YANGON, 8 Jan - The academics who got the doctorate degrees from the universities under the Education Ministry, Health Ministry and Science and Technology Ministry were honoured at the Diamond Jubilee Hall here this morning, with an address delivered by Chairman of the Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon mayor, deputy ministers, members of the MEC, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, directors-general, chairmen of the respective organizations, rectors, pro-rectors, professors, paper supervisor professors, faculties, doctorate degree holders and guests.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said, at present, self-reliant efforts are being made for the Union of Myanmar to become a modern and developed nation. In doing so, endeavours for all-round development of the advanced sciences and technologies and continuous emergence of highly qualified human resources play a key role to reach this end.

Continuous emergence of highly qualified human resources or in other words the doctorate degree holders, who have the ability to practically develop the advanced sciences and technologies, is the education sector's practical efforts to implement the national task - to develop the nation.

Moreover, at a time when self-reliant efforts are being made with full confidence in the national forces, emergence of more academics in the respective fields of development amounts to reinforcing new strength to the national development drive. In this world that is changing and advancing at a high speed, with knowledge as the base, not only the sciences and technologies are advancing with a wide range of subjects, but also the developments in the respective fields of knowledge are benefiting the areas of development, based on common interest, without taking a recess.

Instead of concentrating on a single field of knowledge as in the past, the Government is making arrangements in advance for harmonious development of rapidly advancing multi sectors of science and technologies.

The two objectives - to create human resources capable of constructing a peaceful and modern state; and to create an academic environment that is endowed with dynamic knowledge and utilizing the technology that will emerge with the times - are included in the 12 visions of the 30-year long-term education promotion plan.

According to the visions, new universities and colleges are being built in the nation, and the number of the institutions of higher learning in the whole country has reached 154 at present. Institutions of higher learning have been emerging in the fields of arts and science, economics, education, forestry, farming, agriculture, culture and cooperatives. The health sector now has institutions of higher learning in the various fields including medical science, pharmacy, paramedical sciences, primary health and dental science. Institutions of higher learning in the technological sector, computer, aerospace engineering and maritime are being built around the nation. Human resources development centres have been opened at the universities and colleges, and the centres have been conducing 159 course to create a constant learning opportunity and pave the way for the people to study advancing knowledge. Master's degree courses, master of research degree courses and doctorate degree courses of the different branches of education are being conducted at the universities.

The Yangon University, the Mandalay University, the Yangon Institute of Economics and the Yangon Institute of Education are conducting doctorate degree courses in 31 different fields; the medical universities, seven PhD courses and 30 Dr MedSc courses; the technological universities, five science doctorate degree courses on engineering and 16 architecture and engineering doctorate degrees courses, and one IT course.

Comprehensive programmes are being launched to enable the academics retired from their active duty, retired and in-service rectors, pro-rectors, professors, associate professors and senior lecturers to present papers for doctorate courses during four years. Dr Chit Hsaing in his seventies is the first person to get the doctorate degree under the programme. A retired research executive of the Myanmar Oil Corporation, he is the honourary professor of the Geology Department, Yangon University. He is included in the doctorate degree holder to be honoured at the ceremony.

The opportunity to attend master's degree and doctorate degree courses in multi fields of knowledge have been extended in the whole nation. In addition, the whole nation is being covered by the programmes to install and run international level laboratories, electronic-based resource centres, e-libraries, Internet and Intranet.

As a result, there have arisen many opportunities and means to get required data and pursue education at one's convenience as Myitkyina, Dawei and Sittway, which were once considered as remote areas, have been linked to Yangon and Mandalay through computer network. Therefore, the intellectuals serving in such areas now have as equal opportunities to compile research papers for their PhD theses as those in Yangon City.

These achievements are the fruitful results of the Government's efforts to realize the lofty Myanma education goal that reads 'the society of Myanmar must be developed into a constant learning society capable of meeting the challenge of the education age'. In this process, assistance has been rendered to the drive that will ensure the harmonious development of infrastructure such as the creation of constant learning opportunities for the continuous emergence of highly-qualified intellectuals in every sector and the nationwide use of educational media and network.

The number of well-rounded persons with doctorates, who were highly qualified resources and were produced in the country, has now reached 364. Moreover, over 2,600 persons are studying for their doctorates at universities under the Ministry of Education, some 180 persons at universities under the Ministry of Health, and 470 persons at universities under the Ministry of Science and Technology, totalling more than 3,250. Therefore, the number of intellectuals with doctorates will rise in the not too distant future.

It is safe to assume that human resources with high calibre that are capable of developing the international-level science and technologies in the country and speeding up the development momentum of the State effectively are on the increase. In other words, it reveals the success gained in the implementation of the national education promotion programmes. Therefore, it can also be said that these are the achievements in which the entire national people should take pride.

As the government, re-cognizing the achievements and perseverance of the doctorate degree holders, is convinced that it is the pride of all nationals, it presents awards to doctorate degree holders. The doctorate degree holders, on their part, are to serve the interests of the State and the people through their knowledge.

In this knowledge age, human resources with high qualification are invaluable for the State and they are the ones who will shape the future of the State, he noted. This being so, doctorate degree holders are to uplift their qualifications while making efforts for constantly turning out the outstanding human resources. Nowadays, national development and perpetuation of independence and sovereignty of the State depends mainly on united efforts of all the citizens, and thus under the leadership of the government, doctorate degree holders, like other citizens, are to actively participate in successful implementation of the seven-point future policy programme of the State.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister urged the doctorate degree holders to make efforts for development of the Union of Myanmar through their know-how and wished them to become the ones who serve the interests of the State and the people as they are the scholars with high qualification awarded by the State.

Next, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt presented awards and certificates of honour to 47 doctorate degree holders from Yangon University and 6 from Mandalay University under the Ministry of Education; 9 from Yangon Institute of Medicine-1, eleven from Yangon Institute of Medicine-2 and 7 from Mandalay Institute of Medicine under the Ministry of Health; and 48 from Yangon Technological University under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

On behalf of the doctorate degree holders, Honorary Professor Dr Chit Hsaing of Geology Department of Yangon University spoke words of thanks and the ceremony came to a close.

After the dinner, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party had a documentary photo taken together with the doctorate degree holders. Next, the Prime Minister viewed the papers of the doctorate degree holders displayed at the Diamond Jubilee Hall.

YANGON, 8 Jan - The opening ceremony of Myanmar Rice Milling Industry Fair-2004 organized with the objectives of enabling Myanmar rice to regain its share in international market and commanding the market, producing high-quality Myanmar rice, developing the Myanma rice milling industry, developing the regional industries, and creating job opportunities and raising the income of the people by the Ministry of Commerce and the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry was held at the Yangon Trade Centre on Upper Pazundaung Road this morning, attended by Chairman of the Industrial Development Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win.

Also present on the occasion were ministers, deputy ministers, the vice mayor, diplomats of foreign embassies in Yangon, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, members of the leading committee for organizing the exhibition, officials of the News and Periodicals Enterprise, the president and executives of the UMFCCI, the chairman and executives of Myanmar Rice and Paddy Merchants Association, members of social organizations, foreign companies and local rice millers, technicians, guests, members of pom pom troupes and music bands.

First, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, President U Win Myint of the UMFCCI, and Chairman U Tin Win of Myanmar Rice Millers Association formally opened the exhibition in front of the trade centre.

Next, the Secretary-1 formally unveiled the exhibition.

Afterwards, Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone made an opening speech at the second floor of the centre. He said it was the first time for Myanmar to hold such a fair. Private entrepreneurs and individuals were able to enjoy the free trade and export of rice and paddy after the Government had adopted the new rice and paddy marketing policy. The minister expressed his belief that rice and paddy merchants, millers and exporters would be in touch with modern rice milling technologies and machines and able to produce high quality rice by holding such fairs.

The fair was organized with five objectives of enabling Myanmar rice to regain its share in international market and commanding the market, producing high-quality Myanmar rice, developing the Myanma rice milling industry, developing the regional industries, and creating the job opportunities and raising the income of the people, he added. Rice mills in Myanmar were not able to produce high quality rice as they had come into use for 40 or 50 years. So, in the process of milling paddy into rice, it was an urgent need for the rice milling industry to modernize the private-owned rice mills, he said.

As an outcome of the seminar on requirements for enhancing the quality of rice and paddy held by the Ministry of Commerce last November, the Exhibition on Myanma Rice Milling Industry could be opened successfully. The State had been rendering assistance to rice millers by sending technicians of government bodies to seminars of rice millers, conducting training courses for rice millers and holding exhibitions on rice and paddy industry, he said.

The minister said rice mills, machinery units and accessories of rice milling industry were on display at the fair. Small rice mills for urban and rural use were special items of the fair. Moreover, Myanmar Rice Millers Association displayed the development of Myanma rice milling industry, he added.

As is known to all, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is also rendering technical and other assistance with the aims of enhancing the quality of Myanmar rice, he said. Industrial development plays an important role in building Myanmar into a peaceful, modern and developed nation. So does the fair in turning the agricultural country into an industrialized country.

The minister said he believed that the fair would be invaluable for rice millers and merchants, for they would have opportunity, at the fair, to learn where to buy high-quality rice mills and accessories produced as import substitute items by local manufacturers. Moreover, foreign rice mill and accessories manufacturers such as Satake Co of Japan, Nexus Agricultural Resources Co and Cimbria Fareast Co of Malaysia and Jing Yong Co of Korea would also take part in the fair together with local companies including Sieinni International, Watana Trading, ThaungWin Industry, Soe Electric, Han Sein Thant Engineering and Good Brothers Co.

During the fair, technicians from Myanmar, Japan and Malaysia would read 12 papers for three days. By participating in such a paper reading session on technologies and methods of rice and paddy industry, participants could exchange experience and knowledge. In reality, the fair was an international one, the minister said.

In conclusion, the minister said thanks to the efficiency of rice mills, Myanmar rice was at the top of the international market previously. The fair was an assistance to promote the rice milling industry being undertaken by private entrepreneurs in accord with the new rice and paddy marketing policy of the State. The minister expressed his belief that the development of rice milling industry, in accord with the motto of the fair " Development of rice milling industry in the interest of the nation", would contribute towards the State by enabling it to export quality rice.

Afterwards, the minister presented a commemorative gift of the fair to the Secretary-1.

Next, the minister presented commemorative gifts to four foreign entrepreneurs who take part in the fairs.

Later, honouring the fair, President U Win Myint of UMFCCI donated a K 677000-worth small rice mill with the capacity of ten bags of rice per hour, Chairman U Tin Win of MRMA a K 500,000-worth small rice mill with the capacity of six bags of rice per hour, U Thaung Win of Thaung Win Industry a K 1,200,000-worth rice and unpolished rice separator which won gold medal for quality in the Industrial Exhibition-2003 in Mandalay, U Nyunt Win and U Hin Bi of Exotic Wings Co a K500,000-worth small rice mill with the capacity of six bags of rice per hour. The minister accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party, diplomats and guests viewed round the fair. The Secretary-1 left the fair at 10 am.

A total of 36 companies from China, Japan, India, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, and local companies have opened 150 booths at the fairs. Moreover, rice mill and accessories manufactured by industrial zones in Ayeyawady Division, Bago Division (East), Bago Division (West), Mandalay Division, Sagaing Division, Yangon Division and Mon State are also on display. The fair will be kept open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm daily till 11 January. Paper reading session on enhancement of the quality of Myanmar rice will be held from 8 am to noon on 9,10 and 11 January. Interested persons can attend the paper reading sessions.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, accompanied by Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye of Kale Station, met with Tatmadaw members of Kale and Kyikon stations and their families at Kale Station yesterday morning.

At the meeting, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win gave instructions on extension of agriculture and livestock breeding, boosting production, and cooperation with local people for regional development.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Win held a meeting with local administrative bodies, departmental personnel and townselders at the town hall of Kale. On the occasion, he elaborated on collective efforts to be made with the sense of duties for successful implementation of five rural development tasks, prevalence of law and order, and national and regional development.

Chairman of Electricity and Fuel Use Supervisory Committee Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected distribution of electricity of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise and tasks at the gas station. He gave instructions on timely distribution of electricity and fuel and attended to the needs.

In the afternoon, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected assembling of automobiles at Kale Industrial Zone and left instructions on production of quality products.

YANGON, 8 Jan- Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, on 6 January, inspected maintenance tasks for the leading channel of Panhlaing Sluice Gate in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Division and supplying of water for summer paddy and precise agricultural static.

After leaving necessary instructions on growing of summer and winter crops, the minister inspected maintenance tasks for Chaungtha Nos 1 and 2 reservoirs.

In meeting with farmers at Myinkaseik Village in Kangyidaunt Township, the minister heard reports by Managing Director U Tun Than of Myanma Agriculture Service on harvesting of monsoon paddy, growing of summer paddy and making utilization of natural fertilizer. The minister gave instructions on utilizating machinery power and natural and chemical fertilizers.

Yesterday, the minister visited Myaungmya Gunny Factory. The head and officials of the factory reported spare parts for the machinery, production line of gunny, gunny twine and making of gunny bags.

At the briefing hall of Bamaw-Thongwa river-water pumping project on the east bank of the Myanaung river, Director-General U Win Shwe of Water Resources Utilization Department, the division in-charge and the project in-charge briefed on saving of fuel oil tanks to the river-water pumping project, growing of summer paddy on 4,000 acres of land and multiple-cropping. Myaungmya District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Kyi Htut Win presented a supplementary report.

After giving instructions on tasks for supplying water and forming of committees for sharing of water, the minister inspected running of the factory and distribution of water through the main cannel.

In meeting with industrialists from Myaungmya Industrial Zone at the hall of Myaungmya District PDC Office, the minister heard reports by the chairman of the zone on production of the zone and requirements.

Afterwards, the minister inspected summer paddy fields and mass scattering of natural fertilizer at Summer Paddy Cultivation Special Zone in Kangyi Village-tract in the township. He gave instructions on growing of summer paddy and boosting of per acre yield.

At Kwinyatagundaing Village in Einme Township, the minister met with farmers and discussed matters on utilization of natural fertilizer and water supply tasks.

Summer paddy will be grown on 1.66 million acres of land in Ayeyawady Division in 2003-2004. At present, land reclamation tasks and water pumping are being carried out. Paddy has already been grown on 730,000 acres of land so far and are thriving. The minister also visited the paper plant of Myanma Jute Enterprise in Maubin. The head of the plant presented a report and the minister left necessary instructions there.

YANGON, 8 Jan - The opening of Monywa Industrial Zone (Yangon) showroom took place at No 86/88 on Bo Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Township, here, this morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Myanma Industrial Development Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung, the Work Committee for Myanma Industrial Development Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Member of MIDC Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Minister for Labour Brig-Gen Win Sein, departmental heads, Chairman of Monywa Industrial Zone Co Ltd U Aung Khin and members and guests.

Chairman U Aung Khin explained the purpose of the holding of the showroom.

Minister U Aung Thaung, Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, and U Aung Khin formally opened the showroom. Minister Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe in charge of Monywa Industrial Zone pressed the button to unveil the signboard of the showroom.

Available at the showroom are automobiles assembled at Monywa Industrial Zone, various kinds of farm implements and machinery, groundnut oil, bean vermicelli, noodle, blankets, textiles, Aye Nyein Thida traditional medicines, finished wooden furniture and battery lead-acid accumulators.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, accompanied by Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye of Kale Station and officials of Public Works, inspected the plot chosen for construction of Kangyiwa bridge in Tamu on 4 January.

At the briefing hall of the construction project, the minister heard reports on tasks to be carried out for construction of the bridge and gave instructions on speedy implementation of the project.

Kangyiwa bridge is being built on Mahuya creek and will link Tamu and Nanphalon village and is on the Tamu-Zedi motor road.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut, accompanied by officials, inspected the installation of machines, the power control room, the power substation, progress in construction of the tunnel, construction of the regulating dam and emergency spillway, and the bridge at Mone Creek Hydel Power Station Project being implemented in Magway Division on 3 January. The minister also met with employees at the project, giving instructions on tasks to be carried out and attending to the requirements.

On 4 January, the minister and party arrived at Yenangyaung industrial zone in Magway Division, where he met with officials and industrialists of the zone and gave instructions on assistance being rendered by the State to the industrial growth. He also looked into automobiles, motorcycles and spare parts, which were produced at the zone and attended to the needs.

Next, the minister and party went to Taungdwingyi Main Power Substation that will distribute the electricity sent by Paunglaung Hydel Power Station. At the substation, the minister oversaw the tasks being carried out to upgrade the substation and the condition of electricity distribution and gave instructions.

On 5 January, the minister and party arrived at Paunglaung Hydel Power Station, where he inspected the installation of machines at the underground power station and gave instructions.

On 6 January, the minister and party proceeded to Yenwe hydel power station project, where he looked into earth work being carried out for construction of the power station, construction of the tunnel and regulating dam and gave instructions.

The minister and party also inspected Shwekyin hydel power station project and heard reports on tasks being carried out at the project and future tasks. After hearing the reports, the minister met with staff of the project and gave instructions.

YANGON, 8 Jan- The GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies Seminar, organized by Myanmar INGR Trading Co Ltd (Myanmar Intergraph), was opened at IBC on Pyay Road here this morning, attended by President of e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Defence Maj-Gen Aung Hlaing, e-National Task Force Vice-President Civil Service Selection and Training Board member U Aung Myint and senior military officers, departmental heads, technicians and officials of Myanmar Intergraph. President of e-National Task Force Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw made a speech on the occasion.

General Manager U Zaw Naing of Myanmar Intergraph briefed on latest advancement in GIS and remote sensing technology.

Then, paper-reading session was held. Technical Consulting Manager Mr Edward D Bitao of Image Map Australia Pte Ltd, Assistant Head Daw Tin Tin Pyone of YCDC City Planning and Land Reclamation, Senior Application Specialists Mr Desmond Pansiul of Intaragrafik Systems, Malaysia, Application Support Manager U Win Ko Ko of Myanmar Intergraph and Assistant Lecturer U Thet Tin Tun of Mandalay University presented papers.

The seminar con-tinues tomorrow.

YANGON, 8 Jan - A coordination meeting organized by the Myanma Agriculture Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, took place at Yangon Division Vegetables Cultivation and Livestock Breeding Special Zone near Nyaunghnapin Village in Hmawby Township at noon today, with an address by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

Also present on the occasion were No 1 Military Region Commander Col Tun Kyi, Managing Director of MAS U Tun Than, Commander of Hmawby Station Lt-Col Tin Oo, officials, local authorities, national entrepreneurs and guests.

Managing Director U Tun Than reported on research tasks, distribution of seeds and conducting courses on agricultural methods.

In response to the report, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe said that respective ministries and national entrepreneurs are engaged in the special zone. The MAS is making arrangements for dissemination of agricultural methods to national entrepreneurs. He called on the national entrepreneurs to carry out the tasks in accordance with the agricultural methods. The Government has provided basic infrastructures for their convenience. The national entrepreneurs are to make combined endeavours in implementing the goal of the special zone, he noted.

Next, the responsible officials replied to the queries of the entrepreneurs.

The commander and party viewed the plantations round the special zone and left necessary instructions.

They proceeded to Wanetkon Village, Hlegu Township, and inspected the summer paddy fields. Officials reported on supply of water from Ngamoeyeik canal (left) to the plantations through Wanetkon Sluice Gate, and dissemination of agricultural methods to the farmers.

The commander called for extended cultivation of crops, growing of summer paddy at all the fields that can be irrigated, full scale cultivation of beans and pulses, edible oil crops, vegetables and cash crops, and fulfilling the requirements of the farmers.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung inspected Paleik yard for storing logs in Mandalay Division on 5 January morning.

Next, the minister inspected forest plantations in Sagaing. Director-General of the Arid Zones Greening Department U Tun Tun and officials conducted the minister round the sites. In the afternoon, the minister looked into District Forest Department Office in Kyaukse. On 6 January, the minister inspected No 103 Saw Mill in Amarapura, Mandalay Division timber extraction yard, and Hi Tech finished wood furniture factory in Maha Aungmye Township.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received Conductor & Music Director Mr Mitch Markowitz at his office on Theinbyu Road, here at 5 pm today.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry, Officer on special duty, the deputy director-general and the Head of Office of the Minitsry of Information.

YANGON, 8 Jan - Lauda Air (Italy) S.pa carrying 30 tourists, group of Rotary Club Treviso has landed at Myanmar International Airport (Mingaladon) on 8-1-2004 morning under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, with the assistance of the Ministry of Transport and Myanmar Kipling Tours Ltd. The tourists will visit around Yangon, Inlay, Mandalay and Bagan and leave on 15-1-2004 morning.

YANGON, 8 Jan - U Thane Myint, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the People's Republic of Bangladesh, presented his credentials to Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, on 28 December 2003, in Dhaka.

Ambassador U Kyi Thein presents credentials to Indian President

YANGON, 8 Jan - U Kyi Thein, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Union of Myanmar to the Republic of India, presented his credentials to Shri A P J Abdul Kalam, President of the Republic of India, on 30 December 2003, in New Delhi.

YANGON, 8 Jan - A ceremony to pay homage to Tipitakadhara title recipient Sayadaws took place at a temporary pandal in Ward-71, Dagon Myothit (South) Township, Yangon East District, this morning.

Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe attended the ceremony.

Also present on the occasion were Tipitakadhara Dhamma Bhandagarika Agga Maha Pandita Tipitaka Mahagandayon Monastery Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Suman-galalankara, four Tipitaka title recipient Sayadaws, Commander of No 2 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, local authorities and officials, social organizations, wellwishers, laity and others.

Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Sumangalalankara administered the Five Precepts to the congregation led by Maj-Gen Myint Swe. After the Sayadaws had recited parittas, the commander and officials offered provisions to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

Next, the Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing the merits gained. After the ceremony, the commander and officials offered 'soon' to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

YANGON, 8 Jan - The U-14 Asian Tennis Championship 2004 (Zone-2) organized by the International Tennis Federation and Myanmar Tennis Federation will be held at Theinbyu Tennis Court here from 12 through 20 January.

Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan and Lao PDR will take part in the tournament. It comprises men's singles and doubles and women's singles and doubles events. Those who stand first to fourth in each event will be awarded and selected into the ITF Team. The outstanding ones can directly join the Asian Championship Zone (1) to be held in Hong Kong.

The tournament will be sponsored by Max Myanmar Co Ltd, Htoo Trading Co Ltd, Ayer Shwe Wah Co Ltd, SSc Shwe Gon Dine Specialist Centre, Traders Hotel, Canon, Loi Hein (Alpine), Myanmar Distribution Group Co Ltd (Gold Roast Coffeemix) Wilson and Adidas.

YANGON, 8 Jan - A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Tachilek Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched the house of Myat Tun in Lwaisaton Village in Tachilek Township on 17 February 2003 and seized 270 stimulant tablets, which he said he had bought from Joye.

Action was taken against Myat Tun, son of U Nyunt Maung and Joye, son of U Chetbo of Lwaisaton Village in Tachilek Township under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Tachilek Police Station.

Tachilek District Court handed down 5 years' imprisonment and 13 years' imprisonment to serve separately on Myat Tun under Section 15 and Section 19 (A) of the law and 13 years' imprisonment on Joye under Section 19 (A) of the law on 13 March 2003.

Similarly, a combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit, Yangon Special Anti-drug Squad and Mingaladon Police Station, acting on information, searched the house of Nay Myo Aung and Ma Myint Myint Nyo in Market Ward, Mingaladon Township, on 3 June 2003 and seized 97.975 grams of marijuana. Action was taken against Nay Myo Aung, son of U Hla Thein, and Ma Myint Myint Nyo (a) Ma Nyo, daughter of U Kyi Soe of the above-mentioned ward under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Mingaladon Police Station. Yangon North District Court handed down 20 years' imprisonment on Nay Myo Aung under Section 19 (A) and 5 years' imprisonment on Ma Myint Myint Nyo (a) Ma Nyo under Section 15 of the law on 5 November 2003.