Senior General Than Shwe addresses graduation parade of 5th Intake of DSTA
Most basic factor of good soldier, having patriotism and loyalty to State
Highly qualified human resource needed to establish modern nation and sophisticated Tatmadaw
Yangon, 9 April — The graduation parade of the 5th Intake of Defence Services Technological Academy was held at the parade grounds of DSTA in PyinOoLwin at 7.30 am today with an address by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.
Senior General Than Shwe said: At this graduation parade of the 5th Intake of the Defence Services Technological Academy, I would like to inform you in all seriousness about the matters which you should know.
You have already been trained and nurtured by the DSTA to become good engineers. In this regard, I would like to urge you to become good military technicians possessing talent and knowledge.
The most basic factor of a good soldier is having the patriotism and the loyalty to the State. Our Tatmadaw is a patriotic Armed Forces born of the independence struggle. It is an institution having not only the strong patriotic spirit, but also loyal to the State and the people. We are the soldiers who have made a firm revolve to safeguard our territorial land, air and waters of the State. Moreover, we are the persons who will protect and defend the sovereignty and independence of the nation. In this respect, we always keep in the fore “Our Three Main National Causes” — non-disintegration of the Union; non-disintegration of the national solidarity; and perpetuation of sovereignty. I would like to tell you that the Tatmadaw never betrays the national cause; and that the soldiers will always safeguard it at the risk of their lives.
Sacrificing life for the national cause is a pride of a soldier. Thus, you are ready to daringly discharge duties as a junior leader in a battle field as you have already studied the military science and have undergone military training as a platoon commander. As you are the military leaders, you must have the gallantry. You will have to act in accord with the 16 leadership qualities. Besides, you should become an experienced soldier. You need to have practical experience as well as knowledge. As it is not easy for you to be endowed with firsthand experience by yourself, you will have to study others’ experience also, and should have the ability to combine it with yours. Only then, will you become a junior leader having a wide array of experience and knowledge. As for a leader, you must be stable and calm in making a correct and quick decision in a difficult situation.
A difficult situation serves as a factor in producing a leader. According to the nature of the military duty, you will win the trust and reliance of your subordinates only if you can make a correct decision in time. In addition, you will be able to lead the ordinary persons only if you make extraordinary efforts; and you will be taken as a model, only if you have the significant ability exceeding the qualified level. I would like to tell you that a leader will not be able to win staunch followers unless he has the true ability. In this regard, the genuine long-term interest will be given priority over the short-term popularity.
You must also be technological leaders for you will discharge science and technological duties. If we study technological advances in the human world, it is found that technological development has become rapid only after the book, a mass communication means, was introduced in the 15th century. The solar system theory was discovered in the 16th century and Newton’s the law of gravitation and the law of motion in 17th century. In the 18th century, steam engine was invented. In the 19th century electron was discovered after a great deal of experiments. In the 20th century, man landed on the moon and information technology has developed. Therefore, technological development is very rapid. New technologies over the old ones are overwhelming.
New problems are challenging the leaders in the rapid changing period. It is the qualification of the leader to expect not only present challenges but also future challenges and to overcome them.
All small nations are endeavouring to overcome the technological divide in the global village age. Therefore, you have to make efforts to achieve the technology to explore new powers hidden in nature. Those who make explorations and experiments repeatedly with perseverance will surely be on the right track of innovation. Only when you stick to this track making constant contact with the Academy will you be able to participate in nation-building tasks.
You need to be a highly qualified human resource in the establishment of a modern nation and sophisticated Tatmadaw. Technological advances are required in every sector for building a modern and developed nation.
The objective of building a modern Tatmadaw is to face the modern warfare. Space, air and maritime sectors play a key role in modern warfare. Therefore, you are to pursue specialized subjects for the modern Tatmadaw. Efforts are to be exerted on being technologically independent as an initial objective.
To sum up, you are to try to become intelligentsia and good sons in discharging the defence duty of the State, to build a modern Tatmadaw with advanced science and technology, to make yourselves new generation leaders who risk their lives upholding the twelve traditions of the Tatmadaw, and to be of service in shaping a modern, developed nation by promoting the science and technology of the Tatmadaw, in accordance with the objectives of establishing the DSTA.
At the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe inspected the cadet companies.
Then, the Senior General took the salute of the graduate cadet companies.
Next, the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services presented Best Cadet Award to Cadet Aung Myo Win, Excellent Training Award to Cadet Nay Myo Aung and Excellent Study Award to Cadet Kyaw Nyein San.
Then, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe left the parade grounds.
After the parade, Senior General met with the three outstanding cadets and their parents in the living room of the Academy and spoke words of encouragement.
Excerpts from Senior General Than Shwe’s address
— Sacrificing life for the national cause is a pride of a soldier.
— As it is not easy for you to be endowed with firsthand experience by yourself, you will have to study others’ experience also, and should have the ability to combine it with yours.
— As for a leader, he must be stable and calm in making a correct and quick decision in a difficult situation.
— You will be able to lead the ordinary persons only if you make extraordinary efforts; and you will be taken as a model, only if you have the significant ability exceeding the qualified level.
— It is the qualification of the leader to expect not only present challenges but also future challenges and to overcome them.
— Those who make explorations and experiments repeatedly with perseverance will surely be on the right track of innovation.
— You have to make efforts to achieve the technology to explore new powers which are hidden in nature.
Region
Senior General Than Shwe inspects Myanma Industrial Exhibition
Yangon, 9 April — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe left by helicopter for Mandalay on 7 April morning after inspecting Monywa-Yagyi-Kalewa Road.
Senior General Than Shwe inspected Myanma Industrial Exhibition (2003) in Hsinbyukan Grounds, Mandalay, at 8 am yesterday.
At the briefing hall of the exhibition, Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing Myanma Industrial Exhibition (2003) Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported to the Senior General on salient points of the exhibition. The minister said the exhibition had been opened since 19 March.
The first industrial exhibition was held as the Upper Myanmar Industrial Exhibition in 1996 in Mandalay. About 1,800 items of industrial products are display at the exhibition, and consumer products, foodstuff and industrial products worth K 70 million were sold every day at the exhibition. Various kinds of vehicles assembled in industrial zones were also on display at the exhibition and 67 units of them had been sold out at the exhibition so far. Based on the experience of the exhibition, arrangements would be made for holding future industrial exhibitions with high standards and assorted display.
Then, Chairman of the Work Committee for Organizing the exhibition Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Kyaw Win reported to the Senior General on visits of monks, laity, the public and foreigners to the exhibitions, spending on the exhibition and opinion of visitors on the exhibition. Regarding the reports, Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance, saying that the exhibition is drawing the attention of the people observing the situations of the development of the nation as well as the industrial sector. The industrial zones play a vital role in the industrial sector of the State, and thus necessary assistance must be rendered after reviewing the situations in development of the industrial zones, he noted. The industrial production process is to be gradually upgraded from the use of manpower to mechanical power phase by phase. The industrial zones based on manpower have to try more for their modernization and development. In this process, he said that efforts must be made phase by phase for achieving greater success after observing the mode of production.
Measures are to be taken for ensuring upgrading of industrial sector to modern equipment-installed level from forge level, then to advanced automatic system-installed level and to computerized system-installed level. According to the present situations, it is not within the reach of using modern machines but arrangements are to be made for meeting this level after laying down a goal. It is important to manufacture quality industrial products in considerable quantity at cheaper expenses. In so doing, it is essential to use modern machines. Industrial zones are to be upgraded after assessing these views, he noted.
In building up an industrial nation, people are to make efforts with might and main while the government is rendering necessary assistance.
Then, Minister U Aung Thaung presented a painting of the wall of the Mandalay Palace commemorating the achievement of the exhibition to Senior General Than Shwe. Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party inspected the first prize-winning product items at the central exhibition booth. Then, Senior General Than Shwe viewed the embossed silver paintings and bronze paintings displayed as new handicrafts of Myanmar, import-substitute items such as transformers, tablet compressors and moisture testing instrument for crops, modern paddy and rice separators, augurs, railway carriage hangers, sleepers for iron beams of bridges, and furniture made of rubber wood.
Afterward, Senior General Than Shwe viewed the 1200-year old rare herbal glacier pine donated by national race leader U Za Khun Tain Yein of Kachin Special Region-1.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe inspected the power-tillers, advanced winnowing and threshing machines, farm implement, Kanbawza Super Jeeps of Ayethaya Industrial Zone which won first prize in competition and third prize in innovation, UCM Double Cab Four Door Diesel 4 WDs of UCM Advanced Vehicle Manufacturing of Industrial Zone-3, South Dagon which won consolation prize in best quality invention and Okkala Trucks of South Okkalapa Industrial Zone which won special prize in innovation.
Then, the Senior General viewed round the vehicles assembled in Ayethaya, Mandalay-1, Meiktila, Myingyan, Pakokku, Monywa, Yenangyoung, Khittaya, South Dagon-2, South Okkalapa, Hlinethaya and Mawlamyine industrial zones and Dagon Jeeps of Myanmar War Veterans Organization (Central) and gave necessary instructions.
Afterwards, the Senior General viewed round the exhibition by car.
Then, Senior General Than Shwe and party arrived in PyinOoLwin by helicopter, where they were welcomed by Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, senior military officers and departmental officials.
Secretary-1 inspects regional and human resources development in Kayin State
Collective efforts required for Kayin State to catch up with other regions
Yangon, 9 April — Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council General Khin Nyunt today inspected tasks for development of the region and human resources in Hpa-an, Kayin State, and fulfilled the needs.
Accompanied by the ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), the deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and department heads, the Secretary-1 left here by air and arrived at Hpa-an at 9 am today.
Next, the Secretary-1 and party and Commander Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung went to Hpa-an Degree College where they were welcomed by Principal U Saw Han Shein, professors, associate professors, faculty members and instructors. At the meeting hall, the principal reported on background history and layout of the college, major and minor subjects of distance education division, administrative matters and progress of installation of teaching aids. Minister for Education U Than Aung gave a supplementary report.
The Secretary-1 then fulfilled the requirements and made a speech. The Secretary-1 said the purpose of their tour is to upgrade the college to a university in order to speed up the development of human resources for the youths in Hpa-an. The development tasks are being carried out after establishing special development regions in the entire nation for ensuring equitable development of education, health and economic sectors in 14 States and Divisions. Owing to lack of peace in Kayin State, tasks for regional development could not be carried out properly.
The Secretary-1 said that he himself has made field trips to Kayin State for many times and held peace negotiations so as to ward off armed insurgencies and for the prevalence of peace and tranquillity. Although there was a growing trend towards peace, it later deteriorated due to the instigation.
The government has drawn the 30-year long-term plan for the development of human resources and national education, and is implementing it systematically. And there have emerged fruitful results, he added. There are 7.5 million students pursuing basic education and 770,000 students higher education. The school enrolment rate has increased and the drop-out rate decreased.
Moreover, to enable the students to complete the basic education, post-primary schools were opened in the regions where necessary. Opportunities for pursuing the basic education are also created. In higher education sector, the Secretary-1 said, colleges and degree colleges have been upgraded to universities, and new ones established. These educational institutions are provided with sufficient number of teachers, buildings and modern teaching and learning aids.
Nowadays, the State acknowledges the active participation of the teachers in endeavours for developing human resources and promoting the national education standard. He urged the teachers to continue to make efforts for realization of the national education promotion 30-year long-term plan and bringing out human resources of intelligentsia and intellectuals who are to strive for building up a modern and developed nation.
Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party looked around the e-Education learning centre, the e-Education resource centre, the language lab and the construction of university level buildings in the degree college compound and the computer training centre 3 and 2. The principal and officials concerned conducted them around there.
At 10.30 am, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at State General Hospital in Hpa-an, where they were welcomed by Kayin State Health Department Head Dr Myo Lwin, Kayin State Traditional Medicine Department Head U Tin Yu and Medical Superintendent Dr Kyaw Oo, specialists, doctors and nurses.
The Secretary-1 and party inspected ICU, operation theatre, emergency ward, X-ray room, ultrasound and psychiatric unit, drug addicts rehabilitation unit and pediatric ward there and spoke words of encouragement to the patients.
The Secretary-1 and party met with the State Health Department Head, the medical superintendent, specialists and doctors at the office of the medical superintendent. Kayin State Health Department Head Dr Myo Lwin reported to the Secretary-1 on conditions of hospitals in the state, providing of health care services to the public in the state, giving treatments to the patients at the hospitals, common diseases, and Medical Superintendent Dr Kyaw Oo on location, area and brief history of the hospital, buildings and special units, providing treatment to out-patients and in-patients. Next, Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo briefed on matters related to preventive measures for SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) (pneumonia), and the need of the state Health Department Head and specialists to go down to the grassroot level to carry out tasks. Then, Secretary-1 General Khin Nyunt attended to the needs and made a speech. He said nowadays SARS is spreading in some south-east Asian nations. Health Department staff as well as the public are to pay attention to preventing the spread of the disease. Preventive tasks are to be carried out on a wider scale, and preventive measures for common disease in respective regions in Myanmar are to be taken.
Moreover, special attention is to be given to fighting against TB that is starting to rear its head again and preventing the re-spreading of polio and leprosy in Myanmar which was declared a polio/leprosy free region. For promoting the health care services of rural people that is included in the five rural area development tasks, staff concerned and local authorities are to cooperate to seek ways and means for providing health care services by specialists at the grassroot level and supplying of clean drinking water to local people.
The Secretary-1 and party viewed the development of Hpa-an by car and inspected completion of extension of Strand Road in the town. They arrived at Mebaung monastery in the town at 11:30 am.
They paid obeisance to Mebaung Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Eindriya and presented offertories to the Sayadaw.
The General and party met with State/District/Township Peace and Development Council chairmen and members, departmental officials and members of social organizations, and discussed matters related to development of Kayin State at the hall of No 22 LID at 12.30 pm.
Kayin State Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Cho Tun Aung reported on location of the state and organizing of ward/village-tracts, rainfall, sown acreage, purchasing of paddy, local rice sufficiency, land reclamation, implementation of rural area development tasks in 2002-2003, and activities of the committee for implementation of Kayin State border areas and national races development affairs.
Afterwards, Kayin State Myanma Agriculture Service Manager U Kyaw Thein briefed on cultivation and production of paddy, edible oil crops and winter crops in 2002-2003, cultivation of major crops in Thandaung region, and Irrigation Department Deputy Director U Aung Kyaw Win on supplying of water in the state, tasks for prevention of floods in Mebaung-Naunglon Creek region in Hpa-an Township, land reclamation and tasks for supplying of water. Then, Assistant Director U Thein Zaw Win of the Livestock Breeding and Viterinary Department reported on the increase in number of animals, progress of manageable livestock breeding tasks, raising of fowls and production of chicken and eggs, and Kayin State Fisheries Department Head U Paw Lwin on extended breeding of fish and prawn, and Kayin State Education Department Head U Saw Ba Hlaing on educational matters in the state.
Secretary-1 said arrangements have been made to upgrade Hpa-an Degree College to a university, and to construct buildings and provide teaching aids to it. Peace and stability and the rule of law are prevailing in all parts of the nation including border areas, and all the sectors including health, education and economic sectors are achieving development. The pace of regional development drive is somewhat slow in Kayin State as peace and stability cannot be restored fully in the region yet. Officials at district and township levels are required to join hands with the social organizations for the arm of the law to reach the border areas and to develop the areas.
Because of the armed insurgency that broke out soon after the regaining of independence, the nation lagged behind in development. Thus, the Tatmadaw government has been striving with the aim of consolidating the national unity, promoting peace and stability and the rule of law. Although, the aims have been realized in all other states and divisions, development drive cannot be launched as expected in Kayin State as peace and stability is not fully prevailing in the region.
The remaining insurgent organizations are talking about peace on one hand, and committing destructive and terrorist acts including planting bomb and bridge and railroad destruction on the other hand. While the government is launching the nation-building task, the insurgents are committing destructive acts. Thus, development has not been achieved as expected. In this respect, collective efforts should be made to find means for the Kayin State to catch up with other regions in terms of development.
Anyhow, the government will strive in all sectors for development of the entire nation including Kayin State in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. Departmental personnel assigned duty at the border areas are required to strive for development of the areas with zeal and conviction.
The Secretary-1 stressed the importance of correct and complete data for regional development. Related projects can be reviewed through the correct and complete data. He spoke of the need for officials to make trips to the grassroots levels to collect correct data. Emphasis must be placed on collecting correct and accurate data.
He said Kayin State is a region where border trade develops. He spoke of the need to supervise the tasks on the equal amount of export and import items for development of normal trade through official channel.
The main economy of Kayin State is agriculture. Efforts are to be made for boosting production of paddy, beans and pulses, edible oil crops and rubber and officials concerned are to make trips to villages for realization of the set targets, he added.
The government has established the administrative machinery in every state, division, district, township, ward and village tract. He said all the officials are to carry out the tasks on smooth running of the machinery through correct management.
He said Kayin State borders a neighbouring country. It is necessary to prevent the practice of working in the other country, realizing that it causes loss of working power in the own country. The young women’s working in the other country affects dignity of the State and its people, he said.
He said working in the other country causes bad results such as degradation of national prestige and integrity and spread of infectious diseases. He said preventive measures on working in the other country are to be undertaken effectively.
He said departmental officials in cooperation with social organizations should organize and educate young women constantly for preservation of their lineage, cherishing traditional culture and customs and uplift of national prestige and integrity. This would constitute taking of preventive measures.
He said it is necessary to actively participate in promotion of education for gaining knowledge of local people and for emergence of highly-qualified human resources. Human resource development plays a key role in realization of national objectives on development of the nation, he added.
Dams and embankments, major bridges across rivers and creeks and buildings of high standard were being built nationwide with the strength of national intellectuals and intelligentsia, he said.
The government is implementing the 30-year long-term national education promotion project and five-year short-term project for turning out highly-qualified intellectuals and intelligentsia and achievements have also been made. He called for cooperation for continued progress.
Looking at the international situation, it can be found that efforts are to be made for national development and perpetuation of the State on self-reliance basis without relying on others.
The Secretary-1 called on departmental officials, national races organizations and the entire people to work in unity for development of the region and the Union, perpetuation of the State, for better foundations in education, health and social sectors, for stronger national economic life and for safeguarding the interests of the nation and its people.
The Secretary-1 and party arrived back here in the evening.
Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Soe Win meet departmental officials in Mandalay
Yangon, 9 April— Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, members of the State Peace and Development Council and ministers, who accompanied Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe, on 7 March, met with members of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council, departmental officials, chairmen of Mandalay District, Aungmyethazan, Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye, Chanmyathazi, Pyigyidagon, Amarapura, Patheingyi Township Peace and Development Councils, secretaries and executives of division, district and township Union Solidarity and Development Associations in Mandalay District and officials of Mandalay Division Chamber of Commerce.
Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint reported on maintenance tasks of dams, lakes and creeks with the use of heavy machinery provided by the State to cultivate more paddy for regional rice sufficiency, measures undertaken in cooperation with local people for land reclamation and arrangements being made for cultivation of paddy on 38,000 acres of land in the coming monsoon season.
Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min reported on arrangements being made to increase 83 per cent rice sufficiency in Magway Division.
Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing reported on efforts being made for development of the agriculture sector in Shwebo, Monywa and Sagaing Districts.
Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on efficient use of agricultural machinery and Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung on more supply of industrial crops.
Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported on measures being undertaken for supply of electricity to river water pumping projects and Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi on fuel supply.
Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min reported on services offered through rail transportation.
Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw reported on communication work, arrival of more tourists to Myanmar and tourism industry and requirements for development of hotel industry.
Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint reported on health matters.
Then, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint explained matters relating to rice sufficiency and surpluses in Kachin State and Sagaing Division and coordination and cooperation work being carried out for rice sufficiency in Mandalay Division.
Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Soe Win said that Mandalay and Magway Divisions are the regions where rice is not sufficient; and that various ways and means such as increase of paddy sown acreage and per acre yield are to be sought for regional rice sufficiency.
Afterwards, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thura Shwe Mann made a speech. He said that it is known to all that the Head of State himself toured right down to the grassroots level for development of the nation and raising the living standard of the people. Mandalay and Magway Divisions are the regions on which the State can rely economically. According to natural resources, there are fewer cultivation and producing of paddy and crops in the divisions by tradition and local people have to rely on other regions for rice requirement. In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, efforts are to be made for regional rice sufficiency applying new ideas and ways and means instead of ordinary methods.
The State is endeavouring to supply water for agricultural purpose using various ways and means. Especially, water resources are pooled in Mandalay and Magway Divisions and arrangements are being made for efficient use of water in the agriculture sector and extended cultivation of paddy. Along with the water supply, efforts are to be made to change the small farmland into land on which paddy can be grown. In doing so, it is impossible to rely on only one department. Related departments are to render necessary assistance to the tasks and local farmers are to be organized to cooperate. Only when the farmers realize the situation and make earnest efforts will there be progress in the tasks. At the opening ceremony of Chindwin River Bridge (Monywa), the Head of State gave guidance saying that for enabling the nation to acquire her wealth, prevalence of peace and tranquillity and consolidation of national unity, active participation of the people is specially needed.
The Government alone cannot carry out the tasks for development of national economy, defence and raising the living standard of the entire nation and thus the State, the people and the Tatmadaw are needed to cooperate. Similarly, rice sufficiency and regional development tasks which are related to the economic and social sectors of the State are to be implemented through cooperation based on nationalism and patriotic spirit, he said.
Member of Central Panel of Patrons of the USDA Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Soe Win, together with Secretariat members of USDA U Aung Thaung, Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and U Thaung, on 7 April evening, met with secretaries and executives of Mandalay Division, Mandalay District, Kyaukse District and Township USDAs at the office of Mandalay Division USDA.
Secretary U Tin Maung Oo of Mandalay Division USDA reported to the Secretary-2 on organizing and rural development tasks. Then, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Soe win gave necessary instructions.
USDA Secretariat Member tours Magway Division
Yangon, 9 April — The Union Solidarity and Development Association membership applications presentation and cash donations presentation ceremony of Htilin Township took place at the basic education high school in the township, Gangaw District, Magway Division, on 5 April.
Secretariat Member of the USDA Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan accepted 650 membership applications from an official, and presented K 200,000 for township development tasks, K 100,000 for generating electricity for Htanbingon Village, and K 150,000 for construction of Thanthay Creek Bridge to officials. Speaking on the occasion, the secretariat member emphasized the importance of building up a stronger national force under the leadership of the USDA, adding that upholding the People’s Desire, the public is to crush internal and external destructive elements . He called for extended cultivation of seasonal and perennial crops and carrying out livestock breeding tasks for regional development, and measures to be taken for prevention of outbreak of fire.
The secretariat member attended the ceremony to unveil Pyi-khaing-phyo signboard in Tharakha Village and presented periodicals to the village library and clothes donated by the Myanmar Red Cross Society to the village. He also attended the ceremony to unveil Pyi-khaing-phyo signboard of Aung and Kyee villages in the township. He then presented clothes to the former and K 100,000 for village development and clothes donated by the MRCS to the latter through officials, and accepted 90 USDA membership applications of Kyee Village. In the afternoon, the secretariat member attended the the ceremony to unveil Pyi-khaing-phyo signboard and accepted 192 USDA membership applications of Kyaukhtu. He presented K 100,000 to the fund of the Station Hospital and blankets to the village. He spoke of the need for the people to take part in the nation-building tasks.
Afterwards, the secretariat member attended the opening of Phi-khaing-phyo signboards and USDA membership application presentation of Kangyi and Kahchaung villages in Saw Township. He presented clothes to the former and K 50,000 to the BEMS and clothes to the latter.
Madaya Township IPRD inspected
Yangon, 9 April — Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, inspected the IPRD in Madaya Township, Pyin-OoLwin District, yesterday afternoon.
Then, the deputy minister met township level departmental officials and stressed the importance of cooperation among respective departments for successful implementation of the State’s objectives at the grassroots level, widely giving educative talks on a fresh outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or Atypical Pneumonia to the people for taking preventive measures, and systematic formation of respective committees for establishing self-reliant libraries in model villages.
Internal Revenue Department inspected
Yangon, 9 April — Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun, inspected the banking service at the Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank on Merchant Street this afternoon and gave instructions to officials.
Looking into the stamp sales counter-2 of the Internal Revenue Department, the minister and party were conducted round the counter by Director-General of the IRD U Win Naing and officials.
National Museum to be closed during Thingyan Festival
Yangon, 9 April — The Department of Cultural Institute of the Ministry of Culture will temporarily shut the National Museum on Pyay Road during Thingyan Festival (Water Festival) starting from 13 April, the eve of Thingyan, to 17 April, the New Year Day, and will open it by 18 April from 10 am to 4 pm as usual.
Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 concludes
Yangon, 9 April — Myanma Industrial Exhibition 2003 concluded today on Hsinphyukan grounds in Mandalay. It was held for 22 days beginning from 19th March.
At the exhibition 86 booths of ministries, 190 booths of industrial zones, 47 booths of business entrepreneurs, 68 shops of consumer products and 36 restaurants totalling 427 were opened. The exhibition was largely crowded with all walks of life daily.
A ceremony to honour those who actively participated in the exhibition was held this morning at the central pandal on the grounds.
Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Kyaw Win first made a speech and presented cash awards to those of the organizations who took part in the exhibition.
International Relations
Minister for Culture receives Sri Lankan Ambassador
Yangon, 9 April — Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Mr Ubhayasekara Mapa who had completed his tour of duties in Myanmar called on Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung at the latter’s office this afternoon. On the occasion, they cordially discussed matters on bilateral cultural cooperation.
