YANGON, 22 Jan - The following are the messages of felicitations from foreign Heads of State to State Peace and Development Council Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe on the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.

As the Union of Myanmar celebrates its National Day, it gives me great pleasure to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Your Excellency along with my best wishes for good health and happiness. I also wish the Myanmar people further progress and prosperity. I should like to take this opportunity to tell you that I am keen to ensure that the relations of friendship and cooperation uniting our two countries are further enhanced for the benefit of our peoples.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of your country, it gives me pleasure to extend to Your Excellency best greetings and warmest congratulations in the name of the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates and on my own behalf. Wishing Your Excellency every happiness and abundant prosperity to the friendly people of your country. With my highest consideration and esteem.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The following is the message of felicitations from foreign Head of Government to Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt on the occasion of the 56th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Union of Myanmar.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence Day of your country, it gives me pleasure to extend to Your Excellency best greetings and warmest congratulations in the name of the people and Government of the United Arab Emirates and on my own behalf. Wishing Your Excellency every happiness and abundant prosperity to the friendly people of your country.

YANGON, 22 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 5 U Matu Naw, Secretary U Zaw Hsai and party at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall on Konmyinttha here at 4 pm today.

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

During the discussion the national race leaders said that they supported the seven-point future political programme of the State, adding that they would make harmonious efforts with the leadership of the State for the successful implementation of the political programme.

They also said that the region would continue to root out the narcotic drugs with added momentum, presenting the plan for the State to render assistance in the health, education, agriculture, transport and economic sectors for regional development.

YANGON, 22 Jan - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung inspected ruins of Aungzigon Pagoda in Saga-In Village in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division, on 5 December and gave necessary instructions on renovation of the pagoda and maintenance tasks for terracotta plaques and ovolo mouldings of Innwa era.

Director (Admin) U Hla Gyi Maung Maung of the Archaeology Department (Mandalay Branch), Staff Officer U Kyaw Shein, Assistant Researcher U Hla Shwe carried out renovation tasks starting from second week of December. During the period from 7 to 11 January, 22 ancient Buddha images dated from Innwa Period were found at first terrace of the pagoda and near the encircling pagoda. Of these images, the handiwork of a bronze image and an Pyinsa Lawha image are distinctive. Innwa King Mingyi Swa Sawke (Myanmar era 729-762) had the pagoda built in Myanmar era 736 under the supervision of venerable monk Ashin Maha Suddhamma Sami.

The renovation and maintenance tasks for Pinya Aungzigon Pagoda will continue under the supervision of the Archaeology Department (Mandalay Branch).

YANGON, 22 Jan - The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 continued for the second day at the MICTDC building in Hline Township here today with seminars and workshops.

The PKI Application workshop took place at the Conference Hall at 9 am. On the occasion, U Tin Zaw, in charge Manager of the Myanmar Electronic Trust (MET)dealt with the topic "Secure e-Commerce", followed by a general round of discussions.

Similarly, the workshop "Role of Women in ICT" was held at Room No 205 simultaneously.

Executive of Myanmar Compute Federation Adviser to Myanmar Women Entrepreneurs Association Daw Wah Wah Tun presented the topic "Women & IT"; Executive of Myanmar Computer Scientists Association Member of the MWEA Daw Khin Aye Win, "Women's Information"; and Executive of Myanmar Computer Industry Association Executive of the MWEA Daw Chaw Khin Khin, 3rd Myanmar ICT Week Exhibition.

In the afternoon, the workshop on Hardware Trend for Software Developers was held at the same venue. Channel Account Manager of Intel Thailand Channel Account Myanmar Mr Decha Rattanathar presented new IT technologies, and Managing Director of Microsoft Thailand Mr Andrew Mc Bean, Microsoft of Products.

The workshop "Myanmar Language Implementation" took place at the Room No 205 at 1 pm. Chairman of e-National Task Force, IT Standardization Steering Committee U Thein Oo, Vice-President of the MCF Dr Kyaw Thein, Advisers of Myanmar Language Commission U Tun Tint and U Myint Kyi and enthusiasts totalling around 40.

At the workshop, Chairman U Thein Oo discussed matters on Myanmar character standardization.

Those present also took part in the discussions.

Present on the occasion were MCF President U Thein Oo and members, MCSA President U Thaung Tin and members, officials of the MCIA and Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts Association, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, MWEA President Daw Khin Myint Myint, departmental officials, companies, entrepreneurs and guests.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 continued for the second day at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Park on Hline University Campus in Hline Township here today. The Third MICT Week 2004 was packed with Internet and IT enthusiasts, students, employees, and the general public.

Electronic security and communication appliances produced by FISCA Enterprise are on display for sale. The company also undertakes the installation of telephone lines in markets, housing estates and industrial zones. Besides, the company also provides services for installation of CCTV security TV camera and other security systems at such places as Yangon and Mandalay International Airports, the Central Bank of Myanmar and other banks, hotels, and gold shops. In particular, PABX exchanges and PCB cards are now being produced at home as the State offered necessary assistance. Arrangements are under way to produce them sufficiently in the country.

As part of the 'welcome MICT Week 2004 sales promotion programme', Han Myanmar Electronics sells electronic and electric products of Panasonic brand at reasonable prices along with gifts. On display at the booth of Myanmar Intergraph are technologies on Geomedia Webmap, Remote Sensing, Vessel Tracking and Monitoring System, Marine Ship Tracking and Monitoring System.

Computer Marketing Co Ltd is kept open daily on the ground floor of the building-5 in MICT Park and they sell SLIM computer systems and related items at Myanma Compu Mart of that company. The soon-to-be-distributed Bagan @ a Glance Multimedia CD ROMs, jointly programmed by Cytron Computing and the Ministry of Information, were also on display. On the CD ROM are the historical backgrounds of more than 50 ancient pagodas in Bagan, photos, and location maps. Therefore, it will be a CD those who love Bagan region should keep for always. Mastech Co Ltd also provides services for hotels, clubs, factories, houses, buildings in the installation of HP servers, notebooks, multimedia projectors, zyber brand computers, UBS accounting softwares, IFCA software management systems, security technologies, Elid access control systems, Linda alarm system, Geovision surveillance system, Thalets smart card security and network & Internet security systems, smart biz PC monitoring systems.

Book shops are selling books on non-fiction, fiction and others to visitors in the compound of the MICT Park. The Third Myanmar ICT Week 2004 is kept open to the public free of charge from 9 am to 5 pm daily till 27 January. For the convenience of the visitors to the Week, free buses are employed at the junction of Insein Road and Parami Road, and Pyay Road and Parami Road.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The State Peace and Development Council has appointed Deputy Principal U Khin Maung Tin of Bhamo Degree College of the Higher Education Department (Upper Myanmar) under the Ministry of Education as the principal of the same college on probation from the date he assumes charge of his duties.

YANGON, 22 Jan - Hailing the 57th Anniversary Union Day-2004, a self-reliant tarred road was opened at Sanpya Gange/Gagyi Ward in North Okkalapa Township, here, this morning, attended by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and Yangon City Development Committee Chairman Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin.

Also present on the occasion were YCDC Vice-Chairman Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, Secretary Col Myint Aung, Joint-Secretary U Kyi Win and committee members, No 1 Military Region Commander Col Tun Kyi and senior military officers, Yangon Division PDC Secretary Lt-Col Myint Kyi, Yangon East District PDC Chairman Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and members, the Township PDC Chairman and members and others.

The commander, the Yangon Mayor and Chairman of the committee for construction the road U Than Maung formally opened the road which is 1,350 feet in length and 20 feet in width. The commander and the guests walked along the new road and greeted the public.

After the ceremony, the commander, the mayor and officials inspected tarring of Bohmu Bahtoo Road that links North Okkalapa township and Dagon University in Dagon Myothit (East).

The mayor and party inspected the sports ground near Kyinsittha Street in Dagon Myothit (East), tarring of the four-lane Yadana Street in Thingangyun Township which is 9,500 feet long and links Thanthuma and Wezayanda streets and tarring of the ring-road around Kyaikkasan Pagoda.

Afterwards, the mayor and officials looked into greening tasks for the environs of Kandawgyi island, completion of the ring-road of Khemadipa island and tasks being carried out. The mayor gave necessary instructions.

YANGON, 22 Jan - As a gesture of hailing the 57th Anniversary Union Day, rural water supply was commissioned into service in Yanshin-4 village in Mongkoe Village-tract, Tachilek Township on 13 January.

Tachilek District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Zaw Moe Aye, Township PDC Chairman Capt Tint Lwin and Deputy Director of the Township Development Affairs Department U Ko Ko Naing formally opened the water supply system.

YANGON, 22 Jan - A meeting to present arrangements for promoting tourism industry including expeditions along coastal line and Salone Traditional Festival to be organized by the Taninthayi Division Tourism Promotion Group under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, was held at Karaweik Palace, here, this afternoon.

Present on the occasion were Director-General U Khin Maung Latt of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, departmental heads, Myanmar Tour Operators Association Chairman U Khin Zaw and officials.

Director-General U Khin Maung Latt explained the arrangements for the voyage to Ma Kyone Galet Village on Bo Cho Island where the Salone Traditional Festival will be held. Managing Director Dr Phone Win of Shambala Travel Agency presented the arrangements for the flight to the island and Managing Director U Khin Maung Kyi of Khin Maung Kyi & Associates Co Ltd on voyage of Chindwin ocean liner. Those present raised queries.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The Myanmar Traditional Food & Delicacies' Fair, sponsored by the Yangon Division Women's Affairs Federation will be held from 7.30 to 10 am on 25 and 26 January at the People's Park on Pyay Road here.

Divisional/ District / Township WAFs will put on sale various kinds of Myanmar snacks.

YANGON, 22 Jan - As a gesture of hailing the 57th Anniversary Union Day, the earthen road linking Yeku Mankhan and Manthe villages was opened on 11 January.

At the opening ceremony held at Yeku Mankhan Village, Mansi Township Peace and Development Council Member Police Captain Sein Win and Executive Officer U Nan Zein Hla Aung formally opened the earthen road.

The earthen road was built with the contribution of township Development Affairs Department and local people.

YANGON, 22 Jan - Officials of the Supervisory Committee for Libraries, Museum and Exhibitions under the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information this afternoon inspected the Exhibition on Traditions of Bamboo and presented the permit to the officials concerned.

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for History and Tradition (SEAMEOCHAT) will hold the exhibition with the permission of the Ministry of Education.

The exhibition will be kept open from 23 to 25 January at SEAMEOCHAT on Pyay Road here from 9 am to 4 pm daily.

YANGON, 22 Jan - Nursery Market Festival is kept open daily at Myepadetha Garden here to enable the general public to easily buy fresh vegetables and fruits, agricultural techniques and equipment, and seeds of various crops at a single place.

Vegetables, saplings of flowering plants, herbal plants and grafted fruit plants are on sale at the market. Orders from growers are also accepted.

Farm implements, fertilizers, booklets and books on pesticide sprays are also available at the shop selling farm produces at the entrance of the garden.

YANGON, 23 Jan - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar has sent a congratulatory message to Mr Ban Ki-moon who was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The Indian Association of Myanmar (IAM) hosted a dinner in honour of Governor Mr Viren J Shah of West Bengal State of India and party at Traders Hotel here yesterday evening.

IAM Chairman Mr Naresh Dinodiya, Ambassador of India Mr Rajiv Kumar Bhatia and Mr Viren J Shah gave speeches.

Mr Viren J Shah and party visited Myanmar at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung.

They left here for home by air this afternoon after completion of their goodwill visit.

They were seen off at Yangon International Airport by Minister U Win Aung, Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet, Director-General of the Political Department U Thaung Tun and Ambassador Mr Rajiv Kumar Bhatia.

YANGON, 22 Jan - Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun received President of Export-Import Bank, Thailand, Mr Pakorn Malakul Na Ayudhya and party this afternoon at his office here.

Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Col Hla Thein Swe and officials.

YANGON, 22 Jan - The Myanmar Karatedo Federation will honour handsome awards to any coach or club which can produce fresh blood talented enough to become the national selections", announced an MKF official today at the opening of a karatedo course.

Former national karatedo selection and the current MKF Vice-President Dr Ye Naing Win made the announcement, while explaining the future plans of the federation to promote and propagate karatedo in Myanmar, and to win medals in the international competitions.

The Karatedo Coa ching Course 1/2004 was opened with an introductory speech by MKF President Retired Police Col Khin Maung Tun at the Aung San Stadium.

Forty-six male and nine female trainees are attending the course.

YANGON, 22 Jan - With a view to observing international golf techniques and to bring about famous Myanmar golfers, the Myanmar Open Golf Tournament, organized by Myanmar Professional Golfers Association (MPGA) and Asian Tour and mainly sponsored by the Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, will be held grandly as an international event at Yangon golf club, Danyingon, here from 12 to 15 February.

Golf stars from Australia, China, Chinese (Taipei), Canada, Ecuador, England, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, United States and Myanmar will partake in the tournament.

Among the contestants will be the 2003 Champion of this tournament Lin Keng-Chi (Chinese - Taipei), the 2002 Champion Thon Chai Jaidee (Thailand) and the 2001 Champion Anthony Kang (USA), the 1999 Champion Wang Ter Chang (Chinese - Taipei), the 1998 Champion Taimur Hussain (Pakistan), the 1996 and 1997 Champion Boonchu Rungkit (Thailand), Zaw Moe of Myanmar, Order Merit Winner (1999) Kyi Hla Han, Myanmar PGA Champions Aung Win, Soe Kyaw Naing, Zaw Paing Oo and Zaw Zaw Latt, promising Myanmar PGA golfers, famous golfers from South-East Asia and Europe.

Admission for the tournament is free. The Rothmans of Pall Mall Myanmar Pte Ltd, Myanmar Airways International (MAI), Sedona Hotel (Yangon), Wilson, Grand Slam (Munsing Wear), Inetol (Headwear Co), Canon (Accel International Co Ltd), Maruman (Kaung Myat Co Ltd), Dagon Beer (Dagon Brewery Company Ltd), MIMS Logistics, Max Myanmar Co Ltd, United Paints Group (UPG) and Alpine Purified Drinking Water (Loi-Hein Co Ltd) will co-sponsor the tournament. Han Event Management and Octagon will take responsibilities for holding the tournament.

YANGON, 22 Jan - A combined team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Bhamo Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched the house of Swum Lut John of Htannyet Village in Lweje, on 26 December 2003.

The authorities seized Swum Lut Larein together with 0.75 kilo of raw opium hidden in the compound of the house.

The Lweje Police Station filed a lawsuit against Swum Lut John, son of Swum Lut Mayaung of Htannyet Village in Lweje and his brother Swum Lut Larein under Sections 15/19(a)/21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

In a similar action, a team comprising members of the local intelligence unit and Muse Special Anti-drug Squad, acting on information, searched the house of Khaung Shin (a) Hon Yee Myint of Manwein Ward in Muse on 30 December 2003 and seized Khaung Shin and Aik Yee together with 21 heroin blocks weighing 7.16 kilos -19 380-gram heroin blocks weighing 7.22 kilos and two 190-gram heroin blocks weighing 380 grams.

The Muse Police Station filed a lawsuit against Aik Yee, son of U Khaing Hsam of Swedaw Ward in Muse and Khaung Shin (a) Hon Yee Myint, son of U Ma Kam of Ward 3 in Mongpaw Village, Muse Township, under Sections 15/19(A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.