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ARCHIVES	Saturday, 4 November 2006	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Senior General Than Shwe welcomes back Prime Minister General Soe Win on his return from ASEAN Summits

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe welcomed back Prime Minister General Soe Win and party at Nay Pyi Taw Airport at 4:20 pm today on their return from the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit held in Nanning, the People’s Republic of China.

Also present at the airport were 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, members of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, Lt-Gen Maung Bo and Lt-Gen Aung Htwe of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing and Maj-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Brig-Gen Wai Lwin, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, departmental heads and officials.

Members of the Myanmar delegation —Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Electric Power No 1 Col Zaw Min and departmental officials — also arrived back on the same flight.

It is essential and prerequisite that ASEAN must narrow the development gaps before it could further integrate into the ASEAN Community Prime Minister General Soe Win addresses Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win delivered an address at the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations at Multifunctional Hall on the second floor of International Conference Center of Liyuan Hotel in Nanning of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on 30 October afternoon.

Also present at the summit were Brunei Darussalam King Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddhaulah, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Samdech Hun Sen, Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Laotian Prime Minister Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Philippines President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister retired General Surayud Chulanont, Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win of the Union of Myanmar, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Electric Power No 1 Col Zaw Min, Myanmar Ambassador U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Director-General U Kyaw Kyaw of Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director-General U Aung Bwa of ASEAN Affairs Department, Deputy Director-General Daw Than Than Htay of Political Department, ministers, deputy ministers and senior officers of ASEAN countries and China, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong and officials.

Before the summit, Chinese Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao cordially greeted Heads of State/Government of ASEAN countries at International Conference Center at 2.30 pm.

Next, they posed for documentary photo. They viewed documentary photos of ASEAN countries and China at the entrance of the hall.

The Summit commenced at 2.45 pm. Premier Mr Wen Jiabao delivered an opening address. Next, Philippine President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also delivered an address.

After showing a documentary film on establishment of ASEAN-China dialogue relations, officials made presentation on the documentary film.

Next, China and Heads of State/Government delivered addresses. First, Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao made a speech. Next, Brunei Darussalam King Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddhaulah, Cambodian Prime Minister Mr Samdech Hun Sen, Indonesian President Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Laotian Prime Minister Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi delivered addresses respectively.

Afterwards, Prime Minister General Soe Win delivered an address. He said that ASEAN-China dialogue relations have become a very prominent, growing and healthy phenomenon within a relatively short span of time. Both of our economies are vibrant and have enjoyed broad-based development that could help improve significantly the standard of living of our peoples in recent years. These trends have provided as with an environment conducive to further strengthening of our dialogue relations.

I am very pleased that in recent years, ASEAN and China could set significant milestones which have deepened and broaden our dialogue relations.

One of the positive developments in recent years is the understanding reached by ASEAN and China on the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea which will contribute to peace and stability in the region. I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate our firm stand on the One China Policy.

At the time of globalization, we should underscore the urgency of addressing the non-traditional security issues especially drug trafficking, trafficking of women and children.

The ACCORD is the best example in strengthening cooperation in drug matters between ASEAN and China. That arrangement would greatly contribute to the realization of Drug Free ASEAN 2015. As a member of ASEAN and as a country seriously addressing this issue, Myanmar would like to cooperate more fully with China bilaterally or in the context of ASEAN. I also wish to see the expansion of our cooperation in other areas of non-traditional security issues.

As much as China is trying to narrow the development gaps between Eastern and Western provinces, ASEAN is also trying to narrow the development gaps among its members. It is essential and prerequisite that ASEAN must narrow the development gaps before it could further integrate into the ASEAN Community.

Another substantial achievement in ASEAN-China dialogue relations is the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. After the signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China on 4 November 2002, we were able to conclude Agreements on Trade in Goods and Dispute Settlement Mechanism. I am also heartened to learn that negotiations on trade in services are making progress.

In promoting trade, investment and tourism, the ASEAN-China Expo set a good example. The ASEAN-China Expo has greatly contributed in the promotion of Trade and Investment between ASEAN and China. The year before when I first visited here, we had aimed to reach trade between ASEAN and China to US$ 100 billions by 2005. We have now much surpassed this target and I am very encouraged to note that the trade volume has reached to over 130 billion US dollars.

By taking this opportunity, I wish to underscore that energy is one of the areas that we attaches great importance in ASEAN-China cooperation. Without the stable and predictable prices and security of energy supplies, future sustainability of our economies could be at risk. Therefore, it is important that we need to seriously address the issues of energy security and efficient energy management.

In addition to securing the conventional energy supply, we should do more on the development of alternative and renewable energy resources that will in the long-run could supplement or substitute the rapidly depleting non-renewable energy supplies.

Promoting people to people contacts is one of the essential ingredients of our relations. In this regard, I wish to reiterate the importance of promoting tourism, youth and cultural exchanges, sport and intellectual exchanges between ASEAN and China.

ASEAN nations and China see eye to eye in most issues in the area of international affairs. I hope that China will stand by the issues mostly concerned with ASEAN nations. We will strengthen cooperation for ensuring more consolidated unity of these nations. Moreover, we thank China for its strong support for Myanmar issue at the UN Security Council.

This Summit will not only be a mere commemorative one celebrating our 15 years of dialogue relations, but also a historic milestone that will sharp our future direction and add momentum to further strengthen our relations. I do believe that strengthening our cooperation will benefit both sides.

Singaporean Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister retired General Surayud Chulanont and Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr Nguyen Tan Dung delivered addresses.

The Summit ended with concluding remarks by the Philippine President and the Chinese Premier.

After the summit, Prime Minister General Soe Win, Heads of State/Government of ASEAN countries and Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao signed the joint communique at the meeting room of Interantional Conference Center of the hotel.

Next, the joint press conference was held at the same venue. Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao and Philippine President Madame Gloria Macapagal Arroyo clarified matters concerning the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

After the joint press conference, they planted trees to mark successful completion of the summit on the lawns of the guest house No 17.

In the evening, the Chinese Premier and Heads of State/Government of ASEAN countries attended the dinner in their honour at Banquet Hal of the International Conference Center of Liyuan Hotel. Also present at the dinner were the ministers, the deputy ministers and senior officers of China and ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretary-General, officials and guests.

Next, they watched the concert at the Nanning People’s Hall. After the concert, the Prime Minister and party went back to the Guest House No 8 of Liyuan Hotel.

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov— At the invitation of General Soe Win, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar, His Excellency Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, will pay a goodwill visit to the Union of Myanmar in the near future.

Myanmar thanks Chinese dignitaries for standing by Myanmar when attempts were made by the US and some western nations to put Myanmar on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

PRC’s policy towards Myanmar remains unchanged, Myanmar’s internal problems are to be solved only by the Myanmar government and its people themselves.

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win and Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wen Jiabao held a discussion at the meeting hall of the Guest House No 10 of Liyuan Hotel in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China at 9.40 pm on 31 October.

Also present at the discussion were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Electric Power No 1 Col Zw Min, Myanmar Ambassador U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office, Director-General U Kyaw Kyaw of the Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director-General U Aung Bwa of ASEAN Affairs Department and Deputy Director-General Daw Than Than Htay of Political Department.

Chinese Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Li Zhaoxing, Minister for Finance Mr Jin Renqing, Minister for Commerce Mr Bo Xilai, Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bing, Chinese Ambassador Mr Guan Mu and senior officials.

At the meeting, Prime Minister General Soe Win said that the two nations have been dealing with one another on the basis of Paukphaw friendship; that constant progress has been made in friendship and cooperation between the two nations as well as in the fight against narcotic drugs and transnational crimes; that frequent visits between leaders of the two nations were made, that is, official visits to Myanmar were made by the Vice-President of the PRC in 2000, by President Jiang Zemin in 2001 and by Vice Premier Madame Wu Yi of the PRC in 2004; that he invited dignitaries of PRC, especially the Prime Minister to pay a visit to Myanmar; that he expressed his pleasure for assistance provided by the PRC in the economic sector of Myanmar as well as in the international arena; that Myanmar dignitaries thanked a lot to the Chinese dignitaries for their standing by Myanmar when attempts were made by the US and some western nations to put Myanmar on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council; that he expressed his belief that China will continue to stand by Myanmar with understanding in order that resolution leading to pressures and sanctions cannot be imposed; that Myanmar has been pursuing One China Policy and will continue to do so , and accepts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China; that Myanmar completed the National Convention for the third times with the participation of delegates from all walks of life for successful realization of the seven-point Road Map; that the National Convention in which detailed basic principles on fundamental rights and duties of citizens and the role of the Tatmadaw to be discussed started on 10 October for the fourth time; that he thanked the PRC for its understanding on and support of Myanmar; that Myanmar has wishes to cooperate with the PRC in tapping natural resources and energy sector; that progress has been made in bilateral cooperation in timber and mineral sectors and border trade as well as in the fight against drugs; that Myanmar is making relentless efforts for elimination of drugs with the belief that drugs will soon be eliminated from the Myanmar soil; that Myanmar in cooperation with neighbouring countries is exposing and arresting those involved in drug trafficking and chemicals used in making drugs cannot be manufactured in Myanmar; and that it is making efforts to control the smuggling of chemicals into the nation.

Next, Prime Minister Mr Wen Jiabao said that during the visit of Prime Minister General Soe Win to the PRC in February a string of agreements were reached; that the PRC will provide Myanmar with Yuan 300 million at lower rates of interest as a gesture of showing attachment towards the latter; that the grant will be used in construction of a communication network in Mekong basin; that the PRC will also grant Myanmar Yuan 50 million as an interest-free loan; that tapping of natural resource and energy is vital in economic cooperation between the two nations; that the two nations were able to sign an agreement in the fight against drugs in May; that the PRC provided Myanmar with 10,000 tons of rice as part of drug-substitute programme; that he expressed his belief that the two nations will exert more efforts in elimination of drugs; that the PRC needs to make concerted efforts with Myanmar for prevalence of peace and stability in the border by making more cooperation in administration in border regions; that the PRC believes that with stability of the State and economic development, Myanmar will make more progress in its national consolidation; that the PRC’s policy towards Myanmar remains unchanged; that Myanmar’s internal affairs are to be solved only by the Myanmar government and its people themselves; that the PRC has a strong dislike to the interferences of foreign nations in Myanmar’s internal affairs, especially it protests against the act of putting Myanmar on the agenda of the UNSC; and that the PRC will continue to give a helping hand to Myanmar in the international arena.

Prime Minister General Soe Win arrives at Nanning of People’s Republic of China

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — At the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win, accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Energy Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Minister for Electric Power No 1 Col Zaw Min, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office and departmental officials, left Nay Pyi Taw by special flight of Myanma Airways on 29 October morning to attend the Commemorative Summit Marking the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations to be held in Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, and arrived at Nanning International Airport in Nanning at 1.30 pm local time.

First, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin and Deputy Head of Foreign Affairs Office Mr Zeng Xiaohua of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region welcomed the Prime Minister and party on board the aircraft.

Next, Chinese Ambassador Mr Guan Mu and Vice-Governor of the region Mr Zhang Wenxue welcomed the Myanmar delegation led by the Prime Minister. A child presented a bouquet to the Prime Minister.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint visits rice, cotton, physic nut cultivation in Kyaukse, Meiktila districts

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Khin Zaw visited rice, physic nut and cotton cultivations in Kyaukse and Meiktila districts on 31 October and gave instructions to officials.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint went to a 115-acre paddy plantation of quality strains in Myittha Township and met with local farmers on 31 October.

There are 80 acres of Manawthukha, 20 acres of Shwemyanmar and 15 acres of Shwethweyin species in the field.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party went to Taungtaw Village and inspected the thriving physic nut cultivation. He also called on officials for extended cultivation of the plants in vacant land.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win, also inspected the physic nut cultivation of the local battalion in Myittha Township. During his inspection tour, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party went to Kinda Dam 21 miles south east of Kume and inspected the storage of water and diversion canal of the dam which supply irrigation water to fields in the region.

Next, they proceeded to Kintar Hydel Power Station of Hydro-Electric Power Department under the Ministry of Electric Power-1. At the meeting, an official reported on generation of electricity of the Kinda Hydel Power Station which came into operation in December 2005.

Kintarlay Diversion Dam is designed to divert water from Kinda Dam to the catchment areas through canals.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party visited the cotton special cultivation zone in Wundwin Township and urged officials concerned to grow quality strains of cotton.

Next, they went to the 100-acre monsoon paddy cultivation where an official of Myanma Agricultural Services reported on the pilot cultivation of paddy. Lt-Gen Ye Myint viewed the thriving fields and called for meeting the target production rate.

On his tour of Meiktila Township, Lt-Gen Ye Myint also inspected the physic nut cultivation of Flying Training Base and Ground Training Base.

Before his tour of inspection on 31 October, first, Lt-Gen Ye Myint, accompanied by Commander Maj-Gen Khin Zaw, Mayor of Mandalay Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han and Deputy Commander Brig-Gen Nay Win, went to Nandaw Special Clinic in Mandalay and attended to the needs for Bawditahtaung Sayadaw who is undergoing treatment at the clinic.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Win inspects maintenance of road sections, regional development tasks in Shan State (North)

Nay Pyi Taw, 2 Nov — Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, accompanied by Chairman of Shan State (North) PDC Commander of North-East Command Brig-Gen Aung Than Htut and officials, inspected agricultural tasks along Kutkai-Muse section of Lashio-Hsenwi-Kutkai-Muse Union Highway on 30 October.

At the mile post 236/2 on Kutkai-Muse section, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win heard reports on extension of the road and maintenance of the retaining walls being carried out by Asia World Co presented by engineer U San Naing. The commander gave a supplementary report.

In Namphatka, they met with Tatmadawmen and family members of the local station, and presented gifts to them.

At the site of Shweli Hydel Power Project, Assistant Director U Nay Lin reported to Lt-Gen Kyaw Win on implementation of the hydel power projects. Next, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win presented fruit baskets to Chinese and Myanmar engineers.

Shweli Hydel Power Project site is located near Mantat Village, 17 miles from Namhkam.

At Mantat station, Lt-Gen Kyaw Win instructed Tatmadawmen to cooperate with local people in the regional development and extend livestock breeding.

He inspected the site for construction of Basic Education High School near Mantat Village and attended to the needs.

At the site of Shweli Bridge (Namhkam) construction project, Superintending Engineer U Win Kyi submitted reports on progress of the construction tasks.

They viewed harvesting of Hsinshweli monsoon paddy by combine harvester and ploughing of farmland by power-tiller in Aungmyitta Village of Namhkam Township. Local authorities reported on cultivation matters.

Lt-Gen Kyaw Win and party inspected functions of Immigration and National Registration Department in Muse and gave necessary instructions.

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — The Board of Trustees of Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon sent a complain to Dagon Township Police Station recently about a political campaign staged by ‘88’ Generation Students, NLD members and veteran politicians on 29 October under the pretext of a religious ceremony.

An estimated 100 people including Mya Aye and Jimmy (a) Kyaw Min Yu of ‘88’ Genera-tion Students”, dressed in white, staged a prayers campaign at Shwedagon Pagoda on 29 October. The group gathered at west-north corner of the pagoda and said prayers loudly. During the campaign, they went round the pagoda clock-wise and lit candles.

Their activities disturbed the pilgrims and well-wishers. Besides, Thein Nyunt (a) Ko Aye, a member of NLD, from South Dagon Township and Yin Yin Myat from Thingangyun responded to members of the board of trustees and the security abusively when they were interrogated. Pilgrims and willwishers worried about their aggressive be-haviour. As the group com-prising ‘88’ Generation Students, disturbed the wellwishers and incited unrest, the pagoda board of trustees sent a complained to Dagon Township Police Station to take action against them.

According to the rules and regulations of the board of trustees, those wishing to celebrate religious ceremonies at the pagoda are to seek prior consent and sentd programme of the ceremony including objectives and names of preachers to the board.

Yangon, 3 Nov — Under the auspicious of Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and wife Daw Kyi Kyi Win, Kathina robes offering ceremony of Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise was held at Yandana Beikman Monastic Education (post primary) School in Ward 5, Mayangon Township this morning, attended by members of the Sangha led by Sayadaw Agga Maha Saddhama Jotikadaja Bhaddanta Sandobnasa of the monastery, officials, staff and their families.

Firstly, those present received Five Precepts from the Sayadaw. Later, they offered Kathina robes and provisions to the members of the Sangha and shared the merits gained.

After the ceremony, the congregation provided day meal to the Sayadaw and members of the Sangha.

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — Specialist Dr Tin Myo Win, a family doctor of Daw Suu Kyi, sent a letter to authorities concerned regarding his visits to Daw Suu Kyi. In the letter he explained that he failed to visit her during the months of September and October and he did so of his own accord.

Dr Tin Myo Win was allowed to visit Daw Suu Kyi once a month for her checkups. He was also allowed to visit her in times of emergency when she falls ill.

The doctor had to arrange things at her house such as repairs of fences and pipes and water tanks, changing fluorescent tubes and bulbs. The last time he visited Daw Suu Kyi wns 24 August. And he failed to visit her in September and October. He admitted that he did so of his own volition, not by force of the authorities. In his letter Dr Tin Myo Win said the reason he did not visit her was there were such occasions as the anniversary of NLD in September, authorities’ calling in five members of the group of ‘88’ generation students including Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi for questioning and launch of public signature collection campaigns in October, it is learnt.

Yangon, 3 Nov — Robe weaving competitions were held at pagodas here this evening and oil lamps were lighted at pagodas to mark the Tazuangdaing Light Festival.

The 22th Matho Robe Weaving Ceremony of Shwedagon Pagoda was opened this evening by members of the board of trustees and a total of nine teams were participating in the competition.

Similarly, the annual robe weaving ceremony was held at pagodas here including Botahtaung Kyaik-dayup Pagoda, Thiri Mingalar Kaba Aye Pagoda and Shwephonepwint Pagoda.

After the competition, hand-woven robes which are completed before dawn will be offered to Buddha Images at the pagodas.

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov — A public signature campaign was launched through tricks in Ywadanshe village in Mahline township, like in other townships in Mandalay Division, it is learnt.

On 15 October Meikhtila township NLD Chairman Dr Thein Lwin met U Kyaw Dwe of Ywadanshe village at Meikhtila Yoma Bank and asked him to organize the villagers to give their signatures. In the evening of 18 October U Kyaw Dwe together with his colleague U Phu Nyo met with other villagers and persuaded them to give their signatures on the paper demanding for the release of students.

As the villagers refused to oblige, the two men made up fake signatures, names, addresses of the villagers and sent them to Dr Thein Lwin on 19 October. Dr Thein Lwin accepted the documents although he knew they were all fake as he thought that the dignity of Mandalay Division NLD would be recognized only when he could collect a greater number of signatures.

Moreover, U Kyaw Dwe and U Phu Nyo also gave fake signatures of their eight family members to Dr Thein Lwin.

Yangon, 3 Nov — Under the auspicious of Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and wife Daw Kyi Kyi Win, Myanma Radio and Television and Information and Public Relations Department (Yangon Division) held the 4th Kathina robes offering ceremony at NanU Monastery in Ward 5, Mayangon Township this morning.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Sayadaw Agga Maha Suddhama Jotikadaja Bhaddanta Dhamma Thayhta and members of the Sangha.

Also present were Director-General U Khin Maung Htay of MRTV and officials, Assistant Director Daw Tin Tin Myint of Yangon Division IPRD and families members of the staff. Firstly, those present received Five Precepts from the Sayadaw.

Later, they offered Kathina robes and provisions to the members of the Sangha and shared the merits gained.

Members of the Sangha in Mandalay get annoyed with political stunt so-called ‘88’ generation student group

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov—In an agitative letter that was posted in front of Dhammapala Kyaung of Masoyein Taikthit in Mandalay on 31 October it is stated that all are to recite Metta suttas for the freedom of so-called ‘88’ generation student group leaders.

Regarding this, members of the Sangha from Myataung Taik, Masoyein Taikhaung and Mahawithuddhayon Kyaungtaik got very annoyed it is learnt.

Members of the Sangha in Mandalay said that the government since its assumption of the State responsibilities has been holding religious ceremonies such as offering Waso robes, offering Kathina robes and offering provisions to members of the Sangha without fail; that such religious functions were not carried out significantly in the time of the previous government for fear that it might involve party politics; that at the ceremony to open the Shwedagon replica pagoda held in India on 29 October, World Buddhist Meditation Dhamma instructor U Goenka praised the government for its preservation of Theravada Buddhism; that members of the Sangha would not involve in such perpetration carried out by a handful of destructive elements; that members of the Sangha recite parittas including Metta parittas daily; that members of ‘88’ generation student group exploited the wearing of white clothes by the majority of the people; that service personnel, students and the people get annoyed in this regard; that members of the Sangha would not recite Metta suttas to the liking of such student group; and that such political stunt in the name of religion done by members of ‘88’ generation student group in collusion with internal and external destructive elements is an act that is totally unacceptable.

Yangon, 2 Nov — Legal Affairs Working Group of Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation organized an educative talk on legal affairs at the Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation on Pyay Road this afternoon.

First, working group leader Daw Ni Ni Win, deputy leader Prof Dr Daw Than Nwe and secretary Daw Myint Swe gave educative talks.

Later, Dr Daw Than Nwe accepted K 1 million presented by Daw Thet Wah, wife of Deputy Minister for Agriculture & Irrigation U Ohn Myint.

Nay Pyi Taw, 2 Nov — Secretary-General of the Union Solidarity and Development Association U Htay Oo together with the Chairman of Meiktila District Peace and Development Council, departmental officials and executives met with farmers at Kaing Village-tract in Wundwin Township on 28 October and gave necessary instructions.

Next, the Secretary-General and party viewed thriving physic nut plantations at Meiktila Air Base and oversaw completion of offering gold foil to Lawka Yannaing Pagoda, sanitation works and sinking of tube well being carried out by Meiktila Township USDA and wellwishers. In his inspection tour, the Secretary-General and party visited Myaukkaing Aungtha, Hmankyaung and Zaygon monasteries and offered provisions to the Sayadaws.

Myanmar Archery Team bags gold medal in 3rd AAGP 2006 and 2nd SEA Archery Championship

Yangon, 3 Nov — The 3rd Asian Archery Grand Prix 2006 and the 2nd Southeast Asia Archery Championship hosted by Myanmar continued today, attended by General Secretary of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General of Sports and Physical Education Department U Thaung Htaik and officials, member of Asian Archery Council Vice-President of Southeast Asia Archery Federation Dr Khin Shwe (Zay Gabar), General Secretary of Myanmar Archery Council Assistant Director U Kyaw Oo and executives and guests. After some final events, the prize presentation ceremony followed.

Myanmar bagged one gold medal in the man’s compound team FITA round event. Ye Min Swe stood second in the man’s compound 90 and 70 metres events and third in the man’s compound 50 metres event and secured gold medal in the man’s compound 30 metres event.