It is the most important and noble duty of every citizen of the Union to preserve the fine traditions of unity forged among the national brethren with mutual understanding during the anti-colonialist and anti-fascist movements and the independence struggle.

Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From message on the 46th Anniversary Union Day)

YANGON, 28 Jan - State Peace and Development Council Chairman Senior General Than Shwe received the visiting goodwill delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Planning and Cooperation Committee of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Dr Thongloun Sisolith at Credentials Hall of Pyithu Hluttaw Building, here, at 10:30 am today.

Present at the call with Senior General Than Shwe were State Peace and Development Council Vice-Chairman Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, State Peace and Development Council Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, State Peace and Development Council Office Director-General Lt-Col Pe Nyein and Director-General Thura U Aung Htet of Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and together with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister were Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic Mr Chanthavy Bodhisane.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The 24th Conference of the Myanmar Dental Association and the fifth joint educational meeting of the World Dental Federation (FDI) and MDA opened at the Traders Hotel here this morning, with an address by Chairman of the National Health Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Vice-Chairman of the NHC Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, the ministers, the deputy ministers, members of NHC, officials of SPDC Office, heads of department, representatives of FDI, President of MDA Prof U Ba Myint, executives and members, delegates to the conference, resident representatives of UN agencies, representatives of international bodies, delegates of social organizations and guests.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said, the holding of the Myanmar Dental Conference up to the 24th time indicates the fact that the MDA has been standing firmly as a united organization working in the interest of the nation.

The FDI-MDA joint educational meeting has been held for the fifth time this year since the year 2000 to mark the centenary of FDI. The holding of the joint educational meeting has proved the MDA's active efforts to cooperate with the FDI and the international academics of the profession for development of the dental studies and improvement of the dental health standard of the global people. The joint meetings held in cooperation with the FDI have helped Myanmar dental surgeons get access to the ever developing dental medicine, new therapies and advanced equipment with the times, and create a better environment resulting from the cooperation with the international academics of the field.

At a time when the State is striving with the national strength for the Union of Myanmar to become a peaceful, modern and developed nation standing shoulder to shoulder with the world nations and with dignity, health and fitness of the entire people is a basic requirement.

In this regard, the Government has laid down the objective - Uplift of health and fitness of the entire nation - and is striving in all sectors for development of the public health care services.

The Government has been systematically laying down and implementing the national health plans covering the oral and dental health sector to develop the public health care system.

Primary oral and dental health care services are being conducted in multi sectors to extend oral and dental health care services among the students, youths, middle-age persons and the aged persons; to effectively take precautionary measures; to educate the people to have the habit of taking the food that is good for the oral and dental health; and to educate the elementary students and the public about the oral hygiene.

The Government is giving priority to the development of human resources of the dental field, to enable the dental surgeons pursue further studies, and advancement of the dental medicine and therapies in conformity with the international developments in the medical and science sectors. The Government's endeavours are for the harmonious progress of the dental medicine.

Hospitals installed with world-class medical equipment have been extended in all states and divisions till the public health care services cover the whole nation including border areas and remote regions. At present all the district hospitals have the dental wards equipped with dental surgeons and installed with advanced equipment.

There are now two institutes of dental medicine in the nation. In the past there is only one. Thus, the nation can now produce twice the number of dental surgeon when compared with that of the past. The number of dental surgeons is 1,500 at present, up from 800 in 1987. The number of dental surgeons in the government service is 500 at present, up from 300 in the past. As the nation's population stands at over 52 million, more dental surgeons are still needed to develop the human resources of the field. The Government is making systematic arrangements to develop the field and increase the number of qualified human resources of the sector.

A teaching hospital is under construction at present. Thus, an international level teaching hospital will emerge in the near future. Like all other teaching hospitals of the world, it will perform treatment for tooth, facial and also jaw, oral and cleft lips and palate surgical operations.

MDSc courses and diploma courses have been extended to continuously produce qualified doctors of the field. Up to now 85 MDSc degree holders and 49 diploma certificate holders have emerged in the nation. A dental surgeon is among the candidates of the PhD course degree for maxillofacial, jaw and oral surgery conducted at the Institute of Medicine I in Yangon. In the academic year 2002-2003, the Institute of Dental Medicine (Yangon) opened its first doctorate degree course - Oral medicine and oral pathology. Plans are under way to open more oral and dental PhD courses.

He said at a time when the government is implementing the project for development of dental health sector including oral and dental health care and human resource development, it is obviously seen that dental medicine has improved up to the international level, standard of oral and dental health of the people has raised and their knowledge has also widened due to active cooperation of Myanmar Dental Association and its members.

He said the MDA is actively participating in the tasks of dental and oral health care, school health activities, dental and oral health care of the children and the elder people and operation of cleft lips and palate patients in cooperation with government departments, social organizations and international social organizations.

He said it is satisfactory to note that the MDA is undertaking plans and educative tasks to control spread of HIV and AIDS harmful to mankind through dental treatment.

Moreover, he said, for continuing education of dental surgeons the association is making efforts for dissemination of dental science through conducting refresher courses, talks and workshops for dentists, distributing papers and sending international dental conferences.

He said the government is building own national resource forces as consolidated forces in the respective sectors for national development with united national strength.

It is heartening to note that the association is serving national interest through dental and oral health care leading dental surgeons and it has become a force on which the State relies.

Better foundations for national solidarity, progress of national economic life, uplift of social conditions of the citizens and advanced science and technology of international level have been achieved due to harmonious efforts of all forces including the MDA under the correct and upright leadership of the government.

Accelerating the already-achieved national development momentum, the government is now implementing the seven-point future policy programme in accord with the correct national path to keep abreast of international communities, to serve national interest and to safeguard the Union for perpetuation.

He urged the association to make continued efforts for successful implementation of the seven-point future policy programme preserving good traditions of participating in the mass rally to support the seven-point future policy programme held in Yangon in September 2003 and the Bagan mass rally held in November in the Bagan Archaeological Zone.

He said the strength of national forces can promote the nation, its people and dignity and stand tall as a independent sovereign state as long as the world exists. He urged the dentists to participate in dental health care sector for uplift of dental health care and strength.

In conclusion, he urged them to make efforts to become a national interest force, to promote dental and oral health care and to participate in efforts to implement the seven-point future policy programme.

Next, the Prime Minister cordially greeted delegates from international organizations and chairman president and members of MDA.

The Prime Minister inspected showrooms of dental medicines and equipment companies.

Laotian goodwill delegation visits Hlinethaya Industrial Zone

YANGON, 28 Jan - Accompanied by Laotian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Chanthavy Bodhisane and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, Laotian goodwill delegation led by Dr Thongloun Sisolith, Visiting Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Planning and Cooperation Committee of the Laos People's Democratic Republic, visited the management office at Hlinethaya Industrial Zone this morning.

They were welcomed there by Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Director-General of the Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development U Arnt Kyaw and officials.

At Kanaung Hall of the office, the deputy minister extended greetings to the visiting delegation and gave an account of the industrial zone.

The visiting delegation then visited FAME medicine factory in the zone-3. The factory manager and officials welcomed the visiting Laotian delegation and briefed on the production process of the medicines at the factory.

Later, the visiting Laotian delegation was conducted round the factory. Afterwards, the visiting delegation left the factory at 10 am.

Energy Minister leaves for India, Malaysia

YANGON, 28 Jan - A Myanmar delegation led by Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi left here by air this morning to attend a meeting on prospects of bilateral energy cooperation in India and a meeting on natural gas development work programmes of off-shore oil fields in Malaysia.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint asks after health of Nayarkyaung Sayadaw, inspects Yangon-Mandalay Highway Project  (Mandalay - Meiktila section)

YANGON, 28 Jan - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Central Command Commander Maj-Gen Ye Myint and departmental heads, visited State Ovadacariya Mandalay Phayagyi Monastery Nayarkyaung Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga Maha Saddhammajotika Bhaddanta Medhiya-bhivamsa, aged 94, Vasa 74, who was receiving medical treatments at Mandalay People's Hospital, yesterday morning.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint asked after the health of the Sayadaw and presented offertories to him.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party attended the opening of Chaungmanet Dam in TadaU Township, Mandalay Division. They inspected the Six-lane Yangon-Mandalay Highway Project near Myothagon Village, Singaing Township, Mandalay Division, and gave instructions to the officials on construction tasks.

Afterwards, they inspected laying concrete for construction of a bridge across Kwunsay canal near Thamandalin Village in Kyaukse Township. Lt-Gen Ye Myint also inspected construction of Mounbaung bridge in Ingon Village, and earth work for construction of Dan bridge in Dan Village and left necessary instructions.

They proceeded to mile post No 393 and looked into building a bridge across Thin Dee canal. Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected land preparation with the use of heavy machinery for upgrading the road at mile post No 391 near Sulegon Village, and construction of concrete foundation for Shweniyo canal-crossing bridge with 25 feet in length at mile post No 381/6.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party also inspected construction tasks along the highway up to mile post No 353/7 in Shawbin Village.

In the afternoon, they arrived at Thabyewa camp at mile post 349. Officials concerned reported on the chosen axis for the construction of Meiktila circular road. Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions to the officials.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The work committee for all-round modernization of Kandawgyi Park environs and Zoological Gardens (Yangon) held a work coordination meeting at the briefing hall of the Water Plaza construction site at Central Forest Zone yesterday afternoon.

Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman and Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe addressed the meeting.

Present at the meeting were deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, departmental heads, and officials.

In his speech, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe said as the project is aimed at building a public recreation centre, departmental officials are responsible for speedy completion of the project in accord with the master plan without causing any harm to natural beauties and resources.

He also urged the zonal officials concerned to present progress reports on tasks being carried out in their respective zones.

Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa later presented reports on progress of earth work, construction of island-crossing bridges and car parking lots at Relaxation Zone. Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu also reported on construction of modern restaurants in the park, Deputy Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Than Htay on assistance to be rendered by the ministry to the modernization project of the park, Managing Director of Myanma Electric Power Enterprise Dr San Oo on measures being taken for installation of spot lights, Director-General of the Forest Department U Soe Win Hlaing on cultivation of trees and flowering plants, and other departmental officials and business entrepreneurs on tasks being carried out by their departments and companies in Recreation Zone and Education Zone.

After hearing the reports, the commander attended to the requirements and gave instructions.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan today inspceted modern e-Library in Kyauktan in Yangon South District. He was welcomed there by Director-General U Chit Naing of Information and Public Relations Department and officials.

The minister in-spected extended con-struction tasks for the library. ACE Construction Group Chairman U Tint Hsan reported to him on construction tasks.

After giving necessary instructions, the minister went to Kyauktan Township Information and Public Relations Department and Yangon South District Information and Public Relations Department where he gave necessary instructions to the officials.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung together with officials concerned arrived in Pinya on 23 January morning and inspected renovation works of Aungsigon Pagoda built by Mingyi Swasawke in 736 ME at southern part of Pinya ancient city. Pyu period urns and earthen wares.

In the afternoon, the minister went to Tagaung and inspected pieces of earthen wares, pieces of pots and beads found at palace mound No 24. He also inspected antique items discovered from the first plinth. He also inspected the charcoal pit which is 56 feet in diameter and 3.5 feet in height in the east of Chanthagyi monastery in Tagaung region. These findings stand evidence that man lived there in very early periods.

Later, the minister inspected Laymyethna Temple of King Anawrahta and antiques of Tagaung period kept in the temporary museum there.

On 24 January, the minister handed over enshrinements of ancient pagoda near the farm of U Win Aung at Wayongon village, 20 miles south of Tagaung. Then, he attended the cash donation ceremony for building a pagoda there and accepted the cash donation of K 410,000. The Ministry of Culture donated K 500,000 to the pagoda construction fund.

Afterwards the minister went to Kyan Hnyat ancient fortress and inspected antiques of Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age as well as of Pyu and Bagan periods. Those items were collected by primary school head U Tin Win Oo. The minister also inspected the ancient iron smelting oven and other furnaces near Padeephyu village. In the evening, the minister paid homage to Tayok Khaungtaik Pagoda and gave instructions to make excavations along River Ayeyawady there. He also inspected the renovation of the second plinth of Tagaung City.

On 25 January, he attended the ground-breaking ceremony for renovating the Yazamuni Pagoda at Wayongon village. In the afternoon, he went to Hanlin ancient city of BC 11th century and inspected the city gate and buildings at Nos 9 and 10 mounds. He also inspected the Hanlin stone inscription shed and gave instructions on preserving Pyu stone slabs and inscriptions. On 26 January, he went to Nyaungkan village of Budalin Township and inspected bones, pots and utensils of Bronze Age. He paid respects to Thaphanywa Sayadaw U Jetika and studied the footprint of ancient man. He also inspected Ingyin fossils and sand stones in the environs of the monastery.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The presentation of virus diagnostic in shrimp "Focus on SBBU PCR and Rapid Test Methods" was held under the joint sponsorship of the Euro Continents Myanmar and the Shrimp Biotechnology Business Unit (SBBU) at the meeting hall of the Cold Storage Compound of the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Livestock & Fisheries on Hsinmin Road, Ahlon Township here at 10 am today.

Dr Philippe Tacon, business manager of SBBU presented the virus diagnosis in shrimps.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Minister for Livestock & Fisheries U Aung Thein, directors-general, heads of department, invited guests and enthusiasts.

YANGON, 28 Jan - With the permission of the Mini- stry of Commerce, Yangon Trade Fair 2004 will be held by Quartz International Co Ltd on a grand scale at Yangon Trade Centre on Pazundaung Road from 30 January to 2 February.

On display at the trade fair will be local and foreign cosmetics, consumers' goods, clothes, utensils, plastic wares, foodstuff, electric and electronic appliances, construction materials, household goods, stationery, packaging materials, small machinery and installation machines, and western and traditional medicines. Entertainment programmes will also include at the trade fair.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The rice milling development committee held its 3/2004 work coordination meeting at the Ministry of Commerce this evening.

Present were patron of the rice milling development committee Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Chairman of rice milling development committee Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun, member Deputy Minister for Science and Technology Dr Chan Nyein, Deputy Minister for Industry-2 Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw, officials of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Myanmar Rice Millers Association, Myanmar Rice Merchants Association and guests.

Minister Brig-Gen Pyi Sone spoke on formation of the rice milling development committee. Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun took part in the discussions. Chairmen of various subcommittees reported on future tasks and requirements. The meeting came to a close with the concluding remarks by the minister.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Buddha Pujaniya of Myatheintan Pagoda of Dhammamaydini Pariyatti Sarthintaik and monastic education school in Ayechanthaya extension ward in Waw Township, Bago Division will be held from 30 January to 4 February.

Minbu Sayadaw U Gositha (Dhammacariya) will deliver sermons on 30 and 31 January, Sayadaw U Waiponla of international Mahasi training school on 1 and 2 February and U Janeya (Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja) of Dhammamaydini Pariyatti Sarthintaik and Aunggyin Sayadaw U Kundala on 3 and 4 February respectively.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Students, service personnel, and the public thronged the Third Myanmar ICT Week-2004 on its eighth day at Myanmar Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Park on Hline University Campus in Hline Township here today.

The advancing IT technologies are on display there.

Canon copiers and spare parts are put on sale at the booth of Success Copier Group Ltd which offers one-year guarantee and after-sale services.

Software products and hardware computer sets are available at a discount at Myanmar Technology Gate Co Ltd which offers various services on computer.

Tech training centre conducts courses on engineering, computer general business management. Micro Computer Co Ltd sells computers, laptop PC networks, toplat PCs, digital cameras with after-sale warranty.

Win Win War Co Ltd offers installation of web- sites, registration of domain names, sells mail4U, e-mail account and access card at the Myanmar ICT Week-2004 which was extended to 31 January. Admission is free.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The second day session of the Seminar on understanding Myanmar, organized by the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, continued at the MICT Park in Hline Township today.

Present on the occasion were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, ambassadors from foreign missions in Yangon, retired ambassadors, historians, economists, rectors and professors, researchers from Brunei, Chinese, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam, resource persons, officials and invited guests.

The papers read today were 'Priorities in Myanmar Foreign Policy' by Director-General U Thaung Tun of Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Cooperation with the United Nations' by Director-General U Win Mra of International Organizations and Economic Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 'Women in Myanmar' by Professor (Retd) Dr Daw Khin Aye Win of Yangon University, 'Historical and cultural aspects' by Director-General (Retd) Dr Khin Maung Nyunt and 'Human rights in Myanmar' by Ambassador Dr Kyaw Win.

After the presentations, the academicians and researchers from home and abroad collectively participated in discussions on respective papers.

Chairman of Myanmar ISIS Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung made concluding remarks and the seminar came to a close.

The participants led by the minister will tour Upper Myanmar to observe development of border areas tomorrow.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The working group for national races affairs of the Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation held its second work coordination meeting at the meeting hall-1 at the Institute of Nursing here this afternoon.

Vice-President of MWAF Daw Than Than Nwe delivered an opening address at the meeting, followed by talks given by working group leader Prof Dr Daw May Win Aung Khin.

Secretary of the group Daw L Khun Yi submitted the resolutions of the previous meeting. Matters related to the drawing of a year-long work programme of the working group were also discussed and then approved.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Yangon Division Organization for Women's Affairs clarified sector-wise tasks to Yangon South District Organization for Women's Affairs at the Yangon South District Peace and Development Council Office this afternoon. Present on the occasion were Yangon Division Organization for Women's Affairs Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay, President Daw Cherry Ye Khaung and members, Yangon South District Organization for Women's Affairs President Daw Le Le Chit and members, officials and guests.

Patron Daw Khin Thet Htay spoke on the occasion. Next, the leaders of the working groups for education, health, economy and environmental conservation took part in the discussions on respective sectors.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (Culture Group) organized talks on culture at the University of Culture (Yangon) in Dagon Myothit (South) here this morning.

It was attended by Vice-President of the MWAF Daw Than Than Nwe and members, Rector of the university U Tin Soe, the pro-rector, professors, faculty members, students and guests.

The vice-president made an address on the occasion.

Doyen writer Daw Saw Mon Nyin presented tasks on "Preserve traditional culture by wearing modest costumes". Next, the vice-president and members viewed variety of dances, and demonstration of painting skills.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The 24th Conference of the Myanmar Dental Association and the fifth joint educational meeting of the World Dental Federation (FDI) and MDA began at the Traders Hotel here this morning.

President of MDA Prof U Ba Myint, Dr Choo Teck Chuan of FDI and Reception Committee Chairman Prof Dr Thein Tut gave speeches.

MDA members read out the messages and presented reports.

An new executive committee with Prof U Ba Myint as the president, Prof Dr Thein Tut vice-president, and Prof U Myo Win as general secretary, was elected.

The FDI-MDA meeting was held in the afternoon.

Twenty-two resource persons from the country and abroad will read papers at the meeting that continues till 31 January.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, accompanied by Deputy Minister Dr Mya Oo and officials, encouraged the surgical treatment of nasal meningocoele jointly conducted by neurological surgery team of Myanmar and German Interplast Munich at the neurological surgery unit of Yangon People's Hospital here this morning. At the operation theatre, the minister and party watched the treatment being given by Myanmar-German neurological surgery team and the medical cooperation between the two countries and greeted Prof Muhr Bauer of German Interplast Munich.

The minister and party met with members of both surgical teams at the meeting hall, and attended to the requirements. Myanmar team consisted six surgeons and one anaesthetist, and German team three surgeons and two anaesthetists. They will give surgical treatment to 5 persons suffering from nasal meningocoele. The operation continue tomorrow.

YANGON, 28 Jan - The Gold Uni Golf Classic Golf Tournament, organized by Myanmar PGA and Myanmar Golf Federation, continued at Yangon Golf Club in Danyingon here this morning.

After the second round, Soe Kyaw Naing (Pan-West) was leading the tournament with 140 (72+68) strokes. Runners-up were Min Naing (Srixon) with 144 (73+71), Nanda Kyaw (YCDC) with 147 (71+76), Zaw Zaw Latt (Pan-West) with 148 (76+72) and Aung Win (YCDC) with 149 (73+76).

Gold Uni Jewellery Co Ltd and Xie family together with Imperial Jade purified drinking water also co-sponsored the tournament that continues tomorrow.

YANGON, 28 Jan - Myanmar Football Federation held its executive meeting No 1/2004 at the national football training camp (Thuwunna) here this morning.

Present at the meeting were MFF Patrons Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and U Aung Ko Win, the chairman, vice-chairmen and executives and others.

MFF Patrons Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and U Aung Ko Win and Chairman U Win Aung spoke at the meeting.

Vice-Chairman of MFF Lt-Col Maung Ko, Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Sports, and the executives presented reports. Afterwards, Maj-Gen Kyaw Win and U Win Aung fulfilled the requirements.