Yangon, 6 Feb — At the invitation of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe, Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, will pay a working visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.
Secretary-1 inspects extension of roundabouts in Yangon
Yangon, 5 Feb — Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt this evening inspected construction of a park at Hledan Junction in Kamayut township and extension of Hanthawady and U Wisara roundabouts and ring roads.
Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt arrived at the site for construction of the park at Hledan Junction between Pyay road and Insein road in Kamayut township at 6 pm.
Next, the Secretary-1 inspected arrangements for construction of the park and gave necessary instructions to officials.
Then, the Secretary-1 and party went to Hanthawady roundabout where he looked into extension of the road and earth works and growing of ornamental plants. The Secretary-1 next gave necessary instructions to officials.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to the site for extension of U Wisara roundabout. The officials concerned conducted the Secretary-1 round the site.
The Secretary-1 left the site after inspecting extension tasks at the round-about and growing of ornamental plants at the roundabout.
Full dress rehearsal for conveying of Union Flag to townships in four districts in Yangon
Yangon, 5 Feb— Full dress rehearsal for conveying of the Union Flag to townships in four districts in Yangon Division was held today under the arrangements of the Sub-committee for the 56th Anniversary Union Day Flag Conveying, Erecting Billboards and Symbols representing the states.
Chairman of Management Committee for Observance of the 56th Anniversary Union Day Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe inspected the conveying of the flag. Officials conveyed the Union Flag from the City Hall to Gyobyu sports ground in Taikkyi Township, People’s sports ground in Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Thiha Dipa sports ground in Thanlyin Township, Salin sports ground in Kyimyin-dine Township and People’s Square in Dagon Township and then to City Hall.
Minister inspects auto-exchange
Yangon, 5 Feb — Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw inspected renovation of buildings to extend the Hanthawady auto-exchange station on Pyay Road this morning. Officials of Myanma Post and Tele-communications reported to him on work progress.
At 9 am, the minister received Chief Representative Mr Jin Dong and party of ZTE Corporation of the People’s Republic of China at his office. Officials of MPT were also present.
Union Day Reception and Accommodation Subcommittee meets
Yangon, 5 Feb — The 56th Anniversary Union Day Reception and Accommodation Sub-committee held the third coordination meeting at No1 Transit Centre on Bayintnaung Road at noon today.
Present at the meeting were Chairman of the subcommittee Yangon Station Commander Commandant of Defence Services Records Office Brig-Gen Myo Myint and officials.
First, Chairman Brig-Gen Myo Myint made a speech. Next, officials of the welcoming group, the excursion group, the entertainment and welfare group, the hostel decoration group, the accommodation and supply group and the health group reported on their respective sectors.
The chairman then attended to the needs and made a concluding remark.
After the meeting, Chairman Brig-Gen Myo Myint and party inspected round the hostels, dinning halls and welfare shops.
UDNR trainees conclude excursion
Yangon, 5 Feb — Trainees of the Primary Teachership Course No 35 of the University for Development of National Races, led by Pro-rector Daw Khin Si Si and supervisor teachers on 31 January morning left the industrial training school (Sinde) of Myanma Agricultural Machinery Industries for Magway Division.
On arrival at Taungdwingyi, they were welcomed by members of Magway District and Township Peace and Development Councils and officials and served with lunch.
The trainees next visited the site of ancient Beikthanoe where an official of the Archaeological Department explained the excavation of Beikthanoe.
Then, they went to the project site for construction of Magway airport runway where they were welcomed by the secretary of Magway Division Peace and Development Council and officials. The project manager explained to the trainees the tasks being carried out for the construction of the runway and the Institute of Medicines and presented gifts. They then viewed the construction tasks.
Magway Division Peace and Development Council hosted a dinner to the trainees at Magway City hall at 8 pm.
Those who participated in Myanmar Traditional Cultural performing Arts Competition entertained the trainees with songs and dances.
After the dinner, the trainees viewed round Ayeyawady Bridge (Magway) and paid homage to Myathalun Pagoda.
On 1 February morning the trainees arrived at NyaungU. At the platform of Shwesigon Pagoda, the NaungU District Peace and Development Council chairman greeted them.
The trainees donated cash to the funds of the pagoda. Next, the deputy director of Bagan Cultural Heritage Region Branch of the Archaeological Department explained salient points of the Bagan ancient pagodas. NuangU District Peace and Development Council hosted lunch to the trainees at the Dhamayon of the pagoda.
In the afternoon, the trainees visited the pagodas in Bagan ancient cultural zone and Bagan Archaeological Museum.
The trainees then proceeded to Mount Popa in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Division. At Aungtheikhtigon Sagawa-chaung Yadanabon Yeik-tha, Brig-Gen Than Tun of Kyaukpadaung Station and member of the township Peace and Development Council Police Major Tin Hla greeted them. The trainees spent the night at Aung Mingaung Yeiktha.
On 2 February morning, the trainees went to Kyatmauktaung Dam where the staff officer of Kyaukpadaung Township Irrigation Department explained facts about the dam. They visited Kinda Dam and Kinda hydel power plant. The officials explained facts about the dam and the plant. They viewed Kinda Dam and Kinda hydel power plant. The officials explained facts about the dam and the plant. Then they viewed round the dam and the plant.
Later, the trainees arrived at the University for Development of National Races in Ywathitkyi, Sagaing, where Rector Col Zaw Min Thein and officials welcomed them.
Rural road opens in Loikaw Township, Kayah State
Yangon, 5 Feb — A rural road in Loikaw Township, Kayah State, was commissioned into service on 31 January hailing the 56th Anniversary Union Day.
Linking Kyitha ward and Pankang village, the gravel road was built by the Township Development Affairs Committee at a cost of K 2.49 million. It is 1,850 feet long and 12 feet wide.
After the speeches given by the Executive Officer of Loikaw Township Development Affairs Committee and a local elder, commemorative pennants were presented to Chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council Col Thein Swe and officials.
Col Thein Swe and party then inspected the road.
Press Conference on Myanmar Open-2003 Golf Tournament held
Yangon, 5 Feb — Press conference on Myanmar Open-2003 Golf Tournament jointly organized by Myanmar Professional Golfers Association (MGPA), Asian Professional Golfers Association (AGPA) and Octagon and mainly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, was held at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road this afternoon.
It was attended by President of MGPA and Myanmar Golf Federation Maj-Gen Win Hlaing, officials of the Sports and Physical Education Department and departments concerned, General Secretary U Aung Kyi of MGF, Deputy Managing Director Col Aung San of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar and officials, officials of News and Periodicals Enterprises, President of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club U Sao Kai Hpa, Vice-President U Aung Shwe Oo and members, journalists, Myanmar selected golfers and guests.
First, Maj-Gen Win Hlaing spoke on the occasion. He said: It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Press Conference for the Myanmar Open-2003. This is the 8th year of this exciting event and I am pleased to announce that it will be held once again at the Yangon Golf Club from February 27th to March 2nd. I would also like to report that it continues to grow better each year. Adding to the exciting prospect of four days of world-class golf is the special tournament exemption which has been granted to the top 20 finalists on the National Tour’s Order of Merit.
This exemption will not only provide a fitting showcase for our many talented professional golfers, both locally and those playing internationally, but will also provide an important boost to the continued development of our sporting talent.
The growing success of the Myanmar Open is due to the continued cooperation of many dedicated parties including the Asian PGA and Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar.
I would also like to recognize and thank the many volunteers who assist us in hoisting this Asian PGA Tour event each year. I thank you all for your hard work and look forward to working with you in the future growth of the Myanmar Open and the game of golf in Myanmar.
I would also thank to all the other sponsors of the event— Myanmar Airways International, Sedona Hotel Yangon, Wilson, Taylormade, Canon, MIMs LOGISTICS, Loi Hein Purified Drinking Water Alpine and Max Myanmar.
Before I finish I would like to wish all of our players the best of luck in 2003, while to our international visitors and the many Myanmar golfing fans I wish you all the best of times at the Myanmar Open in 2003.
Then, Managing Director Mr Arend Ng of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar explained the arrangement for rendering assistance for the tournament. He said: It is my great pleasure to be here on behalf of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar as the title sponsor of the Myanmar Open-2003. I am also pleased to say that this is also our seventh consecutive year to sponsor the Myanmar Open, the nation’s premier international sporting competition, and I am delighted to report that the event continues to grow from strength to strength.
Our sponsorship to the Myanmar Open has been highly successful, due in large part to the support we receive from Maj-Gen Win Hlaing and the Myanmar Golf Federation, as well as the gracious assistance of the Myanmar Professional Golfers Association, the Yangon Golf Club and of course our good friends at the Asian PGA Tour.
Rothmans looks forward to working closely with these association and individuals in future to ensure the success of the Open and the continued growth of the game of golf in Myanmar.
It is our hope that the Myanmar Open will continue to attract Asia and the world’s elite golfers, while providing and estimable challenge to our leading local players and international professionals.
With Myanmar ably finishing 16 th out of 24 international teams at the World Cup, the nation will continue to perform creditably in the international arena. The continued success of the Myanmar Open will help unearth future generations of Myanmar golf talent and further solidify the nation’s presence in international sport.
Before closing, I would like to sincerely thank the many Myanmar golf fans who have lent their support to this event year after year. Without your support, along with that of the many tournament volunteers, the event’s success would not have been possible. As a means of thanking you all, we have another excellent tournament planned for this year, and I look forward to seeing you all at the 2003 Myanmar Open.
Afterwards, General Secretary U Chan Han of MGPA explained arrangements for the tournament. He said: It is a great pleasure to have worked with all of Myanmar’s finest golfers over the past years, and to now see that top twenty will be offered exemptions into the Myanmar Open 2003. I have been working to prepare this deserving group, along with U Ko Ko Lay, and the involvement of top international Myanmar players Kyi Hla Han and Zaw Moe, and believe that the public will experience some exciting local golfing talent during the coming Myanmar Open.
The quality and commitment of Myanmar National Golf tour over the past five years is now resulting in excellent golfers— players Soe Kyaw Naing, Aung Win and Win Htwe Hlaing have played their way through our national golf programme and are now competing internationally on the Asian PGA tour bringing pride and honour to Myanmar.
Another excellent example of Myanmar’s improving results on the international golf stage was the quality performance of our fine players at the recent Putra Cup in December 2002. With the Myanmar team coming in third place and an outstanding performance by Zaw Zaw Latt coming in second place in the individual event, our players are poised for greater success and recognition internationally.
Their participation alongside the excellent international field we are expecting for the Myanmar Open will ensure four days of exciting entertainment for all.
As the Myanmar Open has developed, so have our own players. The MGPA are committed to further continuation and development of the multi-level national competitions and training programmes at all levels. I believe that soon one of our own Myanmar Players will be bringing home the Myanmar Open trophy.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Myanmar Open!
Later, Professional Golfer U Kyi Hla Han, on behalf of the APGA and selected Myanmar golfers, extended greetings. He said: I am honoured to be here to participate in the announcement of the 2003 Myanmar Open.
I am happy to hear that it will be held again at the Yangon Golf Club, which was my home course when I was living here in Yangon during my younger days.
I have finished top 10 over the past 3 years and I would very much like to win this year’s event.
It was also an honour for me to represent Myanmar, with my partner Soe Kyaw Naing, in the World Cup final in Mexico last December, after beating out teams from Europe, Asia and Africa in the Nations Cup— World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
This year we will have one of the strongest fields in the history of the Myanmar Open with defending champion Thongchai Jaidee participating, along with 40 of the top 60 players on the 2002 APGA Order of Merit. Entries thus far, include participants from 24 countries representing six countries.
I would very much like to see a Myanmar player win and I will give my support to all the local players.
On behalf of the Asian PGA players, I would like to thank, Maj-Gen Win Hlaing, President of Myanmar Professional Golfers Association and President of the Myanmar Golf Federation, Arend Ng of Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar, Yangon Golf Club and all official sponsors for making this event possible.
Then, Maj-Gen Win Hlaing and officials replied queries raised by those present and posed for a documentary photo together with selected Myanmar golfers. Myanmar Open-2003 Golf Tournament is to be held at Yangon Golf Club from 27 February to 2 March.
A total of US$ 200,000 will be presented for the prizes including US$ 32,300 for first prize, US$ 22,260 for second and 12,400 for third.
Educative child rights course opened in Pathein
Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Htay Oo delivered an address at the opening ceremony of the educative child rights course No 1/2003, organized by Ayeyawady Division Child Rights Committee, in Pathein on 20 January. Then, Chairman of the committee Division Commissioner U Than Win of General Administration Department reported on the purpose of opening the course. Altogether 60 trainees from 26 townships are attending the course.
Rural development tasks carried out in Nawngkhio
Chairman of Nawngkhio Township Peace and Development Council U Ko Ko Lwin, Township Union Solidarity and Development Association Secretary U Tin Win Aung and party went field trips to Shwemokhtaw, Yaydwingyi and Pepok village-tracts of the township on 19 January. They carried out rural development tasks there.
Summer paddy, cold season crops inspected
Deputy Director U Hla Myint Lay of Settlement and Land Records Department (Head Office) and officials inspected thriving of 753 acres of summer paddy and cultivation of cold season crops in Thabyaychaung Village-tract in Mawlamyinegyun Township on 26 January. They then met with local farmers in Maye Ohnbinsu Village-tract and inspected 1,105 acres of summer paddy and cold season crops.
Sanitation works carried out in Hlegu Myoma Market
Local people and service personnel participated in the sanitation works as the Sixth National Sanitation Week in the environs of Myoma Market in Hlegu Township on 1 February. Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Myint Swe and officials inspected the sanitation works.
Stone inscription bearing Myanma education goal unveiled
The stone inscription bearing Myanma education goal and the signboard bearing “To build a modern and developed nation through education” were unveiled at Pakokku Basic Education Middle School No 2 on 30 January. Secretary of Pakokku District Peace and Development Council Maj Myo Tint, school heads, teachers, members of school boards of trustees and outstanding students attended the ceremony.
Self-reliant library opened in Hlinethaya
Self-reliant Pyinnya Byuha Library was opened in Ward 8 of Hlinethaya Township on 17 January. Head of Hlinethaya Township Information and Public Relations Department Daw Myint Myint Naing and Ward Peace and Development Council Chairman U Soe Hlaing formally opened the library.
Myanaung-Kanaung gravel road built
Myanaung Township Development Affairs Committee Executive Officer U Myint Aung and officials supervised building of Myanaung-Kanaung gravel road on 28 January. The gravel road, 6,150 feet long, is being built at a cost of K 5.2 million.
Domestic science courses opened in Monghsat
Education and Training Department of the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs opened the advanced course No 3/2002 and the basic course No 7/2002 at Domestic Science Training School in Monghsat on 25 January. District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myo Nyunt and Principal Daw Yin Yin Sein gave speeches. Altogether 30 trainees from Monghsat, Mongtung, Mongpyin and Mongkhok townships are attending the 14-week course. Tailoring, handiwork, embroidery and bakery courses will be conducted.
Mines Minister receives guests
Yangon, 5 Feb — Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint received Mr Tojiro Tasaki, Vice President of Myanmar Tasaki Co Ltd, a joint venture of the Myanma Pearl Enterprise, and party at his office here this morning.
Health Ministers, delegates arrive to attend GAEL meeting
Yangon, 5 Feb — Health Ministers and delegations of the member nations of WHO have arrived here by air to attend the third meeting of Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy to be hosted by Myanmar at the Sedona Hotel from 6 to 8 February.
Today’s arrivals were Health Minister Dr Upendra Devkota and delegates of Nepal, President Mr Yohei and delegates of Sasakawa Foundation, South East Asia Regional Director Dr Utom Muchtar Rafei and delegates of WHO, and Health Minister Prof Rasamjndrako Troka and delegates of Madagascar. They were welcomed at Yangon International Airport by Minister for Health Prof Dr Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister Prof Dr Mya Oo, directors-general of the department under the Ministry of Health, Resident Representative of World Health Organization Dr Agostino Borra and officials, and heads and officials of the embassies concerned.
Information Technology
Yangon, 5 Feb — The Second Myanmar ICT Week attracting the big corwds of visitors continued for its last day at MICT Park on Hlaing University Campus today.
The visitors were able to operate Internet, Intranet, ICT and computer techniques and purchased computers and assessories.
Lessons for matriculation students to be telecast
Yangon, 5 Feb— With the aim of enhancing of national education Electronic Data Broadcasting System was launched on 1 January 2001 after opening of learning centres at the universities, institutes, degree colleges, colleges and basic education schools.
Professors of the universities will give talks on respective lessons for students who will be taking the 2003 matriculation examination through the learning centres this month.
Myanmarsar, English and mathematics will be telecast from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 14 February; English and mathematics from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 15 February; physics, chemistry and biology from 10 am to 2.55 pm on 16 February; chemistry, biology, physics and geography from 10 am to 3.55 pm on 17 February; biology, history, economics and optional Myanmar on 18 February; economics, geography, history and optional Myanmar on 19 February.
Experimental telecasting will be made from 9 to 13 February. Students are requested to watch the lessons at the learning centres at the basic education schools.
Drug
Heroin and stimulant tablets seized in Chinshwehaw
Yangon, 5 Feb — A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force, acting on a tip-off, searched the house of U Wular Hauk (a) U Woolaung Haung of No 162, Ward-3, on Nyeinchanyay Road, in Chinshwehaw, Shan State (North), on 26 January and confiscated 17.2 grams of heroin and 34,200 stimulant tablets.
In connection with the case, action is being taken against him by the police station concerned under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.
