YANGON, 1 Jan - The graduation parade of the fifth intake of the Defence Services Medical Academy was held at the parade grounds of the DSMA here this morning, with an address delivered by Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Senior General Than Shwe in his address said: At the graduation parade of fifth intake of the Defence Services Medical Academy, I will tell you all what you need to know.

All of you, who are brave doctors and victorious soldiers, are going to discharge medical services duties and the national defence duties.

Members of the defence services medical forces have been the persons discharging their duties with strong patriotism, while overcoming all the difficulties with great zeal and perseverance since the time of independence struggle. In this regard, you will have to preserve and relay the fine traditions.

Concerning the medical sector, imparting of health education and knowledge is the most important part. As in the case that an ax will have to be used for the problem that only needs a needle in the initial stage, an illness will worsen and the terrible and unnecessary consequences follow because of the lack of health knowledge. Hence, I would like to urge you to give priority to health education services.

As a saying, which goes, "No remedy for an undiagnosed disease" swift and accurate diagnosis is needed for quick recovery from an illness. But experience and knowledge is necessary to know the disease swiftly and correctly. So, you will have to seek knowledge and make discussions on your profession as necessary. You should not have an excessive pride in your knowledge. You should be humble in trying to ask others to share their knowledge and experiences with you.

Furthermore, you will have to make a research on the serious diseases region-wise. Doctors from abroad are launching joint treatment operations in the country together with Myanmar counterparts to gain knowledge. Likewise, you also will have to eagerly search new knowledge on your field in every place in the nation you are assigned to, and to record your finds. You are going to conduct not only the treatment, but also the research, and keep records.

With farsightedness, you are also required to record the facts on the extent of health knowledge region- wise, the existing diseases and the probable occurrence of new diseases due to the socio-economic and environmental condition of a certain region, and the required disease prevention measures as they will be helpful to the national health.

You have already been taught and trained military science to a platoon commander level and the art of military leadership. But you still need to undergo advanced military training step by step. As a good soldier of the Tatmadaw, you will have to make yourself fully equipped with field experience. In addition, you, who are going to serve the State, must try to become military commanders having strong patriotism and sacrificing spirit.

The main requirement for leadership is that your deeds must be exemplary for others. And if you become a model for others you become their leader. Giving appropriate command to all the persons with their own duties as a united force for a single purpose is the nature of the military duty.

Thus, only if a leader is good, will his command be effective, and besides, a leader must win the respect, trust and reliance of his subordinates.

Straightforwardness and fairness are the basic factors to win respect of all the subordinates. Moreover, a leader must have the will to make sacrifices, the esprit de corps and loving kindness.

You must have good morale, ability, courage, daring spirit and innovative mind to become a leader trusted and relied on by all the subordinates of your unit. You must be thorough, accurate and skilled, while having the capability to give brilliant leadership with the spirit of a good commanding officer.

You all may already have known the above-mentioned qualifications. But knowing them only is not enough for you. You must practically train yourself to be imbued with the qualifications. Here, I would like to tell you that the better training you undergo, the superior leadership will you be able to give.

The Tatmadaw at present is energetically launching the border areas and national races development drive, the 24-development zone project, and rural development tasks for the whole nation to achieve progress without having any gap in any area.

At the same time, it is also endeavouring to ensure peace and stability of the State for the people to live with a peace of mind and earn their living unhindered. In addition, it is working hard to raise the per capita income annually and develop the national economy. In every part of the nation, its endeavours are for the annual growth of the gross domestic product as it will lead to improving the life expectancy and raising the health, education and social standard of the people.

Moreover, its building of economic and social infrastructures including roads, bridges and dams in all sectors in every direction of the nation is not only for the present, but also for the posterity.

Here, I would like to say that as we are good sons of the State, we are working in the interest the people. I would like to tell you to look after the health of the rural people representing over 70 per cent of the nation's population.

In conducting rural health care services, your attention must be paid not only to the treatment, but also to a large array of sectors including the economic and social conditions and availability of clean water supply. Only then will it become a complete and comprehensive health care service. The five rural development tasks are inter-dependent on each other.

In conclusion, I would like to urge you to brilliantly discharge the Tatmadaw medical duty as well as the national defence duty as I have already told you that you all are brave doctors; to try to become good leaders; to strive to become medical practitioners, on whom the State and the Tatmadaw can rely; and to make greater efforts in discharging the national defence duty and the national-building task.

Also present were Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, 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 Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, and Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, Military Appointment General Maj-Gen Hsan Hsint, Judge Advocate-General Brig-Gen Soe Maung, Inspector-General Brig-Gen Thein Htaik, senior military officers and directors of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers, senior military officers of the station, guests and relatives of the cadets.

At the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe inspected the graduation company. The cadet companies marched past the Commander-in-Chief.

Senior General Than Shwe presented Aungsitthi Award and Excellence in Studies Award to cadet Soe Min Aung, and Excellence in Training Award to cadet Kyaw Kyaw.

Afterwards, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe delivered an address.

Later, he left the parade grounds.

He met with the two outstanding cadets and their parents at the parlour of the main lecture hall of the DSMA.

YANGON, 1 Jan - To mark the graduation of the 5th Intake of Defence Services Medical Academy, a dinner was hosted at the assembly hall of DSMA this evening. Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council and Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing graced the ceremony with their presence.

Also present at the dinner were 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 and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Prime Minister of the State General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence and wife, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and wife, Secretary-2 Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife, members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Quartermaster-General Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, and Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Kyi Min, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, their wives, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers, the chairman of the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, senior military officers, deputy ministers, departmental heads, faculty of the DSMA, graduating officers and their parents and relatives. After the dinner, guests were entertained with songs and dances in accompaniment of Myawady music troupe at the hall of the DSMA.

YANGON, 1 Jan - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, accompanied by member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, ministers, the Chief of Staff (Navy), deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads and officials, left Myitkyina by helicopter and arrived at Mogaung in Kachin State on 30 December morning.

They were welcomed there by Col Myint Hein of Mogaung Station, local authorities, departmental heads and members of social organizations. The Prime Minister held a meeting with local administrative bodies, service personnel, members of social organizations and townselders.

Township PDC Chairman U Khin Maung Than reported on location, area and sown acreage of the region, cultivation of monsoon paddy, ensuring of regional rice sufficiency, cultivation of edible oil crops, regional edible oil sufficiency, land reclamation, and education, health, rural water supply tasks and road and bridge construction tasks; departmental officials, on tasks being carried out and requirements department-wise.

The Prime Minister fulfilled the requirements for upgrading of Mogaung Township People's Hospital and basic education high schools and maintenance of roads and bridges, saying that the purpose of the tour was to fulfil the requirements of the region.

During the previous tour of Kachin State that covered far-flung areas in Putao District, he attended to the needs of transport, education, health, social and economic sectors for regional development and elevating the living standard of local people, he added. Again in the tour of Mogaung, he fulfilled the requirements of education, health and transport infrastructures essential for regional development, he noted.

Arrangements had been made for upgrading of 25-bed hospital to 50-bed one and construction of a station hospital, he said.

Likewise, measures had been taken to upgrade three affiliated basic education middle schools to BEMS (branches) and to carry out the finishing touches in construction of buildings for some BEPSs.

The Government could not launch regional development projects effectively due to lack of peace and stability in the region, he pointed out.

Now, peace has been restored in the region. At a time when the Government places a special emphasis on regional development, respective departmental officials and local people, on their part, are to make concerted efforts in unity with the sense of further raising economic, education, health and social infrastructures, he stressed.

Since Mogaung is a historic town and Mandalay-Myitkyina railroad goes through the region, it should have developed more than it is now. Peace has been restored in Kachin State for ten years and since a long time ago, golden opportunities have been created for enabling the people to travel to remote areas with convenience and in peace and to effectively take measures for regional development.

At such opportune time, departmental officials concerned and local residents are to unitedly strive with might and main for achieving greater success in regional development sector, the General said.

He called on departmental officials concerned to make strenuous endeavours unitedly and collectively but not individually for ensuring progress of the regions to which they are assigned duties by combining the might of unity, perseverance and innovative measures after forming respective development committees made up of all departments sector-wise. Townselders are also to actively participate in the regional development tasks without considering that regional development is responsible for the Government alone, he remarked.

Myanmar has not become a developed nation yet, and the might of the people's participation therefore plays a vital role in development of the nation.

As the participation of the people plays a main role in realizing the national goal - emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation, the entire people are to enthusiastically and unitedly take part in the implementation of the State's future seven-point policy programme, urged the General.

Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt donated TV sets, video cassette players and inverters to Mogaung BEHSs 1 and 2 through respective principals.

The Prime Minister and party proceeded to Nankaungchaung (Mogaung) Bridge Construction Project site. Deputy Superintending Engineer of Public Works U Soe Thet reported on salient points and 90 per cent completion of the project. The Prime Minister gave instructions completion on time of the project and inspected the finishing touches.

The bridge is located on Shwebo-Myitkyina road. The 945-foot-long bridge has a 20 feet and six inches wide motorway on it. Its lower structure is of reinforced concrete and its upper structure, of steel beams. It can withstand 60 tons of loads. They headed for Mohnyin, where they were welcomed by Tactical Operation Commander Col Soe Myint, local authorities, departmental officials and members of social organizations.

The General and party went to Mohnyin Government Technical Institute. Managing Director of Ever Green Construction Co U Than Shwe reported on progress in construction of the three-storey main building and two-storey buildings; Minister for Science and Technology U Thaung, on academic matters.

The General and party inspected the construction site and the study of the students in the new building. They planted star-flower trees in front of the main building.

Next, they went to Mohnyin Degree College and inspected lecture rooms, e-Education learning centre, computer room centre and language lab.

Managing Director U Than Shwe reported on work progress and future plans; and Deputy Minister for Education U Myo Nyunt, on opening of classes for first year students, subjects, population of students and teachers, opening of IT rooms with 92 computers. The General left necessary instructions.

At the Sein Le Yadana Hall, the General and party met with local authorities, departmental staff, social organizations and townselders. The township PDC chairman reported on progress in implementing of the instructions of the Prime Minister in the previous tour of the region, land reclamation, measures being taken for ensuring edible oil sufficiency, greening and beautifying tasks, construction of Myawady TV retransmission station, and education, health and road and bridge construction sectors.

After hearing the report, the Prime Minister gave instructions. He said he and ministers made inspection tours of the town for three times this year with the aim of fulfilling the requirements for the regional development. The Prime Minister quoted Head of State Senior General Than Shwe as giving guidance on taking necessary measures for development of the economic and social infrastructures, and human resources of the regions which lagged behind others and providing advanced health care services to the people of the regions.

In accordance with the guidance of the Head of State, the Government made arrangements for the development of such regions including Mohnyin Township. Being able to establish a degree college and a government technological college complete with advanced teaching and learning aids and modern buildings in the township within six months indicated the goodwill of the Government.

Since its assumption of the responsibilities of the State, the Government, with determination to achieve the aims, had been exerting relentless efforts for the tasks in the interests of the people, the Prime Minister added. To fully provide the health care services of the local people, Mohnyin Poeple's Hospital had been upgraded into a 200-bed one. Construction of education and health infrastructures in the region at the behest of no one showed the Government's goodwill towards the people similar to the wishes ion of parents who bequeath fine legacies for the their children. Local people, realizing the goodwill of the State, were required to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the people. Fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the people was not repaying the gratitude of the State but cooperation between the national brethren in the interests of the people and the Union upholding the Our Three Main National Causes - Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of the sovereignty of the State, the Prime Minister said.

Modern and developed democratic nation would emerge sooner thanks to the combined forces of the leadership and assistance of the Government, cooperation of the people and correct and active participation of departmental personnel. In conclusion, the Prime Minister urged departmental personnel and the local people to unitedly strive for the regional development with the assistance rendered by the government.

Next, the Prime Minister handed over television sets, video players and electricity boosters for Nos 1 and 2 BEHSs in Mohnyin to the headmasters concerned.

Later, the Prime Minister and party arrived at Phakant. Tactical Operations Commander Col Tin Shein and members of the Township Peace and Development Council, departmental personnel and members of social organizations welcomed the Prime Minister there.

The Prime Minister and party attended the ceremony to unveil the stone inscription of the history of Phakant Gems Land by No 1 Highway of the town at 1.30 pm.

Commander Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe and Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint formally opened the ceremony. Next, the Prime Minister formally unveiled the stone inscription and viewed round it.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party arrived at the Uru Yadana Yeiktha in the town and inspected the jade mines in the blocks carried out under joint-venture by the State and private gem companies. Next, the Prime Minister met with members of the Township Peace and Development Council and social organizations and departmental personnel at Uru Yadana Hall in the town.

First, the Prime Minister handed over computer sets and teaching aids for the BEHSs in Kamaing and Phakant to the headmasters of the schools.

Next, the tactical operations commander and the chairman of the Township Peace and Development Council reported to the Prime Minister on upgrading tasks on roads in the towns and matters related to communication, education and health care services.

After hearing the reports, the Prime Minister fulfilled the requirements. He said Phakant is the important gems land in Myanmar which is abundant in priceless jade land and ruby land. Departmental personnel and jade mining entrepreneurs are required to unitedly contribute towards the development of the region by carrying out business in accord with the rules and regulations and laws, said the Prime Minister. Afterwards, the Prime Minister urged the entrepreneurs and departmental personnel to make concerted efforts for making the gems land a tourist attraction and a famous place.

Later, the Prime Minister and party arrived at Namthmaw Block 109 in Phakant Township. Officials of Ruby Dragon Co welcomed the Prime Minister and party.

Next, the Prime Minister and party viewed the 3000-ton jade boulder found in the block and donated to the State by the company.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister and party left for Myitkyina. Later, the Prime Minister left Myitkyina by air and arrived at Yangon in the evening. The Prime Minister was seen off at Myitkyina Airport by peace negotiators, national race leader U Za Khun Ting Ring of Kachin Special Region-1, national race leader U La Mon Tu Gyaing, national race leaders, and members of Kachin cultural troupes.

YANGON, 1 Jan- Kinpon Bridge on Gwa-Thandwe Road was commissioned into service in Gwa Township, Rakhine State, on 30 December, with an address by member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than.

The bridge was built by Public Works of the Ministry of Construction.

Present were Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Chairman Western Command Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, officials, local authorities, members of social organizations, and local people totalling over 5,000.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than quoted, the Head of State as saying, "Transport plays a key role for national development. There will be economic and social development only if there is better transport. Roads and bridges have been built as the Government does not wish to see weakness in the relations and development gaps between the regions resulting from poor transport." In accord with the guidance, motor roads and railroads have been built reaching all the directions of the Union. The Government has built 4,477 miles of new roads and 173 major bridges exceeding 180 feet in length.

Because of the guidance given by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, with pure goodwill, Yangon-Sittway Union Highway has been built. The An-Taungup section of the Yangon-Kyaukphyu Union Highway, with An as the centre, is under construction. Thus, a coastal highway will link Sittway in the north and Gwa in the south of Rakhine State. After the completion of the Yangon-Kyaukphyu Union Highway, island towns such as Kyaukphyu and Yambye will become accessible by road.

Kinpon Bridge is 420 feet long, supporting a 24 feet wide motorway. Its maximum load-bearing capacity is 60 tons. In addition to local transportation facilitation, the new roads have made the state accessible through An mountain pass, Taungup mountain valley road and Gwa-Ngathaingchaung roads from any place of the Union.

Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun spoke on the occasion. He said in building a peaceful, modern developed nation it is necessary to ensure national solidarity and prevailence of community peace and the rule of law. Better transport is also needed to carry out economic and regional development tasks.

He said opening of Kinpon Bridge contributes towards smooth transport between Rakhine State and Ayeyawady Division and economic, health and education sectors will improve further.

Commander Maj-Gen Maung Oo also made a speech.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, the commander and the minister formally opened the bridge.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than and party posed for documentary photos with officials of Public Works and local people.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than formally unveiled the stone inscription of the bridge and inspected the bridge.

YANGON, 1 Jan - The first meeting of the Work Committee for Implementation of Trade and Investment Cooperation among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand under the Ayeyawady-Chao-Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy was held at the Ministry of Commerce this evening.

It was attended by committee members Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, directors-general and managing directors, the governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, the secretary-general of the Union of Myanmar Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and officials.

Chairman of the committee Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone made a speech. Member of the committee Director-General U Nyunt Aye of the Directorate of Trade explained matters related to the implementation of the drafted plans. Those present also took part in the discussions.

YANGON, 1 Jan - The opening ceremony of the 12th Horticulture Show and Exhibition to mark the 56th Anniversary Independence Day 2004 was held at the Mindhamma grounds in Mayangon Township this morning.

The ceremony was attended by leading patrons and patrons of the MFA, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, the deputy mayor, members and officials of YCDC, and ambassadors.

Leading Patrons of Myanmar Floriculturists Association wife of Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo Daw Khin Than Nwe, and wife of Yangon Mayor Dr Daw Khin San Nwe opened the show and exhibition.

Afterwards, those present viewed round the fruits, flowers, flower arrangement of the 400 contestants and 448 booths of 99 nurseries of the show and competition.

Leading patrons of MFA Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Daw Khin Than Nwe, and Daw Khin Lay Thet and members of the panel of patrons presented prizes to winners. Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin presented the championship prize to U Aung Min, who later spoke words of thanks on behalf of the prize winners. The show and competition is open to the public till 7 January.

YANGON, 1 Jan - Minister of Information and Culture of the Lao People's Democratic Republic who had visited Myanmar at the invitation of Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, left here by air this morning.

The Laotian Minister was seen off at the Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Culture Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, heads of departmnet under the Ministry of Culture, and Laotian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Chanthavy Bodhisane.

YANGON, 1 Jan - A press conference on holding the ITF 14 & Under Asian Tennis Championship 2004-Zone-2 organized by the International Tennis Federation in Myanmar took place at Theinbyu Tennis Court here this afternoon. It was attended by Myanmar Tennis Federation Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, President U Zaw Zaw (Max Myanmar Co Ltd), Executive Maj Tin Saw Naing (Ministry of Defence), Secretary Dr Tin Aung Lin, EC members, journalists, Myanmar managers and coaches of Myanmar youth tennis team and guests.

The patron and chairman made speeches on the occasion. Next, the patron, the chairman and the secretary replied to the queries raised by those present.

The tournament will be held in Myanmar from 12 to 19 January 2004.

YANGON, 1 Jan - A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Tachilek Special Anti-drug squad, acting on information, inspected the house of Sai Pyan in Siwan Htaung Village, Mongphone (A) Village-tract, Tachilek Township, on 4 February 2003, and arrested Sai Pyan, Aik Htar, and Aik Son together with 50 stimulant tablets.

Action was taken against Sai Pyan, son of U Nan Pyan, Aik Htar, son of U Khin Kyauk of Pa Htaung, and Aik Son, son of U Kyaw of Tawkawk Apyin Village under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Wanpan Police Station.

Tachilek District Court handed down 5 years' imprisonment and 12 years' imprisonment to serve separately under Sections 15 and 19 (A) of the law on Sai Pyan, 12 years imprisonment under Section 19 (A) on Aik Htar and 5 years' imprisonment and 10 years imprisonment under Sections 15 and 19 (A) on Aik Son on 3 October 2003.