INFORMATION SHEET NO. A.0096(I)

[OKKAR66127@xxxxxxx]

INFORMATION  SHEET  NO. A.0096(I)				   Date. 19/8/97

(1)		Chief of Staff (Army) of Armed Forces of Bangladesh Arrives
		At the invitation of Chief of Bureau of Special Operations and 
Chief of Staff (Army) Lt. Gen. Tin Oo, Chief of Staff (Army) of the Armed
Forces of People?s Republic of Bangladesh Maj. Gen. Mohammad Anwar Hossain
and party arrived Yangon by air for a goodwill visit.

(2)		KMD presents Higher Diploma certificates to course graduates
		NCC Higher Diploma certificates presentation ceremony of the KMD 
Computer Centre in conjunction with freshers welcome was held at the
International 
Business Centre ,Yangon on 18 August morning. Rector of the Institute of
Computer 
Science  and Technology Dr. Kyaw Thein, Director Mr. Claus Henning of the
British Council, Regional Moderator U Kyaw Htin and Managing Director of KMD
Co. Ltd. 
U Thaung Tin delivered speeches and presented certificates to the course
graduates.

(3)		Billiards and Snooker tournaments on 9 September
		Billiards and Snooker tournaments jointly sponsored by Myanmar Billiards
and Snooker Federation and Raffles Recreation Centre will be held on the
fifth floor of Theingyizay Complex in Yangon on 9 September.

(4)		Friendship Hotel opens in Lanmadaw
		Myanmar Friendship Hotel, owned by Myanmar nationals, was formally opened
in Lanmadaw Township on 15 August by Deputy Minister for Hotels and 
Tourism.

		
OFFICE CALLS IN YANGON ON 18 AUGUST

(A)		Secretary (1)  of the State Law and Order Restoration Council Lt.Gen. 
Khin Nyunt received State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr. Masahiko

Koumura and party at Dagon Yeiktha of the Ministry of Defence.

(B)		Secretary of Myanmar Investment Commission Brig. Gen. Maung Maung 
received Director of South-East Asia Division, Ministry of Finance in Paris
Mr. Federic Mey  at Myanmar Investment Commission Office.

	We present an article ? Myanmar- The Land And Its People? for your reading:-

?MYANMAR-THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE?
		Myanmar possess the largest surface area in continental Southeast Asia. It
is surrounded by Bangladesh and India to the West and Northwest; and China,
Laos and Thailand to the Northeast and East. It has a population of over 44
million.
		The origins of Myanmar civilization had been traced back to the fifth
century ?Pyu? era; but recent excavations have revealed artifacts dating as
far back as the third century. Legends linked to ancient holy shrines such as
the world famous ?Shwedagon Pagoda? dates it back to the lifetime of the Lord
Buddha, over 2500 years ago. Historical records have chronicled the glorious
past of Myanmar as a strong nation that influenced much of the events of the
South Asia Region.
The Bagan empire established in the eleventh century was the pinnacle of
Myanmar?s glory. It was a world renowned civilization, a leader of it?s time
in religion, culture and the arts and crafts. It was destroyed by Kublai Khan
in the thirteenth century. Marco polo, other well known travellers and
traders from far and wide visited ancient Myanmar its wealth and splendour,
its extensive association and trade with both the West and the East have been
well documented.
		Mandalay was popularized by the visit and consequent writings of ?Kipling?.
The layout of the palace, the moat, the old city, the irrigation network and
the arts and crafts bear witness to Mandalay being one of the more modern and
progressive societies of its era. Stone and marble carving, wood carving, and
crafting of gold and silver ware, jewelry, weaving, carpet making, painting,
construction, pottery, boat building, astrology, soothsaying still flourish.
		There are 135 indigenous races living in Myanmar comprising a rich and
colourful mix of traditions and cultures. The people are congenially simple,
good natured, pleasant, charitable, hospitable and peace loving. They are
also fiercely patriotic, proud and self reliant. Respect for parents, elders,
teachers, fellow men; compassion and consideration for the young and the weak
are inborn; family values and ties are strong, and the community spirit high.
		Although Buddhism is the principal religion, religious worship is free. 
Myanmar is one of the few countries remaining that practise Theravada
Buddhism in its purest form; and is presently the centre for the propagation
of this Buddhist sect. Many devotees, converts, religious scholars from
around the globe converge on Myanmar to study, to meditate to don the robes
and worship at the world renowned meditation and teaching establishments.
Many ancient sacred pagodas and shrines exist all over the 
country, each with its unique history and legend. Every sacred pagoda has its
day of commemoration, when worship is intermingled with festivities and
trade; this attracts many pilgrims from all walks of life, thus pilgrimage
tours are the main form of local tourism.
		The people of Myanmar have a genuine understanding and love for nature
which has imbued in them a spirit of conservatism with a focus on concerns
for the
welfare of future generations. The natural environment has been preserved
effectively,
a lot of it in pristine condition. Its plush teak bearing natural forests
scenic lakes and mighty river, from the snow caps in the north to the coastal
mangroves and unspoiled islands to the south can afford many thrills and rich
experiences.
		In recognition of its rich heritage in history, culture, traditions and
natural beauty, Myanmar was awarded the ?Gulliver de la Revelation de L?Anee?
award at the ?Salon Mondial du Tourisme? an international tourism fair held
in Paris in April, 1996. Likewise, due recognition was accorded to Myanmar at
the I.T.B. World Tourism Fair held in March 1996.

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