senior general than shwe and wife daw kyaing … peace and development council general thura ... daw...

Volume XIII, Number 331 Fullmoon Day of Taboung 1367 ME Monday, 13 March, 2006

Established 1914

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

* Development of agriculture as the base and all-rounddevelopment of other sectors of the economy as well

* Proper evolution of the market-oriented economicsystem

* Development of the economy inviting participation interms of technical know-how and investments fromsources inside the country and abroad

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

* Uplift of the morale and morality ofthe entire nation

* Uplift of national prestige and integ-rity and preservation and safeguard-ing of cultural heritage and nationalcharacter

* 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

Constitution* Building of a new modern developed

nation in accord with the new StateConstitution

Four economic objectives Four social objectivesFour political objectives

YANGON, 12 March — Under the aegis ofChairman of the State Peace and Development Coun-cil Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services SeniorGeneral Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing,the State Peace and Development Council andTatmadaw families offered ‘soon’ to StateOvadaçariya Sayadaws, members of the State SanghaMaha Nayaka Committee and State Central Work-ing Committee of the Sangha, and religious titlerecipient Sayadaws at Zeyathiri Beikman Hall onKonmyinttha, here, this morning.

The ceremony was graced by OvadaçariyaSayadaws, members of the State Sangha MahaNayaka Committee and State Central Working Com-mittee of the Sangha, and religious title recipientSayadaws and Nuns with their presence.

Also present on the occasion were Vice-Chair-man of the State Peace and Development CouncilDeputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence ServicesCommander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior GeneralMaung Aye and wife Daw Mya Mya San, Daw KhinThan Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, Member of theState Peace and Development Council General ThuraShwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence and wifeDaw Khin Lay Thet, Prime Minister General SoeWin and wife Daw Than Than Nwe, Secretary-1 ofthe State Peace and Development Council Lt-GenThein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win, membersof the State Peace and Development Council andtheir wives, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), theCommander-in-Chief (Air), Lt-Gen Myint Swe ofthe Ministry of Defence, the Chairman of YangonDivision Peace and Development Council Com-

Senior General Than Shwe and wifeDaw Kyaing Kyaing offer ‘soon’ toreligious title recipient Sayadaws

mander of Yangon Command, the ministers, the ChiefJustice, the Attorney-General, the Auditor-General,the Chairman of Civil Service Selection and Train-ing Board, the Yangon Mayor and their wives, thedeputy ministers, senior military officers and theirwives, the Director-General of the State Peace andDevelopment Council Office, departmental heads andguests.

The ceremony was opened with three-time

recitation of Namo Tassa.Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw

Kyaing Kyaing and party took the Five Precepts fromChairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Com-mittee Magway Maha Withutayama Taikthit SayadawAbhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Abhidhaja Agga MahaSaddhammajotika Bhaddanta Kumara. Members ofthe Sangha recited Metta Sutta.

(See page 16)

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer alms to a Sayadaw. — MNA

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing and party receiving the Five Precepts from Chairman Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kumara. — MNA

2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Monday, 13 March, 2006

Monday, 13 March, 2006

PERSPECTIVES

Myanmar people are well known fortheir generosity and it is their lovely custom tomake donations and do meritorious deeds ondays of special significance. Today, thefullmoon day of Taboung in Myanmar lunarcalendar, is a day of religious significance. InMyanmar, it is one of the occasions set asidefor doing meritorious deeds, especially offer-ing of alms and provisions to the monks.

It is on this day that hundreds of monksreceive provisions donated by thousands of thelaity so that they may be able to convenientlycarry out religious tasks such as learningPariyatti and practising Patipatti. Here it is tobe noticed that the term “receive” means theact of receiving the offerings that enables theBuddhist faithful to do such offerings. Therelationship between the donor and the recipi-ent is unique, for without the recipient therecan be no donor and vice versa. It must, ofnecessity, apply to all donors and recipients,for those who are involved in the propagationof a faith are committed to their mission. Ifthey have to go round in search of alms andprovisions all the time, the effectiveness of theirmission would be diminished, or they may notbe as fully capable of carrying it out.

This is the reason why the laity, indi-vidually, or in groups, or organizations, or asgovernment departments, organize alms offer-ing ceremonies so that those in missionary serv-ice may enable the wellwishers to donate andthus gain merits. The government organizessome of these alms-offering ceremonies almostalways and also subsidizes missions and homesfor the aged and the needy.

Today, the fullmoon day of Taboung,religious titles are presented to monks, nunsand lay persons on a grand scale. Indeed it isa remarkable contribution towards promotionand propagation of Buddha Sasana.

We firmly believe that all the Buddhistdevotees, having reflected wisely the attributesof the Buddha, will be able to enjoy physicaland mental well-being through making dona-tions, keeping precepts, dispensing Metta andpractising meditation.

Fullmoon Day ofTaboung, a day ofreligious significance

* 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 Desire

Study tour group visits agricultural farms in Lashio

YANGON, 12 March — Chairman of Shan State(North) Peace and Development Council Commanderof North-East Command Maj-Gen Myint Hlaing, ac-companied by members of the study tour group ofNaval Training Command Headquarters of Yangon,viewed thriving summer paddy plantations in Humonregion of Lashio on 9 March morning.

Shan State (North) Police Force CommanderPolice Col Win Naing reported on cultivation of 121

acres of summer paddy of Shan State (North) PoliceForce at Yepusan Village.

The commander and party looked into thriv-ing summer paddy of Lashio Township PDC, sun-flower plantations of MPF and coffee and orangeplantations of the command headquarters.

At Yantaingaung Pagoda, they paid homageto the bronze Buddha Image, and made cash dona-tions. — MNA

YANGON, 12 March —Minister for Industry-1U Aung Thaung, accompanied by Managing Direc-tor U Nyunt Aung of Myanma Paper and ChemicalsIndustries, inspected construction of Chemicals Fac-tory (Hydrogen Peroxide) (Chauk) Project in ChaukTownship yesterday.

On completion, the factory will produce 30tons of hydrogen peroxide daily. The factory is be-ing built on 178.99 acres near Yedwin Village inChauk Township.

The minister viewed installation of machinesat the factory and water treatment station.

At Advanced Insulator Factory Project (Chauk)of Myanma Ceramics Industries, the minister in-

Industry-1 Minister tours Chauk, Seikpyu, Pwintbyu

spected land preparations for construction of thefactory.

The Advanced Insulator Factory Project(Chauk) is being implemented at the plot, four milesfrom Chauk. On completion, the factory will manu-facture 800 tons of various kinds of insulators yearly.

The minister proceeded to Thitseint Oil Millof Myanma Foodstuff Industries in Seikpyu, andviewed production process.

While in Pwintbyu, the minister oversawthriving physic nut saplings at the nursery of TextileFactory (Pwintbyu), and production tasks of thefactory.

MNA

YANGON, 12 March —General Secretary U SeinWin Hlaing of the Unionof Myanmar Federation ofChambers of Commerceand Industry flew to Ge-neva, Switzerland thisevening to attend theWorkshop on Practical In-tellectual Property Issuesfor Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)Support Institutions to beorganized by World Intel-lectual Property Organiza-tion to be held in Geneva,Switzerlnd, from 14 to 16March 2006.

He was seen off at

General Secretary of UMFCCI leaves for Geneva

Yangon InternationalAirport by President U

Win Myint of UMFCCIand Joint-Secretary-2 U

Tun Aung and officials.MNA

In memory of late teacher U Kyaw Myint, sistersDaw Tin Tin, Daw Yi Yi and family of No (152),3rd Floor, Bogyoke Street, Pazundaung, recentlydonated K 100,000 to the Hninzigon Home forthe Aged through Rector Daw May Win Aung

Khin, member of the Administrative Board. —H

GeneralSecretaryU Sein

WinHlaing ofUMFCCIseen atthe air-

portbefore hisdeparture

forGeneva,Switzer-

land.UMFCCI

Minister U Aung Thaung inspects progress in installation of machines at Chemicals Factory(Hydrogen Peroxide) (Chauk) Project. — INDUSTRY-1

THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Monday, 13 March, 2006 3

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GM recalls about 900,000 pickup trucks

Rachel Weisz to be face of Burberry

The GMC Sierra pickup truck (L) and theChevrolet Silverado are introduced at the

Chicago Auto Show.—INTERNET

China-Russia strategicpartnership at all-time high

MOSCOW, 11 March — Relations between China and Russia have beenenjoying a strong momentum in recent years and have reached anunprecedented high level, Liu Guchang, China’s Ambassador to Russia, saidon Thursday.

Venezuela derides UShuman rights reportCARACAS (Venezuela), 11 March — Venezuela

derided on Thursday a US State Department reportthat said President Hugo Chavez’s government hadviolated human rights, calling the document “toiletpaper”.

The response from Caracas followed weeks ofverbal jousting between the United States andVenezuela after both governments expelled diplomatsin one of their worst disputes since left-winger Chavezcame to office seven years ago.

“These reports are just toilet paper, exactly that,toilet paper, because US State Department officialshave no authority to judge any country in the world,”Venezuelan Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel toldreporters.

“If any country or any government violates humanrights and is a centre of corruption, it’s the USGovernment,” he said. — MNA/Reuters

Syria ignores US sanction on its bank

WASHINGTON, 11 March —General Motors Corp saidon Friday it is recalling about 900,000 pickup trucksworldwide to fix tailgate cables that can corrode andbreak when loads are placed on them.

The recall involves 1999-2000 models of theChevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks. GM saidthere have been 84 injuries, most of them minor scrapesand bumps, but no crashes or deaths linked to theproblem. GM, the world’s No 1 automaker, said thegalvanized, braided-steel support cables that keep thetailgates in place can corrode or fracture over timebecause of moisture seeping through cracks in theplastic sheathing of the cable or entering between thecable’s metal strands.

The automaker had recalled about 4 million 2000-2004 pickups worldwide in March 2004 because thetailgates could break without warning. The recallinvolved a broader range of vehicles, including theChevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Avalanche

and Cadillac Escalade EXT trucks.GM spokesman Alan Adler said the vehicles covered

by the new recall had different materials used in thesupport cables and involved fewer complaints. He saidthe automaker decided to issue the recall after “anexhaustive investigation.”—Internet

Liu made the remarksahead of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin’s visit toBeijing this month.

Speaking to reporters inMoscow, he said the growthof Sino-Russian ties not onlysafeguards the nationalinterests of both countriesbut contributes to globalpeace, stability and develop-ment.

“President Putin’s visitto China, during which hewill, together with (Chinese)President Hu Jintao, attend

the opening ceremony of theYear of Russia, is the mostsignificant event in bilateralties this year,” Liu said.

Liu added that the twocultural events of the Yearof China and the Year ofRussia will serve as a strongboost to the strategicpartnership between thetwo countries.

The Chinese ForeignMinistry said on Thursdaythat Putin would pay a statevisit to China on 21-22March.

The ambassador said thebilateral economic and tradeties are “moving on a fasttrack”, saying the forms ofcooperation are diversifyingand areas expanding.Liunoted progress in joint workin the oil and gas sector. Russian oil shipmentsvia railway to China havebeen increasing steadily andRussia’s environmentalauthorities have cleared theplanned oil pipeline thatwill reach China, he said.

“MNA/Xinhua

NEW YORK, 11 March — The publichas seen a lot of mama-to-be RachelWeisz lately — first at the Golden Globesin a gold Donna Karan gown and then atthe Oscars in a sleek black NarcisoRodriguez gown. Now Weisz, who isseven months pregnant, is the face ofBurberry’s ad campaign for the newfragrance London. The ads were shot lastfall.

The 35-year-old actress, who won anOscar on Sunday for her role in “TheConstant Gardener,” is a fashion-industryfavourite. “I love beautiful things andbeautiful fashion,” Weisz told TheAssociated Press in a recent telephoneinter-view. “I like clothes that arebeautifully cut that aren’t too fussy.” Sheoften attends Rodriguez’s show duringNew York Fashion Week, but it wasBurberry, which shares Weisz’ Britishheritage, that approached her aboutmodelling. I’m British. I grew up withBurberry being the ultimate brand in chic,elegance and history. My granny, thechicest lady I ever knew, had a Burberryraincoat. Now it’s a cool and edgy fashionhouse, too,” Weisz told the AP. “I wasthrilled to be asked (to model). There wasno hesitation.” The fragrance is light andfloral with a rich undertone. Weisz saidshe's particularly fond of perfumes with asandal-wood base. Weisz said her senseof smell has been heightened by her

pregnancy, but, so far, there’s nothingthat’s a complete turnoff. — Internet

British actress Rachel Weisz,nominated for an Oscar for best actressin a supporting role for her work in'The Constant Gardener,’ arrives forthe 78th Academy Awards on Sunday,5 March , 2006, in Los Angeles. Weisz,who is seven months pregnant, is theface of Burberry's ad campaign forthe new fragrance London. The ads were shot last fall. —INTERNET

DAMASCUS, 11 March — Syria on Friday brushed aside the US decision tosever links to the state-owned Commercial Bank of Syria (CBS).

The US Treasury Department on Thursday barred American financialinstitutions from opening or maintaining an account for or on behalf of CBSbecause the bank “has been used by terrorists” to move funds and has launderedmoney from the “illicit sale of Iraqi oil”.

In a statement to the official SANA news agency, CBS Director GeneralDureid Dorgham said the US decision “was taken for political reasons to affectSyria” without “logical evidence”. Dorgham pointed out that it has been a“binding decision” to the US banks even before the official announcement.

Meanwhile, he expressed confidence in some other friendly banks which hadrejected the US decision to sanction the Syrian bank, noting that these bankswould not submit to it. — MNA/Xinhua

A Hollywood stunt actor dismounts a tire from a moving car at ShanghaiInternational Circuit, on 12 March, 2006. The Hollywood stunt team startedtheir tour of China and performed during the intermissions of the 2006 China

Circuit Championship in Shanghai on Sunday.—INTERNET

Giant panda An An plays with a “puzzle feeder” in the Ocean Park in Hong Kong,south China, on 9 March, 2006. The two-foot feeder, designed by universitystudents in Hong Kong, is made from a plastic pipe with holes and a painted surface,in a bid to keep pandas healthy within zoological facilities.—INTERNET


British soldier quits Army, accusesUS troops of illegal tactics in IraqLONDON, 11 March — An elite British soldier has revealed that he quit the Army

after refusing to fight in Iraq anymore on moral grounds because of the “illegal”tactics used by US troops on the ground.

Ben Griffin, a member of the Special Air Service (SAS) described in an interviewwith The Sunday Telegraph the experiences that led him to end his impressive armycareer after just three months in Baghdad.

The 28-year-old, who was discharged last June, is believed to be the first SASsoldier to refuse to go into combat and to quit the Army on moral grounds.

“I saw a lot of things in Baghdad that were illegal or just wrong,” Griffin told theweekly newspaper in his first interview since leaving the SAS.

“I knew, so others must have known, that this was not the way to conductoperations if you wanted to win the hearts and minds of the local population.

“And if you can’t win the hearts and minds of the people, you can’t win the war.”Griffin, who worked in the SAS’s counter-terrorist team, recalled joint operations

to tackle insurgents with his American counterparts.“We would radio back to our headquarters that we were not going to detain

certain people because, as far as we were concerned, they were not a threat becausethey were old men or obviously farmers, but the Americans would say: ‘No, bringthem back’,” Griffin said.—Internet

Hungry Michigan wolves turning on each otherTRAVERSE CITY , 11 March—Gnawing leisurely on the remains of a moose

carcass, the wolf pack’s alpha male seemed unaware that mortal danger wascoming ever closer.

Landmine kills 26 on way towedding in Pakistan

QUETTA (Pakistan), 11 March — Twenty-six people travelling to awedding in southwest Pakistan were killed on Friday when their vehicle hita landmine near Pakistan’s main natural gas fields.

A truck carrying a marriage party hit a landmine inPakistan’s restive southwestern province ofBaluchistan, killing 26 people and injuring seven, a provincial official said.—INTERNET

The blast happened inDera Bugti District ofBaluchistan Province.Provincial governmentspokesman Raziq Bugtiblamed autonomy-seeking militants forplanting the mine.

“Most of the dead are

women and children.Seven people wereinjured,” Bugti said.

Baluch militants havewaged a low-levelinsurgency for greatercontrol over gas and otherresources for decades, buthave intensified attacks

on government instal-lations and infra-structure, including gaspipelines, over the pastyear.The wedding partywas travelling on a trailerbeing pulled by a tractor.Bugti said militants wereknown to have plantedmines in the area andsecurity forces had beentrying to clear them.

The violence in theprovince, which bordersAfghanistan and Iran, isanother pressing securityproblem for PresidentPervez Musharraf,whose forces are alsobattling Islamist mili-tants in tribal areas onthe Afghan border to thenorth of Baluchistan.

There has been noevidence or claim of anycooperation between theal-Qaeda-linked Islamistrebels and the Baluchnationalists, analystssay.— MNA/Reuters

In this photo released by Michigan TechnologicalUniversity, a gray wolf is shown on Isle Royale National Park in northern Michigan. —INTERNET

Suddenly the eight-member rival pack burstinto view. The alphascrambled to his feet, buttoo late. Howling andbarking, the enemy chasedhim down and mercilesslyattacked, killing thehapless victim within acouple of minutes.

It’s not unusual for thegray wolves on Isle RoyaleNational Park to targeteach other, said JohnVucetich, a MichiganTech University wildlifebiologist who witnessedthe carnage from anairplane in January. Butthe rival pack’s brazeninvasion of another’sterritory was a sign — thewolves are hungry. Thereason is a steady declineof moose, now at their

lowest ebb in the 48 yearsthat scientists have studiedthe two species in IsleRoyale’s closed environ-ment.

“One of the ways thewolves struggle through afood shortage is to try andusurp territory from theirneighbours,” Vucetich said.

He and fellow researcher

Rolf Peterson estimatedthe moose population at450 this winter, down from540 last year. Only fouryears ago, they totalled anabundant 1,100 in thenational park, located innorthwestern Lake Supe-rior and accessible only byboat or airplane.

Internet

Chinese political advisers refuteUS human rights criticism

BEIJING , 11 March — Chinese political advisers in their annual full meeting here slashed on Fridaya US State Department report criticizing human rights conditions in China, calling it “totally unfounded”,“ideology-oriented” and “a fresh example of Washington’s double standards on human rights”.

“The United States, aself-proclaimed ‘humanrights judge’, has once againpointed its fingers at otherswhile totally ignoring itsown problems,” said ZhaoQizheng, a member of the10th National Committeeof the Chinese People’sPolitical ConsultativeConference (CPPCC),China’s top advisory body,at a panel discussion onFriday.

The Country Reportson Human Rights Prac-tices for 2005, issued by

Washington on Wed-nesday and involving morethan 190 countries andregions including China,are full of “arbitrarycharges and unreasonablewords”, said Zhao, former

minister in charge of theInformation Office of theState Council, the ChineseCabinet.

Zhao said that Chinahas been forced to make acounter-report about the

human rights record ofthe United States since1997. The latest versionof the report, the seventhin a row over the pastyears, was published onThursday.—MNA/Xinhua

Violent storms kill two in southern US WASHINGTON , 11

March — Violent stormshit several southern USstates late Thursday,killing at least two peopleand injuring several more,the CNN reported Friday.

Damages were

reported in Arkansas,Mississippi, Missouriand Tennessee. Windgusts of up to 130kilometres per hour werereported and a tornadowas confirmed in easternArkansas, the report said.

A lightning-sparked housefire killed an 83-year-oldman in the southwestArkansas town ofAshdown. Near Memphis,Tennessee, a 48-year-oldwoman was killed whenheavy rains caused hersport-utility vehicle tocrash.—MNA/Xinhua

Cartoon dogs “Duo Duo” and “Dian Dian”,mascots of the Second China International Cartoonand Animation Festival, walk with girls at the WestLake in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s ZhejiangProvince, on 11 March, 2006. The festival will be

held on 28 April, in Hangzhou.—INTERNET

Shouting slogans against the US forces and carrying banners reading, ‘StayAway, US (Army) 1st Corps,’ protesters stage a rally in front of the main gate of

US Camp Zama, Tokyo’s outskirts, on 12 March, 2006. — INTERNET

��


A US Forest Service vehicle drives past snow-covered cactus in Joshua TreeNational Park, California, on 11 March, 2006. A late winter storm brought

several inches of snow to parts of Southern California, due to a cold weathersystem that is pushing through the region.—INTERNET

Putin to visit China on 21 March BEIJING , 11 March — Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a state

visit to China from 21 March, with meetings expected to focus on energy dealsand consolidating bilateral cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said onThursday.

“The two sides willsign a series of agreementson cooperation... includingenergy cooperation, whichis an important element inour mutual cooperation,”ministry spokesman QinGang told a regular newsconference.

Relations between

Beijing and Moscow,once bitter rivals forinfluence in theCommunist world, havewarmed in recent years.Putin’s two-day visitmarks the launch of a“Year of Russia” inChina, with a series ofcultural programmes and

Eritrea accuses US of hypocrisyon human rights

ASMARA, 11 March—Eritrea accused Washington on Saturday of hypocrisyover the release of the annual US human rights report, saying in the wake ofprison abuse scandals it had no moral grounds to criticize other nations.

The State Departmentreport, which coveredcountries around the world,said Eritrea’s record onhuman rights had worsenedand the government con-tinued to commit seriousabuses.

“The US administrationhas no legal or moral groundto point its fingers at othercountries on human rightsissues or to act as a self-appointed court,” Infor-mation Minister Ali Abdusaid on Saturday.

“As far as Eritrea isconcerned, this is ridiculous... and at a time when we arereading the gruesome re-ports from Abu Ghraib andGuantanamo Bay,” he toldReuters, referring to chargesof human rights abusescommitted in US-runprisons. The US rightsreport, released on Wed-nesday, accused Eritrea ofharsh and sometimes le-thal treatment of militarydeserters and draft evaders.

Eritrea and Ethiopia,which fought a 1998-2000war that killed 70,000people, have been lockedin a dispute over the

demarcation of their sharedborder since an independentcommission awarded theborder town of Badme toEritrea in 2002.

Despite an agreementfrom both sides that theywould abide by thecommission’s ruling,Ethiopia rejected thedecision.

The diplomatic stale-mate has created militarytension along the 1,000-km(600-mile) border. Eritrea— whose population isonly one-twentieth thesize of Ethiopia’s — hasbecome one of the mostmilitarized countries in theworld.

Internet

visits by Russian officialsand business groupsdesigned to cement ties.

Chinese PresidentHu Jintao has workedhard to cultivate Putin,visiting Russia threetimes since becomingleader in 2003.

MNA/Reuters

Another WWII bomb found in BudapestBUDAPEST, 11 March—

Another unexploded WWIIbomb was found in Budapeston Friday after two otherbombs had been discoveredand successfully dis-

assembled last month.The bomb was found in

the capital’s first district atthe site of the historic Racthermal baths, which arecurrently under recon-

struction. A major artery intoBudapest was closed off bypolice on Friday morningduring operations to defusethe 50-kilo bomb.

MNA/Xinhua

Two million euro gem stolenat workshop in Belgium

BRUSSELS,11 March— A diamond worth twomillion euros was stolenfrom a diamond polishing

workshop near Belgium’sport city Antwerp onThursday, local newsservice VRT reported onFriday.

According to VRT’sreport, an armed robberentered the workshop atabout 1:30 pm(1200GMT). He threatened thediamond polisher beforelocking him up in theworkshop’s safe.

However, the robberwas unable to lock the safeproperly and the 54- yearold diamond polisher wasable to free himself notlong after the robber hadleft.

MNA/Xinhua

Luna the Orca Whale flips his tail behind aCanadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans

boats of Bligh Island on the west coast of VancouverIsland. — INTERNET

Canada’s lost, lonely whalefeared killed by boat

Officials said the orca,nicknamed Luna byscientists, appeared tohave been hit by thepropellers of an oceantugboat in Nootka Sound,off Vancouver Island,where it had lived since2001 after getting

separated from its familypod.

The young male whale,which often played withboats in an apparent searchfor companionship, mayhave miscalculated thetug’s power and waspulled into the blades, a

Department of Oceans andFisheries biologist said.

Scientists were headedto the area to investigatethe accident, a departmentofficial said.

The 1.8-tonne whalewas the focus of a circus-like battle on the water in2004 between scientists,who wanted to capture itfor relocation, and NativeIndians, who used canoesto lure Luna away from thescientists’ pen.

Whales normally spendtheir entire lives with theirfamilies, and it was notknown how Luna gotseparated from his pod,which summers in the Straitof Juan de Fuca, offWashington state, about200 km (130 miles) southof Nootka Sound.

Internet

VANCOUVER , 10 March— A lonely killer whale that became the object ofa well-publicized tug-of-war between biologists and Natives on Canada’sPacific Coast was feared dead on Friday.

Chinese dancers perform at the opening ceremony of 2006 China-Japan tourismexchange year in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on 10 March, 2006. — INTERNET

A US soldier aboard a

tank talks to Iraqi

children while on patrol

near the scene of a

roadside bomb attack

targeting Iraqi soldiers

in Baghdad, on 12

March, 2006.

INTERNET


International horticulturalexposition to be held in ThailandCHIANG MAI (Thailand), 11 March — An international horticultural

exposition will be held here at the end of this year to celebrate the King’s 60thanniversary to the throne and his 80th birthday in 2007.

Named “Royal FloraRatchaphruek 2006”, theexposition is the firstworld-class expo everorganized in Thailand.

It has been recog-nized as the highest-ranking of horticulturalexhibition by the Inter-national ExhibitionsBureau (BIE) and theInternational Associationof Horti-cultural Pro-ducers (AIPH).

The show will beconducted on 80 hectares

of land at Mae Hiasubdistrict in the northernChiang Mai province from1 November, 2006 to 31January, 2007.

Some 30 countries areexpected to participate inthe exhibition which areestimated to attract about2 million visitors.

The exposition iscomposed of several keyelements, namely “ RoyalPavilion”,”InternationalGarden”, “CorporateGarden”, Ekachon

Worapatrahirunyamasfrom the Project Manage-ment Office in ChiangMai said on Thursday.

Besides those ele-ments designed to paytribute to the King, theexposition will also featurea zone called “ThaiTropical Garden” that willboast of the widest va-riety of tropical plants,including 2,200 speciesand 2.5 million trees.

MNA/Xinhua

Brazil leading effort to boost ethanol useSAO TOME,10 March— In an agroindustrial complex ringed by fields of 12-foot-high sugarcane, a giant

mechanical claw dumps stalks by the tons into an even larger crushing machine. Here’s where therenewable fuel used to power seven of every 10 new Brazilian cars gets its start.

Sugary slurry flowsinto a row of gleamingstainless steel distillingtanks, transforming caneharvested only hoursearlier by machete-wielding farm labourersinto ethanol, the

alternative fuel nowpromoted by PresidentGeorge Bush to end whathe calls America’saddiction to imported oil.

While Bush set 2025as the target date forreplacing three-fourthsof the oil imported fromthe Middle East withAmerican ethanol, Brazilalready satisfies nearlyhalf of its domesticpassenger vehicle fueldemand with ethanol.

After decades ofgovernment interventionand subsidies, the industryhere is a thriving freemarket business, completewith ethanol pumps atevery filling station inLatin America’s largestcountry. Millions of carsrun on either ethanol, gasor any combination of thetwo. And there’s plentymore land available forsugar cane cultivation asthe planet’s biggest sugar

producer gears up tobecome its undisputedlong-term ethanol sup-plier.Brazilian ethanolproducers and interna-tional energy experts agreethat the United States willprobably never come closeto reaching Brazil’spotential as an ethanolsuperpower. But they sayBrazil offers clear lessonson how to boost domesticethanol use.

What the United Statesneeds most, they say, aremore cars that run on thefuel, and filling stationsthat offer it.

“Petroleum is almosthistory,” warned Celsodos Santos, commercialdirector of the Cocamarfarmers cooperative thatowns the Sao Tomedistillery. “People stoppedusing wood for fuel andreplaced it with coal. Thencame petroleum, but we’regetting to the end of thepetroleum era.”—Internet

Tremor kills man, injures16 in Pakistani Kashmir ISLAMADAD, 11

March— An aftershockmeasuring 5.2 killed oneman and injured 16 otherpeople in Pakistan-heldKashmir on Friday, fivemonths after a hugeearthquake devastatednorthern Pakistan,officials said.

The 8 October quakekilled 73,000 people, buta massive relief effortand mild weather hasprevented a feared second-wave of deaths amongmillions of survivorsliving in the open duringthe normally harshHimalayan winter.

Friday’s aftershockwas felt in North WestFrontier Province, Punjaband Kashmir, accordingto the MeteorologicalDepartment.

One man was killedwhen a wall collapsed ontop of him in Mirpur, asouthern district inPakistani Kashmir thatwas largely unaffected by

the original quake. “Many people tried to

jump out of their homesand got hurt,” said KhalidChohan, a superintendentof police in Mirpur, addingthat several houses weredamaged by the tremor.

MNA/Reuters

Series of earthquakes hitWanganui, NZ

WELLINGTON, 11 March — A string of feebleearthquakes rattled Wanganui, north area of NewZealand, on Saturday morning.

The first quake measured 4.1 on the Richter Scaleand struck the area 30 kilometres southwest of the cityat 00:55 am local time (1255 GMT on Friday), theothers struck in the same place, with the second one at3:17 am (1517 GMT) measuring 4.5, a third at 5:27 am(1727 GMT) measuring 3.8 and a fourth at 8:10 am(2010 GMT) measuring 4.2. A police spokeswomansaid there had been no calls to the station in regard tothe quakes. — MNA/Xinhua

Malaysia, Australia sign MoUon agriculture

KUALA LUMPUR, 11March — Malaysia andAustralia have inked amemorandum of under-standing (MoU) to boostcooperation in agriculture,food processing, livestockand fisheries trade, localmedia reported ob Friday.

Australian Minister forAgriculture, Fisheries andForestry, Peter McGauran,and Malaysian Minister forAgriculture and Agro-based Industry, MuhyiddinMohamad Yassin, signedthe MoU Thursday inCanberra, Australia,according to Bernama

news agency. McGauransaid the agreement wouldstrengthen the links ofprivate and governmentsector between thecountries.

“The MoU recognizesthe importance of privatesector links between ourcountries. It also reflectsthe strong, bilateralagricultural relationshipbetween Australia andMalaysia, and thewillingness of bothcountries to furtherstrengthen that bond,”McGauran was quoted assaying. — MNA/Xinhua

Six Agentinemilitary killedin plane crash

LA PAZ (Bolivia), 11March — Six Argentinemilitary officials werekilled on Thursday whentheir plane crashed as itwas taking off from El AltoAirport near La Paz, aBolivian Air Force officialtold local radio.

The official said all sixpeople on board theexecutive jet were killedwhen the plane dis-integrated soon afterleaving the runway at about3.30 pm local time (1930GMT).—MNA/Reuters

An Indonesian boy watches sharks in an aquarium at the Sea World in Jakarta,Indonesia, on 11 March, 2006.—INTERNET

A Kashmiri earthquake survivor walks through the University Ground refugeecamp in the Kashmiri earthquake-devastated city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-

administered Kashmir on 12 March, 2006.—INTERNET

Urami, right, and Mupae, both from South Korea,wreatle in the annual bullfighting festival in

Cheongdo, southeast of Seoul, South Korea, on 12March, 2006.—INTERNET


Food and danger of toxic chemicalTin Hlaing (Health)

Now, the world has witnessed development invarious spheres with growing world population. So,man has to innovate constantly to fulfil the require-ments of increasing population. In order to ensurefood security, man has transformed the conventionalagricultural and livestock breeding methods intomodern ones and used specific inputs in these sec-tors.

The inputs include chemicals such as anti-fungus, pesticides, weed killers, urea and fertilizersused for boosting agricultural and livestock breedingproduction, rapid growth and seasoning foods. Use oftheses substances boosts production and enhancesgrowth of the produce.

However, there is a Myanmar saying that urgesmoderation in everything. Nowadays, a wide varietyof chemicals are used indiscriminately without limi-tation. Unsystematic use of such substances is harm-ful to man.

I would like to present a true story that tookplace about 30 years ago. At the time, I was a healthassistant in the Yayzin Dam Project. Paddy, sugarcaneand vegetables were grown around Yayzin. One day,my wife prepared a dish of water cress. She alsoprepared a dish of boiled fish, bean and water cress forour nine-month-old son. About an hour after we hadhad our lunch, our son got sick and began to vomitwith a stomach ache. We applied lotion on his stom-ach, but his situation was getting worse. So, we had torush him to Pyinmana hospital.

At the hospital, his vomit was tested to find outthe cause. The result showed “endrin seen”. Theowner of the vegetable patch failed to wait for twoweeks after spraying endrin over the water cressplantation and sold the produce. A child was notresistant enough to such amount of endrin. We werefortunate my wife washed the water cress with waterseveral times and so it was not very serious.

Chemicals are now used widely in the worldespecially for the agricultural purposes. Some sub-stances of organo chlorine group such as endrin,aldrin, lindane, dieldrin and DDT and some sub-stances of organo phosphorus group such asfanitrothion, malathion, fanthion and phosmet areused as pesticides. Moreover, paraquat and arsenictrioxide are used as insect killers, and urea, T superand many kinds of growth hormone as fertilizers.

If such hazardous substances get into humanbody more than the amount man can be resistant, brain,

nerves, liver, kidney, heart and skin are damaged imme-diately. In Myanmar, almost all the foods are not freefrom chemicals. But, people of developed countriesprefer foods free from chemicals.

Today in Myanmar, some prefer vegetables andfruits bigger and brighter than normal. For instance,consumers prefer bamboo shoot, chilli powder andturmeric power with bright colours to those withoriginal colours. Therefore, such products are dyedvery bright for sale.

And bigger-than-normal fruits grown with theuse of various types of fertilizers are more attractive.Recently, I accompanied my wife to the market. At afruit shop, I noticed a big papaya. I examined it andfound that it was still green, so I put it aside. Then, theshop assistant said to me, “Uncle, do you think it is stillgreen? It will be ripe this evening. I can do it right ifyou want to have it this afternoon. Look!”

She dipped a tiny stick into a bottle of chemicalliquid and touched it on the papaya at three or fourdifferent places, and said to us, “This chemical liquidis very effective. It can make any fruits ripe immedi-ately”.

I had heard of such chemicals but never seen it.That was the first time I experienced that and was

used to grow such crops”.“I do not mean so”.“Oh, I am confused”.“No, you are not. I mean radish or long bean

can be grown overnight”.While I was taken aback, she continued to say,

“Supposing, radish, long bean and beans and pulsesare going to be sold in the market, they are wrappedup with a piece of jute cloth that is wet with urealiquid for a night. In the morning, they have growntwice. A sale assistant shared me with this method”.

I was surprised again. In reality, fertilizers area compound of nitrogen. If so, the vegetables absorbphosphorus, sodium, potassium, manganese and am-monia. As soon as such vegetables are consumed, thepoisonous chemicals get into the stomach. Ammoniabelongs to nitrogen group. It is poisonous, so it isdrained together with urine. Urine has bad smell dueto ammonia content. If such fertilizers get directlyinto the stomach, brain, stomach, liver and kidney aredamaged.

Therefore, preventive measures are to be takenagainst the use of such chemicals. But, it will befound it difficult to expose unscrupulous personswho use toxic chemicals. Sellers respond to the

In reality, fertilizers are a compound of nitrogen. If so, thevegetables absorb phosphorus, sodium, potassium, manga-nese and ammonia. As soon as such vegetables are consumed,the poisonous chemicals get into the stomach. Ammonia be-longs to nitrogen group. It is poisonous, so it is drainedtogether with urine. Urine has bad smell due to ammoniacontent. If such fertilizers get directly into the stomach, brain,stomach, liver and kidney are damaged.

worried. So, I decided to get a bundle of radish andstring beans instead of choosing papaya. Getting home,I saw my nieces from the countryside.

I said, “It is just right. I will serve you pork andlong bean pie, and boiled radish”.

“Uncle, these long beans are grown with the useof fertilizers”.

“You’re right. Urea and T-super fertilizers are

demand of customers. So, all the customers are to beaware of the dangers of the vegetables and fruitscarrying pesticides and fertilizers and to avoid buy-ing them. If so, sellers will not sell such vegetablesand fruits. Thus, the entire people are to be aware ofsuch harmful vegetables and fruits.

Translation: MS(Myanma Alin: 12-3-2006)

YANGON, 12 March — The rice offering

ceremony to mark the 2549th Buddha Pujaniya of

Shwedagon Pagoda, organized by the Pagoda Board

of Trustees of Shwedagon Pagoda, was held at its

platform, here, 5 pm today.

Ovadaçariya Sayadaws of the pagoda board of

trustees, members of the Sangha and nuns went round

Shwedagon Pagoda clockwise.

Member of the Pagoda Board of Trustees, over

60 religious associations, and wellwishers offered rice

and alms worth K 18 million to the Sayadaws and

nuns. — MNA

Rice offered to Sayadawsat Buddha Pujaniya of

Shwedagon Pagoda

The rice offering ceremony of 2549th Buddha Pujaniya of Shwedagon Pagoda in progress. —˚MNA


(from page 16)Secretary Nyaung-

don Sayadaw Abhidhaja

Maha Rattha Guru

Bhaddanta Osadh-

abhivamsa delivered a

sermon, and the Senior

YANGON, 12 March— Minister for CultureMaj-Gen Kyi Aung ac-companied by Director-General U Kyaw Win ofArchaeology Departmentarrived at ArchaeologicalTraining School in Pyayon 10 March.

The minister metthe trainees who areattending AppliedArchaeological Diplomaat the training school andfulfilled the requirements.The minister alsoinspected around the

Culture Minister visitsArchaeological Training School

training school. In theevening, the ministeroversaw Sari Kesttra Ar-chaeological Museumand left instructions.

Minister Maj-GenKyi Aung visited ancientBaw Baw Gyi Pagoda andheld discussion on all-round renovation task ofthe pogada with the tech-nicians and engineers.

Yesterday, Minis-ter Maj-Gen Kyi Aungand Minister for Reli-gious Affairs Brig-GenThura Myint Maung

attended Htidaw hoistingceremony of Mya TheinDan Pagoda in Thegon,Pyay District.

At first, SayadawDr Ashin Ñanissaraadministered the Nine Pre-cepts to the congregation.Later the ministers fixedSeinbudaw andHnagtmyatnadaw atop thePagoda. MinisterMaj-Gen Kyi Aung of-fered cash donation to theSayadaws to theceremony.

MNA

YANGON, 11 March —Chairman of RakhineState Peace and Develop-ment Council Commanderof Western CommandMaj-Gen Khin MaungMyint attended the cer-emony to launch the paddyhusk-fired power plant inRupa North Ward ofSittway on 8 March morn-ing.

Chairman of Town-

Paddy husk-fired power plantlaunched in Sittway

ship Peace and Develop-ment Council U AungHtut and Power SupplyCommittee ChairmanU Win Shwe Maung for-mally opened the plant.The commander unveiledthe signboard of the powerplant, and started the sup-ply of power.

The power plant wasbuilt at a cost of K 9 mil-lion. In the compound of

the power plant, the com-mander inspected No 1physic nut nursery ofRakhine State Coopera-tive Syndicate.

Next, the commanderdelivered an address at theopening ceremony ofRakhine State PDC Chair-man’s Shield Inter-Town-ship Sepak Takraw Tour-nament at the gymnasiumin Sittway. — MNA

General and wife and

party shared merits

gained.

The ceremony

ended with three-time

recitation of Buddha

Sasanam Çiram Titthatu.

After the cer-

emony, Senior General

Than Shwe and wife

Daw Kyaing Kyaing and

party offered ‘soon’ to

members of the Sangha.

MNA

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

General Thura Shwe Mann and wife Daw Khin Lay Thet offer alms to aSayadaw. — MNA

Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo, donates alms to a Sayadaw.MNA

Prime Minister General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than Nwe presentoffertories to a Sayadaw. — MNA

Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife Daw Khin Khin Win donateprovisions to a Sayadaw. — MNA

Minister for Culture Maj-Gen Kyi Aung visits Sari Kesttra ArchaeologicalMuseum in Pyay.— CULTURE

Senior General Than Shweand wife

Daw Kyaing Kyaingoffer ‘soon’ to religioustitle recipient Sayadaws


YANGON, 12 March— Member of the StatePeace and DevelopmentCouncil Lt-Gen Ye Myintof the Ministry of Defence,Chairman of MandalayDivision Peace and De-velopment Council Com-mander of Central Com-mand Maj-Gen Khin Zaw,Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han andofficials of the State Peaceand Development Coun-cil Office and departmentsinspected construction ofthe archway of NanmyeBonthasan NandawyaSanda Muni Pagoda inAungmyethazan Town-ship on 7 March. Lt-Gen Ye Myint and

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects construction of archway ofSanda Muni Pagoda in Aungmyethazan Township

party presented fruits,flowers, water and light tothe Buddha images at thepagoda. They went toLawkamarazein Kutho-

daw Pagoda and inspectedstone inscriptions knownas the world’s biggestbook. They paid obeisanceto the Buddha images at

the pagoda. Lt-Gen Ye Myint in-spected renovation of thestone inscriptions and con-struction of ring road andpaving of roads. Lt-Gen Ye Myint andparty inspected the seven-storey Zegyo Plaza. Theyalso inspected construc-

tion of Mandalay ZegyoShopping and 25-levelCondominium being un-dertaken by Mann-Myanmar ConstructionCo. Chairman of the com-pany U Than Win reportedon the project. Mandalay Mayor Brig-Gen Phone Zaw Han gave

a supplementary report.Lt-Gen Ye Myint gaveinstructions on worksitesafety and fire preventionmeasures. He inspectedlaying of gravel onTaungthaman Lake ringRoad, paving ofroads ChanmyathaziTownship.—MNA

YANGON, 12 March— The opening ceremonyof dispensary took placein Okpo Village inMahlaing Township,Meiktila District, Manda-lay Division on 7 March.

It was attended by

Village dispensary opened inMahlaing Township

Meiktila District Peaceand Development Coun-cil Chairman Lt-Col LuTin and members, DistrictWomen’s Affairs Organi-zation Chairperson DawNan Mya Ein, DistrictMaternal and Child Wel-

fare Supervisory Commit-tee member Daw PhyuPhyu Nwe, District USDASecretary U Saw Htay, thechairman of MahlaingTownship PDC andmembers, chairperson ofMahlaing TownshipMCWA, departmentalheads and wellwishers.

Lt-Col Lu Tin anddonor Dr Myo Myint for-mally opened the dispen-sary. Afterwards, thechairman of District PDCand the chairman of town-ship PDC made speeches.

Next, the donor ex-plained the purpose ofdonating dispensary and avillager expressed thanks.Later, wellwishers DrMyo Nyunt-Daw Min Minhanded over the docu-ments related to the build-ing of dispensary to Dis-trict Medical Superintend-ent Dr Myo Thant.

At the ceremony,wellwishers Dr MyoMyint-Daw Min Min do-nated K 2.7 million fordispensary and TownshipMCWA Chairperson DawTin Tin presented K100,000 as a fund of theassociation. A total of K302,500 was donated bywellwishers to medicaltrust fund.

MNA

YANGON, 12 March— Minister for Agricul-ture and Irrigation Maj-Gen Htay Oo arrived atKyonsok river waterpumping project inMaubin Township yester-day morning.

Deputy Director ofWater Resources Utiliza-tion Department U MoeOo reported to the minis-ter on construction of thepumping station and dig-ging of canals.

Director-General UWin Shwe briefed the min-ister on matters related toirrigated area, canal No 1and No 2, and water sup-ply facilities.

The minister metwith local authorities, ag-ricultural coordinationcommittees at differentlevels, and local farmers.

River water pumping station, paper millinspected in Maubin

He gave instructions onboosting production andper-acre yield, minimiz-ing wastage and loss, de-clining of cost for agricul-tural production, extendedcultivation of high yieldpaddy strain, and growingof physic nut plants.

Kyonsok river wa-ter pumping project hasone 2,700-foot-long maincanal and three branchcanals to supply water to9,000 acres of farmlandsfrom nine village-tracts.

At Maubin PaperMill, the minister viewed

production of paper withthe use of dry jute.

The mill managerreported on productioncapacity of the mill, col-lection of raw materialsand yearly manufacturingof 5,000 tons of paper.Managing Director U Ye

Phone Myint of MyanmaJute Enterprise gave a sup-plementary report.

After hearing thereports, the minister leftinstructions on running ofthe mill at full capacityand boosting production.

MNA

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects laying of gravel on Taungthaman Lake ring road.—MNA

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects paving of road in Mandalay.—MNA

Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo inspects paper mill in Maubin.—MNA


YANGON, 12 March— Sayadaws and nunsof Sri Lanka, Laos, Thai-land, the USA, Nepal andChina arrived here by airyesterday to attend thereligious title offering

Sayadaws, nuns arriveand rice offering ceremo-nies.

They were wel-comed at Yangon Inter-national Airport by Ad-visor U Ant Maung, Di-rector-General Dr Myo

Myint of Department forPromotion and Propaga-tion of the Sasana, am-bassadors of foreign mis-sions concerned inYangon and officials.

MNA

YANGON, 12March —“The tasks of press scru-tiny are most importantand service personnel ofPress Scrutiny and Reg-istration Division are dis-charging heavy dutiesand reforms on its poli-cies have been made,”said Minister for Infor-mation Brig-Gen KyawHsan in meeting withpersonnel of the divisionof Printing and Publish-ing Enterprise onWingaba Road in BahanTownship yesterday. The minister said thegovernment is building aknowledge based societyintroducing the knowl-edge based economy inknowledge age in accordwith the guidance of theHead of State and effortsare to be made for intel-lectual development of

Press Scrutiny and Registration Divisionplays pivotal role in printed mediaMinister urges division to

cooperate with literary worldthe people and humanresource developmentthrough the media. He said the pressscrutiny and registrationdivision plays a pivotalrole in the printed media.He urged the personnel ofthe division to scrutinizefine literature for the peo-ple in accord with thepolicies laid down. Internal axe-handlesand anti-government or-ganizations from abroadare attacking the govern-ment. The division incooperation with thosefrom literary world is tosafeguard the nationalinterest and to carry outthe tasks for wider devel-opment of the literaturepreserving Myanma cul-tural heritage and na-tional characters withinthe framework of the

policy, he added. He urged the person-nel to strictly observe thefour objectives laid downfor the division, to coop-erate with those from lit-erary world and to servethe interest of the nationand the people effectivelythrough literature. Director of the divi-sion U Tint Swe reportedon the history of the di-vision, change of organi-zational set-up andpresent functions. The minister gaveinstructions on appoint-ment of personnel, issu-ing permits to new print-ers and publishers in ac-cord with the policy, ar-rangements for futuretasks, supervision on ac-cepting registration feesand others.

MNA

YANGON, 12 March— A ceremony to open anew gymnasium was heldat Sports and PhysicalEducation Institute (Man-dalay) yesterday after-noon.

Chairman of Man-dalay Division Peace andDevelopment CouncilCommander of CentralCommand Maj-GenKhin Zaw, Chairman ofMyanmar OlympicCommittee Minister forSports Brig-Gen ThuraAye Myint, MandalayCity Development Com-mittee Mayor Brig-GenPhone Zaw Han cut theribbon to open the gym-nasium.

Chairman of Man-dalay Division Peace andDevelopment CouncilCommander of CentralCommand Maj-Gen KhinZaw, the minister and themayor sprinkled scented

SPEI (Mandalay) gets new gymnasiumwater on the bronzeplaque.

The commanderand the minister gavespeeches.

The minister pre-sented sports gear worthK 1.3 million to Manda-lay Division Wushu andBoxing Sub-committees,sports equipment worthK 1.5 million to youthfootball teams of SPEI(Mandalay), and sportsgear worth K 280,000 toseven townships of Man-dalay District.

U Chan Tha ofAsia Hi-Tech Construc-tion Co Ltd handed overdocuments related to thegymnasium to DeputyDirector-General U TheinAung of the Sports andPhysical Education De-partment.

The newly openedgymnasium measuring120 feet long, 90 feet

wide and 36 feet highwas built at a cost ofK 75.6 million. — MNA

YANGON, 11 March — Bago Division Peaceand Development Council Chairman Southern Com-mand Commander Maj-Gen Ko Ko together withofficials arrived at 16-bed station hospital in Leikthoin Thandaung Township, Kayin State on 9 March.

Afterwards, the commander proceeded toLeiktho BEHS and Township Myanmar ElectricPower Enterprise. After hearing reports by officials,the commander attended to the needs.

Next, the commander inspected 18-mileLeiktho-Thandaunggyi earth road construction andToungoo-Leiktho-Yado-Loikaw Road constructionand fulfiled the requirements.

Toungoo District Public Works will undertakeconstruction of 69 miles long Toungoo-Leiktho Roadand up to now, 25 miles and 2 furlongs in length hasbeen constructed.

MNA

Development tasks inKayin State inspected

YANGON, 12 March — In honour of the 61stAnniversary Armed Forces Day, special sales ofthe Ministry of Industry-1 will take place at theSports Ground in Monywa, Sagaing Division asof 17 March 2006. The special sales will sell afull range of items produced by the ministry atreasonable prices.

The first special sales took place at theministry compound in Yangon from 1 to 7 Feb-ruary and the second in Mandalay. The third spe-cial sales has kept taking place at North OkkalapaTownship in Yangon. Arrangements are beingmade for holding the special sales in various town-ships in states and divisions.

MNA

Special sales to be held

in states, divisions YANGON, 12 March— Dry Day InspectionSupervisory CommitteeChairman Yangon Sta-tion Commander Brig-Gen Myint Soe, accom-panied by Leader of In-spection SupervisoryCommittee Police Bri-Gen Than Han ofMyanmar Police Force(Headquarters), commit-tee secretary YangonPolice Force CommanderPolice Col Aung Daing,Joint-Secretary Wireless

Tatmadaw and departmentalvehicles checked on dry day

and Traffic Police ForceCommander Police Lt-Col Aung Naing andmembers, supervised thefunctions of dry day in-spection teams at themain points of Yangonthis evening.

Inspection teamschecked dry day pass,driver’s licence, wheel taxbill of Tatmadaw and de-partmental vehicles andwearing of the respectiveuniforms and breaking oftraffic rules. — MNA

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.The second best time is now.

A religious title recipient Sayadaw from abroad being welcomed by officialsat the airport. — MNA

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan meets with employees of Press Scrutiny andRegistration Division. — MNA


A man rides a horse near the pyramids in Cairo on 11 March, 2006.—INTERNET

Elena Dementieva ofRussia returns a shot toAnastasiya Yakimovaof Belarus during thePacific Life Open at

the Indian Wells TennisGarden in IndianWells, California.

Dementieva won 6-4,3-6, 6-3.—INTERNET

BEIJING, 12 March —Chinese President HuJintao on Saturday calledon the Chinese Army toenhance national defenceand step up Army build-ing to safeguard nationalsovereignty, unification,territorial integrity andsecurity.

"We should strive to

Hu Jintao calls for reviving up Armybuilding to safeguard sovereignty

improve the capability ofthe Armed Forces to dealwith crisis, maintainpeace, contain wars andwin victory in possiblewars," said Hu when hejoined in the panel discus-sion of the delegation ofthe People's LiberationArmy (PLA) to the FourthSession of the Tenth Na-tional People's Congress(NPC) here on Saturdayafternoon.

Hu is also GeneralSecretary of the Central

Committee of the Com-munist Party of China andchairman of the CentralMilitary Commission.

After hearing the PLAdeputies' views, Hu saidthe next five years are cru-cial to China's drive forbuilding a comparativelyprosperous society in anall-round way. It is also"an important period" forthe modernization of na-tional defence and Armybuilding, he said.

MNA/Xinhua

US “killernurse” gets

12th lifesentence

WASHINGTON, 12March — A judge in Penn-sylvania added on Fridaya 12th life sentence againsta former nurse who killedat least 29 patients in twostates.

Charles Cullen, the"killer nurse" who wassentenced last week to 11consecutive life terms inNew Jersey, has admittedthat he gave lethal over-doses to dozens of patientsat nursing homes and hos-pitals in Pennsylvania andNew Jersey, in one of theworst murder sprees everdiscovered in the UShealth care system. Cullen, 46, has claimedthat he killed 40 patientsover a 16-year nursingcareer and that he did soout of mercy. Many of hisvictims were old and verysick.—MNA/Xinhua

JAKARTA, 12 March —The Indonesian House ofRepresentatives and thegovernment have agreedto ease procedures for peo-ple from other countries toacquire Indonesian citizen-ship or permanent residentstatus, local media reportedSaturday.

"Basically, we agreedto ease the procedures forforeigners who believethey are entitled to Indo-nesian citizenship or per-manent resident status,"legislator Boy W Saul ofthe Democrat Party wasquoted by the Jakarta Postas saying.

Indonesia to relax rules on citizenship The move is expected

to boost foreign investmentto Indonesia, the legislatorsaid.

Legislator BomerPasaribu of the GolkarParty said that the peopleaffected by the regulationwould be "those who canimprove the country suchas researchers or inves-tors".

"To get Indonesiancitizenship, they are re-quired to have permanentresident status first, justlike other countries," hesaid.

Foreigners who aremarried to Indonesians can

be "given a chance" to getthe status regardless ofgender, he added.

The existing law doesnot allow an Indonesianwoman to sponsor a non-Indonesian husband forpermanent resident status.At present, foreigners canonly be sponsored by com-panies that employ themhere. Permanent residentstatus only lasts for fiveyears and is subject to ex-tension. Non-Indonesianscan only apply for perma-nent resident status fiveyears after they are given alimited stay permit.

MNA/Xinhua

India, China seeking closer ties NEW DELHI, 12 March

— Indian Prime MinisterManmohan Singh saidhere on Saturday that it isan important part of In-dia's foreign policy to de-velop good-neighbourly,friendly and cooperativerelations with China.

Singh made the re-marks when he met withDai Bingguo, special re-presentative of ChinesePrime Minister WenJiabao, who arrived hereFriday for the seventhround of Indian-Chineseborder talks.

During the meeting,

Singh also said develop-ing friendship between In-dia and China will makegreat contribution to peaceand prosperity not only inthe two countries but alsoin Asia and the world.

Affirming the progressof India-China bordertalks, the Indian PrimeMinister said both sidesshould speed up their workfor the final settlement ofthe border issue.

Dai, who is ChineseVice-Foreign Minister,said China will work fordeveloping its strategicpartnership with India and

the Chinese side will makepositive efforts togetherwith the Indian side forearly settlement of the bor-der issue. The seventhround of border talksstarted here Saturday be-tween Dai and Indian Spe-cial Representative MKNarayana, who is India'snational security adviser.It will be moved to Kerala,India Sunday. In 2003,China and India decidedto appoint special repre-sentatives on either sidefor the talks of settling theirboundary problem.

MNA/Xinhua

MANILA, 12 March —A landslide hit a village inTarragona, Davao Orien-tal in southern Philippineson Friday, but all the vil-lagers were evacuated be-forehand and there wereno reported casualties, thelocal television networkABS-CBN reported onSaturday.

Authorities said con-tinuous rains that weaken-ed the area's soil structurecaused the landslide,

Landslide hits evacuatedvillage in southern Philippines

which damaged crops andabout 100 million pesos(2 million US dollars)worth of infrastructure,including a village hall, aschool and several houses.

Some 160 familieswere evacuated fromthe village since Wednes-day following a warningof possible landslidefrom the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau.

MNA/Xinhua

BEIJING, 12 March— Itis an urgent task to havethe country's five millionvillage cadres trained tobe honest, clean and com-petent if China wants tofulfil its ambitious goal ofturning the vast rural re-gions into a "new socialistcountryside", a femalelawmaker from a famousvillage in North China'sShanxi Province has said.

"The key to buildinga more developed, civi-lized and democratic

Clean, competent village cadreskey to building new countryside

countryside lies in thecompetence as well aspersonal integrity of thevillage cadres," GuoFenglian, village chief ofDazhai Village, XiyangCounty of Shanxi, toldXinhua in an exclusiveinterview.

The 60-year-old Guois a deputy to the 10thNational People's Con-gress (NPC), China's na-tional legislature now con-vening its annual full ses-

sion in Beijing. According to a central

government budget re-port, in 2006 alone, Chinawill spend a total of 339.7billion yuan (42.46 bil-lion US dollars) on ruraldevelopment, triggeringworries among some NPCdeputies that the hugefunds might be misusedor intercepted by cadresat various levels beforereaching farmers.

MNA/Xinhua

Number ofHFMD casesincreasing in

Singapore SINGAPORE, 12 March

— The number of thehand, foot and mouth dis-ease (HFMD) cases hasbeen increasing in Singa-pore in the past few weeks,according to ChannelNewsAsia report on Fri-day night.

A total of 314 caseswere reported last weekwhile the average weeklynumber of cases is about162, Ministry of Healthwas quoted as saying.

MNA/Xinhua

KUALA LUMPUR,12March — Malaysian po-lice have crippled four pi-rate gangs preying on shipsin the Malacca Strait in theirongoing operations tomaintain security in the wa-terway, local reports saidon Saturday.

Police had made quite anumber of arrests and theenforcement had reducedpiracy attacks in the strait,Malaysia's national newsservices Bernama quotedthe country's Deputy Po-lice Inspector-GeneralMusa Hassan as saying.

Malaysia cripples 4 pirategangs in Malacca Strait

Some of the arrests werenot unveiled to the publicas the operations weregoing on, Musa toldreporters during a post-disaster crime preventionmeeting near Kota Kina-baru, capital of Malaysia'seastern state of Sabah.

Malaysian marinepolice were also provid-ing escorts to tug boats orships travelling throughthe strait upon theirrequests, the Malaysiandeputy police chief saidduring the four-day meet-ing.— MNA/Xinhua


Russian FM calls forinternational meeting on Iran MOSCOW, 11 March— Russian Foreign Minister

Sergei Lavrov has called for an internationalmeeting which will include Russia, the United States,China, the European trio and the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to resolve Iran’snuclear issue.

UN emergency fund opens with halfneeded pledges

UNITED NATIONS, 11 March— The United Nations' new global emergencyfund began work on Thursday with slightly more than half the 500 million USdollars its director had hoped for.

Mexican radio journalist killed in drug war city

Japanese man wins $500,000for Bahamas jailing

NASSAU (Bahamas), 11 March— A Bahamiancourt has ordered the government to pay a Japaneseman 500,000 US dollars for keeping him in prisoneight years without a trial.˚

Speaking in aninterview on Russiantelevision, transcripts ofwhich were posted on itsForeign Ministry’swebsite Friday, Lavrovdescribed the situationsurrounding the disputeover Iran’s nuclearprogramme as “critical...But it does not mean thatnow everybody has to goto the Security Counciland start to make calls andthreats and fulfil suchthreats,” Lavrov said.

“It only means that weall have to get togetheragain to find a newconsensus regarding ourstrategy at the currentstage,” he said. “We areready for that.”

On Thursday, a dayafter the IAEA wrappedup its meeting in Viennawith discussions onIAEA chief MohamedElBaradei’s latest re-port on Iran’s nuclear

programme, Russia urgedIran to consider the out-come of the meeting andcooperate fully with theUN nuclear watchdog.

The Iran nuclearstandoff escalated afterTeheran resumed nuclearfuel research in January,which prompted the IAEAdecision last month toreport its case to the UNSecurity Council.

MNA/Xinhua

Russia to strengthen strategicpartnership with Algeria

ALGIERS, 11 March— Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin said onFriday that Russia hopes to further strengthen its strategic partnership withAlgeria.

Algeria was the firstArab nation to sign astrategic partnership dealwith Russia, Putin toldreporters after meetingwith his Algeriancounterpart AbdelazizBouteflika.

Putin, the first Russianleader to visit Algeria,underscored the long-standing friendshipbetween Russia and theNorth African country,saying he and Bouteflikahad reached consensus

on the development ofbilateral ties in the future.

The outlook of Russia-Algeria relations werepromising, he added.

The two leaders alsoexchanged views on tiesbetween Palestine andIsrael, the situation in Iraq,and other international andregional issues of commonconcern.

The first grants fromthe Central EmergencyFund went to drought-stricken northeasternAfrica and western IvoryCoast, where angry mobsrecently burned down UNaid offices. The dollar

amounts of the grants werenot given.

The fund opened forbusiness with pledgestotalling just 256 millionUS dollars from 36 donorgovernments. Canada,Australia, Spain and theUnited States were amonggovernments announcingpledges at the launch.

The goal had been toraise 500 million USdollars, but UN EmergencyRelief Coordinator JanEgeland said the responsenonetheless amounted to"a big step" forward as thesole source of emergencyfunds had previously beena UN standby loan facilityof just 50 million USdollars.

But international reliefgroup Oxfam has arguedthe fund would need onebillion US dollars toensure an adequate UNresponse.

"The fund will makeus quicker, more flexibleand predictable" in dealing

with both man-madehumanitarian disasterslike the crisis in Sudan'swestern Darfur region andwith natural disasters likethe 2004 Indian Oceantsunami, Egeland said.

He had asked for thefund after the tsunami,and the 191-nationUN General Assemblyapproved it last December.

The idea is to give theworld body the ability toquickly send emergencysupplies to an affected areawithout having to wait forinternational donors tosend checks or make goodon pledges.

The money in the fundwould be continuallyreplenished as con-tributions later pouredin for each individualdisaster. Some 11 millionpeople face famine in theHorn of Africa due to along drought in the region,with Kenya, Ethiopia andSomalia the hardest-hitcountries.—MNA/Reuters

Nigeria, South Korea signaccords on energy, transport

The Court of Appealruled on Thursday thatAtain Takitota wasunlawfully imprisoned inAugust 1992, afterarriving in Nassau fromOsaka, Japan, and beinggranted permission to stayin the Bahamas for oneweek.

The only reason givenfor his detention was that

he was an “undesirableand his presence was notconducive to the publicgood,” the judgment said.

While being held atFox Hill Prison andCarmichael Road deten-tion centre, he attempt-ed suicide three times,according to court docu-ments.

MNA/Reuters NUEVO LAREDO

(Mexico), 11 March— Apart-time radio reporterwas shot to death at dawnon Friday in what couldbe the latest effort by drugtraffickers to silence

journalists along thenotoriously violent Mexi-can border.

Ramiro Tellez, 41,was shot at close range byone or two gunmen as heapproached his pickup

truck outside his house, apolice spokesman said.

“His son called(emergency number) 066and he was taken byambulance to San Josehospital, but sadly, he died10 minutes after hearrived,” spokesmanHector Valle said.

Witnesses said Tellez,who also worked for apolice-run office thatcoordinates emergencytelephone calls, was shotin the neck, chest and leg.

MNA/Reuters

LAGOS, 11 March—Nigerian PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo andhis South Koreancounterpart Roh Moo-hyun have signedcooperation agreementson energy and transport,according to a statementissued by the State Houseon Friday.

The Nigerian NationalPetroleum Corp and theKorean National Oil Corpalso signed a productsharing agreement fortwo highly prospectivedeepwater oil blocks, thestatement said.

The two oil blocks areBlock 323 with a signaturebonus of 310 million USdollars and Block 321 witha signature bonus of 176million dollars.

“Obasanjo assured hisguest that all agreementssigned during the visit willbe scrupulously imple-mented and thanked him

for encouraging Koreanfirms to invest in Nigeria’soil and gas sector as wellas in power generation,”the statement said.

MNA/Xinhua

MNA/Xinhua

A US Navy submarine, is seen docked at Pearl Harbour , on 10 March , 2006 inHonolulu. By 2010, Pacific ports will be home to 60 percent of the nation’s

attack submarines. — INTERNET


��

NEW YORK,11 March — Women who have habitually low levels of calcium in their diet undergosignificant changes in bone calcium turnover during pregnancy and lactation, according to the resultsof a new study.

Switch to diet soda may helpteens shed pounds

Calcium deficit common during pregnancy, lactation

Dr Janet C King ofChildren’s HospitalOakland ResearchInstitute, California, andcolleagues examinedcalcium levels duringpregnancy and earlylactation in 10 Brazilianwomen. The average levelof dietary calcium was 463milligrams per day, theresearchers report in theAmerican Journal of

Clinical Nutrition. The women were

given a form of calciumthat could be easilydetected as it movedthrough the body, so bonecalcium turnover couldbe monitored in differentcompartments. Evaluations wereperformed during earlypregnancy (10 to 12weeks), late pregnancy (34

to 36 weeks), and earlylactation (7 to 8 weeks afterbirth). A significant increasein the rate of bone calciumdeposition was observedfrom early to late pregnancy,the researchers found. Compared with earlypregnancy, the rates of bonecalcium resorption werehigher during late pregnancyand early lactation.

They also observed a

Belgian Cabinet approvesproposal to ban forced marriages

BRUSSELS, 11 March — Belgium is to become the world’s secondcountry after Norway to ban forced marriages after the Cabinet approveda legislative proposal from Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx onFriday.

Currently, forced marriages are combated in the country by laws againstphysical and mental abuse, rape and threats. However, the government saidthese laws are insufficient to fully combat forced marriages.

According to the proposal, forced marriages will be punishable with a jailterm of one month to two years or maximum fines of 500 to 2,500 euros (oneeuro equals about 1.2 US dollars). An attempted forced marriage isprosecutable with a jail term of 15 days to a year or a fine of 250 to 1,250euros. The legislative proposal outlines the right to enter a marriage willinglyand gives public prosecution authorities the ability to annul a forcedmarriage. Currently, only the married partners can apply for an annulment.

Forced marriages are not uncommon in Belgium. A survey conductedbetween December 2003 and June 2004 found that 73.4 per cent of respondentssaid forced marriages still occur and 23 per cent said they had personallycome into contact with the practice. — MNA/Xinhua

NEW YORK, 11March — A new studyshows that adolescents whoregularly consume sugar-sweetened soda have notrouble switching to sugar-free soda if provided the

opportunity—and makingthe switch may lead toweight loss, especiallyamong heavier teens. Therole of sugar-sweetenedbeverages in promotingobesity is hotly debated.With this study, “we thinkthere now is a very strongcase that sugar-sweetenedbeverages are playing a

strong role in weight gainamong adolescents”, DrDavid S Ludwig fromChildren’s Hospital Bostonnoted in an interview withReuters Health. Thefindings also provideadditional support for theAmerican Academy ofPediatrics recom-mendations to limit intake

France assists Laos inrehabilitating world

heritage site HANOI , 11 March — France has pledged to

offer Laos one million euro (nearly 1.2 million USdollars) to improve the world heritage site of VatPhou in the next three years.

The fund will be usedto conduct a field studyinto how best to improvethe site for tourism,upgrade infrastructure,and train people in chargeof conserving andmanaging the Vat PhouTemple, a world heritagerecognized by the UnitedNations Educational,Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO),Lao newspaper VientianeTimes reported Friday.

Earlier, France

helped Laos rehabilitatethe ancient capital ofLuang Prabang, a worldcultural heritage alsorecognized by theUNESCO. The Vat PhouTemple in northernChampassak Province isof great spiritualsignificance, since itsstructures and itemsdisplayed there expressintense religiousconviction and commit-ment, the report said.

MNA/Xinhua

positive relationshipbetween bone calciumturnover and dietarycalcium from earlypregnancy to earlylactation. Dietary levelsof calcium and levels ofinsulin-like growth fac-tor 1 explained 68 to 94per cent of the variabilityin bone calcium balance.

MNA/Reuters

of sugar-sweetenedbeverages, Ludwig andcolleagues note in thejournal Pediatrics.

The study involved103 high school studentswho regularly drink sugar-sweetened beverages. For25 weeks, 53 of the teens inthe intervention group wereprovided with a variety ofalternative beverages thatdid not contain sugar suchas bottled water and dietbeverages including softdrinks, iced teas, lemo-nades and punches.

The beverages weredelivered right to the teen’shomes. The other 50control teens received nointervention.

All of the teenagerscompleted the study.Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages fellby 82 per cent in theintervention group but didnot change in the controlgroup. — MNA/Reuters

Macao to have3G cellphoneservices in

2007 MACAO, 11 March —

Macao is likely to havethe third-generation (3G)mobile-phone services in2006, local mediareported Thursday.

Macao Post Dailyquoted sources from thegovernment as saying thatthe bidding process is tostart later in March andthe granting of thelicenses is to be completedby the end of 2006. Twoor more 3G licences willpossibly be granted, thesources told thenewspaper.

MNA/Xinhua

Zhou Chun-xiu from China raises her arms as shecrosses the finish line in the women’s race of the

Seoul International Marathon at Olympic Stadiumin Seoul, on 12 March, 2006. Zhou won the race intime of 2 hours, 19 minutes, 51 seconds.—INTERNET

Japanese monkeys bathe in a hot spring in a snow-covered valley inYamanouchi town, central Japan, on 12 March, 2006. —INTERNET

Lazaro’s 2006 spring collection of bridemaid dress(2).— INTERNET


S P O R T S

Answers to yesterday’sCrossword Puzzle

H A L L E F A C T S

G R A A P R D

R E S O U N D R H I N E

A O N D I P F

T U N E D E C L I P S E

E E A R L E R

C H U R L A L E R T

S O T I D E S

C H E R O O T A O R T A

O D R C F I T

F I O R D H O L I D A Y

F W E Y E E R

I N E R T S T E R N

Gallas strike wins London derbyfor Chelsea

LONDON, 12 March— William Gallas, who struck a long-range shot instoppage time to earn Chelsea a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday,said the victory helped to make amends for the team's midweek ChampionsLeague exit.

Celta lose 2-0 at Espanyol MADRID, 12 March— Celta Vigo missed their chance

to move up into the Champions League places onSaturday when they lost 2-0 away to 10-man Espanyolin the Primera Liga.

The defeat meant the Galicians, who had won fourof their five previous games, remain in fifth place in thetable, a point behind Osasuna who host leaders Barce-lona on Sunday.

Espanyol took the lead early in the first half whenRaul Tamudo steered into the open net after fellowstriker Luis Garcia controlled a long pass with his toeand cut the ball back from the byline.

The Catalans, who are coached by former Celta bossMiguel Angel Lotina, looked to have landed them-selves in trouble when defender Armando Sa wascontroversially sent off as he tangled with Daniel deRidder on the edge of the area midway through the half.

MNA/Reuters

Bayern, Werder in Champions League hangovers

Ronaldo misses penalty as Real,Valencia draw

MADRID , 12 March— Real Madrid had to settle for a 0-0 draw atValencia in the Primera Liga on Saturday after substitute Ronaldospurned a golden opportunity to give his side victory when he missed alast-minute penalty.

Adriano ends goal drought as Interbeat Sampdoria

ROME, 12 March— Inter Milan striker Adriano ended a 10-match goaldrought when he snatched the winner in a 1-0 victory over Sampdoria onSaturday.

German boxer Felix Sturm shows the champion’sbelt after beating Maselino Masoe from

New Zealand during their WBA MiddleweightChampion fight on Saturday, 11 March, 2006

in Hamburg, northern Germany. Sturm won bydecision of the scoring judges.—INTERNET

Germany's World Cup leader Tobias Angereron his way during the 50 km Cross Country skiing

event in Holmenkollen, Oslo, on Saturday 11March , 2006. —INTERNET

Valencia's Miguel Angel AnguloValderrey, left, from Spain,duels for the ball with Real

Madrid's Raul Bravo Sanfelix,from Spain, during their Span-

ish league soccer match inValencia, Spain, on Saturday,11 March, 2006.—INTERNET

BERLIN, 12 March—Bayern Munich andWerder Bremen sufferedhangovers in the Bundes-liga on Saturday after theirpainful ChampionsLeague exits.

Leaders Bayern wereheld to a 0-0 draw at VfLWolfsburg while second-placed Werder werethrashed 3-0 at home byHertha Berlin. Bayern,dispatched from Europeanclub soccer's premierevent by a 4-1 defeat byAC Milan on Wednesday,at least avoided their sec-ond successive league set-back after losing 2-1 athome to Hamburg SV lastweekend.

"It was very difficultfor the team after Wednes-day's defeat and all thecriticism that followed,"said Bayern coach FelixMagath. "We playedpretty well but lacked con-fidence and were not dan-gerous enough in front ofgoal." The champions ex-tended their lead onWerder to nine pointscourtesy of a spectacularburst from Hertha.

The capital club, whobadly needed a win after13 competitive matcheswithout victory, scored

second-half goals byKevin-Prince Boateng,Marcelinho and YildirayBasturk.

Werder were beaten byJuventus on the awaygoals rule on Tuesday af-ter a dreadful late blunderfrom goalkeeper TimWiese, who experiencedanother nightmare on Sat-urday and was to blamefor Hertha's first goal.

"We never found ourway into the game," saidWerder coach ThomasSchaaf. "We were far toopassive and never showedthe aggression we wouldhave needed."

Bremen stay level onpoints with third-placedHamburg SV, who could

move into second with justa draw at home againstKaiserslautern on Sunday.

Bayern started in prom-ising fashion against

Wolfsburg, Peru strikerPaolo Guerrero hitting theback of the net after 57seconds, only to be ruledoffside.—MNA/Reuters

Adriano's goal, his firstsince scoring twice in a3-2 triumph over Cagliarion January 15, left Interthird in Serie A with 62points from 29 matches,11 behind leadersJuventus who meet sec-ond-placed AC Milan onSunday. It will also liftInter's spirits ahead of thesecond leg of their Cham-pions League last-16 tie

with Ajax Amsterdam onTuesday.

Brazil striker Adrianolooked lively from the startat the San Siro Stadium,heading against the postfrom a corner midwaythrough the first half.

Sampdoria also createdchances, midfielderSergio Volpi unleashing afierce 30-metre drive thatFrancesco Toldo tipped

wide at full stretch. Adriano scored five

minutes before the inter-val when he nodded in therebound after keeperFrancesco Antonioli hadtipped his header fromLuis Figo’s cross on to thebar.—MNA/Reuters

The Brazilian, who was droppedto the bench by Real coach JuanRamon Lopez Caro, earned the spot-kick after he was fouled by SantiagoCanizares but the Valencia goal-keeper atoned for his error when hesaved Ronaldo's low shot.

"Things aren't going well at themoment but I can only get out of thissituation with enthusiasm and hardwork," the striker told reporters afterthe game.

The draw played into the hands ofleaders Barcelona, who have an op-portunity to extend their nine-pointlead at the top when they travel tofourth-placed Osasuna on Sunday.

Barca top the table on 61 points,Valencia and Real have 52 andOsasuna are six further back with 46.

Earlier, Celta Vigo missed theirchance to move into the ChampionsLeague places when they lost 2-0 at10-man Espanyol.

The defeat meant the Galicians,who had won four of their last fivegames, remain fifth a point behindOsasuna.

Real Sociedad eased their relega-tion worries by taking their first pointsin five games with a 1-0 win atDeportivo Coruna, whose last vic-tory at the Riazor was three monthsago.—MNA/Reuters

The France defender, mobbed by teammatesand manager Jose Mourinho in an exultantcelebration two minutes into injury time, saidit was the best goal he had scored.

The late winner also strengthened Gallas'case for a new contract after persistent ru-mours in the British and French media that hemight move at the end of the season becausehe felt undervalued by the Premier Leaguechampions.

"Everybody said something about Chelseaafter the (midweek) game in Barcelona andtoday we showed everyone we have a greatteam," Gallas told reporters.

The win sent Chelsea 18 points clear ofsecond-placed Manchester United and ex-tended their unbeaten league run against Lon-don rivals Spurs to 32 games over 16 years.

Mourinho, slammed by the Spanish andBritish media as a bad loser after the 3-2aggregate defeat by Barcelona in the firstknockout round of the Champions League,did not appear for the regular post-matchnews conference.

MNA/Reuters

Chelsea's Didier Drogba, left, ofIvory Coast goes for a header withTottenham Hotspur’s MichaelDawson during their English Pre-mier League soccer match atStamford Bridge, London, on Sat-urday, 11 March, 2006. Chelseawon 2-1.—INTERNET


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

Summary of observations recorded at 09:30hours MST: During the past 24 hours, light rainhave been widespread in Kachin State, isolated inupper Sagaing Division and weather has been gene-rally fair in the remaining areas. Day temperatureswere (3°C) to (4°C) above normal in Kachin, Shanand Chin States, Sagaing, Magway, Bago,Ayeyawady and Taninthayi Divisions, (6°C) abovenormal in Mandalay Division and about normal inthe remaining States and Divisions. The significantday temperatures were Minbu, (42°C), Monywa,Myingyan, NyaungU, Magway, Pakokku and Pyay(40°C) each. The noteworthy amounts of rainfall re-corded were Putao and Machanbaw (0.20) inch each.

Maximum temperature on 11-3-2006 was100°F. Minimum temperature on 12-3-2006 was68°F. Relative humidity at 09:30 hrs MST on12-3-2006 was (77%). Total sunshine hours on11-3-2006 was (8.7) hours approx.

Rainfalls on 12-3-2006 were nil at Mingaladon,Kaba-Aye and central Yangon. Total rainfalls since1-1-2006 were nil at Mingaladon, Kaba-Aye and cen-tral Yangon. Maximum wind speed at Yangon (Kaba-Aye) was (6) mph from West at (15:00) hours MSTon 11-3-2006.

Bay inference: Weather is generally fair inthe Andaman Sea and East Central Bay and partlycloudy elsewhere in the Bay of Bengal.

Forecast valid until evening of 13-3-2006:Likelihood isolated light rain in Kachin, Chin, North-ern Shan, northern Rakhine States and upper SagaingDivision, weather will be partly cloudy in lowerSagaing and Mandalay Divisions and generally fairin the remaining States and Divisions. Degree ofcertainty is (60%).

State of the sea: Seas will be slight tomoderate in Myanmar waters.

Outlook for subsequent two days:Likelihood of slight rain in Northern Myanmarareas.

Forecast for Pyinmana and neighbouringarea for 13-3-2006: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Yangon and neighbouring areafor 13-3-2006: Fair weather.

Forecast for Mandalay and neighbouringarea for 13-3-2006: Partly cloudy.

Monday, 13 MarchView on today Monday, 13 March

Tune in today8.30 am Brief news8.35 am Music:

-Eye of tiger8.40 am Perspectives8.45 am Music:

-Come and seeabout me

8.50 am National news &Slogan

9:00 am Music:-Into my dreams

9:05 am Internationalnews

9:20 am Music:1:30 pm News & Slogan1:40pm Lunch time music

-Wonderful life-Yes you do-Cassablanca

9.00 pm Spotlight on thestar-Crystal Gayle

9.15 pm Article9.25 pm Radio Magazine/

Drugs Elimina-tion-Women Affairs

9.35 pm Vocal Gems/Golden Landmelody-Blessed Myanmar

9.45 pm News & Slogan10.00 pm PEL

WEATHER

4:00 pm 1. Martial song

4:15 pm 2. Song to uphold

National Spirit

4:30 pm 3. Practice in Reading

4:40 pm 4.��

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26.The next day’sprogramme

Sunday, 12 March, 2006

DAR-ES-SALAAM , 12 March — Henri van Schalkwk from South Africa stole the limelight on Saturdayby winning the 2006 pageant of the Miss Tourism Model of the World in Dar-es-Salaam.

S Africa wins 2006 Miss Tourism Model of World

Silvia Cavalleri, of Italy, tees off on the fourth holeduring the second round of golf’s LPGA

MasterCard Classic, on Saturday, 11 March , 2006,in Huixquilucan, Mexico. — INTERNET

Miss South Africawas rated better than 76 ofher peers from 55 coun-tries who displayed their

national costumes, swimwears and evening gowns.

Oceania did not par-ticipate in Saturday’s pag-

eant. Tanzanian First LadyMama Kikwete confer-red the crown from reign-ing Miss Tourism Modelof the World AlinaCiorogariu of Romania toHenri van Schalkwk.

The four runner-uppositions went to MissAngola Karina Silva(first), Miss MongoliaGantogoo Bayarkhuu(second), Miss PolandRenata Nowak (third), andMiss Croatia Paula Tomic(fourth) respectively.

The Mongolianmodel got two titles of arunner-up placing and abest national costumeaward.

Martha Kamalatafrom Zambia was crownedMiss Tourism Model ofAfrica; Linda Hudson ofJamaica was crownedMiss Tourism Model ofAmericas; China’s MaoYuanyuan was crownedMiss Tourism Model ofAsia; and the title of MissTourism Model of Europewent to Miss Spain CarlaPuente.

The pageant also of-fered such titles as BestEvening Gown, Best Hair,Best National Costume,Face of Net, Personality,Platinum Model, Photo-grapher, Press and TeamModel. — MNA/Xinhua

More than 50% of NewYork teens smoke

NEW YORK, 12 March— Smoking among teen-agers in New York Citypublic schools has plum-meted by more than 50per cent during the pastdecade.

Today, one in 10city high school teenssmoke, according to a

survey by the city’s De-partment of Health. Thefigures also showed thatmore girls than boys lightup, and that the highestconcentration of teensmokers is on Staten Is-land, where 23 per cent ofthem smoke.

The healthiest younglungs are to be found inBrooklyn, where just 9 percent of teens light up.

MNA/Xinhua

Fullmoon Day of Taboung 1367 ME Monday, 13 March, 2006

Senior General Than Shwe and wifeDaw Kyaing Kyaing offer ‘soon’ toreligious title recipient Sayadaws

(from page 1)Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw

Kyaing Kyaing donated eight requisites to the Chair-

man Sayadaw.

Vice-Senior General Maung Aye and wife Daw

Mya Mya San offered eight requisites to Secretary

Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha Rattha Guru Bhaddanta

Osadhabhivamsa of Nyaungdon.

Daw Khin Than Nwe, wife of Lt-Gen Tin Oo,

presented eight requisites to State Ovadaçariya

Shwekyin Sasanabaing Sayadaw Abhidhaja Maha

Rattha Guru Bhaddanta Agghiya; General Thura

Shwe Mann and wife Daw Khin Lay Thet, eight

requisites to Agga Maha Pandita title recipient

Sayadaw Bhaddanta Gannissara of Sri Lanka; Prime

Minister General Soe Win and wife Daw Than Than

Nwe, eight requisites to Agga Maha Pandita title

recipient Sayadaw Dr Bhaddanta Mahavichit of Laos;

and Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and wife Daw

Khin Khin Win, eight requisites to Abhidhaja Agga

Maha Saddhammajotika title recipient Sayadaw

Bhaddanta Sirindhara of Kaba-Aye Monastery of

Pathein.

Member of the State Peace and Development

Council Lt-Gen Tin Aye of the Ministry of Defence,

I N S I D EPreventive measures are to be taken

against the use of hazardous chemicals.But, it will be found it difficult to exposeunscrupulous persons who use toxicchemicals. Sellers respond to the demandof customers. So, all the customers are tobe aware of the dangers of the vegetablesand fruits carrying pesticides and ferti-lizers and to avoid buying them. If so,sellers will not sell such vegetables andfruits. Thus, the entire people are to beaware of such harmful vegetables andfruits.PAGE 7 TIN HLAING

the Commander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander-

in-Chief (Air), Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of

Defence, the commander, ministers, and senior mili-

tary officers donated provisions to members of the

Sangha.

(See page 8)

State Ovadacariya Sayadaws, members of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee and State Central Working Committee of the Sangha, andreligious title recipient Sayadaws—MNA

Senior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing offer 'soon' to the Sayadaws.—MNA

Vice-Senior

General

Maung Aye

and wife

Daw Mya

Mya San

offer alms

to a

Sayadaw.

MNA

senior general than shwe and wife daw kyaing … peace and development council general thura ... daw...

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