Rural economy is the national economy. Rural health and education is the national health and education. You will have to make efforts for ensuring better transport between rural and urban regions as well as among rural regions, for ensuring water supply for drinking and agricultural purpose, for enabling the rural people to be strong and educated and for ensuring development of rural economy. You will also have to make efforts with goodwill in realization of the five rural development tasks as the good sons of the people on whom the people can rely.

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 46th Intake of Defence Services Academy)

YANGON, 18 March - In honour of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, Gita Nandawun music concert was staged at the National Theatre on Myoma Kyaung Street here at 7 pm today.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe enjoyed the concert.

Also present at the concert were Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe and wife, ministers, the chief justice, the attorney-general, the Yangon mayor and their wives, deputy ministers and wives, ambassadors and wives, responsible personnel of the State Peace and Development Council Office, maestros, enthusiasts, and guests.

Sponsored by the Myanmar National Development Company Group Ltd and organized by Bogalay Tint Aung and Gitalulin Maung Ko Ko, the concert was staged to commemorate the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day.

Famous pianists as well as young pianists who won gold medals at piano contests performed their artistic talents at the concert.

Well-known vocalists and young singers will present entertainment to the accompaniment of modern musical instruments as well as ancient musical instruments of Mon and Myanmar. Moreover, visitors can enjoy hearty jokes of comedians.

The concert will take place at the same venue from 19 to 21 March.

YANGON, 18 March - Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, national entrepreneurs who are implementing the oil palm growing project in Taninthayi Division and those who wish to carry out oil palm plantation tasks, left here by air at 9.30 am on 15 March.

The General and party were welcomed at Kawthoung Airport by Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, Brig-Gen Khin Zaw Win of Khamaukgyi Station of Kawthoung Township and departmental officials.

Next, the General and party attended the opening ceremony of Oil Palm Factory of Shwe Oil Palm Co Ltd. The factory which can crush five tons an hour is located at 18th mile in Kawthoung Township.

First, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Shwe Oil Palm Co Ltd Managing Director Dr Ko Ko Htwe formally opened the factory.

The General performed the rituals of golden and silver showers to mark the opening ceremony and inspected the factory. Next, the General greeted members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, social organizations, dance troupes and students who attended the opening ceremony.

At the briefing hall, Dr Ko Ko Htwe reported on production of banches of oil palm from their farm at 18th mile of Kawthoung and construction of the factory.

Tetnay Co Managing Director Daw Than Than Aye reported on implementation of oil palm plantation project and running of the crude palm oil mill.

After hearing the reports, General Thura Shwe Mann gave necessary instructions and signed in the visitors' book of Shwe Oil Palm Co Ltd.

Afterwards, the General and party proceeded to Khamaukgyi region of Kawthoung Township and viewed progress of oil palm plantations along the road.

General Thura Shwe Mann and party inspected the oil palm farm of Yuzana Co Ltd in Khamaukkyi. Chairman of the company U Htay Myint reported on participation of the company in the oil palm project launched in Taninthayi Division in 1999, progress of area in planting oil palm, arrangements for construction of a crude palm oil mill and investments.

Next, the General delivered a speech. In his speech, the General said that oil palm project is beneficial to the entrepreneurs and the State. He said he made an inspection tour of Taninthayi Division to draw the interest of other entrepreneurs in oil palm industry after witnessing the thriving oil palm plantations and good prospects of national entrepreneurs.

The national entrepreneurs in the division presented their experiences of oil palm industry and benefits.

Minister for Electric Power Maj-Gen Tin Htut reported on plans to establish hydropower plants which can contribute towards regional development and oil palm industry in the sites adjacent to oil palm projects.

The General and party looked into the oil palm farm of Yuzana Co Ltd. In the afternoon, the General and party helicoptered to the oil palm farm of Po Kaung Co Ltd at 60th mile station in Bokpyin Township. Chairman of the company U Aye Maung reported on target of planting oil palm on 7,000 acres in the township, progress in growing oil palm on over 5,000 acres and preparations for building crude palm oil mill. Commander Brig-Gen Ohn Myint gave a supplementary report.

Regarding the reports, the General gave instructions, and signed in the visitors' book. Afterwards, the General inspected the oil palm farm.

The General and party headed for Taungdagon Oil Palm Co in Mahe Camp in Bokpyin Township and inspected the crude palm oil mill that can mill 7.5 tons of crude palm oil. At the briefing hall, South Dagon Oil Palm Co Managing Director U Aung Htwe reported on planting of over 4,500 acres of oil palm in Bokpyin Township, progress in building the crude oil palm mill and future tasks. Lt-Gen Tin Aye and the ministers gave suggestions on the oil mill.

General Thura Shwe Mann discussed investments, covering of the capital and economic prospects. U Aung Htwe and entrepreneurs reported on their business. Next, the General and party left Mahe Camp in Bokpyin Township for Myeik and inspected progress of oil palm plantations of the entrepreneurs by helicopter.

On arrival at Myeik in the evening, General Thura Shwe Mann and Party were welcomed by Deputy Commander of Coastal Region Command Col Hone Ngaing, local authorities and departmental officials.

On 16 March morning, the General and party proceeded to Katan Island of Kyunsu Township from Myeik. At the hall of State-owned Katan Rubber Farm of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise, Township Manager U Chit Shein and Farm Manager U Myint Swe reported on Katan Rubber Farm, age of plantations, production of rubber and workers of the farm. The General gave necessary instructions.

Next, the General and party inspected production of rubber from the rubber trees.

Afterwards, they went to State-owned Nyaungbinkwin Rubber and Oil Palm Farm of MPCE in Taninthayi Township.

At the hall, the farm manager reported on matters related to Nyaungbinkwin Rubber and Oil Palm Farm and the entrepreneurs on growing of oil palm in Nyaungbinkwin region. The General gave necessary instructions.

At 11.45 am, the General and party arrived at the site of Kanbawza Agro-Industries Ltd which is carrying out oil palm cultivation tasks in Taninthayi Township.

At the briefing hall, Managing Director U Zaw Win Naing of Kanbawza Agro-Industries Ltd reported on oil palm growing project and Project Director U Than Pe on growing of oil palm since 1999, cultivated acres and preparations for building the raw oil mill.

Managing Director U Myint Oo of MPCE reported on attention to be paid on cultivation of oil palm and the commander gave a supplementary report.

After giving necessary instructions, the General signed in the visitors' book and inspected fruit bunches of oil palm from the plantations of Kanbawza Agro-Industries Ltd. Next, the General and party viewed thriving oil palm plantations of Kanbawza Agro-Industries Ltd.

Kanbawza Agro-Industries Ltd has targeted to extend cultivation of 20,000 acres of oil palm plantations and has planted over 5,000 acres of oil palm plantations. In addition, the company manages to build the raw oil mill which can crush three tons of palm oil fruits an hour.

At the oil palm plantation project of Asia World Integrated Farms Ltd in Myeik Township, the General and party heard a report on plantation of oil palm at Khonmaw and Tonbyawgyi villages on Myeik-Taninthayi road, plantation of 3,300 acres of the target of 10,000 acres, plans to put the crops on the remaining acres and rodent control measures presented by Managing Director of the company U Tun Myint Naing and Manager U Wunna.

Managing Director of Myan Naing Myint Company U Maung Maung Myint reported to them on plans to cultivate oil palm in Taninthayi Township and putting of 2,300 acres of land under the oil palm.

Speaking on the occasion, General Thura Shwe Mann said he has already inspected the oil palm cultivation projects of national race companies in Kawthoung, Bokpyin, Taninthayi and Myeik townships.

The climatic and geographical condition of the Taninthayi Division is suitable to grow oil palm. In this regard, the head of State has given guidance to turn Taninthayi Division into an oil bowl of the nation.

The capital requirement, difficulties and benefits of the business have already been studied. Thus, the national entrepreneurs can take part in the business depending on their enthusiasm and capacity.

The government will provide assistance for the entrepreneurs in land reclamation and other matters to the best of its ability.

Officials of the private companies presented reports on company-wise plantation projects and feasibility programmes.

The managing director of Myan Naing Myint Company explained arrangements to form an organization for oil palm plantation entrepreneurs. Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin gave a supplementary report.

The General looked into their requirements.

YANGON, 18 March - Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, a ceremony to open Myat Yadana railway station in Thanlyin Township was held at the station at 7 am today. Present were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Deputy Minister U Pe Than, No 1 Military Region Commander Col Tun Kyi, Myanma Railways Managing Director U Min Swe and officials, local authorities and social organization members. Nay La General Trading Cooperative Society Ltd Myat Yadana Housing Project Committee Chairman U Myint Oo who built the station explained the purpose of building the station and handed over documents related to the station to Managing Director U Min Swe of MR.

Next, the wellwisher presented commemorative pennants to the commander, the minister and the district chairman. Managing Director U Min Swe and wellwisher U Myint Oo formally opened the station. Myat Yadana Railway Station lies on Okposu-Thilawa railroad in Aungchantha Ward, Thanlyin. On arrival at Myat Yadana Housing Project office, Project Chairman U Myint Oo reported on construction of housing estates jointly carried out by Department of Human Settlement and Housing Development and Myat Yadana Housing Project. Later, the commander gave necessary instructions.

YANGON, 18 March - As a gesture of honouring the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the families of the All-Bus Lines Control Committee (Yangon) donated cash to the funds of all-round renovation of Maha Wizaya Pagoda, Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda, hospitals and social organizations at a ceremony held at Dhamma Rakkhita Dhammayon at Maha Wizaya Pagoda this afternoon. Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe attended the ceremony and accepted the donations.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Commander of Yangon Command Col Wai Lwin, commanders of military regions, local authorities, personnel from hospitals concerned, Chairman of ALCC (Yangon) Brig-Gen Myint Swe (Rtd), officials and guests. Brig-Gen Myint Swe (Rtd) explained the purposes of making donations. Donations made to the funds of all-round renovation of Maha Wizaya Pagoda were: K 4 million by bus owners of ALCC (Yangon); K 1,001,622 by ALCC (Yangon); and K 7.7 million by U Kyaw Aye and Daw Khin Nyunt. Donations made to Sacred Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon) were: K 2.2 million by bus owners of ALCC (Yangon) and K 500,000 by ALCC (Yangon). Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe accepted the donations.

ALCC (Yangon) also donated K 300,000 each to Defence Services General Hospital (Mingaladon), No 2 Military Hospital (500-bed), Yangon People's Hospital, Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital, North Okkalapa People's Hospital, Insein People's Hospital, and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association (Central); K 150,000 each to Defence Services Obstetric, Gynaecological and Paediatric Hospital, Defence Services Orthopaedic Hospital, Defence Services Physical Rehabilitation Hospital, Yangon People's Hospital, Kyimyindine Orthopaedic Hospital, and Paediatric Hospital; K 100,000 each to Hlinethaya People's Hospital, Dagon Myothit (North) People's Hospital, Dagon Myothit (South) People's Hospital, Parahita boys' school, Hninzigon home for the aged, Mary Chapmin School, Khawechan Christian School for the Blind, Mayanchaung Parahita Geha, the Station Hospital at Mayanchaung village, Jivitadana Sangha Hospital and Free Service Association for Funeral (Yangon); and K 50,000 each to Shwepyitha People's Hospital, Hmawby People's Hospital, Hlegu People's Hospital and Dapein Station Hospital.

Medical Superintendent of North Okkalapa People's Hospital Dr Mya Thaung spoke words of thanks. Today's donations amounted to K 20,201,622.

YANGON, 18 March- Hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, ceremonies to open tube-wells in Thanlyin Township were held at the designated places this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe. Also present on the occasions were Secretary of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Lt-Col Myint Kyi, Director of Yangon Division Development Affairs Committee U Kyan Daing Aung and departmental officials, local authorities and people. First, the 2" tube-well was opened in Kyaik-in Village. The commander opened the tap of the tube-well. It was a 2-inch diameter and 220 feet deep tube-well which can pump out 2,000 gallons an hour. It was installed with 7.25 Hp diesel engine.

A similar ceremony was held in Myayayoe Village, Thanlyin Township, to open a 2-inch diameter and 280 feet deep tube-well. The tube-well installed with 7.25 Hp engine can produce 2,000 gallons an hour. Next, the commander and party arrived at the construction site of Kawdun Creek Bridge on the road linking Pandaw Kyaukmaye Jetty and Thande Village in Kyauktan Township. The commander heard reports on construction of the bridge and gave necessary instructions. On completion, Pandaw Village can access to Mayanbay Village in Kyauktan Township by car through the beach.

The commander inspected Basic Education Middle School (Branch) in Zweba Kondan Village and gave necessary instructions. Afterwards, the commander saw over the site for construction of 16-bed Meepya Station Hospital. In Meepya Village, the commander inspected development tasks of the village. Next, he accepted K 200,000 each for construction of the hospital donated by Daw Kyin Kha of Meepya Village; U Kyauk Khe-Daw Kyin Ngwe of Kyauktan; and U Ar Loo-Daw Saw Kyu. Later, the commander paid homage to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Paññavamsa of Kyaunggyi Monastery in Meepya Village.

YANGON, 18 March -The 41st Myanma Gems Emporium continued this morning for the third day here. Local and foreign gem merchants bought 21 jade lots at 1,086,112 euros through competitive bidding system from 9 am to 5 pm today. A total of 470 jade lots worth 9,171,530 euros were sold from 16 March to today and the sales of jade lots continued this evening.

Twenty-one jade lots were sold at 3,475,791 euros from 5 pm to 10 pm yesterday and a total of 71 jade lots worth 4,827,777 euros were sold yesterday alone.

The sales will continue tomorrow and on 20 March through the tender system and competitive bidding system.

Chairman of the Central Committee for Myanma Gems Emporium Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein and officials presented certificates of honour to the gem merchants who attended the emporium for 25 years, 20 years, 15 years and 10 years consecutively.

YANGON, 18 March - With the permission of the Ministry of Commerce, Quartz Intl' Co Ltd will organize Myanmar Trade Fair 2004 at Yangon Trade Centre from 2 to 5 April. On display at the fair will be local and foreign cosmetics and consumer's goods, textiles, plastics, foodstuff, electric and electronic appliances, construction materials, household utensils, paper, stationery, packing machines, small machinery and traditional and western medicines.

YANGON, 18 March - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received Assistant General Manager of tph, The Printers House (P) Ltd International Business Mr Yogesh M Kharbanda at the former's office on Theinbyu Road at 12 noon today. Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Thein, departmental heads under the ministry and officials.

Delegation leaves for Bangkok

YANGON, 18 March - A 24-member delegation headed by Secretary of Plastics Entrepreneurs Association under Myanmar Industrial Producers Association U Tin Htut left by air this morning for Thailand to attend the T-Plas 2004 exhibition in Bangkok. The delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by officials.

YANGON, 18 March - Under the supervision of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, assistance provided by the Ministry of Transport and organized by Myanmar Kipling Tours Co Ltd, a chartered plane carrying 66 tourists arrived at Yangon International Airport from Milan of Italy at 12 noon today. They were welcomed there by officials of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism and Myanmar Kipling Tours Co Ltd and traditional cultural troupes of Myanma Tourism Service. While in Myanmar, the tourists will visit Yangon, Bago, Mandalay, Popa, Bagan, Heho, Pindaya and Inlay.

YANGON, 18 March - The visiting Chinese writers delegation led by Chairman of the Writers Association of the People's Republic of China Mr Wang Chonglu, accompanied by officials, this morning studied all-round tasks for upgrading Kandawgyi Gardens here. No 4 Military Region Command Commander Col Yan Naing Oo and officials welcomed them. Afterwards, the delegation visited National Museum on Pyay Road. Assistant Director of Department of Cultural Institute U Htay Myint and officials conducted them round the Museum.

YANGON, 18 March - Myanma Tatmadaw football and volleyball teams led by Col Aung San Tin of the Adjutant-General's Office of the Ministry of Defence, which took part in the friendly matches in India, arrived back here by air at 7 pm today.

Chairman of Defence Services Sports and Physical Education Management Committee Secretary-2 of the State Peace and Development Council Adjutant-General Lt-Gen Thein Sein welcomed back Myanma Tatmadaw football and volleyball teams at Mingaladon Air Base.

YANGON, 18 March - The 26th Inter-State/Division Golf Team Championship, organized by Sports and Physical Education Department and Myanmar Golf Federation and mainly sponsored by Isuzu Motors Ltd of Japan, continued for the third round at Yangon Golf Club in Danyingon, this morning.

Yangon Division team was leading the team scratch event with 682 strokes. Its runners-up were Shan State (East) team with 691 and Sagaing Division team with 702.

In the individual scratch event, Naing Naing Lin of Yangon Division stood in the first position with 223 strokes; Hla Myo of Yangon Division scored 228; Aung Win of Sagaing Division and Maj Khin Zaw Win of Shan State (East) tied at 229.

In the team handicap event, Yangon Division team and Mon State team tied in the leading position with 617 strokes, Shan State (East) with 627 in the second place and Mandalay Division team with 628 in the third.

In the individual handicap event, Hla Win of Mon State stood in the first position after firing 202 strokes, followed by Ar Kyaw of Mandalay Division and Zaw Win of Mon State with 204 each and Hla Myo of Yangon Division and Eike Htaung of Shan State (East) 205 each.

The fourth and final round will take place tomorrow at the same venue.

Also present on the occasion were Chief of Staff (Navy) Captain Nyan Tun, Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Aung Kyi and Brig-Gen Nyan Win, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Hla Shwe, Director of Medical Service Col Than Aung of the Ministry of Defence, Director of Resettlements Maj-Gen Aung Thein, Provost Marshal Maj-Gen Saw Hla, officials of the Tatmadaw Football and Volleyball Subcommittee and Indian Military Attaché Col Jasvinder Singh Chopra.

YANGON, 18 March - Acting on information, a combined team made up of members of local intelligence unit, Bago Anti-Drug Squad and Bago Police Station stopped and searched the bus with number plates 4Kha/6281 at Polan checkpoint, the entrance to Bago, on 4 December, 2002. And the authorities seized 10.5 kilos of marijuana in the possession of passenger Soe Nyunt. In connection with the seizure, Bago No 1 Police Station filed Soe Nyunt, son of U Khin Pe of No 15 (B), Zeyathukha Street, Ward 2, Mayangon Township, under Section 15/19(A) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. After hearing the case on 29 January 2004, Bago District Court sentenced him to 30 years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A). A similar team, acting on a tip-off, searched the suspect Soe Tun (a) Yu Nwut near Theingyi Market (C) Building on Shwedagon Pagoda Road, Ward 2, Pabedan Township, on 12 June 2003 and seized 0.4184 kilo of marijuana. Pabedan Police Station took action against Soe Tun (a) Yu Nwut, son of U Hla Win of Yanpyay 7th Street, Thakayta Township, under Section 15/19 (A). District court (branch) heard the case and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment under Section 19 (A) on 12-1-2004.

YANGON, 18 March - Members of local intelligence unit and Myanmar Police Force on 21 and 22 February destroyed 5.5 acres of poppy plantation in Kyauklongyi Village in Momeik Township, Shan State (North). A total of 7,181.73 acres of poppy plantation have been destroyed in this poppy cultivation season.