Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, heads of National DutyAung Htet of the Protocol Department and Director-General U Thaung Tun of Political Department. The Japanese Prime Min-ister

Established 1914

Emergence of the State Constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar Naing-Ngan.

Samananañca dassanam, to visit the monks; this is the way to auspiciousness.

Volume XI, Number 242 7th Waning of Nadaw 1365 ME Monday, 15 December, 2003

Prime Minister General KhinNyunt meets Malaysian

counterpart

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, heads ofState/Government of ASEAN nations attend

Japan-ASEAN Exchange Year 2003 receptionYANGON, 14 Dec —

Prime Minister of the Un-ion of Myanmar GeneralKhin Nyunt and heads ofState/Government of theASEAN nations on 12 De-cember evening arrived atTokyo International Forumin Tokyo where Japan-ASEAN Exchange Year2003 reception was to beheld. They were welcomedby Japanese Prime Minis-

ter Junichiro Koizumi andtheir Imperial HighnessesPrince and PrincessAkishinomiya.

Next, Japan-ASEANExchange Year 2003 recep-tion was held, and Organ-izing Committee ChairmanMr Hiroshi Okuda ex-tended greetings. The Japa-nese Prime Minister spokewords of thanks. On behalfof the ASEAN countries,

Indonesian PresidentMadame MegawatiSoekarnoputri spoke wordsof thanks.

Traditional culturaldance troupes of ASEANnations and Japan presentedthose present with ‘rainbowdances’. Bagan dances andmarionette performance ofthe Ministry of Culture ofMyanmar were also pre-sented. —MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec — PrimeMinister General Khin Nyuntmet Malaysian Prime Minis-ter Dato Sri Abdullah binAhmad Badawi at the Impe-rial Hotel, Tokyo at 10.30 pmon 11 December. Togetherwith the Myanmar PrimeMinister were Minister forForeign Affairs U Win Aung,Deputy Ministers U KhinMaung Win and U Kyaw Thu,Myanmar Ambassador to Ja-pan U Saw Hla Min, Direc-tor-General of the Govern-ment’s Office U Soe Tint,

Director-General of the Pro-tocol Department Thura UAung Htet and Director-Gen-eral of the Political AffairsDepartment U Thaung Tun.Together with the MalaysianPrime Minister were Ministerof Foreign Affairs Datuk SeriSyed Hamid Syed JaafarAlbar, Minister of Trade DatoSeri Rafideh Aziz and high-ranking officials. During thecall, they cordially discussedmatters on enhancing coop-eration between the two coun-tries. — MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec— PrimeMinister of the Union ofMyanmar General KhinNyunt met with Prime Min-ister of Japan Mr JunichiroKoizumi at the Prime Minis-ter’s Office in Tokyo at 4 pmon 12 December.

Also present at the callwere Minister for ForeignAffairs U Win Aung, DeputyMinisters U Khin MaungWin and U Kyaw Thu,Myanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min, Di-rector-General U Soe Tint ofthe Government’s Office,Director-General Thura UAung Htet of the ProtocolDepartment and Director-General U Thaung Tun ofPolitical Department.

The Japanese Prime Min-ister was accompanied byJapanese Ambassador toMyanmar Mr Yuji

Miyamoto and high-rankingofficials of the Ministry ofForeign Affairs of Japan.

The two Prime Ministerscordially exchanged viewson cooperation in Myanmar-Japan relationship and pro-moting mutual interests.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Prime Minister Gen-eral Khin Nyunt praised theJapanese Prime Minister fororganizing the ASEAN-Ja-pan Commemorative Sum-mit successfully. He said thatMyanmar and Japan havebeen friendly countries in thehistory. Next, General KhinNyunt expressed his thanksfor getting a chance to dis-cuss the situation inMyanmar.

Prime Minister GeneralKhin Nyunt continued to saythat technology and grassrootassistance provided by Japan

contributes towards develop-ment of Myanmar to someextent. Then, he said that hewould like to see promotionof relationship between thetwo countries. In addition, hewished flourishing of eco-nomic cooperation betweenthem, he added.

Then, the General ex-plained in detail the sevenfuture policy programme ofMyanmar, preparations forconvening the National Con-vention and endeavours fornational reconsolidation in thecountry.

In his address, JapanesePrime Minister Mr JunichiroKoizumi said that people ofJapan have an attachment topeople of Myanmar. Theyare always thinking to en-hance relationship betweenthe two countries, he added.Then, the Japanese PrimeMinister said that he thankedso much for discussions onthe situation in Myanmar at

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meets Japanese Prime Minister Mr Junichiro Koizumi at the Prime Minister’sOffice in Tokyo on 12-12-2003.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meetsJapanese counterpart Mr Junichiro Koizumi

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receivesmembers of House of Representatives and

Councillors, Japanese friends

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meets MalaysianPrime Minister Dato Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at

Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on 11-12-2003.— MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec— PrimeMinister of the Union ofMyanmar General KhinNyunt received MyanmarEconomic & ManagementInstitute President Mr TomoTakahara at the ImperialHotel in Tokyo at 8 am on 11December.

At the call, they discussedenhancement of Myanmar-

Japan friendly ties that haveexisted for a long timethroughout the history, co-operation in development ofICT in Myanmar, successfulorganizing of 6th Myanmar-Japan Chamber of Com-merce Meeting, cooperationin education sector ofMyanmar and holding ofWorld Buddhism Summit in

Myanmar in 2004.At 8.30 am, the Prime

Minister received member ofHouse of Councillor MrHideo Watanabe at the hallof Imperial Hotel. They dis-cussed promotion ofMyanmar-Japan friendly re-lations and cooperation ineconomic and health sectors.

(See page 8)(See page 8)

Independence Day commemorativefeatures on pages 6, 7 and 11.

Today, in guarding against the independence, which has beenregained, it must always be borne in mind of all nationalities thatit is their inborn national duty to shoulder tasks with the convic-tions for vitalization of the spirit of national unity, nationalismand the Union Spirit and safeguarding of independence andsovereignty at the risk of their lives.

National Duty

(Message sent to the 53rd Anniversary of

Independence Day on 4-1-2001 by Chairman of the

State Peace and Development CouncilCommander-in-Chief of Defence Services

Senior General Than Shwe)

2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Sunday, 14 December, 2003

Monday, 15 December, 2003

PERSPECTIVES

At the invitation of His Excellency MrJunichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Ja-pan, Prime Minister of the Union ofMyanmar General Khin Nyunt, togetherwith the Heads of State/Government ofASEAN countries and Japan, attended theASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit inTokyo, Japan, on 11 and 12 December.

The opening of ASEAN-Japan Com-memorative Summit and the first session ofthe summit were held at the Geihinkan StateGuest House in Tokyo on 11 December af-ternoon, attended by Prime Minister of theUnion of Myanmar General Khin Nyunt.

In his opening address, Prime Ministerof Japan Mr Junichiro Koizumi said thatthe summit will have to be put on historicrecord as it was the first of its kind heldoutside the ASEAN region. He added thatJapan wishes to further strengthen Japan-ASEAN relations.

Alternate Chairperson of ASEANnations President of Indonesia Madame MegawatiSoekarnoputri said that the ASEAN-Japan rela-tion strengthened during the past 30 years andthe ASEAN was grateful to the Japanese govern-ment for its assistance to ensure development ofASEAN region.

Leaders of ASEAN nations and govern-ments also expressed their views on ASEAN-Japan relations.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt saidthat it was encouraging to witness the devel-opment of ASEAN-Japan relations duringthe past 30 years; that Japan remained as amain trade partner of ASEAN and ASEANwas also a main trade partner of Japan; thatJapan was the biggest investor of the ASEANregion; and that he hoped that Japan willfurther widen its cooperation in economicalliance and development with ASEAN inthe years to come.

The pledge to provide assistance for de-velopment of infrastructures and informa-tion and communication technology and hu-man resource development of Cambodia,Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by Japan willcontribute much to the whole ASEAN region.

As the ASEAN and Japan were activelycooperating in dealing with the problems ofterrorism, trafficking in narcotic drugs, dis-armament and transborder crimes, they willfurther strengthen their cooperation owingto latest international developments andchanges.

There were many sectors of possible co-operation between ASEAN and Japan. Theliving standard of the people will be improvedthrough enhancing cooperation in economyand development undertakings. Human re-source development is of paramount impor-tance for ASEAN nations. It is hoped thatJapan will offer more scholarships.

Myanmar has made a resolve to eliminatenarcotic drugs in the country. Cultivation ofpoppy-substitute crops are very importantin the fight against narcotic drugs. Myanmaris paying serious attention to cultivation ofpoppy-substitute crops. It is learnt that Ja-pan will cooperate in the tasks.

As Japan remains not only a major tradepartner of ASEAN but also the biggest in-vestor of the ASEAN region, we firmly be-lieve that ASEAN and Japan will be able tocooperate more actively in international af-fairs.

For promoting cooperationbetween ASEAN and Japan

YANGON, 14 Dec — The89th birthday ceremony ofState Ovadacariya AggaMaha Pandita Local and For-eign Missionary MyanmarThiri Lanka Rama Monas-tery Presiding SayadawBhaddanta Ñaninda was heldat the monastery inNatchaung Ward, TamwayTownship here this morn-ing.

Prime Minister of theUnion of Myanmar GeneralKhin Nyunt graced the cer-emony and presented offer-tories to the Sayadaw.

Minister for Finance and Revenue Maj-Gen Hla Tun attends opening ceremony ofThandwe branch of Myanma Economic Bank.— F&R

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and wife Dr Daw Khin Win Shwe offer provisions to Sayadaw BhaddantaÑaninda at the Sayadaw’s 89th birthday ceremony.— MNA

General Khin Nyunt attends birthday ceremony ofThiri Lanka Rama Monastery Presiding Sayadaw

Present at the ceremonywere State OvadacariyaSayadaws, State SanghaMaha Nayaka Committeemember Sayadaws, mem-bers of the Sangha, PrimeMinister General KhinNyunt and wife Dr DawKhin Win Shwe, Chairmanof Yangon Division Peaceand Development CouncilCommander of YangonCommand Maj-Gen MyintSwe, ministers, the YangonMayor, deputy ministers, theSri Lankan Ambassador,officials of the State Peace

and Development CouncilOffice, departmental heads,wellwishers, lay persons andguests. The ceremony wasopened with the three-timerecitation of Namo Tassa,and Sayadaw BhaddantaÑaninda invested the con-gregation with the Five Pre-cepts. The Sayadaws andmembers of the Sangha re-cited the parittas.

Next, the Prime Minis-ter and wife presented offer-tories to Sayadaw BhaddantaÑaninda. The commander,ministers and party also do-

nated provisions to themonks. State Sangha MahaNayaka Committee Secre-tary Abhidhaja Maha RatthaGuru Abhidhaja Agga MahaSaddhamma Jotika MagwaySayadaw Bhaddanta Kumaradelivered a sermon, followedby sharing of merits gained.Later, the ceremony con-cluded with three-time reci-tation of Buddha SasanamCiram Titthatu.

The Prime Minister andwife offered ‘soon’ to theSayadaws and members ofthe Sangha.— MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec—A ceremony to launch theRegionwise National Im-munization Days was heldat the city hall in Sagaing at9 am today, attended byChairman of Sagaing Divi-sion Peace and Develop-ment Council Commanderof North-West CommandMaj-Gen Tha Aye and Min-ister for Health Dr KyawMyint.

Also present wereDirector-General of Health

Regionwise National Immunization Dayslaunched in Sagaing

Department Dr Wan Maung,officials of the Health De-partment, senior military of-ficers of North-West Com-mand and No 33 LID, UNofficials, social organizationsand local people.

First, the commanderand the minister launched theceremony. Then, the com-mander delivered an address.

Next, the commanderand the minister visited theexhibition marking theRegionwise National Immu-

nization Days. They thengave oral polio vaccine tochildren under five and pre-sented gifts to them.

Afterwards, they in-spected the places whereOPV will be given to chil-dren and gave the vaccine tochildren.

Later, the commanderand the minister proceeded tothe combined team of No 33LID and gave OPV to under-five children of families inthe division.— MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec —Visiting Assistant Ministerof Commerce of the Peo-ple’s Republic of China MrCheng Jangs, together withChinese Ambassador Mr Li

Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce calls onMinister U Soe Tha

Jinjun, called on Minister forNational Planning and Eco-nomic Development U SoeTha at the Ministers’ Officethis evening.

Also present at the

call were Deputy Ministerfor Foreign Affairs U KhinMaung Win and officials ofthe Ministry of NationalPlanning and Economic De-velopment. — MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec— Aceremony to open Thandwebranch of Myanma Eco-nomic Bank of the Ministryof Finance and Revenue washeld at the bank building onBogyoke Road in Thandwethis morning, attended byChairman of Rakhine StatePeace and DevelopmentCouncil Commander ofWestern Command Maj-GenMaung Oo, Minister for Fi-nance and Revenue Maj-GenHla Tun and officials.

First, the commanderand the minister gavespeeches. Next, the generalmanager of MEB (Head Of-fice) and officials formallyopened the bank branch.

The commander and theminister met with depart-mental organizations underthe ministry. Officials ofMEB, Internal Revenue De-partment, Myanma Insur-ance, Customs Departmentand Myanma Small LoansEnterprise reported on theirrespective sectors.

The commander and theminister inspected Livestockand Fishery DevelopmentBank in Thandwe.

Later, they touredMyanma Economic Bankand offices of Internal Rev-enue Department, MyanmaInsurance, Customs Depart-ment and Myanma SmallLoans Enterprise inThandwe. — MNA

MEB Thandwebranch opened

YANGON, 14 Dec—The golden jubilee of therespect-paying ceremony ofOkkan Basic EducationHigh School will be held atthe school on 28 December(Sunday). Old studentsand retired teachers are in-vited to attend the cer-emony.

Okkan BEHS to mark its golden jubileeContact for informa-

tion and donation to theschoolhead Ph-651363/107, Dr Aye Thet (Okkan)Ph-651363/43, KaungThant Library in Okkan,Kaung Thant PublishingHouse Ph-722053 and UMyint Soe (Yangon)Ph-548331.— NLM Source

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Sunday, 14 December, 2003 3

German Minister says US troops in Iraq ill-preparedBERLIN , 14 Dec — German Defence Minister Peter Struck said on Saturday American soldiers were inade-

guately prepared for their current Iraq mission and need “nation building” training to help the country on the roadto democracy.

While lauding the battlefield abilities of the US militaryin Iraq, Struck said in an interview with Welt am Sonntagnewspaper that American forces in Iraq did not have thetraining and were not doing enough to prepare the countryfor democracy.

“The US soldiers are good combat troops but are notsufficiently prepared for the tasks associated with ‘nation-building’ — setting up democratic and economic struc-tures,” Struck said.

He said German soldiers sent to Afghanistan on a peace-keeping mission get special training. There are about 2,000German soldiers in the 5,700-strong International SecurityAssistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

“They are clearly prepared for (nation-building),” Strucksaid. “Our soldiers that go to Kabul are schooled about thementality and history of the country, and also know thedifferences between the different population groups.”

A total of 312 US soldiers have been killed in action since

US-led forces invaded Iraq in March to oust Saddam Hussein,197 of them in guerilla attacks since President Bush de-clared major combat over on May 1. Washington blames theattacks on Saddam supporters and foreign Islamic militants.

Struck also said German troops would probably stay inAfghanistan beyond the scheduled end of the mission. “Wewill not be able to leave next year — there is no end in sight.”

He also criticized a US move to bar Iraq war opponentsfrom reconstruction contracts while asking them to write offits debts. European leaders have urged the U.S. to recon-sider the decision which opened a new transatlantic rift onIraq.

“This was not a wise decision,” Struck said. He said hewas optimistic a resolution could be found and welcomedBush’s move to dispatch former Secretary of State JamesBaker to Europe to discuss Iraq and restructuring its $120billion of foreign debt.

Internet

Stamps for Year ofMonkey to beissued in HK

HONG KONG, 14 Dec—The fifth Chinese LunarNew Year special stamp inthe third series for the Yearof the Monkey will be is-sued on Sunday in HongKong, Postmaster GeneralAllan Chiang announcedhere Friday.

Different species of mon-keys are featured in this setof colourful stamps to high-light the lively spirit of thesefascinating creatures. Theset also incorporates tradi-tional Chinese paper cut-ting techniques as a toast tothe festive spirit of the Lu-nar New Year.

The stamps are designedby Bon Kwan and printed inlithography by JohEnschede BV, the Nether-lands.

This is the fifth LunarNew Year special stamp is-sue in the third series re-leased by Hong Kong Post.The first and the second setof special stamps for theYear of the Monkey wereissued in 1968 and 1992 re-spectively. A gold and sil-ver stamp sheetlet on two ofthe 12 signs of the Chinesehoroscope — the Ram andthe Monkey — will be is-sued on the same day.

MNA/Xinhua

Two US soldiers, oneIraqi killed

Baghdad, 14 Dec—Two US soldiers and an Iraqi havebeen killed in separate incidents and the fortified head-quarters of the occupation forces in Baghdad has beenattacked.

In central Tikrit, US troops shot dead an Iraqi who theysaid had been shooting at them from a speeding car.

The driver of the car said they were not shooting at thetroops but merely firing an AK-47 rifle in the air aftercelebrating at a wedding party.

A US soldier was killed and two others injured in a blastnear the flashpoint Iraqi town of Ramadi, west of Baghdad.One of the injured soldiers later died of his wounds.

The three soldiers were in a convoy when the attackoccurred around 6:30 am local time on Friday.

Resistance fighters also bombarded the occupation head-quarters in Baghdad earlier on Friday, the first attack on thecompound since US forces launched a large anti-resistanceoffensive in November.

The US military could not say what sort of weapons werefired at the 5 sq.km area, known as the Green Zone, on thebanks of the Tigris river. In another attack on a militaryconvoy, south of Baghdad, a roadside bomb exploded wound-ing two Polish soldiers. — Internet

Japanese PM hails China’sdevelopment

TOKYO, 14 Dec— Japanese Prime Minister JunichiroKoizumi repeated Friday his stance that China’s develop-ment provides opportunities for neighbouring countries.

“We should consider development in China favourablyas it will lead to the development of Japan and ASEAN,”Koizumi said at a Press conference after the two-day specialsummit meeting between Japan and the Association ofSouth-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He also vowed to continue to push forward relations withthe ASEAN, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thai-land and Vietnam. “Our such stance has been welcomed bythe ASEAN members,” said the Prime Minister with Indo-nesian President Megawati beside.

Referring to Japan’s pledge to sign the Treaty of Amityand Cooperation in Southeast Asia, Koizumi described it as“an expression of our determination that we will movealong with the ASEAN members”. — MNA/Xinhua

An Iraqi woman looks at a female US soldier atop a military vehicle after a suspiciouspackage was found in Baghdad, on 13 Dec, 2003. A US soldier and an Iraqi were killed

and the fortified headquarters of the US-led coalition in Baghdad was attacked on Friday,as Britain’s top envoy to Iraq warned more major suicide bombings were inevitable.

INTERNET

Flu vaccine frenzy continuesin Singapore

SINGAPORE, 14 Dec— Hundreds ofSingaporeans flocked to hospitals and clin-ics to take flu vaccine jabs as a new shipmentof vaccines arrived here on Friday, a localTV report said.

No one seemed to mind that the new vaccinesare 30 per cent more expensive, saidChannelnewsasia, a local English languageTV station, on its web site. Some 130 peopleturned up at the local Tan Tock Seng Hospital’sTravellers’ Clinic for the shot, it said.

MNA/Xinhua

��

Technicians try to fit the propeller on a life-size replica of the Wright Flyer at the

Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bangalore, India,

on 11 Dec, 2003. — INTERNET

US officer relieved of command,fined for assaulting Iraq detainee

TIKRIT , 14 Dec— A senior US officer was relieved of his command and fined 5,000dollars after being found guilty of assaulting and threatening an Iraqi detainee, butwill not face a full court martial, the US military revealed.

“While his crimes could merit a courtmartial, mitigating factors involved wereconsidered, including the stressful environ-ment our leaders and soldiers face daily,”the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID)said in a statement issued Saturday at its Iraqheadquarters in Tikrit, 180 kilometres (110miles) north of Baghdad.

During a hearing last month Lieutenant-Colonel Allen West admitted to firing a gunnear the man’s head, allowing soldiers tobeat the detainee, and threatening him butsaid he did it for the safety of the troops hecommanded. The 4th ID’s commander,Major-General Raymond Odierno on Fri-day evening ordered West to forfeit 2,500dollars a month from his salary for twomonths, according to the statement.

The general also relieved West of his command of about 700 troops and for-warded his request to retire in the spring of2004.

West, the most senior officer reported tohave faced a military judicial hearing inIraq, was found guilty on three counts ofaggravated assault and one count of com-municating a threat during interrogation ofa detainee on August 20 in Taji, near Bagh-dad.

“The incident reflects a brief lapse in

judgment by an officer with an otherwisegood record and performance,” the state-ment said, adding that West had “disobeyedlaws, ignored orders, and disregarded valuesfor which we fight.”

“Frustration and anger overcame his pro-fessional ethics and personal values, and heperformed what he knew to be illegal andimmoral acts,” the statement said.

During his hearing on 19 November, Westsaid he was trying at the time to get informa-tion about an alleged plot to kill him andsome of the men he commanded and whichhe believed the detainee, Yahya JhodriHamoody, was involved in. —Internet

TEHERAN, 14 Dec—Former Iraqi President SaddamHussein has been arrested in his home town of Tikrit,according to Jalal Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union ofKurdistan, the official IRNA news agency reported onSunday.

The news agency report was from Qasr-c Shirin inIran. There was no independent confirmation of the report.

MNA/Reuters

Saddam Husseinarrested in Tikrit


BAGHDAD , 14 Dec— As of Friday, 12 Dec, 452 US service members have died since the beginning of militaryoperations in Iraq, according to the Department of Defence. Of those, 311 died as a result of hostile actionand 141 died of non-hostile causes, the department said. The department did not provide an updateSaturday.

South Koreans protestagainst sending troops to Iraq

SEOUL , 14 Dec— Hundreds of activists took to thestreets to protest against South Korea’s plan to sendtroops to Iraq.

Some 500 protestors,most of them student radi-cals, marched Saturday froma public park to another pub-lic park some two kilome-tres (1.25 miles) away,chanting “no troop dispatch,no war” and carrying ban-ners.

Police did not attemptto break up the demonstra-tion, which was largelypeaceful.

Hardly has a weekendpassed without anti-war pro-tests since South Korea de-cided to accept a controver-sial US request to send moretroops to Iraq in addition tosome 460 military engineersand medics who are alreadythere.

Divided public opinionover the deployment wasfurther polarized after adeadly ambush in northernIraq a week earlier in whichtwo South Korean construc-tion workers were killed andtwo others injured.

Despite the first fatal at-tack by Iraqi insurgentsagainst South Koreans,South Korean President RohMoo-Hyun vowed to honorhis promise to comply withthe US request to sendtroops.

He said he would con-sider sending around 3,000troops, mostly non-com-batants, to Iraq — far fewerthan the United Statesrequested.—Internet

452 US service members killed sincebeginning of military operations in Iraq

China receives 550,000exchange students

by 2002

South Korean protesters march during a protest against the government's decision tosend troops to Iraq. Hundreds of activists took to the streets of Seoul to protest against

the troop deployment and the US occupation of the Middle East country.—INTERNET

MUMBAI, 14 Dec— Terming the tiger as a “rivalpredator” to humans, Save Tiger Movement protago-nist Billy Arjan Singh said the wild beast should beused as an umbrella to protect the forest and saveeco-system.

“Using tigers as an umbrella will help to save theforest, which will further lead to maintaining of waterlevels and prevention of soil erosion,” Singh, whowould be presented the ABN-Amro Sanctuary LifetimeService Award for protecting the Dudhwa Tiger Re-serve in western Indian region and its wildlife, saidhere.

The 86-year-old activist, responsible for closingdown 26 hunting companies four decades ago, said thebiggest predator was the human being and hence tigerwas a rival predator. So the mountain ranges have to besaved for these tigers, he added.

MNA/PTI

BEIJING , 14 Dec— China received about 550,000foreign students from 170 countries and regionsaround the world from 1950 to 2002, with 100,000gaining scholarships granted by the Chinese Gov-ernment, according to the Chinese Ministry of Edu-cation (MOE).

This revealed to more than 240 foreign exchange stu-dents from nearly 80 countries and regions, and foreignambassadors to China from over 70 countries and regionswho attended an evening ball for exchange students heldby the MOE and the Beijing municipal government, hereFriday.

According to the organizers, educational exchanges andcooperation have seen rapid progress in the past decade,with a big increase in the number of exchange students. Sofar, nearly 500 higher education institutes in China havebeen given permission to receive foreign exchange stu-dents.

Statistics show that in 2002 China received 86,000 ex-change students from 170 countries and regions, amongwhom students from North Korea, Japan, the United States,Indonesia and Vietnam ranked first to fifth largest in number,respectively.

MNA/Xinhua

The British military hasreported 52 deaths; Italy,17; Spain, eight; Denmark,Ukraine and Poland havereported one each.

On or since 1 May, whenPresident Bush declaredthat major combat opera-

tions in Iraq had ended, 314US soldiers have died —196 as a result of hostileaction and 118 of non-hostile causes, according tothe Defence Department’sfigures.

Since the start of mili-tary operations, 2,231 USservice members have beeninjured as a result of hostileaction, according to the De-fence Department’s figures

as of Friday. Non-hostileinjured numbered 360.

The latest identificationsreported by the military andfamily members:

Army Sgt. MarshallEdgerton, 26, Dalton Geor-gia; died Thursday in anattack by suicide bomberson the headquarters of the82nd Airborne Divisionwest of Baghdad; assignedto the 82nd Airborne Divi-

sion, Fort Bragg, NorthCarolina.

Army Sgt. Jarrod Black,26, Peru, Indiana; died Fri-day when a bomb explodedalongside a US militaryconvoy in Ramadi, about60 miles west of Baghdad;assigned to 1st Battalion,34th Armoured Regiment,1st Infantry Division; FortRiley, Kansas.

Internet

HANOI, 14 Dec— Vietnamhas so far this year exported77,000 tons of cashew nutsworth 259 million US dollars,year-on-year increases of 35.5per cent in volume and 36 percent in value. More than a halfof the volume was shipped toChina and the United States, up16.6 per cent and 28.4 per cent,respectively, according to theTrade Ministry on Friday.

The country shipped63,000 tons of the nuts worth214 million US dollars lastyear. Its major market in-cluded China, the UnitedStates, the European Unionand Australia. It now has350,000 hectares of cashewswith annual combined out-put of around 230,000 tons,and 72 cashew processingplants.—MNA/Xinhua

Vietnam’scashew nutexport soars

An Iraqi youth chants anti-American slogans during a demonstration calling the releaseof his relatives held by US forces, during a march at Baghdad, Iraq, on 12 Dec, 2003.

INTERNET

��

UNITED NATIONS , 14 Dec — The International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, a combination of two trustfunds through which governments can contribute to the rebuilding of Iraq, was inaugurated Thursday by theUnited Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.

“The joint UN/WorldBank fund for Iraq isoperational today,” UNspokesman Fred Eckhardtold a Press briefing at theUN Headquarters in NewYork. “The fund, which willgo by the official name ofthe International Recon-struction Fund Facility forIraq, is being inauguratedby the UN DevelopmentGroup and the WorldBank.”

“Now that it is up and

running, interested govern-ments can contribute to therebuilding of Iraq’seconomy and infrastructurethrough projects managedby UN agencies and theWorld Bank,” he said.

Accord ing to thespokesman, the fund ismade up of two individualtrust funds. “One of theseis managed by the WorldBank which will focus ontechnical assistance, in-frastructure support and

feasibility studies. Theother will be handled bythe UN DevelopmentGroup and it will focuson quick impact projectsand transition activities,”he said.

On Iraq’s side, two en-tities will supervise thespending of contributions.The Iraqi Strategic ReviewBoard will guide donors andmake the final decision onrecommendations from theMinistries of Planning and

Finance.The Iraqi Ministry of

Planning will serve as theInterim Iraqi Administra-tion’s primary link to the fa-cility and will ensure thatfunds are equitably distri-buted.

MNA/Xinhua

International fund for Iraqbecomes operational

Use tigers

as umbrella

to protect

forest,

save

eco-system


IRAQ UNDER US OCCUPATION

A soldier of US Army's 4th Infantry Division guards a suspected guerilla inSaddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, north of Baghdad, early on 13 December

2003. One person was killed and another arrested in a shootout with US troops thatpatrol and secure Saddam Hussein's volatile hometown.

INTERNET

US soldiers secure the perimeter of Baghdad's Zoo during a search for weaponsrecently. —INTERNET

A US soldier guards outside the Convention Centre during a protest by formeremployees of Iraqi government in Baghdad on 13 December, 2003.

INTERNET

Retired officers of the Iraqi army set fire to barricades at the entrance of the British

army headquarters during a protest in the southern city of Basra on 13 December,

2003. — INTERNET

An Iraqi policeman aims his handgun at a driver who did not stop his car on first

warning, while a US soldier looks on at a checkpoint in Baghdad, on 13 December,

2003. A US soldier and an Iraqi were killed and the fortified headquarters of the

US-led coalition in Baghdad was attacked on Friday, as Britain's top envoy to Iraq

warned more major suicide bombings were inevitable. — INTERNET

Families of Iraqis detained by the US authorities protest in front of Abu Gharibprison, 20 kms north of Baghdad. The placard in Arabic reads, 'US army where did

you bring our men?' — INTERNET


Myanmar-Japan Joint Association conducts field survey in November 1999 at the site wherefossil primates are found.

The nation wherewe live is named theUnion of Myanmar.Altogether over 100national races such asKachin, Kayah, Kayin,Chin, Bamar, Mon,Rakhine and Shan havebeen living in theUnion. The nationalraces have settled downin the land since thetime immemorial.According to theanthropological researchdone, the evidenceconfirmed that thepeople in the stone age,the ancestors of thepresent generationnational races, lived inthe motherland aeonsago.

Fossils of Myanmarprimitive men wereexcavated in Pondaungregion in the UpperMyanmar. It can be saidthat the earliest humanbeings were fromMyanmar according toPondaungia and Am-phipithecus unearthed inthe region. Moreover,successive historicallinkages indicate thatMyanmars have lived inthe land ever since.Primitive men of earlyand late stone age,bronze age and iron agewere found successively

Myanmar, sovereign nation with ownhistorical cultural heritage

in Myanmar. Based onthese facts, we can saythat successive ancestorsof we Myanmar livedin this land and theyhanded down thehistorical and culturalheritage and territorialheritage to latergenerations. It inculcatesus with the awarenessthat those who lived inthis land at that timewere Myanmars.

At the GraduationParade of the 40thIntake of the DefenceServices Academy on 7April 1999, Head ofState Senior GeneralThan Shwe delivered aspeech, saying thatUnion Spirit is thespirit that binds allcitizens in unity nomatter in whichsection, which regionthey may reside.Union Spirit is builton the spirit ofnationalism thatengenders nationals tolove, cherish and valuea single motherland,our mother nation,and work for itsprosperity. In a way,Union Spirit is thatoneness and unity ofnationals who havedescended from kinwho have lived

together with affection,in weal and woe onthe same land,drinking the waterfrom the same sourcefor a very longtime.

So, Union Spirit isthe spirit that the peopleconsistently regard theUnion as a single familyor home. It is also thespirit that one is willingto safeguard and servethe interest of one’snational people, withattachment to the lineageand regions.

The Union Spirit isbased on the spirit thatthe citizens help eachother, provide assistancefor those in need andbuild up understanding,patience and forgivenessamong the nationals.

In retrospect, in theUnion of Myanmar,there were a great dealof historic incidents thatreflected Union Spirit.In the course ofMyanmar’s history, itcan be distinctly seenthat Myanmar was verypowerful during theperiods of the FirstMyanmar Empire, theSecond MyanmarEmpire and the ThirdMyanmar Empire.

If one makes areview of why Myanmarwas very strong in thepast, one can be awareof the fact that it was

the period in whichMyanmar nationals wereunited. In other words,at that time, Myanmarnational races such as

Than Tun (IPRD)Than Tun (IPRD)Than Tun (IPRD)Than Tun (IPRD)Than Tun (IPRD)

Hailing the 56th Anniversary Independence Day:

Fossil primates excavated in Pondaung region.

Kachin, Kayah, Kayin,Chin, Bamar, Mon,Rakhine and Shan wereunited by friendship andthere flourishedpatriotism andnationalistic spirit amongthe national brethren. Atthe time when UnionSpirit flourished, thenation was prosperousand the people enjoyedfruitful results of foodand clothing inabundance.

The study of theperiods of the collapseof the First, Second andThird Myanmar Empireswill reveal the lack ofpatriotism and UnionSpirit. It was also thetime when Myanmarswere in disunity.

More apparent wasrivalry for gainingpower among them-selves. At that time,there also existed alienintrusion, resulting infalling into the servitudeof the colonialists inKonbaung Era.

Therefore, it isimportant to drawlessons from the pasthistory so that the Unionof Myanmar we cherishcannot relapse into aliendomination. Thus, theflourishing of patriotismand Union Spirit mustlast as long as the worldexists.

The older generationmust continuously handdown the practice ofupholding Union Spiritto the new generation.

In this regard, aquestion as to whetherUnion Spirit needs to beimplanted in the newgeneration has to beraised.

The answer tothe question is crystalclear. It is necessaryto constantly kindleUnion Spirit. It isessential to makesustainable efforts forperpetuity of theindependence with themight of Union Spirit.

(Translation: MS)


Fossils of animal jaws with teeth.

Upper jaws and teeth of primitive homosapiens.

A piece of left lower jaw with molars and a loose tooth found in Pondaung region.


Conducting research is one of the most effective ways to makeMyanmar known to the world. Thanks to the research, the argument onthe origin of man has ceased. Myanmar had been able to present the factthat Myanmar was the origin of man. In consequence of it, Myanmarreceived an invitation from the United States of America to hold aseminar concerning the matter. The revelation about the finding of thefossils in Myanmar made her stand proud among the internationalcommunity. The findings therefore prove to be something in whichMyanmar can take pride.

Myanmar civilization has existed for years countable by thethousand. Since the dawn of the Earth, there have been historicalevidences identifying the existence of primitive men. Myanmars havelived on their own soil with own style and own literature and culture.The era of Myanmar was established with firm evidence.

It may be acknowledged that the fossils excavated in the Pondaungregion indicated the higher stage of man. So, they may be described asthe fossils of the primates. They have been classified as Bahinia whichwere over 40 million years old. In fact, they are historical evidences thatcan trace the early history of man.

The finding of fossils of the primates in Pondaung region en-hanced the prestige of Myanmar, enabling her to declare that manoriginated in Myanmar. These research findings are the ones of whichthe entire people of Myanmar should be proud. The generations to comeshould continue to carry out such research work.

Lower jaw fossils of primitive homosapiens.

Primate fossils that

bring glory to the

Union of Myanmar

Myanmar, the origin of man


Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meets…(from page 1)

length. He realised thatMyanmar is striving forflourishing of democracydespite difficulties and wishedMyanmar success. He added

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives…that the summit is a successfulone as Japan will provideassistance for economic,social, science and techno-logical development ofASEAN nations; that he helda meeting with the JapanesePrime Minister and was ableto discuss matters related topromoting of relationsbetween the two countries;that he also met with officialsresponsible for political,economic and social sectors

of Japan and was able to clarifypolitical, economic and socialconditions of Myanmar andwas thus able to build theconstructive relations; thatthey will cement Myanmar-Japan relations and urged theembassy staff in Japan to makeearnest efforts for furtherstrengthening mutual interestand friendship in addition totheir original protocol tasksand keep in touch withMyanmar citizens in Japanand give aid to them and create

(from page 16)Military Attaché Col HlaMyint, embassy staff and theirfamilies and gave instructions.He said that the delegationunder his leadership attendedthe ASEAN-Japan Comme-morative Summit held inJapan; that the summit is thefirst of its kind in 30 yearsafter forming of ASEAN; thatmatters related to unitedcooperation between Japanand ASEAN were discussed;

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt greets Prime Minister of JapanMr Junichiro Koizumi.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meets with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato SriAbdullah Ahmad Badawi.— MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec— TheMalaysian delegation led byUnder-Secretary Dr HjIsmail bin Hj Ahmad ofPolicy Division of MalaysianArmed Forces arrived hereby air this morning.

They were welcomed atYangon International Air-port by Deputy Commandantof National Defence CollegeBrig-Gen Than Maung of theMinistry of Defence, seniormilitary officers andMalaysian Defence AdviserCol Hj Abbas Hj Mat. At1.45 pm, the Malaysian del-egation called on Vice-Chief

of Armed Forces TrainingMaj-Gen Aung Kyi at thehall of NDC. Also present atthe call were Vice-Chief ofArmed Forces Training Brig-Gen Nyan Win, DeputyCommandant of NDC Brig-Gen Than Maung and seniormilitary officers, MalaysianDefence Adviser Col HjAbbas Hj Mat and officials.

After the call, seniorMyanmar military officersand the guests discussedmatters related to militarytraining courses between thetwo countries.

Next, Commandant Maj-

Gen Moe Hein of NDC ex-tended greetings and ex-plained the history of thecollege.

Afterwards, the com-mandant and the MalaysianUnder-Secretary exchangedsouvenirs. Then, the leaderof the Malaysian delegationspoke words of thanks.

The guests then visitedthe college. In the evening,Vice-Chief of Armed ForcesTraining Maj-Gen Aung Kyihosted a dinner in honour ofthe guests at the KaraweikPalace.

MNA

Delegation of Malaysian armed forces arrives

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Myanmar Economic & ManagementInstitute President Mr Tomo Takahara at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.— MNA

that Japan, on its part, willprovide assistance forflourishing of democracy inMyanmar. After the call,Prime Minister GeneralKhin Nyunt and Minister

of Imperial Hotel. Theydiscussed cooperation ofSasagawa Foundation inMyanmar, implementationof seven-point futureprogrammes of Myanmar,peace talks negotiatedbetween the Government andnational race armed groupsand enhancement of

tourism industry.Also present at the calls

were Minister for ForeignAffairs U Win Aung, DeputyMinisters U Khin MaungWin and U Kyaw Thu,Myanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min,Director-General U Soe Tintof Government’s Office,

At the call, the formermilitary attachés said whilein Myanmar, they thankedso much for the conveniencein discharging their dutiesbecause of cooperation andassistance of Myanmarauthorities. So, they cannotforget the period when theylived in Myanmar.— MNA

Japan House of Representatives Mr Koichi Kato and Senior Adviser to Japan LiberalDemocratic Party Mr Iwakura call on Prime Minster General Khin Nyunt.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Japan House of Councillors Mr HideoWatanabe at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.— MNA

(from page 1)Similarly, the General

received member of Houseof Representatives MrKoichi Kato and SeniorAdviser to LiberalDemocratic Party of JapanMr Iwakura at the ImperialHotel at 9 am.

At the call, they held adiscussion on endeavours fordrugs elimination ofMyanmar, cultivation ofopium-substitute buckwheatfor drugs elimination andjoining hands of theGovernment with nationalrace leaders in undertakingdrugs elimination tasks.

At 9.30 am, the PrimeMinister received the NipponFoundation President MrYohei Sasagawa at the hall

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives…Myanmar-Japan friendlyrelationship and economiccooperation. Likewise, theGeneral received formerJapanese ambassador toMyanmar NGO AsianMaternal and Child WelfareAssociation President MrYoichi Yamaguchi at thesame venue. They discussedassistance provided to socialsector of Myanmar includingMaternal and Child WelfareAssociation.

At 11.30 am, GeneralKhin Nyunt received theJapan-Myanmar EconomicCooperation President MrChigemoto Okuda at thesame venue. They discussedpromotion of air transportbetween the two countriesand development of Myanma

Director-General Thura UAung Htet of ProtocolDepartment and Director-General U Aung Bwa ofASEAN Affairs Department.

Maj-Gen ShusukeKayanuma of the Ministryof Defence of Japan and wifeand Col Hirofumi Yusa whodischarged duty of militaryattachés of Japan, togetherwith Japanese Ambassadorto Myanmar Mr YujiMiyamoto, called on PrimeMinister General Khin Nyuntat the same place on 10December evening.

Also present at the callwere Minister for ForeignAffairs U Win Aung, DeputyMinister U Khin Maung Win,Myanmar Ambassador USaw Hla Min, MilitaryAttaché Col Hla Myint anddepartmental heads.

Workshop on establishment of model forest villages heldYANGON, 14 Dec —

Workshop on setting up ofmodel forest villages for ru-ral area development tookplace on 12 December atMingala Garden Hall inPyay, Bago Division (West).

It was attended byDeputy Minister for ForestryBrig-Gen Tin Naing Thein,Pyay District and

Thayawady District Peaceand Development CouncilChairmen, officials of theForest Department and localpeople.

At the workshop, threepapers were submitted. Next,those present grouped inthree and made discussion.

The deputy minister wentto the forest village in

Bawbin Forest Reserve inNattalin Township yesterdayand inspected the school, li-brary and clinic in the vil-lage. At the briefing hall ofthe teak special plantation,an official of the Forest De-partment reported on prepa-ration for teak plantation for2003-2004 and extraction oftimber. — MNA

for Foreign Affairs U WinAung answered the queriesrelated to the programme forbuilding Myanmar as ademocratic country raisedby correspondents. — MNA

(See page 10)


Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attends…(from page 16)

Prime Minister on arrange-ments and upgrading tasksof hotels and restaurants inthe park. Afterwards, DeputyMinister for Science andTechnology U Nyi Hla Ngereported to the Prime Minis-ter on formation of a com-mittee for completion of theupgrading tasks of the parkand gardens and require-ments.

Next, Managing Direc-tor U Win Aung of the WoodLand Co Ltd reported to thePrime Minister on landscap-ing tasks, construction of aconvention hall, arrange-ments for cable car and land-scaping tasks in the CentralForest Zone.

Those present also re-ported to the Prime Ministeron cooperation of depart-ments concerned in upgrad-ing the park and the gardens.

After hearing the reports,

the Prime Minister fulfilledthe requirements and made aspeech. He said as Myanmaris a country with abundantnatural resources, it is re-quired for the government todevelop these national re-sources with innovation anddiligence. By doing so inevery sector, economic lifeand living standard of thepeople can be raised. ThePrime Minister, pointing outsome countries of the worldthat stand shoulder to shoul-der with others and enjoyingprosperity due to the makingbest use of resources of theircountries, urged responsiblepersonnel at different levelsto make efforts with the de-termination to realize thegoals of the respective de-partments based on theirtechnological know-how,experience, goodwill anddiligence. The key to suc-cess and prosperity is the ef-

forts with innovation anddiligence, the Prime Minis-ter said.

In conclusion, the PrimeMinister urged the commit-tees responsible for upgrad-ing Yangon City into inter-national standard one, to ex-ert efforts with goodwill andduty consciousness for thesuccess of the respective sec-tors.

After the meeting, thePrime Minister inspected thetasks being carried out in thepark including constructionof the Water Plaza and waterfountains, laying of granitesin Khemadepa Island, land-scaping tasks in Pale andMaha Myaing islands, andearth works for constructionof an aquarium for sharks inMyaypadetha island and ful-filled the requirements. ThePrime Minister left the parkin the afternoon.

MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec— TheEighth Thailand Exhibition,organized by the Ministryof Commerce of Thailandand the Trade Section of theThai Embassy, concluded atYangon Trade Centre onUpper Pazundaung Roadin Mingala Taungnyunt

Township yesterday even-ing.

Altogether 150 compa-nies opened 180 showroomsfrom 10 to 13 December.More Thailand exhibitionswill be held here in comingyears.

MNA

Eighth Thailand Exhibitionconcludes

YANGON, 14 Dec —Jointly-organized byMadalay Division Compu-ter Scientists Associationand Computer Industry As-sociation, the 2nd Compu-ter Technology Exhibitionwas opened at the city hallof Mandalay City Develop-ment Committee inChanayethazan Townshipon 12 December morning.

Present at the ceremonywere Chairman of Manda-lay Division Peace and De-velopment Council Com-mander of Central Com-mand Maj-Gen Ye Myint,Chairman of Mandalay CityDevelopment CommitteeMayor Brig-Gen YanThein, Deputy CommanderBrig-Gen Nay Win, DeputyChief Justice of SupremeCourt (Upper Myanmar) UKhin Maung Latt, Secretary

of Mandalay Division Lt-Col Tin Ohn and depart-mental heads, Chairman ofthe Madalay Division Com-puter Scientists AssociationU Thein Htut and membersand guests.

Under the programme,U Thein Htut of theMDCSA explained the pur-poses of holding the exhi-bition.

Next, the commander

and the mayor formallyopened the exhibition andviewed round it and at-tended to the needs. The ex-hibition will continue up to14 December.

At the exhibition, BaganCybertech and ComputerCompanies of Yangon andMandalay Divisions dis-played hardware and soft-ware in 53 booths on tech-nology. — MNA

Commander opens 2nd Computer TechnologyExhibition in Mandalay

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives the Nippon Foundation PresidentMr Yohei Sasagawa at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.—˚MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives NGO Asian Maternal & Child WelfareAssociation President Mr Yoichi Yamaguchi at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt and party being seen off at the airport by JapaneseDeputy Foreign Minister Mr Shogo Arai and officials.—˚MNA

Gold medalist Khine Khine Maw being seen with Minister for Sports Brig-Gen ThuraAye Myint and President of Myanmar Wushu Federation U Khin Maung Lay.— NLM

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Maj-Gen Shusuke Kayanuma of Ministryof Defence of Japan at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.—˚MNA

Myanmar sports contingent arrives backYANGON, 14 Dec—

Chairman of Myanmar Ol-ympic Committee Ministerfor Sports Brig-Gen ThuraAye Myint and leader of theMyanmar sports contingentDeputy Minister for Hotelsand Tourism Brig-Gen Aye

Myint Kyu and members ar-rived back here by air thismorning. They were wel-comed back at the airport byMinister for Home AffairsCol Tin Hlaing, Minister forCommunications, Posts andTelegraphs Brig-Gen Thein

Zaw, Vietnamese Ambassa-dor Mr Pham Quang Khonand officials.

The Myanmar sportscontingent bagged 16 gold,43 silver and 50 bronze inthe XXII SEA Games.

MNA

L&F Minister inspects hatcheries in Ayeyawady DivisionYANGON, 14 Dec — Min-

ister for Livestock and Fish-eries Brig-Gen MaungMaung Thein on 12 Decem-ber inspected the PathweFish Hatchery of the Fisher-ies Department in PantanawTownship. An official con-

cerned reported to the minis-ter on arrangements forhatching. Next, the ministerurged the officials to pro-duce the fingerlings to ex-ceed the target.

Afterwards, the ministeralso saw over the Ayeyawady

hatchery of Yuzana Groupin Pathein.

During his tour, the min-ister met with staffs of thedivision/district/townshipfisheries departments inAyeyawady Division.

MNA


Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives…(from page 8)

official opportunities forthem.

On arrival at HanedaAirport where they are goingto depart, Prime MinisterGeneral Khin Nyunt andparty were seen off byDeputy Minister of Foreign

Affairs of Japan Mr ShogoArai, Japanese Ambassadorto Myanmar Mr YujiMiyamoto and members,Myanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min,Military Attaché Col HlaMyint, embassy staff andtheir families. Next, Prime

Minister General KhinNyunt and party arrived atChak Lap Kok InternationalAirport in Hong Kong wherethey were welcomed bySenior Consultant Ms LuisTam of Protocol Departmentof Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region and

Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin gives instructions at construction site of the pumpstation for Gyobyu pipeline in Hmawby Township.— YCDC

be distributed to the YangonCity, especially the townshipsof South Oak-kalapa, NorthOakkalapa, Thingangyun,Thuwunna and Thakayta inaddition to regular supplies ofwater on completion of thepump station construction.And he said the constructionwould complete in March2004. The mayor and partyinspected the maintenance ofPhugyi pipeline near theconstruction site. — MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec — Yangon City DevelopmentCommittee Mayor Brig-GenAung Thein Lin, together withcommittee member Col TinSoe, yesterday morningarrived at the construction siteof the pump station forGyobyu pipeline nearPyawbwesu Village inHmawby Township.

An official reported tothe mayor that more 12 to 15million gallons of water would

Mayor inspects construction of pump station Guna Visittha Puja forNyaungganaye Sayadaw held

YANGON, 14 Dec— TheAgga Maha Kamma-thanaçariya Guna VisitthaPuja for NyaungganayeSayadaw Bhaddanta Indakawas held at NyaungganayeSasana Yeiktha in InseinTownship this morning, at-tended by Minister for Reli-gious Affairs Brig-GenThura Myint Maung.

Also present were mem-bers of the State SanghaMaha Nayaka Committee,Director-General Dr MyoMyint of Religious AffairsDepartment, officials andwellwishers.

Secretary Sayadaw ofState Sangha Maha NayakaCommittee AbhidhajaMaha Rattha GuruAbhidhaja Agga MahaSaddhammajotika MagwaySayadaw BhaddantaKumara administered theFive Precepts.

Then, Minister Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung,officials and wellwishersdonated provisions to theSayadaws.

Next, the minister andofficials accepted cashdonations totallingK 30,584,940 for construc-tion of Sasana SitalaDhamma Beikmandaw do-nated by wellwishers.

Later, the Guna VisitthaPuja for the NyaungganayeSayadaw followed.

MNA

Donate blood

members, Consul-GeneralU Myo Chit of Consulate-General of Hong Kong andstaff. Next, Prime MinisterGeneral Khin Nyunt andparty took a break at thespecial lounge of the airport.

Afterwards, PrimeMinister General KhinNyunt and party left HongKong and arrived back herein the afternoon.—MNA

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung meets with Japanese Foreign Minister of Ms Yoriko Kawagushiat the Imperial Hotel. (News on page 16)— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt being seen off at the airport by staff of Myanmar Embassy in Japan.— MNA

There are about 500,000 householdsusing electricity in Yangon. Thus, saving afour-foot fluorescent lamp every day by eachhousehold amounts to saving power that isequal to the capacity a 20-megawatt powerstation can supply.

Efficient use of electricity* Use daylight as the main source of light* Use the least possible amount of electricity

only if there is not enough natural light* Use the least possible amount of electricity

required in production and serviceenterprises

* Preventing waste of electricity benefits theuser and others

* Oppose those relying on externalelements, acting as stooges, holdingnegative views

* Oppose those trying to jeopardizestability of the State and progress ofthe nation

* Oppose foreign nations interfering ininternal affairs of the State

* Crush all internal and externaldestructive elements as the commonenemy

People’s Desire

* Do not be frightened

whenever intimidated

* Do not be bolstered

whenever flattered

* Do not be softened

whenever appeased

All this needs tobe known

* Saving one gallon of fuel per car per monthwill save the nation one US dollar

* Thus, a total of 455,822 cars in Myanmarcan save US$ 5.5 million in a year

* The amount, US $ 5.5 million, can build amajor bridge across Ayeyawady River

Efficient use of fuel

The 57th AnniversaryUnion Day objectives

— for all national races to safeguard the nationalpolicy— non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and per-petuation of sovereignty

— to keep the Union spirit ever alive and dynamicamong the national people

— for all national people to defend and safeguardthe Union for its perpetual existence

— to prevent, through national solidarity, thedanger of internal and external destructiveelements undermining peace and stability ofthe State and national development, and

— for all national races to make concerted effortsfor successful implementation of the seven-point future policy programme.



Hinywet Dam in An

Township, Rakhine

State.

Mone Creek DamProject being

constructed twomiles south of

Sedoktara Town-ship, Minbu District

in MagwayDivision.

Nankathu Dam con-

structed at a cost of K

1,422 million in Ingapu

Township, Ayeyawady

Division, was inaugu-

rated as the first dam of

the division on 29

November, 2000.� � � � � ��

� � � � � ��

Images of irrigation projects

Subject Before 1988 From 1988 to November 2003

Irrigation facilities 138 153River Water Pumping Projects — 265Cultivated acreage 1,336,199 over 2,000,000Irrigation facilities under construction — 39Projected Irrigation networks — 84Funds spent on irrigation facilities K 1,454 million over K 80,000 million

Irrigation facilities and river water pumping projects implementedin the time of the State Peace and Development Council


� � � � � � � � � �� 3 x 3.53 x 3.53 x 3.53 x 3.53 x 3.5

INVITATION FOR TENDERNo. 006/TRT/2003-2004

Sealed Tenders from eligible suppliers are invited forthe supply of the following Tyre Sizes, prices to be quotedin Myanmar Kyats - Yangon.

Tyres With Tubes And Flaps.Size: 9.00 x 20 x 14 PR — 2100 Sets

7.50 x 16 x 12 PR — 345 Sets

(a) Tender Documents are available at the Office ofProcurement & Stores Department Head Office, RoadTransport, No. 375, Bogyoke Aung San Street,Yangon Myanmar, Commencing on the 15th De-cember 2003.

(b) Tender will be closed on 31st December 2003 at16:00 hours.

(c) The Road Transport reserves the right to reject anyor all Tenders.

(d) Detailed information will be available at the Office ofthe Procurement & Stores Department, or contactPhone Nos. (01) 252574 or (01) 376549.

Managing Director, Road Transport.

TRADE MARK CAUTION

Mundipharma AG, acorporation organized andexisting under the laws ofSwitzerland and domiciledat St. Alban-Rheinweg 72/74, CH-4006 Basel, Swit-zerland, is the Owner of thefollowing Trade Marks:-

I˚S˚O˚D˚I˚N˚EReg: No. 845/1988

B˚E˚T˚A˚D˚I˚N˚EReg: No. 864/1988

in respect of “Pharmaceuti-cal preparations and sub-stances for human and vet-erinary use”

Z˚Y˚T˚R˚A˚MReg: No. 4533/1999

T˚R˚A˚M˚U˚N˚D˚I˚NReg: No. 4534/1999

in respect of “Analgesicpharmaceutical preparationsfor human use.”

Fraudulent imitation orunauthorised use of the saidTrade Marks will be dealtwith according to law.

Win Mu Tin,M.A., H.G.P., D.B.L.

for Mundipharma AGP.O. Box No. 60, Yangon.Dated: 15 December, 2003

Indonesian Vice-Presidenturges free education for poor

JAKARTA , 14 Dec— Indonesian Vice-President HamzahHaz said in South Sulawesi Province here that thecountry’s school-age children should be spared frompaying money to their schools.

“We should dare to free people from paying financialcontributions to schools so that we can improve the qualityof the people’s education,” he was quoted as saying by theofficial Antara news agency.

Hamzah said he made the suggestion because mostIndonesians have quite low incomes and the quality ofeducation in the country is still poor.

Most children in Indonesia, such as those in the pro-vinces of West Java, East Java and South Sulawesi, onlyfinish junior high school, he said.

Hamzah asked concerned parties to help improve thequality of education in the country so that Indonesia’shuman resources would not lag even further behind theircounterparts in neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia.

Governors, mayors and district heads should help im-prove the curriculum of elementary, junior high and seniorhigh schools, he said, adding that the curriculum shouldconsist of 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice.

Separately in Jakarta, Sri Rejeki Sumaryoto, Ministerfor Women’s Empowerment, told reporters that Indonesiangirls need wider access to the country’s education system,noting that illiteracy rate among girls is three times as highas that of boys.

“Neglecting girls’ right for education would put them atthe risk of poverty, violence, harassment and other kind ofhuman right abuses,” the minister said.

To overcome the problems, she said, the governmentneeds to build more schools, grant more subsidies andprotect schoolchildren from threats of violence.

MNA/Xinhua

China’s biggestfreight airline

companyestablished

BEIJING, 14 Dec — Witha total investment of 3.5 bil-lion yuan (about 44 millionUS dollars), China’s biggestcargo airline company,AirChina Cargo, was estab-lished here Friday.

The new company wasjointly organized byAirChina, CITIC Taifu andBeijing Capital Airport,which respectively supplied51, 25 and 24 per cent of thetotal investment. AirChinaCargo has plenty of cargocapacity, wide-ranging airroute network and skilledpersonnel.

The establishment of thenew company reflected thedemands of China’s grow-ing economy and trade vol-ume. AirChina Cargo aimsto become a comprehensivecargo airline company whichcan compete with foreignairlines.

In recent years, China hasbecome renowned as a ma-jor trading nation. In 2002,China’s gross domestic prod-uct surpassed 10 trillion yuan(about 1.25 trillion US dol-lars), with the export andimport volume ranking fifthin the world. Experts saidthat a big trading nationshould have a matchabletransportation system andcargo company.

The establishment of thenew company also accordswith the trend of “aviationglobalization” and “openskies”.—MNA/Xinhua

Beijing urban rail line to beput into trial operation

BEIJING, 14 Dec— The No. 4 rail line between Sihui andTongzhou in eastern Beijing will be put into operation on atrial basis December 28, officials with the Beijing subwaycompany said here. The rail line is connected with theNo. 1 rail line, which runs under Tiananmen Square, atSihui. With an investment of 3.4 billion yuan (about 410million US dollars), the double-track, 19-kilometre rail lineis an overground extension of the current subway to form amajor west-east artery in the city.

The provisional price for a single ticket on the new railline is three yuan (36 US cents), and for the passengers whowish to change to the No. 1 or No. 2 rail lines, five yuan (60US cents), according to the officials.

Beijing now has 95 kilometres of urban rail transport inoperation, of which subways make up 54.15 kilometres.

In addition, the No. 5 rail line is now under construction,and the government will launch the construction of anothertwo new rail lines by the end of this year.

By 2008, when Beijing is to host the Olympic Games, thelength of the city’s urban rail transport is expected to reach300 kilometres.—MNA/Xinhua

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Chinese Premierarrives in Mexico

MEXICO CITY, 14 Dec—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabaoarrived here Friday on his firstofficial visit to Mexico sincehe took office in March.

In a written statement is-sued upon his arrival, Wensaid the purpose of his visit isto enhance trust, expand un-derstanding, deepen coopera-tion and seek mutual devel-opment of the two countries.

Wen expressed his confi-dence that his visit would helpfurther promote the friend-ship between the two peoplesand boost the development ofall-around friendly and co-operative ties in the new cen-tury. During his two-day visit,Wen is to hold talks withMexican President VicenteFox and meet Mexico’s con-gressional leaders.

Wen arrived in MexicoCity after a five-hour flightfrom Canada. Mexico is thethird leg of his four-nationtour, which also took him tothe United States early thisweek. The Chinese Premierwill set out for Addis Ababato pay a visit to Ethiopia. Inthe Ethiopian capital, he willalso attend the opening cer-emony of the second ministe-rial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

Wen was greeted at theairport by Mexican Vice-For-eign Minister EnriqueBerruga and Chinese Ambas-sador to Mexico RenJingyu.—MNA/Xinhua

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Joint ventures will be able to operate inthe value-added services sector from De-cember 2003, in Internet services fromDecember 2004, and basic communica-tions and mobile phone services from De-cember 2005, Deputy Minister of Viet-nam’s Posts and Telecommunications Min-istry Mai Liem Truc was quoted as sayingby Friday’s local newspaper Investment.

Despite the limited access, US firmswould create fiercer competition, reducingmarket shares of local enterprises, expertssaid. The requirement in the BTA that allcompanies compete for tenders or supplycontracts on an equal footing is a majorthreat, directors of local companies said.

However, no US firms have so far reg-istered to set up joint ventures in the value-added services, although the ministry is

making documents on offering them guide-lines to do so, the paper said. Foreigncompanies are operating in the telecom-munications industry in Vietnam via busi-ness cooperation contracts, the ministrysaid.

Taking effect from December 2001,the BTA has created a great leap in tradeturnovers between the United States andVietnam. Thanks to lowered tariffs andremoval of other trade barriers, local ex-ports to the United States increased 127.6per cent to 2.39 billion US dollars last year.

Vietnam’s Trade Ministry estimatesexport turnovers to the market will in-crease to 3.8-4.19 billion US dollars thisyear, with key items being seafood, gar-ments, textiles and footwear.

MNA/Xinhua

Singaporeresearchers

design cheaperfuel cell

SINGAPORE,14 Dec—Singapore researchers havedeveloped a fuel cell whichcosts less than half the usualprice, local Press reportedon Friday.

The researchers fromSingapore’s Institute ofMaterials Research and En-gineering began working onfuel cells three year’s ago,said Channelnewsasia, anEnglish-language televisionon its web site.

In developing the fuelcell, they used a special kindof membrane called ProtonExchange Membrane, saidthe TV broadcast report.The patented plastic-likeconductive membrane,which feels like a contactlens, is also developed inSingapore, it cited a re-searcher as saying.

With the membrane,“the price (of the fuel cell)will be much cheaper thanthat available from the mar-ket”, said Professor GanLeong Ming, principal re-search fellow of the insti-tute.

Singapore’s research fo-cus is on providing a viablealternative power source forsmall appliances like pedalscooter, saidChannelnewsasia.

In the future, it is hopedthat fuel cells will be able topower household items liketelevisions, radios, laptopsand even mobile phones, itsaid.

Unlike engines that runon fossil-fuels like petrol ordiesel, the only by-productsof fuel cell are heat and purewater.

MNA/Xinhua

Hearing , smelling differin people , chimps

A comparison of the genemaps of humans and chim-panzees supports the ideathat language is a key factorthat makes us human, theteam at Cornell Universityin New York and CeleraGenomics found. “Speech isconsidered to be a definingcharacteristic of humans,”they wrote in their reportappearing in Friday’s issueof the journal Science. Theynoted differences in genesbelieved to be involved inthe development of speech.

“Several genes involvedin the development of hearingalso appear to have under-gone adaptive evolution in thehuman lineage, and we specu-late that understanding spo-ken language may have re-quired tuning of hearing acu-ity,” they wrote.

The team additionallyfound differences in genesthat control production ofreceptors — molecular door-ways — into cells involvedin smell. “It seems likely thatthe different lifestyles ofchimps and humans mighthave led to divergent selec-tion pressure on thesereceptors,” they wrote.

Genes involved in fer-tilization and pregnancywere different as well, theyfound. Scientists thinkchimps and humans di-verged from a commonancestor 5 million yearsago. Humans and chimpsshare more than 99 per centof their genes, and scien-tists are eager to find outhow tiny differences canbe so important.

MNA/Reuters

AT&T to expand Internettelephone service

LOS ANGELES, 14 Dec— AT&T, the No 1 US long-distance phone company, announced Thursday that itwill sell Internet telephone service (VoIP) to consumersat a lower cost than conventional phone service nextyear.

tems. The moves highlightthe sudden embrace by tel-ecommunications compa-nies in the United States of aninitially derided technologythat they now say is destinedto shake the competitive foun-dations of an industry thatgenerates hundreds of billionsof dollars. For consumers, theshift is likely to mean lowerprices and enhanced tel-ephone features with aboutthe same quality of voice de-livery.

MNA/Xinhua

The company has alreadyprovided phone services us-ing Internet technology tobusinesses. Now it plans toexpand the service and offera consumer equivalent in thetop 100 US markets nextquarter.

AT&T CEO DavidDorman, speaking at an in-vestor conference on Thurs-day, gave some details on itsnew plan. It comes days afterTime Warner, the No 2 UScable operator, said it wouldoffer a VoIP on its cable sys-

Dudek made this remarkat a seminar of the China-USemission trading pilot pro-gramme.

This programme is de-signed to reduce sulphur di-oxide released by China’scoal-based power plants.

Dudek’s organization, En-vironmental Defence, a US-based non-profit environmen-tal non-governmental organi-zation, is its major sponsor.

According to Zhang Lijun,director of the pollution con-trol office of China’s StateEnvironmental ProtectionAdministration (SEPA),these plants are the No 1 con-tributor to China’s sulphurdioxide emission, which has

eroded one third of thecountry’s land.

Dudek convinced Chi-nese environment officialsthree years ago that allow-ing the plants to trade theiremission rights will ulti-mately lower the totalcleaning cost. The pro-gramme started in March2001. It has covered 727plants so far in the worstplaces for acid rain, such asShandong and Jiangsuprovinces, and Shanghai.

In this programme,plants which do not use uptheir emission quota cansell it to those who need it.However, all the tradeshave to be done on condi-

tion that the total emissionvolume remains underSEPA’s control and will notthreaten the local environ-ment.

“That’s the way we un-leash powerful marketforces for environmentalprotection,” said Dudek.

Dudek said the US’s ex-perience in integrated man-agement and enforcementmay help China to achieveits goal. “It took the UnitedStates more than 13 years tocap national sulphur diox-ide emission in the acid rainprogramme,” said Dudek,“We would like to share ourexperiences with China.”

MNA/Xinhua

US, China launch market-basedprogramme to control acid rain

BEIJING ,14 Dec— “The lesson and the challenge for both the United States and Chinaare to harness our respective entrepreneurial energies for the benefit of the environ-ment, rather than against it,” US environmental economist Daniel Dudek said here.

Princess Stephanie of Monaco, right, and Clown Frankie greet the children ofsouthern France, on 13 Dec, 2003, in Monaco before taking part in the traditional

handing-out of Christmas gifts.—INTERNET

BEIJING , 14 Dec—Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan Saturday called for a furthertripartite cooperation in the environmental sector among China, Japan and SouthKorea.

China attaches great importance to eco-logical construction and environmentalprotection, and hopes that the cooperationcan help improve regional ecological con-ditions and realize the harmonious co-existence between man and nature, Zengsaid, when meeting with Japanese Envi-ronment Minister Koike Yuriko and SouthKorean Environment Minister HanMyung-sook.

The two ministers were here in Beijingattending the fifth environmental ministe-rial meeting for China, Japan and the SouthKorea.

Zeng said in recent years China hasbasically curbed the deteriorating tendencyof its national environment while maintain-ing rapid economic growth.

He said China will get rid of the olddeveloping model, which was built on massconsumption of natural resources and sac-rifice of the environment, and look for anew scientific and economical industriali-zation model which can produce less con-sumption and pollution, and make full use

of human resources.Zeng said Chinese, Japanese and South

Korean leaders signed a joint declarationat the fifth consultation in Bali, Indonesia,this October, and reached broad consensuson cooperation on environmental protec-tion.

The Chinese Government is willing toactively join in international environmentalcooperation based on mutual respect, mu-tual benefit and enhanced communication,Zeng said.

He said China, Japan and the SouthKorea have achieved fruitful results in re-search into sand storms, the monitoring ofacid rain, environmental education and hu-man resources development.

He said he hopes that the environmentaldepartments of the three countries can ex-plore more cooperation areas, and improveconsultation and exchanges, so as to im-prove the regional environment and makegreater contributions to worldwide sustain-able development.

MNA/Xinhua

Chinese Vice-Premier urgesint’l cooperation on environment

Vietnam opens up telecommunicationmarket for US firms

HANOI , 14 Dec— Vietnam is to gradually open up its posts and telecommunicationsmarket to US companies from 12 December, pursuant to the country’s commitmentsin the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).

��

WASHINGTON , 14 Dec —Genes that fine-tune thesense of hearing and smelling in people may be impor-tant in separating humans from chimpanzees, US re-searchers reported on Thursday.


SPORTS

Answers for yesterday’s Crossword Puzzle

Canada's goalkeeper Alim Karim, left, in action behind teammate Andres Arango,centre, and Spain's Garcia Sergio, right, during the quarter-finals of the U-20 WorldSoccer Championship at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab

Emirates, on 12 Dec, 2003. Spain beat Canada 2-1.—INTERNET

Six-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher ofGermany holds up his trophy during the FIA (Federation Interna-tional Automobile) gala awards ceremony in Monte Carlo on 12

Dec, 2003. Schumacher won the 2003 World Formula One.INTERNET

Ferguson dismisses contract problems MANCHESTER (England), 14 Dec— Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has

dismissed as "nonsense" claims that the Old Trafford board is split over his newcontract.

A newspaper report on Friday said thenegotiations over Ferguson's new deal hadrun into problems.

"I spoke to (communications director)Paddy (Harverson) and (chief executive)David Gill about that and of course it's abso-lute rubbish," Ferguson told a news confer-ence on Friday. "It's apparently emanatingout of Ireland. I don't know why, but it'snonsense.

"David assured me of that this morning.There is no split in the board and things aregoing along fine." United later released astatement that also quashed the claims.

"There is no division within the board onthe manager's contract," the statement said.

"We would like to point out that no-onefrom the board of Manchester United spoketo The (Daily) Mirror. "Discussions overterms and conditions of the deal are pro-gressing well and no problems are foreseen."

Ferguson remains confident that a newlong-term contract will be signed shortly andis concentrating his efforts on winning Sat-urday's Manchester derby.

Victory over Manchester City would takeUnited back to the top of the Premier League,for a few hours at least.

United are red-hot favourites but Fergusonis not reading too much into the fact that City,who have failed to win at Old Trafford since1974, have not won in seven league and cupgames.

"Last year they lost to Wigan before they

beat us, so we're taking nothing for granted,"he said.

"The important thing for us is to make sureour form is good enough to win the match.

"I know what it means to our fans and Iknow what it means to Manchester City. Thisthe real stuff of what history is made of, twogreat clubs from the one city coming againsteach other.

"I have always said over the years thatLiverpool has been our most important fix-ture, historically, and I don't change that. Butthe Manchester City derby is a special day."

Captain Roy Keane and goalkeeper TimHoward are set to return after missing Tues-day's Champions League win over VfB Stutt-gart and Ferguson admits that with only strikerOle Gunnar Solskjaer unavailable he faces atough job to select his side.

"I don't relish the job picking the team fortomorrow," he said. "I could play six differentteams and different formations in midfieldand up front. I just hope I pick the right one."Meanwhile, Ferguson believes United face adifficult last-16 Champions League tie afterbeing paired with UEFA Cup winners Porto inFriday's draw.

"I think it could be one of the more difficultdraws," he said. "They are a good side. Theirhome record is very impressive.

"It won't be an easy one but if you want toprogress in this cup you've got to beat the bestteams, and I think they are one of the bestteams."— MNA/Reuters

Liverpool inconsistency down to injury crisis LIVERPOOL (England), 14

Dec— Liverpool assistantmanager Phil Thompson hasdefended the club's failure tokeep pace with the PremierLeague's top three by blam-

ing their inconsistency on aninjury crisis at Anfield.

"We have offensive play-ers like Harry Kewell,Michael Owen and MilanBaros out injured," he told

reporters on Friday. "How would Manchester

United do without the likesof (Ruud) van Nistelrooy,Ryan Giggs and (Paul)Scholes for a period of time?

"The same could be saidof Arsenal if you took ThierryHenry, Dennis Bergkampand Robert Pires away.

"We only had 17 playersto take to Newcastle lastweek (where they drew 1-1)and our current position isonly down to the players wehave out there digging in."

Fifth-placed Liverpool,who play Southampton athome on Saturday, are 12points adrift of third-placedManchester United and 14behind leaders Chelsea andappear set to fight it out forfourth place and a Champi-ons League qualificationspot.

MNA/Reuters

Three red cards but nogoals in Mexican semifinal

MEXICO CIty, 14 Dec— Atlante andPachuca shared three red cards and nineyellows but failed to produce a goal in theirMexican championship semifinal first leg.

Atlante were reduced to 10 men in the43rd minute of Thursday's game when San-tiago Banos was sent off for a secondbookable offence.

Atlante coach Miguel Herrera was alsodismissed by referee Jose Abramo Lima forcomplaining about the decision.

Pachuca failed to take advantage of theirnumerical advantage and had striker AdolfoBautista dismissed in the 84th minute.

MNA/Reuters

Enyimba survive brawls to winAfrican Champions LeagueCAIRO, 14 Dec— Enyimba became the

first Nigerian club to win Africa's top clubprize after brawling marred the second leg ofthe African Champions League final againstIsmaili on Friday.

The Egyptian side won the second leg1-0 at their home ground in a tempestuousmatch, twice held up for clashes between theplayers, but Enyimba held on to win 2-1 onaggregate.

The club from the provincial town ofAba, near Port Harcourt, ended a 35-yeardrought for Nigeria in the competition anddenied Egypt a hat-trick of ChampionsLeague titles after the successes of Cairoclubs Al Ahli in 2001 and Zamalek last year.

Ismaili, who made four changes after thefirst leg, were handed a 27th-minute penaltyin controversial circumstances when UgahOkpara challenged Mohamed MohsenAbougreisha and looked to have taken theball away before the Egyptian striker tum-bled over his leg.

The decision was furiously disputed bythe Nigerians, who held play up for severalminutes before Hosni Abd Rabbou netted.

Abd Rabbou started the match after re-turning to his club on Tuesday after playingfor Egypt's Under-20 side at the world youthchampionships in the United Arab Emirates.

Eccentric goalkeeping from Enyimba'sVincent Enyeama, who played in the WorldCup finals for Nigeria against England lastyear, kept Ismaili in with a chance of asecond goal.

But a combination of solid defending andpoor options by the attackers kept Ismaili atbay.

The match deteriorated in the final min-utes with several punches and kicks fromboth sides, sparking off a brawl whichstopped play for some six minutes. RefereeEddy Maillett from the Seychelles bookedfive players without resorting to a red card.The first leg was played in Nigeria on No-vember 30.

MNA/Reuters

Woodgate facing anotherhurdle on road to full recovery

NEW CASTLE (England), 14 Dec— New-castle United defender Jonathan Woodgateis anxious to re-discover the form that earnedhim four England caps, his club managerBobby Robson said on Friday. Woodgate,23, joined Newcastle from Leeds United for9 million pounds (15.73 million dollars) inJanuary but has been limited to just sixappearances this season because of injury.

The centre-half has played just threegames since recovering from a double her-nia operation but has been involved in con-ceding costly goals in recent 1-1 drawsagainst Wolverhampton Wanderers andLiverpool. He will need show more reli-ability on Saturday against an improvedTottenham Hotspur who have scored eightgoals in their last two games.

"We have talked things over withJonathan and shown him the videos andhe has looked better every day and he hasbeen very good in training," Robson saidon Friday. "He is much more in therhythm now. When you have been out fortwo months it does take maybe a month ofplaying and steady training get goingagain.

MNA/Reuters

Beijing, Shanghai into national women'ssoccer final

YIWU (East China), 14 Dec— BeijingChengjian and Shanghai SVA defeatedtheir semifinal opponents here on Fridayto qualify for the final of China's nationalwomen's soccer championships.

Beijing trounced Xuzhou Teachers'University 5-0 while Shanghai managed tofend off fierce offensives by Dalian Shide towin by a sole goal.

The championship final is set for Sun-day evening. Friday also witnessed six play-

off matches.Tianjin edged Chinese Army 1-0 to

make the last six for the first time, Sichuanbeat Guangdong 5-4 on penalty shots to faceTianjin for the fifth place.

In other actions, Jiangsu defeatedHenan 2-1, Shandong downed WuhanJianghan University 2-0, Sha'anxi oustedAnhui 2-0 and Little Swans passed overHebei 5-4 on penalty shots.

MNA/Xinhua

E C O N O M Y S I G H S

X B D E I U U

A M I T Y L A G G I N G

C S L H L A

T R A N S P O R T V T A R

U E W L E

E S S A Y S D E F E N D

T T U A C S

E R E T S Y N T H E S I S

R R P B O E

N O I S O M E V I N A N E

A T I N N P M

L O Y A L D I G R E S S


R 489 Published by the News and Periodicals Enterprise, Ministry of Information, Union of Myanmar. Edited and printed at The New Light of Myanmar Press,No 22/30 Strand Road at 43rd Street, Yangon. Cable Newlight, PO Box No. 43, Telephones: Editors 296115, Manager 296864, Circulation 297093, Advertisement 296843,Accounts 296545, Administration 296161, Production 297032 (Office) /297028 (Press).

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Myanamr

5:45 pm

4. Song and dances of

national races

5:55 pm

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Tune in today:

Monday, December 15

8.30 am Brief news8.35 am Music8.40 am Perspectives8.45 am Music8.50am National news/

Slogan9.00 am Music9.05 am International news9.10 am Music1.30 pm News/Slogan1.40 pm Lunch time music

- Do I love you (Eng-lebert Humberdinck)

9.00 pm Pleasant & beauti-ful Rakhine State

9.15 pm Article9.25 pm Women's Affairs:

Harmonious effortfor women's sportsto reach internationallevel

9:35pm Golden Land'smelody- Blessed Myanmar(Saw Yuri)

9.45 pm News/Slogan10.00 pm PEL

6:10 pm

6. Discovery

6:30 pm

7. Evening news

7:00 pm

8. Weather report

7:05 pm

9. Milo success in soccer

7:10 pm

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7:25 pm

11. Musical programme

7:35 pm

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14. News

15. International news

16. Weather report

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18. The next day's

programme

WEATHERSunday, 14 December, 2003

Summary of observations recorded at 09:30 hours MST:During the past 24 hours, weather has been cloudy in the wholecountry. Night temperatures were (3°C) to (4°C) below normalin Rakhine State, upper Sagaing, Ayeyawady and Yangon Divi-sions, (5°C) to (6°C) below normal in Chin State, Mandalay,Bago and Taninthayi Divisions, (7°C) below normal in ShanState and lower Sagaing Division and about normal in the re-maining areas. The significant night temperature was (-1°C) inHakha.

Maximum temperature on 13-12-2003 was 34.0°C (93°F).Minimum temperature on 14-12-2003 was 17.5°C (64°F). Rela-tive humidity at 9:30 hrs MST on 14-12-2003 was 76%. Totalsunshine hours on 13-12-2003 was (8.8) hours approx. Rainfallon 14-12-2003 was nil at Yangon Airport, Kaba-Aye and cen-tral Yangon. Total rainfall since 1-1-2003 was 2211 mm (87.05inches) at Yangon Airport, 2315 mm (91.14 inches) at Kaba-Aye and 2394 mm (94.25 inches) at central Yangon. Maximumwind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was 14 mph from Northeastat (13:30) hours MST on 13-12-2003.

Bay inference: According to the observations at (06:30)hrsM.S.T today, yesterday's low pressure area over Southwest Bayand adjoining West Central Bay has intensified further into adepression and it is centred at about (350) miles Southeast ofCHNNEI (India). It is forecast to move Northwest wards. Weatheris partly cloudy elsewhere in the Bay of Bengal.

Forecast valid until evening of 15-12-2003: Likelihood ofisolated rain in Kachin, Rakhine States, Taninthayi Division andweather will be cloudy in the remaining areas. Degree of cer-tainty is (60%).

State of the sea: Temporary strong easterly wind with(35)mph and moderate to rough seas are likely off and alongMon-Taninthayi Coast. Seas will be moderate elsewhere inMyanmar waters.

Outlook for subsequent two days: Likelihood of isolatedrain or thundershowers in Rakhine State.

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring area for15-12-2003: Partly cloudy. Forecast for Mandalay and neigh-bouring area for 15-12-2003: Partly cloudy.

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives the Japan-Myanmar Economic Coopera-tion President Mr Chigemoto Okuda at Imperial Hotel in Tokyo (News on page 1). —MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt meets with Myanmar Ambassador to Japan U Saw Hla Min, Military AttacheCol Hla Myint and embassy staff at Haneda Airport, Japan, on 13 December (News on page 16).—MNA

MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3MRTV-3

15-12-2003 (Monday)(Programme Schedule)Morning Transmission

(9:00 - 10:00)

9:00 Signature TuneGreetings

9:02 Song of MyanmarBeauty & ScenicSights “Myanma Pano-rama & Myanma Sen-timent”

9:06 Rakhine State9:10 Headline News9:12 Easily Cooked Tasty

Dishes “Fried Prawnwith Cytrus Plant”

9:15 National News9:20 100 Shuttle Traditional

Weaving Industry9:25 Sandawchain9:28 Tour In Myanmar

“MraukU, Ngapali”9:30 National News9:35 Rakhine Ordination

Novitiation & Ear-bor-ing Auspicious Cere-mony

9:40 Song “Rice FlowingLike a Canal”

9:45 National News9:50 Rakhine State Cultural

Museum9:58 Song of Myanmar

Beauty & ScenicSights “Come and SeeMyanmar”

15-12-2003˚(Monday)Regular Programmes for

Viewers from AbroadEvening Transmission

(15:30 - 17:30)15:30 Signature Tune

Greetings15:32 Song of Myanmar

Beauty & ScenicSights “Mingalabar”

15:36 Rakhine State15:40 Headline News15:42 Easily Cooked Tasty

Dishes “Fried Prawnwith Cytrus Plant”

15:45 National News15:50 100 Shuttle Traditional

Weaving Industry15:55 Sandawchain15:58 Tour In Myanmar

“MraukU, Ngapali”16:00 National News16:05 Rakhine Ordination

Novitiation & Ear-bor-ing Auspicious Cere-mony

16:10 Song “Rice FlowingLike a Canal”

16:15 National News16:20 Rakhine State Cultural

Museum16:25 Song of Myanmar

Beauty & ScenicSights “Myanma Pano-rama & Myanma Sen-timent”

16:30 National News16:35 The Source of the

River Ayeyawady16:40 Easily Cooked Tasty

Dishes (Ridged gourdand bean curd Curry)

16:45 National News16:50 Myanma Traditional

Flower Arrangements(Decoration with Lac-quer)

16:55 A Lonesome Song16:57 Golden Jubilee Era of

Myanmar Motion Pic-tures

17:00 National News17:05 Naga Traditional Cul-

tural Showroom17:10 Myanmar Modern

Song “What Love is?”17:15 National News17:20 Conservation of Forest

Resources in Myanmar17:25 Song of Myanmar

Beauty & ScenicSights “Come and SeeMyanmar”

7th Waning of Nadaw, 1365 ME Monday, 15 December, 2003

Four political objectives* Stability of the State, community

peace and tranquillity, prevalence oflaw and order

* National reconsolidation* Emergence of a new enduring State

Constitution* Building of a new modern developed

nation in accord with the new StateConstitution

Four social objectives* Uplift of the morale and morality of

the entire nation* Uplift of national prestige and integrity

and preservation and safeguarding ofcultural heritage and national charac-ter

* Uplift of dynamism of patriotic spirit* Uplift of health, fitness and education

standards of the entire nation

Four economic objectives* Development of agriculture as the base and all-round

development of other sectors of the economy as well* Proper evolution of the market-oriented economic sys-

tem* Development of the economy inviting participation in

terms of technical know-how and investments fromsources inside the country and abroad

* The initiative to shape the national economy must be keptin the hands of the State and the national peoples

Minister for Foreign Affairs U Win Aung attends ASEAN-Japan Foreign MinistersMeeting at Imperial Hotel on 11-12-2003.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President MadameSadako Ogata together with Japanese Ambassador Mr Yuji Miyamoto at Imperial Hotel on 12-12-2003.— MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt inspects progress of all-round upgrading of environs of Kandawgyi Park and Zoological Gardens (Yangon).— MNA

YANGON, 14 Dec — TheASEAN-Japan Foreign Min-isters’ Meeting was held atthe Imperial Hotel, Tokyo,at 11 am on 11 Decemberattended by Minister for For-eign Affairs of the Union ofMyanmar U Win Aung to-gether with foreign minis-ters of ASEAN countries andthe Japanese Foreign Minis-ter.

Minister U Win Aungcalled on Japanese ForeignMinister Ms Yoriko

Kawaguchi at Imperial Sa-lon, Tokyo, on 10 Decem-ber.

Present at the call wereDeputy Minister for ForeignAffairs U Khin Maung Win,Myanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min andheads of department.

During the call, the for-eign ministers from the twocountries cordially ex-changed views on bilateralrelations and mutual inter-ests. — MNA

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt attends coordination meeting on upgrading ofKandawgyi Park and environs and Zoological Gardens (Yangon)

Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt receives Presidentof Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

YANGON, 14 Dec —Prime Minister General KhinNyunt attended the work co-ordination meeting on up-grading of Kandawgyi Parkand environs and ZoologicalGardens (Yangon) held atthe Central Symbol Zone inKandawgyi Park at 11.45 amtoday and made a speech.

Also present were Chair-man of the Work Committeefor Upgrading KandawgyiPark and Environs and Zoo-logical Gardens (Yangon),Chairman of Yangon Divi-sion Peace and DevelopmentCouncil Commander ofYangon Command Maj-GenMyint Swe, ministers, themayor of Yangon, deputyministers, officials of theState Peace and Develop-ment Council Office, depart-mental heads, members ofthe work committee and re-sponsible officials.

First, Commander Maj-

sea fishes in the EducationZone.

Afterwards, Mayor ofYangon Brig-Gen AungThein Lin reported to thePrime Minister on landscap-ing tasks, erecting modernfences, construction ofbridges linking islands in thelake and construction of acar parking in the Relaxa-tion Zone.

Next, Minister for Ho-tels and Tourism Brig-GenThein Zaw reported to the

Gen Myint Swe reported tothe Prime Minister on tasksbeing carried out simultane-ously by division of fourzones in the park, phase byphase upgrading tasks in therespective zones, progress ofwork and future tasks.

Next, Minister for For-

estry Brig-Gen Thein Aungreported to the Prime Minis-ter on landscaping, filling ofearth, arrangements forplanting trees, driving ofpiles and installation ofbeams in construction of theWater Plaza, and timberdecking in the Central Sym-

bol Zone and construction ofcages and cleaning and up-grading tasks in ZoologicalGardens (Yangon).

Afterwards, Minister forAgriculture and IrrigationMaj-Gen Nyunt Tin reportedto the Prime Minister on com-pletion of landscaping tasks,

erecting of fences, construc-tion of shops, constructionof retaining wall, arrange-ments for booths of 9 educa-tive tasks and plantations ofvegetables, herbal plants,spices and orchids and clean-ing task of water being car-ried out by the ministry inthe Education Zone of thepark. Next, Minister for Live-stock and Fisheries Brig-GenMaung Maung Thein re-ported to the Prime Ministeron construction of a modernaquarium for fresh water and (See page 9)

YANGON, 14 Dec—Presi-dent of Japan InternationalCooperation Agency (JICA)Madame Sadako Ogata to-gether with Japanese Am-bassador to Myanmar MrYuji Miyamoto paid a cour-tesy call on Prime Ministerof the Union of MyanmarGeneral Khin Nyunt at theImperial Hotel in Tokyo at2.30 pm on 12 December

2003.Also present on the occa-

sion together with PrimeMinister General Khin Nyuntwere Minister for ForeignAffairs U Win Aung, DeputyMinisters U Khin MaungWin and U Kyaw Thu,Myanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min, Di-rector-General of Govern-ment’s Office U Soe Tint,

Director-General of Proto-col Department Thura UAung Htet and Director-Gen-eral of Political DepartmentU Thaung Tun. Matters re-lated to assistance providedby JICA in health, social anddrug elimination sectors andenhancing of Myanmar-Japan relations were dis-cussed at the meeting.

Prime Minister GeneralKhin Nyunt and party leftTokyo on 13 Decembermorning and arrived HanedaAirport. At the lounge of theairport, Prime Minister Gen-eral Khin Nyunt met withMyanmar Ambassador toJapan U Saw Hla Min,

(See page 8)

Minister U Win Aung attends ASEAN-JapanForeign Ministers’ meeting

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INSIDE

Perspectives

For further coopera-tion between ASEAN

and JapanPage 2

Myanmar, sovereignnation with own historical

cultural heritagePage 10

Article