Our Tatmadaw will have to protect all the interest of the State. Throughout the successive eras of history, the Tatmadaw has safeguarded the national political course. Only if we continue to maintain the tradition, will the nation be able to develop and prosper on the right track despite the changes in the era.

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, 19 March - Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, together with 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, Chairman of Taninthayi Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Coastal Region Command Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers, and officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, held a meeting with local authorities, departmental heads, vice-presidents of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the presidents of Myanmar Fisheries Federation, the chairman of Taninthayi Division Fisheries Federation and entrepreneurs.

On the occasion, the General delivered an address. In his address, the General said that Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe had toured Taninthayi Division recently. General Thura Shwe Mann quoted the Senior General on the tour of the division as saying that should Taninthayi Division exploit fully its natural resources in an effective way, it will be prosperous one with higher per capita income and improved living standard of the dwellers.

Moreover, regarding the agricultural sector, one of the division's economic sectors reliable for regional development, the Senior General gave guidance on extended of paddy cultivation for ensuring regional rice sufficiency as well as that of suitable perennial crops like oil palm and rubber.

And oil palm industry will help the division become the oil bowl of the nation and the oil palm entrepreneurs enjoy long-term benefit. That is why the government provided necessary assistance to undertake oil palm industry in the division.

Since around five years ago, 15 groups of national entrepreneurs have run oil palm industry on tens of thousands of acres in the division and some of the oil palm farms are now thriving well. So, Taninthayi Division will definitely meet the target of becoming the palm oil bowl of the nation, he said. In reality, he said palm oil is not only import-substitute item but one that will become export item soon.

Now is the time the government has been making self-reliant efforts for emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation by implementing the political, economic and social objectives in a systematic manner, and fruitful results in all sectors stand witness to there endeavours, he said.

Basically, economic development is a must for building up a developed nation, he said. Upholding the concept "The strength of the nation lies only within", the government is striving for national development, grappling with various types of obstacles, hindrances and sanctions, he added.

A great deal of basic foundations have been laid for economic development of the nation. In the process, under the leadership of the State, national entrepreneurs are making great contribution towards national development by actively participating in the respective sectors, he said.

With a view to ensuring greater economic development and better practice of the market-oriented economic system, the government has allowed free trade of such raw crops as sugarcane, cotton and rubber, he said. According to the nation's situation, for the time being, free trade of sugarcane and cotton is permitted in the nation only. However, rubber surplus will be exported soon in accordance with rules and regulations. By doing so, rubber production is expected to increase to an extent, he said.

All in all, there have been no more restrictions but free trade with regard to the crops produced in the nation. At such a time, entrepreneurs and the people are to run their business in conformity with the rules and regulations, he noted.

In the division, other economic sectors along with growing of oil palm and rubber are open to all, he said.

After the meeting, the General held discussions at the same venue with national entrepreneurs and those taking interest in oil palm industry. At the meeting, the General urged them to present a draft plan for targeted sown acreage and long-term plans for the first year.

Next, national entrepreneurs reported on their draft plans and requirements. In response to the reports, the General fulfilled their requirements.

At 10.30 am, General Thura Shwe Mann and party arrived at Launglon Palm Oil Mill in Launglon, where they were welcomed by Col Kyaw Aung of Dawei Station, Command Staff Colonel Col Than Myint and officials.

Launglon Oil Palm Farm Manager U Than Htaik of Myanma Perennial Crops Enterprise reported on growing of oil palm in the farm and Mill Manager U Nyunt Tin on construction of the palm crude oil mill which can crush 1.5 tons an hour, producing of oil palm fruits and crude palm oil. Managing Director U Myint Oo gave a supplementary report.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on Launglon Oil Palm Farm and matters related to the crude oil mill. Lt-Gen Tin Aye and Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung gave suggestions.

The General gave necessary instructions and viewed production process of the mill.On arrival at Pugawzun Palm Oil Mill in Yebyu Township, Pugawzun Oil Palm Farm Manager U Soe Han reported on history of the farm and thriving oil palm plantations, and Mill Manager U Kyaw Kyaw on matters related to the mill which can crush 7.5 tons an hour.

Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Commander Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin gave supplementary reports. The General gave necessary instructions. Next, the General and party inspected Pugawzun Palm Oil Mill.

In the afternoon, General Thura Shwe Mann and party left for Thanbyuzayat, where they were welcomed by Col Khin Maung Si of Thanbyuzayat Station and officials.

At the meeting hall of Thanbyuzayat Rubber Farm, Farm Manager U Kyin Ein reported on planting of rubber trees, the extraction of rubber juice from the trees and production of rubber at the factory.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin shot the questions related to the rubber farm and the General gave necessary instructions. They proceeded to Mawlamyine where they were welcomed by Chairman of Mon State Peace and Development Council Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Myo Hla and officials.

On 18 March morning, the General and party went to Perennial Crops Applied Research Centre of MPCE in Mawlamyine and inspected high-yield rubber seeds and hybrid rubber strains. Next, they viewed tasks of the research centre. Deputy General Manager U Aye Pe of the research centre reported on aims of the centre and research works. Managing Director Col Myint Oo gave a supplementary report.

Minister Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on connection of Perennial Crops Applied Research Centre with international organizations and conducting for extended research works.

General Thura Shwe Mann gave necessary instructions on efforts to be made for conducting research works with goodwill for ensuring emergence of perennial crops strains which can benefit the State.

Afterwards, they saw over functions of units of the research centre. They also inspected competitive plots of rubber strains, pilot cultivation of pea and oil palm and cashew.

Next, they flew to Kawkada Rubber Farm in Hpa-an Township, where they were welcomed by Commander of No 22 LID Brig-Gen Ngwe Thein and officials. At the hall of the farm, Kayin State Manager U Khun Shwe Thein of MPCE reported on establishment of the farm, planting of 1,155 acres of rubber and production of rubber. Managing Director U Myint Oo gave a supplementary report.

Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin shot the questions related to the rubber farm and the General gave necessary instructions.

On arrival at No 1 Tyre and Rubber Products Factory (Thaton) in Thaton Township where they were welcomed by No 44 LID Commander Col Thet Naing Win, Brig-Gen Myint Soe of Thaton Station and officials.

The General and party looked into functions and products of sections of the factory. Managing Director of Myanma Tyre and Rubber Industries U Oo Zun conducted the General and party round the factory.

At the hall of the factory, the General met with Chairman of Kayin State Peace and Development Council Col Khin Kyu and departmental officials and gave instructions on planting of rubber. Later, they arrived back here in the afternoon.

YANGON, 20 March - At the invitation of the Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar His Excellency Lt-Gen Soe Win, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Her Excellency Madam Wu Yi will pay an official visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

YANGON, 19 March- 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 attended the second ceremony to donate cash and kind for Tatmadawmen hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, at the office of Defence Services Museum and Historical Research Institute on Shwedagon Pagoda Road at 2 pm today.

Also present were Chairman of the Management Committee for Observance of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Aung Kyi and Brig-Gen Nyan Win, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Hla Shwe, Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tun, Armed Forces Day Parade Commander Brig-Gen Min Thein and Reserve Parade Commander Col Nyi Tun, senior military officers and wellwishers.

At the donation ceremony, Chief of Armed Forces Training Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Vice-Chiefs of Armed Forces Training Maj-Gen Aung Kyi and Brig-Gen Nyan Win, Vice-Adjutant-General Brig-Gen Hla Shwe, Vice-Quartermaster-General Brig-Gen Khin Maung Tun and Armed Forces Day Parade Commander Brig-Gen Min Thein accepted K 12,566,000 and donations worth K 7,280,000, totalling 19,846,000 donated by 47 wellwishers including K 1 million by the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs; K 300,000 by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism; K 100,000 by Deputy Attorney-General U Myint Naing-Daw Tin Htay Hlaing; K 1 million by Sweety Home Industry Co Ltd; four MD-8 body searching machines worth K 680,000 by Myanmar Shwe Yin International Co Ltd; K 1 million by U Yin Haing (Haing Gyan Co Ltd); K 500,000 by U Soe Thein-Daw Khin Cho Ohn; K 1.5 million by 32 gems companies of Phakant region; K 500,000 by U Win Naung of Shwe Hein Htet Co Ltd;

K 500,000 by U Aung Myint of Lucky Star Co; K 400,000 by Chan Lon Co; K 300,000 by Hong Pang Co; K 500,000 by U Nay Win Tun of Jade Dragon Naga Co; K 500,000 by Dr Tun Kyi of Ever Winner Co; traditional medicines worth K 120,000 by Dr Zun Maung Maung, Sayagyi U Win Maung-Daw Yin Yin Myint of Aung Taman Traditional, Medicine House; K 100,000 by Myanma Oriental Bank; K 100,000 by Yoma Bank; K, 200,000 by Myanmar Mayflower Bank; K.:- 200,000 by shopkeepers of Chicken/Duck Market of Mingala Taungnyunt Township; 6,000 eggs worth K 180,000 by Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation and Egg Wholesalers; K lOO,000 by Crabs Trading Supervisory. Committee (Seikkan Township); K 100,000 by Crabs Merchants Association; 50 saplings of shade trees and K 5,000 by Lt-Col Win Myint (Retd) of the Ministry of Industry-l ; K 10,000 by U Shan Lun of Inlay Village of Mohnyin Township; 120.000 Kyarbyan Makauk and Kyaukseintaung brand cheroots worth K 500.000 by U Sein Tin-Daw Tin Tin Win; K 110,000 by Myanmar Muslim Organization; K 100,000 by Bangali Sunrii Jameh Mosque; K 100,000 by U Shwe Hla (Nice Construction Group Co); K 50,000 by U Ni. Lay and sons of Pathein; K 300,000 by disciples of Yangon Budh Gaya Pilgrimage I Enterprise and Golden Temple of Singapore;5,000 packets of traditional medicines worth K 200,000 by U Phay Dewa Yekkha Medicine House; K 100,000 by U Aung Shwe Saw-Daw Nwe Nwe Win of Mayangon; K 10,000 by U Hla Win-Ma Le Le Win; 50 copies of short stories worth K 20,000 by Maj Myo Thant (Retd) (writer Maung Moe Yan); K 100,000 by U Yan Naing-Daw Yi Yi Thein; K 50,000 by U Aung Thiha; 50,000 steel bciwls Family Co, Jeinphaw Aung Co, Shwe Thanlwin Co and Chie{ Farm Co; and K 100,000 by Annawa Trading Co.

Next, certificates of honour were presented to the donors, On behalf of the we11wishers, a donor explained the purpose of the donation. Afterwards, Lt- Gen Kyaw Win spoke words of thanks. After the ceremony, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspected booths of the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day Exhibition and gave necessary instructions.

YANGON, 19 March - Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, together with Deputy Minister U Pe Than, inspected the measures taken for keeping the front of the main school building green and pleasant at Myanmar Maritime University in Thanlyin this morning. Rector U Thein Tun and officials reported on cultivation of flowering plants and lawns and the digging of a pool. The minister also inspected progress of construction of the main school building of the university.

A coordination meeting on development of the university was later held at the meeting hall of the main building. The minister and the deputy minister heard reports on the conducting of courses, measures taken for the greening of the campus, and arrangements made for convenient transport. Next, Rector U Thein Tun presented supplementary reports. U Aung Htwe, managing director of Golden Flower Co Ltd, also reported on progress of putting finishing touches to the main building, construction of other buildings and plans to be made for environmental greening.

Later, the minister and the deputy minister arrived at Set Hsan shipyard of Myanma Port Authority. At the briefing hall, U Thein Htay, Managing Director of MPA, reported on construction of a warehouse at the shipyard. Chief Engineer U Ye Htut and officials also presented reports. After inspecting the warehouse under construction and Thamada watercraft under repair at the dry dock, the minister left there.

YANGON, 19 March - As a gesture of honouring the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, the Printing and Publishing Enterprise under the Ministry of Information held a book fair at the former PPE building on Bo Aung Kyaw Road in Kyauktada Township here this morning.

Present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers U Thein Sein and Brig-Gen Aung Thein, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry, officials, the chairman of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, the vice-chairmen, publishers, and bookworms.

On the occasion, PPE Managing Director U Myint Thein explained the purpose of holding the book fair. Next, Brig-Gen Aung Thein formally opened the book fair. Later, the deputy ministers and officials viewed round the books on sale. News and Periodicals Enterprise, Sarpay Beikman Book House and other 39 book houses opened book shops at the fair. Various kinds of books are on sale there at reasonable prices.

YANGON, 19 March - As a gesture of hailing the 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day, tarred streets, which were constructed on a self-reliant basis, were opened in Dagon Myothit (North) Township this morning.

The opening of nine tarred roads took place at the archway in U Ba Cho Street in Ward 40 and that of ten tarred roads at the archway in Thakhin Ohn Pe Gyi Street in Ward 42 in Dagon Myothit (North) Township, Yangon East District.

Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council and Commander of Yangon Command, and Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee and Mayor, attended the ceremonies and formally opened the roads.

Also present on both occasions were Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Commander of No 2 Military Region Brig-Gen Myo Myint, local authorities, departmental officials, social organizations, band troupes, pompom troupes and locals.

Maj-Gen Myint Swe, Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin and U Thein Myint, chairman of the road construction committee, opened nine tarred roads. Next, the commander, the mayor, the deputy minister and officials inspected the roads and cordially greeted the local people.

Brig-Gen Thura Aung Ko, Yangon East District Peace and Development Council Chairman Lt-Col Maung Maung Shein and U Sein Hla Win formally opened the ten tarred roads. Next, the commander, the mayor, the deputy minister and officials inspected the facilities.

Later, the opening ceremony of 19 roads in the two wards was held at Theravada Dhamma Yaungchi Hall at the corner of Thakhin Ohn Pe Gyi Street and U Pho Kya Street in Ward 42.

On the occasion, a local authority reported on measures taken for building of the roads. Next, Maj-Gen Myint Swe spoke of the need to make efforts to upgrade the remaining streets to tarred ones. The mayor also explained the steps YCDC is taking to turn all the streets in municipal area into asphalt ones. Later, a local authority presented pennants to the commander, the mayor and officials to mark the opening of the roads. The nine roads opened today in Ward 40 are altogether 10,371 feet long and were constructed at a total cost of K 29,317,465 contributed by the local people and K 29,529,813 funded by YCDC. And ten roads in Ward 42 are 11,831 feet long and were constructed at a total cost of K 34,180,000 contributed by local people and K 34,344,000 funded by YCDC.

YANGON, 19 March- Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe, accompanied by No 1 Military Region Commander Col Tun Kyi and authorities, this morning inspected agricultural and regional development tasks in Yangon East and North Districts.

The commander and party arrived in Shantegyi Village of Dagon Myothit (East) Township. They were welcomed there by Col Myat Thu of No 11 LID and officials. At the summer paddy high-yield special zone in the village, officials reported on supporting tasks for boosting over 4,000 acres of summer paddy. The commander inspected thriving summer paddy.

Next, they inspected dredging of drains along Minye Kyawswa Road in Dagon Myothit (East) Township.

On arrival at the embankment which blocked Ngamoeyeik Creek at the border of Dagon Myothit (East) and Hlegu townships, the commander saw over storage of water for agricultural purpose and construction of Ngamoeyeik Sluice Gate.

After hearing reports by officials, the commander gave necessary instructions. At the construction site of the Sluice Gate, the commander said that as the sluice gate is being built with the aims of ensuring extension of summer paddy so as to green 30-mile radius of Yangon International Airport, tasks are to complete as soon as possible.

Ngamoeyeik Sluice Gate will have 26 valves. On completion, it can contribute to extension of about 10,000 acres of summer paddy.

Next, the commander and party saw over construction of laterite road, which is 1,120 feet long and 12 feet wide to link the circular road in Hlegu Township and west Malit Village.

The commander and party looked into construction of the road linking the circular road and Khayebin Road through Mingaladon Garden City.

They proceeded to Balar region in Hlegu Township. In the region , the commander gave instruction to occicials on the availability of water for cultivation of summer paddy in vacant and virgin lands and arrangements to be made for dredging new canal and attended to the needs.

YANGON, 19 March-A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit, Yangon Special Anti-Drug Squad and Dagon Myothit (South) Police Station, acting on information, on 10 February 2004 searched the house of Kyaw Win Htoo (a) Kyaw Htoo, of 5th Myatlay Street, Ward 2, Dagon Myothit (South) and arrested him together with Thein Han (a) Ko Pu, Ye Lwin Oo and Thein Oo who were at the house and seized 30.77 kilos of marijuana concealed in a polythene bag.

Action is being taken against Kyaw Win Htoo (a) Kyaw Htoo, son of U Kyaw Nyein, of 5th Myatlay Street, Ward 2, Dagon Myothit (South), Thein Han (a) Ko Pu, son of U Ohn Shwe, of No 7 Bazaar Street, West Ward, Thayayta Township, Ye Lwin Oo, son of U Hlaing Aye, of Myintawtha Street, Ward 1, Thakayta Township and Thein Oo, son of U Tun Hla, of 10th Htupayon Street, Ward 1, Thakayta Township under Section 15/19 (A)/21 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law by Dagon Myothit (South) Police Station.