bronze medalists were:

Zaw Zaw Moe in the men's tauklu-nanquan event; Thet Min Tun in the men's 80-86 kilo pencak silat event; Nwe Ni Zaw Win in the women's 55-60 pencak silat event; Chaw Su Khin in the women's 70-75 kilo pencak silat event; Saw Khine in the men's 65-kilo sanshou event and Thein Htaik Oo in the men's 48-kilo sanshou event.