Yangon, 23 Feb - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe received visiting Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice-President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAIFU) Mr Luo Haocai at the Pyithu Hluttaw this morning.

Also present at the call were Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyein, and Director-General of Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice-President of the Chinese Assaociation for International Understanding (CAIFU) Mr Luo Haocai was accompanied by Vice-President of the Political Affairs Committee of CPPCC and CAIFU Mr Li Beihai and Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye arrived at Medical Research Department (Upper Myanmar) in PyinOoLwin Township on 21 February morning.

They were welcomed there by Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint and officials. At the meeting hall, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party heard a report presented by Minister Dr Kyaw Myint on establishment of Medical Research Department (Upper Myanmar) to widely carry out research work on common diseases stricken in Upper Myanmar and health problems. Next, Acting Director-General of MRD (Upper Myanmar) Dr Thein Tun reported to Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party on location of MRD (Upper Myanmar), aims of establishment of the department, strength of staff, organizational set-up and appointment of staff, progress in construction of buildings for the department, research work being carried out at the department and cultivation of herbal plants.

In response to the reports, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye gave instructions on the salient points in conducting the research work in Upper Myanmar.

Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspected the scale model of MRD (Upper Myanmar) and greeted service personnel there. After that, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party inspected bio-medical library, electronic library and reading room.

Collection of herbal plants, research work on malaria, TB, diabetes, hypertension and dengue haemorrhagic fever and reproductive health and socio-medic research work are being carried out at the department. At the briefing hall of Pharmaceutical Factory Project (PyinOoLwin), Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung reported on location and area of the project, aims of the project and arrangements being made for purchasing the machinery for the factory to Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party.

Next, Managing Director of Myanma Pharmaceutical Industries U Myint Oo reported on requirement of water, electric power and energy, tablets, capsules, medical powder and lotion to be produced on completion of the project, sanitation measures and progress of construction tasks.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye gave necessary instructions to officials.

Afterwards, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party inspected already-completed buildings and measures being taken for installation of machinery.

Next, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party proceeded to Anisakhan Airport where Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported on the brief history of the airport, existing runway and arrangements being made for extension of the runway.

Later, Chief Engineer (Airport) U Tun Paw of Public works reported on survey work for extension of the runway to Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and party.

Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun gave a supplementary report.

Next, Director of Mandalay Division Irrigation Department U Aye Thein reported on creeks flowing near the airport and arrangements being made to build spillway.

After giving necessary instructions, Vice-Senior General Maung Aye inspected the runway of the airport.

The runway is 4,450 feet long and 200 feet wide and it is of granite type. Arrangements are being made for turning the runway into a concrete one to enable the 737-400 jets to touch down.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt received ambassadors of European Union (EU) led by Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Myanmar Dr Klaus Peter Wild this afternoon at Konmyinttha here.

Also present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Win and Director-General of the Protocol Department Thura U Aung Htet.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt received Vice-Chairman-1 of the New Mon State Party Naing Htaw Mon and Vice-Chairman-2 Naing Raw Sa and party at Zeyathiri Beikman on Konmyinttha here at 5 pm today.

Also present were Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Deputy Minister for the Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Brig-Gen Than Tun, Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe, 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 military officers of the Office of Military Intelligence.

At the meeting, the national race leaders said that they support seven-point future programme (road-map) of the State, adding that they will participate in the tasks for successful implementation of the roadmap under the leadership of the government. Next, the national race leaders reported on assistance of the State to be provided for development of education, agriculture, livestock breeding, road and economic enterprises of the region.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun yesterday afternoon inspected the construction of Myittha Bridge (Kalewa).

At the briefing hall, Senior Engineer U Kyaw Lin and Chief Engineer (Bridge) U Khin Maung Aye reported to the minister on future tasks.

Next, the minister said that as the bridge will be the main one on Monywa-Yagyi-Kalewa Road, border trade will increase rapidly on completion of it. Moreover, it will link Kalewa, Kale and towns on the Chin hills, he added. He also gave instructions on timely completion of the bridge, work-site safety and minimizing loss and wastage, and fulfilled the needs.

Yangon, 23 Feb - A total of 117,124 quality pearls of Myanmar Tasaki Co Ltd were put on display at the Thiriyadana Hall of the Ministry of Mines in Yankin Township here at 1 pm today.

Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Deputy Minister U Myint Thein inspected the quality pearls and they were conducted round by Managing Director of Myanma Pearls Enterprise U Maung Toe and officials of the company.

Next, the minister gave instructions on production of more quality pearls and penetration of world pearl market.

The weight of 117,124 quality pearls is 52965.5 momme and those pearls are worth euro 6 million.

The quality pearls will be put on sale at the 41st Myanmar Gems Emporium which will be held from 13 to 21 March 2004.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Member of the Myanmar War Ventrans Organization Central Organizing Committee Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung this morning arrived at Naykya Polyethylene Bag Factory of the MWVO (Headquarters) and Green Light Co Ltd in Industrial Zone No 4 in Shwepyitha Township and inspected production of polyethylene bags.

The minister also saw over construction of the main building of the Byanhlwar dry cell factory in the industrial zone and No 1 Brick Factory of the Myanma Ceramics Industries in Danyingon Township, and left necessary instructions.

Yangon, 23 Feb - A meeting to review the tasks of the 57th Anniversary Union Day Observance Management Committee was held at the Pyithu Hluttaw building this afternoon.

Chairman of the Management Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe spoke on the occasion. He said the Union Day was successfully observed according to the plans laid down. Various national races from states and divisions attended the Union Day ceremony in accord with the instructions of Chairman of the Union Day Observance Central Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, he said.

He went on to say that cultural dances depicting national solidarity spirit and Union Spirit were performed and it was found that the dances reflected the essence of the Union Day. The Union Day is observed every year to forge unity among the national races and consolidate Union Spirit, he stressed.

Next, officials of various sub-committees reported on work done.

The meeting came to a close with the concluding remarks by the commander.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Yangon City Development Committee opened staff management course No 23 at YCDC gymnasium in Mingala Taungnyunt Township here today, addressed by Chairman of YCDC Mayor of Yangon Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin.

Sixty-one trainees from Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, Ministry of Electric Power and YCDC are attending the four-week course.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein inspected the zinc smelting plant and also the zinc oxide factory of Myanma Ahtut Ahteik Company in Namtu on 20 February. The next day, he observed coal production at Sanlaung coal mine. In the afternoon, he inspected mining of gypsum, the essential requirement in producing cement, in Hsipaw. He also observed the production process of the No 1 Steel Mill in PyinOoLwin.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan met Ambassador of Israel Mr Yaacov Avrahamy at his office this morning.

Present were Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, the directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises and the head of office.

Matters relating to information were discussed.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Members of delegation led by Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice-President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAIFU) Mr Luo Haocai, on a goodwill visit here at the invitation of Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, accompanied by Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun and officials arrived at Drugs Elimination Museum at the corner of Hanthawady Road and Kyundaw Road in Kamayut Township this morning.

Deputy Director of Drugs Elimination Museum Police Col Se Maung and officials explained Myanmar's efforts for elimination of narcotic drugs in successive periods.

The guests observed booths of drugs control under Myanmar kings, documentary photos of Operation Moe Hein Phase-6 of Head of State Senior General Than Shwe, documentary photos of Operation Moe Hein launched by the Tatmadaw, scale models of opium refinery camps seized by the Tatmadaw and documentary photos on the ground floor. Vice-Chairman Mr Luo Haocai signed in the visitors' book of the museum.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Chairman of Myanmar International Freight Forwarders' Association U Aung Kyaw Min left here by air for Thailand on 23 February to attend GMS Cross-border Transport Agreement (Stage 2) Workshop on Annexs and Protocols sponsored by UNESCAP to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 24 to 27 February 2004.

Yangon, 23 Feb - Members of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation met members of Kachin State Organization for Women's Affairs in Myitkyina on 14 February.

Present were Chairman of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Commander of Northern Command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, Vice-President of MWAF Daw Khin Lay Thet, General Secretary Professor Daw Khin Aye Win, Patron of Kachin State Organization for Women's Affairs wife of the commander Daw Tin Tin Nwe, Secretary of Kachin State Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Maung Myo and members and officials.

Vice-President Daw Khin Lay Thet explained about organizational set-up of the federation and Commissioner U Ye Myint and officials formation of district and township organizations for women's affairs.

On 15 February, Daw Khin Lay Thet and General Secretary Professor Daw Khin Aye Win explained about functions of the federation.

On behalf of wellwisher Lt-Col Khin Latt and Daw Khin Khin Win (Nilar Win Garment Factory) of Yangon, Head of Planning Department U Tha Doe presented clothes worth K 1.6 million for Kachin State Organization for Women's Affairs Daw Tin Tin Nwe.

Vice-President Daw Khin Lay Thet and officials accepted K 13.9 million donated by wellwishers for MWAF.