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ARCHIVES	Wednesday, 8 August 2007	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Through ASEAN, Myanmar has been able to promote its foreign policy goals interacting mutually beneficial ways with dialogue partners Our way of working in solidarity, consultation, consensus, mutual respect and non-interference is our strength People of Myanmar urged to work together with other ASEAN citizens to realize the ASEAN Vision and to try to achieve ASEAN Community building

Nay Pyi Taw, 8 Aug - The following is the message of Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Myanmar's membership of ASEAN and 40th Anniversary of the ASEAN and the ASEAN Day.

This Year marks the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN as well as the 10th Anniversary of joining of Myanmar to ASEAN. Myanmar joined ASEAN in 1997 showing the solidarity with its Southeast Asian brethren with the expectation of cooperation and contributing to regional peace and stability, prosperity and development in the region and beyond. It is now an opportune moment for us to review on ASEAN and on Myanmar contribution and benefit we have made and accrued from it by joining ASEAN.

In the past ten years, Southeast Asia has been a haven of peace and harmony that enables a conducive environment for broad-based and robust economic development in the region. Unprecedented in the history of Southeast Asia, the leaders of all ten Southeast Asia nations meet together more frequently than ever and set the strategic vision for the destiny of our future. During the past ten years, we have come to conclusion that we need to upgrade our relationship to a higher plane by integrating each other into an ASEAN Community, a caring and sharing community envisaged in our vision 2020. The goal of ASEAN community reinforces our existing national priorities and objectives.

Believing that three pillars, balancing and interwoven together, will serve as a strong foundation for ASEAN Community, we have decided to build ASEAN Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-cultural Community interlinking, reinforcing and strengthening each other. As we gain confidence in ASEAN Community building, we have decided to fast track our integration by 2015 instead of year 2020 at the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, the Philippines, early this year.

As an outward looking organization, ASEAN has been active in engagement with its dialogue partners and other regional organizations promoting a culture of cooperation rather than confrontation. Interaction with dialogue partners and other regional organizations has led to new and emerging regional architectures such as ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN+3 process and the East Asia Summit (EAS) etc, where ASEAN plays a driving force and a leading role. We are very much encouraged that more and more countries in the world have converged to ASEAN-led initiatives and willing to work with us. Through ASEAN, Myanmar has been able to promote its foreign policy goals interacting mutually beneficial ways with dialogue partners.

With the landmark 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Charter, the leaders of the ASEAN made a commitment to bring about the transformation of the ASEAN. ASEAN is currently working on its Charter to give the grouping its legal personality as well as to further strengthen its cooperation through enhanced structure ands decision making mechanism. The Leaders signed the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint of the ASEAN Charter, endorsing the Eminent Person Group's report and directing a High Level Task Force to begin drafting the Charter. The Charter is expected to be completed in time for the 13th ASEAN Summit in November 2007 in Singapore. The ASEAN Charter is listed as a goal in the Vientiane Action Programme presenting an opportunity for ASEAN to take stock of its achievements.

The adoption of ASEAN Charter, the most significant milestone in the forty years history, will serve as a firm foundation in achieving the ASEAN Community and also confer a legal personality to ASEAN, I am confident that the ASEAN Charter, being drafted, will fulfill the aspiration and shared values of every member country and ASEAN as a whole.

I am glad to see that with the joining of ASEAN, Myanmar has effectively promoted trade and investment relations with ASEAN countries. ASEAN countries play a most important role in FDI inflow. With the realization of ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, I am confident that people of ASEAN will benefit most from the economic integration.

In the forty-year history, ASEAN not only has successes but experienced many challenges and threats such as Asian financial crisis, Haze problem, Tsunami, outbreak of SARS and Avian Flu. However, together we have shown our resilience and successfully met the challenges. Our way of working in solidarity, consultation, consensus, mutual respect and non-interference is our strength and I am confident that we will overcome the challenges with the cooperation of our partners.

On the socio-cultural fields, ASEAN would be able to address many issues affecting our region. We could be able to promote our regional identity without compromising our own national identity. Interaction among people, scholars, women, youth, media persons and civil society are truly promoting a people-centered ASEAN.

On the auspicious occasion the ASEAN Day as well as 40th Anniversary of ASEAN and 10th anniversary of Myanmar joining ASEAN, I wish to join others in congratulating the success of ASEAN and urge people of Myanmar to work together with other ASEAN citizens to realize the ASEAN Vision and to try to achieve ASEAN Community building in order that ASEAN Community will maintain as a cohesive and vibrant Community at the heart of dynamic Asia and the world.

Measures for organizing 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions coordinated

Nay Pyi Taw, 7 Aug - A coordination meeting of the Leading Committee for Organizing the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions and representatives from states and divisions was held at the Ministry of Culture here yesterday.

Chairman of the Leading Committee for Organizing the 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin delivered an address at the meeting.

It was also attended by chairmen of the committees and sub-committees for organizing the 15th Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competitions, departmental officials and artistees.

In his address, Commander Maj-Gen Wai Lwin said it is the duty of all national races across the country to preserve Myanmar traditional performing arts which is the national character of the country so that these performing arts do not disappear from the country under any circumstances. Therefore, it can be seen that the Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions, which is held in Myanmar yearly, capture the essence of friendship and unity of the national brethren.

The 14th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions held in Nay Pyi Taw for the first time met with success thanks to the efforts of committees and sub-committees for organizing the 14th Myanmar traditional performing arts competitions and representatives of states and divisions, active participation of contestants of the competitions and support of the people.

Therefore, officials concerned are to learn experiences from previous competitions and to make efforts for success of the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions.

The previous meeting of Leading Committee for Organizing 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions approved to extend events of the competitions. According to the approval of the meeting, three events ? play, the event for narration for religious or historical stories and the event for lyrical ode on the seasons, love etc ? will be added to the competitions of the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions. Although these three events flourished for many years, in Myanmar's cultural field they events lost their popularity gradually. Titles for events of the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions have been sent to states and divisions to inform participants of the states and divisions. Meanwhile, panel of the judges have been organized and marking schemes have been drawn.

One of the significant points of the competitions is that the opening ceremony, the prize-distribution ceremony and the ceremony to host a dinner to participants will be held in Nay Pyi Taw City Hall on a grand scale to be in accordance with progress and development of Nay Pyi Taw. The divisions of competitions will be held the same venues that were used last year.

The convocation hall of University of Veterinary Science was upgraded into the one with the seating capacity of 1,000 people for the convenience of participants and audience, he disclosed.

He stressed the need for the respective committees and subcommittees to try their utmost for the convenience of participants, members of panel of judges and managers in taking part in the competitions and discharging duties.

The respective states and divisions are to make relentless efforts so that the number of participants this year is not less than that of last year's competitions in which 1,663 participants in performing arts competitions and subject-wise 2,212 participants took part.

The commander said that at first all the states and divisions were actively taking part in drama and marionette contests. But after 2004, only Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay and Yangon Divisions were taking part in drama contest and only Ayeyawady, Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing Divisions and Mon State in marionette contest. Therefore, the remaining states and divisions are to try their best to take part in drama and marionette contests.

At a time when science and technology is experiencing rapid development styles of alien culture have a great impact on Myanma traditional performing arts and characters. That is why the performing arts competitions are held for the entire national people to be equipped with immunity capable of driving out foreign styles and characters that are contrary to Myanma culture and traditions. Hence, the commander spoke of the need for those responsible to strive for success of the performing arts competitions that will equip people with immunity full of a sense of performing arts.

Afterwards, Secretary of the Working Committee for Organizing the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions Director-General of the Fine Arts Department U Yan Naing Oo reported on tasks for the competitions. Participants of the meeting discussed tasks and events of the competitions.

Chairman of the Leading Committee Commander Maj-Gen Wai Lwin fulfilled the requirements, and the coordination meeting ended with concluding remarks by the commander.

After the meeting, the commander and participants of the meeting chose the background posters, posters, postcards, pamphlets and medals for the 15th Myanmar Traditional Performing Arts Competitions.

Yangon, 6 Aug - The meetings of delegate groups of intellectuals and intelligentsia and other invited persons were held at the designated places of Nyaunghnapin Camp, Hmawby Towship, this morning, attended by members of panel of chairmen and National Convention delegates.

Before the meetings, members of panels of chairmen and delegates signed in the attendance book.

The meeting of delegate group of intellectuals and intelligentsia was held at the meeting hall-6 at 9.30 am today. Dr Thein Nyunt presided over the meeting as an alternate chairman together with U Thein Oo Po Saw and U Khin Zaw as members of panel of chairmen.

Deputy Director U Than Win of National Convention Convening Work Committee Office acted as MC and Assistant Director U Nyein Myint as co-MC. The meeting chairman declared the start of the meeting valid as there accounted for 96.43 per cent in attendance.

Next, Dr Thein Nyunt made an opening speech on the occasion and Dr U Thein Oo Po Saw and U Khin Zaw explained clarification made by Chairman of the NCC Work Committee regarding already-adopted basic principles, amendments, additions and repeals of basis principles and detailed basic principles. Next, the delegate group set up a team of compiling proposed paper to be put forward.

Afterwards, the alternate chairman made concluding remarks and the meeting concluded.

The meeting of the delegate group of other invited persons was held at the meeting hall-8 at 9.30 am today. U Tun Aung Chein presided over the meeting as an alternate chairman together with U Sai Aung Tun and U Aung Hkam Hti as members of panel of chairmen.

Deputy Director U Aung Kyi of National Convention Convening Commission Office acted as MC and Assistant Director U Win Myint as co-MC. The meeting chairman declared the start of the meeting valid as there accounted for 98.86 per cent in attendance.

Next, U Tun Aung Chein made an opening speech on the occasion. U Sai Tun Aung explained clarification made by Chairman of the NCC Work Committee U Aung Toe regarding already-adopted basic principles, amendments, additions and repeals of basic principles and detailed basic principles.

People in trouble owing to four-cut scheme being prompted by NLD 11 members of Twantay Township NLD quit

Yangon, 7 Aug - A total of eleven members including U Tin Tun Naung, U Soe Naing, U Ye Myint, Daw San Myint, Daw Thida and U Thein Win of Twantay Township National League for Democracy of Yangon Division resigned from NLD of their own accord on 15 July.

They sent their resignation letters to NLD headquarters and local authorities concerned.

In their letters sent to Twantay Township Multi-party Democracy General Election Sub-commission, they said that NLD, without serving the interests of the State and the people, was mainly dependent on some big foreign nations. It committed itself to undermining the interests of the nation and the people.

The people had been in trouble owing to the four-cut scheme being practised by NLD. Therefore, they were no longer interested in the party's activities and quit of their own volition, they said.

Yangon, 5 Aug - The meeting on boosting production of agricultural products and increasing exports was held at the hall of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, here, yesterday afternoon.

Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo and Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein gave speeches.

President of UMFCCI U Win Myint and those present discussed boosting of agricultural crops production, local food sufficiency and export of surplus crops and improvement of quality strains.

Later, the meeting ended with the concluding remarks by Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo.

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 Aug - Minister for Electric Power No 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint together with Director-General of Department of Electric Power Dr Thein Tun, Managing Director U Tin Aung of Electric Power Distribution Enterprise and officials concerned went on an inspection tour of 230/33/11 KV (100) MVA Thepyubin main power station in Yedashay Township, Bago Division, on 4 August.

At the briefing hall, Project Director U Tin Aung briefed the minister and party on progress in building of the power station, layout plan and stockpile of construction materials with the use of charts.

After hearing the reports, the minister gave instructions on timely completion of the power station and supervision on quality of construction materials. Next, Chief Engineer U Aye Thaw gave a supplementary report.

Afterwards, the minister and party inspected four (100) MVA transformers in the construction site. After then Managing Director U Soe Tint of Soe Electrical Company Ltd briefed the minister and party on installation of transformers. Next, the minister gave instructions on emphasis to be placed on occupational safety and installation of transformers as soon as possible.

After inspecting progress in building the power station, the minister gave necessary instructions and attended to the needs.

Yangon, 6 Aug - Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing met with members of Myanmar Hoteliers Association, travel agents and officials of Myanmar Market Promotion Committee at Uttara Hall of Karaweik Palace here on 4 August.

It was also attended by Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Aye Myint Kyu, Director-General U Htay Aung of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, Managing Director U Soe Thein of Myanma Hotels and Tourism Services, Chairman of Myanmar Hoteliers Association Dr Khin Shwe, Chairman of Travels Association U Khin Zaw, Chairman of the committee Dr Aung Myat Kyaw and officials.

After hearing reports on progress of tasks, the minister gave necessary instructions.

Nay Pyi Taw, 5 Aug - Minister for Industry-2 Maj-Gen Saw Lwin received President and Managing Director Mr Ajay Krishna Goyal of Republic of India Angelique International Limited and party at his office, here, yesterday.

Also present at the call were Deputy Minister Lt-Col Khin Maung Kyaw and officials.

Yangon, 7 Aug - Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan received President Dr Nongluck Phinainitisart of Shin Satellite Public Company Limited and party at MRTV on Pyay road, here, this afternoon.

Director-General of MRTV U Khin Maung Htay, Managing Director U Aung Myo Myint of Myanmar Motion Picture Enterprise, Chief Engineer U Tin Wam of MRTV and Country Representative, Myanmar, Mr Nuthapong Temsiripong of the company were also present.

Yangon, 7 Aug - Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Shein and CEC member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Rakhine State In-charge Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe met with local people at Basic Education Primary School in Yachaung Village Ponnagyun Township on 4 August.

Next, the commander and the CEC member presented exercise books and stationery for the school, K 500,000 for Ponnagyun Township USDA and K 1 million for the development task of the village and publications for the township library to officials. Managing Director U Soe Tint of Inland Water Transport presented K 1 million for Ponnagyun Township War Veterans Organization to the chairman.

Later, the commander and the CEC member inspected village dispensaries in Sittway Township and attended to the needs.

Nay Pyi Taw, 7 Aug - Chairman of Bago Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Southern Command Maj-Gen Ko Ko accompanied by officials inspected Shwegyin Hydropower Project in Shwegyin Township on 30 July and gave necessary instructions. On 31 July, the commander met with departmental personnel, members of social organizations and local people at the office of Shwegyin Township PDC. After hearing reports on development tasks of the township, the commander attended to the needs.

Shwegyin Township has so far cultivated 43,257 acres of monsoon paddy against the targeted acreage of 500,000 acres of monsoon paddy for 2007-08. The township has also cultivated 18,600 acres of rubber and 6,520 acres of physic nut plants.

Next, the commander also visited 100-bed Shwegyin Township People's Hospital and presented cash assistance to patients.

Later, the commander looked into academic matters of Township Basic Education High School and BEHS (Branch) in Shwegyin station and fulfilled the requirements.

After that, the commander paid homage to Maha Buddha Phayagyi Pagoda and offered provisions to Sayadaw Bhaddanta Mandalasiri of Tawya Monastery. He also inspected the renovation of Yapyae Dhamma Beikman in the compound of the monastery and gave necessary instructions.

Yangon, 7 Aug - Director-General U Myo Myint of Development Affairs Department under the Ministry for Progress of Border Areas and National Races and Development Affairs inspected undertakings being carried out for greening and pleasant of Twantay, Htantabin Townships in Yangon Division yesterday.

At the office of Twantay Township Development Affairs Committee, the director-general met staff and gave instructions. At Htantabin Township DAC, the director-general inspected nursery of the committee and stressed the need of paying attention to greening and development of the town and carrying out the tasks meeting set standards. The director-general also inspected construction of granite road in the town.

Yangon, 7 Aug - A ceremony to distribute posters and pamphlets containing prevention of dengue fever was held in conjunction with World Breastfeeding Week at No 2 Basic Education High School in Sangyoung Township today.

Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win delivered an opening address at the ceremony which was jointly organized by Yangon Division Health Committee, Yangon Division Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee and Yangon West District Maternal and Child Welfare Supervisory Committee.

Commander Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win and wife Daw Mar Mar Wai distributed the posters and pamphlets to stations under Yangon Command and Yangon District MCWSC.

Daw Mar Mar Wai, Chairperson of Yangon Division MCWSC, also delivered an address and presented cash awards to winners of the essay competition to mark the World Breastfeeding Week.

Afterwards, Head of Yangon Division Health Department Dr Hla Myint briefed on activities of the World Breastfeeding Week and presented folic acid tablets and iodize salts to expectant mothers and breast feeding mothers.

Nay Pyi Taw, 7 Aug - Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information opened a basic librarian course No 1/2007 at the ministry here today.

On behalf of Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Director-General U Chit Naing of IPRD delivered a speech.

Also present on the occasion were Managing Director of News and Periodical Enterprise U Soe Win, officials of the departments and enterprises under the ministry and course instructors.

Yangon, 7 Aug - ASEAN U-20 Youth Football Championship of 2007 went on in Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam at 3.30 pm Vietnam time today.

Host Vietnam with home advantage saw off visitors Myanmar with 3-1 in the first semifinal.

Myanmar takes on the third place clash against the loser of the match between Thailand and Malaysia at 3.30 pm on 9 August.

Yangon, 7 Aug - A ceremony to introduce a new kind of medicine for stomach ulcers namely RAZO (RABEPRAZOLE 10mg and 20mg) developed by Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd was held in conjunction with a medical seminar at Traders Hotel, here, on 4 August.

Present on the occasion were professors, specialists, doctors and responsible persons.

Next, Dr Manu Tandan of India gave talks on Gerd and non-variceal bleeding to the attendees.

Dr Reddy's medical company, Indian-based one, is developing over 250 various kinds of medicines and selling them to over 100 world nations.

The new medicine is imported and distributed by Hero International Enterprise Ltd.

Yangon, 7 Aug - Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation organized a ceremony to mark World Breastfeeding Week for 2007 at the federation in Bahan Township this morning.

Dr Daw Wai Mar Mar Tun of Health Department and Child Specialist Dr Daw Phyu Phyu Oo gave talks on breastfeeding to the attendees.

Also present on the occasion were the president of Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and CEC members, patrons of MWAF, members of Yangon Division WAO, officials of the Ministry of Health and members of social organizations.

Yangon, 6 Aug - Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs' Association opened an Advanced Applied Pharmaceutical Management course No 1 on 1 August.

It was opened at the office of the association at Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Office Tower in Lanmadaw Township.

A total of 22 trainees are attending the course which will last till 30 August. Further information is available at the association (Ph- 214834).

Yangon, 6 Aug - A blue Volvo saloon caught fire on Alanpya Pagoda Road in Mingalar Taungnyunt Township at about 2.15 pm yesterday as fuel oil overflowed from its carburetor. But 14 members of Fire Brigade managed to put out the fire. Due to the fire, the whole engine room and the two rear tyres were destroyed and the dashboard and cushion were partially damaged.