• Senior General Than Shwe inspects development of Hainggyi Island region
• Secretary-1 inspects multi-purpose dam projects, hydro-electric power projects in Magway Division

• Meeting to ensure greening of 30-mile radius of Yangon Airport held
• Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport meets
• e-Procurement Project formally launched 
• Myanmar Trade Fair 2004 launched
• Management Officers Course ends
• Information tasks inspected in Mandalay, Sagaing Divisions

• Minister receives guests
• Deputy Minister receives guests
• Chinese journalist delegation continues Yangon excursion
• WHO director for SEA region leaves
• Vietnamese delegation leaves
• Appointment of Ambassador agreed on

• Heroin seized in Lashio
• 246 drug cases exposed in February

YANGON, 2 April - Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing paid homage to Maha Makutayanthi Hsandawshin Pagoda in Mawtinsoon and Manaungmyin Pyidawbyan Buddha Image in Zalun in Ayeyawady Division yesterday and today.

Accompanied by members of the State Peace and Development Council General Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo and Lt-Gen Tin Aye, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Rear-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Chairman of Ayeyawady Division Peace and Development Council Commander of South-West Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing, ministers, deputy ministers, senior military officers of the Ministry of Defence, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and heads of department, Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing arrived at Maha Makutayanthi Hsandawshin Pagoda in Mawtinsoon, Ngapudaw Township, from Pathein by helicopter at 9.30 am yesterday. They were welcomed by Command General Staff Col Tint Swe and officials.

The Senior General and wife and party offered flowers, lights and water to the Buddha images of the pagoda. They paid obeisance to the pagoda.

At the Dhammayon of the pagoda, they paid respects to Sayadaws led by Chairman of Township Sangha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Maha Saddham-majotika Bhaddanta Pan-dita, and presented offertories to the monks. Sayadaw Bhaddanta Pandita delivered a sermon. The congregation shared the merits gained. Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing donated cash to the pagoda funds.

On arrival at Hainggyi Island by helicopter, the Senior General and party were welcomed by Capt Aye Pe (Navy) of regional station, military officers, departmental personnel and members of social organizations. At the guest house, Senior General Than Shwe and party heard a report on Hainggyi Island region presented by Rear-Admiral Soe Thein and Capt Aye Pe (Navy). In his guidance, the

Senior General said as Hainggyi Island region is located at the boundary of the Myanmar territorial waters, harmonious efforts should be made to further strengthen the rule of law, regional peace and stability, administrative machinery and regional development.

Local people are required to be imbued with the spirit to ensure national security, patriotism and the spirit to love the Union, while possessing the will to safeguard their region and the nation by themselves.

The Government will fulfil and make arrangements for regional development, and it will practically implement the five rural development tasks for progress of Hainggyi Island and its surrounding areas.

Efforts will have to be made in cooperation with the local people for development of transport infrastructure.

Endeavours should be made for development of not only the island, but also its surrounding areas. There must be a harmony between the regional development and national development undertakings. Besides, the implementation of the national development tasks must be in harmony with the international trend and developments. Only then will the whole nation including the rural areas achieve greater progress.

The Senior General and party viewed the development of the island in a motorcade. Back in Pathein at 9.30 am today, they paid respects to State Oavadacariya Sayadaws, Sayadaws of State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Sayadaws of the State Central Working Committee of the Sangha and Sayadaws of Division and Township Sangha Nayaka Committees at Sasana Beikmandawgyi.

Local authorities, departmental personnel, members of Union Solidarity and Development Association and other social organizations and religious associations and guests were also present.

Joint Secretary of the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Osadhabhivamsa administered the Five Precepts. Senior General Than Shwe and Daw Kyaing Kyaing presented eight requisites, dry rations and offertories to State Ovadacariya Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Sirindara, aged 97, vasa 77, of Kaba Aye Monastery.

General Thura Shwe Mann and members of the State Peace and Development Council also offered the eight requisites and provisions to Sayadaws.

Member of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Nyaungpintha Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Visutta delivered a sermon, followed by the sharing of merits gained by Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing, party and the congregation.

The ceremony came to an end with the recitation of Buddha sasanam ciram tithatu three times. After the ceremony, Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party viewed round Pathein by car.

Next, Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party arrived at Zalun by helicopter. They were welcomed there by Col Bo Ni, senior military officers, departmental officials, members of social organizations and locals. Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party visited Manaungmyin Pyidawbyan Pagoda, where they offered alms, fruits, lights, flowers, water and joss sticks to the Buddha Image and paid homage to it.

They also offered Shwe Thingan to the Buddha Image. After signing in the visitors' book at the pagoda, Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing donated cash to the pagoda through the pagoda board of trustees. Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and his entourage arrived back here by helicopter in the afternoon.

General Thura Shwe Mann, member of the entourage of Senior General Than Shwe, cordially met with the officers and other ranks of the battalions and units of Pathein Station and their families at Ayeyawady Hall of South-West Command in Pathein yesterday morning.

YANGON, 2 April- Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Soe Win, accompanied by Member of the State Peace and Development Council

Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, deputy ministers, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental heads, left here by air on 1 April morning and arrived in Magway at 7.30 am.

The Secretary-1 and party were welcomed at Magway Airport by Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Ye Myint, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min and officials.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party flew to the construction site of Kyeeon Kyeewa Dam Project in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Division by helicopter.

At the briefing hall, Director U Tun Aung Lwin of Construction-3 of Irrigation Department reported on facts about the dam, annually generating of 300 million kilowatt hours of electricity on completion and requirements. Director-General U Kyaw San Win gave a supplementary report.

After hearing the reports, the Secretary-1 said that they have experiences and qualification in construction to a certain extent. It is required to minimize loss and wastage of heavy machinery and fuel in the construction sites as much as possible. All the workers are to conscientiously discharge their duties in construction for ensuring timely completion of the tasks meeting set standard. And, departmental heads at different levels are to supervise the staff for uplift of their morale.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party inspected construction of separation wall and diversion canal with the use of heavy machinery.

Kyeeon Kyeewa Dam Project is being implemented in Pwintbyu Township. It lies in the region five miles from Mezali Diversion Weir in Pwintbyu Township and 15 miles away from Mone Creek Multi-purpose Dam Project in Sedoktara Township. The dam will be 164 feet high and 3,280 feet long.

Flow of water from Mone Creek Dam and from watershed area of the two dams will be controlled to be able to generate 60 megawatt of electricity through Kyeeon Kyeewa Dam and to supply farmlands through canals of Mezali Dam. So, the project will be able to control the water flow of Mone Creek.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to Buywa Dam Project in Sedoktara Township where Director U Myint Than of Construction-8 of ID reported on preliminary works of the project, finding of the axis and embankment, land preparations and geological conditions. Officials gave supplementary reports. The Secretary-1 attended to the needs and gave necessary instructions.

The project site is situated near Bu village, 13 miles upstream the Mone Creek Dam in Sedoktara Township, Magway Division. On completion, it will have a capacity to generate some 300 kilowatts hours of electricity a year.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at the Mone Creek Multi-purpose Dam Project in Sedoktara Township, Minbu District, Magway Division. Deputy Minister for Electric Power U Myo Myint reported on cooperation of the Hydro Electric Power Department and the Irrigation Department in implementing the project that will be able to generate 75 megawatts of electricity, work progress, tasks being carried out and arrangements for timely completion of the project; Deputy Director-General of the HEPD U Aung Koe Shwe, on progress of work; and Director of the Construction Group-8 of the ID U Myint Than, on progress in constructing separation wall, the main embankment, tunnels, power intake structure, buildings, the dam and the spillway. Director-General of the ID U Kyaw San Win gave a supplementary report.

Regarding the reports, the Secretary-1 called for cooperation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation and the Ministry of Electric Power for timely completion of the project.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party inspected work progress round the project site.

At the Central Control Room of the Mone Creek hydel power station, the Secretary-1 and party heard reports on the generation of electricity and distribution of electricity to Chauk power substation.

Next, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win presented baskets of fruits to Chinese technicians from CITIC Technology Co Ltd of the People's Republic of China who are rendering assistance to the Mon Creek hydel power station project.

The Mone Creek multi-purposed dam project is being implemented on Mone Creek, two miles north of Sedoktara city. On completion, the project will not only supply water to a total of 108,000 acres of farmland but also generate 330 million kilowatt hours on an annual basis.

Before 1988, the country could produce a total of over 580 megawatts of electricity on a national basis. However, after 1988, more than 560 megawatts of electricity was produced additionally by constructing 28 hydel power stations and six gas-powered stations, totalling 34 stations.

As a result, nearly 1,200 megawatts of electricity can now be generated.

At the same time, efforts are under way to produce another 2,000 megawatts of electricity with the use of rich water resources in the third five-year plan.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win and party arrived back in Magway by helicopter and met with departmental officials and members of social organizations at the city hall of Magway.

Magway Division Peace and Development Council Chairman Col Zaw Min reported on the location of Magway Division, its climate, the use of land and water resources, cultivation of crops, sufficiency of rice and edible oil in the region, cultivation of major crops, the undertaking of livestock breeding, the investment in industrial zones and their productivity, education, health and rural development measures.

Departmental officials reported on progress of their tasks and the requirements to be fulfilled.

Next, Lt-Gen Ye Myint spoke of the need of departmental officials to organize local people to cooperate with the Government in regional development tasks.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Soe Win said that in building a modern and developed nation, the Government has been laying down and implementing long-term and short-term plans.

Dam projects and river water pumping station projects have been implemented to extend cultivation of the ten main crops including paddy till reaching the goal. Priority has been given to irrigation as Magway Division gets less amount of rainfall annually. Magway Division is one of the six most reliable divisions of the nation.

The division cannot produce enough food for its local requirement yet.

Thus, efforts should be made to extend sown acreage, multiple cropping and per acre yield, while effectively using the irrigation facilities set up by the Government.

The Government has been using various means of irrigation to ensure surplus food for the growing population of the future, and to enable them to live with peace of mind. Thus, all the local people will have to strive for regional agricultural development.

Besides, industrial development plays a key role in building a modern and developed nation that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the global nations.

Nineteen industrial zones have been set up for industrial development, and various means are being applied to develop the private industries.

The Government has been opening institutions of higher learning and subject-wise advanced level courses to bring out brilliant new generation and experts in various fields and develop human resources who may help develop the nation.

As various means are being applied in generating hydro power from rivers and creeks to supply enough electricity to the nation's industrial sector, the nation will enjoy adequate power supply in the near future.

In addition to the national development drive, border area development project, 24-development zone project and five rural tasks have been or are being implemented for progress of all sectors and all regions of the nation.

Thanks to the Government's farsighted efforts, the nation is on the development track.

It is a common knowledge that seven-point future policy programme has been laid down and implemented to build a modern, developed and discipline-flourishing democratic nation.

All the national races will have to strive for the success of the programme. Local authorities and departmental personnel are urged to serve the interest of the regions they are assigned and of the nation.

The Secretary-1 cordially greeted those present at the meeting.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party proceeded to the 200-bed teaching hospital construction project site of Magway Institute of Medicine.

At the briefing hall, the Secretary-1 and party heard a report presented by Director of Myanma Industrial Construction Services under the Ministry of Industry-2 U Than Aye on matters related to construction of the 200-bed teaching hospital.

After giving necessary instructions, the Secretary-1 and party inspected construction of the 200-bed teaching hospital.

After that, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at Magway Institute of Medicine where they were welcomed by the rector, associate professors , heads of department, registrar and faculty members.

At the meeting hall, Rector of Magway Institute of Medicine U Than Myint reported on construction of the institute, academic and management matters and staff affairs.

Director-General of Medical Science Department Dr U Maung Maung Wint gave a supplementary report.

Later, the Secretary-1 gave necessary instructions.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party viewed round physiological practical room, library, computer room and construction of Block-C for the institute.

Afterwards, the Secretary-1 and party arrived at the Thaphanseik river water pumping project being undertaken by Water Resources Utilization Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Thaphanseik region, Magway Township where they were welcomed by departmental officials.

At the briefing hall, Deputy Director-General of Water Resources Utilization Department U Hla Myint Maung reported to the Secretary-1 and party on matters related to the river water pumping project.

Next, Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Zaw Min reported on irrigated farmlands of river water pumping projects in Magway Division.

After giving necessary instructions, the Secretary-1 inspected the Thaphanseik river water pumping project and flow of Ayeyawady river. On completion, the project will benefit about 7,200 acres of farmlands in Thaphanseik region, Magway Township and contribute to greening of 7-mile radius of Magway.

Next, the Secretary-1 and party arrived in Magway.

YANGON, 2 April - The meeting to ensure greening of 30-mile radius of Yangon International Airport all the year round was held at the meeting hall of Yangon Command Headquarters this morning, attended by Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe.

Speaking on the occasion, the commander said that the plan is being implemented for cultivation of monsoon and summer paddy, edible oil crops, vegetables and other crops to ensure greening of 30-mile radius of Yangon International Airport all the year round. The government has spent a large amount of money on water supply system for the plan. Departmental officials are to industriously supervise cultivation matters for greening tasks in vacant and virgin lands of respective zones.

Next, officials reported on their respective sectors. Later, the commander gave necessary instructions and attended to their needs.

YANGON, 2 April-The Yangon Division Supervisory Committee for Ensuring Secure and Smooth Transport held its meeting at the meeting hall of Yangon Command at 4 pm today with an address by Chairman of the Supervisory Committee Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Myint Swe. In his address, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe stressed a host of measures to be taken by members of the Supervisory Committee for the convenience of passengers commuting downtown Yangon and from Yangon to various parts of the country.

Next, members of the Supervisory Committee reported on tasks being carried out for the convenience of passengers.

Next, Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe made a speech. He said that the road accidents in Yangon Division have been on the decrease; that but there have been still road accidents due to recklessness of drivers and pedestrians; that officials at different levels are to take severe action against the drivers and action to the pedestrians.

YANGON, 2 April- With the directives of the e-National Task Force and cooperation of Myanmar ICT Development Corporation Ltd, the e-Government Pilot Projects such as e-Visa, e-Passport, Smart Card, Smart School and Certification Au thority are being implemented.

Today, the e-Procurement programme was formally launched for 2004-2005 financial year at MICT Park, Hline Universities' Campus, here, this morning.

Present were Chairman of the e-National Task Force Minister for Communications, Posts and Telegraphs Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Deputy Minister for Mines U Myint Thein, Deputy Minister for Hotels and Tourism Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, MICTDC Chairman e-Application Committee Chairman Brig-Gen Thein Swe, members of the e-National Task Force, departmental heads from departments and enterprises which will start to apply the e-Procurement Project and officials of local and foreign companies.

YANGON, 2 April - The Myanmar Trade Fair 2004 was launched with the permission of the Ministry of Commerce and arrangements of the Quartz International Co Ltd at the Yangon Trade Centre on Upper Pazundaung Road in Mingala Taungnyunt this morning. It was attended by Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Deputy Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Aung Tun, departmental heads, officials, members of social organizations, Managing Director of the company Daw Myat Thet Aye and guests. The minister and the managing director formally opened the fair. Next, the ministers, the deputy minister and officials viewed the booths round the fair.

Displayed at the 45 booths of 35 companies are cosmetics, personal and household goods, fashion clothes, plastic wares, foodstuff, electric and electronic apparatus, traditional medicines together with services. The fair opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm until 5 April. Admission is free.

YANGON, 2 April - The Management Officers Course No 9 of the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance and Revenue concluded at the training hall of the department here this afternoon, with an address delivered by Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun.

It was attended by Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung, Director-General of the Customs Department Col Khin Maung Lin, directors-general and managing directors of departments and enterprises under the ministry. A total of 24 officers attended the course, which lasted eight weeks.

YANGON, 2 April - Deputy Minister for Information Brig-Gen Aung Thein, accompanied by Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay and officials, inspected Sagaing TV retransmission station yesterday morning. In meeting with staff there, the deputy minister stressed the importance of harmonious co-operation of officials and subordinates for achieving greater success. He called on the fresh personnel to become skilled ones by acquiring knowledge from superiors. He gave instructions on ensuring completion of installation of lightening conductors to the buildings before the rainy season. The deputy minister held a meeting with Sagaing District Information and Public Relations Department. On the occasion, the deputy minister gave instructions on making clarifications to step-by-step implementation of the State's seven-point policy programme for better knowledge of local people through wall newspapers.

On arrival at Mandalay, the deputy minister looked into progress of installation of the press for Upper Myanmar and Chanmyathazi Township IPRD. This morning, he inspected Mandalay sub-printing house and gave necessary instructions to the officials.

YANGON, 2 April - Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Pyi Sone received the journalist delegation led by Mr Liu Zhanmian of the Farmers' Daily of China, at his office on Strand Road this afternoon. Present were Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aung Tun and departmental heads.

YANGON, 2 April -Deputy Minister for Immigration and Population U Maung Aung received a three-memebr delegation led by Mr Sultan A Aziz, Director of Asia and Pacific Division of the UNFPA Headquarters, New York, at his office at 10 am today. Deputy Director-General of Population Department U Myo Min, Director Daw Khin May Aung and officials were present on the occasion.

YANGON, 2 April - The visiting six-member Chinese journalist delegation headed by Editor Mr Liu Zhanmian of the Farmers' daily of the People's Republic of China visited the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

The Chinese delegation observed the religious buildings and paid homage to the Buddha images around the pagoda platform and made cash donations to the pagoda funds.

Next, they visited Pyidaungsu Ayeyeiknyein at the corner of Pyay Road and Alone Road here.

They paid a courtesy call on Managing Director of the News and Periodicals Enterprise Col Soe Win at the New Light of Myanmar daily on Strand Road in Botahtaung Township later in the morning.

Also present at the call were advisers to the ministry, the director (News), chief editors and officials of the NPE.

Matters related to mutual understanding on news and further strengthening of friendship and cooperation were discussed.

The Chinese group also visited the Myanma Alin daily at No 53, 1st Natmauk Lane in Bahan Township here. They were conducted round the daily compound.

At the Oriental House restaurant on Myoma Kyaung Road here, Chairman of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung) presented gifts and hosted a luncheon to them.

In the evening, Managing Director Col Soe Win hosted a dinner in honour of the Chinese delegation. Present on the occasion were Deputy Ministers U Thein Sein and Brig-Gen Aung Thein, departmental heads and guests.

YANGON, 2 April - Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Director of the Southeast Asian Region of the World Health Organization, left here by air this morning as he had studied and discussed the health care activities being implemented in Myanmar under the programme of WHO.

He was seen off at Yangon International Airport by Deputy Minister for Health Dr Mya Oo, directors-general of departments under the ministry, deputy directors-general, officials, WHO Resident Representative Dr Agostino Borra and responsible personnel.

YANGON, 2 April - The three-member Vietnamese broadcasting delegation led by Mr Nguyen Van Khoa, Deputy Director of the Voice of Vietnam that visited Myanmar under the cooperation programme between the Myanma Radio and Television and the Voice of Vietnam, left here by air for home this morning.

The Vietnamese delegation was seen off at Yangon International Airport by U Ko Ko Htwe, Director (Myanma Radio) of MRTV of the Ministry of Information and officials.

YANGON, 3 April - The government of the Union of Myanmar has agreed to the appointment of His Excellency Mr El Hassane Zahid as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Union of Myanmar. He was born in 1950 at Fes and received a Masters Degree from National School of Administration in Rabat. He joined the diplomatic service and has served in various capacities at the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Missions in Dusseldorf and New York. He will be concurrently accredited as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Union of Myanmar with residence in Bangkok. He is married and has two children.

YANGON, 2 April - A combined team comprising members of local intelligence unit, Myanmar Police Force and Special Anti-Drug Squad, acting on information that narcotic drug will be sold at the tea shop near the market in Ward 2, Lashio, on 24 March, seized 669 grams of heroin hidden in 40 soap boxes from Ma Yan Kway Chin, daughter of U Yan Chauk Pauk of Namhsan Street, Region 18, Ward 5, Lashio.

According to further information, the team arrested U Yon Phint who was the owner of the heroin, son of U Laung Shan of Shwe Myitta Street, Region 9, Ward 6, Lashio.

Action is being taken against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law.

Action was taken against 322 persons in 246 cases - 265 men and 57 women - under the law in February 2004.