• Take part in border areas development undertakings
• Prime Minister inspects development projects in Bago Division
• Modern, developed nation can be reached only if education sees quantitative as well as qualitative development Myanmar Education Committee holds meeting
• Prime Minister attends ceremony to present Ma Myat Lay Scholarship
• General Thura Shwe Mann inspects development of Pathein region

• Minister stresses cost-effective publishing of textbooks
• Jade lots fetch over 2m euro
• MAI launches new route to New Delhi
• Ziwaka Mobile Health Train launched
• 15th Century artifacts found in Myeik Township

• UMFCCI official leaves for Japan

• Medical equipment donated to DSOH
• Sitagu Sayadaw leaves for Lao PDR

• 26th ISD Golf Team C’ship opened

• MWAF meets Chin State Organization for Women’s Affairs

The Tatmadaw has been placing unusual emphasis on development of border areas and national races since its assumption of State responsibilities. Nowadays, a series of significant achievements have been made in rural regions. You are to take part in development tasks with much of goodwill in wherever regions you are to raise the living standard of rural people.

Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From address at the graduation parade of the 46th Intake of Defence Services Academy)

YANGON, 16 March -Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party, accompanied by of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Southern Command Commander Maj-Gen Ko Ko, arrived at Nyaunglaybin via Shwegyin, Bago Division, on 14 March afternoon.

They were welcomed there by local authorities and departmental officials.The Prime Minister and party proceeded to Nyaunglaybin Township People's Hospital (50-bed) and inspected wards, operation theatre and medical store.

At Thiri Yadana Hall in Nyaunglaybin, the Prime Minister met with local authorities, departmental officials and members of social organizations.

At the meeting, the chairman of Township PDC reported on location, area and population of the region, average annual rainfall, cultivation of summer and monsoon paddy, beans and pulses, extended growing of kitchen crops, ensuring regional food security, fish breeding, education and health sectors and requirements.

The Prime Minister attended to the needs for upgrading educational and health facilities. The township now has a basic education high school, a BEMS, three BEPSs and a rural health care centre (branch). He then delivered a speech, saying that being situated in a strategic place on Yangon-Mandalay Union Highway and possessing fairly sound economic and social foundations, Nyaunglaybin Township has potential for greater regional development. Irrigation facilities are being constructed by damming creeks and canals that rise from Bago Yoma mountain range, the cultivable acres in Bago Division is growing and it has reinforced the development momentum of Nyaunglaybin Township, he said.

Development of townships relies much on supervision, efforts, innovative measures and goodwill of those in charge of respective townships and departments. With less endeavours, goodwill and innovation of responsible persons, regional development momentum will be slow, he pointed out.

The more personnel concerned strive for people's socio-economic development, while working hand in hand with them, the greater public cooperation and success they will achieve, he remarked.

With a view to ensuring harmonious efforts in implementing development of respective townships, respective committees have been formed in all areas, he said.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister called on the departmental officials to effectively implement regional development drive through collective leadership and responsibility.

Next, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt presented a TV set, a video cassette player and a computer set each to Nyaunglaybin BEHS Nos 1 and 2 through the principals.

The Prime Minister and party headed for Moeyungyi Bird Sanctuary, where they were welcomed by Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and officials. On the occasion, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung presented a report, saying that the sanctuary is located between Waw and DaikU Townships in Bago Division with an area of 40 square miles. In the sanctuary are about 26 species of plants but no forests. Around 125 species of birds inhabit in the area. There are also various species of fish, amphibious animals, insects, reptiles and mammals in the sanctuary. The township is six furlongs far away from Yangon-Mandalay Highway on right-hand side. 

The sanctuary is beneficial to eco-tourism with good prospects for recreation, he said. The minister also reported on arrangements for upgrading the area. Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Ohn Myint reported on water storage capacity of Moeyungyi Lake and irrigation, filling the lake with water from Moeyungyi, Kawliya and Bawni dams and Zaungtu Diversion Weir, tasks for reinforcing the embankment of the lake, and measures being taken for supply of more water for the lake after damming Shwelaung and Lugwe creeks.

The Prime Minister responded to the reports, calling for co-ordination of respective departments for long-lasting of the lake. Commander Maj-Gen Ko Ko reported on cultivation of summer paddy in Bago, Kawa and Thanatpin townships; and Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, on tasks being implemented for greening of 30-mile radius of Yangon City. The Prime Minister gave instructions.

Next, the Prime Minister went to Min village in Thanatpin Township and looked into Minywa-Kyaungsu Bridge. Deputy Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Tin Ngwe reported on facts about the facility.The Prime Minister and party arrived back here in the evening.

YANGON, 16 March - The Myanmar Education Committee held its No 1/2004 meeting at the Universities Central Council here this afternoon, with an address delivered by Chairman of MEC Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present were Vice-Chairmen of the MEC Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, the ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the auditor-general, the chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the deputy ministers, MEC members, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department and officials.

In his address, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said after laying down the seven-point future political programme for emergence of a discipline-flourishing democratic nation, the Government has been fulfilling all the requirements. The rule of law and the community peace and tranquillity are the most basic requirements for successful implementation of the political programme. The second requirement is the sound economic foundations flourishing harmoniously in all branches of economy. And the third is a balanced development of all sectors. The Government has been striving in all sectors for fulfilling the three most basic requirements.

All the personnel concerned of the education sector should understand the cardinal importance of the human resources development in the nation's march towards the goal. The Government has been extending and upgrading institutions of higher learning and basic education schools in combination with the launching of the education promotion programmes for human resources development. And the Government has not made any regional discrimination in doing so. Its conviction is for ensuring a proportionate improvement in the education standard in the whole nation from the plains and the hill regions to the remote corners and the inner regions of the nation.

In addition, the Government has been spending a large amount foreign exchange in launching the special four-year education promotion project in order to provide all teaching aids and other necessities to the institutions of higher learning and schools. Hence, the Government is conducting PhD courses in the nation and producing a greater number of doctorate degree holders. But more doctorate degree holders are needed if their number is compared with the nation's population.

As the Government has been giving priority to the education development, all the officials will have to remedy the weaknesses and strive in harmony and unison to reach the goal.

The national goal — a modern and developed nation — can be reached only if education sector sees quantitative as well as qualitative development. As the development of the highly qualified human resources is of paramount importance, the MEC is holding meetings to review and promote its functions.

As the central level has been implementing the projects with greater acceleration, the levels at state/division, district and township should also strive in harmony to realize the aims laid down by the central. Because of the defects found in some basic levels in making innovative efforts, the projects cannot be fully materialized at the primary stage.

Universities and colleges and schools are located in townships of the states and divisions all over the country. So, those in-charge of the states and divisions should tour down to the basic levels to ensure a step-by-step supervisory system to realize the education aims.

Later, those present at the meeting approved of the resolutions passed at the meeting No 2/2003 of the Myanmar Education Committee.

Next, Minister for Education U Than Aung, in his report on matters related to progress of higher education sector in the 2003-2004 fiscal year, said as regards the higher education sector of the ministry, the population of teachers reached 10,832 in 2004, up from 5,638 in 1988, an increase of 5,194 teachers, as measures are under way to upgrade universities and colleges. Moreover, the number of students also increased from 134,325 in 1988 to 631,276 in 2004, an increase of 496,951 students. As for teaching programmes, there were only 59 institutions capable of offering degree and post-graduate degree courses in 1988, but now the number has stood at 157. A total of 159 kinds of masters courses, degree courses, post-graduate degree courses and certificate courses were conducted at the respective human resource development centres at universities and colleges during the period from 1998 to 2003. There are now 316 courses when the number of courses conducted at universities and colleges and the number of courses conducted at human resources development centres were put together. When compared with the number of courses available in 1988, there is an increase of 257 more courses at present.

The minister also reported on the teaching of specializations at universities and colleges under the higher education department and the combined specializations for the four-year BEd degree at education universities.

In his report on the basic education sector for the 2003-2004 academic year, the minister said there are 1,840 high schools, 3,067 middle schools, 3,829 post-primary schools and 31,751 primary schools totalling 40,487 all over the country. Under the ‘education for all children of school age’ programme, one week prior to the start of academic year has been designated as the ‘school enrolment week’ since the 1999-2000 academic year. As the school enrolment rate of children of school age is on the rise year after year, the percentage of school children enlisting for kindergarten nationwide reached 95.05 percent in 2003-2004 academic year. Moreover, 144 townships covered by the programme also saw 97 or 98 percent of school enrolment.

Regarding the opening of post-primary schools, the minister continued, 512 post-primary schools offering up to the seventh grade, 1,868 schools offering up to the sixth grade and 1,449 offering up to the fifth grade totalling 3,829 were opened in the 2003-2004 academic year.

For multimedia classrooms, there were altogether 16,810 schools which have multimedia devices — 1,152 schools with multimedia classrooms, 358 schools with 3-platform device, 985 schools with 2-platform device, and 14,315 schools with 1-platform device. Arrangements have been made to facilitate one platform to each of the schools.

Concerning the basic literacy programmes, the minister reported that efforts are being made continuously to raise the rate of adult literacy. As a result, an improvement of 92.2 percent in the rate of adult literacy was seen in 2003. However, arrangements have been made to bring the present percentage of adult literacy rate to 95.5 percent by the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

Measures are also being taken by opening 481 libraries in villages so that adult literati can have access to books and earn more incomes. Next, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe reported on arrangements to be made for the upgrading of the two science institutions under the ministry. After hearing the reports, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt gave instructions and made concluding remarks.

Yangon, 16 March—A ceremony to present Ma Myat Lay Scholarship was held in conjunction with the ceremony to raise the trust fund at the Higher Education Department (Lower Myanmar) in Kamayut Township at 4.30 pm today, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chairmen of MEC Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win and Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, ministers, the Auditor-General, the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Training Board, deputy ministers, the MEC members, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, scholarship wellwisher Daw Thein Hsaing (pen-name Ma Myat Lay) and family, the scholarship winners, guests and others.

First, family member of Daw Thein Hsaing (Ma Myat Lay) Col Nyan Tun Oo explained matters related to the emergence of Ma Myat Lay scholarship.

Next, scholarship wellwisher Daw Thein Hsaing (Ma Myat Lay) explained the purpose of the presentation of the scholarship. After that, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt accepted K 300,000 presented by Daw Thein Hsaing (Ma Myat Lay) for the trust fund.

Next, Daw Thein Hsaing (Ma Myat Lay) presented scholarships to scholarship winners. On behalf of scholarship winners, scholarship winner Ma Yu Yu Tin of Yangon University spoke words of thanks and the ceremony ended.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win, Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, ministers and scholarship wellwisher Daw Thein Hsaing (Ma Myat Lay) had a group photo taken together with scholarship winners.

Yangon, 16 March — Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, accompanied by Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein, member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Maj-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing, the ministers, the deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of departments arrived at the site of Pathein Bridge being constructed on Pathein-Shwemyintin-Wayachaung Road on 14 March after attending the opening of the runway of Pathein Airport.

General Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected construction of the bridge on Pathein side. Deputy Minister for Construction Brig-Gen Myint Thein reported on the project, Ayeyawady Division Deputy Superintending Engineer U Khin Maung Win and Superintending Engineer U Soe Tint on bore piling, construction of pillars installation of iron trusses and frames and approach roads.

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein and Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing gave a supplementary report.

General Thura Shwe Mann gave instructions on supply of construction materials, safety at the worksite and working with goodwill.

Next, General Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected regiments and units and toured Pathein. General Thura Shwe Mann and party went to Eya Shwewa Co Ltd in Darka Village in Kangyidaunk Township and met farmers. General Thura Shwe Mann discussed cultivation of paddy and oil crops in low-lying areas, Thabaung, Kyaunggon, Yekyi and Kangyidaunk Townships.

The commander and farmers reported on conditions of cultivation. They then inspected Shwemyitta biofertilizer produced by Eya Shwewa Co Ltd.

General Thura Shwe Mann and party went to Shwemyitta Swan-ar-pyi fertilizer plant and inspected the production process.

They proceeded to Kyaunggon Bridge in Kyaunggon Township and met officials of departments and social organizations.

General Thura Shwe Mann and party arrived at Bo Myat Tun Bridge in Nyaungdon Township. Maubin District Senior Engineer U Sai Kyaw Moe reported on maintenance for durability of the bridge. Deputy Minister U Pe Than gave a supplementary report.

General Thura Shwe Mann called for durability of the bridge. Deputy Minister U Pe Than reported in detail on preventive measures against bank erosion on Kyeinbinse side being undertaken by Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems.Next, General Thura Shwe Mann gave necessary instructions.The General and party arrived back here in the evening.

Yangon, 16 March — The Textbook Publishing Committee held its work coordination meeting at the Ministry of Information here this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Committee Chairman Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that in accord with the guidance of Head of State, textbooks should be distributed right into the hands of students swiftly and systematically. Moreover, officials concerned should try to reduce the publishing and distribution cost, he said. The subcommittees will have to coordinate with respective ministries to distribute textbooks to remote places in time, he stressed. He also spoke of the need to use all possible means to reduce their prices.

Managing Director of Printing and Publishing Enterprise U Myint Thein read out the minutes of the previous meeting. Chairman of the Textbook Printing Subcommittee Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein and Chairman of the Textbook Distribution Subcommittee Deputy Minister for Education Col Aung Myo Min explained the arrangements of their respective bodies, followed by a general round of discussions.

The minister looked into the requirements.

Yangon, 16 March — Patron of the Central Committee for organizing the 41st Myanma Gems Emporium Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint visited this afternoon the 41st Myanma Gems Emporium at Myanmar Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road here. On arrival there, the minister was welcomed by Chairman of the Central Committee Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Secretary Myanma Gems Enterprise Managing Director U Khin Oo and members of the central committee. On the ground floor, the minister viewed round the private gems and jewellery shops, and greeted foreign gem merchants.

Next, the minister looked into jade lots which are being sold through tender system and left the emporium. Up to 5 pm today, 160 lots of jade worth 2,059,987 euros were sold, and 1062 gem merchants — 601 foreigners and 461 locals visited the emporium and bought the jade lots. Lots of jade will continue to be sold through tender system and competitive bidding on 17 and 18 March.

Yangon, 16 March — Myanmar Airways International (MAI) launched a new route to New Delhi in India from Yangon yesterday evening at a ceremony held at Airport Restaurant of Yangon International Airport.

Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe attended the ceremony and launched the new route by cutting a ribbon. Also present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers U Pe Than and Col Nyan Tun Aung, departmental heads, Myanmar Ambassador to India U Kyi Thein, responsible personnel of the Indian Embassy here, officials from tourism industries and airlines, and guests.

First, MAI Chairman U Maung Maung Ohn gave an account of the background history of MAI, its existing air routes, and the newly launched Yangon-New Delhi-Yangon air route. Next, the minister and party greeted passengers on board. The plane No 8M 601 carrying 70 passengers flew to New Delhi at 9.35 pm. The airline will leave Yangon for New Delhi at 9.35 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week and return to Yangon from New Delhi at 1.50 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday every week.

The Yangon-New Delhi-Yangon flight is a new service MAI has extended in 2004. Until recently, MAI also spread its wings to Hong Kong.

Yangon, 16 March—In honour of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a ceremony to launch Ziwaka Mobile Health Train jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Rail Transportation and the Ministry of Health was held at the No 1 Platform of Yangon Central Railway Station this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

Also present on the occasion were Minister for Cooperatives Maj-Gen Htay Oo, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn, deputy ministers, officials of the ministries concerned and guests.

First, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint made a speech. He said that with the aim of providing health care services to the people of rural areas which is the guidance of the Head of State, the ceremony to launch Ziwaka Mobile Health Train jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Rail Transportation and the Ministry of Health was held in honour of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.

With the train, professors, heads of department and specialists left here today for Nyaunglaybin to provide health care services to the people there; that the medical team on the train comprises EENT specialists, musculo-skeletal specialists, dental and oral specialists, OG specialists, radiologists, paediatricians, pathologists and anaesthetists supported by technicians and nurses; that the health train full of specialists and medical professionals will serve like a specialist hospital and it will give medical treatment to patients free of charge, he added.

The health train will also leave for other states and divisions where it will provide health care services to both urban and rural people and conduct educative talks on health at every opportunity, he stressed.

He said that in Myanmar, it is the first time that the specialists and medical professionals at central levels make field trips right down to grassroots levels and give medical treatment by train; that he thanks the Ministry of Rail Transportation and the Ministry of Health for successful launching of the mobile health train.

Afterwards, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min and Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint formally opened the ceremony to launch the mobile health train. Next, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and ministers, deputy ministers and officials inspected the mobile health train. Later, the mobile health train with Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin, the directors-general of the Ministry of Health, professors, heads of department, specialists and officials on board left Yangon Central Railway Station for Nyaunglaybin at 8.30 am. The health train arrived at 12.15 pm in Nyaunglaybin Station where it was welcomed by the chairmen of Bago District and Nyaunglaybin Township Peace and Development Councils, departmental officials, Nyaunglaybin Township USDA members, red cross members, the medical superintendent of Nyaunglaybin Hospital and health staff, officials of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Rail Transportation and local people.

Starting from 12.30 pm, the mobile health team gave medical treatment to patients. They will continue to give medical treatment in Nyaunglaybin region up to tomorrow evening.

Yangon, 16 March — An ancient glaze pot, measuring 11 inches in height, eight inches in diameter at the centre and three inches diameter at the mouth, was found while two villagers were digging a sand pit at Kalwinsgaung village, Myeik Township, Tanin-thayi Division, on 12 February 2004.

The pot contained 20 pieces of jewellery in gold weighing over 23 ticals and also 23 kinds of jewellery cast with silver, bronze and lead, weighing 56 ticals, and three amber earrings and 19 amber beads. The villagers who found the ancient artifacts presented them to the regional Military Intelligence unit on 15 March. The Ministry of Culture is making arrangements to present them handsome cash awards for handing over the 15th Century Myanmar cultural artifacts.

Yangon, 16 March — General Secretary of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry U Sein Win Hlaing left here by air yesterday evening for Japan to attend COE networking meeting in Tokyo from 17 to 19 March. UMFCCI President U Win Myint and officials saw him off at the Yangon International Airport.

UMFCCI Calls

U Sein Win Hlaing together with Joint-Secretary-2 Dr Maung Maung Lay and CEC members met with Minister Counsellor (economic section) of Indonesian embassy in Yangon Mr Johannes Suripto at the UMFCCI head office yesterday morning. They discussed investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. The 8-member delegation headed by the vice-chairman of Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Chinese Political Consultative Conference also called on U Sein Win Hlaing, Dr Maung Maung Lay and CEC members at the UMFCCI head office yesterday afternoon. They discussed investment, trade, and industrial cooperation.

Yangon, 16 March — Sayadaw U Canda Vamsa from Singapore donated medical equipment to Defence Services Orthopedic Hospital (500 bed) at a ceremony at the hospital this morning.

Present on the occasion were Director of Medical Services Col Than Aung, Commandant of the hospital Lt-Col Tun Tun and officials.

The Sayadaw explained the purpose of donations and presented medical equipment to Col Than Aung, who presented a certificate of honour and spoke words of thanks.

Yangon, 16 March — Sitagu World Buddhist University Chancellor, International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University Honourable Professor, Agga Maha Saddhammajotikadhaja Agga Maha Pandita Sitagu Sayadaw Bhaddanta Dr Ñanissara (D. Lit) left here by air for Laos this morning on his four-nation visit — Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia — to carry out missionary work there.

The Sayadaw was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Director-General of the Religious Affairs Department Dr Myo Myint and members of Sitagu Missionary Centre, and officials. The Sayadaw was accompanied by World Buddhist University’s Chief Administrative Officer U Mahosadha Pandita and 24 members of Sitagu Missionary Centre.

Yangon, 16 March — Organized by Sports and Physical Education Department and Myanmar Golf Federation, and mainly sponsored by ISUZU Motors Ltd, Japan, the 26th Inter-State and Division Golf Team Championship 2004 was opened this morning at Yangon Golf Club in Danyingon here.

Present at the opening ceremony were MPGA and MGF President Maj-Gen Win Hlaing, Myanmar Olympic Committee General Secretary SPED Director-General U Thaung Htaik and officials, MGF General Secretary U Aung Kyi, MPGA General Secretary U Chan Han, guests and fans.

While golfers from 15 teams took their positions at designated places, Maj-Gen Win Hlaing made an opening speech. Next, Maj-Gen Win Hlaing greeted the teams from states and divisions.

The first day round of 18-hole was held today. In team scratch match, defending champion Yangon Division was leading with 229 strokes, followed by Shan State (East) with 231 strokes and Sagaing Division with 234. In team handicap, Shan State (East) was leading with 201 strokes, followed by Yangon Division with 202 strokes and Bago Division with 207. In individual scratch, Aung Win of Sagaing Division was leading with 73 strokes, followed by Khin Zaw Win of Shan State (East) with 74 strokes and Naing Naing Lin of Yangon Division with 74. In individual handicap, Khin Zaw Win of Shan State (East) was leading with 62 strokes, followed by San Oo of Bago Division with 65 strokes and Naing Naing Lin of Yangon Division with 65.

The second day round of 18-hole event continues tomorrow morning.

Yangon, 16 March — Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, teaming with officials of MWAF including Vice-Presidents Daw Khin Lay Thet and Daw Than Than Nwe, arrived at Kale by air on 14 March to clarify the organizational setup of the federation and its functions.

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party were welcomed there by Daw Wai Wai Khine, wife of the Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of North-West Command and also Patron of the Sagaing Division Organization for Women’s Affairs, Brig-Gen Khin Maung Aye of Kale Station and wife, Chin State Peace and Development Council Chairman’s wife Dr Khin Saw Mu, members of the panel of patrons of the Chin State Organization for Women’s Affairs, and departmental officials.

The ceremony to clarify the functions of MWAF by Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party took place at Aung San Hall in Kale Station. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe said that MWAF came into existence on 20 December 2003; that being a social organization, it could work for development of women sector on a broader and more effective scale; and that prioritizing its fine seven objectives, it could not only participate in nation-building tasks, but it also had set high aim on the development of women’s sector by making contact with international organizations as well as with NGOs. She continued it would be necessary to play any parts in the drive to curb the human trafficking cases as Kale was situated in border area, adding that the entire mass of women were to uphold the goodwill of the State that helped raise their effective ability and fine traditions.

Later, MWAF Secretary Dr Daw Khin Ma Tun, explained the organizational pattern of the federation and the way of accepting membership applications; MWAF Vice-President Daw Khin Lay Thet, education, health, economy, environmental conservation, propagation, and the tasks of the financial and administrative working groups; and Vice-President Daw Than Than Nwe, the protection of young women from being subjected to violence, and the tasks of the working groups of rehabilitation and resettlement.

Next, wellwishers donated K 6 million to MWAF. Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe accepted the donations and presented certificates of honour to the wellwishers and spoke words of thanks.

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party also met with members of the Chin State Organization for Women’s Affairs at the guest house of Kale Station at 5 pm and replied to queries about the unclear facts concerning the organizational setup of the federation, tasks to be carried out in the future.