YANGON, 18 Jan - Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung attended opening of the disease diagnose unit (laboratory) of State General Hospital in Loikaw.

Next, the minister together with the chairman of Kayah State Peace and Development Council and party inspected the laboratory.

Next, the minister proceeded to Nanhutway Village in Dimawhso Township and attended the opening ceremony of the lake.

Next, the minister and the chairman made speeches. At Loinanhpa Village BEMS, the minister met with local people and gave instructions. The minister also donated exercise books and clothes for the local people.

In the afternoon, the minister donated cash and kind to the dispensary and monastery in Linphon Village, Loikaw Township.

On arrival at the model teak plantation on Loikaw-Aungban motor road, the minister was briefed by officials on measures being taken. Next, the minister gave necessary instructions.

YANGON, 20 Jan - A prize presentation ceremony for outstanding service personnel was held at the Attorney-General's Office this afternoon.

Deputy Attorney-General Dr Tun Shin spoke on the occasion.

Next, Deputy Attorneys-Generals Dr Tun Shin, U Han Shein and U Myint Naing presented prizes to those who received the medals of excellent performance in administrative field for 2002, advisers and experts at the Attorney-General's Office and those who won the Attorney-General Award respectively. Director-General U Mya Nyein also presented prizes and gifts to students of service personnel who passed the matriculation examination in 2002-2003 academic year and outstanding athletes and other outstanding service personnel.

YANGON, 20 Jan - The Subcommittee for Organizing the Painting and Sculpture Contests under the Work Committee for Organizing Poem and Arts Contests in commemoration of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day announced rules for the painting and sculpture contests today.

The painting contest comprises six categories - pre-primary level, junior primary level (primary, first and second standards), senior primary level ( third and fourth standards), middle school level ( fifth to seventh standards), high school level ( eighth to tenth standards and technological and agricultural high schools) and open division There will be only one category in the sculpture contest with wood sculpture category and plaster sculpture in open division. Anyone may take part in both.

In the pre-primary level to high school levels, the size of the entry must be 15" x 20". The entry must be endorsed by respective principal with name, standard, school, township, date of birth, father's name, full address and two passport-size photos attached. The entries are to be sent to the Education Planning and Training Department at 123 Natmauk Street, Bahan Township, by 23 February 2004.

Entries for the open division painting contest must by 20" x 30". Name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name, occupation and full address must be expressed with two passport-size photos attached.

The entries for the wood sculpture and the plaster sculpture contests must not be higher than 36 inches high and circumference not larger than 24 inches.

At the foot of the works, name, NRC No, date of birth, father's name and address must be shown with two passport-size photos attached, and they must be sent to Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road between 1 and 3 March.

All the entries must reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmadaw.

Entries for open division painting and sculpture contests are to be sent to Secretary, Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Asiayon (Central), Pabedan Township, Yangon, by 1 March or to Secretary of the Subcommittee for Organizing the painting and sculpture contests at the Tatmadaw Conventional Hall between 1 and 3 March.

Apart from the entries for the contests, other paintings and sculptures may be sent to be displayed at the exhibition to be opened in honour of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.

They must also reflect the twelve objectives of the State, the objectives of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day and the twelve fine traditions of the Tatmdaw, and should be sent directly to Tatmadaw Convention Hall between 1 and 5 March.

YANGON, 20 Jan - Deputy Minister for Transport U Pe Than on 17 January inspected works to prevent erosion at Myainggale bank in Hpa-an where Thanlwin Bridge (Hpa-an) is situated.

Accompanied by officials, the deputy minister visited the 4,000-ton capacity Myainggale Cement Plant and an 800-ton capacity cement plant.

He looked into the requirements presented by officials of the plants. He then inspected the building of a retaining wall at the bank.

He then sought means to facilitate the loading and unloading of goods at the jetty on and from the cargo barges.

The deputy minister sailed downstreamed the river and spoke of the need to take necessary measures for the safety of travellers on the Thanlwin.

The next day, the deputy minister inspected the Kalwe-Daye waterway linking the Mottama sea. He then inspected the tax collection centre of the Myanma Port Authority.

YANGON, 20 Jan - The Development Affairs Committees under the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs are making concerted effforts in sinking tube-wells in order to get sufficient fresh water in rural areas in States and Divisions where water is scarce. One 200 feet deep two-inch diameter tube-well costs K 250,000; one 400 feet deep two-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000; and one 200 feet deep four-inch diametre tube-well costs K 500,000.

Those wishing to donate cash for the tube-well sinking projects for rural areas may contact the committees.

YANGON, 20 Jan - The Cooperative Products Exhibition and Market Festival sponsored by the Ministry of Cooperatives continued at the Coopera-tives Trade Centre (Saya San Plaza) at the corner of University Avenue and Saya San Road in Bahan Township for the eighth day today. The exhibition and fair was packed with visitors.

A sale contract worth over 1.10 million Euros was made between Cooperative Export and Import Enterprise, and Vihalar Global Trade Pte Ltd of Singapore for purchase of green grams, black pulse, pigeon peas, grams and Lonphyu.

Managing Director of Shwe Theehnan Coo-peratives Society Ltd U Aye Min presented prizes to winners of entertainment programmes.

Booths of coopera-tive societies from the states and divisions were dis-played while consumer products, food-stuff and regional products, cosme-tics, garments and textile, home decorations, furniture and import-substitute items were on sale.

YANGON, 20 Jan - The 51st Vinaya oral examination of Kangyi Pariyatti Sarthintaik was held in Nyaungshwe, southern Shan State, in conjunction with the 57th founding anniversary of Kangyi monastery on 15 January morning.

The State Ovadacariya Mandalay Visudhayon Monastery Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Shwekyin Nikaya Adipati Waso Sayadaw, the Thidagu Thegon Sayadaw and sayadaws and members of the Sangha, Shan State Peace and Development Council Chairman Eastern Command Commander Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint and wife, Deputy Commander Col Win Myint and wife, senior military officers and their wives, departmental heads and local populace attended the ceremony.

The Waso Sayadawgyi administered the Five Precepts and members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta. The commander supplicated matters on religious affairs. The commander and wellwishers then presented offertories to sayadaws and members of the Sangha.

The Thitagu Thegon Sayadaw delivered a sermon. Merits so gained were then shared by the commander and wellwishers.

YANGON, 20 Jan - the first plenary meeting of the Myanmar-Korea Friendship Association was held at the meeting hall of the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs' Association at 3 pm today.

Meeting chairman retired Ambassador U Hla Maung first delivered an address. Next, Dr Khin Shwe explained matters on formation of the association.

The new 31-member Executive Committee was formed with Brig-Gen Khin Maung as chairman, Dr Khin Shwe, Lt-Col Myint Shwe, U Win Myint and U Hla Maung as vice-chairmen and U Than Win as general secretary.

All-round discussions were then held. Cooperation in social, economic and cultural fields will be enhanced between the two countries.

YANGON, 20 Jan - Work Committee for Prevention and Treatment of Avian Influenza under the Ministry of Health held its meeting at the meeting hall of the Health Department (Head Office) this morning. It was attended by Secretary of the Work Committee Director-General of Health Department Dr Wan Maung, members of the Committee the deputy directors-general of Health Department, Health Planning Department, Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, the directors, the medical superintendents, and the specialists.

First, Meeting Chairman Director-General Dr Wan Maung made a speech. He said that to be able to prevent the outbreak of Avian influenza, educative measures on health are needed to be taken; that preventive measures are to be taken for constant monitoring of the outbreak of the disease and for controlling the spread of the disease in a short time in case its outbreak; that effective medical treatment is to be given to the people who are infested with the disease and preventive measures are to be taken for prevention of the spread of the disease to the animals. Next, Director of LBVD Dr Than Hla reported on matters related to the Avian influenza. Afterwards, Deputy Director of HD Dr Soe Lwin Nyein reported on work programmes, followed by a general round of discussions.

YANGON, 20 Jan - Wellwishers donated cash and kind to the Defence Services Hepatitis Hospital in Mingaladon at the hospital on 2 January morning.

At the ceremony, Maj Thaung Shwe (Retd)-Daw Win Kyi and daughter Daw Moe Moe Shwe donated hospital equipment worth K 400,000; U Soe Naing-Daw Moe Seint Seint Lin and family K 400,000; Lt-Col Kyaw Zin Han-Dr Hla Hla Khaing and family K 300,000; U Win Aung-Daw Khin Than Swe and family, K 200,000; U Kyaw Min Aye, K 100,000; and Maj Mya Hla-Daw Kyu Kyu Swe and family, K 100,000. Lt-Col Kyaw Zin Han of the hospital accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to them.

YANGON, 20 Jan - Shwe Naing-ngan Journal No 20, Volume 2 published by the Union Solidarity and Development Association Headquarters came out today. The issue features news on the dinner hosted to hail the 56th Anniversary Independence Day by State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, the news on skill demonstrations of outstanding students to mark the School Family Day attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, the news on participation of the USDA members in regional development tasks and other interesting works.

YANGON, 20 Jan - The Myanmar Perspectives Magazine Vol VIII 2/2003 has now been published. It carries topics about Myanmar's nation-building efforts, her roadmap to democracy and her standing and achievements at the Ninth ASEAN Summit together with articles on Myanmar culture, traditions, flora and fauna and other aspects of Myanmar life.

YANGON, 20 Jan - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information, on 13 December 2003, searched suspicious looking Zaw Aung near Taw Win car service centre in Kaungmuton Ward, Muse, arrested him together with two blocks of heroin weighing 680 grams hidden in his jerkin.

Action is being taken against Zaw Aung, son of U Zaw Ywe, of Kaungmuton Ward, Muse under Section 15/19 (A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Muse Police Force.

In a similar incident, a combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit, Kawthoung Special Anti-Drug Squad, Bureau of Special Investigation, Special Branch and District Police Force, acting on information, on 16 December 2003, searched the house of Aung Nge, of 1st Naukle Street, Seinhmyartada Ward, Myeik and arrested him together with 13 packets of opium weighing 0.642 kilo, 4 packets of gunpowder weighing 3.5 kilos hidden in a tin container.

Further information led to the arrest of Htein Lin, son of U Saw Lwin of Ingamaw Village, Myeik Township; Kyaw Myo Oo, son of U Myo Wai of 2nd Naukle Street, Myeik; Min Naing, son of U Thein Han of 3rd Myothit Shwesabai Street, Myeik; Win Kyaing, son of U Paw La, Ahleman Village, Myeik; and Thein Aung, son of U Thein Han of Myothit Ward-6, Myeik, who were involved in the case. Action is being taken against the six under Section 15/19 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law and under Section 5 of Explosive Devices Act by Myeik Myoma Police Station.