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ARCHIVES	Monday, 2 October 2006	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Local administrative bodies to serve interest of the people effectively Police urged to implement regional development tasks in cooperation with the people 42nd Myanmar Police Force Day observed

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Oct - The 42nd Anniversary Myanmar Police Force Day was observed at the Areindama Hall of Myanmar Police Force Headquarters here this afternoon with an address by Prime Minister General Soe Win.

Also present were Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo, Chief Justice U Aung Toe, Attorney-General U Aye Maung, Judge Advocate General Maj-Gen Soe Maung, the deputy ministers, the deputy attorneys-general, the director-general of the State Peace and Development Council Office, officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, MPF and guests.

In his address, Prime Minister General Soe Win said MPF has introduced reforms for over ten years to be a systematic organization, to be the reliable one trusted by the people and to be a consolidated reserve force in defending the nation in accord with the guidance of the Head of State. Successive achievements have been made in ensuring community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order, antinar-cotics campaign and community welfare services as the members of the police force at different levels actively take part in the reforms both in form and essence.

He said the police force members should not be content with such achievements and they are to continue to make efforts to become patriotic, efficient and modern MPF. Moreover, he said, morale, discipline, morals, understanding towards the people and willingness to help them are to be nurtured among the individual members.

Despite difference among the administrative machinery of the nations of the world, the police force is part of the administrative machinery. The police force is usually formed in every nation with the lofty aims of ensuring prevalence of law and order, community peace and tranquillity and protecting the people. The role of the police force varies depending on its formation and training. The police force was used to oppress the people by the authorities during some periods in certain countries and so it got notorious name.

Police came into existence an organization under the colonialist system and it had bitter experiences. The police force is to be built to be in oneness with the people after getting rid of thoughts and habits of the colonial periods. The will to protect the people, patriotism and the Union spirit are also to be cultivated among the members of the police force.

He said it is necessary for the police force members to always preserve its dignity and to avoid partiality and taking bribes while discharging the main duties. Man may have misconduct some time or somewhere as he is selfish by nature. Such kind of weaknesses can be controlled with caution.

Actual accused can be revealed with sound evidences through prompt investigation. Police members have to safeguard the judicial pillar as they are law enforcement persons, he said.

Effective administrative machinery is essential for the establishment of a modern developed discipline-flourishing democratic nation. That is why reforms are being made in the police force, the part of administrative machinery, in conformity with the changing conditions and system, he said.

He said reforms are being made in the nations of the world for the administrative system to be effective and efficient, to undertake the tasks, to serve the interests of the people and to fulfill their requirements. In other words, efforts are being made to provide quality service to the people.

Therefore, the term, good governance, becomes popular in administrative field. Only when proper and effective administrative system is established will the people trust in and rely on the system.

The administrative field is very wide and it covers administration, police tasks, courts, other related economic and social aspects and clerical work. Therefore, the administrative pillar is the main pillar of political, economic and social sectors. Correct organizational setup and form is necessary for the emergence of good and effective administration and procedures must also be in conformity with the present time. Now is the time when all-out efforts are being made for smooth transformation of one system to a new one. The people should not discharge the duties as usual but strenuous efforts are to be made, he pointed out.

He said officials of MPF and General Administration Department are discharging duties in the regional administrative bodies. The police commanders of the respective regions are to discharge both police tasks and functions of the respective peace and development councils.

Duties are assigned to the police commanders as the members local of administrative bodies according to the functions of the bodies and the needs during the transitional period. The police officers have gained experiences on greater and wider functions of the local administrative bodies.

The Prime Minister called on them to always study the national policies to get wider views and wider knowledge. He spoke of the need for them to understand that establishment of a modern nation and the nation-building tasks are related with the reforms of the police force.

Now, the reforms of the police force and local administrative bodies are being made in formation as well as in procedures to be in conformity with the forthcoming State Constitution. The MPF will be a consolidated force and executive officers of GAD will also be important officials at different levels.

He said the functions of the local administrative bodies are to serve the interest of the people effectively without becoming a burden to them, to implement regional development tasks in cooperation with the people and to maintain regional stability and peace.

He pointed out the fact that weakness of individual persons and improper measures undertaken by the bodies may hinder the national and regional development. He called on the administrative bodies at different levels and government organizations to implement plans of the transitional process unitedly.

He also stressed the importance of abiding by the laws, observing discipline, avoiding malpractices.

He said in international situations, small nations are taking special care not to become a puppet government or satellite country of some powerful nations. A new nation has to be built in correct way on self-reliance basis despite the pressure, coercion, and sanctions that encroach upon the self-determination. He said unity and power of the people is the main factor and urged the officials to discharge duties properly in accord with the slogan ? the strength of the people lies within.

Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe presented first prizes to Police Sgt Soe Naing of Bago Division (West) and Constable Aung Lwin Moe of Criminal Investigation Department in the Sgt level and constable level Police Code of Conduct Contests.

Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo awarded first prizes to Police Captain Kyaw Soe of Chin State Police Force and Sub-IP Ye Htut of CID in the Police Captain level and SIP level Police Code of Conduct Contests.

Prime Minister General Soe Win put a sash of model police on Police L/Cpl Kyaw Myo Oo of Police Battalion Control Commander's Office in the Police Code of Conduct Contest, and presented cash reward to him.

After the ceremony, Prime Minister General Soe Win and party viewed documentary photos of the Department against Transnational Crime, the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control and Drug Elimination Department, the Wireless and Traffic Police Force, the Special Duty Unit of MPF, Nay Pyi Taw Police Force, the Police Battalions Control Commander's Office, the CID, the Development Affairs Police Force and Railway Police Force displayed in the hall of MPF Headquarters.

Senior citizens in Myanmar held in esteem and taken care of according to culture, customs and social norms and teachings of the Buddha International Day of Older Persons 2006 observed

Yangon, 1 Oct - Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein delivered an address at the ceremony to mark the International Day of Older Persons 2006 held at International Business Centre on Pyay Road, here, this afternoon, and presented gifts, cash assistance and medicines to older persons.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, the ministers, the departmental heads, chairmen and responsible persons of social organizations, Ambassa-dors and Charges d'Affaires ai of foreign missions, resident repre-sentatives of UN agencies, chairmen of Home for the Aged Administrative Board and secretaries, guests, wellwishers, the aged and officials.

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein delivered an address. He said that the United Nations designated 1st October as Inter-national Day of Older Persons in 1999. Therefore, Myanmar has been organizing the commemorative ceremonies of the day yearly in line with the responsibility of a member of the United Nations. Today's cere-mony is the eighth of its kind.

Myanmar people have a fine tradition to take care of senior citizens like their parents. Myanmar actively participates in the international activity to create a better and pleasant environments for the senior citizens with a view to preserving fine tradition and discharging duty as a member of the global family.

Nowadays, the world population has exceeded 6,500 million, and 690 million persons in the world over the age of 60 became older persons. The population of Myanmar are more than 55.4 million, and 4.6 million of whom are the aged above 60. Therefore, one of 12 persons is an older person.

Thanks to developing bio-technologies, the global people come to live increasingly longer lives. At present, the increasing number of older persons across the world is a serious social problem. Many countries have a wide range of task to take care of the older persons. Hence, the United Nations is giving encouragement to all the global countries to take care of older persons by adopting five basic principles for the elder persons to lead a better and pleasant life. Therefore, all the countries pay attention to taking care of the aged while adhering to the UN-adopted five principles.

In carrying out development task of the social sector, the Government had laid down the plans to take care of children, disabled persons and the aged. It can be said that the tasks to take care of older persons in Myanmar is the fine tradition of social welfare service in line with the policy of the government.

In fact, Myanmar is one of the first-ever countries that conducted the aged care services. In the history of Myanmar, Myanmar kings placed emphasis on taking care of older persons and patients as a fine tradition. During the Inwa period in 1156 ME, King Thalun also performed the meritorious deed by taking care of older persons. So also, King Min Don followed the tradition of his predecessors. The painting of artist Saya Mya, illustrating that three physicians are providing health care services to the aged and patients in Mandalay City, can be seen at the western stairway of Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay hill.

Due to the aggressive war of colonialists, there were many homeless older persons in the country in the past. At that time, grandma Oo Zun built Mingun Home for the Aged on Sagaing hill. Therefore, the aged care service got revitalized in Myanmar in 1276 Myanmar Era. Grandma Oo Zun built more homes for the aged in Thaton in 1289 ME, in Paungde in 1291, in Hninzigon of Yangon in 1295 and in Pakokku in 1299. At present, 52 homes for the aged have been established in the entire nation, and 2,196 older persons are being accommodated at the homes.

Myanmar people live in the human society with the extended family pattern. Therefore, every elderly person has the rights to receive care and respects from his family members and relatives. Senior citizens in Myanmar were held in esteem and taken care of according to the culture, customs, social norms and teachings of the Buddha.

However poor their relatives are, older persons enjoy their assistance and care service from them. So, caring older persons is not reckoned to be a social issue in the Myanmar society.

In Myanmar, life expectancy today is on the rise due to better care services. In 2005, life expectancies of rural people had increased to 60.8 years (men) and 63.32 years (women), from 56.2 (men) and 60.4 (women)in 1988. In the meantime, that of urban folks had risen to 61.5 years (men) and 65.6 years (women), in comparison with 59 and 63.2 in 1988.

With better longevity, the number of older people is burgeoning, and so is that of elderly persons who have no children or relatives to rely on.

So, the conditions call for proper arrangements for the welfare of the growing population of the aged. Other possible ways and means are to be sought in the drive in addition to homes for the aged. Now, eastern Asian countries including ASEAN members are employing international home care services such as home care service or voluntary base service, home base care service, community base care service, group home care service, day care centre, and voluntary elderly home.

Myanmar should also introduce new methods that are in conformity with its people, culture and tradition for the increasing number of older people.

The phase I of the Home Care for Older People programme submitted by the Help Aged Korea of the Republic of Korea was launched in April 2003 in ASEAN countries. In Myanmar, local NGOs, the Social Welfare Department and the Department of Health jointly launched it in Insein and Hlinethaya townships in Yangon Division in April 2004. The nation will join hands with other ASEAN members to implement the phase II (2006-2009).

The project focuses on the way that well-trained volunteers provide home care service needy and isolated older persons for raising their health and social standards. Due to the fine tradition of caring elderly persons respectfully, Myanmar has opportunities to achieve greater success than other countries in implementing the project.

Myanmar will not get any particular difficulties with the project as it is mobilizing the strength of State's social forces such as USDA, MWAF, MMCWA, and MRCS in the drive covering the entire nation. He called for continued efforts to see to the project.

He said that gifts and medicines will be provided for the old persons aged 80 and above from states and divisions at the ceremony.

It will not work beautifully if home care service is provided for the aged only on the days of significance, he said, calling for speeding up the care service by providing it to nearby older people in need, and contributing towards the project.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 called for continued efforts to ensure durability of the homes for the aged in addition to endeavours to establish more homes for the aged, contribution towards home care service that is compatible with the Myanmar's tradition of helping people in need, and successful implementation of the motto ?Towards a society for all ages? to enable the older people, like other citizens, to enjoy fruitful results of the drive for building a peaceful, modern and developed nation.

Afterwards, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Commander Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, the ministers, the president of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, the president of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and the ambassadors to Myanmar presented gifts, cash and medicines to U Tint Aung (Bogale Tint Aung), U Ba Gale (Cartoonist U Bagale), Wunna Kyawhtin Sein Mya Maung, U San Thein (Thiha Swe), Daw May Nwe, Artist U Thukha, Daw Kyan (Ma Kyan), Diving Tin Hla, Banjo U Maung Maung, U Tin Yu, Major Tun Nyein (Retd), Daw Yin Yin (Saw Mon Nyin), Sayagyi U Hmi, Daw Aung Than Tin, U Hla Kyaing (Paragu), U Htein Lin ( Ko Ko Tun), U Sein Win (Guardian U Sein Win), Thakhin Hla Kun (Moenyo), U Kyaw Hsan (Thu Khi Aung), Col Saw Myint (Retd) (Hmu Thamein), U Myint Soe, U Tha Din, U Sein Hla Myaing, U Kyaw Win (Nyo Win), Daw Hintha Kyi, U Sao Tun Hmat Win, U Lay Myaing (Lay Myint), Lt-Col Khin Maung Thaung (Retd), U Tin Maung (Theikpan Hmu Tin), U Hla Myaing (Ko Hsaung), Sayagyi U Tin Soe (Thagadoe), U San Win, U Mya Gyi and Sayagyi U Maung Maung Khin (Tekkatho Maung Maung Khin).

Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe presented K 3,170,000 to 45 homes for the aged and 34 oldest persons of States and Divisions, and 23 outstanding older persons to Chairman of the Work Committee for Organizing the International Day of Older Persons 2006 Director-General U Sit Myaing of Social Welfare Department.

On behalf of the older persons, U Tint Aung (Bogale U Tint Aung) and U Soe Thein of Hninzigon Home for the Aged expressed gratitude.

After the ceremony, the Secretary-1 greeted the ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires ai of foreign missions and the resident representatives of UN agencies.

Shan State North Special Region-2 opposes every act by US unjustifiably interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs using UN as a tool Accusation that Myanmar is posing a threat to stability of regional countries totally groundless

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Oct - Shan State North Special Region-2 on 26 September issued declaration on its stance on the decision to put Myanmar affairs on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

Shan State North Special Region-2
Wa' Solidarity Army
Headquarters, Pankham.
The declaration of Shan State North Special Region-2

1. It is learnt that due to the submission of the permanent US representative to the UN that Myanmar's situations are posing a threat to regional stability and peace, a decision was made on 15 September 2006 to put Myanmar on the agenda of the UNSC.

2. Although we are welcoming every decision made by the United Nations that will contribute to peace and stability of the Union of Myanmar, strengthening amity among national brethren and socio-economic development, we are going to oppose every act by the United States unjustifiably interfering in Myanmar's internal affairs using the UN as a tool designed to undermine stability of the State and unity among national brethren.

3. We support endeavours made by the Government for ensuring perpetuation of sovereignty and national security. Under the leadership of the government, efforts are being made throughout the country for regional stability and development. With the support of the government and international organizations, poppy-free zone was successfully declared in our state on 26-6-2005 and this was acknowledged by the United Nations and neighbouring countries.

4. As development undertakings are being carried out the length and breadth of the nation, the accusation that Myanmar is posing a threat to stability of regional countries is totally groundless.

5. Therefore, we oppose and condemn the interference in Myanmar's internal affairs by the United States using UN as a tool. Signed

Remarkable progress made in fight against AIDS due to active participation of UN agencies, NGOs and the people

Yangon, 1 Oct - Chairman of the National Health Committee Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein this morning attended the opening of the Specialist Hospital (Mingaladon) of Health Department under the Ministry of Health on Yangon-Pyay Road in Mingaladon Township, Yangon North District and unveiled the signboard of the facility.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, the ministers, the Mayor, members of NHC, the heads of department, resident representatives of UN agencies, those from social organizations, health staff and guests.

In his address, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein said that the government is taking systematic steps to provide extensive health care services to the people. At such a time, the emergence of the Specialist Hospital (Mingaladon) is something to be proud of.

In its efforts to build the nation into a peaceful, modern and developed one the government has laid down and is implementing one of the social objectives which calls for uplift of health, fitness and education standards of the entire nation.

In this regard, more hospitals, dispensaries and rural health care centres were opened the length and breadth of the nation including border areas. With the aim of bringing about equitable development across the nation each specialist hospital (200-bed) was opened in 24 special regions strategically located in the states and divisions.

Moreover, the existing hospitals were upgraded and more specialist hospitals including 200-bed ones and 300-bed ones were equipped with

modern medical equipment aiming at uplift of the health standard. As a result, the health standard of the people has improved significantly.

Nowadays, some major malignant diseases have been put under control, some eradicated and some were in no position of plaguing the people. Facts and figures of UN agencies show the achievement in the health sector of Myanmar. As regards TB, malaria and HIV-AIDS, the incidence of those major diseases has decreased significantly when compared with some neighbouring countries.

According to figures issued in 2006 by UNAIDS, the incidence of HIV-AIDS in the nation was only 1.3 per cent, and according to figures issued by UNDP, the incidence was 1.2 per cent. And the incidence rate is less than that of neighbouring countries. As those figures are reliable no one can deny the fact that the incidence of HIV-AIDS in the nation is insignificant.

However, there has been the spread of rumours that Myanmar was struck by a high incidence of HIV-AIDS, ignoring those official figures.

Internal and external destructive elements are making an attempt to impede the flow of international assistance including humanitarian aid into the nation. The impediment of such assistance is a heinous act.

In getting rid of HIV-AIDS the Central Committee for Prevention and Control of AIDS led by the Minister for Health was formed. And strenuous efforts are being made in the fight against AIDS under the instructions of the minister after the forming of the AIDS prevention and control sub-committees at different levels in states, divisions, districts and townships.

With active participation of UN agencies, NGOs and the people, remarkable progress has been made in the fight against AIDS. To make the prevention and control of AIDS a success the imparting of knowledge on the spread of AIDS and the discussion with authorities at different levels were made in various parts of the nation. At the same time, preventive measures against the spread of AIDS through having sex, through drug users and from mothers to fetus, cent per cent use of condoms among the target groups, safe blood transfusion and taking care of AIDS patients were launched.

The cent per cent use of condoms among the target groups is being launched in 169 townships while treatment of drug addicts and rehabilitation is being conducted in order to prevent the spread of AIDS and venerable diseases. And the prevention of AIDS from mothers to children is being carried out in 89 townships and the blood test for AIDS is being conducted in the township hospital level.

Meantime, consoling and educating the families of AIDS victims, secret AIDS test and taking care of AIDS victims are being carried out in cooperation with social organizations. In cooperation with NGOs such as AZG, MSF (Switzerland), MDM, FXB, CARE and WVI the consoling and educating of some 250,000 people, giving ART drugs to 2,600 AIDS victims, treatment of over 20,000 patients and taking care of over 10,000 families of AIDS victims were carried out.

At present, the ministries, UN agencies, 18 social organizations and 17 NGOs are making concerted efforts in the fight against AIDS. The government is participating in the AIDS prevention projects being implemented by nations of the region, those of Mekong Basin and UN agencies. We firmly believe that the prevention and control of AIDS will make progress with the active participation of the government, the people and social organizations at home and abroad.

The emergence of the Specialist Hospital (Mingaladon) will contribute much to the realization of the tasks for prevention and control of AIDS.

In conclusion, the Secretary-1 stressed the need for all officials to make integrated efforts for the people to be able to enjoy the health care services of high standard, making better use of the newly-opened hospital.

Next, Commander Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint and Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Linn formally opened the hospital.

After that, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein unveiled the signboard of the facility and sprinkled it with scented water.

Afterwards, Secre-tary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members and guests inspected the hospital.

Next, Lt-Gen Thein Sein viewed round the medical ward (male), recreation room for doctors and nurses, medical store, various kinds of medicines including anti-retroviral therapy, laboratory, X-ray unit, medical ward (female) and others.

Families of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), wellwishers offer provisions to monasteries in Pabedan, Seikkan, Botahtaung and Pazundaung

Yangon, 1 Oct - A ceremony to donate rice, edible oil, salt, medicines and gram of Tatmadaw families and wellwishers to three monasteries in Pabedan and Seikkan townships in Yangon West District and Thanantan Dhammapalaka Hindu Organization was held at Maha Theindawgyi in Pabedan Township this morning.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, military officers of the Ministry of Defence and departmental officials attended the ceremony.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe and wellwishers received the Five Precepts from Presiding Sayadaw of Maha Theindawgyi Pariyatti Monastery Agga Maha Pandita Bhaddanta Kumara. Next, Lt-Gen Myint Swe offered robes and provisions to the Sayadaw.

Commander Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and military officers presented offertories to members of the Sangha.

On behalf of Tatmadaw families ( Army, Navy and Air), military officers of the Ministry of Defence donated provisions to the Sayadaw. Lt-Gen Myint Swe, the Commander, the Vice-Mayor and military officers accepted cash and kind from wellwishers and presented certificates of honour to them.

Lt-Col Swe Lin of Mingaladon Air Base supplicated on the purpose of the donations.

Today's donations to monasteries in Pabedan and Seikkan townships totalled 175 bags of rice, 195 viss of edible oil, 300 viss of salt, 1,488 bottles of traditional medicine, 59 viss of gram, 60 tubes of toothpaste, 299 bars of soap and K 8,271,733.

A similar ceremony was held to donate cash and kind to six monasteries in Botahtaung and Pazundaung townships this afternoon.

At Mingalayama Pali Tekkatho in Botahtaung Township, Lt-Gen Myint Swe and wellwishers received the Five Precepts from Presiding Sayadaw Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Saddhamma Jotikadhaja Bhaddanta Narindabhivamsa. Next, Lt-Gen Myint Swe offered robes and provisions to Sayadaws.

Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa and military officers donated offertories to members of the Sangha.

On behalf of Tatmadaw families ( Army, Navy and Air), military officers of the Ministry of Defence donated provisions to the Sayadaw.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe, Vice-Mayor Col Maung Pa, military officers and departmental heads accepted cash and kind from wellwishers and presented certificates of honour to them.

Lt-Col Myo Naing of Yangon Command Headquarters supplicated on the purpose of the donations.

Today's donations to monasteries in Botahtaung and Pazundaung townships totalled 249 bags of rice, 101 viss of edible oil, 500 viss of dried fish, 717 viss of iodized salt, 3,162 bottles of traditional medicine, 143 viss of gram, 143 tubes of toothpaste and K 25,277,000.

Terrorists of SSA-S Ywet Sit group put villages to torch, kill innocent people and rob property at five villages in Mongphyat Township Officials provide cash and kind to rehabilitate villages destroyed

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Oct- The so-called Shan State Army (South) SSA-S or Ywet Sit's terrorist group is committing terrorist acts against the State and the people by killing innocent people, planting mines, putting villages to torch and seizing villagers.

On 15 September, members of SSA-S Ywet Sit terrorist group, in three groups, simultaneously attacked Nanphe village, Hwepaku (upper) village and Hwepaku (lower) village and Bupha village in Nanpan village tract and Shakin village in Monghe village tract of Mongphyat Township, Shan State (East) and torched the villages, killed villagers and took their property by force.

At about 3 am on 15 September, a group led by Aik Maung of SSA-S Ywet Sit terrorist group entered Hwepaku (upper) village and Hwepaku (lower) village and Bupha village and another group Shakin village and put the villages to torch, killed villagers including older persons, children and women, took property of villagers and butchered cows and pigs.

The terrorist insurgents burnt 31 houses in Nanpe village, 12 in Hwepaku (upper) village, 12 in Hwepaku (lower) village and 18 in Bupha village.

Members of People's Militia of Nanphe and Bupha villages repulsed the terrorists at the risk of their lives. Due to the firing of the terrorists, 3 members of People's Militia of Bupha village and one member of Nanphe village were killed in the shoot-outs and two weapons lost.

The terrorist insurgent cruelly killed four villagers of Bupha village, a woman of Hwepaku village, three women of Shakin village and five villagers from Nanphe village.

Local battalion combed the area and there was an engagement. The Tatmadaw columns were in hot pursuit of the terrorists who were on their retreat.

To rehabilitate the villages, Triangle Region Command provided bags of rice and clothes, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement blankets, clothes, food and kitchen utensils, Shan State (East) Health Department medicines and State Red Cross kitchen utensils and waterproof.

On 23 September, the Union Solidarity and Development Association Headquarters presented K 10 million, Ministry of Cooperatives K 5.5 million and Shan State (East) USDA K 2 million.

Although SSA-S Ywet Sit terrorist group shouted for the prosperity of Shan State with excuses of racism, they are engaging in drug trafficking, committing murder and robbery, putting villages on fire, robbing property of people, recruiting villagers by force and thus, the State declared the organization as terrorist group on 26 August in Declaration No 2/2006.

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Oct - The second-day session of coordination meeting of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue was held at the ministry, here, this morning.

Heads of State and Division Internal Revenue Department reported on progress of their tasks, and read papers on tax educative programmes to be conducted in respective regions. Governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar U Kyaw Kyaw Maung explained banking services and monetary matters.

After hearing the reports, Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun instructed them to pay attention to conduct research and training for uplift of employees' sufficiency. Officials are to organize ser-vice personnel to discharge their duties conscientiously.

Yangon, 2 Oct- The following is the message of the United Nations Secretary-General on the occasion of the World Habitat Day which falls today.

By the year 2050, some 6 billion people representing two-thirds of humanity will be living in towns and cities. Never before in history has the world witnessed such rapid urbanization. Neither has it witnessed such a swift rise in the absolute numbers of people migrating. The two phenomena? migration and urban growth? are strongly linked, mainly because the majority of people on the move go for the bright lights of the city.

As we reflect on the theme of this year's observance of World Habitat Day ??Cities, magnets of hope?? we must also bear in mind that cities can also be places of considerable despair. Never before has the world has witnessed such a large proliferation of urban slums. Today, 1 billion people, or 1 of every 3 urban dwellers, live in slums. If municipalities and governments fail to manage urban growth and migration sustainably, this number is expected to double in the next 30 years. Almost everywhere, cities are the destinations for people escaping poverty, conflict and human rights violations, or simply those looking for ways to build better lives. While many migrants head to the North, South-South migration also presents tremendous challenges. Major cities such as Dakar, Jakarta, Johannesburg or Rio de Janeiro, to cite just a few examples, are having trouble accommodating new migrants when so many long-standing citizens are already struggling.

These and other challenges came into sharp focus at third session of the World Urban Forum held in Vancouver, Canada in June 2006. That meeting made it clear that UN Member States, along with non-governmental organizations, the private sector and citizens all over the world, need to galvanize their strength as never before in the quest for sustainable urbanization and inclusive cities. On World Habitat Day, I urge all involved to work .

Yangon, 1 Oct - Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, accompanied by Director-General Dr Tin Win Maung of Health Department, Deputy Director-General U Than Aung of Medical Research Department (Upper Myanmar) and Resident Coordinator Mr Brian Willian of UNAIDS, inspected Specialist Hospital (Waibargi) in North Okkalapa Township this morning.

Medical Superintendent Dr Daw Nilar and officials conducted the minister and party round the hospital.

At the hall of the hospital, the minister met with the medical superintendent, professors, specialists and health staff. Officials reported on medical treatment and cooperation of the government with social organizations in health care services.