Established 1914 Volume XVI, Number 292 10th Waxing of

Established 1914

Volume XVI, Number 292 10th Waxing of Tabodwe 1370 ME Wednesday, 4 February, 2009

NAY PYI TAW, 3Feb—H.E Mr ChhongToeun, newly-accred-ited Ambassador ofCambodia to the Un-ion of Myanmar pre-sented his credentialsto Senior General ThanShwe, Chairman of the

Senior General Than Shwe acceptscredentials of Ambassador of Cambodia

State Peace and Devel-opment Council of theUnion of Myanmar, atBayintnaung Yeiktha,here at 10 a.m. today.

Present on the oc-casion were Secretary-1 of the State Peace andDevelopment Council

Lt-Gen Thiha ThuraTin Aung Myint Oo,Deputy Minister forForeign Affairs UMaung Myint and Di-rector-General U KyawKyaw of the ProtocolDepartment.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 3Feb—H.E Mr ChuCong Phung, newly-accredited Ambassa-dor of the Socialist

Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials ofAmbassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Republic of Vietnam tothe Union of Myanmarpresented his creden-tials to Senior GeneralThan Shwe, Chairman

of the State Peace andDevelopment Councilof the Union ofMyanmar, atBayintnaung Yeiktha,

here at 10.30 a.m. to-day.

Present on theoccasion were Secre-tary-1 of the State Peace

and DevelopmentCouncil Lt-Gen ThihaThura Tin Aung MyintOo, Deputy Ministerfor Foreign Affairs U

Maung Myint andDirector-General UKyaw Kyaw of the Pro-tocol Department.

MNA

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council

of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe

accepts credentials of Mr Chhong Toeun, newly-accredited

Ambassador of Cambodia to the Union of Myanmar at

Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw.

MNA

Senior General

Than Shwe

receives Mr Chu

Cong Phung,

newly-accredited

Ambassador of the

Socialist Republic

of Vietnam to the

Union of

Myanmar at

Bayintnaung

Yeiktha in Nay Pyi

Taw. — MNA

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2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Wednesday, 4 February, 2009

Wednesday, 4 February, 2009 * Oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views* Oppose those trying to jeopardize stability of the State and progress of the nation* Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State* Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy

People’s DesirePERSPECTIVES

Today, science and technology dominateother sectors. In relation to the agriculturalsector, agricultural researchers focus onproduction of hybrid strains of crops,improving agricultural methods, and use ofproportionate ration of fertilizers.

Myanmar is trying to introduce modernfarming or model farming system in its bid totransform conventional into mechanizedfarming, which calls for broader use of high-yield quality strains.

Now, farmers across the nation areencouraged to replace usual strains of cropswith high-yield ones. The AgriculturalResearch (Yezin) in Nay Pyi Taw Pyinmanais producing high-yield strains to meet thedemand.

The new paddy strains the AgriculturalResearch (Yezin) has produced throughresearch are Thukhayin, Hsinthweyin,Hsinnweyin, Hsinthukha, Yadanatoe andYehsinya (9). The per acre yield of thosepaddy strains is over 100 baskets. Here,farmers have to choose suitable strains ofpaddy.

Other crops under research aregroundnut, sesame, beans and pulses,sugarcane, cotton, jute and physic nut. So,farmers have to use high-yield strains inorder to boost agricultural production.

Therefore, farmers should use the strainsof crops produced by the AgriculturalResearch (Yezin) to be able to boost theirincomes and agricultural production of thenation.

Use high-yield strains of crops toachieve mechanized farming

YANGON, 3 Feb— With the sponsorship ofDynamic Engineering & General Trading Co Ltd, theUnion of Myanmar Federation of Chambers ofCommerce and Industry is holding the subject-wiseeducative talks every month.

At 2 pm on 7 February, the UMFCCI willconduct the educative talks on the first floor of UMFCCItower in Lanmadaw Township, here.

Professor Daw Yi Yi Myint will give lecture on“Reflections on the transforming economy and thedeveloping market force” at the talks.

Executives and members of UMFCCI and otherassociations and interested persons may attend thetalks.—�MNA

Reflections on transformingeconomy and developing

market force on 7 Feb

YANGON, 3 Feb— Minister for Electric PowerNo. 2 Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint accompaniedby officials, went to 230/33/11 KV (60 MVA)Kamanat (Bago) main power station yesterdaymorning, storage of construction materials,instal lat ion of Control Panel Boxes, andmaintenance of batteries and stressed the needconcerning the reports.

The minister inspected construction of towersand connection of power grids of 230 KV Kamanat-Thanyin national grid (61) miles. The ministerlooked into connection of power lines between No.247 tower and No. 248 tower and installation ofconductor spencers for ensuring the same distancebetween one tower and another.

The minister then proceeded to Thanlyin mainpower station at which he heard reports onconstruction projects of 230 KV Kamanat (Bago)Thanlyin national power grid (61) miles and 230

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb—Minister for Industry-1 UAung Thaung viewed ginning of cotton and warehousesat Cotton Ginning Factory (Sagaing) of MyanmaTextile Industries on 1 February morning.

Next, the minister inspected production processof Sagaing Textile Factory of Myanma TextileIndustries, Instant Noodle Factory (Sagaing) and No.1 Wheat and Flour Factory (Sagaing) of MyanmaFoodstuff Industries.

The minister also looked into functions ofNgwechi-6 cotton purchase centre opened at SagaingCotton Farm, and Sagaing Textile Factory of MyanmaTextile Industries and left instructions on efforts to bemade for meeting the target production.—MNA

Electric Power No. 2 Minister inspectsnational power grid projects

Applied PaddyProduction Development

Course commencesYANGON, 3 Feb—Myanma Agricultural Produce

Trading opened the Applied Paddy ProductionDevelopment Course No. 2/2009 at the hall of YangonDivision MAPT this morning.

It was attended by Managing Director U KyawHtoo of MAPT, officials, responsible persons ofassociations and trainees.

Altogether 59 trainees are attending the two-week course.—MNA

KV Thanlyin-Thakayta national power grid (7.7)miles and arrival of construction materials and leftnecessary instructions.

�MNA

Factories under Ministryof Industry-1 inspected

Minister Maj-Gen Khin Maung Myint inspects construction of Kamanat-Thanlyinpower grid. — MNA

Foreign AffairsMinister sends message

of felicitations toSri Lankan counterpart

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Feb—On the occasion of the61st Anniversary of the Independence Day of theDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka whichfalls on 4th February 2009, U Nyan Win, Ministerfor Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, hassent a message of felicitations to His Excellency MrRohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairsof the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

MNA

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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Wednesday, 4 February, 2009 3

Afghan demonstrators gather at a demonstration as black smoke billows fromburning tires in the background, following a US operation on their

village in Qarabagh district of Ghazni, west of Kabul, Afghanistan, on 2 Feb,2009. The US military said that its overnight raid in southeastern Ghazni

province targeted a militant who coordinates attacks using roadside bombs andother weapons.— INTERNET

Dutch PM sets up committee toinvestigate decision-making on IraqBRUSSELS, 3 Feb—

Dutch Prime Minister JanPeter Balkenende an-nounced Monday that acommittee will be set upto investigate the decisionmaking process which ledto the Dutch govern-ment’s support for the in-vasion of Iraq by theUnited States and Britainin 2003.

The committee will bechaired by former DutchSupreme Court presidentW J M Davids, who canchoose the other mem-bers. The committee may

include one or more cabi-net ministers, Balk-enende said.

The committee willhave access to all informa-tion it requires, includingthose of the intelligence,security and defence de-partments. Hearing of per-sons, but not under oath,will also be possible. Thecommittee should presentits report by 1 November,Balkenende said.

The prime minister’sannouncement followed astring of revelations lastmonth by the Dutch me-

dia, which embarrassedthe government and rekin-dled the debate about apossible parliamentaryinquiry into the Dutchgovernment’s decisionmaking on the Iraq war.

According to docu-ments obtained by Dutchmedia, the Dutch govern-ment in 2003, under thethen prime ministerBalkenende, had plannedto give military support tothe invasion of Iraq butdropped the plan in theface of opposition from theLabor Party.—Internet

Iraqi military putsAnbar Province

under curfewBAGHDAD, 3 Feb—Iraq’s

military clamped a vehicleban Monday on the Sunni-dominated province ofAnbar after tribal sheikhssent gunmen into the streetsclaiming Sunni rivalslinked to the Shiite-led gov-ernment stole votes in lastweekend’s elections.

The brewing crisisthreatens to trigger newviolence in Anbar, the vast,mostly desert territory thathad been centre-stage in theSunni insurgency untiltribes there turned againstal-Qaida in Iraq two yearsago.—Internet

Map of Afghanistan locating asuicide attack in Tirin Kot, UruzganProvince. The bomber dressed in apolice uniform killed 25 policemen

and wounded several others Mondayafter infiltrating their morning

exercises in southern Afghanistan,authorities said.—INTERNET

KANDAHAR, 3 Feb—A suicide bomberin a police uniform detonated his ex-plosives inside a police training centrein southern Afghanistan on Monday,killing 25 officers and wounding at least20, officials said. The Taleban claimedresponsibility.

The bomber entered the training fa-cility in Tirin Kot, the capital ofUruzgan Province, as the police reser-vists were exercising, said Juma GulHimat, the provincial police chief.

The Interior Ministry said the at-tacker was disguised in a police uni-form, a tactic Taleban militants haveused in several high-profile attacks.

The Taleban has made a comebackin the last three years after their initialdefeat following a US invasion in 2001.Southern Afghanistan is the centre oftheir fight against the government andinternational military forces, and mili-tants control wide swaths of territory.

Internet

Bomber in police uniform kills25 Afghan policemen

US military deaths inAfghanistan region at 573WASHINGTON, 3 Feb —As of on Monday, 2 Feb,

2009, at least 573 members of the US military haddied in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as aresult of the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001,according to the Defence Department.

The department last updated its figures on Mon-day at 10 am EST.

Of those, the military reports 418 were killed byhostile action.

Outside the Afghan region, the Defence Depart-ment reports 67 more members of the US militarydied in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Of those, three were the result of hostile action.The military lists these other locations asGuantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba; Djibouti;Eritrea; Ethiopia; Jordan; Kenya; Kyrgyzstan;Philippines; Seychelles; Sudan; Tajikistan; Turkey;and Yemen. There were also four CIA officer deathsand one military civilian death.

Internet

RAMADI, 3 Feb — Tribal sheikhs who helped driveal Qaeda militants out of Western Iraq threatened onMonday to take up arms against the provincial gov-ernment because of what they said was fraud in onSaturday’s provincial polls.

The election was the most peaceful in Iraq sincethe fall of Saddam Hussein, but the west of the coun-try has seen tension between Sunni Arab groups,many of whom boycotted the last provincial ballotin 2005.

Anbar Province, Iraq’s vast western third, was oncethe heartland of the Sunni Arab insurgency againstUS troops but is now largely quiet, thanks to tribalguard units known as Awakening councils that helpeddrive out al Qaeda militants.

In one of the toughest-fought contests of the elec-tion, the tribes have challenged the Iraqi Islamic Party(IIP), a Sunni religious party which has run the prov-ince since 2005.

With the IIP claiming the results will keep it inpower, Awakening leaders alleged fraud in the vot-ing.—Internet

Iraq tribes threaten totake up arms over poll

Gaza rockethits Israeli

city; noinjuries

JERUSALEM, 3 Feb—Along-range rocket fromGaza landed in the Israelicity of Ashkelon onTuesday as delegates fromthe territory’s militantIslamic Hamas rulers metin Cairo for talks withEgyptian officials strivingto mediate a long-termtruce with Israel.

The Grad rocket wasthe first of its kind to befired at the city of 122,000since informal cease-fireswere declared separatelyby Israel and Hamas twoweeks ago at the end ofIsrael’s bruising three-week-long offensive inGaza. No one was injuredin the attack, police said.

Internet

An Afghan man takes a photo of mangled wreckage at the site of a suicide

bomb attack in the outskirts of Kabul on 1 Feb. The Pentagon said that insur-

gent violence was on the rise across Afghanistan and that international forces

lacked the troops and resources to control the country’s south. —INTERNET

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An Indian employee of the Swedish truck and bus maker Volvo works on

the assembly line at the Volvo Factory in Hoskote, some 40 kms south of

Bangalore. —INTERNET

Snow covers the Trocadero garden in front of the Eiffel tower on 2 February,2009 in Paris. —INTERNET

LONDON, 3 Feb—Snow storms broughttravel chaos to westernEurope, grounding mostflights at London-Heath-row airport after one jetslid off a taxiway and kill-ing at least five people instorm incidents.

Two climbers died onMount Snowdown inWales and three peoplewere killed in accidentsand from the cold in Italy.

London lay under 10centimetres (four inches)

VIENNA, 3 Feb—TheInternational Atomic En-ergy Agency says it hassigned a nuclear inspec-tions deal with India.

The so-called safe-guards agreement ismeant to give UN moni-tors access to 14 addi-tional Indian civilian nu-clear reactors by 2014.Six of these reactors al-ready fall under existingagreements.

The IAEA’s 35-mem-ber board of governors ap-proved the agreement byconsensus on 1 Aug. Ap-proval came despite criti-cism from some countriesthat ambiguous wordingcould limit internationaloversight of India’s reac-tors and undermine theinternational nonprolif-eration treaty.—Internet

WASHINGTON, 3 Feb—Economic activity in the USmanufacturing sector failed to grow in January for the12 consecutive month, and the overall economy con-tracted for the fourth straight month, the Institute forSupply Management (ISM) reported on Monday.

The Tempe, an Arizona-based trade group, said itsmanufacturing index, which reflects the opinions of pur-chasing managers at factories, plants and utilities, regis-tered 35.6 last month, representing an improvement froma nearly three-decade low of 32.9 in December 2008.

A reading above 50 indicates growth while a read-ing below 50 indicates contraction. For January, theISM’s production index registered 32.1, up from De-cember’s 26.3. The index for new orders, meanwhile,rose to 33.2 from a reading of 23.1 the previous month.

Internet

BUENOS AIRES, 3 Feb—Prince William’s militarydeployment to the FalklandIslands has reignited thefestering issue of the archi-pelago’s sovereignty, Ar-gentina said on Monday.

“This circumstanceonly serves to once againhighlight Britain’s ongo-ing military presence inland and sea areas that arepart of the Argentine Re-public’s national territo-

India and IAEAsign nuclear

inspections deal

Argentina upset at Prince William’sdeployment to Falklands

ries,” an aide to ForeignMinister Jorge Taina said.

Argentina claims own-ership of the islands itcalls the Malvinas.

Prince William, sec-ond in line to the throne,will be sent to the Falk-lands by the Royal AirForce to serve as a searchand rescue pilot for a pe-riod of three months, af-ter he completes his 18-month RAF course in

2009, Britain’s Daily Tel-egraph said on Sunday,quoting RAF News.

Britain and Argentinafought over the Falklandislands in 1982, when Ar-gentine forces invaded theislands, prompting then-British prime ministerMargaret Thatcher to de-ploy naval forces to retakethe territory.—Internet

US manufacturing sector shrinksfor 12th straight month

Snow brings deaths and travel chaosto Europe

of snow, the most recordedin the British capital in 18years. The storms also hitFrance and Spain, closingroads and rail tracks, andspread as far south as Mo-rocco.

A Cyprus Airwaysplane with 104 passengerscame off the icy taxiwayat Heathrow, the world’sbusiest international air-port, airport operator BAAsaid. No injuries were re-ported.

Both runways were

temporarily closed, how-ever, and Heathrow haltedall flights for severalhours.

British Airways calledoff all short-haul flightsfor the day. A number ofother British airports wereclosed or had cancella-tions and severe delays.

Eurostar advised pas-sengers against travellingbetween London andParis on high-speed trainsbecause of snow delays.

Internet

Iran sends domestic satellite to orbitTEHERAN, 3 Feb — Iran’s state radio says the country

has successfully sent its first domestically made satelliteinto orbit.

The Tuesday report says the satellite was launched lateMonday after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave thefinal approval.

Teheran unveiled the satellite and inaugurated its firstspace center in 2008 .

State radio says the satellite was sent into orbit by aSafir-2, or ambassador-2 rocket. Iran has long held the goalof developing a space programme, generating uneaseamong world leaders already concerned about its nuclearand ballistic missile programmes.—Internet

Taleban violence spreadsin Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, 3 Feb—The Pentagon said thatmilitant violence was onthe rise across Afghanistanand that international forceslacked the troops and re-sources to control the coun-try’s south.

In a report to Congress,the US Defence Depart-ment described a dramaticincrease in militant attacksin the spring and summerof 2008, saying the periodmarked the worst violencesince the Taleban’s ousterin 2001.

A resurgent Taleban waschallenging the Kabul gov-ernment for control of thesouth and east of the coun-try, “and increasingly in thewest,” the report said.

In the south, “where re-sources are not sufficientlyconcentrated, security can-not be established or main-tained,” it added.

“In such areas, the fullmilitary, governance andeconomic spectrum of theCOIN (counterinsurgency)strategy cannot be imple-mented and the insurgentsretain their hold on the lo-cal Afghan population.”

The report, delayed formonths pending the out-come of various strategy re-views, came as President

Barack Obama weighedurgent military requests forup to 30,000 more UStroops in Afghanistan,nearly doubling the USforce there. “The Talebanre-grouped after its fallfrom power and has coa-lesced into a resilient andevolving insurgency,” thereport said.

Militant attacks rose 33percent last year and as-saults along the country’smajor highway increasedby 37 percent compared to2007, it added.—Internet

Riot police disperse protesters during a ‘lightning rally’ near the US Embassyin Manila, Philippines, on 3 Feb, 2009 to protest alleged US intervention inPhilippine affairs. The protesters denounced alleged US role in the currentglobal economic crisis that officials predict would cut jobs in the country to

about 1.7 million.—INTERNET

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Members of armed police take part in an anti-terrorism drill for the 24thWinter Universiade 2009 in Harbin, captial of northeast China’s HeilongjiangProvince, on 2 Feb, 2009. An anti-terrorism drill was held on Monday to test

the policemen’s capabilities of dealing with emergencies during the 24thWinter Universiade. Over 500 special equipment have been prepared to secure

the universiade. —XINHUA

Unemployment appealspile up in California

China’s shipbuilders seeprofits up 50 percent in 2008,

outlook gloomyBEIJING, 3 Feb—Profits of China’s shipbuilders rose

50 percent in 2008 from the same period a year ago,despite rising material costs and the appreciation ofRenminbi, according to data released Monday by theMinistry of Industry and Information Technology(MIIT). Profits jumped 50.5 percent to 28.34 billionyuan (4.05 billion US dollars). The industry valuetotaled 118.3 billion yuan, up 61.2 percent year on year.

The nation’s shipbuilders completed a productioncapacity of 28.81 million deadweight tons (DWT), or29.5 percent of the world’s total, up from 22.9 percentin 2007, according to MIIT figures.

New orders comprised 37.7 percent of the world’stotal, with a production capacity of 58.18 DWT. Cur-rent orders accounted for 35.5 percent of the total, witha capacity of 204.6 million DWT.

An official with the MIIT said China’s shipbuildershad remarkably strengthened their capabilities in in-novation and had improved their techniques notablyin making bulk cargo ship, oil carrier and containerships.

They also had the world’s leading techniques inmaking ships that could meet the standards of the in-ternational classification society, according to the MIITofficial.—Xinhua

Russian space agency plans tobuild new space station

MOSCOW, 3 Feb—The Russian Space AgencyRoscosmos is considering a plan to build a new spacestation as the current one approaches its retirement,officials said recently.

The new orbital station will not only inherit the roleof the International Space Station (ISS) as a base forscientific experiments, but will also serve as a foun-dation for lunar programmes and space tours, AlexeiKrasnov, director of the manned space programme atRoscosmos, said. The first module of the new stationcould be finished in 2020, Krasnov said.

The plan is still under discussion, and concernedparties will engage in the construction of the new or-bital station before they make their final decision toterminate the service of ISS, which is designed to workuntil 2015, he said.—Xinhua

South Korea declares bid for2018 or 2022 World Cup

SEOUL, 3 Feb—South Korea has declared its bid tohost the World Cup finals in 2018 or 2022, the KoreaFootball Association (KFA) said at a statement onTuesday. “South Korea has notified FIFA of its inten-tion to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup finals,” theKFA said.

The sport’s world governing body, FIFA, has askedall aspiring bidders for the two football tournamentsto present their bid by 2 Feb.

Japan, the United States, Mexico, Australia, Eng-land, Russia, Indonesia and Qatar have reportedly ex-pressed interests in hosting the World Cup finals in2018 or 2022.

FIFA will simultaneously determine the hosts of the2018 and 2022 World Cup at a FIFA meeting in De-cember 2010.—Xinhua

Cambodia to reform commune-levelpolicing, border security in 2009

PHNOM PENH, 3 Feb—Cambodian National Police Commissioner Neth Savoeunhas pledged to reform commune-level policing and border security in 2009, saidEnglish-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily on Tuesday.

One such reform would be establishing telephone hotlines to take complaints atmunicipal and provincial police headquarters and “national police will check upon the situation of the network and system of administrative police across thecountry,” he told the annual national assembly of Cambodian police here on Mon-day.

In addition, boxes have been set up at all 76 commune police stations in PhnomPenh to accept comments and criticism from local residents, he said.

The system is still in trial phase, but will expand to all 24 provinces in 2009, headded.

Villagers must provide more feedback to both commune police and border po-lice about illegal activities to help improve security, he said.

Xinhua

LOS ANGELES, 3 Feb—California state officialsare overwhelmed by amassive backlog of unem-ployment appeals filed bytens of thousands of job-less Californians, it wasreported on Monday.

Rejected for unem-ployment benefits of up to450 dollars a week, moreand more jobless Califor-nians are awaiting actionby a state appeals board,the Los Angeles Times

said.In all, a record number

of 68,135 jobless peoplehave filed unemploymentappeals and the Unem-ployment Insurance Ap-peals Board (UIAB) issupposed to decide within30 days whether the statewrongly denied an indi-vidual’s jobless benefits,the paper said.

About nine out of 10appeals come from thenewly unemployed who

are denied benefits by theCalifornia EmploymentDevelopment Depart-ment, according to the pa-per.

The number of thoseappeals has increasedsteadily since last summeras California’s unemploy-ment rate climbed to 9.3percent in December,when 1.7 million Califor-nians were without jobs,the paper said.

Xinhua

A boy looks upon a parking lot damaged by a tornado in Malaga, southernSpain on 2 Feb, 2009.—XINHUA

All items from Xinhua News Agency A welder works on theroof of a new house inKarratha in Western

Australia. The Austral-ian government has

launched a 42 billiondollar (US$26 billion)

stimulus packagewhich will focus on -

in part - schools,housing and road-

building pro-grammes.—XINHUA

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(from page 16)Also present at the

meeting were Minister forForeign Affairs U NyanWin, Minister for NationalPlanning and EconomicDevelopment U Soe Tha,Minister for InformationBrig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint,Minister for Health DrKyaw Myint, the director-general of the governmentoffice, the director-generalof the International Organi-zations and Economic De-partment and the deputydirector-general of the Pro-tocol Department.

At the meeting,Prime Minister GeneralThein Sein said MrGambari was taken to Cy-clone Nargis-affected ar-eas. Though he should visitPyinsalu, he was not con-veyed to Pyinsalu due totime limit. Pyinsalu wasdevastated by the storm asit is located five ft abovethe sea level. The wholestorm-affected areas havereturned to normal thanksto the assistance of the gov-ernment, the UN and inter-national communities. Ag-ricultural sector, fisherysector and salt businessesin the storm-affected areashave returned to normal.Not only the governmentbut also WHO and andUNICEF provided assist-ance and the reconstructionand repairing of hospitalsand clinics under the Min-istry of Health and the hos-pitals and clinics have beennearing completion.

Schools were de-stroyed and out of them,two-thirds of the dam-aged schools have beenreconstructed, and thegovernment has fundedthe reconstruction of theremaining schools andUNICEF has also pro-vided assistance to the re-construction of theschools.

Prime Minister GeneralThein Sein receives…

Eighteen cycloneshelters are under construc-tion in the storm-affectedareas. The cyclone sheltershave a seating capacity of500 and 1000 and are beingconstructed at the cost ofUS$ 800,000 per shelter.

Money donated byNigeria was spent on con-struction of the cycloneshelters and schools, hesaid. The Prime Ministeralso told Mr Gambari todiscuss frankly with him.

Mr Gambari ex-pressed thanks to the PrimeMinister for the meeting.He said he witnessed thereconstruction and rehabili-tation in Cyclone Nargis-affected areas. The UN Sec-retary-General also praisedthe government ofMyanmar for the achieve-ments in reconstruction andrehabilitation in the storm-affected areas. He also tookpride in cooperation of theTripartite Core Group withthe UN.

Out of his visits toMyanmar, the current visitis best one, he said. There-fore, he expected to get tan-gible results from the visit.He said more political pris-oners should be released onhumanitarian grounds. De-spite different views be-tween the government andDaw Aung San Suu Kyi,there should be dialoguebetween them. As the TCGis achieving success, itsterm should be extended.He said the UN Secretary-General wished to visitMyanmar. He himself hadan opportunity to visitMyanmar in the aftermathof storm Nargis. The UNChief wants to visitMyanmar again. The Prime Minister saidhe learnt what Mr Gambaridiscussed in meeting withthe Spokes AuthoritativeTeam of the State Peaceand Development Counciland the ministers. ThePrime Minister said he

would note Mr Gambari’sstatements and assured thatthe government wouldcarry out the tasks as muchas it could. It was the seventh tripfor Mr Gambari. Arrange-ments were made for himto visit the country on 26January. Despite the tightschedule, work, the fixeddate was changed accord-ing to his desire. The gov-ernment welcomed MrGambari and party. Thegovernment has frequentlymet Mr Gambari so it re-gards him as an intimatefriend of Myanmar. He said he learnt that onhis visit to Myanmar MrGambari had explained hiswish and purpose regard-ing his meeting with Min-ister for Foreign Affairs UNyan Win. During his stay inMyanmar, Mr Gambari metthe ministers, Spokes Au-thoritative Team of theState Peace and Develop-ment Council, NGOs, partyleaders including DawAung San Suu Kyi, inde-pendent representatives,national race groups, rep-resentatives of UN Agen-cies and others. The Prime Minister saidhe believes Mr Gambarilearnt the prevailing condi-tions of the country, atti-

tudes and the path leadingto the destination as he hadfrequently met these or-ganizations. Therefore, he said, hethinks Mr Gambari will re-alize that the government isimplementing the best wayfor the country accordingto the prevailing conditions.He said the government willplace emphasis on the de-sire of the majority of thepeople who approved theconstitution. When the lawon political parties is pre-scribed, political doors willbe open according to law tothe minority who opposethe government. If theywant to work with the gov-ernment in unity, they are

to come to the doors thatare kept open. We want MrGambari to urge them to doso. In connection with thestatements during his pre-vious visit, the governmenthad done what it could doand it will continue to doeverything that should bedone without any sugges-tions of others. In meetingwith the ministers possibleissues were discussed. Instead of demandingwhat they want, it is neces-sary for them to do thethings that should be donefirst. The UN should makeefforts to lift economicsanctions imposed onMyanmar if the organi-

zation wants to see pros-perous Myanmar with po-litical stability.

The Prime Minis-ter said the economicsanctions has damagedhuman rights and causedunemployment, damagedthe economy, social af-fairs, education, healthand living standard of thepeople. It also has hin-dered the efforts for build-ing a democratic nationas well as neglected thehumanitarian concerns.Besides, the economicsanction has also hinderedthe efforts for achievingthe poverty alleviationwhich is a goal of the UN.

(See page 7)

Eighteen cyclone shelters are underconstruction in the storm-affected areas.The cyclone shelters have a seatingcapacity of 500 and 1000 and are beingconstructed at the cost of US$ 800,000 pershelter.

Senior General Than Shwe receives Mr Chhong Toeun, newly-accredited Ambassador ofCambodia to Myanmar at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw. (News on page 1)—MNA

Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials of newly-accredited Ambas-sador Mr Chu Cong Phung of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam toMyanmar at Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw. (News on page 1) — MNA

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NAY PYI TAW, 4 Feb—On the occasion of the 61st Anniversary of the Independence Day of theDemocratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka which falls on 4th February 2009, General Thein Sein, PrimeMinister of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to Mr Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka,Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.—MNA

Prime Minister receives UNSG’s Special AdvisorNAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb—Prime Minister General

Thein Sein of the Union of Myanmar received SpecialAdvisor to the Secretary-General of the United NationsMr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari at Zeyathiri Beikman

on Konmyinttha in Yangon at 3.p.m. today.Also present at the meeting together with Prime

Minister General Thein Sein were Minister forForeign Affairs U Nyan Win, Minister for NationalPlanning and Economic Development U Soe Tha,Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan,Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint,Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, the Director-General of the Government Office, the Director-General of International Organizations andEconomic Department and the Deputy Director-General of Protocol Department under the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.

The Spokes Authoritative Team of the StatePeace and Development Council met with SpecialAdvisor to the Secretary-General of the UnitedNations Mr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari at the five-storey guest house in Yangon at 1.p.m. today for thesecond time.

Also present on the occasion were Leader of theSpokes Authoritative Team of the SPDC Minister forInformation Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, members Ministerfor Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win and Minister forCulture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint.

In the morning, Mr Gambari met with independentrepresentatives-elect and responsible person of otherorganizations at Seinle Kantha State House separately.

Mr Gambari left Yangon by air in the evening.MNA

Senior General

Than Shwe

receives newly-

accredited

Ambassador Mr Ye

Dabo of the

People’s Republic

of China to the

Union of Myanmar

at Bayintnaung

Yeiktha in Nay Pyi

Taw (News on page

16).—MNA

Prime Minister General Thein Sein shakes hands with Special Advisor to the Secretary-Generalof the United Nations Mr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari at Zeyathiri Beikman in Yangon.—MNA

(from page 6)Therefore, the UN should start to lift the economic

sanction and restrictions on granting visas. For example,it looks like a person who is forced to run quickly whilehis legs are tied together. However, Myanmar has takenmeasures which should be taken as part of efforts forcooperation with the UN.

The UN Secretary-General’s visit to Myanmardepends on time and circumstances of the country and thevisit would be taken into consideration according to timeand circumstances. The issue of extending the life of TripartiteCore Group will be taken into consideration, the Prime

Prime Minister …

Minister added. There were talks with the Foreign AffairsMinister and the issue will be kept open till June, 2009.Measures will be taken as necessary after June, 2009.

Next, Mr Gambari said the UN Chief and he will actas partners of Myanmar and assistance will be provided forMyanmar’s political and economic progress. Myanmarshould be peaceful, prosperous, united and democratic one.This is the requirement of the nation and its people.

Prime Minister General Thein Sein said as Mr Gambarisaw the past political achievements of Myanmar one after

another, he will see such achievements in the future.He said politics and economy are interrelated. If

there is economic stability, there will be political stability.Despite many difficulties, the government is trying itsbest.

If one’s legs are tied by ropes, it is impossible for himto run. His legs need to be untied. Being a member of the UN,Myanmar will cooperate with the UN.

The Prime Minister wished Mr Gambari well in thenew year and nice trip back home.—MNA

Prime Minister General Thein Seinfelicitates Sri Lankan counterpart

The UN should make efforts tolift economic sanctions imposed onMyanmar if the organization wantsto see prosperity, political stability.

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YANGON, 3 Feb – PrimeMinister General TheinSein, accompanied by Lt-Gen Myint Swe of theMinistry of Defence,Chairman of YangonDivision Peace andDevelopment CouncilCommander of YangonCommand Brig-Gen WinMyint, Chairman ofYangon City DevelopmentCommittee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin, thedirector-general of theGovernment Office,departmental heads andofficials, inspected modernagriculture (Model farmingsystem) in special zone inYangon East District thismorning.

At the block No 1 thespecial zone-1, the PrimeMinister was briefed onprogress of work in themodern agriculture specialzone by the chairmen ofDagon International CoLtd, Htoo Trading Co Ltdand Golden Dragon Co Ltd,entrepreneurs anddepartmental officials.

The commander, themayor and officialsreported on assistance

Prime Minister inspects modern agriculture (Model farmingsystem) in special zone in Yangon East District

provided in each sectorregarding modernagriculture.

The Prime Ministergave instructions oncultivation of high qualitypaddy such as Hsinthweyinand Hsinthwelatt, breedingof fish, growing ofvegetables, producingseeds, conducting researchand courses on moderncultivation techniques for

farmers and making effortsfor turning out major modelfarm.

They viewed construc-tion of canals and irrigationsystem in block No 3 ofspecial zone, cultivation ofsummer paddy throughirrigation and landpreparation.

The Prime Ministerand party inspectedcultivation of 125 acres of

summer paddy and 350acres of ploughed farmlandin block No 3 of specialzone by Htoo Trading CoLtd.

The Prime Ministerwent to special zone-2 inDagon Myothit (South)Township whereChairman of GoldenDragon Co Ltd U WinMyint reported on workbeing undertaken.

The Prime Ministerinspected erecting lamp-posts and power supply,construction of pumphouses and arrangementsfor river water pumpingstations, construction ofcanals and cultivation ofsummer paddy.

The Prime Ministerinspected cultiva-tion ofsummer paddy,construction of roads and

canals in block 6 of specialzone-2 in Dagon Myothit(Seikkan) Township byGreen Asia Co Ltd,construction of roads andcanals and landpreparations in block 9 byLinle Koethwe Co Ltd.

The Prime Ministerfulfilled the requirementsand gave necessaryinstructions.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb—The Spokes AuthoritativeTeam of the State Peace and Development Council andSpecial Advisor of the United Nations Secretary-GeneralMr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari held the first meeting atthe five-storey guest house in Yangon at 8.45 a.m. on 1February.

Present at the meeting were Leader of the teamMinister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan andmembers Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win andMinister for Culture Maj-Gen Khin Aung Myint.

Discussions of Mr Gambari

Mr Gambari said that the UN Secretary-Generalwished Myanmar a success in building a peacefuldeveloped democratic nation at a time when theinternational community was seeing changes around theworld; that the cooperation of the UN, Myanmar andinternational community in the post-Nargis brought aboutdevelopment of the storm-hit areas; that similarly hehoped they would continue to cooperate in futureprogrammes; that he had three purposes in his trip: toreview the points he had proposed in the previous trip, tohold a dialogue between the government, NLD and DawAung San Suu Kyi, and to make arrangements for the UNSecretary-General's trip to Myanmar; that he would liketo call for dialogues as progress could be made throughdialogues; that political prisoners were among the 9002prisoners the government had released, so the UNSecretary-General welcomed that; that so he hoped the

SPDC Spokes Authoritative Team holds first meeting withUNSG’s Special Advisor Mr Gambari

government would continue to release political prisoners;that moreover he suggested to review long prison terms;that the seven-step Road Map was going to be completed,so all the persons concerned at home should haveopportunities to participate in the process and theinternational community needed to accept it widely; thatso he would like to know the programmes to form acommittee for holding elections and prescribe laws; thatprevious trip he had suggested to set up a regular

Clarification of Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan

Next, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said: At theoutset, we are pleased to extend a warm welcome toYour Excellency and members. Moreover, we wouldlike to express our great pleasure to have thisopportunity to meet with Your Excellency again. Thisis Your Excellency’s seventh visit to Myanmar and thefifth meeting with the Spokes Authoritative Team ofthe State Peace and Development Council. In thisregard, we assume that Your Excellency now has abroad range of knowledge on political, economic andsocial conditions of our nation, accomplishments inthe national reconsolidation, and the aspirations of thepeople today.

Our country has been practising the independent andactive foreign policy and also extending relations withneighbouring countries, regional countries and globalcountries in accord with the Five Principles of PeacefulCo-Existence. In addition, being a member of UnitedNations, we are continuously cooperating with the globalbody and it is the main point of our foreign policy. We arecooperating with the UN at present in all seriousness, andwe will continue to do so in the future also.

Similarly, we highly regard the role of the UNSecretary-General and Your Excellency’s efforts. Wehope that Your Excellency, who has understood well thereal conditions of Myanmar, will play a constructive role.So, we on our part will render cooperation for the greater

(See page 10)

Prime Minister General Thein Sein views thriving summer paddy plantation of Htoo Trading Ltd in Block No. 3 ofmodern agriculture (Model farming system) in special zone (1). —MNA

We are now implementingrailroad, motor road,hydropower and long-termnatural disaster preparednessprojects in Rakhine coastalregion.

communication system between the government and theoffice of the UN Secretary-General and him; that heproposed that the government accept regular visits of hisstaff; and that both the UN Secretary-General and hewere ready to work together with the government in thedemocratic transition.

State affairs are the internal affairs to be handled by the people themselves

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM8


NAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb— A ceremony to seekadvice from OvadacariyaSayadaws on constructionof Uppatasanti Pagoda washeld at a religious buildingin the compound of thepagoda today.

Chairman of theleading committee forconstruction of UppatasantiPagoda Secretary-1 of theState Peace andDevelopment Council Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin AungMyint Oo attended theceremony and presentedoffertories to the Sayadaws.

Present wereMember of the CentralWorking Committee of theSangha Presiding Sayadawof Ngwetaung Monasteryin Tatkon Agga MahaPandita BhaddantaPaññasiri and Members ofthe Sangha, Commander ofNay Pyi Taw CommandMaj-Gen Wai Lwin,members of the leadingcommittee and sub-committees forconstruction of the pagoda,invited guests and donors.

The ceremony was

Ovadaçariya Sayadaws give advice on construction of Uppatasanti Pagoda

opened with three timesrecitation of Namo Tassaand the congregation led bySecretary-1 Lt-Gen ThihaThura Tin Aung Myint Ootook the Five Precepts fromSayadaw Agga MahaPandita BhaddantaPaññasiri. Afterwards, theSecretary-1 and wellwisherspresented offertories to theSayadaw and Members of

the Sangha. Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin AungMyint Oo supplicated onmatters related toconstruction of the pagodato the Sayadaws.

Afterwards, Brig-Gen Nyan Tun of Ministryof Defence supplicated onmatters related to progressof construction of the pagoda;Minister for Religious

Affairs Brig-Gen ThuraMyint Maung on religiousmatters related to the pagodaand Maj-Gen Than Htay ofMinistry of Defence onmatters related toarrangement for religiousceremonies.

O v a d a ç a r i y aSayadaw of theconstruction of the pagodaMember of the Central

Working Committee of theSangha Presiding Sayadawof Maha Withuta RamaZegon MonasteryAbhidhaja Maha RatthaGuru Bhaddanta Kavisaragave advice to thecongregation led bySecretary-1 Lt-Gen ThihaThura Tin Aung Myint Oo.

The ceremonyconcluded with three times

recitation of BuddhaSasanam Ciram Titthatu.

After the ceremony,the Sayadaws viewed thediamond bud and thepennant-shape vane whichwill be fixed atop thepagoda and relics whichwill be enshrined in thepagoda. They also visitedthe construction site insidethe pagoda. — MNA

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo supplicates on religious objects to be enshrined at UppatasantiPagoda to Ovadaçariya Sayadaws. —MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb—The Spokes AuthoritativeTeam of the State Peace and Development Council andSpecial Advisor to the United Nations Secretary-GeneralMr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari held the second meeting atthe five-storey house in Yangon at 1 p.m. today.

Present at the meeting were Leader of the team Ministerfor Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan and members Ministerfor Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win and Minister for CultureMaj-Gen Khin Aung Myint. At the meeting, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan made clarification first.

Clarification made by Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan

The following is the full text of the clarification madeby Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan: —

The present one is Your Excellency's seventh visit toMyanmar. As you have the opportunity to study our nation,hold discussions and exchange views during the visits, webelieve that Your Excellency now have a wider knowledge ofour country's political, economic and social situations and theaspiration of the people. In this regard, I would say that if youwish to achieve success you should lend a helping hand basedon the people's aspiration and prevailing conditions.

During this visit, Your Excellency has already metwith all the persons of various sectors whom you shouldmeet in addition to our Spokes Authoritative Team of theState Peace and Development Council. As you as well as

SPDC Spokes Authoritative Team sits down withUNSG’s Special Advisor for second time

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi have proposed, we have arrangeda meeting in which you, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLDCEC discussed together. Moreover, we also madearrangements for Your Excellency to hold discussion withSNLD. What's more, we also changed the meeting schedulein accord with your wish.

Now, I will present a brief clarification of thematters concerning your proposals during our meeting on1 February 2009.

Concerning the matter of holding a dialoguebetween the government and Daw Aung San SuuKyi we, on our part, would like to reiterate that wealways keep the door open to her. At our previousmeetings, we explained to Your Excellency ourendeavours for national reconsolidation. After yourlast visit, for two times, we proposed her to hold adialogue. But she declined our proposal. Moreover,the government issued the Announcement No 1/2007on 4 October 2007, stating that if Daw Aung San SuuKyi declares to give up her policy of Confrontation,Utter Devastation, and Imposing All Kinds of Sanctionsincluding Economic Sanctions, the Head of State willpersonally meet her. With this Announcement, thegovernment has officially invited her to hold a dialogue.However, she has never given any reply officiallyconcerning the Announcement.

Reality

It may be true that the government can take theinitiative in holding a dialogue. But in reality it is the workof two parties and a single party alone cannot hold adialogue. Moreover, a dialogue will be practical andsuccessful only if the discussions are based on thereality of the prevailing conditions. I would like toemphasize that there will be no success if it is based onidealism and unrealistic conditions.

Your Excellency expressed appreciation for grantingamnesty to over 9,000 prisoners and also urged us tooccasionally grant amnesties in the future also. Concerningthe prisoners serving prison terms for their crimes, we wouldlike to explain that although the government has been takingactions against law-breakers for their crimes in accord withthe respective laws, it is always considering the reduction oftheir prison terms with magnanimity and goodwill.

Your Excellency has also proposed to review thelong-term sentences given to certain prisoners. Actually,the courts concerned have passed the long-term sentencesonly in accord with the law. Those persons have the rightto appeal in accord with the law. And if they file theirappeals in the courts, the courts will hear their appeal.

At the previous meeting, Your Excellency with keeninterest asked us the latest developments and timeframe ofthe 2010 election. We have already been taking all necessarymeasures concerning the formation of the 2010 ElectionCommission and enacting of the election laws and politicalparties laws. We will issue announcements concerning thematters at the right time. The laws will offer a broad rangeof rights to set up political parties, conduct canvassingcampaigns and stand for the election.

(See page 11)

According to democracy practice, the minority willhave to accept the majority’s wish. It will be undemocraticif the constitution approved by the majority is to bereviewed and amended because of the minority’s wish.

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM9


State affairs are the internal…

The people are worried about harming or causinghindarance to the prevailing development due to instabilityand lack of peace in the country. Therefore, they are willinglysupporting the peaceful transition to democracy to maintainthe national development.

(from page 8)facilitation of your work during the visit. Your Excellencyhas already known our efforts to cooperate with theinternational community including the UN to the mostpossible degree in carrying out relief and rehabilitationtasks in Cyclone Nargis-hit areas in May previous year. Inall seriousness, we recognize the role of the UN Secretary-General and the UN in providing assistance to the Nargisrelief and rehabilitation task. We also appreciate theSecretary-General and the UN for their support for thepeople in storm-hit areas.

Now, I would like to present a brief account of theNargis to Your Excellency. It is true that, Nargis brought alot of death and destruction. But thanks to the harmoniousefforts of the Government, the people and the Tatmadaw incarrying out the relief and reconstruction tasks, the storm-hit areas are back to normal at present in a short period. Allthe emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstructiontasks were smooth and successful, due to thegovernment-aided funds, donations of the people in thecountry, cooperation of the local companies andinternational relief aids. What’s more, in accord with theguidance of the Head of State, long-term disasterpreparedness programmes are being implemented andthose programmes have helped further improve the livingconditions of the people of the storm-hit areas to the levelhigher than that of the pre-Nargis.

K 319 billion

The amount of cash spent on the relief, rehabilitation,development and long-term disaster preparedness tasks inthe storm-hit areas is very large. The total amount of cashassistance of the government, the ministries, NGOs andStates and Divisions is over 319 billion kyats. Wellwishersfrom all over the nation have rendered voluntary assistanceat their own expense. I would like to inform you that thesaid amount of 319 billion kyats does not include the costsof services to render assistance to the storm-hit areas.

Moreover, foreign and local-foreign-joint donationshave reached over K 44.957 billion and over US$ 9.69million. Of the said amounts there were expenditures notonly for relief and reconstruction and developments butalso for logistic expenses and salaries of internationalagencies and INGOs.

Now, everything from accommodation to occupationhas become normal in storm-hit areas. Agricultural sectorand fishery and salt industries are now running as usual.Today, efforts are being made with greater momentum inbuilding a network of roads, cyclone shelters, refuge hillocksand sluice gates and regenerating and conserving mangroveforests. In this regard, it is required to provide cycloneshelters, farm machinery, fertilizers and diesel for stormvictims. Continuous efforts are being made to fulfil thoserequirements with the strength of the State and the peopleand international aids. Here, I would like to say that the taskof fulfilling those requirements will become more effectiveand smoother if the international community lends a helpinghand.

Moreover, I would like to present that AyeyawadyDivision faced such a severe natural disaster for the firsttime. As for Rakhine coastal region, it has suffered fromstorms for several times. Hence, we are now implementingrailroad, motor road, hydropower and long-termnatural disaster preparedness projects in Rakhinecoastal region. Thus, cash and kind requirement for naturaldisaster prevention will still be high. Anyhow, it is obviousthat the success in the Nargis relief and reconstruction taskis due to support and cooperation provided by the people of

the entire nation, with trust and in all seriousness, under theleadership of the government. International cooperationalso plays a role in this matter. At the same time, as theGovernment has been putting all its energy into serving theinterest of the people, the people on their part, have beencooperating with the Government with full understanding.What I have explained is just a brief account for Your

Excellency’s information. I would like to brief YourExcellency measures taken by the State for the success ofthe Road Map in accord with the people’s desire.

Actual desire

The first point is that the people aspire peace andstability. They do not want instable environment and riotsand violent acts that will undermine the stability at all.According to the past experience, there was no politicalstability in the time of parliamentary democracy periodfrom 1948 to 1962. Moreover, the people had to live inconstant fear amidst the flames of the internal strife. In thetimes of the Revolutionary Council and Burma SocialistProgramme Party also, insurgency could not be rootedout, people had to face numerous hardships resulting frommajor and minor battles of the internal strife breaking outduring the time around 1967 to 1990. Therefore, thepeople today never even want to dream of returning tosuch a desperate life. They are worried about losing theirpresent stable and tranquil society. Similarly, based on thealready achieved stability of the State, the people want thegovernment to scale up the development momentum. Theactual desire of the people is a peaceful and stable transitionto democracy. I hope Your Excellency understands wellthis point.

Therefore, the Government has been striving forrestoring national reconsolidation to guarantee lastingpeace and stability. Thanks to the Government’s efforts,up to this date, 17 national race armed groups and most ofthe small groups have made peace with the Governmentand returned to the legal fold. So, unprecedenteddevelopment can be witnessed in almost every part of thenation. Moreover, the national race groups have beenparticipating in development drives in their respectiveregions and as a result, people throughout the country arenow in a position to enjoy fruits of development. I wouldsay that we, on our part, keep the peace door open to theremaining armed groups.

While we are trying to build peace with nationalrace armed groups for national reconsolidation, weare also paying serious attention to discussions with

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. After your previous visit, weproposed to hold talks between Minister for Relations UAung Kyi and her for two times. But, she declined ourproposals. I think you still remember her refusal of yourproposal to meet her in your last visit. Anyhow, the State,in earnest, always offers her to build nationalreconsolidation.

Similarly, 9002 prisoners were granted amnesty to

contribute towards national reconsolidation, enabling themto take part in nation-building tasks with might and mainand in response to Your Excellency’s request.

During the previous visit, Your Excellency offered ustechnical assistance from the UN for the general electionto be held in 2010. We have replied that the GeneralElection Commission will be formed when the time is ripeand the commission will take necessary measures toensure that elections will be free and fair. Concerning thematter, we would like to know what specific technicalassistance will be provided.

Concerning the second desire of the people, they wantto see the development of their country as well as individualsocio-economic development. Therefore, the Governmentis paying serious attention to national development in allsectors and socio-economic development of the people.

In retrospect, the people had to face various difficulties.Due to instability for nearly 40 years, the nationaldevelopment could not even be dreamed.

During the present period after 1988, all-rounddevelopment has been brought about in various sectorssuch as political, economic, social, education, health,transportation, etc. Hence, the people have enjoyed thefruits of stability and development. In as much as stabilityand development are ensured, the people can enjoyprogressive life individually. So, the people support andrely on the endeavours of the existing Government.

The people are worried about harming or causinghindarance to the prevailing development due toinstability and lack of peace in the country. Therefore,they are willingly supporting the peaceful transitionto democracy to maintain the national development.Therefore, the existing Government is carrying out thetasks of democracy transition in accordance with theseven-step Road Map to fulfil the aspiration of thepeople.

Your Excellency knows well that the world today isfacing financial crisis. In the process of globalization,there may be more or less effects on the respectivecountries. As for Myanmar she is a developing countryand she has hardly any relations with Western countriesincluding the United States of America in terms offinance and commerce. Thus, it is assumed that theremaybe less direct effect of the crisis on the country. But,as regards such matters as foreign exchange remittancesand transfers and export and import, the country hasrelations with regional countries such as Singapore. Wehave already taken into consideration that the financialeffects of those countries can have repercussions for

(See page 11)

Leader of SPDC’s Spokes Authoritative Team Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan andparty meet for the second time with UNSG’s Special Advisor Mr. Gambari at five-storey building in

Yangon.— MNA

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM10


constitution approved by the majority is to be reviewedand amended because of the minorit’s wish. All whocherish and favour democracy will have to accept theessence of democracy. In all seriousness, I would like tosay that we will carry on the democratization processthrough the seven-step Road Map in accord with themandate of the majority of the people.

Within our reach

Our democratization process is the process favouredby the Myanmar people as well as the UN and theinternational community. The seven-step Road Map is themost suitable, appropriate and harmless to carry out thedemocratization process in a peaceful and stable manner.

Democracy reform must be based on the prevailingcondition. It will be mature step by step. We will get lessadvantage and much disadvantage if the democratizationprocess is based on the wishes and dreams rather than onthe prevailing conditions. As regards the matter, there aremany international examples from which we can takelessons.

We believe that we are on the right path anddemocracy is within our reach. Trying to reverse theprocess will bring no benefits, and this cannot be doneat all. I would like to emphasize that it is time the UN andinternational community and those who oppose the RoadMap joined hands for soonest completion of ourdemocracy transition.

For the democracy to become mature andflourishing we should nurture it from its foundation. Andaccording to prevailing condition, it is the most appropriatemethod.

Thank you.

Speech of Mr Gambari

Mr Gambari said that Myanmar was pursuingconstant cooperation with the United Nations as hermain foreign policy, and he thanked Myanmar for its

(from page 9)Your Excellency have explained a principle saying

that the country concerned has to present its requirementsfirst. Hence, we would like to inform Your Excellency thatafter the formation of the Election Commission, it willmake contacts if there are any requirements for technicalassistance.

Your Excellency has requested to establish a regularcontact system or to allow Your Excellency or one of yourstaffs to make regular visits to Myanmar for theeffectiveness and success of the role of the good office ofSecretary-General. In connection with this matter, wehave learned that Your Excellency can use other means inaddition to the method of sending a staff to the respectivecountry. For example, work can be carried out through theUN agencies in Myanmar or through the Myanmarpermanent representatives at the UN. Moreover, you oryour assistant can make contact with us as necessary tovisit Myanmar.

We have known that the UN Secretary-Generalwishes to visit Myanmar. Concerning the matter, we shouldsay that it depends on time and situation. As you have beenalready working on behalf of the Secretary-General, webelieve that the work is going well.

Democracy practice

The approval of the State Constitution with 92.48percent public support amounted not only to ratification ofthe constitution but also to giving mandate to carry out thedemocratization process in accordance with the constitution.It also means an approval to go ahead with the processaccording to the seven-step Road Map. At the referendum,the constitution was ratified with the 92.48 percent yesvotes against the 6.1 percent no votes. According todemocracy practice, the minority will have to acceptthe majority’s wish. It will be undemocratic if the

SPDC Spokes Authoritative… acceptance of the proposal for his seventh visit andarrangements for his convenience.

He also thanked Myanmar for her hospitality andcooperation, and said that moreover he valued thepersonal friendship; and that he thanked the nation forthe arrangements for him to meet all the persons heshould have met in the trip.

He again thanked the government for its amenableattitude and arrangements for him to meet with DawAung San Suu Kyi and party including NLD executives,and with Shan Nationalities League for Democracy.

He said that the meetings could make significantcontribution to understanding the prevailing conditionsof Myanmar; that he would report that when he met theUN Secretary-General; that he was under constantpressure to achieve tangible results in the trip; that heexpected the meetings would be tangible results; thatlocal and foreign organizations including the UNSecretary-General welcomed the release of prisoners bythe Myanmar government; that he requested thegovernment to continue to release prisoners from thehumanitarian point of view; that he recognized the effortsthe government was making to hold a dialogue with DawAung San Suu Kyi, and he would like the government tocontinue to do what should be done; that he thanked for theexplanations about preparations for formation of thecommission for holding elections and promulgation ofElection Law; that he would like to call for emergence ofa process that was acceptable to all in the carrying out thosetasks; that he was given permission to meet respectiveministers regarding Economic Forum; that he would bringcounter proposals in the next trip; that he honoured theMyanmar government’s cooperation with the UN andprogress in the post-Nargis; that it was required to value theexperiences of the Tripartite Core Group; that so he wouldlike to suggest to extend the term of the Tripartite CoreGroup; that he expected that the cooperation could beboosted to long-term cooperation; that furthermore he wasin a mood to visit Myanmar for the next time for his role;that he would like to reiterate that the UN Secretary-General was willing to work together with the government;and that he would like to visit Myanmar again together withthe UN Secretary-General.

The meeting ended at 2 p.m.MNA

We will carry on the democratization processthrough the seven-step Road Map in accord with themandate of the majority of the people.

(from page 10)Myanmar. Therefore, the Government, seeking advicefrom economic experts, has been taking pre-emptivemeasures.

Now, I am going to explain the third desire of thepeople. Every person has the wish to earn his living freelyin accord with the law and to reach the goal of democracysmoothly and with stability and peace. In this regard, theGovernment has laid down the seven-step Road Map andis implementing it. The seven-step Road Map has beenadopted and declared internationally since 2003. Theimplementation of the seven-step Road Map has beenrecognized and supported by ASEAN countries,neighbouring and regional countries and Non-AlignedMovement members as well as the UN.

According to the prevailing objective situations andconditions of our country, the seven-step Road Map is themost suitable and appropriate to bring about democracy.We firmly believe that the way to bring about democracypeacefully and harmlessly is the seven-step Road Map.

Equal Rights

The people have already ratified the constitutionwith 92.48 yes votes. Hence, the existing Government isperforming its duties on behalf of the people in accordwith the constitution approved by the people. In thisregard, we will never accept any attempt to jeopardize orharm the process. In addition, we will also oppose andwipe out all attempts to jeopardize or harm the Constitution.

As announced the multi-party democracy generalelections, the fifth step of the seven-step Road Map, willbe held in 2010. Necessary arrangements will be made toensure all inclusiveness in the general elections to be helddemocratically. At the suitable time prior to the elections,the political parties law and by-law will be promulgated

under which the rights to set up political parties to carryout organizing work and to stand for election will bepermitted. All the persons who oppose the government orwho support the government and those who are against orin favour of the Constitution will have the rights equally.Furthermore, plans will be made for the formation of theelection commission and different levels of sub-commissions systematically as necessary. Arrangementswill be made to hold elections according to the internationalstandards.

After getting elected, those representatives-elect canparticipate as Hluttaw representatives at various Hluttawsas the sixth step of the Road Map. They can take part indiscussing, coordinating and finding solutions in legislativematters including political, economic and social affairs ofthe State in democratic way at the Hluttaws. Likewise,administrative, judicial and legislative bodies will be formedat respective Hluttaws to build up a new peaceful, modernand developed democratic nation as the seventh step of theRoad Map. All will realize the fact that the way is paved forall inclusiveness in implementing the seven-step RoadMap. Efforts for bringing about democracy, developingthe nation and the people, flourishing human rights, etc arethe processes favoured and supported by neighbouringcountries, regional countries, international communityand the United Nations including Your Excellency. So, webelieve that all will render cooperative hands to the processof our seven-step Road Map.

The evolutions of our country are actual and cannot beignored. So, if we review with right sense and clearoutlook, it can be said that the image of the future State isseen vividly. The State affairs are the internal affairs to behandled by the people themselves. Through the collectiveefforts by the combined force of the Government, thepeople and the Tatmadaw with own strength, we haveachieved many accomplishments nowadays.

In conclusion, I would like to say that we have beensuccessfully implementing the process of democracytransition, with the support of the people and reaffirm thatwe will continue to strive till reaching the democracygoal. We totally believe that we will be able to realize ademocracy system that is in conformity with the objectiveconditions of the nation and the people. And we also hopethat Your Excellency who have understood the subtlenessof Myanmar politics to a certain extent will render ahelping hand to us for achieving more and more successesin our democratization process.

In his discussions, Mr Gambari said thatimplementation of relief and rehabilitation tasks in theaftermath of storm Nargis are acknowledged as Myanmargovernment’s efforts. In fact, cooperation and assistanceof the UN and international communities only supportedthe Myanmar government’s measures. He said heacknowledged the government’s measures to address theeffects of the world economic crisis. According to theprevious procedures, the host government proposed firstthat technical assistance should be provided for the 2010election. The UN can cooperate with officials concerned.He said he believes his cooperation will help Myanmarbecome democratic one. He expected his trip to Myanmaris fair and positive one.

The meeting came to an end at 10.a.m.—MNA

All the persons who oppose thegovernment or who support thegovernment and those who areagainst or in favour of theConstitution will have the rightsequally.

State affairs are the internal…

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM11


CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV KOTA TEGAP VOY NO (429)Consignees of cargo carried on MV KOTA TEGAP

VOY NO (429) are hereby notified that the vessel willbe arriving on 3.2.2009 and cargo will be dischargedinto the premises of A.W.P.T where it will lie at theconsignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelawsand conditions of the Port of Yangon.

Damaged cargo will be surveyed daily from 8 amto 11:20 am and 12 noon to 4 pm up to Claims Day nowdeclared as the third day after final discharge of cargofrom the vessel.

No claims against this vessel will be admitted afterthe Claims Day.

SHIPPING AGENCY DEPARTMENTMYANMA PORT AUTHORITY

AGENT FOR: M/S ADVANCE CONTAINERLINES

Phone No: 256908/378316/376797

CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV GATI MAJESTIC VOY NO (-)

Consignees of cargo carried on MV GATI MAJES-TIC VOY NO (-) are hereby notified that the vessel willbe arriving on 4.2.2009 and cargo will be dischargedinto the premises of M.I.T.T where it will lie at theconsignee’s risk and expenses and subject to the byelawsand conditions of the Port of Yangon.




AGENT FOR: M/S GATI COAST TO COASTPhone No: 256908/378316/376797

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CLAIMS DAY NOTICEMV VASCO DA GAMA VOY NO (145)

Consignees of cargo carried on MV VASCO DAGAMA VOY NO (145) are hereby notified that thevessel will be arriving on 4.2.2009 and cargo will bedischarged into the premises of A.W.P.T where it willlie at the consignee’s risk and expenses and subject to thebyelaws and conditions of the Port of Yangon.




AGENT FOR: M/S INTERASIA LINESPhone No: 256908/378316/376797

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The besttime to

plant a treewas 20

years ago.The secondbest time is

now.

TOKYO, 3 Feb—Japanese high-tech giant Hitachi reported Tuesday a 4.0-billion-dollar net loss for the nine months to December and maintained its forecast to endthe year deep in the red. Hitachi Ltd reported a loss of 356.9 billion yen for the firstthree quarters of the fiscal year, against a year-earlier loss of 559 million yen.

The electronics and engineering giant, which is slashing up to 7,000 jobs, isbracing for a 700-billion-yen loss for the full financial year to March as the globaleconomic slowdown crushes demand for electronic goods.

Japan’s export-dependent companies have also been hit hard by a strong yen,which reduces the value of their overseas earnings.

Hitachi said it made a net loss of 371 billion yen in the fiscal third quarter toDecember, more than wiping out profits made earlier in the year.—Internet

Japan’sHitachi posts

4.0 billiondollar

nine-monthloss

Macy’s to cut 7,000 jobs, slashdividend

NEW YORK, 3 Feb—Macy’s Inc. announced Mon-day that it will eliminate 7,000 jobs, almost 4 percentof its work force, and cut capital spending, reduce itscontributions to its employees’ retirement funds andslash its dividend to preserve cash amid a severepullback in consumer spending.

The Cincinnati-based department store chain alsoannounced the national rollout of a plan to localizemerchandising to specific markets, which it began insome regions last year.

Internet

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM12


NEWS ALBUM

Performers from the TourismAuthority of Thailand’s Thai dancegroup pose before a rehearsal at thePeople’s Association headquarters inSingapore ahead of on Friday’sChingay Street and Floats Parade.About 4,000 local and internationalperformers will participate in theannual parade on Friday and onSaturday according to the organizer.

Mobile ‘bird flu’ from Russia found in Indonesia

A mobile virus that had onlypreviously been seen in Russia,has now been found on anIndonesian cell phone, theleading Russian antivirusprogrammer, Kaspersky Labreports. Experts say the spreadof the virus will increase.

The as yet unnamed virus is aTrojan and takes control of thevictim’s mobile account, and

steals money from it.Those at risk are phones

which run the Symbian filesystem for mobile devises andhave SMS money transferenabled. After infecting thesystem, the virus operates bysending unauthorised SMStexts to a service numberrequesting a money transferfrom the victims account.

As wireless phone andPDA networks become morenumerous and more complex,it has become increasinglydifficult to secure them againstviruses. Though a majormobile epidemic is still tocome, a few viruses havealready been released.

Goat detained over armed robberyPolice in Nigeria are

holding a goat on suspicionof attempted armed robbery.

Vigilantes took the blackand white beast to the policesaying it was an armedrobber who had used blackmagic to transform himselfinto a goat to escape arrestafter trying to steal a Mazda323.

“The group of vigilantemen came to report thatwhile they were on patrolthey saw some hoodlumsattempting to rob a car.

They pursued them.However one of themescaped while the otherturned into a goat,” Kwara

state police spokesmanTunde Mohammed toldReuters by telephone.

“We cannot confirm thestory, but the goat is in ourcustody. We cannot base ourinformation on somethingmystical. It is something thathas to be proved scientifi-cally, that a human beingturned into a goat,” he said.

Belief in witchcraft iswidespread in parts ofNigeria, Africa’s mostpopulous nation. Residentscame to the police station tosee the goat, photographedin one national newspaperon its knees next to a pile ofstraw.

Star-patterned tortoises swim at a zoologicalpark in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad.

Tortoise thieves make quick getawayTen rare and expensive tortoises have been stolen from a private

museum in Singapore, its third theft in two years, local media reported onMonday. The thieves struck on Saturday, escaping with tortoises worthS$75,000 ($49,730) that were on display at the Live Turtle and TortoiseMuseum. Three endangered radiated tortoises, one of the rarest tortoises inthe world, and seven Indian star tortoises were stolen, owner Danny Tantold local media.

“I opened the tortoise museum to educate the public about tortoises, yetthefts happen. Of course I feel disappointed,” Tan said. Trade in radiatedtortoises is illegal due to their endangered status, while Indian star tortoisesare banned as pets in Singapore. Police said they were investigating.

Teams play the videogame “counter-strike”in Cologne, Germany.Spending more hourswatching television orplaying video games

as a teenager may leadto depression in youngadults, according to a

study publishedon 2 Feb, 2009.

INTERNET

MANILA, 3 Feb—A buscarrying at least 50 work-ers of South Korean con-struction firm HanjinHeavy Industries, Incplunged into a ravine innorthern Philippines,wounding at least 19, lo-cal media reported onTuesday.

Police said the bus,owned by a local contrac-tor of the South Koreanfirm, was racing with twoother buses when itsdriver lost control of thewheels near Hanjin’s fa-cilities in Subic town ofZambales Province.

The injured, whosenationalities are not im-mediately clear, werebrought to two hospitals,local TV network GMANews said.

The report quoted hos-pital staff saying at leasttwo are in critical condi-tions while most of theothers suffered onlybruises.—Internet

MOGADISHU, 3 Feb—African Union peace-keepers opened fire onMonday on civilian vehi-cles and fatally shot 18people after an AU vehiclewas hit by a land mine, of-ficials and a witness said.

The peacekeepers firedat three minibus taxis car-rying civilians after theland mine damaged an AUvehicle in the Somali capi-tal, Mogadishu, said thecity’s deputy mayor,Abdifitah Ibrahim Shawey.

AU peacekeepingforce spokesman BahokuBarigye said the Ugandancontingent of the AU forcewas responding to gunfireand he does not knowwhom they hit.

“A land mine hit one of

LIMA,3 Feb—A topprosecutor says gunmentried to kill Peru’s attor-ney general, who is head-ing a high-profile corrup-tion investigation.

Prosecutor Jose Pelaezsays on Saturday’s attackon Attorney GeneralGladys Echaiz was an as-

KHARTOUM, 3 Feb—Air raids struck near Muhajariain Sudan’s troubled Darfur region , an official said aspeacekeepers scrambled to protect 5,000 civiliansholed up at a UN base in the flashpoint town.

“According to our reports, there were air raids nearthe town of Muhajaria” in South Darfur, an official ofthe UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)told AFP.

The official, who asked not to be named, said theaircraft which did the bombing were not identified.

The raids follow a warning to UNAMID from theSudanese government on Sunday to withdraw its 190peacekeepers from Muhajaria ahead of an offensiveto recapture it from rebels of the Justice and EqualityMovement (JEM).

The head of the UN-African Union Mission inDarfur (UNAMID), Rodolphe Adada, held talks withSudanese defence, foreign ministry and intelligenceofficials on Monday on “practical ways of securingthe protection of the civilians,” the mission’s spokes-man Noureddine Mezni told AFP.

The talks were confirmed by Sudan’s undersecre-tary of foreign affairs, Mutrif Siddiq.

Internet

Gunmen fire on Peru attorney general’s carsassination attempt — nota robbery, as officials ear-lier suggested.

He said on Mondaythat many prosecutors arebeing threatened for doingtheir jobs.

Officials say nobodywas hurt in the shootingin central Lima and police

are hunting for the twoattackers.

Echaiz heads investi-gations into a briberyscandal involving state oilexecutives and an illegalwiretapping ring alleg-edly run by Peruvian navyofficers.

Internet

Somali officials say AU force kills 18 civiliansour vehicles and then wecame under small armsfire. We did not intention-ally kill civilians,” Barigyetold The Associated Press,adding that one Ugandansoldier was wounded.

The incident happenedon a road in southernMogadishu linking thepresidential palace and theairport. Both are among thegovernment installations theAU force guards as part ofits mandate in Mogadishu.

“There was a huge ex-plosion, which blew upone of the Ugandan mili-tary vehicles, lifting it offthe road,” said MohamudAbdisamad, a resident ofthe Waberi district wherethe violence happened.“Afterwards, Ugandan

soldiers started shootingat people in the threebuses wildly.”

Ali Muse, one of thecoordinators of Moga-dishu’s ambulance serv-ice, said the service trans-ported 18 dead and 11people wounded from thescene of the violence.Muse said the dead andwounded had gunshotwounds.—Internet

Air raids strike near Darfurwar-zone town

South Koreancompany busplunges intoPhilippine

ravine, 19 hurt

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM13


S P O R T SArshavin joins Arsenal till 2012

Russia internationalmidfielder Andrei

Arshavin

Bosingwa escapes FA action

Chelsea’s Portugueseplayer Jose Bosingwa

Quaresma joins Chelseaon loan

Portuguese midfielderRicardo Quaresma

Mediatewithdrawsfrom BuickInvitationalSAN DIEGO, 3 Feb—Al-

ready missing TigerWoods as he recoversfrom knee surgery, TorreyPines lost the other half ofits US Open memorywhen Rocco Mediatewithdrew Monday fromthe Buick Invitational.

The Buick Invitationalstarts Thursday at TorreyPines, the public coursethat staged a riveting USOpen last June whenWoods birdied the finalhole to force a playoffagainst Mediate, then ral-lied the next day to beathim in 19 holes.

Woods is the four-timedefending champion at theBuick Invitational, but heis not expected to return tocompetition until the endof the month at the earli-est. Mediate, whose ap-peal increased because ofhis everyman qualities,cited personal reasons forpulling out.

Internet

Buoyant Ben Haim says Black Cats can be luckyLONDON, 3 Feb—Tal Ben Haim was eager to play his part in helping Sunderland

climb away from the English Premier League relegation zone after joining theBlack Cats on loan from top-flight rivals Manchester City.

His deadline day move on Monday saw the 26-year-old Israel internationaldefender linking up again with Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia, who was amember of the coaching staff when Ben Haim played for Bolton Wanderers.

Ben Haim arrived too late to be registered in time for Wednesday’s FA Cup

Tal Ben Haim

LONDON, 3 Feb— Chel-sea defender JoseBosingwa escaped anydisciplinary action Mon-day for deliberately kick-ing Yossi Benayoun in theback during the Blues’ 2-0 Premier League loss toLiverpool at Anfield onSunday.

Bosingwa’s recklessact late in the match lookeda far more blatant foul thanthe challenge which sawChelsea and Englandmidfielder Frank Lampardsent-off on the hour mark.

However, althoughMike Riley did not see theincident himself, the ref-eree confirmed it had beenwitnessed by his linesmanMo Matadar.

Because the officialsdeliberately decided not totake action againstBosingwa, the Football As-sociation said that, underfootball rules laid down byworld governing bodyFIFA, they were barredfrom imposing any disci-plinary sanctions upon thePortugal defender.

After the match, Chel-sea manager Luiz FelipeScolari said he would havehad no complaints ifBosingwa had been sent-off for his wild challengeon Israeli playmakerBenayoun.

Congo-born Bosingwa,26, was in contrite moodMonday after a defeatwhich left Chelsea fivepoints behind leadersManchester United.

Internet

LONDON, 3 Feb—Russiainternational midfielderAndrei Arshavin of ZenitSt Petersburg has joinedArsenal till June 2012 for12 million pounds (13.3million euros), sources atthe Premiership club saidon Monday.

The Gunners are nowmerely waiting on the Pre-mier League to sign all thenecessary paperwork forthe deal to be made offi-cial.

The fee was far from the initial asking price thereigning UEFA Cup winners wanted of 20 millionpounds, but included a substantial performance-linkedbonus.

Conflicting signals had been emerging from Arse-nal’s Emirates stadium and Russia throughout the day asthe 1700GMT deadline came and went and a Zenit clubspokesman had even said the deal had fallen through.

The deal apparently hit a last minute snag when Zenitdemanded a portion of Arshavin’s signing on fee.

But other Russia news agencies were reporting that adeal had been struck on a three-and-a half year contract.

Gazeta.ru site announced that Arshavin, one of thestars at Euro 2008, had passed his medical and was nowan Arsenal player, inheriting the Gunners’ number 13shirt.

He will probably not make his debut for the Gun-ners for a few weeks because he will have to work onphysical conditioning to adapt to the rigours of theEnglish game. Keane rejoins Tottenham

from Liverpool

Robbie Keane

South Africans go ‘wild’ as Open returnsJOHANNESBURG, 3 Feb—Local ‘wildcards’ Rik de Voest and Raven Klaasen upset

Spanish opponents Monday as the SA Tennis Open returned to the ATP scene aftera 14-year absence.

De Voest always had the edge over sixth seed Ivan Navarro en route to a 6-3, 6-4 win while Raven Klaasen overcame early nerves to oust Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo6-3, 7-5 at the Tuscan-style Montecasino entertainment centre.

The tournament began with Leonardo Mayer outplaying Sergio Roitman 6-2, 6-4 in an all-Argentina duel and German Simon Gruel was another straight-setwinner, eliminating Romanian Victor Crivoi 6-2, 6-4 on the second court.

Warm, overcast weather greeted competitors at a venue transformed from a carpark to four courts within a few months and South Africans did not have to wait longfor something to celebrate.

Internet

Internet

LONDON, 3 Feb—Ricardo Quaresma hasjoined Chelsea on-loanfrom Italy’s Inter Milanfor the rest of the season,the English PremierLeague side said onMonday.

The London club addedon their official websitethat the Premier Leaguehad ratified the deal, whichwas announced some twohours after Monday’s1700GMT transfer win-dow deadline had passed.

Quaresma, 25, a wingerwho can play on eitherflank, became the sixthPortuguese player atStamford Bridge follow-ing the pre-season arriv-als of Deco and JoseBosingwa. He has alsoworked under Blues bossLuiz Felipe Scolari at in-ternational level, includ-ing during Euro 2008.

However he fell out offavour with former Chel-sea manager Jose

Mourinho at Inter, whomhe joined before the startof this season.

The former Porto andBarcelona forward wasbooed by Inter’s own fansduring the recent 1-1 drawwith Torino where he shotover the bar after comingon as a second-half sub-stitute.

Chelsea were left fivepoints behind league lead-ers Manchester United af-ter losing 2-0 to title rivalsLiverpool on Sunday.

Internet

LONDNON, 3 Feb—Robbie Keane rejoinedTottenham Hotspur fromLiverpool on Monday’stransfer deadline day barelysix months after leaving theLondon club for their Pre-mier League rivals.

“It was a difficult deci-sion to make to leaveTottenham in the summer,”Republic of Ireland strikerKeane told Tottenham’s

official website, who has rejoined on a four-year deal,with the fee starting at a reported 12 million poundsbefore rising with add-ons.

That would see Tottenham making a tidy profit afterselling Keane to Liverpool for 20 million pounds inJuly.

However Keane, speaking ahead of what could behis second debut for the club, against their arch rivalsArsenal, on Sunday, said: “It proved not to be the rightmove for me.

“I know some Spurs fans will feel I let them downby leaving but I can assure them I shall be giving myall for this club.

“We’ve got to get on and fight our way up thatleague table,” added Keane, who returns to White HartLane with Spurs just a point above the drop zone.

Tottenham, criticised by Liverpool manager RafaelBenitez for the way in which they made their interestin Keane public this month, were delighted to have the28-year-old forward back in their ranks.

“We never wanted Robbie to leave in the summer,we acknowledged the six years dedicated service hegave this club and reluctantly let him go,” said Spurschairman Daniel Levy.—Internet

fourth round replay with Blackburn, which meanshe could now make his Sunderland debut in thisSaturday’s league match at home to Stoke.

The Black Cats are currently four points abovethe bottom three following Sunday’s 1-1 derbydraw with Newcastle and Ben Haim told Sunder-land’s official website: “I’m happy to come here,play some football and help Sunderland achievetheir targets.

“I know Ricky from Bolton and it will be goodto work with him again,” he added. “Sunderlandshould be higher up in the table and I hope that willbe the case over the next four months.”

Internet

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM14


WEATHER

Summary of observations recorded at 09:30 hrMST: During the past 24 hours, weather has been partlycloudy in Kachin and Shan States, Taninthayi Divisionand generally fair in the remaining areas. Night tempera-tures were (7˚C) to (8˚C) below February average tem-peratures in Chin State and Bago Division, (3˚C) to (4˚C)below February average temperatures in Kachin State,upper Sagaing and Magway Divisions, (3˚C) above Feb-ruary average temperatures in Mandalay and TaninthayiDivisions and about February average temperatures inthe remaining areas. The significant night temperatureswere Haka (-3˚C), Loilem (2˚C), Namhsan, Pinlaung andAnn (3˚C) each.

Maximum temperature on 2-2-2009 was 91˚F.Minimum temperature on 3-2-2009 was 60˚F. Relativehumidity at (09:30) hours MST on 3-2-2009 was 59%.Total sunshine hours on 2-2-2009 was (8.7) hrs approx.

Rainfall on 3-2-2009 was (Nil) at Mingaladon, Kaba-Aye and Central Yangon. Total rainfall since 1-1-2009was (Nil) at Mingaladon, Kaba-Aye and Central Yangon.Maximum wind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was (4)mph from Southwest at (16:30) hours MST on2-2-2009.

Bay inference: Weather is partly cloudy in theAndaman Sea and South Bay and generally fair else-where in the Bay of Bengal.

Forecast valid until evening of 4th February 2009:Weather will be partly cloudy in Kachin and Shan States,upper Sagaing and Taninthayi Divisions and generallyfair in the remaining areas.

State of the sea: Seas will be slight to moderate inMyanmar waters.

Outlook for subsequent two days: Generally fair inthe whole country.

Forecast for Nay Pyi Taw and neighbouring areafor 4-2-2009: Generally fair weather.

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring areafor 4-2-2009: Generally fair weather.

Forecast for Mandalay and neighbouring areafor 4-2-2009: Generally fair weather.

Tuesday, 3 February, 2009

Wednesday, 4 FebruaryView on today

7:00 am

1. mc\;k∑n\;mc\;k∑n\;mc\;k∑n\;mc\;k∑n\;mc\;k∑n\;Sraeta\Sraeta\Sraeta\Sraeta\Sraeta\Bura;Âk;fBura;Âk;fBura;Âk;fBura;Âk;fBura;Âk;f

prit\tra;eta\prit\tra;eta\prit\tra;eta\prit\tra;eta\prit\tra;eta\

7:25 am

2. To be healthy exercise

7:30 am

3. Morning news

7:40 am

4. At^;‘pic\p∑Át^;‘pic\p∑Át^;‘pic\p∑Át^;‘pic\p∑Át^;‘pic\p∑´

7:55 am

5. Dance of national races

8:00 am

6. {‘mi>Âk;qa;y√\ek¥;mO}{‘mi>Âk;qa;y√\ek¥;mO}{‘mi>Âk;qa;y√\ek¥;mO}{‘mi>Âk;qa;y√\ek¥;mO}{‘mi>Âk;qa;y√\ek¥;mO}

(lYm\;Tk\'Pui;K¥s\'pul´wc\;'(lYm\;Tk\'Pui;K¥s\'pul´wc\;'(lYm\;Tk\'Pui;K¥s\'pul´wc\;'(lYm\;Tk\'Pui;K¥s\'pul´wc\;'(lYm\;Tk\'Pui;K¥s\'pul´wc\;'

nn\;Surtsiu;' suK¥s\eza\)nn\;Surtsiu;' suK¥s\eza\)nn\;Surtsiu;' suK¥s\eza\)nn\;Surtsiu;' suK¥s\eza\)nn\;Surtsiu;' suK¥s\eza\)

(dåRiuk\ta-eza\l¨Tk\)(dåRiuk\ta-eza\l¨Tk\)(dåRiuk\ta-eza\l¨Tk\)(dåRiuk\ta-eza\l¨Tk\)(dåRiuk\ta-eza\l¨Tk\)

8:10 am

7. �mø;�mø;Âk∑Âk∑y√\ek¥;mOAk�mø;�mø;Âk∑Âk∑y√\ek¥;mOAk�mø;�mø;Âk∑Âk∑y√\ek¥;mOAk�mø;�mø;Âk∑Âk∑y√\ek¥;mOAk�mø;�mø;Âk∑Âk∑y√\ek¥;mOAk

8:20 am

8. (62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>

gu%\‘pAsÂs√\gu%\‘pAsÂs√\gu%\‘pAsÂs√\gu%\‘pAsÂs√\gu%\‘pAsÂs√\

8:30 am

9. International news

8:45 am

10. Musical programme

4:00 pm

1. Martial song

4:10 pm

2. ASiu‘pic\p´∑ASiu‘pic\p´∑ASiu‘pic\p´∑ASiu‘pic\p´∑ASiu‘pic\p´∑

4:20 pm

3. {s;Sc\;påesemt†arv\}{s;Sc\;påesemt†arv\}{s;Sc\;påesemt†arv\}{s;Sc\;påesemt†arv\}{s;Sc\;påesemt†arv\}

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 392308, Manager 392226, Circulation 392304, Advertisement 392223,Accounts 392224, Administration 392225, Production/Press 392369

(emkb¥a' P¨;P;)(emkb¥a' P¨;P;)(emkb¥a' P¨;P;)(emkb¥a' P¨;P;)(emkb¥a' P¨;P;)

[dåRiuk\ta-Kc\eza$kumu�da)][dåRiuk\ta-Kc\eza\(kumu�da)][dåRiuk\ta-Kc\eza\(kumu�da)][dåRiuk\ta-Kc\eza\(kumu�da)][dåRiuk\ta-Kc\eza\(kumu�da)]

4:30 pm 4. Classical song

4:40 pm 5. Musical programme

4:50 pm 6. (62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>


5:00 pm 7. 2009KuNs\'tkqiul\wc\saem;p∑´2009KuNs\'tkqiul\wc\saem;p∑´2009KuNs\'tkqiul\wc\saem;p∑´2009KuNs\'tkqiul\wc\saem;p∑´2009KuNs\'tkqiul\wc\saem;p∑´

Baqarp\Siuc\raqc\Kn\;saBaqarp\Siuc\raqc\Kn\;saBaqarp\Siuc\raqc\Kn\;saBaqarp\Siuc\raqc\Kn\;saBaqarp\Siuc\raqc\Kn\;sa

(qmiuc\;Baqarp$(qmiuc\;Baqarp\)(qmiuc\;Baqarp\)(qmiuc\;Baqarp\)(qmiuc\;Baqarp\)

5:25 pm 8. Songs to uphold

national spirit

5:35 pm 9. (62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>(62)Ns\e�mak\�pv\eTac\suen>


5:45 pm10. {�pv\eTac\susit\Dat\m�pt\{�pv\eTac\susit\Dat\m�pt\{�pv\eTac\susit\Dat\m�pt\{�pv\eTac\susit\Dat\m�pt\{�pv\eTac\susit\Dat\m�pt\

Local Transmission

Signature TuneSong of Myanma Beauty and Scenic SightsMyanma Traditional Gold Leaf WorksMyanma Roasted BeanLet’s grow High-Yielding Varieties for Surplus inRiceMyanmar Modern SongDiscovering Imaw Bum Area (Part-II)Song of Myanma Beauty and Scenic Sights

Europe/ North America Transmission

Signature TuneSong of Myanma Beauty and Scenic SightsMyanmar Elephants from Myanma ForestAncient Han-LinFree of Charge Art Trainees’ ExhibitionDiscovering Imaw Bum Area (Part-I)Poem Garden “Join Hands together”National Progress through All-round DevelopmentA Picturesque Resort Among Shan Mountain RangesMyanmar Modern SongMyanma Traditional Gold Leaf WorksThe Hilly Town (Namhsan)Let’s Grow High-Yielding Varieties for Surplus inRiceDiscovering Imaw Bum Area (Part-II)The Beauty of Tamonyel RegionPlanting of Mulberry tree and Breeding of SilkwormsBio-diesel from Energy FieldSong of Myanma Beauty and Scenic Sights

Website: www.mrtv3.net.mm

rc\.qn\Kuiuc\marn\madiu>wn\ta}rc\.qn\Kuiuc\marn\madiu>wn\ta}rc\.qn\Kuiuc\marn\madiu>wn\ta}rc\.qn\Kuiuc\marn\madiu>wn\ta}rc\.qn\Kuiuc\marn\madiu>wn\ta}

(Aq^;ts \raAvHats \K u(Aq^ ;ts \raAvHats \K u(Aq^ ;ts \raAvHats \K u(Aq^ ;ts \raAvHats \K u(Aq^ ;ts \raAvHats \K u

diu>�pv\eTac\su)diu>�pv\eTac\su)diu>�pv\eTac\su)diu>�pv\eTac\su)diu>�pv\eTac\su)

6:00 pm11. Evening news

6:30 pm12. Weather report

6:35 pm13. �mn\ma.Del.Riu;ralk\ew>�mn\ma.Del.Riu;ralk\ew>�mn\ma.Del.Riu;ralk\ew>�mn\ma.Del.Riu;ralk\ew>�mn\ma.Del.Riu;ralk\ew>

6:50 pm14. Tk\�mk\ep¥a\rWc\Aim\eTac\rc\Tk\�mk\ep¥a\rWc\Aim\eTac\rc\Tk\�mk\ep¥a\rWc\Aim\eTac\rc\Tk\�mk\ep¥a\rWc\Aim\eTac\rc\Tk\�mk\ep¥a\rWc\Aim\eTac\rc\

7:20 pm15. rqepÅl∑c\qRup\eSac\l∑c\�pc\rqepÅl∑c\qRup\eSac\l∑c\�pc\rqepÅl∑c\qRup\eSac\l∑c\�pc\rqepÅl∑c\qRup\eSac\l∑c\�pc\rqepÅl∑c\qRup\eSac\l∑c\�pc\

8:00 pm16. News

17. International news

18. Weather report

19. �mn\maRup\r˙c\�mn\maRup\r˙c\�mn\maRup\r˙c\�mn\maRup\r˙c\�mn\maRup\r˙c\

{qip\K¥s\en�p^}{qip\K¥s\en�p^}{qip\K¥s\en�p^}{qip\K¥s\en�p^}{qip\K¥s\en�p^}

(réAac\' tc\.tc\.T∑n\;)(réAac\' tc\.tc\.T∑n\;)(réAac\' tc\.tc\.T∑n\;)(réAac\' tc\.tc\.T∑n\;)(réAac\' tc\.tc\.T∑n\;)

(dåRiuk\ta-emac\rin\;)(dåRiuk\ta-emac\rin\;)(dåRiuk\ta-emac\rin\;)(dåRiuk\ta-emac\rin\;)(dåRiuk\ta-emac\rin\;)

MRTV-3Programme Schedule

(4.2.2009) (Wednesday)

Transmissions

Local - (09:00am ~ 10:00am) MSTEurope - (15:30pm ~ 23:30pm) MSTNorth America - (23:30pm ~ 07:30am) MST

Times

NEW YORK, 3 Feb—Four New York men havepleaded guilty to a string of racially motivated assaultson the night Barack Obama was elected as the firstBlack US President, a court spokesman said on Monday.

The three assaults in the New York City boroughof Staten Island on 4 November targeted Black men,court documents said. The accused ringleader, RalphNicoletti, 18, pleaded guilty in US District Court inBrooklyn to taking part in assaults that included strikinga teenager with a metal pipe, pushing another man tothe ground and driving a car into a third man.

The third victim was seriously injured andremained in a coma for several weeks after the attack,court papers said. As a condition of his plea, Nicolettiagreed to a sentence of 12 years in prison, although thelength is subject to a judge’s approval, said courtspokesman Robert Nardoza.

Three other men—Brian Carranza, 21, andMichael Contreras and Bryan Garaventa, both 18—pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit hate crimeassaults, Nardoza said. Each faces up to 10 years inprison.—MNA/Reuters

Four plead guilty to USelection night violence

People look at 2010 Honda Fury’s after its introductionat the 28th annual International Motorcycle Show, inNew York recently. The Fury, with a lower ridingposition, has a single-shock rear suspension with ahard-tail look, and a 1,312 cc V-twin engine. TheFury’s 71-inch wheelbase makes it the longest bike in

the Japanese auto giant’s lineup.—INTERNET

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM15

10th Waxing of Tabodwe 1370 ME Wednesday, 4 February, 2009

* Development of agriculture as the base and all-round develop-ment of other sectors of the economy as well

* Proper evolution of the market-oriented economicsystem

* Development of the economy inviting participation in termsof technical know-how and investments from sources insidethe country and abroad

* The initiative to shape the national economy must be kept in thehands of the State and the national peoples

* Uplift of the morale and morality of theentire nation

* Uplift of national prestige and integrity andpreservation and safeguarding of culturalheritage and national character

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

standards of the entire nation

* Stability of the State, community peaceand tranquillity, prevalence of law andorder

* National reconsolidation* Emergence of a new enduring State Con-

stitution* Building of a new modern developed nation

in accord with the new State Constitution

Four economic objectives Four social objectivesFour political objectives

NAY PYI TAW, 3Feb—Mr Ye Dabo,newly-accredited Am-bassador of the Peo-ple’s Republic of Chinato the Union ofMyanmar presented hiscredentials to SeniorGeneral Than Shwe,

Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials ofAmbassador of the People’s Republic of China

Chairman of the StatePeace and Develop-ment Council of the Un-ion of Myanmar, atBayintnaung Yeiktha,here at 11 a.m. today.

Present on the oc-casion were Secretary-1 of the State Peace and

Development CouncilLt-Gen Thiha Thura TinAung Myint Oo, DeputyMinister for Foreign Af-fairs U Maung Myintand Director-General UKyaw Kyaw of the Pro-tocol Department.

MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 4 Feb—On the occasion of the 61st Anniversary of theIndependence Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka which fallson 4th February 2009, Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peaceand Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message offelicitations to His Excellency Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the Demo-cratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.—MNA

Senior GeneralThan Shwe felicitatesSri Lankan President

Prime Minister General Thein Sein receives SpecialAdvisor to Secretary-General of UN

Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Unionof Myanmar Senior General Than Shwe accepts credentials

presented by Mr Ye Dabo, newly-accredited Ambassador of thePeople’s Republic of China to the Union of Myanmar at

Bayintnaung Yeiktha in Nay Pyi Taw.— MNA

NAY PYI TAW, 3 Feb — Prime Minister of theUnion of Myanmar General Thein Sein received MrIbrahim Agboola Gambari, Special Advisor to the

Prime Minister General Thein Sein receivesMr Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, Special

Advisor to the UN Secretary-General. — MNA

Secretary-General of the United Nations, at ZeyathiriBeikman in Yangon today.

(See page 6)

Economic sanctions havedamaged human rights andcaused unemployment.

4-2-09 NL 7/29/18, 8:56 PM16

Documents

Established 1914 Volume XVI, Number 292 10th Waxing of