nlmSep07

HOME
ARCHIVES	Saturday, 1 December 2007	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Senior General Than Shwe sees off PM General Thein Sein on his departure for Cambodia

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Than Shwe saw off Prime Minister of the Union of Myanmar General Thein Sein, who left here by special flight to pay a goodwill visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, at Nay Pyi Taw Airport at 11 am yesterday.

Together with the Senior General were Vice-Chairman of the SPDC Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye, Member of the SPDC General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, SPDC members Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, Lt-Gen Maung Bo, Lt-Gen Aung Htwe and Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Lt-Gen Myint Hlaing, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and Maj-Gen Tha Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Adjutant-General Maj-Gen Thura Myint Aung, Commander of Nay Pyi Taw Command Maj-Gen Wai Lwin, Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Deputy Minister for Transport Col Nyan Tun Aung, senior military officers, the director-general of the SPDC Office, departmental heads, Charge d'Affaires ai of the Cambodian Embassy and officials.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for Commerce Brig-Gen Tin Naing Thein, Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint, Minister for Hotels and Tourism Maj-Gen Soe Naing, Minister for Transport Maj-Gen Thein Swe, Director-General of Government Office Col Thant Shin, departmental heads and officials.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 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 Brig-Gen Tin Ngwe arrived at Nyaungmyint Village, east of Meiktila, on 28 November and called on officials concerned for timely completion of the by-pass road passing through the village.

During the tour, Chairman of Meiktila District PDC U Myint Than reported on conditions of tributary canals and buildings which are in need of repair. Lt-Gen Ye Myint urged officials concerned to repair reservoirs and tributary canals built to irrigate the farm land in Meiktila District and to make efforts for extended cultivation of paddy in the region.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party inspected thriving paddy fields and crop cultivation on both sides of Pyawbwe-Ywamon-Natmauk-Magway Road in a motorcade.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party arrived at a junction near Mile Post No 17/6 of Pyawbwe-Ywamon-Natmauk-Magway Road and inspected construction of Yangon-Mandalay Highway.

When they arrived at the mile post No 25/4 on the border between Mandalay and Magway Division, they were welcomed by Chairman of Magway Division Peace and Development Council Col Phone Maw Shwe and departmental officials.

Deputy Chief Engineer of Public Works (Upper Myanmar) reported on condition of the axis of Ywadaw-Natmauk Road which will be constructed for improving conditions and shortening of Pyawbwe-Natmauk Road. After hearing reports, Lt-Gen Ye Myint fulfilled the requirements.

At the briefing hall at Ywamon Village in Natmauk Township, Magway Division, Col Phone Maw Shwe reported on transportation in the division and Senior Engineer of Public Works U Saw Thein and Deputy Chief Engineer U Kyu Hin on plan for repaving the 37-mile Natmauk-Pyawbwe Road and finding the axis for construction of Ywadaw-Natmauk Road.

According to the report of Director of Magway Division Development Affairs Department U San Maw Khin, DAD has been constructed the 75-mile and 3-furlong sections of the division's No 1 District-to-District Road which is 132 miles and 6 furlongs long. So far, 14 miles and 3 furlongs have been paved with tar and 19 bridges and 80 conduit pipes on the road have been constructed by Magway Division Development Affairs Department. Superintending Engineer of Magway Division Public Works U Aung Kyaw Myint reported on conditions of Taungdwingyi-Myothit-Natmauk Road.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint called for the maintenance of the Taungdwingyi-Myothit-Natmauk Road as the traffic has increased on the road.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party went to Payodaw Village in Natmauk Township and inspected the paddy field which is irrigated from a temporary dam. Manager of Magway District Myanma Agriculture Service U Than Tun and officials concerned reported on cultivation of Yar-2 paddy strain and arrangements for cultivation of crops. After hearing reports, Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions to Myanma Agriculture Service to render assistance to farmers for boosting production.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party visited the 336-acre cultivation of physic nuts at Tagundine Model Village in Natmauk Township.

During the tour of Magway, Lt-Gen Ye Myint met with departmental officials, members of social organizations and townselders at the City Hall and gave instructions on regional development tasks.

In his report, Chairman of Magway Division PDC Col Phone Maw Shwe said the division sets its target of the 1 million acre of rain-fed paddy and extended the cultivation of paddy. He also reported on cultivation of the summer paddy for the 2006-2007 cultivation season, plans for cultivation of summer paddy for the 2007-2008 cultivation season, sufficiency of rice in the region and cultivation of physic nut.

Chairman of district PDCs in the division also reported on arrangements for cultivation and regional development tasks district-wise.

After hearing reports, Lt-Gen Ye Myint said Magway Division have enjoyed the fruits of development as the government constructed motor roads, rail roads and constructed universities, colleges, hospitals, schools, river water pumping stations, dams, factories and infrastructures for education and social sectors. Local people and authorities are also to strive for extended cultivation of paddy and for the regional development.

He also called for thriving physic nut in the region and using the physic nut oil in the agricultural mechanization.

As part of efforts for regional development and thriving agricultural sector, local people are to participate in implementing the development tasks joining hands with the local authorities.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than inspects progress of agriculture, fisheries industries in Ayeyawady Division

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov - Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by Chairman of Ayeyawady Division PDC Commander of South-West Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swe, met local farmers at 1,000-acre farmland in Hsamalauk Village-tract of Nyaungdon Township on 27 November.

Ayeyawady Divi-sion Manager U Myo Wai of Myanma Agriculture Service reported on agricultural task and transfer of technology.

Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than urged farmers to cultivate mixed cropping of beans and sunflower to general income.

They viewed thriving green gram and sunflower mixed cropping plantations and agricultural equipment.

Next, they looked into functions of the laboratory of Ayeyawady Division Fisheries Department in Tha-zin Yekyaw Village in Nyaungdon Township.

While in Thazin Yekyaw Village, they visited the fresh water fish and prawn breeding farm of Grand Win Enterprise Ltd. Tech-nician Dr Myint Swe reported on breeding of fish and exporting of 500 tons of fish last year.

In Zeechaung Village-tract of Kyaung-gon Township, they attended the summer paddy cultivation ceremony on 10 acres of land. After hearing the reports of officials, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said that as arrangements are being made for cultivation of 600,000 acres of edible oil crops to ensure edible oil sufficiency in the region, local farmers are to participate in growing of edible oil crops to ensure of edible oil sufficiency.

In Pathein, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than met departmental officials and local authorities. Speaking on the occasion, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than said that Ayeyawady Division produces the largest amount of paddy in the entire nation. Aye-yawady is to manage cultivation of 600,000 acres of edible oil crops for ensuring edible oil sufficiency in the division. Fur-thermore, he stressed the need to make efforts for growing of physic nut to meet the target of 500,000 acres and rubber, 100,000 acres.

In addition, de-partmental personnel are to go on field trips in undertaking five rural development tasks.

Next, Lt-Gen Khin Maung Than visited the cold storage and the feedstuff factory of Ayeyawady Fisheries Ltd of Yuzana Group.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov - Chairman of Sagaing Division Peace and Development Council Commander of North-West Command Patron of Sagaing Division Union Solidarity and Develop-ment Association Brig-Gen Myint Soe and Secretary-General of USDA U Htay Oo met with executives and members of division, district and township USDAs at the office of Monywa Town USDA, on 27 November. First, Executive of Sagaing Division USDA U Maung Maung Oo reported on social tasks carried out by the division association. Next, Commander Brig-Gen Myint Soe instructed them to make more efforts to carry out social and organizational tasks. Next, Secretary-General U Htay Oo stressed the need for the USDA members to perform social tasks upholding the policies and aims of the association. He urged the USDA members to implement the future tasks of the association in the respective regions.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov-The work effi-ciency course No 33 for heads of Township Internal Revenue Depart-ment under the Ministry of Finance and Revenue concluded at the ministry, here, this morning.

Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun in his speech said that the trainees are to follow the regulations, orders, directives and procedures they have learnt at the course in performing their duties, calling for collecting taxes and revenues systematically and fully from the people through organizing measures.

He presented first prize to U Khin Soe, second prize to Daw Pale, third prize to Daw Khin Pa Pa Soe and the certificates to the trainees through U Saw Kyaw Kyaw Htoo. Fifty-five trainees completed the four-week course.

Yangon, 30 Nov-A ceremony to submit resignation letters of 43 members of Thakayta Township National League for Democracy to NLD Headquarters and Chairman of Thakayta Township Multi-party Democracy General Election Sub-commission U Mya Kyaing was held at Yuzana Construction in Shukhinthar Ward of Thakayta Township on 21 November.

At the ceremony, Ward/village Organizer U Than Nwe said that they disappointed with NLD and no longer wanted to serve as NLD members. Next, they sent their resigination letters to the chairman of the sub-commission.

Some of them were U Than Nwe, U Ye Tin, U Thaung Myint, U Ohn Than, U Hein Soe, U Moe Aung Win, Daw Le Le, U Kyi Maung, Ko Chan Too, and Daw Maw Maw Than. They also sent the duplicates to NLD Headquarters.

Yangon, 30 Nov - The XXIV SEA Games shooting championship continued in Bangkok, Thailand. This morning, Aung Nyein Ni, Lin Aung and Aung Thura of the Myanmar selected shooting team lifted a silver medal in 50-m prone rifle with 22 points.

Thai team won the gold medal in the event and Singapore shooting team got bronze medal. Lin Aung of Myanmar selected shooting team also secured a silver medal with 22 points in 50-m prone rifle in the events held in the afternoon.

Shooting events were being held ahead of the opening ceremony of the XXIV SEA Games.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov - The First Inter-Ministry Men's Volleyball Tournament-2007 continued at Nay Pyi Taw Volleyball Grounds this morning and evening.

Among the spectators were Chairman of Myanmar Olympic Committee Minister for Sports Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun, Deputy Minister for Electric Power No 2 Brig-Gen Win Myint, departmental heads and officials.

Ministry of Electric Power No 2 Team defeated Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries with 3-1 at Ground-3 and Ministry of Home Affairs beat Ministry of Sports with 3-2 at Ground-4 this morning.

In the evening, Ministry of Immigration and Population beat Supreme Court 3-0 at Ground-1 and Ministry of Finance and Revenue beat Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation at Ground-2.

Yangon, 30 Nov-The opening ceremony of the second Korean Film Festival was held at Thamada Cinema on Alanpya Pagoda Road, here, this evening with the aim of strengthening friendship between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea.

Korean Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Park Key-chong and Director U Thein Tun Aung of the Myanma Motion Picture Enterprise delivered addresses.

The Film Festival has been held for two times including this time. The Festival will be held annually with the collaboration between the Ministry of Information and Korean Embassy in Myanmar.

The film The Host is on and the films Taegukgi- Dongmakgol and The Way Home are shown till 4 December.

Yangon, 30 Nov - The 23rd pearl sales, organized by Myanma Pearl Enterprise under the Ministry of Mines, continued for the third and final day at Myanma Gems Mart on Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, here, this morning.

On the final day, local gem merchants purchased 165 lots of pearl through tender. From 28 to 30 November, a total of 338 pearl lots were sold.

Managing Director of Myanma Pearl Enterprise U Maung Toe presented certificate of honour to most pearl purchaser Daw Mya Shin (Daw Mya Shin Pearl Trading) who has purchased 112 pearl lots.

Yangon, 30 Nov - The Yangon Mayor's Cup White Cane Day in commemoration of the International Day of Disabled Persons will be held on 2 December.

The competition will start in front of the Pyithu Hluttaw on Pyay Road to the City Hall through Pyay Road, Phonegyi Road and Maha Bandoola Street. Along the route for the competition roads will temporarily be closed from 5 am to 8 am on 2 December.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov- Maj-Gen Khin Zaw of the Ministry of Defence met servicemen and their families of the station at An Taung hall in An, Rakhine State yesterday.

Maj-Gen Khin Zaw stressed the need for further development of the region and provided assistance for the families.

Maj-Gen Khin Zaw, accompanied by Chairman of Rakhine State Peace and Development Council Commander of Western Command Maj-Gen Maung Shein and officials inspected development of An and five-acre rubber plantation near An. Maj-Gen Khin Zaw called for extended cultivation of rubber and physic nut and utilization of quality strains.

There are 826 acres of rubber cultivated in An. Maj-Gen Khin Zaw and party inspected thriving rubber plantations alongside Yangon-Sittway highway. They proceeded to Myebon Township and oversaw roadwork of Yangon-Sittway highway, and called for efforts for long-term durability of the highway.

Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation discusses matters for organizing annual general meeting

Yangon, 30 Nov- The Leading Committee for Organizing the Annual General Meeting 2007 of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation held a coordination meeting at its hall on Thanlwin Road here at 1 pm today.

At the meeting, Chairperson of the Leading Committee for Organizing the Annual General Meeting President of MWAF Daw Khin Khin Win delivered an opening speech.

Joint General Secretary Daw Khin Htar May reported on formation of subcommittees for organizing the Annual General Meeting and their duties and functions. Vice-Presidents, heads of department, leaders of working groups and officials took part in the discussions. The meeting ended with concluding remarks by the President of the federation.

The meeting was also attended by Vice-Presidents of the federation Daw Khin Lay Myint and Daw Khin Thet Htay, the General Secretary and secretariat members.

Yangon, 30 Nov - Myanmar Archery Team led by General Secretary U Kyaw Oo (Assistant Director of Sports and Physical Education Department) left here by air this morning for Nakon Ratchasima of Thailand to take part in the XXIV SEA Games in Thailand from 7 to 12 December 2007.

The Myanmar Archery Team comprises team leader U Kyaw Oo (Secretary of Myanmar Archery Federation), Managers U Tin Than Zaw and Daw Thidar Win, coaches U Aung Thura, Daw Thi Thi Win and Daw Myat Thuzar Myint, technical adviser Mr Jin So Ho and archers namely Zaw Win Htaik, Myo Ko Ko, Kyaw Lin Tun, Nay Myo Aung, Ye Min Swe, Lin Naing, Kyaw Chan Nyein, Chit Win Shein, Aung Hngein, Tin Zin Ei, Yu Nandar Htaik and San Yu Htway.

Likewise, the Myanmar Rowing Team led by President of the Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation U Chit Khaing also left for Thailand together with the Myanmar Archery Team.

Yangon, 30 Nov- Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Vice-Presidents U Win Aung, U Zaw Min Win, U Aung Lwin and Joint-Secretary-1 Dr Maung Maung Lay met with Japanese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Yasuaki Nogawa at UMFCCI office on 20 November.

At the meeting, they cordially discussed business opportunities in Myanmar, Japan-Myanmar economic co-operation, invitations for training courses and seminars on development of human resources, procurement of laboratory equipment for private business organizations and arrangements for holding Japan-Myanmar CCI Business Cooperation Committee (HIRD) meeting. Also present at the meeting were Counselor Mr Masashi Ogawa and Second Secretary Mr Atsushi Igarashi of the Japanese Embassy.

The theme of this World AIDS Day is leadership. Without it, we will never get ahead of the epidemic.

AIDS is a disease unlike any other. It is a social issue, a human rights issue, an economic issue. It targets young adults just as they should be contributing to economic development, intellectual growth, and bringing up young children. It is taking a disproportionate toll on women. It has made millions of children orphans. It does to society what HIV does to the human body - reduces resilience and weakens capacity, hampers development and threatens stability.

This does not need to happen. We have the means to prevent young adults from becoming infected. We have the means to treat those who are infected. We have the means to provide care and support.

We have made tangible and remarkable progress on all these fronts. But we must do more. Although new data shows that global HIV prevalence has levelled off, the numbers are still staggering. It is our crucial mission to ensure that everyone can access HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, This includes migrants, sex workers, injecting drug users, and men who have sex with men. It includes people who work in Government, banks, legal officers, schools, and international organizations. It includes all people - wherever they live, whatever they do.

Overcoming stigma remains one of our biggest challenges. It is still the single biggest barrier to public action on AIDS. It is one of the reasons why the epidemic continues to wreak its devastation around the world.

Today, I call for renewed leadership in eradicating stigma associated with HIV. I applaud the brave individuals who live openly with HIV, who advocate tirelessly for the rights of the HIV-positive, who educate others about AIDS. I call for leadership among Governments in fully understanding the epidemic, so that resources go where they are most needed. And I call for leadership at all levels to step up the work to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 - as pledged by all Governments last year. We have only two years left until that target date. We need to show leadership now.

As Secretary-General, I am determined to lead the United Nations family in this endeavour to ensure that we prioritize action on AIDS, to encourage Member States to keep the issue high on national and international agendas, and to work to make the UN a model of how the workplace should respond to AIDS.

Whatever our role in life, wherever we may live, in some way or another, we all live with HIV. We are all affected by it. We all need to take responsibility for the response. On this World AIDS Day, let us show the leadership required to live up to that responsibility.