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ARCHIVES	Sunday, 5 November 2006	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Daw Kyaing Kyaing attends Buddha Pujaniya of Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), offers Shwekyar Thingan to Buddha Image, donates rice to members of the Sangha

Yangon, 4 Nov - In commemoration of the Buddha Pujaniya of Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), the consecration ceremony, the Shwekyar Thingan offering ceremony and the rice offering ceremony were held at the pagoda on Dhammapala Hill in Mayangon Township this morning.

Daw Kyaing Kyaing, wife of Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe offered Shwekyar Thingan to Dhammaçakka Mudra Buddha Image.

Also present on the occasion were State Ovadaçariya Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, Tipitakadhara Tipitakadharakovida Sayadaws, Ovadaçariya Sayadaws of Tooth Relic Pagoda (Yangon), members of the Sangha from International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University, the rector of State Pariyatti Sasana University, chairmen Sayadaws of all ganas of Yangon Division Sangha Nayaka Committees and invited members of the Sangha totalling 45, Daw Mya Mya San, wife of 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, Daw Khin Lay Thet, wife of member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann, Daw Than Than Nwe, wife of Prime Minister General Soe Win, Daw Khin Khin Win, wife of Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, wives of members of the SPDC, wives of the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Commander-in-Chief (Air), Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, the Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander and wife, ministers, the Mayor and deputy ministers, the Vice-Mayor, departmental heads, the Leading Committee for Organizing the Buddha Pujaniya, the work committee and subcommittees, members of the Pagoda Board of Trustees and guests.

Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Daw Mya Mya San, Daw Khin Lay Thet, Daw Than Than Nwe, Daw Khin Khin Win, wives of SPDC members, wives of the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Commander-in-Chief (Air), Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, the commander and wife, the ministers, the Mayor, the deputy ministers and the vice-mayor donated ‘soon’ to members of the Sangha.

First, members of the Sangha consecrated nine Buddha images in different Mudras and the pagoda.

Chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Magway Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara administered the Nine Precepts. Members of the Sangha recited Metta Sutta.

Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Daw Mya Mya San, Daw Khin Lay Thet, Daw Than Than Nwe and Daw Khin Khin Win offered robes and alms to the Sayadaws.

Secretary Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Nyaungdon Sayadaw Bhaddanta Osadhabhivamsa delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained.

Daw Kyaing Kyaing offered Shwekyar Thingan to Dham-maçakka Mudra Buddha Image. Daw Mya Mya San donated Shwekyar Thingan to Varada Mudra Buddha Image. Daw Khin Lay Thet offered Shwekya Thingan to Uttara Bodhi Mudra Buddha Image. Daw Than Than Nwe presented Shwekyar Thingan to Labha Mudra Buddha Image. Later, Daw Khin Khin Win offered Shwekyar Thingan to Maha Karuna Mudra Buddha Image.

Daw San San Yi, wife of SPDC member Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, donated Shwekyar Thingan to Jhana Mudra Buddha Image; Daw Mar Mar Tint, wife of SPDC member Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than, offered Shwekyar Thingan to Bhumiphassa Mudra Buddha Image; Daw Khin Saw Hnin, wife of SPDC member Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, presented Shwekyar Thingan to Santi Mudra Buddha Image; and Daw Aye Aye, wife of Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, offered Shwekyar Thingan to Patihariya Mudra Buddha Image.

Later, the rice offering ceremony followed. Daw Kyaing Kyaing, Daw Mya Mya San, Daw Khin Lay Thet, Daw Than Than Nwe, Daw Khin Khin Win, wives of SPDC members, wives of the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) and the Commander-in-Chief (Air), Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, the commander and wife, the ministers, the Mayor, the deputy ministers, the vice-mayor, departmental heads, local authorities, members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, social organizations and well-wishers offered rice to members of the Sangha.

Today’s donations of departmental families, local authorities and wellwishers totalled K 22,640,075.

After the ceremony, Deputy Director U San Thin Hlaing of Department for Promotion and Propagation of the Sasana shared merits gained.

Myanmar looks forward to more ASEAN-China cooperation in agriculture sector Prime Minister General Soe Win addresses Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win delivered an address at the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit held at the People’s Hall of Guangxi in Nanning of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on 31 October.

At 11:20 am, the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit commenced. Present on the occasion were Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao of the People’s Republic of China, 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 and 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 to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General Col Kyaw Kyaw Win of the State Peace and Development Council Office, departmental heads, ministers, deputy ministers and senior officers of China and ASEAN countries, entrepreneurs of China and ASEAN countries including Myanmar, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong, officials and guests.

First, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Mr Wan Jifei delivered an opening address. Secretary of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee of Communist Party Mr Liu Qibao gave an introductory speech.

Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao delivered an address. Next, the opening ceremony of the summit concluded.

At 2.30 pm, the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit resumed. Prime Minister General Soe Win delivered an address. He said that I am pleased to note that this Summit has created a momentum of collaboration of trade, investment, business and tourism between ASEAN and China. The numbers speak for themselves. Ever-growing trade, investment and tourism figures are the testimony of our success. We are now aiming for 200 billion dollars of trade between ASEAN and China in next five years. However, we are going to surpass 150 billion dollars of trade even this year. The future prospects are also promising. Chinese economy has grown double digit, 10.5 per cent this year.

ASEAN countries are also expected to grow at 5.4 per cent this year. They have enjoyed broad based development and continue to be a major destination for foreign direct investments in the region.

As you are aware, ASEAN is establishing an ASEAN Economic Community by 2020 to create a stable, prosperous, and highly competitive ASEAN economic region in which there is a free flow of goods, services, investment and a freer flow of capital, equitable economic development and reduced poverty and socio-economic disparities in year 2020.

I appreciate China very much for its continuing support to ASEAN Community building process. I do hope that more integrated ASEAN will emerge as an economic powerhouse in the region complementing each other.

Today, I wish to talk about consolidating Sector Collaboration in particular and promoting the overall economic cooperation in general. Since the signing of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and China in November 2002, the economic cooperation between ASEAN and China has been broadened and deepened.

I am very much encouraged that there is progress in the ongoing negotiations towards the establishment of an ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA). I am also delighted to learn that ASEAN and China are speeding up the tariff reduction process to facilitate establishment of the free trade area. I am encouraged to learn that China’s average tariff on ASEAN exports has been reduced from 9.9 per cent to 8.1 per cent last year and it will drop to 6.6 per cent in 2007. I am hopeful that tariff reduction will continue its schedule to meet the deadline of 2010, when 93 per cent of products exported from ASEAN countries will be tariff-free to China.

In promoting trade between ASEAN and China, we should also pay attention to trade facilitation, market access and removal of non-tariff barriers so as to really benefit both ASEAN and China.

We welcome the Chinese national policy of “Going Global” to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest abroad and ASEAN. We looked forward to seeing an increasing figure of Chinese investment in ASEAN in the near future. I see a lot of potential for Chinese overseas investment with its huge trade surplus and foreign reserves, which is expected to exceed 1 trillion dollars this year. I hope that China will achieve a target of 60 billion US dollars for outbound investment during the 11th Five Year Programme and I do believe that significant portion of the investments will go into ASEAN countries particularly to the CLMV countries.

I must recall that at the 9th ASEAN-China Summit held last year in Kuala Lumpur, we endorsed five additional priority areas of cooperation, namely energy, transport, culture, public health and tourism, in addition to the existing five priority areas of agriculture, information technology, two-way investment, human resources development and Mekong River Basin Development.

As we try to widen our sector collaboration, I also wish to highlight the collaboration of some of the sectors that can be further deepened.

Agriculture remains a mainstay of most of the ASEAN countries. I wish to see more ASEAN-China cooperation in agriculture sector such as in HRD, technical exchange and cooperation, and demonstration and trade promotion projects.

As our economies have experienced higher economic growth in recent years, we need to sustain our growth momentum. We have to seriously think about energy security for our future. We have to strengthen cooperation on energy security, particularly on large-scale development of alternative and renewable energy sources, intensifying oil and gas exploration, and promotion of energy conservation and energy efficiency. In this regard, I am heartened to note that China is conducting a study to establish ASEAN-China mechanism on energy.

There is growing trends that the citizens of ASEAN countries have increasingly chosen China as their travel destination and 3.74 million tourists from ASEAN have visited China in 2004.

Promotion of tourism not only have positive effects on economies but also encourage people to people contacts and promote better understanding and appreciation of each other’s culture and tradition. Therefore, we should promote tourism. We should seriously consider mutual visa exemptions, establishment of sister cities, designation of ASEAN-China Tourism Year and open skies policy.

We noted that the digital gap remained wide and that a possible mean to narrowing this gap is through increased connectivity, access and affordability. In this connection, we welcomed the Chinese proposal to establish an ASEAN-China information superhighway and hope that the GMS information superhighway could be realized as soon as possible.

In the globalizing world and in the 21st century, knowledge and education will be critical factors for sustained growth and competitiveness. I very much welcome the Chinese President’s recent announcement that in the following three years, China would provide training for 30,000 personnel from developing countries.

I wish to draw your attention to the cooperation in development of SMEs. It is widely accepted that SMEs will play a key role in economic development of the globalizing world. Most of the enterprises in ASEAN countries are in fact SMEs.

Therefore, SMEs in ASEAN countries should be transformed and modernized itself to fit into the globalizing world.

I am pleased to note that China is willing to cooperate with ASEAN in SMEs development particularly SME policy dialogue, SME information exchange, and SME training programmes and study tours and SME industrial clustering. I wish to see more of such cooperation in SME development.

One of the important sectors outside economic arena is the cooperation in public health sector. Since an estimated 70 per cent of the poultry stock is raised on small farms, with animals and humans in close proximity, lower-income farmers are the most vulnerable to both potentially serious economic and health impacts of further avian flu outbreaks.

Therefore, we need to deepen our cooperation to combat avian influenza to take necessary actions to prevent and combat it, including through the setting up of a regional network of anti-viral drugs stockpile, and other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. I am heartened to note that the first ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Health on Emerging Infectious Disease has been held in June 2006 in Yangon, Myanmar. The Meeting signifies our determination of cooperation in public health sector particularly in emerging infectious diseases.

In consolidating sector collaboration and promoting overall economic cooperation, private sector plays a key role.

Deepening sector collaboration will not go without strengthening public-private sector cooperation. This investment and business Summit and the ASEAN-China Expo are the best example of the public-private sector collaboration. This Summit has created the best environment for private-public sector dialogue for the future prosperity of ASEAN and China. We attach great importance to this Summit and Expo and will continue to support for its success.

Prime Minister General Soe Win meets Thai counterpart Retired General Surayud Chulanont

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov-Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win received Prime Minister of Thailand General Surayud Chulanont (Retd) at the guest house-8 of the Liyuan Hotel in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Republic of China, on 31 October morning.

Present on the occasion 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 Zaw Min, Myanmar Ambassador to the PRC U Thein Lwin, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Col Kyaw Kyaw Win, Director-General of Protocol Department U Kyaw Kyaw and Deputy Director-General of Political Department Daw Than Than Htay. And Prime Minister of Thailand General Surayud Chulanont (Retd) was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Health and high-ranking officials.

At the meeting, Prime Minister General Soe Win expressed his belief that as Myanmar and Thailand have a fine tradition of cementing friendship and cooperation the two nations will be able to continue strengthening cooperation, and said that the two nations are enhancing cooperation with neighbouring nations, countries in the region, ASEAN member nations and dialogue partners while striving for national development of their own; that the two nations will continue cooperating in all spheres including border trade and mercantile trade for socio-economic development of their people; that the two nations are trying their utmost for smooth transition of own internal affairs; that Myanmar is successfully convening the National Convention for the emergence of a new State constitution; and that he expressed his thanks towards Thailand for its stance over the decision to put Myanmar on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

Prime Minister of Thailand General Surayud Chulanont (Retd) said that Thailand does not agree to the decision to put Myanmar on the agenda of the UNSC; that Myanmar is not a nation that poses a threat to international peace and stability; that it is the Thai policy that internal problems of a nation are to be solved only by itself; that Myanmar and Thailand will continue implementing the tasks including poppy-substitute income generating task in the fight against narcotic drugs as well as construction of roads linking the two nations.

Prime Minister General Soe Win attends opening ceremony of Third China-ASEAN Expo

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win attended the opening ceremony of the Third China-ASEAN Expo at the Nanning International Conference and Exhibition Center in Nanning of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China at 9.30 am on 31 October.

Also present on the occasion were Premier of State Council of the People’s Republic of China Mr Wen Jiabao, Heads of State/Government of ASEAN countries, ministers and deputy ministers of China and ASEAN countries, entrepreneurs of China, ASEAN and Myanmar, ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ong Keng Yong and officials, correspondents of international news agencies including ASEAN countries.

Chinese Minister for Commerce Mr Bo Xilai explained matters related to the Third China-ASEAN Expo.

Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bing delivered an opening address.

Afterwards, Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao delivered a speech. After that, fire works were set off in commemoration of the expo.

Later, the audience were presented with documentary photos on China and ASEAN countries, the documentary films on first and second China-ASEAN Expos.

Chinese Minister for Commerce Mr Bo Xilai, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee of Communist Party Secretary Mr Liu Qibao and ASEAN Secretary-General Mr Ohn Keng Yong pressed the buttons to uplift the dais for opening of the expo.

Premier Mr Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister General Soe Win and Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Countries unveiled the expo.

Before the opening ceremony, Prime Minister General Soe Win inspected sales of marine and forest products, jewellery, handicraft and foodstuff at cooperative societies, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and private entrepreneurs at the hall on the second floor of the International Conference and Exhibition Center.

Next, the Prime Minister and party viewed the National Booth of the Union of Myanmar at the hall on the first floor. Officials of the Ministry of Commerce and UMFCCI conducted them round the booth.

Later, the Prime Minister and party visited the National Booths of China and ASEAN countries.

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov - Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win met Governor Mr Xu Rongkai of Yunnan Province at the Guest House No 8 of Liyuan Hotel in Nanning of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China on 29 October.

Present at the call were Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for National Planning and Economic Development U Soe Tha, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Rail Transportation Maj-Gen Aung Min, Myanmar Ambassador to China 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 and Deputy Director-General Daw Than Than Htay of Political Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Yunnan Province Governor was accompanied by Deputy Secretary Mr Li Jiheng of Yunnan Provincial Com-mittee of Communist Party of China, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Guan Mu and senior officials.

At the meeting, they held comprehensive discussions on sector-wise between Myanmar and Yunnan Province, progress cooperation made in transborder normal trade, prospects of India-Myanmar-China trade, bilateral coope-ration in the fight against drugs and future programme for social and economic development of the two peoples.

Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Governor hosts dinner in honour of Prime Minister General Soe Win and party

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov-Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Soe Win received Governor of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Lu Bing at Guest House No (10) of the Liyuan Hotel on 31 October.

Also present at the call 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 Zaw Min, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thein Lwin, Director-General of the State Peace and Development Council Office Col Kyaw Kyaw Win, Director-General of the Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Kyaw, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Guan Mu, Deputy Governors of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Mr Guo Sheng Kun and Mr Zhang Wenxue and high-ranking officials.

Governor Mr Lu Bing said that he was pleased with the visit of Prime Minister General Soe Win despite a lot of duties and the three-year consecutive visit.

He said he believes that at such an opportune time when China-ASEAN Expo 2006 and the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit are in progress, measures can be taken for bilateral cooperation and boosting economic sector.

Prime Minister General Soe Win said that the holding of China-ASEAN Expo 2006 and the Third ASEAN-China Economic and Investment Summit will make a substantial contribution towards continuous cooperation in various sectors not only between Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and ASEAN countries but also between China and ASEAN region.

He said that he was also accompanied by Myanmar businessmen, and so agreements on economic cooperation between businessmen from the two sides and agreements on mutual benefits will be ratified, as done previous year. The Myanmar-China trade volume for 2004 was targeted to meet 1 billion US dollars. Now, the two sides are trying to increase to 1.5 billion US dollars.

Mr Lu Bing said that an economic zone is being established in Nanning, and Premier of the State Council Mr Wen Jiabao is giving encouragement for bilateral trade. He requested Myanmar, one of Paukphaw nations of China, to give encouragement for ensuring smoother trade between China and ASEAN.

After the call, Mr Lu Bing hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister General Soe Win and party at the same venue.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects irrigation facilities, agricultural tasks in Myingyan, Meiktila, Yamethin Districts

Nay Pyi Taw, 3 Nov - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence inspected Meiktila Lake and greening of its environs in Meiktila on 1 November.

At Kyatmauktaung Dam in Kyaukpadaung Township, Lt-Gen Ye Myint heard reports on rainfall, matters related to the dam and cultivation of crops presented by Mandalay Division Director U C Zar Kho of Irrigation Department. The commander and officials gave supplementary reports.

At Taungyay Dam, Director U Myo Tun of Irrigation Department presented reports on irrigation facilities and cultivation of crops. Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected supply of water through the tunnel.

In accord with the guidance of the Head of State, Taungyay Dam was built as a supporting facility for Kyatmauktaung Dam to irrigate farmlands. The dam construction project is aimed at storing water from Pin Creek at Kyaukdaga Dam and then the dam is to supply water to Kyatmauktaung Dam via Taungyay Dam. This year, Kyaukdaga Dam could support 28,800 acre feet of water.

At the site of Shanmange Dam construction project, officials reported on implementation of the dam project. Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected land preparations for the dam.

On arrival at Mondaing Dam near Mondaing Village of Meiktila Township, Lt-Gen Ye Myint heard reports on salient points of the dam presented by Assistant Director U Tin Wan of Irrigation Department, and gave necessary instructions.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected construction of the earth road for Yangon-Mandalay 8-lane Highway near Thigon Village.

The highway, 154 miles long, is under construction from Thagara-Swa to Pyinsi Village (Myingyan-Natogyi). They also viewed Nyaunggon Dam and its facilities and thriving monsoon paddy and other crops plantations in West Kanni Village. While in the region, he inspected irrigation facilities of Latkhokpin Dam, Lunzin Dam and Chaunggauk Dam, and urged departmental officials to make efforts for extension of irrigation areas and sown acreage of paddy cultivation.

Chaunggauk Dam is supplying surplus water to Meiktila Lake through canal via Lunzin, Latkhokpin and Nyaunggon dams. This year, 8,850 acres feet of water has been supplied to the lake.

At Yindaw Lake in Yindaw Village of Pyawbwe Township, Chairman of Yamethin District PDC Lt-Col Aung Kyi Shein and officials reported on supply of water from the lake to 2,282 acres of monsoon paddy plantations in the township. After giving necessary instructions, Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspected Yindaw Lake and its environs.

Nyaungshwe Township NLD did not spare even drunken and insane persons in signature collection campaign

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov-Local people are increasingly disturbed that their names may be put in the list without their knowledge and approval while Bogale Township in Ayeyawady Division is witnessing collection of fake signatures of people in the ongoing public signature campaign.

It is reported that Bogale Township NLD Chairman U Aung Khin Bo and three members deceived local people in Bogale Township to be able to send a lot of public signatures to the NLD Headquarters in Yangon in time; that 20 members of Bogale Township NLD wrote their signatures on the list in the presence of local people to organize them, but the majority of the people did not satisfy their wish; that nonetheless, Township NLD members wrote many fake signatures of their acquaintances without seeking their approval; and that local people are therefore disturbed that their names will be put in the list.

Similarly, it is widespread criticism in Nyaungshwe Township in Shan State (South) that the collection of fake signatures is abhorrent to local people.

Member of Nyaungshwe Township NLD Social Welfare Committee Kyaw Ko Ko Zin persuaded and forced Ko Thet (a) Thar Bo, drinking in the pub in Mongli ward, to write signature; Ko Thet wrote his signature on the list without scrutinizing what is stated in the sheet; and Township NLD organizing committee registered the name of Ma Win Shwe, an insane person, and deceived her into writing her signature on the paper.

Thus, such dishonest activities are attracting criticism and resent from local people in respective townships.

Yangon, 4 Nov - Members of Ayadaw Township National League for Democracy in Sagaing Division UShwe Tun, Daw Gwat Htaw, Daw San Win, U Kan Tun, U Khin Maung, U Win and U Tin Maung of Thalebar village, U Thein Aye and U Moe Win of Zayit village and U Chit Kyaw, U Aung Shein, U Aung Kho, U Mya Ngwe, U Myo Thin, U Soe Shwe, U Tin Tun, U Mar Kyaw, U Win Bo and U Tun Khin of Minywa Sanpya village resigned from the party of their own accord, sending their resignations to NLD Headquarters and authorities concerned on 24, 25 and 27 July respectively.

In the resignation letters sent by 19 members of Ayadaw Township NLD to Sagaing Division Multiparty Democracy General Election Sub-Commission, they said they quit the NLD as they lost interest and trust in the party and its acts. Moreover, they wish to participate in the regional development tasks in cooperation with local authorities. That’s why they quit the party, they said.

Christianity, Islam followers issue declarations denouncing political stunt of so-called ‘88’ generation students

Nay Pyi Taw, 4 Nov-The ‘88’ generation student group and its cohorts launched a prayer campaign as a political activity in the name of religion on the platform of the Shwedagon Pagoda. Regarding this, the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees lodged a complaint to the Township Police Station.

Christianity and Islam followers issued declarations, protesting such heinous act, it is learnt.

The foreign broadcasting stations in collusion with internal destructive elements aired fabricated news to the effect that the so-called ‘88’ generation student group launched a multireligion prayer campaign; that the campaign was successfully launched with Jimmy (a) Kyaw Min Yu as an organizer of Buddhism followers, Mya Aye as an organizer of Islam followers and Mi Mi (a) Thin Thin as an organizer of Christianity followers; that the bishop of St Marry Roman Catholic Church in downtown Yangon held a prayer campaign for prisoners, fire and flood victims and for those who get into troubles, and over 200 followers attended the ceremony.

In his declaration, Bishop Charles Bo said that a Sunday service was held at the St Marry Roman Catholic Church on 29 October in conjunction with the initiation of five novices into monks. It was just a religious ceremony free from party politics; the news stories of the foreign broadcasting stations are fake ones, and it is a political exploitation in the name of religion; that they don’t let religion mingle with party politics; and that they strongly protest such perpetration, exploiting religion.

Likewise, the Myanmar-Muslim Association in Pazun-daung Township, Yangon sent a letter of declaration to the authorities concerned.

In the letter, it is stated that in Myanmar, people have the right to profess religion of their choice, and Islam followers will in no way make political ex-ploitation in the name of religion; and that they protest and denounce such political stunt.

Yangon, 4 Nov- The 10th Kathina robe offering ceremony of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue was held at the Dhammayon of the Internal Revenue Department, northern stairway of the Shwedagon Pagoda this morning.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of members of the Sangha led by Maha Gandhayi Sayadaw Ashin Panava and was also attended by Deputy Minister for Finance and Revenue Col Hla Thein Swe and wife and officials. A Sayadaw invested the congregation with the Five Precepts.

Next, the congregation offered Kathina robes and alms to Sayadaws. Afterwards, Maha Gandhayi Sayadaw delivered a sermon, followed by sharing of merits gained. After the ceremony, the congregation offere alms food to members of the Sangha.

Yangon, 4 Nov - The 3rd Asian Archery Grand Prix 2006 and the 2nd Southeast Asian Archery Championship continued at Kyaikkasan Archery Range this afternoon.

Secretary of Central Committee for Myanmar Women’s Sport Federation Daw L Khun Yi and Chairperson Daw Aye Aye, Philippine Archery Federation President Dr Lenora Fes Brawner, World Archery Federation Vice-President Mr Sanguan Kosavinta, Vice-President of Asian Archery Federation Maj (Rtd) Baharuddin Jamil, member of Asian Archery Council Vice-President of SEA Archery Federation Dr Khin Shwe (Zay Gabar) and General Secretary of Myanmar Olympic Committee Director-General U Thaung Htaik presented awards to winners in final matches of the women’s and men’s compound and recurve events and team events.

In today’s archery events, Myanmar women’s team won a bronze medal in the women’s compound team event. Zaw Win Htaik also secured one bronze medal in the men’s recurve singles knockout event. So far, Myanmar archery team has bagged two gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

Yangon, 4 Nov- Under the patronage of Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and wife Daw Kyi Kyi Win, family members of Myanma Radio and Television held its first Kathina robes offering ceremony at Aung Theikdi Monastery in Ywagauk Ward, Pyinmana, this morning.

Members of the Sangha led by Thabyetaung Monastery Sayadaw Agga Maha Kammathana Dhammarcariya Bhaddanta Jagara graced the ceremony with their presence. Also present were Managing Director U Soe Win of News and Periodicals Enterprise, Managing Director U Aung Nyein of Printing and Publishing Enterprise, Deputy Director-General U Thein Aung of MRTV and family members.

The congregation received the Five Precepts from Thabyetaung Monastery Sayadaw. Next, members of the Sangha recited the Parittas.

The Deputy Director-General and family members offered Kathina robes and alms to members of the Sangha. Thabyetaung Monastery Sayadaw delivered a sermon followed by sharing of merits gained.