Our Tatmadaw has proved capable of adequately dealing with any crisis due to its good discipline, loyalty, unity, capability, willingness to make sacrifices, willingness to give priority to national interests over individual interests, high morale, courage in the face of difficulties, endurance and perseverance. As these points constituted the noble traditions of the Tatmadaw, it is incumbent on all of us to maintain these characteristics forever.

Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From address at the parade of 58th Anniversary Armed Forces Day

YANGON, 17 March - The meeting on Electronic Transactions Law (draft) took place at the MICT Park in Hline Township here yesterday afternoon, with an address by Chairman of Myanmar Computer Science Development Council Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Also present on the occasion were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Chairman of e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Aye Maung, deputy ministers, the deputy attorney-general, senior military officers, members of e-National Task Force, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, officials and guests.

At the meeting, the chairman of the e-National Task Force reported on progress in drawing the Electronic Transactions Law (draft) in cooperation with ministries; and the attorney-general, on prescriptions of the law (draft). Next, the Chief Justice, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Tun Shin and those present made discussions on the law (draft).

The Prime Minister gave instructions to the officials. Member of the e-National Task Force U Thein Oo gave an account of Myanmar character code of set; Daw Chaw Khin Khin, on behalf of e-Procurement Project Co-ordinator, on e-Procurement Project being implemented by the MICTDC; Project Co-ordinator of the MICTDC Daw Khin Aye Win, on Smart Card Based Vehicle Registration Project; member of the board of directors of the MICTDC U Pyone Maung Maung, on Budget P.C Project; and those present, on progress in carrying out ICT tasks.

In his address, the Prime Minister said that the ICT sector is making progress with a great momentum thanks to the encouragement of the government and efforts of computer scientists.

In this regard, collective efforts are to be made in unison to maintain and speed up the already-achieved momentum, he said. With combination of originally high intelligence of Myanmar nationals, modern ICT equipment and technologies, success can be made as expected, he said.

Experts, scholars and industrialists engaged in the ICT field, on their part, are to carry out their tasks in an active manner catching up with international ICT developments and to present reports to responsible persons on requirements to be rendered by the State in time, he said.

YANGON, 17 March - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Vladimir V Putin, on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation.

Senior General Than Shwe sends felicitations to President of Ireland

YANGON, 17 March - Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to Her Excellency Dr Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, on the occasion of the National Day of Ireland, which falls on 17 March 2004.

YANGON, 17 March - General Khin Nyunt, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of feicitations to His Excellency Mr Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of Ireland, on the occasion of the National Day of Ireland, which falls on 17 March 2004.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt sends message of congratulations to Prime Minister of Russian Federation

YANGON, 17 March - General Khin Nyunt, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Mikhail Fradkov, on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Minister U Win Aung sendscongratulations to Minister for Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation

YANGON, 17 March - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Sergei V Lavrov, on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Minister U Win Aung sends felicitations to Ireland

YANGON, 17 March - U Win Aung, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Excellency Mr Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, on the occasion of the National Day of Ireland, which falls on 17 March 2004.

YANGON, 17 March - The Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day held its third coordination meeting at Yangon Command this afternoon, with an address by Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win.

Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win delivered a speech. He said he found the drill of parade columns satisfactory. He also found that the parade companies kept military discipline well. He spoke on arrangements for the parade were good due to the efforts of various committees.

Secretary of the leading committee Deputy Adjutant-General Col Khin Soe reported on the resolutions passed by the second coordination meeting.

Next, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and officials of the various committees reported on work done. Officials of MPF, Fire Services Department and Myanmar Red Cross Society reported on participation of members of MPF, Fire Brigade and Red Cross Brigade at the parade. Those present took part in the discussions.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Win fulfilled the requirements and the meeting ended in the evening with the concluding remark by Lt-Gen Kyaw Win.

YANGON, 17 March- Parade columns which will participate in the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Parade practised marching drills from Myoma Grounds to the Resistance Park from 6 am to 9.30 am today.

Tatmadawmen, members of Myanmar Police Force and Red Cross Brigade of Anawrahta, Kyansittha, Bayintnaung, Nawade, Aungzeya, Hsinbyushin, Bandoola, Myawady and Aung San Columns led by Reserve Parade Commander Col Nyi Tun participated in the marching drills.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the Leading Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Member of the State Peace and Development Council Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Win Myint and Brig-Gen Nyan Win, senior military officers and officials.

YANGON, 17 March - Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the inauguration of the Nantmaung Creek Bridge in Momeik, Shan State (North), undertaken by the Ministry of Construction took place at the facility on yesterday morning.

It was attended by Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council Commander of Eastern Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun, senior military officers, officials, members of social organizations and local people.

On the occasion, the minister delivered a speech. In his speech, the minister said that in its pace to march towards the goal of a peaceful, modern and developed democratic nation, the government has been making strenuous efforts in all fields for laying the sound basic foundations.

In the process, the Ministry of Construction is contributing towards the goal by carrying out tasks for smooth transport.

Number of road miles has now increased to 18,112 in the nation, up from 13,635 in 1988. The government has constructed 168 bridges with 180 feet and above in length.

With the emergence of the facility, local people can travel to other states and divisions in addition to the townships in Shan State (North) via Momeik and Mogok enjoying greater regional development in the sectors of economy, education and health.

In response to the government's genuine goodwill, local people are to make collective during endeavours durability of the facility, he urged.

Next, the commander said that like local people, he takes pride in the emergence of the bridge.

With the opening of new roads and bridges, Shan State (North) has enjoyed fruits of economic improvement along with better transport and further cementing of amicable relations among local people.

In conclusion, the commander called for participation of local people in the tasks for long lasting of the bridge and regional development.

Afterwards, the commander and the minister formally opened the 300-foot-long bridge and walked along it.

YANGON, 17 March - Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Ziwaka Mobile Health Train, jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Rail Transportation, stopped over in Nyaunglaybin Station yesterday and provided treatment to patients from Nyaunglaybin and its surrounding villages .

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint and Deputy Minister for Rail Transportation Thura U Thaung Lwin closely supervised performance of specialists. They gave health care service to 1,128 patients and performed surgical operation on 17 patients at the operation theatre of Nyaunglaybin Hospital.

Minister Dr Kyaw Myint and Deputy Minister Thura U Thaung Lwin inspected the surgical operations at the hospital.

This morning, 771 patients were also given treatment at the train and two patients were performed surgical operations at Nyaunglaybin Hospital.

The mobile train could give medical treatment to 1,899 patients in Nyaunglaybin yesterday and today and arrived back here in the evening.

The train will leave for railway stations in various regions of the country, to provide medical treatment at public request.

YANGON, 17 March - The Discipline Enforcement Committee for 1365 ME Traditional Maha Thingyan Festival held a coordination meeting at the office of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council this afternoon, with a speech by Chairman of the Discipline Enforcement Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

Also present were Vice-Chairman of the committee Deputy Commander Col Wai Lwin, military region commanders, Yangon City Development Committee Secretary Col Myint Aung, departmental heads, officials and local authorities. In his speech, Maj-Gen Myint Swe said that this year's traditional Thingyan Festival will be observed in accordance with Myanmar's fine traditions. Necessary measures are to be taken in advance to hold educative talks to the people since action will be taken against those who violate the rules and regulations during the festival period, he said.

YANGON, 17 March - Myanmar Police Force arrested murderer and looter Wam Wein Paung, 41, who was wanted in China, son of U Wam Shi Chun of Toebinyoe Village, Pauksan region, Chinli, Chenlint District, Yunnan Province. The ceremony to hand over the fugitive was held in Muse, Shan State (North), at 8.40 am on 10 March 2004.

Present were Muse Special Anti-Drug Squad Supervising Officer Police Maj Win Naing, Captain Kyaw Zeya of the local intelligence unit, Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council Capt Aung Lwin, Head of Muse District Immigration and National Registration Department U Aye Than and officials, Chenlint District Police Station Head Police Col Ding Zhi Shen, Police Lt-Col Su Hong Min and officials. As Shweli Police Station asked Muse District Police Force to arrest Chinese fugitive Wam Wein Paung, Muse District Police Force and local intelligence unit of Myanmar made concerted efforts for exposing the fugitive. Then, the fugitive was arrested in Manwingyi Village, Bhamo District, Kachin State. Speaking on the occasion, Police Maj Win Naing said success has been achieved in bilateral fugitives exchange tasks thanks to cooperation of Muse District Police of Myanmar and Keigaung/Shweli police members. Chenlint District Police Station Head Police Col Ding Zhi Shen thanked for Myanmar Police Force for the arrest of the fugitive. He added he will ask MPF to arrest fugitives of their side in the future. And, success was achieved because of information exchange between the two countries. Police Maj Win Naing and Police Col Ding Zhi Shen signed the document on handing over of the fugitive.

YANGON, 17 March- Jade lots were being sold through tender system at the 41st Myanma gems emporium from 5 pm to 10 pm yesterday and 218 lots of jade worth 1,197,654 euros were sold. A total of 378 jade lots worth 3,257,641 euros were sold through tender system and competitive bidding yesterday. The emporium continued today and 50 lots of jade worth 1,351,986 euros were sold.

YANGON, 17 March- The Information Sub-committee for Organizing the Fourth World Buddhist Summit held its fourth coordination meeting at Myanma Radio and Television on Pyay Road, here, this morning. Information Sub-committee Chairman Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein and member departmental heads and officials attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein said that dissemination of information, keeping on records and covering of documentary news will be harmoniously carried out throught mass media by departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Information. These tasks will be divided into three portions- before the summit, during the summit and after the summit.

Next, the chairman and secretaries of work groups reported on tasks for news release and watched the videoed songs covered for the summit. Later, the deputy minister gave necessary instructions.

YANGON, 17 March- President of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, accompanied by Vice-President Daw Than Than Nwe and officials, arrived at the office of Tamu District Peace and Development Council on 15 March morning.

Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe and party held a meeting to explain functions of MWAF to Tamu District Organization for Women's Affairs. Present were wife of the Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Daw Wai Wai Khaing, Chairman of Tamu District Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Win Zaw and wife, members of Tamu District Organization for Women's Affairs totalling about 150.

At the meeting, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe gave a speech, saying that Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation was formed on 20 December 2003. Being a social organization, the federation can carry out development of the women's section effectively. They arrived in Tamu, a border town, so as to explain organizational set-up of the federation. It is necessary to actively participate in elimination of human trafficking in that border region. All members are to forge national spirit and cherish traditional culture. And, the members are to actively carry out tasks in accord with the guidance of the CEC for ensuring perpetual existence of fine traditions and capabilities of the Myanmar women.

MWAF Secretary Prof Dr Daw Khin Mar Tun explained organizational set-up and submitting of membership applications; Vice-President Daw Khin Lay Thet functions of education, health, economic, environmental conservation, organizing, enforcement of discipline and finance/management working groups; Vice-President Daw Than Than Nwe functions of culture, information/communication, girls, national races affairs, prevention of violence against women, prevention of human trafficking, nursery and resettlement working groups.

Next, President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe accepted K 1 million donated by wellwishers and presented certificates of honour to them. Later, the president spoke words of thanks.

YANGON, 17 March- The Youth Teachership Course, co-organized by Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, UNFPA, Fund for Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar (FHAM), was opened at the building of MMCWA in South Okkalapa Township this morning.

Present were MMCWA President Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Vice-President Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint, CEC members, Patron of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA Daw Khin Thet Htay and members, Resident Representative of UNFPA Mr Najib M Assifi and officials, officials of UN agencies, course instructors and youths. First, Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe spoke on the occasion. Resident Representative of UNFPA Mr Najib M Assifi explained the purpose of opening the course. Altogether 42 youths of states and divisions are attending the course which will last up to 22 March.

YANGON, 17 March - Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Maternal and Child Welfare Association presented capital to township MCWAs at the office of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council this afternoon, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife patron of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA Daw Khin Thet Htay.

First, Daw Khin Thet Htay made a speech.

President of Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for MCWA Head of Divisional Health Department Dr Hla Myint explained tasks to be carried out with the use of capital. Later, Daw Khin Thet Htay presented K 100,000 each for a district to officials.

YANGON, 17 March- The Myanmar ASEAN Women's Friendship Association led by members of the Board of Patrons Daw San Yone, wife of Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung, and Daw Le Le Kyi, wife of Deputy Minister U Kyaw Thu, accompanied by honorary members cum wives of ministers, Lady Ambassador and wives of embassies of ASEAN member countries and diplomats, visited Union National Races Village in Thakayta Township this morning. Afterwards, they paid homage to Kyaikhmawwun Pagoda in Kyauktan and donated cash towards the funds of the pagoda. Next, they toured other places of interest.

YANGON, 17 March- The opening of pre-primary school building of Shwedaung Township Maternal and Child Welfare Association was held at the school in the combined housing compound in Thayettaw Ward in Shwedaung on 14 March.

Present were Vice-President of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint, Patron of Bago Division MCWA Supervisory Committee wife of Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Southern Command Daw Sao Non Khun Sam, Patron of Bago Division (West) MCWA Supervisory Committee wife of Bago Division (West) Peace and Development Council Daw Naing Naing Maw and members, Shwedaung Township MCWA members, officials and guests.

Vice-President Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint, Daw Sao Non Khun Sam and Daw Naing Naing Maw formally opened the school.

Vice-President Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint spoke on the occasion. Secretary of Shwedaung Township Peace and Development Council U Khin Maung Kyi reported on construction of the school. Chairman of Township Peace and Development Council U Hla Win Tin presented related documents to Chairman of Township MCWA Daw Aye Aye Myint.

Daw Aye Aye Myint presented commemorative pennants to Dr Daw Tin Lin Myint and officials. They presented gifts to children at the school.

YANGON, 17 March- The 26th Inter-State/Division Golf Team Championship, mainly sponsored by Isuzu Motors Ltd of Japan, co-organized by Sports and Physical Education Department and Myanmar Golf Federation, continued for the second day at Yangon Gold Club in Danyingon this morning.

Shan State (East) team was leading the team scratch event with 456 strokes in the second round, followed by Yangon Division with 465 and Sagaing Division with 469.

In the individual scratch event, Naing Naing Lin of Yangon Division put his position in the first place with 148 strokes. Maj Khin Zaw Win of Shan State (East) was behind the leader with 149 and Aung Win of Sagaing Division with 150.

In the team handicap event, Shan State (East) scored 406 strokes. Its runners-up were Kachin State with 410 and Mon State with 411.

In the individual handicap event, Eike Htaung of Shan State (East) was leading with 133 strokes, followed by Maj Khin Zaw Win of Shan State (East) with 133 and Kyaw Thet Wai of Shan State (North) with 135.

The third round of the championship will continue tomorrow.

YANGON, 17 March - The Wushu team led by Myanmar Wushu Federation Secretary U Tun Myint left here by air for People's Republic of China today for undergoing training in order to participate in the International Wushu Events. The team comprises MWF Joint Secretary U Tint Naing and athletes Myo Min Soe, Soe Win Thein and Honey Ko Ko.