Established 1914 Volume XV, Number 264 12th Waning of Nadaw 1369 ME Saturday, 5 January, 2008 Discharge historic duty of perpetuating sovereignty In discharging the historic duty of safeguarding national independ- ence and perpetuating the sovereignty, all the national people are urged to make concerted efforts while enhancing the dynamic Union Spirit, patri- otism and nationalistic fervour, and developing the human resource. Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From message sent on the occasion of the 53rd Anniversary Independence Day) Senior General Than Shwe, wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing host dinner to mark 60th Anniversary Independence Day NAY PYI TAW, 4 their wives welcomed Peace and Development try of Defence and wife, and wife, SPDC members officers of the Ministry of Jan — Chairman of the the Senior General. Council Vice-Senior Gen- Prime Minister General and their wives, the Com- Defence and their wives, State Peace and Devel- Also present at eral Maung Aye, SPDC Thein Sein and wife, Sec- mander-in-Chief (Navy), the Commander of Nay opment Council of the the dinner were Vice- member General Thura retary-1 Lt-Gen Thiha the Commander-in-Chief Pyi Taw Union of Myanmar Sen- Chairman of the State Shwe Mann of the Minis- Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo (Air) and senior military (See page 8) ior General Than Shwe and wife Daw Kyaing Kyaing hosted a dinner to mark the 60th Anni- versary Independence Day at the City Hall, here, this evening. At 6.30 pm, Senior General Than Shwe arrived at the City Hall where the dinner to mark the 60th Anniversary In- dependence Day was to be held. Vice- Chairman of the State Peace and Develop- ment Council Vice- Senior General Maung Aye, SPDC member General Thura Shwe Mann of the Ministry of Defence, Prime Minister General Thein Sein, Secretary- 1 of the SPDC Lt-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, diplomats led by Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Pakistani Ambassador Mr Muhammad Senior General Than Shwe greets diplomats led by Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Pakistani Ambassador Nawaz Chaudhry and Mr Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhry at dinner to mark the 60th Anniversary Independence Day. — MNA Emergence of the State Constitution is the duty of all citizens of Myanmar Naing-Ngan. 5-1-08 NL 1 8/8/18, 11:26 PM 2 THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 5 January, 2008 PERSPECTIVES People’s Desire Saturday, 5 January, 2008 * 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 March toward national goal * Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the State through concerted efforts * Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy It has been 60 years since the Union of Myanmar regained independence and has been standing tall among the world commu- nity. In the message sent by Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe it is stated that being equipped with the spirit to never toler- ate any acts that will harm national diginity, the national brethren fought back the intrud- ers sacrificing lots of blood, sweat and lives and regained independence and sovereignty. At present, the entire people are striving for the emergence of a peaceful, modern, devel- oped and discipline-flourishing democratic nation adopting it as the national goal. Minister Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint opens 2nd Inter-ministry marathon event to mark At present, the government is striving the 60th Anniversary Independence Day.—MNA together with the people and the Tatmadaw for the emergence of a new democratic na- tion. In this regard, the National Convention, Festivities, sports competitions mark the first and the most crucial step of the seven- step of Road Map, has already laid down the 60th Anniversary Independence Day fundamental principles and detailed basic NAY PYI TAW, 4 ice race, Maung Wunna General Secre- ter-Ministry Staff Families principles for the writing of the State Consti- Jan — To mark the 60th Lin of the Ministry of Rail tary of MOC Director- Track and Field Contest was tution. And the drafting of the State Constitu- Anniversary Independ- Transportation won the General U Thaung Htaik held at Nay Pyi Taw Foot- tion is now under way. ence Day 2008, the Sec- first prize, Maung Kyaw of the Sports and Physical ball Ground No 1. Staff In building a new and modern nation ond Inter-Ministry Mara- Thiha Tun of the Ministry Education Department families happily partici- community peace and tranquility, prevalance thon Race was held in front of Construction the sec- and officials presented pated in the 100-m, 200-m, of law and order, robust economy and devel- of Nay Pyi Taw Myoma ond, and Maung Thè prizes to the respective 400-m, 800-m and 5000-m opment of human resources are indispensa- Market this morning. Maung of the Ministry of winners. races and traditional sports ble. Therefore, steps are being taken for the Chairman of Sports the third prize. Likewise, the In- events.—MNA nation to be strong in political, economical, Myanmar Olympic Com- social and defence sectors. mittee Minister for Sports Thanks to integrated and well-coordi- Brig-Gen Thura Aye nated efforts of the State and the people the Myint launched the mara- nation is witnessing unprecedented peace and thon. development. As a result, projects for devel- Marathon runners opment of political, economic, education and participated in the open health sectors have been laid down and sound and novice classes from infrastructures for a new and modern nation the Nay Pyi Taw Myoma were built. At a time when relentless efforts Market to the No 1 Nay are being made for the emergence of a peace- Pyi Taw Football Ground ful, modern, developed and discipline-flour- through Yanmyo Thantzin ishing democratic nation the entire national road, Aungnan Mingala people are to make concerted efforts with a road, Zabu Kyetthayay sense of national duty and awareness for suc- road, Yazathingaha road, cessful realization of the national goal. Yangon-Mandalay road, Taungnyo junction. In the men’s open Students and families of personnel taking part in sports activities to marathon race, Maung mark the 60th Anniversary Independence Day. — MNA Zaw Zaw Lin of the Minis- try of Sports stood first, Maung Soe Naing of the Ministry of Defence sec- ond and Maung Myat Hsu Aung of Mandalay Divi- sion third. In the women’s open marathon race, Ma Thida Cho of the Ministry of Home Affairs secured the first prize, Ma Yin Yin Htwe of the Ministry of Home Affairs the second prize and Ma Khin Thanda Oo of the Ministry of Com- Sports event to mark the 60th Anniversary merce the third prize. In Independence Day in progress. — MNA the men’s marathon nov- 5-1-08 NL 2 8/8/18, 11:26 PM THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Saturday, 5 January, 2008 3 Senior CPC official meets Fake liquor kills 11 in Mongolia presidents of GMS’ TV stations ULAN BATOR, 4 Jan— BEIJING, 3 Jan—Senior Li, a member of the by China Central Tele- Locally produced toxic CPC official Li Changchun Standing Committee of the vision (CCTV) and the liquor killed 11 people met here on Wednesday Political Bureau of the national TV stations of the and hospitalized 41 others with presidents of TV Communist Party of China five Southeast Asian during the New Year stations from five South- (CPC) Central Committee, countries, demonstrates the holiday in Ulan Bator, east Asian countries. highlighted the traditional current economic, cultural Deputy Prime Minister The five TV presidents friendship between China and social situation of the Miyeegombo Enkhbold including Kem Gunawadh and the five nations, saying GMS countries. Li said said on Wednesday. All from Cambodia, Boun- that the cooperation the documentary was a the 41 victims, three of chom Vongphet from mechanism of the Greater successful practice of them seriously, have been Laos, U Win Kyi from Mekong Subregion (GMS) cultural exchanges among hospitalized after being Myanmar, Wasan Pailee- has promoted the mutually- GMS countries. He poisoned by the liquor klee from Thailand and beneficial cooperation expressed appreciation for A woman makes traditional-style lanterns at home which contained metha- Tran Binah Minh from between China and the sound cooperation in Hongmiao village on the outskirts of Beijing on nol, Enkhbold said. Vietnam, were here to Cambodia, Laos, Myan- between CCTV and the 3 Jan, 2008.—INTERNET MNA/Xinhua attend the broadcasting mar, Thailand and five national TV stations, ceremony of a docu- Vietnam. encouraging more media mentary titled “Nourished “Nourished by the Same exchanges of GMS FDA OKs first rapid blood by the Same Water”. Water,” jointly produced countries.—MNA/Xinhua test for MRSA infection WASHINGTON, 4 Jan — subsidiary of BD in New to methicillin and which I N T E R N A T I O N A L N E W S The US Food and Drug Jersey. It can deliver test has a higher fatality rate. Administration (FDA) results in two hours, said The new test uses US launches criminal probe announced on Wednesday the federal health agency. molecular methods to it has given clearance for Methicillin is an anti- identify whether a blood into CIA tapes destruction the first rapid blood test for biotic that has been used sample contains genetic the drug-resistant staph successfully to treat material from the MRSA WASHINGTON, 3 Jan— activists and some legal requests that it hand over bacterium known as infections from the bacterium or the more The US Justice Depart- experts.