YANGON, 29 March - Meeting No 1/2004 of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races was held this morning at the meeting hall of the office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army) with an opening address by Chairman of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe.

Also present at the meeting were Vice-Chairman of the Central Committee Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Member of the Central Committee Chairman of the Work Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, Member of the Central Committee Member of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Secretary of the Central Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, Members of the Central Committee Secretary-2 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Members of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and

Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Joint-Secretary of the Central Committee Minister for the Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt, the ministers, the deputy ministers and departmental heads.

At the meeting, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Lt-Col Pe Nyien acted as master of ceremonies.

Chairman of the Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe made a speech. He said that in implementing projects for development of border areas, the government had to make peace with national race groups, ensure peace and prevalence of law and order and forge national consolidation first.

Priority has been given to implementing tasks for development of border areas for ensuring development of border areas and national races and for further strengthening the national unity.

A ministry was formed to be able to carry out tasks for development of border areas and national races as border areas and national races lagged far behind in development. Moreover, Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races was formed to enable other ministries to make integrated and well-coordinated efforts for development of border areas and national races.

To effectively carry out a host of tasks for development of border areas and national races on behalf of the Central Committee, Work Committee for Deve lopment of Border Areas and National Races were formed.

Meanwhile, projects for eradication of narcotic drugs have been laid down and are being implemented to introduce poppy-substitute cultivation, livestock breeding and production activities and to enable local people to engage in proper livelihood after eliminating narcotic drugs in border areas.

Significant progress has been made in border areas with a sharp drop in poppy production since all-our efforts were made for development of border areas and national races during the period of ten years. As rapid development has been made in border areas works are to be reviewed at the current meeting to maintain the momentum of the development.

To ensure development of border areas measures for economic development in the region and better transport are being undertaken since better transport is of paramount importance for development of a region.

Although better transport has now been brought about in border areas there is still much to be done and continued efforts are to be made for the emergence of roads serviceable in all weather and tarred roads for better transport.

At a time when agriculture and livestock breeding is meeting with success and better transport is being brought about, the government has been able to make efforts for development of industrial and electric power sectors and attend to the needs of education and health sectors to a certain extent. Hence, continued efforts are to be made to maintain momentum of the success.

Moreover, continued efforts are to be made for improvement of socio-economic life of local people and for alleviating of poverty in border areas. Accordingly, steps are to be taken for the emergence of human resources for ensuring continued development of border areas.

That is why emphasis is being place on enhancing education and health sectors covering development of border areas. When the government started to launch tasks for development of border areas, schools were built in the regions where there was no habit of going to school and efforts had to be made to enable the school-age children to go to school. Currently, there have been high schools in border areas and Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges were opened in Yangon and Mandalay to enable the youths of border areas, who had completed matriculation, to continue to pursue higher learning.

Border areas development tasks will meet with success all the more as progress has been made in economic, transport, production, industrial and electric sectors.

Therefore, efforts are to be made for all-round development of border areas that lagged behind in development in the past.

Since its assumption of State duties the government has laid down Our Three Main National Causes-non-disintegration of Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty as a national policy and work is well under way in accord with the 12 political, economic and social objectives which are the national work programmes for successful realization of the national policy.

Keeping Our Three Main National Causes in the fore, projects for development of border areas and national races, the 24-development zones projects and the five rural development tasks are being implemented for the emergence of a peaceful modern and developed nation.

At present, the respective development projects including border area development projects are meeting with success and this reflects the correct national policy and correct national work programme.

The success of projects for development of border areas and national races a key role for successful realization of the national work programme being implemented for the emergence of peaceful modern and developed nation. With this concept, officials at different levels are to make concerted efforts for development of border areas and national races.

In his discussion, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt said that Border Areas and National Races Development Central Committee was formed on 25 May 1989, and to be able to carry out the tasks laid down by the central committee, Border Areas and National Races Development Work Committee was also formed on 31 May 1989.

Under the supervision of the work committee, the respective sub-committees and regional working committees, hand in hand with national races living in border areas, have been able to translate the policy laid down by the meetings of the central committee into action and thanks to the harmonious efforts, border areas development projects nowadays are meeting with success.

In accord with the guidance given by the chairman of the Central Committee, economic infrastructures such as roads and bridges, energy and communications; social infrastructures such as education, health, public relations; manufacturing infrastructures such as agriculture, livestock breeding, mining and forestry have been built and at the same time, drug elimination plans have been implemented with added momentum. As a result, socio-economic life of some border areas have improved more than expected and the production of narcotic drugs has been significantly reduced.

Next, the Prime Minister presented regional development tasks carried out from 1989 to this date. He said that as regards the road and bridge sector, emphasis has been paid on construction of roads and bridges, the basic needs for border areas, and thus, 2903 miles of earthen road, 1698 miles of gravel roads, 315 miles of tarred road, 43 major bridges, 661 small bridges and 16 suspension bridges have been built and maintenance work for roads with the length of 3094 miles has been carried out. In the major regions, roads have been upgraded to become all-weather ones and as a result, transport between border areas and inner part of the country have become easier, and friendship among national brethren strengthened and speedy flow of commodity achieved.

As regards the energy sector, small and medium scale hydro power stations have been built in eight border towns and 251 power generators installed in 186 towns and villages. Power has been supplied to villages and as a result, small-scale industries are running in the towns and villages. Local national races, on self-reliance basis, have also built small and medium size hydro power stations and their living standard has risen.

As regards the communication sector, 47 post offices and 42 telegraph offices have been built and 80 telephone lines have been installed and these contributes much towards rapid development of social, economic and administrative sectors in border areas. Nowadays, one can contact Yangon from border areas through telephones.

With respect to the education sector, 65 Basic Education High Schools, 58 BEMSs, 644 BEPSs have been built. At present, the number of high school students in border areas has reached 7381, middle school students 32036 and primary school students 69204 totalling 108621, up from 1541 primary school students and 12 middle school students in 1989-90 academic year. Compared with 1989, the number of students in border areas has increased 69 times. Increase in the number of students in border areas meant to the fact that there is mutual understanding and the rule of law and it contributes much towards human resource development.

Turning to the public relations sector, altogether 97 TV retransmission stations have been built in border areas. Thanks to this effort, national brethren living in far-flung areas have a chance to study the development tasks carried out across the country as well as stability and development of the State and it contributes much towards economic and social development. Media tasks has been extended by providing TV sets to villages in far-flung areas. Through these tasks, education and knowledge has been disseminated to national races in border areas.

As regards the health sector, 54 hospitals, 32 rural health care centres, 53 health branches and 81 border area dispensaries have been built in border areas and matters relating to prevention, treatment and disseminating education have been conducted and better health care services have been provided for the people living in border areas.

In the agriculture sector, 31 agriculture offices and 117 agriculture camps have been established and there are now 43 dams-some completed and some under construction. Another 17 dams have been surveyed. Moreover, four canals and 11 tractor stations have been built and they provides better opportunities for regional food sufficiency and growing cash crops. Economy based on agriculture has flourished in border areas. It can be seen that people of border areas have earned their extra incomes through the agriculture sector and they have conducted cultivation of poppy-substitute crops.

In the livestock breeding sector, 19 farms and 41 veterinary offices have been opened in remote border areas and 111 pedigree cows and donkeys have been provided to farmers for reproductive process.

With regard to the forestry sector seven nurseries, four reserved forests and another four in progress and 12 timber mills have been established. Measures have been taken to produce forest products and prevent forest degradation. Illegal extraction of timber has been prevented.

In the mining sector, assistance has been provided for exploiting minerals in border areas, mining mineral deposit on commercial scale and creating job opportunities in the mining sector. In some regions, minerals have been exploited on a commercial scale. Mining works have been gaining momentum especially in Wa and Mongla regions.

It can be seen that success has been achieved on infrastructures built by the State in agriculture, livestock breeding, forestry and mining sectors. To reach this goal, 26,000 million kyat or 26 billion kyat from border area development fund and over 27,000 million kyat from the respective ministries totalling 54,000 million kyat have been spent on border area development projects from 1989 to this date. In other words, altogether 54 billion kyat have been spent on the projects.

To raise the living standard of the people living in highland areas, the first phase of the five-year plan to change the shifting cultivation to highland cultivation has been implemented and altogether 7326 acres of farmland have been reclaimed in Shan and Chin States.

Next, the Prime Minister presented endeavours made for human resource development in border areas. In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, efforts are being made harmoniously to produce highly qualified human resources both in the State and the respective regions. To produce highly qualified human resource in border areas, 19 National Races Youth Development Training Schools and 16 Domestic Science Schools have been opened in border areas and 2 Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges have been opened in Yangon and Mandalay.

In this academic year, a total of 1,749 national youths - 337 at primary school level, 923 at middle school level and 449 at high school level - are pursuing education at 19 national youth development training schools. Arrangements are also under way to open eight more schools of such kind in Lashio, Panglong, Hpa-an, Pakokku, Falam, Tonzang, Kale and Thantlang regions.

Moreover, rice and clothes are also provided for 579 students from Parahita schools in Buthidaung, Maungtaw, Kyauktaw, Paletwa, Monghsat, Leshi, Lahe, Mongpyin, Falam, Mindat and orphanage school in Matupi, funded by the Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs.

Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree Colleges were opened in Yangon and Mandalay to enable trainee students with high caliber of education from those schools to have access to university education. As a result, a total of 141 national youths have been nurtured to become graduates or degree holders. They are now serving at different ministries at border areas. Also in this academic year, a total of 388 national youths are pursuing education in art and science and are attending AGTI courses.

Furthermore, vocational schools for girls were also opened in border areas with the aim of preventing young women from going to foreign countries for work at risk to their morality and social rights. A total of 16 schools of such kind have produced 12,717 young women with knowledge of vocational education.

Knitting, a course suitable to such a cold region as Chin State, is also taught as an additional specialization.

Given the border area development and anti-drug tasks, the former is now being implemented with five objectives with 'To put an end to poppy cultivation through the establishment of business transactions in border areas' as one of them. In taking measures for development of border areas, priority is given to the emergence of socio-economic infrastructure in poppy-growing areas where transportation is difficult.

According to statistics, it will be found that 79.5% out of the total funds earmarked for development of border areas were spent in poppy-growing regions. In consequence of it, a considerable decline in poppy growing has become apparent as there emerged business opportunities for poppy growers. The continuous drop year after year can also be seen in the survey collected by Myanmar as well as in the poppy yield survey conducted by Myanmar and the United States of America. As said in a statement of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the poppy cultivation in Myanmar for the year 2003 stood at 47,130 hectares, a two-thirds drop when compared with 163,000 hectares in 1966. In spite of differences in the statements issued by international organizations, their calculations signal a sharp fall in cultivation and production of poppy in Myanmar.

In the past, serious steps were taken to curb the poppy production and cultivation by destroying poppy fields and by launching operations. However, the poppy cultivation did not drop sharply. Only the introduction of regional development tasks and poppy-substitute agriculture and livestock breeding resulted in paving the way for the emergence of other business opportunities. The success in making the menace of narcotic drugs known to national races living in border areas also saw a decrease in production and cultivation of poppy. The measures being taken according to the 15-year plan for eradication of poppy and the New Destiny Project also keep the continuous fall in poppy cultivation and production.

To be able to speed up the measures to eradicate the poppy cultivation, a task force was formed under the leadership of the four deputy ministers from the

Ministry of Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to make field trips to supervise the tasks. As for cooperation with UN agencies, Wa Alternative Development Project (WADP), which is being undertaken by the UNODC and the CCDAC, is now being implemented with the contribution of US$ 11.623 million by UNODC in Mongpauk Township, Wa region (South) up to 2005 as of 1998. Education, health, food sufficiency, mass development, alternative incomes, narcotics and AIDS awareness, construction of infrastructure and the monitoring of poppy cultivation are major tasks being undertaken now.

In Kokang region from September to December 2003, the World Food Programme (WFP) provided 760 tons of rice for farmers who gave up poppy cultivation. A total of US$ 0.199 million were spent on that programme. As the second phase, the WFP has made arrangements for distribution of 9,855 tons of rice to Kokang, Wa, Kaungkha, Mongkoe, Phaunghsai, Tamone, Manton and Mongpan regions under the programmes of "Food for Work" and "School Feeding" from April 2004 to the end of March 2005. Those programmes will cost US$ 3.6 million.

As the HDI Phase IV, CDRT Project is being implemented with the contribution of US$ 5.5 million by UNDP from December 2002 to February 2005. That Project covers the education, health, food sufficiency, increased incomes, safe drinking water, environmental conservation, forest reservation and AIDS control measures being carried out in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Tanai, Haka, Falam, Tiddim, Thantlang, Paletwa, Kyauktaw, MraukU, Minpya, Buthidaung and Maungtaw Townships.

Nippon Foundation of Japan also rendered a cash assistance of US$ 3 million to construction of 100 schools in Shan State. The project is also implemented by Natala and NGOs of Japan in a span of five years from 2002 to 2007. During 2002 and 2003, a total of 14 schools in northern Shan State and 26 in southern Shan State totalling 40 were constructed. Arrangements are under way to construct 20 more schools.

To sum up, success has been achieved in the tasks for development of border areas and national races thanks to the harmonious and combined efforts of the ministries, regional work committees, work subcommittees, leaders of national races in the regions and the people in line with the directives given by the Central Committee and the supervision of respective work committees. The improvement of socio-economic infrastructure in border areas will contribute to frequent interrelations among national people living in different regions of the country, thereby promoting friendship and building trust among each other.

Next, Secretary of Central Committee for Development of Border Areas and National Races Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe

Win reported on the resolutions of the Central Committee.

He said the government has been implementing the border area development tasks with greater momentum in 68 townships in seven states and two divisions since 1989 in accord with the guidance of the central committee. As progress has been made in border areas, efforts are being made for development of other administrative, economic and social sectors in accord with the guidelines passed in the previous meeting of the central committee.

He said in education and health sectors, 65 high schools, 58 middle schools and 644 primary schools have been opened up to 29-2-2004. Altogether 3,083 teaching staff are teaching 108,621 students. He said health care services are being given to the people after opening of 54 hospitals, 81 dispensaries, 32 rural health care centres and 52 sub-rural health care centres up to 29-2-2004.

He said altogether 7,326.40 acres of highland cultivation were reclaimed for farmers who used slash-and-burn cultivation method in border areas. Departmental offices, schools and hospitals were opened in order to effectively undertake administrative, economic and social matters of the people in border areas. In some regions construction of a high school and one or two middle schools are under way according to the significant conditions.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Nyunt Tin reported on reclamation of highland farming with five objectives in accord with the guidance of the Head of State, regions chosen for reclamation of highland farming, formation of leading and work committees, machinery requirements and supply, strength of service personnel, programmes and amount for reclamation of highland farming and work done.

Next, Minister for Forestry Brig-Gen Thein Aung reported on arrangements for systematic conservation of depleted forests after using slash-and-burn cultivation method by the farmers, formation of committees for the end of slash-and-burn cultivation method and future tasks.

Minister for Home Affairs Col Tin Hlaing reported on region-wise administrative, economic and social sectors and regional development. Next, Minister for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs Col Thein Nyunt reported on construction and maintenance of strategic roads and work to be done.

In his conclusion, Senior General Than Shwe said border area development tasks are the ones with firm objectives. He spoke of the need to make endeavours for progress in the region with momentum and to lay down objectives for more progress year after year.

He said strenuous efforts are to be made for border region development, peace and stability and prevalence of law and order in the region.

He urged officials to make continued efforts for implementation of highland fa rming aimed at eradication of poverty of local people and progress of their economic life. It is necessary to make arrangements for ending slash-and-burn cultivation methods and eradication of poppy growing in some regions. He spoke of the need to reclaim lands for highland farming in order to settle on one place for the farmers using slash-and-burn cultivation method and to establish basic foundations for education and health.

Considerable progress has been made in education, health and economic sectors and better transport is to be enhanced, he added. As the development of better transport, rapid progress can be made between the regions that lagged behind in development and developed regions.

Tasks for development and organizational matters are to be undertaken for realization of the objectives of border area development tasks.

The meeting then came to an end.

YANGON, 29 March - The opening ceremony of the main hall of Myanmar Maritime University was held at Thilawa, Thanlyin township, Yangon South District this morning, attended by Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt.

Present on the occasion were Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, Deputy Ministers, officials of State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, the Rector of the Myanmar Maritime University, the Pro-Rector and Professors, lecturers, national construction entrepreneurs, officials of social organizations, students, dance troupe and guests.

First, Maung Nyan Lin, Maung Han Zaw Oo and Maung Kaung Myat Thu, first year outstanding students of Myanmar Maritime University formally opened the archway of the university.

Next, Chairman of Myanmar Education Committee Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party planted Gangaw trees at designated places in front of the new main building of the university.

Afterwards, Maung An Zaw Khun, first year outstanding student, Maung Thet Naing and Maung Zeyar Maung Maung, second year outstanding students, formally opened the new main building of the university.

Later, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt formally unveiled the bronze plaque and sprinkled scented water on it.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt together with the Rector of the Myanmar Maritime University, the Pro-Rector and Professors, lecturers and students posed for a documentary photo.

Next, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt made a speech on the occasion. He said Myanmar Maritime University lies on green and pleasant campus. The State and students can be proud of the university for it can teach and train the students in the lecture halls of the modern and magnificent main building with the use of modern teaching aids in accord with the status of international universities.

He said he was delighted at the opening of the main building of the university. He said the students can learn advanced education at the university with the use of modern teaching aids and the government believes that it would be able to produce outstanding maritime intellectuals and intelligentsia in the near future.

He said now the government on self-reliance basis is building human resources of international standard for enabling the nation to keep pace with the development of the nations of the world and to stand tall among them as an independent and sovereign state with the strength of national solidarity, national development and strong national economic life.

He said rapid and incomparable development and changes of international science and technology influence on education, health, social, economic, defence and security sectors.

Therefore, building highly qualified human resources of international standard with the strength of national development and strong national economic life is essential. Systematic arrangements are to be made for dissemination of modern science and technology in all development sectors and producing well-versed human resources in all sectors, he said. He said it is a prime national requirement to produce highly-qualified technicians, engineers, architects and scientists in accord with the changes of science and technology in various sectors in efforts to emerge a modern developed nation.

Therefore, the government established specialized universities and made arrangements for teaching of specialized subjects in universities and colleges and for conferring post diplomas and MA and PhD degrees on graduates.

Emergence of such universities as Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University and Myanmar Maritime University is a significant development in the country. Head of State Senior General Than Shwe gave guidance on laying down firm objectives on various sectors and implementation of the future plans in conformity with advanced science and technology and on establishment of respective universities to produce intellectuals and intelligentsia, construction engineers who are able to build aircraft and ships. This is why these two universities have emerged, he said.

He said maritime transport plays a vital role in world trade and freight and oil and natural gas transport and making holiday trips on ocean-liners and luxury-liners is in vogue. Moreover, maritime power also plays a vital role in State security and defence.

He said producing and training maritime officers and engineers, shipbuilding engineers and architects in the country contributes towards national development, strong national economic life and safeguarding State security.

Moreover, Myanmar is teeming with many rivers and creeks with long coastal region and the nation is also blessed with invaluable natural resources. With maintenance and management of river and creeks and building and managing of deep sea port will contribute much towards not only national development but also efforts for wining the sea.

The government has been making systematic arrangements to establish Myanmar Maritime University complete with the characteristics of international universities and thus a grand university that will bring about development of maritime technologies that meet the international standard has now emerged.

The leading committee and sub-committees were formed to ensure that curricula of the university will meet the standard of international universities, the university to possess enough teaching aids and reference books, various subjects that flourish in maritime field to be conducted at the university and assigning skilled teachers.

At present, courses for B.E (Naval Architecture), B.E (Marine engineering), B.E (Marine Electrical System and Electronics), B.E ( River and Ocean Engineering), B.E (Port and Harbour Engineering) have been conducted at MMU. Moreover, B.Sc and B.Sc (Hons) (Nautical Science) courses have also been conducted, he said.

With cooperation of international maritime universities and experts, efforts are being made to ensure that curricula and courses are meeting the international standard. Visiting professors have been invited to lecture the students. Teachers from the university have been sent abroad for further studies.

As modern teaching aids have been installed at the university, ship handling simulator and engine room simulator and engineering application software are now being applied in conducting courses.

With grand buildings of the university, MMU equipped with the characteristics of international maritime universities in form and essence has emerged.

The Prime Minister urged the students to become outstanding maritime experts through learning hard at the university.

The teachers are also required to nurture their students to become well-rounded individuals who are willing to serve the interest of the country and the people.

Teachers and students are to strive in harmony to ensure the continuous emergence of experts, architects and engineers from the Myanmar Maritime University through the creation of human resources much needed for the establishment of a modern and developed nation.

Lastly, the Prime Minister urged all students to establish themselves into intellects, intelligentsia and engineers capable of playing a leading role in advanced education while pursuing required education with peace of mind. He also called for the cooperation of teachers, parents and students to make efforts to enable the university to stand proud and tall as an institution of international standard.

Next, U Thein Tun, rector of the university, explained the purpose of the opening of the university.

Afterward, on behalf of the students Maung Thet Naing of second year outstanding (Naval Architecture) spoke words of thanks for building of Myanmar Maritime University.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt accepted K 30 million donated by Chairman of Shwe Marla Company U Aung Htwe to the trust funds of the university.Then, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt handed over K 30 million to the Rector of the Myanmar Maritime University.

At the same time, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt presented '2003 RINA Myanmar Shipyards Award' to outstanding student of second year (Senior) Maung Thet Naing(Naval Architecture). Later, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Hla Myint Swe, Deputy Ministers U Pe Than and Col Nyan Tun Aung and Rector U Thein Tun accepted cash donation K 17.714 million donated by wellwishers. They presented certificates of honour to wellwishers.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party viewed round the computer booths displayed by Suntac Technologies, Silver Wave Co Ltd and Bagan Cybertech and gave encouragement to the students learning advanced maritime subjects at Engine Room Simulator Lab and Ship Handling Simulator Lab.

YANGON, 29 March - Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, accompanied by officials, inspected Pyay Toungtan oil and gas field, Shwedaung Township in Bago

Division yesterday afternoon.

At the briefing hall, an official concerned reported on production of oil and gas in cooperation with Chinnery Assets Company of the People's Republic of China. Officials also presented supplementary reports. The minister laid down future tasks for maintenance of old wells and the digging of new ones in time, and production of oil and gas.

During his tour, the minister also inspected new well No 655 in Mann oil field, Minbu Township, Magway Division. Officials reported to the minister on the drilling of the well and prospects for oil and gas production.

Afterwards, the minister gave instructions on increased production of new oil and gas and oversaw the progress of the drilling of well No 655.

YANGON, 29 March - The 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day commemorative exhibition continued today for the fourth day at the Defence Services Museum here.

The Tatmadaw men who participated in the Armed Forces Day parade drills and the public totalling 2,220 visited the exhibition today. The quiz contest was also conducted in the exhibition and prizes were awarded to the winners daily.

YANGON, 29 March - The 59th Anniversary Armed Forces Day commemorative Literary and Arts Exhibition continued today at the Tatmadaw Convention Hall on U Wisara Road here.

Literary and arts quiz contest was conducted and cash awards were presented to the winners daily.

Enthusiasts totalling over 650 visited the exhibition.

YANGON, 29 March - A research team led by U Aye Maung, Deputy Director of the Archaeological Department of the Ministry of Culture in Mandalay, and another research team led by U Kyaw Kyaw, Assistant Director, made field trips to the regions concerned from February to the second week of March 2004 to study the once-flourished cultures that had connected among old Tagaung city, old Hanlin city and Pyinsalangamyo. Their findings were displayed at the hall of the

Ministry of Culture this morning.

The ancient artefacts excavated by the two research teams during their field trips were viewed by Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung, Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Soe Win Maung, directors-general of departments under the ministry, and the rector of the Yangon University of Culture.

Among the artefacts were New Stone-Age stone rings, stone weapons, bronze bracelets, Pyu-era roof tiles, earth pots, earthern bowls, strings of beads made of earth, earthern smoking pipes, shells, strings of beads made of bones and multicoloured stones, one human lower jaw with a complete set of teeth, and bones of deer. It is estimated that those artefacts date back to the New Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Pyu Era. According to the close examination at the drawing designs on broken earthern pots, a conclusion can be drawn that the cultures of those periods were of high standard.

The evidences from the signs and designs of those artefacts show that the standard of the cultures that had thrived during those three periods were in general not much different from each other and that there flourished Pyu culture in all the old cities.

YANGON, 29 March - A course on Intercountry Workshop on 'Health Mapper for Malaria Control Programme in the Countries of South East Asia Region', jointly organized by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), was opened today at the Grand Palaza Park Royal Hotel here this morning, with an address delivered by Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, directors-general of departments under the ministry, deputy directors-general, rectors, directors, representatives from Geneva-based WHO and the Office of the Director of South East Asian Region, WHO Resident Representative Dr Agostino Borra, Mr Takahiro Sasaki from JICA, malaria experts from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal and India, and guests.

After the speech given by Minister Dr Kyaw Myint, Dr Agostino Borra and Mr Takahiro Sasaki also made speeches. The workshop continues till 1 April.

YANGON, 29 March - The plenary meeting of delegates of State/Division Organizations for Women's Affairs of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation continued for the second and final day at Myanmar Convention Centre in Mayangon Township this morning.

Present were Chairperson of Leading Committee for holding of State/Division Organizations for Women's Affairs President of MWAF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Vice- Presidents Professor Dr Daw May May Yi, Daw Khin Lay Thet, Daw Than Than Nwe and Daw Khin Khin Win, Adviser Daw Khin Than Nwe and advisers, General Secretary Professor Dr Daw Khin Aye Win and members of the Central Executive Committee, officials and guests.

President of MWAF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe, Vice-Presidents Professor Dr Daw May May Yi, Daw Khin Lay Thet, Daw Than Than Nwe and Daw Khin Khin Win acted as members of the Panel of Chairpersons at the meeting. President of MWAF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe spoke on the occasion.

The delegates of Bago (West), Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions reported on work done from January to March 2004. Those present discussed the reports and general matters. President of MWAF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe took part in the discussions. In the afternoon session, the delegates reported on the work done.

Vice- President Professor Dr Daw May May Yi had discussions on prevention of violence against women, prevention of trafficking in person and rehabilitation and resettlement, Daw Khin Lay Thet on education, health, economic and environment matters, Daw Than Than Nwe on culture, information and measures taken for young women and national races affairs and Daw Khin Khin Win on discipline, finance and management and organizational matters.

General Secretary Professor Dr Daw Khin Aye Win reported on the suggestions.

The meeting concluded after closing remarks by President of MWAF Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe.

YANGON, 29 Mach - A coordination meeting for International Trade Delegation to the East Asia Region 2004 which was organized by KOTRA of Korean Embassy to Myanmar was held at Traders Hotel on Sule Pagoda Road this morning.

Present on the occasion were Korean Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Lee Kyong-Woo, Commercial Attache Mr Choi Yong-Tae and officials, group leader Mr Jung Hyeon-Tae of