YANGON, 19 Jan - Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt received Chairman of Shan State (North) Special Region-1 U Phone Kyar Shin and Vice-Chairman U Phone Kyar Phu and members at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here at 5 pm today.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin, Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung, Director- General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, Director-General of the Government's Office U Soe Tint, and senior officers of the Office of the Chief of Military Intelligence.

During their meeting, the national race leaders said they fully support the seven-point policy programme of the State (roadmap) clarified by the Prime Minister and made commitment to actively participate in the successful implementation of the roadmap under the leadership of the State. They also said that emphasis was to be laid on the elimination of narcotic drugs and poppy-substitute crops cultivation would be extended according to the instructions of the State.

Later, they reported on their regional development, agriculture, road and bridge construction and economy and assistance rendered by the State.

YANGON, 19 Jan- A civil aviation security course No 1/2004 was opened at the aviation institute this morning.

Present were Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung, Officer on Special Duty Brig-Gen Myo Tint and officials of airlines.

Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Vice-Chief of Military Intelligence Maj-Gen Kyaw Win spoke.

The one week course is being attended by 74 trainees.

The minister and party went to the site of Yangon International Airport Extension Project. Managing Director of Asia World Co Ltd U Tun Myint Naing reported on work done and future tasks.

The minister then gave instructions. He inspected the project site and major repair of planes.

YANGON, 19 Jan - The ceremony to honour and present prizes to the winners of the 56th Anniversary Independence Day Commemorative Colour Photo Contest, organized by the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information was held at Central Hotel on Bogyoke Aung San Street, here, at 11 am today, attended by Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan.

Also present on the occasion were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein, directors-general and managing directors from the ministry, the advisers to the ministry, officials from the IPRD, the president of Myanmar Photographic Society and doyen photographers, invited guests and prize-winning photographers.

Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan made a speech. He said the ministry has placed and will place emphasis on developing the skills of photographers and depicting the images of the developing country and valuable ancient cultural heritage. The contest was held with a view to giving photographers all over the country a chance to show their skills.

The Union of Myanmar is pleasant with natural geographical resources and cultural heritage. Snow-capped mountain ranges lie in the northern part of the country and long scenic sandy beaches enhance the beauty of western and eastern parts of the country. So, it is needed to depict the beauty and attraction of rich natural resources, he added.

At present, national people, under the leadership of the State Peace and Development Council, are building a modern and developed nation by implementing the seven-point political programme of the State. Photographers are to depict these tasks. The ministry is always ready to cooperate and render assistance for development of photography as well as the development of MPS members. The MPS and photographers are urged to take part in the media tasks for the ministry. In conclusion, the minister said it is heartening to see that photographers have upheld the national duty in successive eras.

He urged them to participate in the tasks to build a new, modern, developed and democratic country and to strive for development of photographic society.

Afterwards, the minister presented first, second and third prizes to Em Htaw Ni (Mawlamyine), Chitsaya (Yankin) and Shwehlay Myo Aung respectively.

The deputy minister gave away consolation prizes to Maung Ba Oo (Mandalay), NyaungU Pho Cho, U Naing Zeya (Ko Ko Naing- Sagaing), U Kyaw Tha and Sai Kham Lin, Director-General of IPRD U Chit Naing to Hsan Oo (Tain Hlwa) and U Soe Min (Aung Thiha).

On behalf of photographers, first-prize winner Em Htaw Ni (Mawlamyine) spoke words of thanks. After the ceremony, the minister, the deputy minister and officials viewed the prize-winning photos and posed for a group photo together with the winners.

YANGON, 19 Jan- The boiler operator course No 1/2004 was opened at the boiler inspection division on Kyaikwaing pagoda Road in Mayangon Township this morning.

Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung spoke on the occasion.Present were Deputy Minister for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and officials.

The six-week course is being attended by 57 trainees from the ministries and private organizations.

Similarly, a financial refresher course No 1/2004 was opened. Present were Deputy Ministers for Industry-1 Brig-Gen Thein Tun and Brig-Gen Kyaw Win and officials.

The six-week course is being attended by 45 trainees from the ministries.

YANGON, 19 Jan - A ceremony to open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cobalt machines was held at the Out-Patient Department in Yangon General Hospital this morning.

Present were Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, the directors-general of departments, the deputy directors-general, rectors, medical superintendents and officials and wellwishers.

The minister spoke on the occasion. Managing Director of Europ Continent Myanmar Mr Jean Marie Pascal presented US $ 128,717, U Soe Lin and U Tint Shein of Foremost Co Ltd of Sangyoung Township K 10 million, Daw Thi Thi Than of Kamayut Township K five million, U Kyaw Win-Daw Phyu Phyu Thin of 44th Street K 1 million and other wellwishers K 2.9 million to the minister. The minister presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers. Medical Superintendent Dr Teik Wan thanked the donors.

Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung formally opened the MRI and Cobalt machines and the minister and guests observed them.

The MRI is worth US $ 896,154 and it will be used in diagnosis. The Cobalt is valued at US $ 597,000 and it will be used in treatment of cancer patients. The machines were purchased with the contribution of K 13.3 million by wellwishers and K 26.5 million by the State.

The MRI machines were installed each at new Yangon General Hospital, Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital and YGH. Another one will also be equipped at Mandalay General Hospital.

There are Cobalt machines at YGH, MGH and Sao San Htun Hospital in Taunggyi. About 300 cancer patients are x-rayed daily at YGH with the use of the cobalt machine.

YANGON, 19 Jan-The- e-Government Workshop Training Course, the Basic Digital Electronic Course, the Introduction to Internet Course, the Subscriber Line Construction Course, the Cable Installation and Maintenance Course and the EWSD Operation and Maintenance Course were opened at the Communication and Postal Training Centre of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications at 9 am today.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Vice-Chairman of e-National Task Force member of Civil Service Selection and Training Board U Aung Myint, the managing director of MPT, the director-general of Directorate of Telecommunications and officials, the principal, course instructors and trainees.

Minister Brig-Gen Thein Zaw made a speech on the occasion.

The six-week e-Government Workshop Training Course is being attended by 66 trainees; the six-week Basic Digital Electronic Course, 11 trainees; the three-week Introduction to Internet Course, 24 trainees; the three-week Subscriber Line Construction Course, 10 trainees; the three-week Cable Installation and Maintenance Course, 7 trainees; and the two-week EWSD Operation and Maintenance Course, 7 trainees.

YANGON, 19 Jan - Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun, met with the director-general and officials of the Customs Department at the CD here this afternoon.

He was accom-panied by Deputy Minister Col Hla Thein Swe. The minister heard reports on the fun-ctions of the department, implementation of the work programmes, and future tasks presented by officials. The minister and the deputy minister gave instructions.

The minister and the deputy minister then met with officials of the Internal Revenue Department on Pansodan Street.

The Internal Revenue Department director-general and officials presented work implementation sector-wise, targets of the current financial year and tax collection.

The minister gave instructions.

YANGON, 19 Jan - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi today attended the fourth quarterly meetings of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, and Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise and made speeches. At the meetings, production of oil, gas and fertilizers from respective oil fields during the previous quarterly meetings and work programmes for the fourth quarterly were discussed.

Also present at the meetings were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Than Htay, Director General of Energy Planning Depart-ment U Soe Myint, Managing Director of Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise U San Lwin, Managing Director of Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise U Kyaw Shein, directors, general managers of oil fields, managers of fertilizer factories and officials.

YANGON, 19-The 13th Military Band Contest of the Defence Services (Army, Navy and Air) commemorating the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day continued at the People's Square this morning.

Before the contests, bands comprising students of Kyauktada Township Basic Education High School and Dawbon Township No 1 BEHS presented skill demonstration.

Bands of Western Command's Company-3, Eastern Command's Company-3, Central Command's Company-1 and No 5 Training Depot took part in the contest.

After today's contest, Chairman of the Committee for Organizing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Commemorative Contest Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Hla Shwe presented cash awards to the bands of Kyauktada Township BEHS and Dawbon Township No 1 BEHS.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Committee Brig-Gen Hla Shwe, senior military officers, panel of judges, guests, families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) and students.

YANGON, 19 Jan - The second day session of the 24th Coordination Meeting of the Attorney-General and State/Division law officers concluded at the Meeting Hall-2 of the Attorney-General's Office, here, this morning.

Present on the occasion were Attorney-General U Aye Maung, Deputy Attorney-Generals Dr Tun Shin, U Han Shein and U Myint Naing, Director-General of Attorney-General's Office U Mya Nyein, Deputy Director-General of Attorney-General's Office (Mandalay Branch) U Tin Myint, directors, law officers from states and divisions, deputy directors and the Head of Office. The deputy attorney-generals and the director-general made discussions and the meeting came to a close in the afternoon with concluding remarks by the attorney-general.

YANGON, 17 Jan- The final matches of the ITF 14 and Under Asian Championships 2004 Zone-2 jointly sponsored by International Tennis Federation and Myanmar Tennis Federation were held at Theinbyu tennis plaza this morning. Present were Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Patron of Myanmar Tennis Federation Maj-Gen Kyaw Win, Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik and members, leading patrons of Myanmar Women's Sports Federation, presidents of sports federations, ambassadors, President of Myanmar Tennis Federation U Zaw Zaw (Max Myanmar Co Ltd), Secretary Dr Tin Aung Lin (Aung Mangalar Co Ltd), executive member Major Tin Saw Naing (Ministry of Defence), tennis players and sports fans.

In the final of men's single, Phyo Min Tha of Myanmar beat Batrakh Munkhbastar of Mongolia 7-5, 6-1 and won first.

In the final of women's single, Noordin of Malaysia beat Arudpragasam of Sri Lanka 6-1, 6-3 and won first.

In men's double, Phyo Min Tha and Win Htet Paing of Myanmar won first beating Babar and Nazir of Pakistan 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. In women's double, Noordin and Vy Thinathan of Malaysia were first beating Jayatilaka of Sri Lanka and Thirumalaichel-vam of Malaysia 6-2, 6-4.

In men's single, Phyo Min Tha got first winning first and second round event with high marks. In women's single, Noordin of Malaysia won first with high marks. In men's double, Phyo Min Tha and Win Htet Paing stood first.

In women's double, Noordin of Malaysia and Jayatilaka of Sri Lanka won first. Phyo Min Tha won the best player award for man and Noordin of Malaysia won the best player award for woman.

Phyo Min Tha and Zin Bo of Myanmar were chosen as ITF team. Moe Chit The of Myanmar was chosen in women's team.

They will participate in Asian Championships to be held in Indonesia in February.

Prize presentation ceremony of 14 and Under Asian Championships 2004 Zone-2 Tennis Tournament held

YANGON, 19 Jan-The prize presentation ceremony of the U-14 Asian Zone-2 Tennis Tournament organized by International Tennis Federation and Myanmar Tennis Federation was held at the Theinbyu tennis plaza here at 6.30 pm today.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Patron of Myanmar Tennis Federation Maj-Gen Kaw Win, members of MOC, the leading patrons of Myanmar Women Sports Federation, International Tennis Development Officer Mr Suresh Menon and officials of ITF, the ambassadors and military attaches of foreign missions in Yangon, officials of the Ministry of Sports, the presidents of the sports federations concerned, President of MTF U Zaw Zaw (Max Myanmar Co), Secretary Dr Tin Aung Linn (Aung Mingalar Co) and executives, managers of the tennis teams, coaches, tennis players and enthusiasts.

First, MTF Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win extended greetings.

Next, International Tennis Development Officer Mr Suresh Menon spoke words of thanks. Afterwards, the prize-presentation ceremony followed.

Chairman of MOC Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint and President of MTF U Zaw Zaw (Max Myanmar Co) presented prizes to the winners of each event.

Next, MTF Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win presented man of the match award to Phyo Min Tha of Myanmar, women of the match award to Noordin of Malaysia, and man of the match award (doubles) to Phyo Min Tha and Win Htet Paing of Myanmar.

MTF Patron Maj-Gen Kyaw Win handed K 100,000 presented by Chairman of Myanmar National Olympic Council Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt to Phyo Min Tha who won man of the match award.

Next, officials presented gifts to leaders of the respective tennis teams. Next, officials of the respective tennis teams and tennis players presented the entertainme-nt.Officials presented certificates of honour to the sub-committees that provided assistance for successful holding of the tennis tournament. A leader and a player, on behalf of the tennis teams, spoke words of thanks.

Myanmar Tennis Federation hosted a dinner in honour of those present.

YANGON, 19 Jan - Men & women volleyball tournament 2003 for the Eastern Command Commander's Shield was opened at the stadium of Taunggyi Township sport grounds on 13 January.

Present on the occasion were Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint, Deputy Commander Col Win Myint, senior military officers of the command, departmental officials, commanders and commandants of Taunggyi Station and others.

After delivering an address, the commander opened the tournament. Next, the commander and those present enjoyed the first day events.

A total of 279 athletes are taking part the competitions, which will last till 26th of this month.

YANGON, 19 Jan - The opening of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) weightlifting, bodybuild-ing, and beauty contests 2003 for the Defence Services Commander-in-Chief's Trophy was held at the stadium of People's Sport Grounds in Myitkyina on 15 January.

It was attended by Kachin State Peace and Development Council Chairman and Northern Command Commander Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe and wife, Myitkyina Air Base Commander Brig-Gen Bo Kyi, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen San Tun, senior military officers, departmental officials, members of Kachin State Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and others.

The ceremony was opened with an address by the commander. After the ceremony, weightlifting events at respective categories for the first day were started. The contest will be held up to 18 January.

YANGON, 19 Jan - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, on 2 January searched the house of U Pan Pe, son of U Ohn of Htitali Village in Sittaung Village-tract, Pinlaung Township, Shan State (South), and seized him together with 13.72 kilos of raw opium and K 11000. Further investigation led to the arrest of U Aye Maung, son of U Ohn of the same village, and the authorities seized him together with 6.94 kilos of raw opium.

In connection with the cases, action is being taken against them by police station concerned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.